7 – 21 May 2019 (2 weeks)
Vajra yoga in Mustang, Nepal
Short synopsis of the travel:
7 May – arrival to Kathmandu
21 May – return flight home
Duration of travel: 15 days (14nights) – 7 days in Jomsom
Places: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Tatopani (Hot springs), Jomsom, Muktinath
Minimum altitude: 800 meters
Maximum altitude: 3,800 meters
Difficulty level: easy, according to the recommendations of CAS rules (Correct approach to the spine). Special training not required, no backpacks carrying, no hiking.
Accommodation: simple but cozy hotels and guesthouses, rooms for 2 people sharing (single rooms available for extra fee – $120), hot water often limited in Mustang, but avalible in Kathmandu, Lumbini and Pokhara). Sauna in Muktinath.
Transport: tourist buses, jeeps, domestic airlines
Trekking: 3-4 hours per day, every second day
Temperatures: day time 20 – 25 C, night time 8-15 C, windy
Price: 1350$
This price includes: permits for entrance to Mustang region, all transportation inside Nepal (jeeps, buses, airport transfer, air flight from Jomsom to Pokhara), all hotels and payments to the teachers and guides.
The price does not include: food (it depends of your personal requests), personal costs, flight to Kathmandu and back, visa to Nepal.
Extra costs (approximately): the flight cost to Kathmandu and back, food (around $250 per person for 14 days), Nepali visa ($25-40, you can get in Kathmandu airport on arrival).
The number of participants is limited, the group will be maximum 12 people.
Booking and payment are possible till 15 April 2019. To book your place you have to make the payment of $350 (the remaining payment – $1000 you can pay to the group lider on arrival to Kathmandu)
Contacts: vajrayogatour@gmail.com
About Mustang yoga tour, Nepal
The Mustang region is also known as the ‘lost’, or ‘forbidden’ Kingdom and is one of the most remote area in Nepal. It has remained almost unchanged during the last few centuries. It is a central place for the Buddhist religion, Tibetan culture and traditional life style of its native people. Jomsom town, the base for our retreat, is situated at an altitude of 2700 meters on the banks of the Kali Gandaki river. Surrounded by desert mountains with snow peaks and deep cut colorful canyons. This area is full of sacred places of great natural powers, attracting many pilgrims here for spiritual reasons every year.
There are plenty of unique places around Jomsom within a few hours walking distance like mountain lakes, temples, monasteries and ancient forts. Every day we will travel to different locations around Jomsom. Mornings and evenings will be for yoga practice followed by guided meditations by a Tibetan Bon Lama Geshe Sonam Gurung. There will be also optional massage therapist available during the day time.
Over the course of 2 weeks we will learn unique sequences of exercises, that are based from traditional Hathha yoga. Developed especially for the prevention and rehabilitation of spinal problems. This system of training is made to slowly create awareness in your daily habits and movements. Helping you to understand what is helpful or unacceptable in relation to your spinal health—directly connecting to your overall wellbeing.
This guided two weeks will give you the time and ability to memorize our exercise sequences so you will be able to continue the practices yourself at home afterwards. Our experienced instructors will be able to professionally and personally advise you on how to adopt your practice to any spinal problems you may have.
The lectures and guided meditations, lead by a Tibetan Master Geshe Sonam, will be dedicated to the development of “Great Compassion”. Tibetan Buddhism is famous for its practical philosophy suitable for daily life. This knowledge, deeply psychological, will help you to understand the nature of your mind giving you guidance on how to bring more happiness into your life and the lives of others.
Daily retreat schedule:
Day 1 (Tuesday, 7May 2019) Arrival to Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel in the tourist district of Thamel. Rest. evening yoga practice, introduction dinner.
Day 2 (Wednesday, 8 May 2019) 7 a.m. 12.00 – 19.00 Excursion “Mystical Kathmandu”. Visiting Kopan Monastery, Boudhanath Stupa, the Temple complex of Pashupatinath. Introduction to the cultures of Nepal and its Tibetan Buddhism traditions.
