Retreats – September 2018

Retreat september 2018

7 September – 21 September 2018 (2 weeks)

Vajra yoga in Mustang, Nepal

Short synopsis of the travel:

7 September – arrival to Kathmandu

21 September – return flight home

Duration of travel: 15 days (14nights) – 7 days in Mustang

Places: Kathmandu, Lumbini, Pokhara, Tatopani (Hot springs), Marpha, Kagbeni, 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 15 – 25 C, night time 4-15 C, windy

Price: 1350$

This price includes: permits for entrance to Mustang region, all transportation inside Nepal (jeeps, buses, airport transfer, air flight from Kathmandu to Lumbini and 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 (about $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 August 2018 (for retreat in September) to book your place you have to make the payment of $500 (the remaining payment – $850 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.  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 within a few hours walking distance like mountain lakes, temples, monasteries and ancient forts. Every day we will travel to different locations. Mornings will be for yoga practice followed by guided meditations in the evenings.

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.

Our guide Larissa Matteissen is living in Nepal and studying Buddhism since 2009, she will explaint philosopy and a lot of believes of local people.  Tibetan Buddhism is famous for its practical philosophy suitable for daily life. This knowledge, deeply psychological, can 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 (Friday, 7 September 2018) Arrival to Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel in the tourist district of Boudhanath. Evening yoga practice with Vajra yoga instructor, Introduction dinner with the group.

Day 2 (Saturday, 8 September 2018) 7 a.m – Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8.30 Breakfast 12.00 – 20.00 Excursion “Mystical Kathmandu”. Visiting Kopan Monastery, Swayambunath Stupa, King Square Durbar, the Temple complex of Pashupatinath. Introduction to the cultures of Nepal and its Tibetan Buddhism traditions.

Day 3 (Sunday, 9 September  2018) 7 a.m. Kathmandu – Lumbini flight (the birth place of Gautama Buddha), transfer to hotel, excursion to Bith Place of Gautama Buddha and the monasteries around. Meditation at the Maya Devi Temple, Evening yoga practice with Vajra yoga instructor.

Day 4 (Monday, 10 September 2018) 7 a.m – 8 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8 a.m. Breakfast, 9 a.m. Leave to Pokhara by tourist bus (7 hours ride). Rest in Hotel in Pokhara. 7.pm. evening meditation.

Day 5 (Tuesday, 11 September 2018) 7 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.  7 p.m. evening meditation

Day 6 (Wednesday, 12 September 2018)  6 a.m. Breakfast, 6.30 a.m. Leaving to Marpha on jeeps (6 hours ride through the Alpine mountain landscape of Mustang region). Lunch in Jomsom, rest. Evening yoga practice with Vajra yoga instructor. Dinner, 7 p.m. evening meditation.

Day 7 (Thursday, 13 September 2018) 7.00 a.m. -Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8.30 a.m. Breakfast, 10 a.m. – walk around Marpha, visiting monastery, 12.00 Leaving to Kagbeni by tourist bus (1 hour ride), Lunch in Hotel, 4 p.m.  lecture on correct approach to the spine, dinner, 7 p.m. evening meditation

Day 8 (Friday, 14 September 2018) 7.00 a.m. – 8.30 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8.30 a.m. Breakfast, 9 a.m. – 10.30 a.m. lecture on correct approach to the spine, 10.30 a.m. walk to the ancient town-fort Kagbeni (14 centure) 2 p.m. Lunch in the Hotel, rest. 4 p.m. Evening yoga 6.p.m. Dinner, 7 p.m. evening meditation.

Day 9 (Saturday, 15 September 2018) 7 .00 a.m. – 8 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 8 a.m. Breakfast, 8.30 Leaving to Muktinath by jeeps (altitude 3800 m.), transfer to Maytreya’s hotel, 12.00 Lunch at the hotel, 4 p.m lecture on correct approach to the spine, dinner 7p.m. evening meditation

Day 10 (Sunday, 16 September 2018) 7.00 a.m. breakfast, 8 a.m. lecture on correct approach to the spine, 10 a.m. piligrimage to the Muktinath Temples 5 p.m. Sauna Dinner 8 p.m evening meditation.

Day 11 (Monday, 17 September 2018) 7 a.m. Breakfast  8 a.m.   walk down the road to the Jomsom through Lepra village ( 5 hours walk) Visit Tibetan bording school in Jomsom, dinner, evening meditation.

Day 12 (Tuesday, 18 September 2018) Morning flight back to Pokhara. Transfer to hotel, rest, lunch. 4 p.m.  lastlecture on correct approach to the spine,  5.30 p.m.  Evening practice with Vajra yoga instructor, free time.

Day 13 (Wednesday, 19 September 2018) a.m. – 8.30 a.m. Morning practice with Vajra yoga instructor, 9 a.m. Breakfast, 10 a.m. travel to the World Peace Stupa by boats and walking in the woods down. 5.30 p.m. – 6 p.m. Last yoga session with Vajra yoga instructor. Free time.

Day 14 (Thursday, 20 September 2018) 7 a.m. Leaving to Kathmandu by tourist bus (6 hours), transfer to your hotel in Thamel, shopping time, goodbye dinner together.

Day 15 (Friday, 21 September 2018) Flight back home.

Part of the income will be donated to our social project in Nepal: Trees for Relief .