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Nepal · Spiritual Journey

7-Day Yoga Retreat in Pharping, Nepal | Buddhist Monastery

7 Days
Group 1–20 pax
WhatsApp Enquiry

7-day yoga and meditation retreat in Pharping — daily Hatha yoga, Pranayama, sacred Buddhist sites, sound healing and vegetarian sattvic meals 23 km from Kathmandu.

Duration
7 Days
6 nights
Group Size
1–20
people

Trip Highlights

  • Stay at a Buddhist monastery guesthouse in Pharping — 23 km south of Kathmandu, away from city noise
  • Daily Hatha Yoga, Pranayama, Bhakti Yoga and Dhyana meditation led by experienced Nepali instructors
  • Participate in morning and evening puja with resident monks — a rare authentic experience
  • Hike to the sacred Asura Cave where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century
  • Visit Dakshinkali Temple — one of Nepal's most powerful Shakti shrines
  • Singing bowl sound healing sessions and Buddhist philosophy talks
  • Daily sattvic vegetarian and vegan meals — local, organic, mountain-grown
  • One-on-one private instruction available for beginners and advanced practitioners

Trip Overview

There is a place 23 kilometres south of Kathmandu where the noise of the city falls away and the air smells of incense and pine. Pharping — a small Newar town built into a hillside above the Bagmati gorge — is one of the most sacred corners of the Kathmandu Valley. Buddhists know it as the place where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century. Hindus know it for the Dakshinkali Temple, one of Nepal's most powerful Shakti shrines. For more than a thousand years it has drawn pilgrims, monks, yogis and seekers of every tradition. Our 7-day yoga and meditation retreat brings you here.

This retreat is designed for travellers who want more than a holiday and more than a yoga class — a structured week of practice, rest, simple food and exposure to one of Nepal's living spiritual traditions. The schedule is grounded in classical Hatha Yoga and combines morning asana practice with Pranayama breathing, Bhakti Yoga chanting and twice-daily Dhyana meditation. Sessions are open to all levels, and private one-on-one instruction is available for beginners building a daily practice or experienced practitioners seeking deeper alignment.

Days begin at 6:00 am with the traditional yogic morning ritual — Ushapan (drinking water), Jala Neti (nasal cleansing), and the dawn yoga session. Mornings flow through asana practice, breakfast and rest. Afternoons include singing bowl sound healing, Hatha asana and free time. Evenings close with Dhyana meditation, a simple sattvic dinner and a quiet evening walk before lights-out at 10:00 pm. The rhythm is gentle but disciplined — the kind of structure that lets the mind settle.

The Pharping Difference

Most yoga retreats near Kathmandu are held in hotels or city studios. Ours is held in monastery grounds, with morning and evening puja participation alongside resident monks. The mid-week sightseeing day includes the Asura Cave — where Padmasambhava is said to have left a handprint in stone during his meditation — and Yanglesho Cave, sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. The Dakshinkali Temple sits just below the village. Few yoga retreats in Nepal offer this combination of disciplined practice and authentic sacred-site immersion.

Who It Is For

No prior yoga experience is required. The retreat suits complete beginners, practitioners building a regular practice, and experienced yogis looking to deepen alignment under direct instruction. Group size is small — capped at 20 participants — and one-on-one sessions can be arranged on request.

Best Time

Year-round except the monsoon (June–August). The most popular months are September–November and March–May, when the weather is mild and the mountain views from the hillside are clearest.

Looking for a longer retreat? We also offer 10-day, 14-day and 21-day yoga retreats in Pharping, as well as combined yoga-and-trekking packages. Contact us to tailor your stay.

Photo Gallery

Day-by-Day Itinerary

01
Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu and Transfer to Pharping
Half dayMonastery Guesthouse, Pharping

Our representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfers you the 23 km south to Pharping — a drive of around 60 minutes through the southern hills of the Kathmandu Valley. Check in to the monastery guesthouse, settle into your room and meet your yoga instructor for a brief welcome and orientation.

