7-Day Yoga and Sightseeing Retreat in the Hills of Kathmandu

The retreat starts with an afternoon check-in, a vegetarian lunch, and a massage or steam bath to settle you in. From then on, each morning begins with yoga and pranayama, followed by a light breakfast. Mid-morning slots are given to healing sessions like reiki or sound therapy, or to a nature walk to a local Gumba and temple.

The standout day is the Chandragiri Hill hike, a four-hour uphill climb through forest and open ground to a summit at 2,500 meters. On clear days you are rewarded with a panorama that includes Mount Everest, Annapurna, and the Kathmandu Valley below. Maybe you return for a 90-minute recovery massage.

Another day is a full cultural excursion into Kathmandu, hitting Swayambhunath ('Monkey Temple'), Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and the Thamel shopping district. Entrance fees and lunch are not included, but transport is.

The retreat is led by Kriti Karki, who has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. Her story is personal: she overcame severe childhood asthma through yoga, pranayama, and a disciplined lifestyle under her father, a naturopathy specialist. After years in an ashram and formal training in Yogic Sciences, including a diploma from Banaras Hindu University, she now runs Mandala Yoga Retreat with her husband Biren, who manages operations and offers sound healing treatments.

What's included

- Airport pickup - 6 nights accommodation in a private or shared room - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Unlimited water, tea, and coffee - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama (breathing) classes - 1 hour treatment (therapy/massage) - Sound healing therapy session - Reiki healing therapy session - Steam or sauna bath - Hiking to Chandragiri Hill and a village walk - Full-day Kathmandu sightseeing day trip with transportation - Wi-Fi connection - 90-minute massage after the hike

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Lunch and entrance fees on the sightseeing day - Food and cable car on the hiking day - Drop-off transfer after the retreat