About our Trek & Retreat
Our annual trek will be shrouded with celebrations of The Festival of Lights (Diwali). Throughout the trek and retreat you will be embraced by the essence of the Goddess Lakshmi with the cultural expression of devotion through cultural dance and blessings given out from children in traditional dress. You will see the streets lined with rangoli patterns, thousands of small ghee lamps and candles.
We will start our journey in Kathmandu where we visit the main World Heritage sites of Shiva and Buddah before making our way to Pokhara to embark on our 8 day trek through the Annapurnas.
Each day will include yoga and meditation plus time to reflect on our daily experiences. Circle sharing and Satsang will be scheduled throughout the retreat. There will also be plenty of free time for exploration and of course, shopping.
Any of our daily excursions within the cities is optional and you can always take extra time for rest without judgement or expectation.
About our Host & Guides
Yoga Sols 2025 Nepali Trek and Retreat will be led by Claire Tierney. Claire has been travelling Nepal regularly for the last 8 years and considers it a home away from home.
Bringing over 30 years’ experience as a yoga/meditation teacher, and massage therapist Claire will guide you through restorative yoga, meditation and breath work on a daily basis throughout your trek. She has extensive knowledge on the culture and festivals which will be explored through Satsang and Q&A sessions.
Claire’s two decades of experience in dry needling, cupping, and taping will assist you along your trekking route, helping to keep you mobile and pain free.
We will be assisted by two local knowledgeable guides, as well as porters to assist us with our necessities on the trek up the mountain.
Sattya
A kind-hearted soul who has a deep love of the mountains and all her wildlife, Sattya brings 20 years’ experience as a guide in Nepal.
Sattya and his hand-picked team of Porters including Raju (who is always the group favourite), will help us through our adventures and lighten our load, not just by carrying our bags but by looking after your every need. Raju is an amazing cook, and Sattya is always able to organise amazing experiences along the way. These men are so caring and attentive that you will feel more than guided but totally supported with compassion, and love along the way.
Itinerary
Day 1 (8th Oct)
Flights leaving Brisbane are usually around 8.30 am and usually arrive in Kathmandu around 10.30pm the same day. By the time we get to the hotel it’s late around 11.30pm or even midnight.
If you are travelling from elsewhere, please check time differences and schedules.
- We will arrange pick up at Kathmandu airport. Please arrive no later than 8th October.
- We check in and sleep. You may wake up early as they are 4 hours behind Brisbane Au, but a good time to just laze around after a 16hr flight.
- Restaurant with room service available after 7.30am.
- Breakfast is included.
Day 2 (9th Oct)
Thamel has shops galore. A place where worship and yoga blend into a kaleidoscope of colour. The air, heavy with incense from prayer and devotion. You may choose to get a massage, a tattoo, some art, enjoy a dance, eat your heart out, or just enjoy at Tea in the garden of dreams.
- Take a walk through the early morning markets to Durba Square.
Day 3 (10th Oct)
- Boudhanath Stupa, which is the largest Buddhist Stupa in the world. This Temple is about 20 mins by bus so we will leave after Yoga and Breakfast.
- Restaurants and shops at Boudhanath Stupa. We will have lunch at Boudhanath, as well as love and kindness meditation within the Mandala of the Stupa.
- Claire guides you through the symbols of the site.
Day 4 (11th Oct)
Swayambhunath Temple (Money Temple)
- Climb the 365 steps to reach Monkey temple. A sprawled-out collection of Buddhist stupas, nunneries, and monasteries. This stupa sits on top of a hill and overlooks Kathmandu valley.
- Said to be the central channel of the city we will Meditate on our Central channel to connect into the powerful cosmic energy of this site.
- There are market stalls at the temple, and we will often see prayers and rituals taking place within the monasteries.
- Claire will lead you through the warren of symbols and religious icons to give you a deeper understanding and connection of the site.
Day 5 (12th Oct)
We head to Pashupatinath (Shiva Temple) where we see the circle of life through the conception of the Karma Sutra on the walls, watching the dead be washed, smoked, wrapped, and then placed on the pyre.
- Morning yoga, bowl meditation at Nepal Singing Bowls and Satsang followed by breakfast at the hotel.
- Today is a big day with 2 Bigger Temples to visit.
- Guhyeswari and Pashupatinath temples.
- We will walk through the Pashupati Forest to arrive at the feminine site of Guhyeshwari.
- Guhyeswari Temple has significant cultural significance and is located close to the world heritage site of Pashupatinath. The two temples together represent the joining of Ida and Pingala; the sacred Union of Shiva and Shakti.
- We then head back through Pashupati Forest where we can stop for refreshments before reaching Pashupatinath (Shiva Temple) where we see the circle of life through the conception of the Karma Sutra on the walls, watching the dead be washed, smoked, wrapped, and then placed on the pyre.
- Take photos with Sadus.
- Claire will lead you through the warren of symbols and religious icons to give you a deeper understanding and connection of the site.
- HamSa meditation, as well as Satsang.
- This is a later trip at dusk, so we catch nightly Arti (puja).
Want to know more about our 2025 Diwali Yoga Retreat?
You can send an email to yogaandmassage@gmail.com and we will send you a copy of full itinerary which includes the costs and inclusions.
See our FAQ’s about our Yoga Retreats here.