Yoga in Kathmandu, plus real hill air. This eight-day small-group retreat pairs morning yoga with evening meditation, then wraps it in Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and a genuine hiking day. I like the steady daily rhythm (yoga, rest, then temples and stupa sights), and I like that your training gets a full-day boost when the program turns into multiple yoga sessions. One consideration: it depends on good weather, and you will be walking and moving during sightseeing and the Nagarkot hike.

You also get strong structure from a guide who organizes your daily classes, plus included sightseeing that hits major spiritual landmarks. Group size is capped at 20, which usually means less chaos when you’re trying to stay focused on breathwork. If you’re expecting a laid-back vacation with zero schedule, this is probably not it.

Key highlights at a glance

• Seven nights of included accommodation so you’re not scrambling to line up lodging mid-retreat
• 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners (vegetarian) with water and a few cups of tea included
• A full-day yoga training block (four classes) on Day 4 covering asana, breathing, meditation, and philosophy
• One full day hiking experience via the Nagarkot hike
• Kathmandu Valley heritage mix including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swambhunath, and more
• Small-group feel up to 20 travelers with guided logistics and daily class planning

Yoga, meditation, and Kathmandu Valley sites: what this retreat really offers

This retreat is built around a simple idea: your body learns first, then your mind follows. Each day has yoga in the morning, plus breathing and meditation later in the day, with sightseeing slotted into the middle. That rhythm matters in Kathmandu, where it’s easy to get overstimulated by traffic, temples, and loud streets.

What makes the program feel purposeful is the balance. You get spiritual practice in the morning and evening, but you also get daytime structure through guided visits to well-known sites around the valley. It’s not “tour first, yoga later.” Yoga and meditation are the backbone, and the sightseeing supports the reset you’re working toward.

The other big piece is that you’re not constantly navigating logistics. Pickup is offered, the guide runs the daily schedule, and meals and accommodation are included. In a city where planning can eat time, that lets you show up for class and actually practice.

Price and what you get for it: meals, beds, and guided days

At $1,066.67 per person for about eight days, the price is not cheap, but it’s easier to justify when you look at what’s bundled. You’re paying for seven nights of accommodation plus three vegetarian meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), along with yoga classes and guided sightseeing.

You’re also getting a full day hiking component and multiple guided heritage stops, not just a single excursion. If you were trying to rebuild this trip yourself, you’d likely spend separately on lodging, meals, entrance tickets and guides, and transportation across different parts of the Kathmandu Valley.

One more value point: the group is capped at 20. That matters for yoga because you want a class setting where the instructor can work with individuals, not just blast through poses with a crowd. This retreat is clearly designed to keep things organized, with the guide coordinating both sightseeing and practice sessions.

Day-by-day breakdown: temples, rest time, and the hiking day

The best way to understand this retreat is to look at how each day is paced. The schedule repeatedly gives you “practice time, food time, rest time,” then sightseeing or hiking, then breathing and meditation.

Day 1: arrival energy management

Day 1 starts gently because travel can knock you out. After check-in around midday, you’ll have one yoga class in the evening rather than a full morning program. You’ll do breathing and meditation, then dinner, then bed.

This setup is smart if you’re flying in from far away or you’re sensitive to altitude and fatigue. You get to settle in without being forced into a heavy schedule right after landing.

Day 2: Pashupatinath and Boudhanath with a day rhythm

Your day begins with a morning yoga session from about 7:30 to 8:30, then breakfast. There’s a rest window before the sightseeing block.

The sightseeing focuses on two major sacred landmarks: Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. You’ll spend roughly 10:00 to 15:00 on this exploration, then have rest time before another breathing and meditation session in the late afternoon/evening, followed by dinner.

Why this day works: Pashupatinath is a key Hindu pilgrimage site, while Boudhanath is one of the valley’s most recognizable Buddhist stupas. Going from one to the other within the same day naturally supports the retreat’s theme: different traditions, shared attention to mindful living.

Day 3: Swayambhunath and Buddhanilkhantha for a wider view

Day 3 follows the same pattern: morning yoga, breakfast, rest, then sightseeing. The daytime visits cover Swambhunath and Buddhanilkhantha, followed by evening breathing and meditation.

Swambhunath (often known as Monkey Temple) is a place where you’re not just looking at a monument; you’re watching a whole ecosystem of pilgrims, prayers, and temple activity from different angles. Buddhanilkhantha, known for its reclining Buddha image, offers a calmer, more contemplative mood.

