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Spiritual Nepal

Stay at a Buddhist Monastery - Visit the birth place of Buddha - Sacred Sites of the Kathmandu Valley - Meditation & Yoga opportunities

All meals 'on tour' included

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Duration

10 Days
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Accommodation

Hotels and Guest Houses
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Trip Overview

A spiritual Nepal holiday that's purposefully designed for those who wish to experience the spiritual and holistic aspects of Nepal.

An unhurried personal spiritual  journey through Nepal that not only incorporates many of the most important religious sites in Kathmandu and beyond, but also affords the pilgrim the opportunity to experience the beauty of the landscapes and engage with the people of Nepal too. In the rural charm of the Kathmandu Valley you can see how Hinduism and Buddhism co-exist at Panauti and Namobuddha and you'll have plenty of time at each site you visit to both explore and absorb before moving south to observe the faithful and join the pilgrimage to Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha. You'll then stay at the beautifully located and peaceful Neydo Monastery in the Kathmandu Valley. Here you'll be able to take part in daily prayers, meditation and other spiritual activities. Add on a Nepal Yoga retreat too. There are lots to choose from-luxury to budget.

A spiritual Nepal holiday that's purposefully designed for those who wish to experience the spiritual and holistic aspects of Nepal.

  • An unhurried personal spiritual  journey through Nepal that not only incorporates many of the most important religious sites in Kathmandu and beyond, but also affords the pilgrim the opportunity to experience the beauty of the landscapes and engage with the people of Nepal too. In the rural charm of the Kathmandu Valley you can see how Hinduism and Buddhism co-exist at Panauti and Namobuddha and you'll have plenty of time at each site you visit to both explore and absorb before moving south to observe the faithful and join the pilgrimage to Lumbini, the birth place of Buddha. You'll then stay at the beautifully located and peaceful Neydo Monastery in the Kathmandu Valley. Here you'll be able to take part in daily prayers, meditation and other spiritual activities. Add on a Nepal Yoga retreat too. There are lots to choose from-luxury to budget.

Example Itinerary

    • Day 1
      Arrive Kathmandu
    • Day 2
      Explore Kathmandu
    • Day 3
      Kopan Monastery & Khachoe Nunnery
    • Day 4
      Budhanlikantha and Changu Narayan
    • Day 5
      Panauti, Namobuddha and the rural Kathmandu Valley
    • Day 6
      To Lumbini
    • Day 7
      Excursion to Tilaurkot
    • Day 8
      Fly to Kathmandu and Neydo Monastery
    • Day 9
      Neydo Monastery Experience
    • Day 10
      Depart Nepal

  • DAY
    1

    Arrive Kathmandu

    Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the KGH Hotel in the central Thamel district of Kathmandu. After a pre-tour briefing you can enjoy dinner tonight at one of the many, many choices in Thamel.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    Included Meals: None

    DAY 1

    Arrive Kathmandu

    Arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you'll be met and receive a private transfer for the short distance into central Kathmandu and to the KGH Hotel in the central Thamel district of Kathmandu. After a pre-tour briefing you can enjoy dinner tonight at one of the many, many choices in Thamel.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel - Kathmandu
    Included Meals: None

    DAY
    2

    Explore Kathmandu

    You'll have a guide with you up until the end of Day 8. After breakfast a private vehicle (with driver of course) will enable you to undertake a tour of the principle holy sites of Kathmandu. You'll first visit the sacred Hindu site of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River. Next you'll head up to the Swayambunath hill top above Kathmandu, site of both a Buddhist Stupa and Hindu monuments. Back into Kathmandu and after a leisurely lunch your guide will take you on a walking tour of Kathmandu, including a visit to the Durbar Square. Late afternoon you'll visit the massive Buddhist Stupa at Bouddha. This is the time the faithful Tibetan population begin their daily rituals and best observed from a roof top cafe terrace.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 2

    Explore Kathmandu

    You'll have a guide with you up until the end of Day 8. After breakfast a private vehicle (with driver of course) will enable you to undertake a tour of the principle holy sites of Kathmandu. You'll first visit the sacred Hindu site of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River. Next you'll head up to the Swayambunath hill top above Kathmandu, site of both a Buddhist Stupa and Hindu monuments. Back into Kathmandu and after a leisurely lunch your guide will take you on a walking tour of Kathmandu, including a visit to the Durbar Square. Late afternoon you'll visit the massive Buddhist Stupa at Bouddha. This is the time the faithful Tibetan population begin their daily rituals and best observed from a roof top cafe terrace.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY
    3

    Kopan Monastery & Khachoe Nunnery

    Heading out of Kathmandu it's a short distance to Kopan. Here on a hill rising above the terraced fields in the Kathmandu Valley is sited the Kopan Monastery. Established in 1971, the Monastery is home to around 360 monks from both Nepal & Tibet.There is a huge statue of Tsnokhapa inside the monastery. Take your time to explore and observe as you wish. In the afternoon you can visit the nearby nunnery of Kachoe Gakyil Ling.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY 3

    Kopan Monastery & Khachoe Nunnery

    Heading out of Kathmandu it's a short distance to Kopan. Here on a hill rising above the terraced fields in the Kathmandu Valley is sited the Kopan Monastery. Established in 1971, the Monastery is home to around 360 monks from both Nepal & Tibet.There is a huge statue of Tsnokhapa inside the monastery. Take your time to explore and observe as you wish. In the afternoon you can visit the nearby nunnery of Kachoe Gakyil Ling.