Day 3 (Thursday, 9 May 2019) 7 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, Travel by tourist bus to Pokhara (6 hours). In Pokhara transfer to hotel, rest, lunch, introduction lecture and first evening yoga practice with instructor. Evening walk around the mountain lake and dinner on lake side.
Day 4 (Friday, 10 May 2019) 7 a.m – 8 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8 a.m. Breakfast, 9 a.m. Leave to Tatopani (hot springs) on jeeps (5 hours ride). In Tatopani lunch at hotel, bathing in hot springs. Evening lecture on correct approach to the spine.
Day 5 (Saturday, 11 May 2019) 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8 a.m. Breakfast, 9 a.m. Leaving to Jomsom on jeeps (6 hours ride through the Alpine mountain landscape of Mustang region). Lunch in Jomsom, rest. Evening meeting with Buddhist Master Geshe Sonam Gurung, Introduction lecture, questions and answers.
Day 6 (Sunday, 12 May 2019) 7.30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 9 a.m. Breakfast, 10 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Lecture of Geshe Sonam, 12.00 Lunch, rest, free time (you can take a walk around Jomsom). 4 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. Evening yoga practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 6 p.m. Dinner, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Guided Meditation with Geshe Sonam
Day 7 (Monday, 13 May 2019) 7.00 a.m. – 8 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8 a.m. Breakfast, 8.30 – 9.30 a.m. Lection of Geshe Sonam, 10.00 a.m.Walking to the mountain lake Dhumba. 2.00 p.m. Lunch in Jomsom, 4 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. Evening yoga 6 p.m. Dinner, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Guided Meditation with Geshe Sonam
Day 8 (Tuesday, 14 May 2019) 7 .30a.m. – 9 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 9 a.m. Breakfast, 10 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Lecture of Geshe Sonam, 12.00 Lunch, rest, free time. Optional massage. 4 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. Yoga practice, 6 p.m. Dinner, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. Guided Meditation with Geshe Sonam
Day 9 (Wednesday, 15 May 2019) 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8 a.m. Breakfast, 8.30 – 9.30 a.m. Lecture with Geshe Sonam, 10.00 a.m. Leaving to Muktinath by jeeps (altitude 3800 m.), transfer to Maytreya’s hotel, rest, evening lecture, 6 p.m. dinner in the hotel, 7.00 – 8.00 evening meditation
Day 10 (Thursday, 16 May 2019) 7.30 a.m. – 9 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 9 a.m. Breakfast, 9.30 – 10.30 a.m. Lecture with Geshe Sonam, 11.00 Leaving by Jeeps to the Marpha Monastery. Sightseeing in Marpha Village, lunch at Marpha, coming back to Muktinath. 5 p.m. sauna in Muktinath, 7.30 Dinner, 8.00 – 9.00 p.m evening meditation
Day 11 (Friday, 17 May 2019) 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8 a.m. Breakfast, 9.00 walk down the road to the ancient Fort Kagbeni (2.5 hours walk). Lunch at Kagbeni, Sightseeing, coming back to Jomsom by Jeeps. 6.00 pm Dinner in Jomsom, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. The last Guided Meditation with Geshe Sonam
Day 12 (Saturday, 18 May 2019) Morning flight back to Pokhara. Transfer to hotel, rest, lunch. 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Evening practice with Vajra yoga instructor, free shopping time.
Day 13 (Sunday, 19 May 2019) 7 a.m. – 8.30 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 9 a.m. Breakfast, 10 a.m. travel to World Peace Stupa. 4.00 p.m. – 6 p.m. Last yoga session, questions-answers with Vajra yoga instructor. Free time.
Day 14 (Monday, 20 May 2019) 7 a.m. Leaving to Kathmandu by tourist bus (6 hours), transfer to your hotel in Thamel, shopping time, goodbye dinner together.
Day 15 (Tuesday, 21 May 2019) Flight back home.
Part of the income will be donated to our social project in Nepal: Trees for Relief .