βDid the 7-day retreat as a stand-alone trip before going trekking. The disciplined schedule built strong habits β by the end of the week, I was waking naturally before 6 am. The Asura Cave was deeply moving. The Shirodhara treatment alone was worth the price.β
Traveller reviews
Real stories from real adventurers who explored Nepal with us. Every review below is verified and links back to the platform it was left on.
βTravelled solo and felt completely safe and welcomed from the moment of pickup at the airport. The HSJ team kept communication easy throughout. The group was small (only 6 of us) which meant a lot of one-on-one attention from the instructor. Came home calmer than I have been in years.β
βThe integration of yoga, Buddhist puja, sound healing and Ayurvedic massage made this feel like a complete wellness reset rather than just a yoga course. The instructor's teaching of Pranayama opened a door for me that I am still walking through. The food was perfect β simple, warm, healing.β
βExcellent retreat overall. The teaching, food, accommodation and treatments are all top quality. Lost one star only because Wi-Fi was almost non-existent which was an issue for me as I needed to take a few work calls β but honestly that is on me, not them. They told me upfront.β
βI needed a digital detox after a difficult work year. The limited Wi-Fi, simple monastery room, sattvic food and disciplined schedule were exactly what I didn't know I needed. By day 4 my sleep had completely normalised. The cave hike on day 5 was a highlight.β
βAs an Indian who grew up around yoga but never practiced consistently, this retreat reconnected me with my own tradition through a Nepali lens. The Bhakti Yoga chanting sessions were beautiful. Pharping has an energy you have to feel to understand. Thank you HSJ for organising this beautifully.β
βI have done yoga retreats in Bali, Goa and Rishikesh. This one stands out for the authenticity of the monastery setting. You hear morning prayers from the gompa next door at 5 am. You eat with the resident monks. The Shirodhara treatment was transformative β I still feel its effects.β
βCame here as a beginner and left with a daily practice I have kept up six weeks later. The teacher's one-on-one attention during private sessions was invaluable. The Pharping location is far enough from Kathmandu to feel truly remote but close enough to access easily. Highly recommended.β
βBest week of my year. The structured rhythm β Jala Neti at 6 am, yoga, breakfast, rest, sound healing, more yoga, meditation, dinner, lights out by 10 β felt restorative rather than restrictive. Loved the visit to the Asura Cave and Dakshinkali Temple. Food was simple but exceptional.β
βCame to Nepal for trekking and stumbled across this retreat. So glad I added it before the EBC trek. The monastery setting is genuinely peaceful, and morning puja with the monks was a powerful experience. Daily Hatha + meditation grounded me before going to altitude. The three Ayurvedic massages were a beautiful bonus.β
βSeven days in Pharping completely reset my nervous system. The morning Pranayama sessions on the rooftop with Machhapuchhare in the distance (visible on clear days) were unforgettable. Our instructor was patient, knowledgeable and adapted every session to mixed-level groups. The Shirodhara on day 3 was deeply relaxing. Would do this again in a heartbeat.β
βThe views and experience were unbeatable! Rupesh and Ratna were so sweet, patient, helpful, and accommodating. We so appreciate all of their help and guidance throughout the very challenging trek! Thoroughly enjoyed our trip and highly recommend booking through HSJ! They really take very good care of youβ
βUnforgettable Trek to Everest Base Camp Trekking to Everest Base Camp was an incredible and unforgettable experience. Each stage of the journey was well-organized, with beautiful scenery and just the right amount of challenge. Our guide made a big differenceβhe was cheerful, supportive, and always motivating us. His encouragement inspired us to make the tough climb to Kala Patthar, where we witnessed an unforgettable sunrise over Everest. That moment alone made the entire journey worthwhile. If you're thinking about doing the EBC trek, I highly recommend it. With the right team and mindset, itβs an adventure youβll never forget.β
βWe are incredibly grateful to Dinesh Bhai for making our Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar trek a truly unforgettable and successful experience. From the very beginning, his dedication, planning, and constant support ensured that every aspect of our journey was smooth, safe, and memorable. Dinesh Bhaiβs deep knowledge of the region, his calm demeanor, and his ability to handle every challenge with a smile gave us the confidence and motivation to push through the tough moments. His passion for the mountains and genuine care for our well-being were evident in every step of the journey. Thanks to his leadership and encouragement, we not only reached EBC but also successfully summited Kala Pattβ
βIt wasnβt an easy trek, but our guide Dinesh took good care of us and helped us in every way possible & Himalayan social journey made it safe and worth while for us. Will definitely recommend to friends and family. Anticipating more such treks in Nepal with Himalayan social journey. Thank you guys for hosting us.β
βThis was an amazing trip. Himalayan Social Journey was an excellent company that took care of us from the minute we left the airport until we returned three weeks later. Our guide, Indra, was incredible and made an already excellent experience even better with his encyclopedic knowledge of the area and his genuine excitement to share his country with us. The beautiful views never stopped with some of the highlights being Gokyo Lake, the panoramic views from Dzongla, hiking across multiple glaciers, and of course reaching Everest Base Camp. I can not recommend this tour and this company enough.β
βGreat experience! The tour company was easy to communicate with leading up to the trip. Our driver was on-time and friendly. The check-in process for the flight was quick and easy, and the boarding process was smooth! The views were incredible! The Himalayan Mountains are breath taking! I would definitely recommend this trip to others!β
βAmazing views, fantastic guide and very good accommodation, very good experience for people who donβt have a lot of experience in trekkingβ
βAmazing views and our guide tiakaram was very helpful and funny 5 stars for him !! , amazing time I had . Me and my friend loved every bit of itβ
βI had an amazing experience during our trek. Our guide Rupesh was extremely supportive, patient, and knowledgeable and took care of our every need. Our supporter Ratna was also very helpful and we could not have completed our trek without him. I would highly recommend anyone seeking adventure to travel with HSJ.β
βDefinitely recommended. Amazing experience and will definitely come back for the Pokhara one. Quick response, organized and punctual.β
βWe done the Everest flyover by plane today, the views were breathtaking. We were picked up at the hotel on time and took to the airport and returned to the hotel afterβ
βThe experience of seeing the temples is amazing. Itβs like connecting with the essence of the major religions that shape Eastern culture. The tour guide Hemraj was amazing, has a very in-depth knowledge about everything.β
βThe Kailash-Manasarovar trip was never on our bucket list because my husband and I knew this to be an intense trip and never thought of this as something we could do. The idea was planted in my head by a dear friend who had been on an Everest Base Camp trip organized by Himalayan Social Journey (HSJ) and her enthusiasm inspired me. She had such a great experience on the EBC trip that she chose HSJ again for this trip, which I would say is the ultimate adventurous pilgrimage. There were so many unexpected twists and turns with sudden changes in Chinese visa processing timeframes , bridge collapse and landslides, but HSJ was very resourceful, handled it all with professionalism and care, ensurβ



