This unique trip is designed to be part trek, part mindfulness retreat. During our time together, you will experience the incredible beauty of Nepal, the awe-inducing views of the Himalayas, and the life changing practice of meditation. You will also gain new friends amongst our group of trekkers and also amongst our local guides. You won't want to miss out on this unforgettable, life-changing experience of mindful trekking in Nepal.
Arrival day! One of our team members will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to your hotel. You'll get settled and can explore the areas around the hotel as you continue to wait for the rest of the group to arrive. Welcome dinner is planned for the evening. You'll have time to purchase items for trekking such as walking poles, etc, that you may need/want for the trekking portion of the trip.
We will start our day with a sightseeing tour in the morning visiting the ancient city of Bhaktapur. You will be free to do some more shopping and sightseeing in Kathmandu after our morning tour. We will have a trek briefing in the evening where we will distribute the sleeping bags, down jackets and duffel bags that you will use while trekking.
We will depart Kathmandu in the morning to catch a flight to Pokhara. Once we arrive in Pokhara, we will take a bus to the starting point of the trek and then we'll hike to the village of Bhumdi. We will likely have time to stop and visit the world peace pagoda that overlooks Pokhara.
This will be a full day of trekking. We will enjoy incredible views and scenery along the way. There will also be time to start practicing walking meditation. The goal of walking meditation is to be aware and deliberate of each step we take. We practice focusing on the present moment by paying close attention to our walking.
Another full day of trekking. This route will allow us to hike up to a mountaintop Buddhist shrine where you can enjoy a moment of calm as you take in the fantastic views. There are incredible views of the Annapurna range along this path.
Australian camp is a unique place to visit. It's a main stop along the route to Annapurna base camp. This is one of the camps where you will feel like you've stepped into a National Geographic video. The views are stunning and it's a fun milestone to arrive here.
Another full day of trekking and practicing walking meditation. Along the way, you will enjoy stunning views of the Annapurna range. Each day will have it's own unique encounters with each other, with locals, and with the terrain itself.
Another full day of trekking and practicing walking meditation. Along the way, you will enjoy stunning views of the Annapurna range. Ghandruk is a beautiful Gurung village with views that will take your breath away.
Another full day of trekking and practicing walking meditation. Along the way, you will enjoy stunning views of the Annapurna range. Each day will have it's own unique encounters with each other, with locals, and with the terrain itself.
Kot Danda is a beautiful place to stop and rest for a full day. Your legs will be thankful for this stop. You can take the day to relax, catch up on rest, journal, or even do some laundry if needed. This is a great place to practice sitting meditation as well.
We will trek to Jhinu Danda and stay at a lodge in the village. We will visit the local hot spring where we can rest and soak our bodies in the natural hot spring that is next to the river.
This portion of the trek will allow us to cross over one of the highest and longest bridges over the valley. It's an awesome experience to do it. There are donkeys that cross regularly with items on their back. Walking across this bridge will likely be one of the highlights of the trek.
This is our last day of trekking. We will hike to the road and then take a bus to Pokhara where we will have time to do some sightseeing around the city. We'll stay at a hotel in Pokhara and then catch a flight back out to Kathmandu the next day. Dinner will not be included since we'll be out and about on our own.
We will start the day in Pokhara and take an afternoon flight to Kathmandu. Once in Kathmandu, you will be free to enjoy more sightseeing and shopping as you prepare to end the trip and head back home. We will likely have a group dinner somewhere in Kathmandu before we all start heading home.
Our final day of the trip is a free day in Kathmandu. Group members will be traveling back home at different times according to their respective flights. While you wait to depart, you can enjoy one last day of sightseeing and shopping before you head home.
At this time, entry to Nepal requires visitors to be vaccinated against Covid-19 otherwise visitors will need to quarantine. Since we plan on beginning our trek once we arrive, we will all be required to have the vaccine.
This trek is not too intense but it's also not a walk in the park. You will want to be capable of walking up and down stairs for hours at a time. In the past, we've had successful participants of all ages. The only concern would be if you have bad knees or hips. You will be able to walk at a slow pace if needed. We will walk a maximum of 5-6 hours per day and remain at 6000 feet MSL or below.
Our tour will start and end in Kathmandu. You will need to make your own travel arrangements to ensure you arrive in Kathmandu on November 4th and then depart on November 18th. You are welcome to come early and stay later if you want to have more time in the region. In country flights to/from Kathmandu and Pokhara are included with the tour.
The cost of the tour is $3000 and that includes food, hotels, and lodges. It also includes the in-country transportation for buses and airfare to get around while we are in Nepal.
Airfare to/from your home to Kathmandu, Nepal. We request each person to contribute $200 USD as a tip for all of our porters and guides. The tip will be given to our crew at the end of the trek in a nice "thank you" ceremony. There are a couple of meals during travel times that will not be included in the tour. 3rd party travel insurance is required and is not included in the cost of the trip. I recommend World Nomads for trip insurance.
No, you will only carry a day bag during the trek. When you arrive in Nepal, you will receive a new duffle bag to be used throughout the trek. You will pack all your main items in this bag and it will be carried along the route by our team of sherpas and porters. You will only carry a backpack with water and essentials you need for the day. Your duffle bag will be available at the start and end of the trek each day (waiting for you at the next camp). We will go over the recommended packing list once we are closer to the start date.
Last November my husband and I joined Noah and 19 others on a mindful trekking expedition in Nepal. What an wonderful trip! Binoy and his Porters and Sherpas took care of our every need, they were courteous and kind and made our trek safe and comfortable so that we could enjoy the amazing scenery. The food was a real treat and that they prepared and cooked it from seemingly very little equipment and food from nowhere added to the mystic of the environment! Our tents and sleeping bags were clean and comfortable, much needed after a day taking in the awe inspiring countryside. We were able to walk at our own pace so an average to good level of fitness is all that is needed to enjoy it. There was plenty of time to be mindful as we walked and negotiated the many steps and to spend time talking with Noah and others on the trip in the evenings and over breakfast in the morning on different aspects of Buddhism. Definitely a trip of a lifetime not to be missed.
Our 2019 Mindful Trekking adventure in Nepal was a unique experience that was a gift for the mind, body and soul. We shared the journey with some great people, trekked through breathtaking scenery and met the wonderful Nepalese locals. Noah's wisdom, insight and leadership made the adventure even more rewarding.