itinerary

YOU’RE HERE. Welcome to Kathmandu.

INHALE. Feel the fresh mountain air in your lungs.

MARVEL at Boudhanath Stupa.

DINNER overlooking the spectacular domed roof of the stupa.

FLY to Phaplu, enjoying splendid panoramic views over Kathmandu valley on the way

SWEAT off the day in Happy House’s private sauna

RECONNECT with Happy House’s rich history of mountaineers and explorers

EYE-OPENING visit to Thupten Choeling Monastery

CAST OFF all thoughts in a private meditation session with a monk

TOUR the tiny village of Junbesi

TEA CEREMONY in a private home

SWEET DREAMS. Settle in for an early rise tomorrow

STRETCH in a guided yoga and meditation session to start the day

SUN yourself during breakfast in Happy House’s Garden

READY, SET, GO. Our three-day mountain trek starts now

LOOK UP at the cloudless night sky

EYE SPY… old yak houses, sacred stone walls, and rhododendrons

UP, UP, UP – we’ve reach 3700 meters altitude today

TENT yourself for the night under a sheet of twinkling stars

SUNRISE hike to Pikey Peak.

REACH up to the stars! We’ve hit the peak.

It’s only DOWNHILL from here, as we wind our way back to camp through friendly farming settlements and enjoy beautiful views.

REVIVE tired legs in a private massage session at Happy House.

PILGRIMAGE to Mani Rimdu festival (3-hour hike).

WITNESS The Wong, the festival’s spectacular opening ceremony.

BLESSING from the head Lama Rinpoche.

FEAST hosted by the Sangey Lama family in the monastery’s traditional dining room.

CHASE away your demons during Chhaam, the mask dances.

RED, YELLOW, PINK, BLUE. See how many colours you can spot in the masks, costumes, and decorations of the dancers.

BOW to the altar of Sangey Lama in a guided yoga and meditation session.

HEAL in a guided meditation and singing bowl therapy.

TALK on Buddhist philosophy and spirituality in the llama altar.

Visit Patan Durbar, one of the ANCIENT kingdoms of the Kathmandu valley.

WATCH local Newari artisans work their magic on woodcarvings, sculpture, and painting.

SHOP for local wares and goods at the local markets.

FAREWELL with a private dinner inside the courtyard of Patan Museum.

location

Dwarika’s Place

Built in the late 1950s by Dwarika Das Shrestha as a family home, Dwarika’s place is a charming hotel in the heart of Kathmandu. Today, the hotel is still a family-run operation managed by the original descendants of Dwarika. The accommodation features a pool, library, yoga and fitness centre, and five restaurants and cafes. The hotel also boasts its own Himalayan spa, offering luxury treatments that draw on ayurvedic and Buddhist philosophies. Rooms range in size and style, from a Royal Suite with its own private terrace, to a charming Deluxe Room constructed in line with Nepalese heritage.

Happy House

At an altitude of 2500 metres, Happy House is a private hotel perfect for private reflection surrounded by majestic mountain views. The favoured base of mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, Happy House is rich in historical precedent – the adventurer himself gave it the name it has today! The historic house features 2 suites and 8 deluxe rooms, a shared living room with 2 fireplaces, library, meditation and yoga studio with private yoga teacher, and a spa-sauna with massage therapist.

Chiwong Monastery Guest House

Chiwong Monastery’s guest house will be our home during the two days of the Mani Rimdu festival. Founded by the Sangey Lama, the grounds are still family run today, perched on the edge of a spectacular cliff overlooking glorious mountain surrounds.

Tent Stay

For our 3-day trek to the Pikey Peak summit, we’ll be staying in expedition style tents with ample room. They can be shared between two people or reserved for one if you want a little more privacy. 

Inclusions

• 9 night’s accommodation.

• Morning guided meditation and yoga workshops.

• 3-day guided expedition to the Pikey Peak Summit (includes equipment and food).

• 2-day Mani Rimdu festival experience.

• Guided meditation session with a monk at Thupten Choeling Monastery.

• Daily breakfast. Some lunches and dinners included.

Exclusions

• Flights to and from Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport).

FAQ’s

How to get there

Our meeting point is Kathmandu (Tribhuvan international airport), where you’ll be greeted by one of our trip hosts and escorted in a private vehicle to your hotel. 

From Sydney

Singapore airlines run direct flights from Sydney to Kathmandu. Various other international carriers run flights with stopovers in Doha or Singapore.

From LA

Multiple airlines run direct flights from LAX to Kathmandu.

From London

Flights from London Heathrow to Kathmandu require one stopover, typically in Doha.

What is the style of the trip?

This is a ten-day expedition through the Himalayas that combines cultural and spiritual encounters with a challenging hiking adventure to a mountain peak, and a two-day immersion in a traditional festival experience. The trip is designed to get you out of your comfort zone, with hikes of up to 7 hours per day. A baseline level of fitness is required.

What is the accommodation like?

We’ll be staying in a range of accommodation types to give you the full Himalaya experience. See the section ‘Location’ for more detailed information on our accommodation.

What should I bring?

• Hiking boots.

• Comfortable walking shoes.

• Warm, woolen hat and gloves.

• Cotton socks.

• Quick drying towel.

• Light, breathable clothing for yoga sessions and hiking.

• Warm layers for nighttime.

• Insulated jacket.

• A water bottle that we can refill for you.

• A camera and journal to document your travels.

Will I have downtime?

While our days are pretty packed to ensure you get the most out of your time in Nepal, there will be times where you will be able to explore the local villages yourself or stay in and have some downtime. We’ll be enjoying daily meditation and yoga sessions, and our long hikes are the perfect time for self-reflection and some inner calm.