Fresh Traveler Retreat: Spiritual Nepal

Fresh Traveler’s & Off Season Adventures’  

Spiritual Retreat to

Nepal

January 2-9, 2023

Nepal is one of the world’s top travel destinations. The country is home to a myriad of centuries-old cultures that are still preserved in today’s modern world. Its history, rooted in a melding of beliefs, has created a unique culture of coexistence. Our itinerary is curated for the most immersive experiences, rooted in authenticity.

Start by igniting your senses with an excursion through the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. Connect with the local artisan communities and explore traditional temples and shrines.

Next, you’ll ascend to the Eastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley to reflect and slow down. Here, travelers will cultivate mindfulness practices with Venerable Burin, a Theravada Buddhist monk and the Executive Director of The Middle Way Meditation Institute. Harnessing the power of mindfulness allows us to forge a deeper connection with the destination. With awareness, you are able to exist in harmony with the natural world.

If you are looking for an even more in-depth excursion to this fantastic country, you can join us on our optional extensions to Pokhara, Lumbini, and Sarangkot.  Let’s explore Nepal together!

Monday, January 2, 2023

Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival, you will be met by an Off Season Adventures representative who will escort you to your hotel. Begin your mindfulness experience with a Singing Bowl Therapy session at your hotel before enjoying a six-course meal at Krishnarpan Restaurant. In the evening, participate in Yoga Nidra or yogic sleep. This conscious relaxation and meditation practice is designed to induce total mental, physical, and emotional relaxation. This is a great way to relax the body and mind to overcome the stress of jetlag.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Start your day with an early morning standing yoga asanas class at your hotel. It helps in relieving body pain and improving circulation and muscle development. Next, head out on a day of sightseeing, beginning with Swayambhunath, famously known as the Monkey Temple. You’ll enjoy lunch at the delicious Nourish restaurant before heading towards Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The tour starts from the heart of Kathmandu Thamel and then continues on a rickshaw through the spice market of Ason to the entrance of Durbar Square. From here, you will continue on foot, and if you’re lucky enough, you will also get to see the living goddess of Nepal, Kumari. This evening you’ll learn traditional cooking methods from a local family and get to indulge in your efforts for dinner.

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Early this morning, participate in a meditation and sitting yoga asana session. These positions can help tone your muscles, make your spine flexible, relieve stress and anxiety, and massage the abdomen. After breakfast, visit Patan, a place with origins clouded in mystery but rich in Buddhist culture. For many centuries Patan’s importance eclipsed that of Kathmandu. By the 7th century, it was one of the major Buddhist centers of Asia, attracting pilgrims, scholars, and monks from India, Tibet, and China. This evening enjoy dinner at the lovely Bricks Café.

Thursday, January 5, 2023

After breakfast, you’ll drive to Dhulikhel and the Dwarika’s Resort. Along the way, you’ll visit the Panauti Community Homestay. These businesses are primarily women-owned and provide a sustainable form of income for local communities from tourism. While here you’ll have the chance to explore the town and have lunch with a local family. Upon arrival in Dhulikhel, the rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or participate in activities at the resort.

Friday, January 6, 2023

Today you will participate in sessions with Venerable Burin Thitakusalo. He is the Executive Director of The Middle Way Meditation Institute. This New York-based global non-profit organization converges timeless wisdom and evidence-based science to tackle humanity’s fundamental problems. Ordained as a Theravada Buddhist monk in Thailand since 2000, his quest is to provide holistic and cutting-edge solutions for people of all ages, races, and religions to achieve sustainability leading to global happiness. You can also participate in a walking tour of Dhulikhel town or activities at the resort in your free time.

Saturday, January 7, 2023

On this day, you’ll participate in more sessions with Venerable Burin. In your leisure time, you can enjoy the many activities and complimentary features of the resort. You can join group yoga, meditation, and art sessions. The resort has an onsite Ayurvedic doctor who can provide you with a 30-minute consultation. You can also visit the farm and learn more about local agricultural techniques. There are also indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, and a sauna if you just feel like relaxing.

Sunday, January 8, 2023

This morning will be Venerable Burin’s last day, and he will lead more enlightening sessions and classes before departing. After his final session, you will participate in a hike to the Namo Buddha Monastery (approximately 4 hours). A beautiful site known as the Three Stupas in Nepal, it is a very sacred place where the perfect and supreme Buddha – still on the path of learning – offered his own body without regret to a tigress suffering from great hunger. This evening is at your leisure to enjoy more activities at the resort. 

Monday, January 9, 2023

Today marks the end of your Nepal adventure. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kathmandu and  Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for your international flight home. If you haven’t had enough of this wonderful country then continue on to our optional extension!

