Mindful Journey

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, our team will warmly welcome you and transfer you to your family-run heritage hotel tucked in a quiet corner of the city. In the evening, gather for a welcome dinner featuring home-style Nepali cooking and culture progam. Your guide will provide an orientation for the journey ahead.

After breakfast, take a short 30-minute drive to a peaceful retreat center on the outskirts of Kathmandu — a sanctuary of stillness tucked away from the city’s energy. Here, you’ll begin the day with a guided yoga and meditation session, designed to gently awaken your body and calm your mind. Surrounded by nature, this is the perfect environment to release travel fatigue and reconnect with your inner self.

Following your practice, experience a Tibetan singing bowl therapy session, a traditional sound healing method believed to restore balance and promote deep relaxation through harmonic vibrations. The soothing tones offer a gentle yet powerful reset — physically, emotionally, and energetically.

A wholesome vegetarian lunch will be served at the retreat, followed by time to relax and learn more about the ancient philosophies behind these wellness practices. This day is all about arriving — not just in Nepal, but in the present moment — and setting a peaceful, grounded tone for the meaningful journey ahead.

After breakfast, begin the day with a meaningful visit to a women-led fair-trade organization, where local women—many from marginalized communities—create beautifully handcrafted textiles and goods. Learn how your visit contributes to their empowerment through dignified, sustainable work. Guided by these skilled artisans, you’ll even have the chance to create your own handmade souvenir. This visit includes a $50 donation per guest in direct support of the project.

We’ll also invite the women to join us for lunch—a special opportunity to share a meal, hear their personal stories, and gain deeper insight into their daily lives and work.

After lunch, continue your exploration with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site rich with centuries-old palaces, temples, and exquisite Newari architecture. Wander through its hidden courtyards and vibrant local neighborhoods for an authentic glimpse into the city’s living history.

Later, stroll through the bustling Asan Bazaar—one of Kathmandu’s most colorful and traditional markets. Here, you’ll find everything from spices and textiles to handcrafted goods. Feel free to pick up a few meaningful souvenirs to take a piece of Nepal home with you.

Today is a day of spiritual immersion, as you explore some of the most revered sacred sites in the Kathmandu Valley—each offering a window into Nepal’s deep religious and cultural harmony.

Your journey begins with a heartfelt visit to a local elderly care home. Here, we’ll bring food donations and spend time connecting with the residents, listening to their stories, and learning about the organization that supports them. It’s a meaningful moment of intergenerational connection and compassion.

From there, we continue to the sacred grounds of Pashupatinath Temple—Nepal’s holiest Hindu site and one of the most revered shrines to Lord Shiva in South Asia. Located along the banks of the Bagmati River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place where life and death meet in powerful spiritual expression. You’ll witness open-air cremation rituals and sacred rites that reflect the Hindu belief in the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Sadhus (Hindu ascetics) in saffron robes roam the temple grounds, their faces marked with ash, while ancient rituals continue as they have for centuries.

Next, you’ll visit the awe-inspiring Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest and most spiritually resonant stupas in the world. Crowned with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, its massive white dome is surrounded by prayer wheels, fluttering prayer flags, and a community deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhist practice. As you join monks, nuns, and pilgrims walking clockwise (kora) around the stupa, you’ll be immersed in a meditative rhythm of chants, incense, and devotion. While here, we’ll also visit a Thangka painting school, meet the artists, learn about this sacred art form, and bring food offerings as a gesture of gratitude and support.

Your final stop of the day is Swayambhunath, lovingly known as the Monkey Temple, perched atop a wooded hill with sweeping views of the Kathmandu Valley. Believed to be over 2,500 years old, this stupa beautifully blends Buddhist and Hindu symbolism, embodying Nepal’s spiritual interconnection. The walk up its stone steps is a quiet pilgrimage, rewarded with fluttering prayer flags, intricate shrines, and playful monkeys darting between statues. You may light a butter lamp for peace or receive a blessing from a local lama—closing your day with a sense of deep reflection and spiritual grounding.

Leave the urban bustle of Kathmandu behind as you journey northwest into the serene middle hills of Nepal. The scenic drive to Nuwakot takes approximately four hours, winding through lush valleys, traditional villages, and terraced farmlands that stretch like green staircases across the slopes. As you gain elevation, the air becomes fresher and quieter, offering a welcome shift in rhythm and perspective.

Upon arrival, you’ll check into a beautifully restored heritage farmhouse, perched on a hillside overlooking sweeping views of the Trishuli River Valley. This family-run accommodation blends traditional Newari architecture with modern comfort and offers an intimate glimpse into rural life, surrounded by the sounds of nature and the scent of woodsmoke and wildflowers.

In the afternoon, take a short walk to visit the historic Nuwakot Durbar, a once-formidable palace complex that served as a strategic military outpost for King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the unifier of Nepal. Though partially damaged in the 2015 earthquake, the palace still exudes historical gravitas with its centuries-old brick walls, intricate woodwork, and commanding position overlooking the valley. As you explore the courtyards, temples, and surrounding village, your guide will share stories of battles, politics, and resilience that shaped the nation’s early history.

As the sun begins to set, return to the farmhouse for an evening of farm-to-table dining. Most of the ingredients are grown right on the property or sourced from neighboring farms—fresh vegetables, organic grains, free-range meats, and traditional spices come together in a delicious, lovingly prepared Nepali meal. Dine under the stars or beside a fire, as your hosts share local legends, family histories. If there is harvesting time we can help in the farm or even help in the kitchen.

