Silent Spring in Nepal:Yoga in the Majestic Annapurna Range

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1: 

(9th March)

Get your first taste of Nepal's lively and vibrant capital city as we explore the bustling streets of the famous tourist district of Thamel.
Arrival in Kathmandu, check in at a hostel owned by a local Nepali family.
We'll gather at 5 pm to have an early dinner and introduction to our upcoming adventure. 

Day 2: 

(10th March)

Explore the oldest part of the city with a visit to Durbar Square, where history comes alive with its mixture of old woodcarving and brick architecture, colorful Nepalese clothing, and vibrant scenes. Smells and stenches mingle with spiritual purity as we make our way through Thamel, passing pashmina and trekking shops, to the royal Durbar Square. Here, we'll meet holy men, cows, pigeons, and the only living goddess on our planet - Kumari.

After lunch we will explore Thamel, a busy shopping area in Kathmandu, where you can find all the Nepali heritage of crafts like Pashimna shawls, woolen sweaters from extremely warm yak wool, Tibetan prayer flags and many more!
In the Evening we will watch the sun setting from the Boudhanath Stupa while listening to the buddhist chants from the temples around.   Boudhanath Stupa, its massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and the world..

Day 3: 
(11st March)

We'll take an early morning flight to the country's second-most famous city, Pokhara. After breakfast we will jump into a jeep, which will take us to Astam, Swara retreat centre, which will be our base for the next few days. We will have a delicious vegetarian lunch prepared from local ingredients & explore Astam. 

Yoga classes will follow the Ashtanga yoga asana practice, catering to both beginners and advanced practitioners. Classes will include guided sessions and Mysore-style independent practice, depending on participants' preferences. All classes can be adapted to individual needs, and prior yoga experience or flexibility is not required.

In addition to asana classes, Heidi will also instruct chanting and other meditative practices on selected days. Participation in all classes is optional, and there's no pressure to join. If you prefer to relax by watching the mountains and listening to nature, feel free to choose your own way.

Heidi, with 24 years of Ashtanga yoga practice and over 15 years of teaching experience, has spent the last 13 years dividing her time between Finland and South India at Yogagurukula

In this initial gentle and guided yoga class, we will acclimate ourselves to our new environment. Through the assistance of a slow and steady flow of Ashtanga Vinyasa, we can synchronize our breath and mind with our bodies, the mountains, and as a group.

After dinner we share some stories in the light of a Campfire.

Day 4: 
(12th March) 

Yoga, Meditation at SWARA with Heidi 

During the upcoming days (4-6), we will delve further into the daily practice of yoga, chanting, meditation, and moments of silence. This approach is tailored individually to meet the diverse needs of participants.

In the mornings, we commence the day by celebrating the rising sun through Surya Namaskar, connecting with our surroundings, nature, and fellow beings. While attuning ourselves to the breath, we also observe the silence enveloping us and within us.

Depending on the day's activities, we may gather with the setting sun to deepen our connection with nature and our roots, recognizing the unity in everything through yoga. Harnessing the grounding and uplifting energy of the mountains, we anchor ourselves closer to our authentic nature.

Night campfire, walks in the village and enjoying the sunset

Day 5: 
(13th March)
Yoga, Meditation at SWARA

Day 6: 
(14th March)

After enjoying the sunrise & yoga practice we will have breakfast and we'll set off to a 5-6 hours day hike. Nothing crazy nor scary :) 

That night we will sleep over in Pothana to be even closer to all the peaks and get ready to wake up early to experience the deafening silence of the place. We will climb the viewpoint and watch as the sun magically floods the hills and valleys. 

Day 7: 

(15th March)

Sunrise on the view point in Pothana.
On the way down, around a 3 hours hike, we will stop for a chai in one of the villages and we will try to reach Astam before lunch. 
We will rest, wait until dusk and end the day with evening meditation in the shala.

Day 8: 

(16th March)
Yoga, Meditation at SWARA

After lunch, Exploring Astam with its rise & millet fields and having a bath in the ice cold Himalayan Seti river we will end our peaceful stay in Astam.

Day 9: 

(17th March)

Morning yoga practice & breakfast
We will check out at SWARA and take the jeep back to Pokhara. 

After arrival we will check in at our hotel and after lunch we will go out to explore the lakeside.
Here we will take a boat, have a cruise on Phewa lake and walk up the hill towards Shanti Stupa-World Peace Pagoda.
We will enjoy the sunset on the lake while sailing back to our side of the lake.

Day 10: 
(18th March)

Morning flight to Kathmandu. 

Free program until lunch. Last chance to purchase pashmina shawls and Tibetian flags :) 

In the evening we will visit Pashupati Hindu temple sitting on Bagmati River (Nepali Ganga) where we can attend Aarati Pooja of Pashupatinath temple - it is an extraordinary cultural experience one can witness in Kathmandu. This event takes place every evening at around 6.00 PM and lasts for about one and a half hours.
Aarati Pooja, often called the 'ceremony of light', the arti involves waving lighted wicks before the sacred images to infuse the flames with the Deities' love, energy and blessings. 

DAY 11 
(19th March) 

It is time to say Goodbye and come back to Exotic home destination!
You can look for flights from early morning, as we will already be in Kathmandu, a 20 minutes ride from the airport. We will arrange transport to the airport for you. 

More details 

The price includes:

• Accommodation in double rooms in 3* hotels
• Food: breakfast, lunch and dinner 
• Accommodation in double rooms in tourist guest house on the trek with breakfast, lunch and dinner 
• Both-Way Flight tickets to Pokhara 
• Rented private transport - from airports and transfers between cities and retreat centre
• An experienced guides
  
• Boat trip on Phewa lake
• Itinerary "What to pack?"
• Assistance with fligh tickets to Nepal (finding the best connections)
• Assistance with VISA process
• 24/7 support throughout the trip
• Travel in a small group of a maximum of maximum 10 people.

The price does not include:

• International flight tickets to Kathmandu
• Visa (30 €)
• Travel insurance
• Entrance fees to monuments (20 €)
• Laundry fees
• Alcoholic beverages & Refreshments our of meal times
  
• Any costs connected to readical change of itinerary (extra transportation etc.) 
  
• Tips in restaurnts or other services

Additional information:

• If you want to book a single room for the whole duration of trip there is an additional charge of 150 € for the entire stay.

Price:

Per person in a shared twin room: 1,650 €

Per person in single room: 1,800 €

Please note: The deadline for signing up is January 15th

 

Cancelation:

We know it might feel too far, but time is running faster than we expect. As we know, things are always changing and therefore we try to be as flexible as possible. 

In case you will not be able to attend the trip after the payment, here are the cancelling policies. 

Cancelation before 15th January: You will get back full amount.

Cancelation from15th January to 31 January: You will get back 50 % of the price.

Cancelation after 31th January: No refund. At the end of January all the rooms and flight tickets will be booked so unfortunatelly we not not refund you the amount. 

______________________________________

This will be an immersion in Nepalese culture, yoga practice and profound experience of connecting with gran forces of Nature - Himalayas!

Seize this opportunity to explore Ancient Nepal with its gems! 
The number of participants is limited. 

We will travel in a small group of MAX 10 people.

Make sure you book your spot before it's too late!

Looking forward to meeting you and exploring together! 

Love, Heidi, Monika & Martin 
SEE YOU IN NEPAL!

______________________________________

DISCOUNT AT LEELA SHOP FOR PARTICIPANTS

For all the participants we offer a 30 % discount on all products from our e-shop. You might find handy to travel with a light weight, foldable yoga rug which you will use for yoga classes.