Next departure :
Experience the rhythm of the country through the traditions that shape it and the places where spirituality remains part of everyday life.
Some highlights of the experience
Live at the rhythm of a Buddhist monastery
Follow the pilgrimage path to Namo Buddha
Retreat in the heart of nature at Vishuddhi Alaya
Immerse yourself in Nepalese spiritual practices and rituals
At Orion, we believe that travel isn’t measured by the number of places visited, but by the depth of the encounters it fosters.
For ten days, we invite you to slow down. To set aside the logic of “seeing as much as possible” and embrace that of “living fully”. Sharing a moment with a monk, entering places steeped in spirituality, meditating to the sound of singing bowls, listening to the stories of a millennia-old culture… these are just some of the experiences that allow you to understand a country in a new light.
A rhythm bulit to leave room for encounters, silences, and what cannot be planned.
Day 1
Kathmandu BOUDHANATH
Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are welcomed at the airport and driven by private vehicle to Hotel Dolmaling, near the famous Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Once settled in, you have free time to rest, have a quiet lunch or take your first steps around the neighborhood, among small shops and scenes of local life. The journey begins at your own pace, with the curiosity of discovering a new world. The stupa itself will reveal itself to you the following day during a guided visit.
In the early evening, you meet your guide at the hotel for an introduction to the journey and a first exchange with the group. The encounter continues over dinner, conversations begin, first connections are made, and the discoveries to come already take on a special character.
Boudhanath Stupa
Day 2
PashupatinatH BOUDHANATH
For those who wish, the day begins gently with a morning yoga session, before setting off with your cultural guide to discover Pashupatinath. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sanctuary dedicated to Shiva is one of the most sacred places of Hinduism in Nepal. Along the ghats bordering the Bagmati River, you discover the funeral rites and traditions that bring this pilgrimage site to life. Free time allows you to continue this discovery, with respect for the families and ceremonies, before sharing lunch with the group.
In the afternoon, you head to the majestic Boudhanath Stupa, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and at the heart of Kathmandu’s Tibetan community. After the guided visit, you have free time to explore the surrounding streets, discover the monasteries and shops, at the pace of the pilgrims who circle the sanctuary. The evening is free, before a second night at Hotel Dolmaling.
The rituals of Boudhanath
Day 3
Swayambhunath Pharping
After another optional morning yoga session, you set off with your guide to discover Swayambhunath, nicknamed the “Monkey Temple”, one of the oldest Buddhist sites in the Kathmandu Valley. A local lunch shared with the group precedes the road to Pharping, a village steeped in spiritual tradition, where you take part in the Mahakal Pooja, a traditional ritual offering a first immersion into local practices.
The day ends with a walk to the traditional village of Pharping, crossing its suspension bridge, before settling in for your first dinner at the Nyedo Monastery Hotel, at the heart of this monastic setting. The peaceful surroundings set the tone for your evening and first night in Pharping.
Nyedo Monastery
Day 4
PHARPING NYEDO MONASTERY
Those who wish can attend the monastery’s morning ceremony at dawn, an opportunity to discover the spiritual life of the place through the prayers that mark the beginning of the monks’ day. After breakfast, you meet your cultural guide to explore Sesh Narayan Temple and Asura Cave, a sacred site associated with Padmasambhava, a major figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Between Hindu sanctuary and Buddhist meditation site, this morning reveals the richness of the traditions that coexist in Pharping.
After lunch, a meeting with a resident monk of Nyedo opens a space for dialogue: you can ask questions about his daily life, rituals and the place of spiritual practice in his life. The afternoon is free to continue exploring the surroundings or simply enjoy the monastery’s peaceful atmosphere. You then return to the hotel for dinner and a second night in this unique setting.
The daily life of the young monks
Day 5
Vishuddhi Alaya
After breakfast, you leave the Nyedo Monastery. Along the way to Vishuddhi Alaya, villages unfold one after another and beautiful views emerge throughout the journey. Upon arrival, the local team welcomes you alongside Gelek, who will accompany the group throughout the retreat. Nestled in the hills, Vishuddhi Alaya welcomes you for three nights in a timeless atmosphere, with the Himalayan peaks as a backdrop.
Once settled in, you share a vegetarian lunch prepared with produce from the garden and nearby farms. The afternoon gives you time to explore the gardens at your own pace and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
At the end of the day, Gelek leads an opening circle where everyone can share their intentions for the days ahead. A Yin Yoga session then invites you to release tension through a series of gentle stretches, followed by a sound relaxation with singing bowls. The day ends with a vegetarian dinner, after which everyone is free to enjoy the evening.
