Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After check-in, the rest of the afternoon will be kept free for you to relax and recover from your international journey.

In the evening, we will gather for a welcome dinner with the group. This will be our first opportunity to meet fellow pilgrims and introduce the spiritual journey ahead. During dinner, our tour leader will provide a detailed briefing about the entire pilgrimage, including the route, sacred sites we will visit, daily schedule, meditation and practice opportunities, accommodation, transportation, and practical preparations for the days ahead.

Introduction to Sacred Kathmandu

After breakfast, we begin our introduction to the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic heart of the old city, where ancient temples, royal courtyards and traditional Newari architecture reflect Nepal’s unique blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions. We then continue to Swayambhunath, one of Nepal’s oldest and most revered Buddhist stupas, where we will walk the sacred kora, turn prayer wheels and take time for quiet reflection overlooking the Kathmandu Valley.

In the afternoon, we visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world’s most important centers of Tibetan Buddhism, surrounded by monasteries, monks and pilgrims performing their daily practices. We will join the kora around the great stupa and have time for meditation and mantra recitation. In the evening, we continue to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple complex on the banks of the Bagmati River, where we will witness the beautiful Sandhya Aarati, an evening ceremony of fire, incense, chanting, bells and devotional music, before returning to our hotel for the night.

Pharping: The Sacred Caves of Padmasambhava

After breakfast, we leave Kathmandu and drive approximately 45 minutes to Pharping, one of the most important pilgrimage sites associated with Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) in Nepal. After checking into our hotel, we visit the sacred Asura Cave, where Guru Rinpoche is believed to have meditated and attained profound realization; pilgrims can also see a sacred handprint attributed to him in the rock. We then visit the nearby Vajrayogini Temple, an important tantric shrine within the sacred landscape of Pharping.

Later, we take a gentle hike into the peaceful forested hills above Pharping, where we will hold a meditation and singing bowl session surrounded by nature, allowing time for silence and personal reflection. In the evening, we visit a nearby Buddhist monastery to attend the monks’ evening puja, experiencing the sounds of traditional chanting, ritual instruments and prayers before returning to our accommodation for dinner and rest.

Rest, Meditation & Spiritual Preparation in Pharping

Today is dedicated to rest, meditation and spiritual preparation in the peaceful surroundings of Pharping. After breakfast, we will visit a nearby Buddhist monastery for a guided meditation session with the monks, offering an opportunity to slow down, turn inward and deepen our connection with the pilgrimage. The remainder of the day is intentionally kept gentle, allowing time for personal reflection, rest and quiet walks in the surrounding area.

At our hotel, we will also enjoy a traditional Tibetan massage therapy session, helping the body relax and recover before the more adventurous part of our journey begins. In the evening, we will have time to prepare our belongings, receive a short briefing and get an early rest in preparation for the next day’s journey deeper into the sacred landscapes associated with Guru Rinpoche.

Journey to Halesi & Maratika

After an early breakfast, we begin our overland journey east toward Halesi, home to the sacred Maratika Cave, one of the most important pilgrimage sites associated with Guru Rinpoche in Nepal. Travelling by private jeep, the journey takes approximately 8 hours, passing through changing landscapes of hills, rivers, traditional villages and rural Nepal. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Maratika is the sacred place where Guru Rinpoche and Princess Mandarava practiced the teachings of longevity and attained the accomplishment of immortal life (Vidyadhara of Immortality), making it a particularly important destination for practitioners of Vajrayana Buddhism. We will keep the journey relaxed, with stops along the way for refreshments, lunch and rest. Upon arrival in Halesi, we check into our accommodation, enjoy dinner and have a quiet evening to rest and prepare for the following day’s pilgrimage and practices at Maratika.

Maratika & Naga Cave: Sacred Pilgrimage and Meditation

After breakfast, we drive to the sacred Maratika Cave, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites associated with Guru Rinpoche and Princess Mandarava. According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, it was here that they engaged in profound longevity practices and attained the accomplishment of immortal life. We will enter the sacred cave, explore its naturally formed rock formations and learn about its spiritual significance before making traditional offerings and prayers for blessings, longevity and well-being. Ample time will be reserved for meditation, mantra recitation and quiet personal practice within this powerful sacred environment. Later, we continue to the nearby Naga Cave, another spiritually significant site in the Maratika area, where we will make offerings and prayers, receive blessings, explore the cave and spend time in peaceful contemplation. After completing our pilgrimage, we return to Halesi for rest and overnight accommodation.

Yarinak: Guru Rinpoche’s Sacred Site & Namo Buddha Monastery

After an early breakfast, we begin our journey west toward Timal, travelling approximately 135 km through beautiful hill country. Our destination is Yarinak (Yarinag), a sacred forested mountain and dramatic cliffside site associated with Guru Rinpoche. According to Buddhist tradition, Padmasambhava meditated here and manifested as Dükyi Shechen, the “Great Demon Slayer,” a powerful form associated with overcoming obstacles, subduing harmful forces and providing protection. We will explore the sacred landscape, learn about its connection with Guru Rinpoche and allow time for prayers, meditation and quiet contemplation. From Yarinak, we continue approximately 50 km to Namo Buddha, one of the Kathmandu Valley region’s most revered Buddhist pilgrimage destinations, and arrive at Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery. Depending on our arrival time, we will join the monks for their evening prayers and chanting, before settling into our accommodation within the peaceful monastery surroundings for the night.

Morning Puja at Namo Buddha, Bhaktapur & Return to Kathmandu

We begin the day in the peaceful surroundings of Namobuddha, joining the monks for the morning puja, with traditional chanting, prayers and ritual instruments creating a deeply contemplative start to the day. After breakfast, we depart Namo Buddha and begin our drive back toward Kathmandu. Along the way, we stop at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the beautifully preserved historic heart of the ancient city of Bhaktapur, renowned for its Newari architecture, temples, courtyards, traditional craftsmanship and centuries-old spiritual heritage. We will take a leisurely walk through the old city, exploring its sacred monuments and experiencing the living culture of the Kathmandu Valley before continuing our journey to Kathmandu, where we check into our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure.

Rest, Relaxation & Souvenir Shopping in Kathmandu

After several days of pilgrimage and overland travel, today is dedicated to rest and relaxation in Kathmandu. The morning will be kept leisurely, allowing time to sleep in, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and recover from the journey. During the day, we will enjoy a rejuvenating massage therapy session to help release physical tension and restore energy. There will also be time to explore Kathmandu’s local shops and markets for souvenirs and meaningful keepsakes, including traditional handicrafts, prayer flags, incense, singing bowls, Buddhist art and other Himalayan products. The remainder of the day is free for personal exploration, quiet reflection or simply relaxing at the hotel.

International Departure

After breakfast, depending on your flight schedule, enjoy some free time before our representative transfers you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure, bringing your sacred journey in the footsteps of Padmasambhava to a close.