Himalayan Yoga & Meditation Retreat Near Boudha Stupa, Kathmandu

Days here follow a simple structure: practice in the morning, something cultural or restorative in the early afternoon, and open time late in the day. Yoga sessions are led by instructors working within Himalayan traditions, and the focus is on breath, alignment and steady movement rather than athletic intensity. Meditation is guided — typically 30 to 60 minutes — using silence, breath awareness, and reflection techniques drawn from Buddhist practice.

A typical morning starts with yoga at 7am, then breakfast. Mid-morning might be a guided meditation or a walk to a nearby monastery for a monk blessing. After lunch, there is often a personalised sound healing session using singing bowls — a Tibetan Buddhist practice with a long history in this part of Kathmandu. The rest of the afternoon is yours. Most guests walk the kora around Boudha Stupa, sit in one of the rooftop cafés facing the monument, or visit one of the surrounding monasteries and Tibetan craft shops.

Meals are prepared with local ingredients and traditional Nepali and Tibetan recipes. Expect dal bhat, momos, thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), and vegetable curries. The kitchen can work around vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets if you tell them in advance. Meals are served at set times, which matters more than it sounds — eating on a schedule is part of how the programme keeps the day structured.

What makes this different from other Kathmandu retreats is that it is not a purpose-built retreat centre out in the hills. It is a hotel in Boudha that runs yoga, meditation and cultural programming alongside its normal operations. That means you get real proximity to a living pilgrimage site rather than seclusion, and the culture you're engaging with isn't staged for guests — it's just what happens outside the door every morning. For some people that is exactly right; for others expecting total silence and isolation, it won't be.

The classes and treatments are run by local practitioners — yoga instructors trained in Himalayan traditions, meditation guides, and sound healers who work with singing bowls. Group sizes stay small, which means the instructor can actually correct your posture rather than just calling out cues from the front. If you haven't done much yoga before, this is a workable starting point; the sessions are not advanced-level.

Rooms are comfortable and quiet, with views toward the stupa from the upper floors. The hotel has a restaurant, a terrace, and a rooftop area where some of the outdoor sessions take place. It sits within walking distance of Boudhanath Stupa, the surrounding monasteries, and a cluster of Tibetan restaurants and shops. Tribhuvan International Airport is about 20 to 30 minutes away by car depending on traffic.

What's included

- Accommodation at the hotel in Boudha, steps from Boudhanath Stupa - Daily guided yoga sessions - Daily guided meditation sessions - Personalised sound healing session with Tibetan singing bowls - Monastery visit and monk blessing - Meals prepared with local ingredients and traditional Nepali and Tibetan recipes - Access to hotel restaurant, terrace and rooftop session space

What's not included

- International flights - Travel insurance - Airport transfers (can be arranged at extra cost) - Personal expenses and shopping - Additional spa or wellness treatments - Extra nights beyond the programme - Visa fees