    Accommodation: KGH Hotel, Kathmandu
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    DAY
    4

    Budhanlikantha and Changu Narayan

    In the morning you head to the site of Budhanlikantha. It has probably the largest stone statue of Lord Vishnu in Nepal reclining on a bed of snakes in the middle of a pond. The location itself is one of nature & serenity in harmony. You'll then travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Changu Narayan.This is one of the best known Vishnu temples in Nepal. The temple is one of the most elaborate in the Kathmandu valley, rich in wood and stone carvings. It is a two-tiered pagoda structure and was re-constructed in 1702 after the old one was gutted by fire. A stone tablet discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates from the 5th century, the oldest such inscription discovered in Nepal. The main courtyard has several temples and idols of gods with intricate carving in stone created between the 5th to 12th centuries, making it the highest concentration of ancient art in Nepal. Late afternoon you'll arrive at the medieval city of Bhaktapur. Hopefully by now most of the day trippers will have left and you can enjoy a walking tour of the temples, squares and back streets in a more peaceful manner.

    Accommodation: Hotel Heritage Malla - Bhaktapur
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 4

    Budhanlikantha and Changu Narayan

    In the morning you head to the site of Budhanlikantha. It has probably the largest stone statue of Lord Vishnu in Nepal reclining on a bed of snakes in the middle of a pond. The location itself is one of nature & serenity in harmony. You'll then travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Changu Narayan.This is one of the best known Vishnu temples in Nepal. The temple is one of the most elaborate in the Kathmandu valley, rich in wood and stone carvings. It is a two-tiered pagoda structure and was re-constructed in 1702 after the old one was gutted by fire. A stone tablet discovered in the vicinity of the temple dates from the 5th century, the oldest such inscription discovered in Nepal. The main courtyard has several temples and idols of gods with intricate carving in stone created between the 5th to 12th centuries, making it the highest concentration of ancient art in Nepal. Late afternoon you'll arrive at the medieval city of Bhaktapur. Hopefully by now most of the day trippers will have left and you can enjoy a walking tour of the temples, squares and back streets in a more peaceful manner.

    Accommodation: Hotel Heritage Malla - Bhaktapur
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    5

    Panauti, Namobuddha and the rural Kathmandu Valley

    Once again you'll have a private vehicle in order to explore the rural delights of the Kathmandu Valley. You'll visit the ancient Hindu temples at Panauti, as well as the spiritual Buddhist location of Namobuddha. As this is an unhurried day there'll be plenty of time to stop and take a walk into the terraced farmlands, orchards and timeless villages of the Kathmandu Valley too. As you'll be staying in Namobuddha you'll be able to soak up the spirituality here in full.

    Accommodation: Namobuddha Resort - Namobuddha
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 5

    Panauti, Namobuddha and the rural Kathmandu Valley

    Once again you'll have a private vehicle in order to explore the rural delights of the Kathmandu Valley. You'll visit the ancient Hindu temples at Panauti, as well as the spiritual Buddhist location of Namobuddha. As this is an unhurried day there'll be plenty of time to stop and take a walk into the terraced farmlands, orchards and timeless villages of the Kathmandu Valley too. As you'll be staying in Namobuddha you'll be able to soak up the spirituality here in full.

    Accommodation: Namobuddha Resort - Namobuddha
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    6

    To Lumbini

    Transfer to Kathmandu airport (1.5hr approx) for a flight to the lowland town of Bhairawa. The sudden change in landscape is remarkable as the middle hills gives way to flat lowlands and the warmer climes of the Terai. From the airport it's around 45 mins by private vehicle to Lumbini.  Buddha's birthplace is arguably the single most important religious and historical site in the world - not just, but also for being the centre of Nepal's most significant archaeological finds, dating from the third century BC. Later in the afternoon, you'll take a tour of the Lumbini park (approx 3hrs), visiting the Maya Devi Temple (the exact birth place of Buddha), Pushkarni pond (where Buddha’s mother Maya Devi took her final bath before going into labour), Ashoka pillar and the oldest archaeological ruins to be discovered in Nepal and the eternal flame. Later, if you have time you could hire a cycle rickshaw and explore the western and eastern monastic zones.

    Accommodation: Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel - Lumbini
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 6

    To Lumbini

    Transfer to Kathmandu airport (1.5hr approx) for a flight to the lowland town of Bhairawa. The sudden change in landscape is remarkable as the middle hills gives way to flat lowlands and the warmer climes of the Terai. From the airport it's around 45 mins by private vehicle to Lumbini.  Buddha's birthplace is arguably the single most important religious and historical site in the world - not just, but also for being the centre of Nepal's most significant archaeological finds, dating from the third century BC. Later in the afternoon, you'll take a tour of the Lumbini park (approx 3hrs), visiting the Maya Devi Temple (the exact birth place of Buddha), Pushkarni pond (where Buddha’s mother Maya Devi took her final bath before going into labour), Ashoka pillar and the oldest archaeological ruins to be discovered in Nepal and the eternal flame. Later, if you have time you could hire a cycle rickshaw and explore the western and eastern monastic zones.