Day 1 Schedule:

  • Before 14:00 — Check-in, room arrangement and rest
  • 15:30–16:30 — Rest and orientation
  • 17:30–18:00 — Herbal tea
  • 18:00–19:00 — Dhyana Yoga (welcome meditation)
  • 19:00–20:00 — Dinner and herbal tea
  • 20:30–21:45 — Evening walk, Vajrasana, self-study
  • 22:00 — Bedtime (lights out)
02
Day 2
First Full Practice Day — Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Sound Healing
Full dayMonastery Guesthouse, Pharping

The first full day of practice. Mornings begin with the traditional Ushapan and Jala Neti rituals, then move into a two-hour foundational session covering Bhakti Yoga chanting, Suryanamaskar (sun salutations), Yogasana, Bandha work and Pranayama. After breakfast and rest, the afternoon includes a singing bowl sound healing session and the second Hatha Yoga session of the day. Evenings close with Dhyana meditation and a quiet walk through the monastery grounds.

Daily Schedule:

  • 06:00 — Wake up and Ushapan (drinking warm water)
  • 06:30–07:00 — Jala Neti (nasal cleansing) and herbal tea
  • 07:00–09:00 — Bhakti Yoga (chanting), warm-up, Suryanamaskar, Yogasana, Bandha, Pranayama, Shanti Path
  • 09:00–10:00 — Breakfast and herbal tea
  • 11:00–13:00 — Therapy and rest
  • 13:00–14:00 — Lunch and herbal tea
  • 15:00–16:00 — Singing Bowl healing or free time
  • 16:30–17:30 — Hatha Yoga asana
  • 17:00–17:15 — Herbal tea
  • 18:00–19:00 — Dhyana Yoga (meditation)
  • 19:00–20:00 — Dinner and herbal tea
  • 20:30–21:45 — Evening walk, Vajrasana, self-study and practice
  • 22:00 — Bedtime (lights out)
03
Day 3
Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Singing Bowl Healing
Full dayMonastery Guesthouse, Pharping

The daily rhythm continues with the same structured flow. Today's emphasis shifts toward deeper alignment work in the morning Yogasana session — your instructor refines your postures and introduces more challenging variations for those ready. The afternoon singing bowl healing session is held in the monastery courtyard. By now, the body is beginning to recognise the rhythm.

Daily Schedule:

  • 06:00 — Wake up and Ushapan (drinking warm water)
  • 06:30–07:00 — Jala Neti (nasal cleansing) and herbal tea
  • 07:00–09:00 — Bhakti Yoga (chanting), warm-up, Suryanamaskar, Yogasana, Bandha, Pranayama, Shanti Path
  • 09:00–10:00 — Breakfast and herbal tea
  • 11:00–13:00 — Therapy and rest
  • 13:00–14:00 — Lunch and herbal tea
  • 15:00–16:00 — Singing Bowl healing or free time
  • 16:30–17:30 — Hatha Yoga asana
  • 17:00–17:15 — Herbal tea
  • 18:00–19:00 — Dhyana Yoga (meditation)
  • 19:00–20:00 — Dinner and herbal tea
  • 20:30–21:45 — Evening walk, Vajrasana, self-study and practice
  • 22:00 — Bedtime (lights out)
04
Day 4
Hatha Yoga, Therapy and Sound Healing
Full dayMonastery Guesthouse, Pharping

A full practice day with the same structure as Day 3. The mid-morning therapy and rest window (11:00–13:00) is well used by most participants for self-study, journaling, or a quiet walk along the ridge above the monastery. Today's evening Dhyana meditation extends into a longer silent sit. This is often the day participants begin to feel the cumulative effect of consistent practice.

