Day 1
Pharping

ARRIVAL AT A TIBETAN BUDDHIST MONESTARY IN PHARPING  (D)

Arrival and pick up at Tribhuvan International Airport of Kathmandu. We drive straight to a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Pharping, the South Western corner of the Kathmandu Valley. There may be time to rest from the journey, go for a walk or enjoy the spectacular views over Kathmandu Valley. In the afternoon there will be an introduction to the journey by the facilitators.

Overnight: Pharping

Day 2
Pharping

STAY AT THE TIBETAN BUDDHIST MONASTERY IN PHARPING (B, L, D)

Morning yoga followed by breakfast. We have our introduction session to Buddhist philosophy before lunch. After lunch and a rest, we hike through rice fields to visit and pay homage to the Asura cave and the self-arisen Tara in Pharping. Dinner and meditation session. We spend the night at the Tibetan Buddhist monastery guesthouse.

Overnight: Pharping

Day 3
Pharping

VISIT TO SWAYAMBHU STUPA  (B, L, D)

Morning yoga followed by breakfast. We have our introduction session to Buddhist philosophy before lunch. After lunch and a rest, we pilgrimage to the sacred Stupa of Swayambhu and watch the sunset overlooking the Kathmandu Valley from the Stupa. Dinner and meditation session. We spend the night at the Tibetan Buddhist monastery guesthouse.

Overnight: Pharping

Day 4
Namo Buddha

STAY AT NAMOBUDDHA (B, L, D)

After morning yoga and breakfast we continue our journey to the lovely area of Namo Buddha, where we spend the next two nights. We will have lunch in the beautiful surroundings of the resort we will stay in, followed by a free afternoon. After dinner we will have a meditation session.

Overnight: Namo Buddha

Day 5
Namo Buddha

NAMO BUDDHA PILGRIMAGE (B, L, D)

Morning yoga followed by breakfast at our resort in Namo Buddha. After lunch we hike to pilgrimage in Namo Buddha where it is said that the previous incarnation of Shakyamuni Buddha sacrificed his body to feed a starving Tigress and her cubs. We visit the stunning monastery of Thrangu Rinpoche and the sacred Namo Buddha Stupa. We overnight again at the beautiful resort in Namo Buddha.

Overnight: Namo Buddha

Day 6
Phablu

JEEP RIDE TO PHABLU (B, L, D)

After breakfast we depart for Phablu and venture into the foothills of Lower Everest region of Nepal. We go on a beautiful and bumpy jeep ride up through Central West Nepal where we drive along the Trisuli river and lush landscapes of Central Nepal. The roads are a lot better now compared to in past years but we can prepare ourselves for an adventurous journey. Dinner and overnight at a charming mountain lodge in Phablu.

Overnight: Phablu

Day 7
Junbesi

HIKE TO THE TIBETAN BUDDHIST NUNNERY IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS  (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we begin our 6-7 hour hike up to the Tibetan Buddhist nunnery located up in the lower Everest region. We stop for lunch in Junbesi and climb the last bit after lunch. Afternoon tea and dinner.

Overnight: Junbesi

Day 8
Junbesi

STAY AT A TIBETAN BUDDHIST NUNNERY IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS (B, L, D)

Morning practice with the nuns. At the nunnery we experience the living tradition of a sacred heritage, passed down from the historical Buddha Shakyamuni, to the present day, in an unbroken lineage of masters whose teachings have been passed on to their students, seeking the qualities and realisation of awakening. We join the nuns in their daily practices in the main gompa (place of meditation), and other than that there is the chance to go for stunning hike in the astounding surroundings of hillsides, dotted with prayer flags and retreat caves where we – if the weather is on our side - will be able to get a glimpse of the majestic Himalayas.

Overnight: Junbesi

Day 9
Junbesi

STAY AT A TIBETAN BUDDHIST NUNNERY IN THE HIMALAYAN FOOTHILLS (B, L, D)

We take a few days off hiking and spend the day at nunnery, where we are able to sit in at the nunnery gompa with the nuns practicing. It is possible to go for short hikes in the area around the nunnery. The day is partly guided, partly free for own adventures. According to Tibetan terminology, this Tibetan Buddhist nunnery is seen as a pure realm; a Buddha field. This signifies a place where many prayers and mantras have been whispered throughout the years, of the many nuns living there; mantras and prayers of compassion and loving kindness for the wellbeing of all sentient beings, and very naturally one senses the result of this accumulation of merit.

Overnight: Junbesi

Day 10
Phablu

RETURN TO PHABLU (B, L, D)

After breakfast we make our descend to Phablu. We have lunch and dinner and spend the night at the same charming mountain lodge in Phablu as on our way up.

Overnight: Phablu

Day 11
Phablu

FULL DAY AT THE MOUNTAIN LODGE IN PHABLU (B, L, D)

Early morning there is an optional outing by a 30-40 min. jeep ride to go up above Phablu for a sunrise view to Mount Everest & the full Himalayan range. Departure at 4.30am. We return to the lodge and have breakfast around 8am. Day for rest & evening yoga & meditation practice/philosophy session. Dinner at the lodge.

Overnight: Phablu

Day 12
Boudha

RETURN TO KATHMANDU (B, L, D)

Early morning breakfast at the lodge and departure for Kathmandu at 7am. We embark on yet another full day of traveling down through Solo Khumbu on our way back to Kathmandu. It’s a stunning ride but bumpy as well! Dinner and overnight at our guesthouse in Boudha.

Overnight: Boudha

Day 13
Boudha

BOUDHA FREE DAY (B, L, D)

Last day of the programme is free to do shopping, visit sights in Kathmandu etc. We meet for a farewell dinner at the Roadhouse Restaurant with view to the sacred Boudha Stupa. We overnight in Boudha.

Overnight: Boudha

Day 14
Boudha

DEPARTURE (B)

Day of departure. We provide transportation to the airport.