    Accommodation: Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel - Lumbini
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    7

    Excursion to Tilaurkot

    Today you'll visit Tilaurakot (27 kms west of Lumbini), the ancient capital of Kapilavastu, the kingdom of the Sakya dynasty, the family into which Buddha was born. The ruins of a palace is found here and the gate through which Buddha walked out of his palace renouncing all worldly possessions in the quest for Nirvana can be seen. Return to Lumbini.

    Accommodation: Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel, Lumbini
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 7

    Excursion to Tilaurkot

    Today you'll visit Tilaurakot (27 kms west of Lumbini), the ancient capital of Kapilavastu, the kingdom of the Sakya dynasty, the family into which Buddha was born. The ruins of a palace is found here and the gate through which Buddha walked out of his palace renouncing all worldly possessions in the quest for Nirvana can be seen. Return to Lumbini.

    Accommodation: Buddha Maya Gardens Hotel, Lumbini
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    8

    Fly to Kathmandu and Neydo Monastery

    After taking the flight back from Lumbini to Kathmandu. A private vehicle will take you to the beautiful Neydo Monastery, about an hours drive from Kathmandu. You'll be staying in a welcoming guest house at the monastery which provides very comfortable accommodation, a bit like a hotel, but clearly not a hotel. The guest house often provides yoga classes that you could join and pay for locally. Rooms are en-suite too. The location of the Monastery is both tranquil and rural. It sits atop a hill on the edge of the Hattiban Forest and is close to the Asura Cave where Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, as he is known affectionately, meditated and achieved the highest realisation. The Monastery has around 200 monks. A short walk away is the Dakshinkali Temple outside the village of Pharping. It is one of several “power places” of Kathmandu Valley and one of the most important temples in Nepal dedicated to the goddess Kali.  Once you have settled and become familiarised you may attend prayer sessions and partake in the meditation sessions.

    Accommodation: Neydo Monastery - Pharping
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 8

    Fly to Kathmandu and Neydo Monastery

    After taking the flight back from Lumbini to Kathmandu. A private vehicle will take you to the beautiful Neydo Monastery, about an hours drive from Kathmandu. You'll be staying in a welcoming guest house at the monastery which provides very comfortable accommodation, a bit like a hotel, but clearly not a hotel. The guest house often provides yoga classes that you could join and pay for locally. Rooms are en-suite too. The location of the Monastery is both tranquil and rural. It sits atop a hill on the edge of the Hattiban Forest and is close to the Asura Cave where Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, as he is known affectionately, meditated and achieved the highest realisation. The Monastery has around 200 monks. A short walk away is the Dakshinkali Temple outside the village of Pharping. It is one of several “power places” of Kathmandu Valley and one of the most important temples in Nepal dedicated to the goddess Kali.  Once you have settled and become familiarised you may attend prayer sessions and partake in the meditation sessions.

    Accommodation: Neydo Monastery - Pharping
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    9

    Neydo Monastery Experience

    This day is entirely devoted to the daily activities of prayer and meditation at the Monastery. You can partake in these as you wish. Naturally, if you would like to spend more  days at the Monastery, your stay here can be readily extended as part of your tailor made spiritual holiday in Nepal.

    Accommodation: Neydo Monastery, Pharping
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY 9

    Neydo Monastery Experience

    This day is entirely devoted to the daily activities of prayer and meditation at the Monastery. You can partake in these as you wish. Naturally, if you would like to spend more  days at the Monastery, your stay here can be readily extended as part of your tailor made spiritual holiday in Nepal.

    Accommodation: Neydo Monastery, Pharping
    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    DAY
    10

    Depart Nepal

    A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

    Of course there's no reason to depart today, your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made.

    DAY 10

    Depart Nepal

    A private transfer will take you to the airport for your return international flight.

    Included Meals: Breakfast

    Of course there's no reason to depart today, your Nepal holiday can be readily tailor-made.

    IMPORTANT

    This is an EXAMPLE ITINERARY and can be customised for you accordingly.

    Please consider whether you want your customisable, private trip itinerary to also include CONTINGENCY.

    See our ABOUT CONTINGENCY Information

    Please CONTACT US to discuss CONTINGENCY and ADDITIONAL ACCLIMATISATION, as well as other CUSTOMISATION POSSIBILITES for your PRIVATE CUSTOM TREK

Price Guide

Price based on a private party of 4 persons, twin share rooms, low season.
  • $ US 1290

IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT OUR PRICE GUIDES

What's included

The price shown is for guideline purposes only. The price is inclusive of all accommodation described in the detailed itinerary, all airport and land transfers, private overland travel, internal flights as indicated in the itinerary, meals as indicated in the itinerary (most meals), permits, and National Park Fee's and Guides (Days 2–8) as indicated in the detailed itinerary.

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