2 Weeks Meditation & Monastery Retreat in Kathmandu (14990)

Tour itinerary: Kathmandu

 Day 1: Arrival & Orientation 

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will be warmly received and then transferred by car to your retreat place of stay. After checking into your place of stay, you will have some time to rest and acclimate as you sip some herbal welcome tea. Later, Orientation session will be held for you to understand:

Monastery etiquette & discipline

Meditation rules and silence guidelines

Overview of daily routine

The day will come to a close with some light breathing meditation exercises, followed by a healthy dinner.

  Day 2 to 2nd Last Day: Daily Meditation & Monastery Routine

(Repeated throughout stay with gradual depth increase)

05:00 - 05:30: Silent Wake-Up

The day starts with a wake-up session performed in absolute silence. The participants of the program engage in mindful stretching activities or slow walks as a means of gently awakening the body.

05:30 - 07:00: Morning Meditation

The morning class consists of sitting meditation, with an emphasis on breathing or Vipassana meditation to cultivate mindfulness and clarity of the mind. This is followed by walking meditation to bring grounding and stability to the body and the mind.

07:00 - 08:00: Breakfast

Vegetarian breakfast, consisting of simple vegetarian dishes, is served and consumed while being mindful. They are encouraged to be mindful while eating, savoring the experience of eating.

08:00 - 10:00: Monk Lifestyle Observation

In this period, the participants are able to observe the daily life of the monks and gain experience from their disciplined and simple way of life. This is accompanied by the opportunity to engage in mindful service or help with monastery chores.

10:00 - 11:30: Teachings & Practice Guidance

This class will include instruction on how to meditate properly. Talks on Buddhist morals and philosophy will be given, followed by an opportunity for questions and answers on experiences.

11:30 - 12:30: Lunch

A light vegetarian lunch is served, with an emphasis on keeping silent to ensure mindfulness and inner awareness are maintained.

12:30 - 14:30: Rest & Reflection

 The afternoon allows unstructured time for rest, meditation, journaling, or reflection. This portion of the day enables the attendees to process the morning exercises at their convenience.

14:30 - 16:00: Afternoon Meditation

The afternoon session will cover the meditation technique of Metta (Loving-Kindness), developing self- and other-compassion, and awareness methods for the body.

16:00 - 18:00: Reflection OR Sightseeing

Most days:

Reflection or Sight This time, on most days, is devoted to silent walking meditation, reading, or personal meditation in the monastery grounds. 

Selected days only:

Mindful sightseeing is also included, and visits are made to holy places like Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, and other Buddhist monasteries in the Kathmandu Valley. 

18:00 - 19:00: Dinner

Vegetarian cuisine is provided in an environment that is serene and meditative, allowing the body and mind to unwind at the end of the day. 

19:00 - 20:00: Evening Meditation

The evening session involves chanting or silent meditation sitting, followed by gentle reflection upon the experiences of the day.

After 20:00: Noble Silence

The noble silence is maintained as everyone retires early to enable deep rest as they prepare to face the next day’s practice.

Last Day: 

The retreat ends with the final meditation session of the morning, where the participants are able to integrate the practices they learned on this retreat. After the meditation session, the participants are served breakfast in an environment that promotes mindfulness. There is the closing circle and the session of gratitude, where the participants are able to share their reflections on the retreat. There is also an opportunity to pack the bags before the private transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for departure.