Yoga Retreat and Trekking in Magnificent Nepal

Apr 8 to Apr 17, 2025

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Yoga Retreat and Trekking in Magnificent Nepal
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind

Overview

We are traveling through some of the most beautiful places in Nepal, which offer not only magnificent views but also a lot of diversity. We aim to show you not only the mountains, which Nepal is mostly known for, but also other treasures that Nepal has to offer: jungle, village life, city, lakes, spirituality, and the hospitality of Nepali people.

Kathmandu is Nepal's capital and biggest city. Despite its chaotic infrastructure, Kathmandu has beautiful architecture, essential pilgrimage sites, ancient knowledge, and many UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Langtang National Park is located north of Kathmandu Valley, bordering Tibet. It was the first Himalayan national park of Nepal. Langtang is rich in breathtaking views, alpine forests, and traditional culture. The variety of climate zones within the park allows you to experience subtropical forests and rough, rugged landscapes wedged between 6000 - 7000-meter-high peaks. It is a less visited area, offering a gentle pace and authentic culture, heartwarming hospitality, and stunning views.

Chitwan National Park is known for its biodiversity. Its dense forests and grassy plains are home to rare mammals like one-horned rhinos, sloth bears, leopards, deer, wild boars, Bengal tigers, and more. The park shelters numerous bird species, including the giant hornbill. Dugout canoes traverse the northern Rapti River, which is home to crocodiles.
Bandipur is a hilltop village settlement, a Newar town with its age-old flavor still intact, known as Queen of Hills due to its beautiful natural environment and cultural heritage. The well-preserved village of Bandipur invites travelers to experience its unique offerings: rich hill culture with mountain views.

About

Pick up and drop from the international airport upon arrival and departure

Three nights of private single-room hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (2 nights before the trek and one night after)

Seven nights twin sharing tea-house accommodation during the trek (if there is space, they can have a private room here as well)

All necessary paperwork, conservation fees, national park fees and trekking permits, TIMS

All government and local taxes

Porters to carry your luggage (1 porter to 2 trekkers) 10kg max per person

Insurance for the porters and guide

15 out of 27 meals (then there will be an option for everyone to have meals that suit their diets as well )

Private transportation to/from Langtang National Park

Entry fees to all the sightseeing in Kathmandu and private vehicles driving us around

Use of yoga mats and duffel bags for porters (to be returned after the trip)

Airfare to/from Nepal

Visa fee for Nepal (40 $ 1 per month)

Personal travel and health insurance (mandatory)

The remaining 12 meals (you can expect anything from 3 USD – 7 USD per meal, depending on what you eat)

Tips for porters (not mandatory but highly appreciated if you are satisfied with their service)

Trekking poles

Any personal shopping, souvenirs, etc.

Food

Nepalese cuisine is influenced by its neighbors India, Tibet, and China. It is supposed to be healthy and cooked with less fat. The typical dishes involve soups, lean curries, vegetables, salads, meat, pickles, and curd. The ingredients include tomatoes, chilies, coriander, garlic, and mustard oil.

Dal Bhat is mainly rice served along with lentil soup and vegetable curry or chicken (or meat).

Momos are small envelopes of white flour stuffed with veggies, minced lamb, or chicken. They are served with different kinds of sauces and mayonnaise, making them a delicious snack.

Wo is a kind of pancake made by the Newari people of Nepal.

Sel Roti is a circular rice flour bread that is deep fried to make it crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is crispy and sweet and tastes best with yogurt or veggies.

Samosas are a mixture of mashed potato and spices stuffed in a triangular envelope made of white flour. The shell is then fried to make it crunchy. If you're not a fan of spicy food, you might want to take a nibble and taste it first.

Dhindho or Dhido Thali is a thick porridge prepared by boiling stone-ground cornmeal, buckwheat flour, and millet flour with salt in water. It is a staple diet in rural areas and is eaten with butter, vegetable curries, pickles, buttermilk, and yogurt.

