I signed up the last slot for the 8 days Kathmandu Yoga Retreat 😊.
The flight arrived in late evening into Kathmandu, and spent a night in the city hotel before heading to the yoga retreat premise the next day.
Day 2 - 7 Yoga retreat with sightseeing
I took a morning walk outside the hotel after breakfast. The local were up and about shopping at the shops and along the roadside stalls.
The resort picked us up from the hotel. The van drove through the city to the Chandragiri district where the resort was located.
Mandala Resort
We were briefed of our 7-day program when we arrived at Mandala Resort. There would be daily yoga session and the individual massage, reiki and steambath allocation.
I checked into our room, had lunch, explored the premise and facility. The resort is well equipped with a yoga studio, massage room with steam bath, Reiki room. dining area and a office.
Full day in-house with no outings (Day 2,3,6)
Other than the scheduled classes, and individual massage/reiki sessions <<I got additional massage 'gift' from those who were not keen in massage😗>>, time were spent watching dramas in the room, taking walks outside the premise and chatting with fellow participants.
Other than the scheduled time for meal, fellow participants also relaxed and catch-up during meal time <<The meals are vegetarian>>
The resort is located at a hillside overlooking the city offering a panorama view of the valley.
In the morning, the view of the spawning city spread out in the valley with rolling hills and mountain ranges in the background. On a clear day, snow-capped mountains could be seen too.
As night falls, the city light shone like twinkling diamonds in the darkness. It was a pretty sight. 
It was relaxing to sit outside the room to relax and enjoy the view whenever I was free.
Outing: Short hike and City dinner - Day 4
The group set off for a short hike to the Machhegaun Buddha Temple about 4km away.
The walk passed through village before heading into the wooded area.
Although certain parts of the terrain was rather steep, it was a good walk on the path meandering through the forest. Then we arrived at the top of the hill.
We had a rest on the hill before making our way back to the resort.
An evening trip to Thamel - dinner and shopping
Impromtu during breakfast chat, we had decided to book a van to the city to have dinner. We had dinner at Roadhouse Cafe. The pizza, pasta dishes, local momo were tasty.
After the dinner, we took a walk along the bustling streets lined with shops and eateries.
Outing: Chandragiri hike - Day 5
The group set-off after breakfast for the climb. The weather was sunny and pleasant in the morning. The trails cut through lush forest, and gradually it ascended the mountains. We took a rest and also to enjoy the unobstructed panaroma at one of the rest area.
Then we continued the steep climb towards Chandragiri. I was throuoghly tired out <<Maybe from a lack of sleep, still bits of jetlag from prior trip or just plain weak/excuses? 😕>>
Then we reached the road leading to the top. The weather was hot, and the road forward looked daunting. Just then a van drove by, hoping it was a 'taxi' <<haha>>, I waved. And it stopped. It was a hotel van, I asked if the van could accommodate me for the trip to the top of the hill <<please!!!>>. After asking the guests and consent, I hopped onto the van <Yay!!! >>
Chandragiri Hill has a height of about 2551 km. At the top of the hill, it was slightly cloudy and thus the distant view of the snow peaked mountains could not be seen.
We had some snack before heading to the cable car station. The cable car connects Chandragiri to Thankot. It is about 2.4 kilometers long. for a ride to the base station.
Outing: Kathmandu Sightseeing - Day 7
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
It is situated on the hill. It is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. We first visited World Peace Pond, Bipashwi Stupa and other relics. There were many monkeys in the complex.
We walked around the complex on the hill before heading to Swayambhu Maha Chaitya, the white stupa.
The white stupa with golden pinnacle, was outstanding amongst the numerous temples and shrines, standing on an ancient pilgrimage place.
It is designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1979. The complex is an important prigrimlage site, and the stupa stands as a symbol of religious harmony as Hindu temples and deities.
Boudha Stupa
A semi-circle shaped stupas with its massive mandala is one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. It is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.
The base symbolizes the universe with the white dome representing the path to enlightenment. The eyes of the Buddha represented wisdom and compassion. There is a path called the kora where prigrims walk clockwise as part of their prigrimlage.