Possible drawback: these sites attract crowds, and you will be walking and looking around for hours. If you need quiet time, take the rest breaks seriously and don’t treat them like optional downtime.

Day 4: the full-day yoga training that changes the pace

This is the standout day for serious practice. Instead of a sightseeing block and a standard morning class, you’ll do a full-day yoga schedule with four classes covering different dimensions of yoga: asana, breathing, meditation, and the philosophical part.

The point of this day is accumulation. Earlier days may help you learn the basics of the routine, but Day 4 gives you time to connect the physical practice with breath and then layer in meditation and ideas around how yoga is meant to live beyond the mat.

If you’re the type who wants to understand why you’re doing what you’re doing, this is the day that will feel most rewarding.

Day 5: Bhaktapur and Patan for craft, squares, and city textures

Day 5 again starts with morning yoga, breakfast, rest, and then a long sightseeing window. Your guide takes you to Bhaktapur and Patan.

Bhaktapur is known for its medieval city feel and visual details that you notice more when you slow down. Patan (Lalitpur) adds another layer of culture and craft, with its own historic feel and temple-and-square layout.

Why this matters for yoga: after days focused on huge religious landmarks, you get a different kind of attention training. The walking and observing tend to help you shift from “performing” sightseeing to actually noticing.

Day 6: Nagarkot hike for fresh air and earned calm

Now you get the “real” moving day: the Nagarkot hiking segment. You’ll still have a morning yoga session and breakfast, then rest, then hiking from about 10:00 to 15:00, followed by the late afternoon breathing and meditation.

A hiking day changes how a retreat feels. Yoga in a room helps you learn body control. Yoga after hours of walking helps you notice how your breath holds up under effort and how your mind settles when the route is steady and the view opens.

Because this day is weather-dependent, plan your expectations around seasonal conditions. Good visibility will make Nagarkot feel like a reward; poor weather may make it more about the effort than the view.

Day 7: Chandragiri cable car tour with another scenic reset

Day 7 brings a different kind of altitude-and-view experience via the Chandragiri cable car tour. Morning yoga and breakfast continue the routine, then you’ll do rest time and the cable car trip in the main daytime window. You’ll finish with breathing and meditation and dinner.

A cable car day can be a helpful compromise. You get the sensation of rising and seeing farther without turning the day into a long, technical hike. It also gives you a change of terrain after Nagarkot.

Day 8: morning practice, breakfast, and checkout

Your final day still includes a morning yoga session, breathing/meditation time, and breakfast. Then check-out happens at noon.

This makes the exit feel gradual rather than abrupt. You leave with your body still in the practice mode, not just “out the door after yoga at 7:30.”

The yoga schedule: breathing, asana, and philosophy in real time

The retreat’s yoga structure is not vague. You get breathing and meditation built into the evening each day, plus morning yoga sessions during the multi-day blocks.

On Day 1, you get an evening yoga class and then breathing/meditation. On Days 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7, the pattern is morning yoga, breakfast, then sightseeing, then breathing/meditation. Day 4 is where the program intensifies with four yoga classes covering asana, breathing, meditation, and philosophical content.

For many people, the most helpful part is that the breathing and meditation aren’t treated like an add-on. They show up after a day of activity, which means you practice calming down after real life, not just in a perfect quiet room.

Practical note: this schedule means you’re not rushing from class to class with no downtime. You consistently get rest windows, which is important in a city where sightseeing can easily become nonstop.

Hiking and cable car: Nagarkot and Chandragiri in the mix

The retreat includes both a hike (Nagarkot) and a scenic cable car option (Chandragiri). That combo is good value because it gives you two ways to enjoy the valley’s height and views.

Nagarkot is the more physical day segment. You’ll spend about five hours on the hiking window. Even if you consider yourself an active traveler, plan on steady movement rather than sprinting. Comfortable shoes and a relaxed pace will help you keep the yoga-friendly mindset.

Chandragiri is lower effort. Instead of hours of continuous hiking, you get the cable car ride and a tour time block. It’s a nice change if your legs feel tired after Nagarkot or if you want scenery without turning Day 7 into a second training day.