Daily Schedule:

  • 06:00 — Wake up and Ushapan (drinking warm water)
  • 06:30–07:00 — Jala Neti (nasal cleansing) and herbal tea
  • 07:00–09:00 — Bhakti Yoga (chanting), warm-up, Suryanamaskar, Yogasana, Bandha, Pranayama, Shanti Path
  • 09:00–10:00 — Breakfast and herbal tea
  • 11:00–13:00 — Therapy and rest
  • 13:00–14:00 — Lunch and herbal tea
  • 15:00–16:00 — Singing Bowl healing or free time
  • 16:30–17:30 — Hatha Yoga asana
  • 17:00–17:15 — Herbal tea
  • 18:00–19:00 — Dhyana Yoga (meditation)
  • 19:00–20:00 — Dinner and herbal tea
  • 20:30–21:45 — Evening walk, Vajrasana, self-study and practice
  • 22:00 — Bedtime (lights out)
05
Day 5
Sacred Site Day — Asura Cave, Yanglesho and Dakshinkali Temple
Full dayMonastery Guesthouse, Pharping

The mid-retreat sightseeing day. After morning yoga and breakfast, your guide leads a full tour of Pharping's sacred sites — the Asura Cave, where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated and left a handprint in stone in the 8th century; Yanglesho Cave, sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus; and the Dakshinkali Temple, one of Nepal's most powerful Shakti shrines. The return to the monastery is in the late afternoon in time for the evening meditation session.

Day 5 Schedule:

  • 06:00 — Wake up and Ushapan
  • 06:30–07:00 — Jala Neti and herbal tea
  • 07:00–08:45 — Bhakti Yoga, Suryanamaskar, Yogasana, Pranayama
  • 09:00–10:00 — Breakfast and herbal tea
  • 10:00–16:30 — Guided sacred site tour (Asura Cave, Yanglesho, Dakshinkali Temple)
  • 17:00–17:15 — Herbal tea
  • 18:00–19:00 — Dhyana Yoga (meditation)
  • 19:00–20:00 — Dinner and herbal tea
  • 20:30–21:45 — Evening walk, Vajrasana, self-study
  • 22:00 — Bedtime (lights out)
06
Day 6
Final Practice Day — Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and Closing Meditation
Full dayMonastery Guesthouse, Pharping

The final full day of practice. The morning session focuses on integrating everything covered through the week — refined asana, sustained Pranayama and a longer Suryanamaskar sequence. The afternoon includes a deeper singing bowl healing session and an extended evening meditation. Tonight's dinner is shared with the instructor and any monks who would like to join — a quiet closing to the retreat practice.

Daily Schedule:

  • 06:00 — Wake up and Ushapan (drinking warm water)
  • 06:30–07:00 — Jala Neti (nasal cleansing) and herbal tea
  • 07:00–09:00 — Bhakti Yoga (chanting), warm-up, Suryanamaskar, Yogasana, Bandha, Pranayama, Shanti Path
  • 09:00–10:00 — Breakfast and herbal tea
  • 11:00–13:00 — Therapy and rest
  • 13:00–14:00 — Lunch and herbal tea
  • 15:00–16:00 — Singing Bowl healing or free time
  • 16:30–17:30 — Hatha Yoga asana
  • 17:00–17:15 — Herbal tea
  • 18:00–19:00 — Dhyana Yoga (meditation)
  • 19:00–20:00 — Dinner and herbal tea
  • 20:30–21:45 — Evening walk, Vajrasana, self-study and practice
  • 22:00 — Bedtime (lights out)
07
Day 7
Closing Ceremony and Transfer to Kathmandu
Half day

The final day begins with the usual morning ritual and yoga session, followed by a closing ceremony and final breakfast. After packing and a final lunch at the guesthouse, you check out at 14:00. Your driver will transfer you back to Tribhuvan International Airport or your onward Kathmandu hotel.