Gandruk is fermented or pickled green and leafy vegetables. It is made by storing mustard, radish, and cauliflower in an earthen pot. The veggies inside are left to be pickled until they release acidic juices and ferment.

Gorkhali lamb is essentially a curry dish prepared by slow-cooking the lamb in curry along with potatoes and onions.

Juju Dhau is a type of buffalo milk yogurt. It is a creamy, thick, sweet dish typically preferred as a dessert.

Thukpa is a noodle soup served in the mountains of Nepal during winter. It can be made with meat, eggs, or vegetables.


Accommodation

Accommodation will be in twin rooms shared between two people, with ensuite bathroom, and WIFI access, except when we are in the mountains. The accommodation during the trek is basic teahouse family stays. Even though it might be simple, it is very warm in hospitality. Normally twin share, and common squat toilet/bucket shower. Some offer hot water for showers at extra cost (take into consideration if they use solar, gas, or woodburning as we want to avoid woodburning, due to deforestation).

There is no heating inside the bedrooms, but in most places, they have a fire in the common room/dining hall in the evening. Expect wet wipe showers and lots of clothes to keep warm. Most of the places offer a wide range of different dishes, and always Dahl Bath which is the traditional meal. This is what the family also eats themselves, which means it is always a good tasty choice! For the rest of the trip, we are staying in comfortable hotels that have carefully been chosen to suit our needs in hygiene, natural environment, and yoga space. Have in mind that Nepal is still a very poor country, so conditions will not be the same as in Europe. If you want a luxury holiday it might be better to go elsewhere.

The base layer should wick sweat off your skin

I am not going to talk about underwear which should be comfortable every day, not only when hiking. But I want to talk about T-shirts. Wool is very popular: summer wool, merino wool, smart wool, old fashion wool, etc. If I'm honest, I don't go along with fashion trends easily, but buying myself a light, summer merino wool T-shirt was a very good idea.

When hiking with a backpack, your shirt must have sleeves. It is very uncomfortable to feel the backpack strap under a sweaty armpit on a warm summer day. A cotton T-shirt is not the best choice because it dries slowly. I recommend light wool or synthetic T-shirt for warm weather or a long-sleeved shirt for cooler weather. Choose materials that insulate, wick moisture, and dry quickly.

The same goes for socks. A hiking sock is crucial to prevent blisters. A hiking sock, unlike a cotton sock, provides significant protection against rubbing that your boot might cause. Low-cut socks are not a good choice for hiking, choose crew socks instead.

The middle layer should insulate

Of course, it all depends on the weather but you should always have a long-sleeved sweater or a fleece in your bag. I love fleece hoodies because I always forget my hat at home and they help to keep my head warm. I prefer light hoodies that breathe well. Pullover hoodies might be difficult to put on, so I prefer ones that have zippers.

Down-insulated jackets are my favorites because they are highly compressible and easy to pack in your bag, also down offers more warmth for its weight than any other insulating material.


The outer layer should shield you from rain and wind

The outer layer (or shell layer) protects you from wind, rain, and snow. Shells range from pricey mountaineering jackets to simple wind-resistant jackets. Most allow at least some perspiration to escape; virtually all are treated with a durable water repellent finish to make water bead up and roll off the fabric.

Your outer shell is an important piece in stormy weather because if wind and water are allowed to penetrate to inner layers, you can get really cold. Pit zips under the armpit are again important. The ideal would be lightweight, wind, and waterproof material but usually, if you want significant protection against the rain and wind then you might need to make a trade-off on weight.

Hiking pants

I think I would love hiking pants that can be turned into shorts by unzipping the long pant legs. Unfortunately, I do not have them yet. But I have several breathable, windproof hiking pants with ventilation zippers and I really love them. It is important for me that they also have pockets with zippers - the more the better. Otherwise, my keys, phone, and other things would disappear fast. The material of hiking pants is also crucial. Your pants should be lightweight, soft, stretchy, and windproof. I also have a pair for heavy rain. It is important that you do not have to take your boots off when you pull on your rain pants. That means a zipper on the side of the pants.