Accommodation and meals: where the retreat actually feels easy

This package includes seven nights of accommodation and all vegetarian meals for the retreat days. The included meals are explicitly listed as seven breakfasts, seven lunches, and seven dinners. Water is included, and you’ll also receive three cups of tea during the experience.

In a yoga retreat, food and timing can make or break the mood. Here, the meals are built into the schedule, so you’re not trying to find vegetarian options while also keeping up with classes. The vegetarian focus also makes it easier to eat with fewer surprises in unfamiliar city food situations.

You’ll also have daily dinner and rest time built in. That matters because after a long day of temple visits or hiking, you need downtime that doesn’t require planning.

Group size and guide support: why organization matters in Kathmandu

The tour runs as a small group, with a maximum of 20 travelers. That helps in two ways: you can move as a unit during sightseeing, and the yoga schedule can stay manageable for the instructor.

You also get guidance for the day-to-day plan, since your guide organizes daily classes and runs the sightseeing. In Kathmandu, having a plan reduces stress. It also helps you spend your mental energy on practice and observation, not on figuring out where to go next.

Even if you’ve never done a retreat before, this kind of structure gives you a safe feeling. You don’t need to be an expert on yoga timing, temple routes, or meal timing.

Who should book this retreat, and who should reconsider

This experience is a strong fit if you want a mix of body practice and meaningful sightseeing without the hassle of planning. If you like routines, this retreat repeats a daily rhythm of morning yoga and evening breathing/meditation. If you want depth, Day 4’s four-class yoga block is a big draw.

It’s also a good fit if you’re traveling solo and want a guided structure, or if you want a calm, organized environment where logistics are handled.

You might want to reconsider if:

• You don’t want any hiking component or long sightseeing blocks
• You’re sensitive to schedule intensity and want completely free time every day
• You’re traveling during periods where weather could be unreliable, since the experience requires good weather

Practical tips to make your yoga-retreat week go smoothly

A few small choices can make a big difference when you combine yoga, temple visits, and hiking.

Plan your energy around the schedule. The retreat gives rest windows, but the sightseeing blocks are still long. Pace yourself inside the temples too, since you’ll be moving through busy spiritual sites.

For the Nagarkot hike, treat it as a steady-walking day, not a fitness test. The goal is to finish feeling okay enough to still enjoy evening breathing and meditation.

For temple days, expect that you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces and spending hours looking around. Bring practical clothing that works for both yoga and sightseeing, so you’re not changing outfits constantly.

And if you’re the type who likes knowing the plan, you’ll probably appreciate how this itinerary repeats core practice times across most days. It reduces decision fatigue, which makes it easier to stay present.

Should you book this Kathmandu yoga, meditation, tour, and hiking retreat?

If your ideal Nepal trip looks like yoga with a real schedule, plus classic Kathmandu Valley sights and one true hiking day, then this retreat makes sense. The best reason to book is the balance: included lodging and meals, guided heritage sightseeing, and a full-day yoga training block that goes beyond basic classes.

Also, the price feels more reasonable when you count the included accommodation (seven nights), daily vegetarian meals (seven breakfasts, lunches, and dinners), yoga classes, and multiple guided sightseeing sessions. You’re paying for convenience and structure, not just yoga on a vacation.

The main reason to pause is weather. Since the experience requires good weather and includes hiking, you’ll want flexibility in your plans. If you can adapt to changing conditions, this retreat is a solid way to experience Kathmandu with your body and mind aligned.

FAQ

FAQ

What’s included in the retreat besides the yoga classes?

The retreat includes 7 nights accommodation, vegetarian meals (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, and 7 dinners), yoga classes, water, and 3 cups of tea. It also includes guided sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley and the hiking day.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered.

How long is the retreat?

It’s listed as 8 days, approximately.

Where does the sightseeing take place?

You’ll visit multiple places in Kathmandu Valley, including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swambhunath, Buddhanilkhantha, Bhaktapur, Patan, Nagarkot (hiking), and Chandragiri (cable car tour).

Is there a hiking day?

Yes. A full day hiking segment is included on Day 6 with Nagarkot.

Are meals included, and are they vegetarian?

Yes. All meals are provided during the retreat and are vegetarian, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.

Is airfare included in the price?

No. Airfare is not included.

How large is the group?

This tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What’s the cancellation window for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Does the experience run year-round?

The listed opening hours are Monday to Saturday, with dates shown from 09/15/2019 to 04/26/2026.