Day 7 Schedule:

  • 06:00 — Wake up and Ushapan
  • 06:30–07:00 — Jala Neti and herbal tea
  • 07:00–08:45 — Final yoga session — Bhakti Yoga, Suryanamaskar, Yogasana, Pranayama
  • 09:00–10:00 — Breakfast, closing ceremony and herbal tea
  • 10:00–13:00 — Pack, shower, rest
  • 13:00–14:00 — Final lunch and herbal tea
  • 14:00 — Check out and transfer to Kathmandu

What’s Included

Included
Airport pick-up and drop-off (Kathmandu ↔ Pharping)
6 nights monastery guesthouse accommodation, twin-sharing
Attached bathroom with hot and cold shower
Towels and slippers provided
3 vegetarian/vegan sattvic meals daily (cultural food on festival days)
Daily herbal teas throughout the day
2 Hatha Yoga sessions per day with yoga mat and props
Daily Pranayama (breathing) and Dhyana (meditation) sessions
Bhakti Yoga (chanting) and Jala Neti (nasal cleansing) instruction
Full body oil massage on Days 2, 4 and 6
Shirodhara (Ayurvedic oil treatment) on Day 3
Singing bowl sound healing on Days 2, 3 and 6
Daily therapy session on main retreat days
Guided sacred site tour — Asura Cave, Yanglesho Cave, Dakshinkali Temple
Library of yoga literature and reading materials
Drinking water provided throughout
Trip completion certificate
Not Included
International flights and Nepal visa fees
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
All personal expenses (laundry, snacks, drinks)
Extra meals (available at extra charge)
Extra therapies and massages (available at extra charge)
Excursions outside the centre and meals taken off-site
Tips for the instructor and staff (customary)
Personal yoga gear (clothing, props beyond what's provided)
Any items not specifically mentioned in the includes list

Upcoming Departures

Departs Daily — Pick Any DateThis trip runs every day year-round. Choose your preferred start date below.

Available months in 2026

Select a Departure Date

Traveler Reviews

S
Sofia Marino, Italy★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Beautiful, authentic and genuinely transformative. The team at HSJ organised every detail from airport pickup to the final transfer back to Kathmandu. The yoga teaching is solid, the meditation guidance excellent, the fo…

H
Hannah Bauer, Germany★★★★★
Verified Purchase

I have practiced Ashtanga for ten years and was unsure if Hatha would feel slow to me. It did not — the Pranayama work in particular opened things I had been missing. The monastery setting is the real magic. Wake to chan…

I
Ingrid Kristensen, Denmark★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Came with my sister for our 40th birthdays. Best decision. The pace was perfect for both of us — challenging enough to feel growth, gentle enough to feel restorative. Our instructor adjusted poses individually. The morni…

T
Tom Wright, UK★★★★★
Verified Purchase

Solid 7-day retreat with strong yoga teaching and a beautiful Pharping setting. The Shirodhara and massages exceeded expectations. The only thing I would change is more vegetable variety in the meals — it became repetiti…

