A dark retreat is one of the offerings of the Sklenářka meditation and community centre, which stands on its own in the forest near Kostelec nad Orlicí. The grounds have two separate wooden single-person dark cabins, JIN and JANG, so two people can be in the dark at the same time. Each has a bed, a table, an armchair, a shower with hot water, a chemical toilet and electric heating; food and messages are passed through a separate entrance corridor.
The base price includes accommodation and a caretaker who brings food once a day and looks after the running of the dark cabin. Lacto-vegetarian meals and consultations with a guide are paid separately. The price varies by season, is higher during the heating season, and falls with the length of stay. During the stay, communication is by written messages; a therapeutic guide is available only on request. The retreat is intended mainly for healthy people who want to try the dark for three nights or more; you can also stay overnight at the centre’s facilities before or after the retreat.
Prices and conditions at Sklenářka Kostelec nad Orlicí
Week with meals (7 nights, 1 person)
10,850 Kč–12,950 Kč summer 7 × (1,200 + 350 CZK meals), winter (Oct–Apr) 7 × (1,500 + 350 CZK) meals are paid separately, we added them
Summer season (May–September), up to 4 nights: 1,300 CZK/night
Summer season, 5–10 nights: 1,200 CZK/night
Summer season, 11 or more nights: 1,100 CZK/night
Winter season (October–April), up to 4 nights: 1,600 CZK/night
Winter season, 5–10 nights: 1,500 CZK/night
Winter season, 11 or more nights: 1,400 CZK/night
Vegetarian meals: 350 CZK/day
Guide services: 500 CZK/hour
Transfer from Kostelec nad Orlicí: 200 CZK
Partial work in lieu of payment: 1 hour of work = 150 CZK (for those who cannot afford the stay and need it for health reasons)
Year of the price list not stated
Price includes
Accommodation in the dark cabin and energy
Hot drinks daily (tea in a thermos, even when fasting)
Caretaker services: introductory interview, food delivery, toilet cleaning, handover and takeover of the dark cabin
Meals (350 CZK/day) and guide consultations (500 CZK/hour) are not included
Meals
extra charge of 350 CZK/day, vegetarian
Lacto-vegetarian; the diet can be adjusted as needed
Delivered once a day: a hot lunch and two smaller cold meals
Fasting is possible; tea in a thermos is provided anyway
Length of stay
from 3 nights
Minimum 3 nights, usually 3–10 nights
They recommend discussing a longer stay in advance
Deposit and payment
1,000 CZK per night at booking
After registration you receive an advance invoice; the booking is binding once paid
The balance is paid on site in cash before the start or after the end of the stay
Cancellation
Cancellation at least 14 days in advance: the deposit is refunded minus an administrative fee of 500 CZK
The website does not say what happens if you cancel less than 14 days in advance; ask before booking
Leaving early: a cancellation fee equal to the deposit (1,000 CZK/night) is charged for each unused night
Health restrictions
Not suitable for mentally unstable people who are being or were recently treated in psychiatric care or who take antidepressants
Not suitable with certain illnesses, such as epilepsy
They recommend that people who are ill or mentally unstable consult a doctor or psychologist beforehand
The registration form asks about medication, blood pressure, heart conditions and pacemakers
Other conditions
Leaving early: the stay can be ended at any time (the dark cabin is always unlocked); a cancellation fee of 1,000 CZK is charged for each unused night.
Registration form with a declaration of fitness and acceptance of responsibility
Arrival on the start day 13:00–15:00, darkness begins in the evening; departure by 11:00
Do not bring a mobile phone or electronics, cigarettes, alcohol or chemical cosmetics
They recommend allowing a day to return to normal life after the stay
The website does not say whether a stay for a couple or with a child is possible
Guide
The caretaker brings food once a day, cleans the toilet, and hands over and takes back the dark cabin
Communication is by written messages through a separate corridor
Guide (introductory and closing conversation, therapeutic care) only on request, 500 CZK/hour
Contact person for the dark retreat: Tomáš Hurdálek
Information taken from the operator's website sklenarka.cz, last checked 25. 9. 2026. Prices and conditions may change; please confirm them with the operator before booking.. Texts are translated from Czech.
Getting to Sklenářka Kostelec nad Orlicí:
Location: on the centre's grounds Parking: 0 km Train: 3 km Bus: 3 km
Sklenářka Kostelec nad Orlicí on the map:
Do you own this centre and would like more photos or a different description here? Contact us at info@pobytvetme.com.
Book directly with the operator: website sklenarka.cz, tel. +420 704 167 216, e-mail tma@sklenarka.cz.
If they are fully booked, you can use these free dates at Léčba tmou near Kutná Hora. These are not dates of Sklenářka Kostelec nad Orlicí, but of the centre in Lomec near Kutná Hora (Czechia):