our story
born from a return to the mountains, a reconnection with our roots and a desire to create something deeply meaningful.
how heal in hunza began
after years of living between cultures, i travelled back to hunza searching for something i could not fully name. what i found was more than beautiful scenery. i found stillness, belonging and a deeper connection to my faith, my roots and myself.
that experience became the beginning of heal in hunza, a retreat created for others who may also be longing to slow down, reconnect and feel at home within themselves again.
living between cultures
growing up between cultures can be a beautiful experience, but it can also leave you feeling as though you belong everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
you may inherit the language, traditions and stories of your family while growing up far away from the places that shaped them. over time, that connection can begin to feel distant, even when the longing for it remains.
heal in hunza was created with that feeling in mind, for those who want to understand where they come from, strengthen their sense of belonging and create a relationship with their heritage that feels personal and alive.
the return that changed everything
returning to hunza gave me the space to hear myself again.
away from the pace and expectations of everyday life, the mountains created room for reflection. simple moments. waking to the call to prayer, sharing chai, walking through villages and listening to family stories, I began to reconnect parts of me that had felt distant for years.
hunza reminded me that healing does not always require becoming someone new. sometimes, it begins by returning to what has always been within you.
Meet the Team
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Zainab
FOUNDER & HOST
zainab created heal in hunza from her own experience of growing up between cultures and returning to the mountains to reconnect with her faith, roots and sense of self.throughout the retreat, she welcomes and supports each guest, guides reflective circles and helps create a warm, personal space where everyone can feel held, connected and at home.
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Aara
NATURE EXPERT & CO HOST
aara brings a deep love for nature, community and sustainable living to heal in hunza. her knowledge helps ensure each retreat is thoughtfully connected to the landscape and respectful of the environment.throughout the retreat, she supports guests, shares insights into hunza’s natural world and helps create meaningful experiences rooted in care, awareness and connection.
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Arif & Umbreen
RESORT HOSTS
arif and umbreen are the heart behind the 2 magpies, our peaceful home throughout the retreat. inspired by their love of nature, birds and the landscapes of hunza, they have created a warm and welcoming space where guests can slow down and feel at home.
throughout the retreat, their hospitality helps make every stay feel personal, comfortable and deeply connected to the valley.
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Razia
YOGA AND SOMATIC HEALING EXPERT
razia's calm and intuitive approach to wellbeing invites guests to reconnect with both body and mind through gentle movement, conscious breathing and restorative sound healing. every session is designed to create space for stillness, balance and reflection.
throughout the retreat, she guides our morning yoga practices, breathwork sessions and sound healing experiences, helping guests feel grounded, restored and deeply present among the mountains of hunza.
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Salman
ART AND CREATIVE EXPRESSION
one of hunza's most celebrated contemporary artists, salman's work captures the beauty, heritage and spirit of the mountains he calls home. his calm, thoughtful approach encourages guests to see both the landscape and themselves with fresh perspective.
his guided art experience is less about creating a perfect painting and more about slowing down, expressing yourself freely and discovering creativity as another path to reflection and healing.