See all reviews →

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Frequently Asked Questions

The retreat is held in Pharping — a small Newar town 23 km south of Kathmandu, around 60 minutes by road. Pharping sits on a hillside above the Bagmati gorge and is one of the most sacred sites in the Kathmandu Valley, drawing Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims for over a thousand years. The setting is peaceful, away from city noise, and surrounded by monasteries, meditation caves and temples.
The retreat is grounded in classical Hatha Yoga combined with Pranayama (breathing techniques), Bhakti Yoga (devotional chanting), and Dhyana (meditation). Sessions cover Suryanamaskar (sun salutations), foundational asanas, Bandha (energy locks), Shanti Path (peace mantras), and singing bowl sound healing. The approach is traditional, alignment-focused, and accessible to all levels.
No. The retreat is open to complete beginners, regular practitioners, and experienced yogis alike. Sessions are structured so beginners can follow along while advanced practitioners can deepen their practice. If you are completely new to yoga, your instructor will introduce each posture and breathing technique step by step.
Accommodation in the monastery guesthouse (twin-sharing), all vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) daily, herbal teas, all yoga and meditation classes, the sacred-site sightseeing day, singing bowl healing sessions, three full-body Ayurvedic massages, one Shirodhara treatment, airport transfers from Kathmandu and back, and instruction by an experienced Nepali Hatha Yoga teacher. See the Includes section for the full list.
All meals are sattvic — pure vegetarian, locally sourced, simple and nourishing. Vegan options are available on request. Meals follow traditional Ayurvedic principles, with herbal teas served throughout the day. Food is prepared at the monastery and emphasises seasonal ingredients from local farms.
Jala Neti is a traditional yogic nasal cleansing practice using a small pot (neti pot) and lightly salted water. It clears the sinuses and is performed each morning as part of the retreat ritual. Participation is optional — your instructor will demonstrate the technique and you can choose whether to practise it yourself or simply observe.
Days begin at 6:00 am with Ushapan (drinking water) and Jala Neti. Morning yoga runs 7:00–9:00 am with chanting, sun salutations, asanas and Pranayama. Breakfast follows. Mid-mornings are for therapy and rest. Afternoons include singing bowl healing and a second Hatha Yoga session. Evenings close with Dhyana meditation, dinner, and a quiet walk before lights-out at 10:00 pm.
Yes. Private instruction is available throughout the retreat — particularly useful for beginners building a daily practice, or for experienced practitioners working on specific alignments or breathing techniques. Mention private sessions when booking and we will arrange them with your instructor.
Comfortable yoga or stretchable clothing (3–4 sets), a light fleece or shawl for early mornings, sandals or flip-flops, a reusable water bottle, a journal, a small towel, toiletries and any personal medication. Yoga mats and props are provided. Modest dress is appreciated at the monastery and Dakshinkali Temple. Pack light — the room is small and simple.
Classes are led by experienced Nepali Hatha Yoga instructors with formal training in traditional yoga and pranayama. Our instructors have years of teaching experience and combine classical Hatha methodology with the practical adaptations needed for international students. They speak fluent English.
Pharping is one of the most sacred sites in the Kathmandu Valley. For Buddhists, it is the place where Guru Padmasambhava meditated in the 8th century — his handprint is said to be visible in the rock of the Asura Cave. For Hindus, it is home to the Dakshinkali Temple, one of the most powerful Shakti shrines in Nepal. The area is filled with monasteries, meditation caves and active pilgrim traditions.
Yes. We offer the same Pharping yoga retreat in extended formats — 10 days, 14 days and 21 days — for travellers seeking a deeper experience. Combined yoga-and-trekking packages are also available, pairing the retreat with treks in Annapurna, Langtang or the Everest region. Contact us to tailor your stay.
Limited Wi-Fi is available in common areas but signal is weak and intermittent. We encourage participants to treat the retreat as a digital detox — leave your phone in your room during sessions and meals. Many participants find this the most restful part of the experience.
Accommodation is in the monastery guesthouse on a twin-sharing basis. Rooms are simple but clean, with attached bathrooms, hot and cold showers, towels and slippers provided. The setting is quiet and peaceful, with monastery courtyards and gardens nearby. Private single rooms are available with a single supplement.
The retreat runs year-round except the monsoon (June–August), when heavy rain and humidity make the experience less comfortable. The most popular months are September–November and March–May — mild temperatures, clear mountain views from the hillside, and stable weather. Winter (December–February) is cool but doable, with the added bonus of fewer visitors.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days before arrival. Cancellations more than 30 days before arrival receive a full refund of the deposit. Cancellations within 30 days are subject to a 50% fee. We strongly recommend travel insurance covering trip cancellation. Group bookings of 5+ qualify for additional discounts — see the group pricing tab.

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7-Day Yoga Retreat in Pharping, Nepal | Buddhist Monastery — Select a Departure Date
$ 495.00
/ person
$ 695.0029% OFF
Group Pricing▼
Group SizePrice / Person
1–1 pax$ 695.00
2–4 pax$ 595.00
5–10 pax$ 545.00
11–20 paxBest value$ 495.00
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