Hiking boots or shoes

One of the most important things you wear on the trail is shoes. Low-cut models with flexible midsoles are excellent for hiking on a warm summer day. I prefer lightweight, flexible, mid or high-cut hiking boots with a good grip. My boots are not 100% waterproof but they are water-resistant. Always wear your new shoes at home or on short hikes before going out on longer hikes. After hiking remove the insoles of the shoes and clean them properly. Remember to also reapply for a DWR treatment every once in a while.

I joined the 7-day yoga and hiking retreat in Molde, Norway and it was absolutely amazing. We had a small group of like-minded people which I really liked. On the first evening, we enjoyed a very warm welcome from them and her guest teacher Camilla. They cooked us the most delicious healthy meals and desserts. We all got our own place in the hotel (a short walk from the yoga studio) where we could draw back for some alone time. The day usually started with a yoga session in the studio, which was guided by them and Camilla really well. We were not alone as locals from Molde could also join, which was nice because I met some lovely people from this town as well. The hikes were absolutely stunning and they organized them very well according to the weather of that day. Even on rainy or foggy days, we made lovely trips to Bud, the Atlantic Road, and the impressive Troll Wall. On the sunny days, we hiked to the top of different mountains and my personal favorite was the stunning mountain where you can find the Troll Church caves. The afternoon yoga sessions were very relaxing and helped us to recover from the hiking trips. When I got home after a week, I was so relaxed that it felt like I had been on holiday for 3 weeks. Norway is beautiful and they organize the absolute best retreats. I totally recommend it and hope to come back!

- Participant

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About The Host
Pille

Pille

I am Pille, a yoga disciple and teacher, passionate mountain hiker, chocolate lover, and entrepreneur. I love and teach yoga, arrange retreats, guided hikes, yoga workshops, live and online classes. My secret love is raw chocolate and I do also workshops for all the other chocolate fans! Come join me and my tribe and let's evolve together!

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Nepal (D)

We welcome you at the airport and take you to the hotel in the bustling city of Kathmandu. We are staying in a peaceful hotel with a beautiful garden for our morning yoga. Welcome dinner will be around 7:00 PM where the group will meet and we will have a little introduction round.

Day 2 - Exploring Kathmandu

After breakfast on the second day, we will have an information meeting, a full trek briefing about any necessary formalities, a program itinerary, and a repetition of appropriate gear to pack. After this, you will have some free time for preparations and to organize the last things you might need for the trek. Almost anything can be purchased in Thamel, the tourist area of Kathmandu. Have lunch in one of the many restaurants in the area.

You will be picked up at 2:30 PM at your hotel to explore some of the sights in Kathmandu. Starting with a visit to Buddha, we will then watch the sunset from the Monkey Temple and enjoy a traditional Newari dinner in Kritipur, the first settlement in Kathmandu. We are also spending two nights here to adjust to the altitude, as Kathmandu is approximately 1350 meters above sea level.

Day 3 Kathmandu (1350 m) - Syabru Besi (1550 m) 7 hrs drive + 2hrs walk B/L/D

We are starting early this day as we have a long drive ahead of us from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi (around 7 hours). Stopping for lunch on the way and enjoying the views of the mountains as the Himalayas are showing their snowy peaks to us. We will arrive in Syabru Besi in the afternoon, and walk a couple of hours to reach Sherpagong, our first night in the mountains. Spending the night in Sherpagong, we hope to see an amazing starry sky, as we are now away from light pollution. Immersed in nature. Traditional dal bath dinners will be served, with an introduction to the food culture and customs of hand-eating in Nepal.