Painting shop
We visited a painting shop where artists did their paintings and drawings in the premise. The artists are of different professional level based on their years of drawing, experience and expertise.
Patan Durbar Square
It is one of the three public plazas in front of the old royal palace in Nepal. The square floor is tiled with red bricks, with many temples and statues in the area.
We visited one of the temples. Although the square was heavily damaged during the 2015 earthquake, most of the buildings and structures have been restored. There are many stalls selling souvenirs within the square.
I walked around the square, also climbed up to some of the temples to have a birdeye view of the surrounding, and the setting sun.
Day 8 - Kathmanthu - Singapore
There are a morning yoga session followed by the closing ceremony.
Since the flight was in the evening, we spent the rest of the time in Thamel for lunch and shopping. Then, it was to be the airport for the flight home.
View while in van
Even from the van, the street scene was interesting, a kaleidoscope of the local ways of life.
Thoughts
I did not sign up for the trip initially as the trip would be only ten days after the New York trip. However, I decided to sign-up after relooking at the itinerary, and that there was still a single occupancy available. I enjoyed the classes with the friendly group members. Also, the outings were interesting. It was a good trip after the first trip many years ago. .
*~Retreat Itinerary*
NOTE:
_The timetable is subject to change depending on the weather condition & any unforseen circumstances._
*1st Day*
• Arrive Kathmandu at 8:10pm (Nepal is 2 hours behind SG) • check in hotel & zzz
*2nd day*
• breakfast at 8am • F&E till 9:45am • Depart to retreat centre at 10am
• 12:00 pm- Check-in & chillax
• 03:00- 4:30 pm- Massage therapy for 1 hour, steam or sauna for 30 minutes)
• 05:00-6:00pm-Yoga Nidra meditation
*3rd day* • 07:00 am- Energizing morning yoga / pranayama practice
• 09:00am-Breakfast • 10:00am-1:00 pm
Village Nature walk & visit the ancient temple, or go for a short hike through the hills & forest.
• 4:00-5:30 pm- Sound healing therapy for physical and mental relaxation
*4th day*
• 07:00 am- Energizing morning yoga / pranayama practice.
• 10:30-11:00 am- Shiro-Dhara to treat headache, migraine, anxiety, stress,
insomnia, and hair loss.
• 11:30-12:30am- Reiki healing therapy
• 04:00-5:00 pm- Meditation.
• 05:00-6pm (TBC) yoga
*5th day*
Hiking- time & duration will depend on the weathe
During the monsoon or bad weather, we go for short hikes around the retreat facility and the Matatirtha temple.
If the weather is good, we will go to Chandragiri Hill, for a 3-4 hour hiking to the hills 2551 meters above sea level. If we are lucky enough we can see the Mount Everest.
👉《Lunch on own expense or you can prepare your own snack or energy bar to eat during the journey》.
After returning from hiking in the afternoon or evening, you will receive a 30-
minute body scrub and a one-hour massage therapy to relax your body, breath,
and mind.
*6th day*
• 07:00am- Energizing morning yoga/ pranayama practice.
• 11:00am-12:30pm- Sound healing therapy.
• 3:pm-4pm:Yoga Workshop
• 4:00-5:30pm-Meditation.
*7th day* 26Mar
Full day trip in Kathmandu. Get to know Nepal's culture, religion, history & cuisine etc
1. Swayambhunath (the 🐒 temple)
2. Patan Durbar Square (breakfast there)
3. Boudha Stupa
4. Thamel tourist market for shopping, restaurant and many more.
• 5:00pm. - back to retreat centre
*8th day 27Mar Home Sweet Home*
• 07:00am- Morning yoga & pranayama
• 09:00am- Breakfast
• 10:30am-closing ceremony
•11:30am- Check out.
•1pm~4pm ~ lunch & last min shopping at Thamel city
• 4:30pm ~ airport
*9th day : Arrive in SG
(Breakfast ~ 9am, lunch ~1pm, dinner ~6:30pm, cost $1450 single excluding airfare)
Reminiscing Nepal 1987
Kathmandu
Out of KathmanduDocumentation