The Himalayas from Vishuddhi Alaya
Day 6
VISHUDDHI ALAYA NAMO BUDDHA
The morning begins with a slow, progressive Hatha Yoga session: the postures and breathing gently awaken the body and prepare you for the day ahead. After an organic breakfast, you set off with your guide on a pilgrimage walk through forests, terraced fields and traditional villages. At the end of the trail, Namo Buddha welcomes you in the hills. This sacred site of Nepali Buddhism is associated with a story of compassion in which the future Buddha is said to have offered his life to save a tigress and her cubs. You discover the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, its prayer spaces and its views over the Himalayas. Free time allows you to take in the atmosphere of this place steeped in history and spirituality, before lunch with the group.
The walk back to Vishuddhi Alaya gives you the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and surrounding landscapes. You then have some time to rest or, depending on your wishes, enjoy the wellness treatments offered on site. At the end of the day, a guided meditation invites you to settle after the walk. You share dinner with the group, then enjoy a free evening in the peaceful surroundings.
On the way to Namo Buddha
Day 7
VISHUDDHI ALAYA SHECHEN
A gentle yoga practice, focused on mobility, breath and grounding, opens the day before breakfast. A walk through the village then leads you to the Shechen retreat centre, where monks devote themselves to long-term retreats. You discover the place in silence, in an atmosphere conducive to contemplation. The visit continues with a meeting with one of the monks, an opportunity to ask your questions, understand what led him to this path, and discover through his words what daily life dedicated to spiritual practice is like.
Back at Vishuddhi Alaya, you rejoin the team for a culinary workshop dedicated to momos, Nepal’s iconic dumplings. You enjoy them together for lunch, having prepared them yourselves. The afternoon gives you time to unwind at your own pace, with the option of choosing a wellness treatment according to your preferences. At the end of the day, Himalayan singing bowls accompany you in a relaxation session. You then share dinner and spend your final night in this peaceful setting.
Momo-making workshop
Day 8
The Vishuddhi Alaya Bhaktapur
Your final morning at Vishuddhi Alaya begins with a guided breathwork session, followed by a Vinyasa Yoga practice centered on movement and breath. To bring this time of practice to a close and prepare for the next stage of the journey, a Yoga Nidra session invites you into deep relaxation, allowing you to leave with a calm and clear mind.
After breakfast, you enjoy the serenity of the surroundings one last time before vacating your room. You then share a vegetarian lunch. A moment of personal journaling gives you time to reflect on the experiences you have lived through and consider what each of you wishes to take away from the journey. Gelek then brings the group together to bring the retreat to a close.
In the afternoon, you travel by private vehicle to Bhaktapur, a former royal city whose Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After settling into Hotel Bhadgaon, you have some free time to begin discovering the atmosphere of the city. Dinner brings this day of transition to a close, before the guided visit planned for the following day.
A Moment for Yourself
Day 9
Bhaktapur
The day begins with a morning yoga session in Durbar Square, led by a local yoga teacher. In the quiet of the early morning, the temples and palaces of the ancient royal city slowly come to life around you.
Your cultural guide then joins you to discover Bhaktapur, an ancient Newar royal city and one of the valley’s best-preserved historic cities. Its monumental heart, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals brick palaces, finely carved temples and vibrant craftsmanship. You take the time to observe the details, from intricately carved wooden doors to scenes of everyday life that give the city its unique character.
After a shared lunch, the afternoon is free to continue exploring at your own pace, visit local workshops, choose a few souvenirs or simply linger in Bhaktapur’s atmosphere. At the end of the day, you return to the hotel for a peaceful evening in this city of exceptional heritage.
Bhaktapur at sunrise
Day 10
Kathmandu
After breakfast at Hotel Bhagdaon on the morning of departure, you may still wander through the streets of the royal city, depending on your flight time, admire its carved façades and take in its atmosphere.
A private transfer then takes you to Kathmandu International Airport. Your ORION experience comes to an end with the memory of the encounters, landscapes, rituals and shared moments that will stay with you long after your return.
A final look at Nepal
Each place has been selected to the same exacting standards as every other part of the journey. More than simply accommodations, they are an integral part of the experience, offering different perspectives on Nepal.
Boudhanath · Kathmandu
Just steps from the famous Boudhanath Stupa, Dolmaling Hotel immerses you in the peaceful atmosphere of the Buddhist quarter from the moment you arrive. An ideal starting point for discovering your first temples, observing local life and taking the time to adjust to the rhythm of the journey.
Pharping
Located within a Buddhist monastery, this accommodation offers a special opportunity to experience monastic life up close. A peaceful setting conducive to contemplation, encounters and the discovery of living traditions.
Namo Buddha
The heart of the Orion experience. Nestled in the Nepalese hills, this eco-conscious retreat naturally invites you to slow down. Surrounded by gardens, forests and mountains, it hosts a range of spiritual and introspective practices, alongside vegetarian cuisine prepared largely with local and organic produce, and moments of silence that shape the rhythm of your stay.
Bhaktapur
The final stop of the experience, in the heart of the historic city of Bhaktapur. The hotel offers a final anchor in this UNESCO World Heritage city, where traditional architecture, craftsmanship and local life unfold through its lively streets and squares. One last immersion in the Nepalese atmosphere before the journey home.