Day 4 Sherpagong (2550 m) - Thangsyap (3230 m) 5 – 7 hrs. trek /L/

After yoga practice and breakfast, we head off on our route that will merge with the more popular Langtang route. We will have some stops along the way for snacks/lunch, finding our way through a forest before reaching the tea house we spend the night in. Here, we will enjoy a well-deserved rest, have our evening meal, and head to bed early.


Day 5 Thangsyap (3200 m) - Mundu (3440 m) w/ acclimatation climb 2 - 4 hrs. /L/

After our morning routine, we start today's short walk to Mundu. Moving our way into high altitude, we will encounter a rough landscape and have the privilege of glaciers appearing on the closer horizon. We will take a short walk today to enjoy a small acclimatization climb and a relaxing evening yoga session.


Day 6 Mundu (3440 m) - Kyanjin Gompa (3870 m) optional to reach Kyanjin Ri (4773 m) or relax and explore the village 2 - 8 hrs. trek /L/

After yoga and breakfast, we are crossing small streams and entering further into the valley with views becoming more spectacular as the valley is slowly opening. From Kyanjin Gompa, we can enjoy a panoramic view over Dorje Lakpa (6990 m), Langtang Ri (6370 m), Langtang Lirung (7245 m), and many other peaks. Here you can choose to rest in the afternoon or see if we can make our way up to Kyangjin Ri (4773m) for amazing views and acclimation. Or else you can embark on a smaller walk around the village or simply rest and indulge in some yummy pastries and coffee in the small bakeries. If you want to do the next day's hike, it is recommended to do the hike to Kyanjin Ri for acclimatization. We will have a small visit to the temple here (if there are any monks at the time of the visit).


Day 7 Kyanjin Gompa (3870 m) - Tsergo Ri (5033 m) (OPTIONAL) 7 hrs. /L/

It starts very early today if you want to do the trek to Tsergo Ri, which is around 8 hrs. There are many options on how to spend your day, maybe you want to relax and enjoy the mind-blowing views, walk up to Kyanjin Ri if you did not do it the day before or just walk around and explore the village. In the afternoon, we all walk together down to Mundu, ending the day with a calming, relaxing yoga session before ending another fantastic day by feeling the energy of the mountains. Here, we can split up so the participants will have both options.


Day 8 Kyanjin Gompa (3870 m) - Lama Hotel (2470m) 6 - 9 hrs trek /L/

Continuing our daily routines, we are now returning down; remember to use your walking sticks! On our way up, we walked past Lama Hotel, where our route merged with the more popular one. We will now spend the night here.


Day 9 Lama Hotel (2470 m) - Syabru Besi (2260 m) - Kathmandu (1350 m) 2 - 4 hrs trek + 5-7 hrs drive /L/D/

When heading off this morning, the trail will continue down, and we will finish our trek back down to Syabru Besi, the more popular and shorter route. Here, our vehicle will be waiting to take us back to Kathmandu. Usually, the drive back takes less time, so we hope to be in Kathmandu for dinner. We will have a final goodbye dinner with a small cultural show in the evening.


Day 10 Kathmandu /B/

Our adventure together has brought us back to Kathmandu to do some small sightseeing after breakfast, depending on the timings of the tickets.

All good things must come to an end, but only until next time! We will transfer you to the airport and say goodbye!

Depending on participants' comfort level and the weather, this itinerary is subject to change. B/L/D - included meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).

Location
Things to keep in mind

We ask for a deposit of 300 USD per participant to reserve your spot in this yoga hiking retreat.

The remaining balance should be paid 60 days before the retreat starts.

Cancellation less than 60 days before the start of the retreat: 100% cancellation fee (no refund)

Fees are completely non-refundable and non-transferable.

The trekking time is highly dependent on people, the daily shape, the weather, and the ever-changing path. We will also have breaks in addition, so a five-hour day might be starting at 08.00 and finish at 15.00 including lunch/snack breaks. The altitude stated should also be taken as an approximate measure as there is no completely reliable source. Remember that the itinerary is changeable. Due to whatever might happen, traffic and unexpected events must be prepared for.