Optional Extension Begins Here

You can choose to continue your experience with us and get more out of your Nepal trip! This extension will take you to the stunning towns of Lumbini, Pokhara, and Sarangkot.

Monday, January 9, 2023

After returning to Kathmandu you’ll take a short flight to Bhairahawa, the main gateway to the Buddhist pilgrim circuit of Lumbini, Kapilvastu, and Kathmandu. From here, you’ll make your way to Lumbini. Known as the birthplace of Buddha, it is an incredibly peaceful and calming place. The rest of the day will be at your leisure to relax or explore the area.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

After breakfast at your hotel, your local guide will take you sightseeing around Lumbini Garden. You’ll ride on tuk-tuks as you explore the temples and monuments in the area. First head to the Maya Devi temple, a site traditionally considered the Shakyamuni Buddha’s birthplace by the then Queen Maya Devi. It is the most sacred site in the Lumbini Garden, and archaeologists have identified the exact spot where the Buddha was born. Inscriptions on the Ashoka Pillar nearby also refer to the spot as his birthplace. It is said that the newly born Prince Siddhartha Gautama (who later became the Buddha) took his first seven steps and delivered his first peace message to humanity here. You’ll also visit a complex of monasteries constructed on a grand scale and in the respective national styles of Myanmar (Burma), China, France, Austria, Germany, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand are among those here.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

This morning head to the airport for a short flight to Pokhara. Once you land you will drive to Sarangkot. Enjoy an evening walking tour of Sarangkot Village.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Begin today before sunrise and drive to Sarangkot. Many describe the mountain views from Sarangkot as an almost religious experience, especially at dawn. A road leads nearly to the top where the panoramic view includes Machhapuchhre mountain with its distinctive fishtail shape, the Annapurna range, and other surrounding peaks reaching heights of 8,091 meters. In the afternoon, head to Pokhara. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax by the lake or explore the town.

Friday, January 13, 2023

Today you’ll start with Shirodhara therapy. It’s an Ayurvedic healing technique that involves having someone pour liquid, usually water, milk, or oil, onto your forehead. It’s often combined with a body, scalp, or head massage. Benefits of this treatment include improved sleep and reduced anxiety. Lunch and the afternoon is at your leisure to relax or explore Pokhara.

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Start today with a sightseeing tour of Pokhara, including a world peace stupa, David Falls, and the Bindebasisni Temple. This afternoon, relax on a scenic boat trip on Phewa Lake. This evening you’ll have dinner and explore the Thupten’s program at the Tibetan Settlement Camp. You’ll meet a family that has settled here, discover the arts and crafts of the Tibetan Plateau, and have the chance to barter for handmade jewelry, wood carvings, rugs, and other unique souvenirs.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

This morning after breakfast you’ll head back to Kathmandu. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore the city, shop, or relax before your trip home. This evening you’ll have a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Monday, January 16, 2023

Today marks the end of your Nepal adventure. After breakfast, you will be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for your international flight home.

What’s Included?

• Your local, experienced driver with many years of guiding tours in Nepal
• Lodging in Nepal
• Meals as indicated on the itinerary
• All cultural activities and excursions on the itinerary
• Meditation and wellness sessions indicated on the itinerary
• Contribution to the non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations Second Look Worldwide, Impact Travel Alliance, and The Middle Way Meditation Institute
• Water while in transit, excluding while in the airports
• Driver transfer to and from airports
• Wire Transfer and other banking fees

What’s Not Included?

• International flights to & from Nepal
• Tips for your drivers, tour guides, and lodges, highly encouraged
• Alcoholic beverages
• Traveler’s insurance, required
• Souvenirs and gifts
• Baggage weight overages, if applicable
• Any incidental expeneses
• Anything from room service or the hotel minibar
• Any visas required for entry into Nepal
• Any Covid-19 tests required for entry into Nepal

Accommodations Main Tour

Hotel Traditional Comfort: 3 nights

The Dwarika’s Resort: 4 nights

Accommodations Extensions

The Dwarika’s Hotel: 1 night

Buddha Maya Garden Hotel: 2 Nights

Sarangkot Mountain Lodge: 1 night

Temple Tree Resort & Spa: 3 Nights

Next Steps

THIS 8-DAY, 7-NIGHT TOUR PACKAGE IS ONLY $4640 PER PERSON. THE OPTIONAL EXTENSION is $2315 based on double room occupancy.

50% of the total package cost must be paid 90 days before travel to retain your reservation, and the balance must be paid 60 days before the arrival date.