We favor small groups to preserve the quality of interactions and allow for genuine immersion. The experience is open to anyone in good physical condition. The various spiritual and introspective practices offered are accessible to everyone, with no specific prerequisites.
Throughout the stay, transportation is provided by private vehicle with a driver. For French-speaking groups, support is provided in French, except during the stay at Vishuddhi Alaya, which is conducted entirely in English. For international groups, the entire journey is conducted in English.
Meals celebrate Nepalese cuisine and its flavors through generous, wholesome dishes inspired by local traditions.
At Nyedo, in the heart of the monastery, the cuisine is entirely vegetarian and prepared with fresh, seasonal produce grown locally and gathered from the surrounding area.
At Vishuddhi Alaya, vegetarian cuisine is an integral part of the experience. Meals are prepared with largely organic ingredients sourced from the garden or neighboring farms.
Some meals are intentionally left open, giving everyone the freedom to discover local specialties and choose where to eat according to their tastes and at their own pace.
What's included
Not included
During the trip, 9 meals are at the participants’ own expense. Some are shared with the group, while others are intentionally left free.
For each of these meals, participants are free to choose what they would like to order and pay directly on site. Allow approximately €70 per person for all 9 meals not included.
OPTIONAL SERVICES AT VISHUDDHI ALAYA
The following services can be booked on site at an additional cost:
We traveled throughout Nepal in search of a place that could offer much more than just a wellness retreat. Vishuddhi Alaya emerged as the obvious choice.
Nestled in the sacred hills of Namo Buddha, this eco-conscious retreat welcomes only a small number of travelers at a time. Here, everything has been designed to foster calm, presence and reconnection: architecture integrated with nature, a team deeply committed to contemplative practices, and a deliberately simple way of life.
For three days, the journey shifts into a different rhythm. Exploration gives way to an inward experience. Yoga, meditation, breathwork, singing bowls and mindful walks shape the days, alternating between periods of practice and moments of silence. Vegetarian cuisine, prepared with fresh ingredients that are largely organic and sourced from the garden or neighboring farms, is also an integral part of the experience.
We chose Vishuddhi Alaya because it is more than simply a place to stay: it brings another dimension to the journey. A moment to breathe in the heart of Nepal.
Yoga, meditation, sound baths and moments of contemplation accompanied with kindness.
Just a few rooms, natural earthen architecture and total immersion in the Himalayan landscapes.
Vegetarian meals prepared using produce from the organic vegetable garden and local products.
Three days to slow down, integrate what you have experienced and leave deeply refreshed.
“Iwas a little afraid that the spiritual dimension to take up too much space or be too demonstrative. In reality, everything was dealt with very easily, and each had the freedom to live theexperience in his own way. But what I’ve mostly enjoyed cis the pace : it was not done place to theother to see as much as possible. A trip that I will notforget ! “
Laurie
Experience Kazakhstan 2025
“What mmarked, cis thatitwas only six. This changes everything : we take the time to really get to know, therewas never this feeling of group wherewe meet without speaking really. The trip was fast paced, but never in a hurry, always the place to blow. I leave with the links that Icould create in ten days. “
Johny
Experience Kazakhstan 2025
“What I’ve enjoyed most, cis never to feel alone during the stay. We felt that everything had been thought for our comfort, down to the smallest details. A secure framework that allows you to really let go. “
Julien
Experience Kazakhstan 2025
“The landscapes, the silence, the local rhythm… it’s all mhas helped me to disconnect ofa way that Ihad not known for years. It’s not the scenery that mhave the more marked, but the encounters with the nomadic families, in simplicity, and authenticity is rare. A journey that mhas refocused. “
Saïd
Experience Kazakhstan 2025
No special physical preparation is required. The experience includes activities and walks that are manageable for anyone in good physical shape, with no major physical challenges.
Yes, no prior experience is required. The teachings are accessible to everyone, and each person is free to explore them at their own pace, in a spirit of openness and respect for individual sensitivities.
International flights, the visa, certain meals, personal expenses, tips, and any optional activities are not included in the price. A detailed breakdown of what is and is not included can be found in the “Practical Information” section of the “Next Experience” page.
The entry requirements are straightforward: for most travelers, a valid passport and a tourist visa are all that is needed. We recommend obtaining your visa upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport. All the necessary information will be provided before your departure to help you prepare.
To reserve your place, simply contact me by email or arrange a video call. We can then discuss your travel plans and answer any questions you may have before I send you a detailed quote. Your place will be officially secured once your deposit has been received.
We take the time to talk with you, answer your questions, understand your expectations and make sure the experience is right for you.
Once your participation is confirmed, your place is reserved within the group and you will receive the initial practical information.
You will receive a complete guide to prepare for your trip with peace of mind: practical advice, recommended equipment, logistical information and final exchanges before departure.
Join the experience