Tonight, you’ll sleep to the sounds of crickets and distant cowbells, far removed from the chaos of city life—held gently in a corner of Nepal where time seems to move slower and life is grounded in the land.

Depart the hills and begin your journey south toward the subtropical lowlands of Chitwan.
The scenic drive follows the Trisuli River, winding through forested valleys, terraced fields, and rural settlements.
Watch rafters navigate rapids and locals farming riverbanks as the landscape slowly shifts.
Arrive near Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity.
Check into a Tharu community-run lodge, where hospitality is rooted in tradition.
Enjoy a locally prepared lunch and unwind in the peaceful surroundings.
In the afternoon, take a guided walk through a Tharu village, home to one of Nepal’s oldest indigenous communities. Learn about their unique architecture, animist traditions, and farming lifestyle.
Participate in some daily farming activities or try your hand at basket weaving depending on season.
As evening falls, enjoy a simple yet hearty Tharu-style dinner and stories shared around a fire.

After breakfast, begin your day with a peaceful canoe ride along the Rapti River, gliding past marshy riverbanks where mugger crocodiles, exotic birds, and other wildlife thrive in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, venture deep into Chitwan National Park on an exciting jeep safari. As you explore the park’s grasslands and dense sal forests, keep an eye out for one-horned rhinos, spotted deer, wild boars, and—if you’re lucky—even the elusive Bengal tiger.

We’ll also visit the park’s Visitor Center, where you’ll meet a park ranger and learn about Chitwan’s vital conservation efforts. As a gesture of support, we’ll bring along some useful supplies for the staff and community.

Later in the day, return for a special cultural experience: a hands-on cooking class with a local Tharu family. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients from their own garden, you’ll learn to prepare traditional Nepali dishes. Cooking here is more than just food—it’s a shared tradition where stories, laughter, and age-old techniques are passed down through generations. As the sun sets, gather around the table with your hosts to enjoy the delicious meal you’ve prepared together, creating memories as rich as the flavors on your plate.

You’ll ascend into the hills on a scenic three-hour drive to Bandipur, a beautifully preserved Newari town perched high above the Marsyangdi Valley. With its cobblestone streets, traditional architecture, and breathtaking mountain views, Bandipur feels like a step back in time—a living window into Nepal’s rich cultural heritage.

Upon arrival, you’ll check into a charming, family-run heritage inn, featuring intricately carved wooden balconies and interiors that reflect the artistry and history of the region. The inn is operated by the local Rotary Club, with all profits supporting a nearby community school—making your stay both meaningful and memorable. You can enjoy light lunch in some family run  restaurant.

In the afternoon, we’ll visit the community school (subject to school schedules), where we’ll deliver supplies and food for the children. Guests are welcome to interact with the students and even assist with informal teaching if interested—offering a heartwarming opportunity to connect and give back.

As evening falls, unwind as the golden sunset lights up the distant Himalayan peaks. Enjoy a delicious, home-style dinner at a family-run local restaurant, soaking in the cozy atmosphere and the serene charm of this hilltop retreat.

Drive to Pokhara (approx. 3 hours), Nepal’s serene lakeside city nestled beneath the stunning Annapurna range. Upon arrival, settle into a locally-owned hotel in the vibrant Lakeside area, then enjoy a peaceful boat ride on Phewa Lake, taking in the beauty of the hills as the sun sets.

In the evening, experience the spiritual energy of a lakeside Aarati ceremony, where devotional songs, chanting, and rhythmic music create an uplifting and memorable atmosphere. Afterward, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the lakefront and end your day with a relaxing dinner at a local restaurant.

Begin your day with a visit to the World Peace Stupa, majestically perched atop a hill overlooking Pokhara. From this tranquil spot, take in sweeping panoramic views of the Annapurna Mountain Range, Phewa Lake, and the lush Pokhara Valley—a setting that inspires both serenity and awe.

Next, explore the dramatic Devi’s Fall, where water thunders into an underground gorge, followed by a walk through the mysterious Gupteshwor Cave, home to sacred Shiva lingams and fascinating natural rock formations.

Continue your journey with a visit to a nearby Tibetan refugee settlement, where skilled artisans keep their heritage alive through traditional carpet weaving, jewelry-making, and handicrafts. This visit offers a meaningful glimpse into the strength and creativity of a community living in exile, and the beauty they continue to create.

Later in the day, visit the inspiring Helping Hands Project, an initiative that empowers differently-abled individuals from marginalized backgrounds by training them in handicraft production. Each guest’s visit includes a $40 donation, which directly funds a one-month training program for a person with a disability—including transportation and meals. You’ll have the opportunity to sit alongside the artisans, learn about their craft, and even try your hand at making a piece yourself.

This experience is not only enriching but also a powerful way to give back—and you’re welcome to purchase handcrafted souvenirs made by these talented individuals, helping to support their ongoing work and independence.

After breakfast, we’ll embark on an approximately 8-hour drive to Bhaktapur, with scenic stops along the way for lunch and tea—perfect moments to stretch, relax, and take in the landscape.

Upon arrival in Bhaktapur, often referred to as the “City of Art,” you’ll feel as though you’ve stepped into a living museum. Famed for its rich cultural heritage, intricately carved temples, medieval squares, and timeless alleyways, Bhaktapur offers an immersive journey into Nepal’s artistic and architectural legacy.

We’ll check into a centrally located, family-run hotel that provides a warm and authentic experience. Depending on your departure schedule, we’ll explore the historic streets and heritage sites either in the evening upon arrival or the following morning.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some final shopping or photography in the medieval alleys of Bhaktapur. Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Depart with handmade souvenirs, new friendships, and a deep connection to Nepal’s soul.