I signed up for the last slot of the 8 days Kathmandu Yoga Retreat 😊.
Day 1 Arrival/Kathmandu City Centre
The flight arrived in the late evening into Kathmandu, and we spent a night in the 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 locals were up and about buying their daily produce and shopping along the roadside stalls.
The resort staff picked us up from the hotel. The van drove through the city to the Chandragiri district where the resort was located.
Mandala Resort
On arrival, we were given our individual schedules and briefed on our 7-day program. There would be a daily group yoga session and then individual massage, reiki and steambath allocations.
I checked into my room, assembled for lunch, and then explored the premises and facilities. The resort is well equipped with an admin office, yoga studio, massage room with steam bath, Reiki room and a dining room.
Full day in-house program (Days 2,3,6)
Other than the scheduled classes, and individual massage/reiki sessions <<I got an additional massage 'gift' from those who were not keen in massage😗>>, watching dramas on the iPad, taking walks, relaxing and chatting with fellow participants also filled up the days.
The dining room was also a cosy place to spend time for meals (all-vegetarian options) and chats.
The resort is located at a hillside overlooking the city offering a panoramic view of the valley.
In the morning, a sprawling view of the city in the valley spread out before us, 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 lights shone like twinkling diamonds in the darkness. It was a pretty sight. 
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 the 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.
At the top of the hill, we had a rest before making our way back to the resort.
An evening at Thamel - dinner and shopping
During breakfast, there was an impromtu suggestion to go to the city for dinner <<I checked with the office, and managed to book a van 😌>> We chose Roadhouse Cafe at Thamel for our dinner as it was highly ranked when we googled.
The pizza, pasta dishes and local momo were tasty. After the dinner, we took a walk along the bustling streets, which were lined with shops and eateries.
Outing: Chandragiri hike - Day 5
The morning weather was sunny and pleasant. The trails cut through the lush forest gradually as it ascended the mountains. We took a rest when we arrived at a rest area and also to enjoy the unobstructed panaroma.
Then we continued the steep climb towards Chandragiri. I was thoroughly tired out <<Maybe from a lack of sleep, still bits of jetlag from a prior trip or just plain weak/excuses? 😕>>
When we reached the road leading to the hilltop, the weather was hot, and the road forward looked daunting. Just then a van drove by. Hoping it was a 'taxi' <<haha>>, I waved for it to stop, and it stopped 😍. However, it was a hotel van. I asked the driver if I could take the van to the top of the hill <<please!!!>>. After asking the guests and with consent, I hopped onto the van <<Yay!!! Thank You 💖>>
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 snacks and light bites before heading to the cable car station. The cable car is about 2.4 kilometre and it connects to Chandragiri to Thankot, the base station.
Outing: Kathmandu Sightseeing - Day 7
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
The temple is an ancient religious complex atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. We visited the World Peace Pond, Bipashwi Stupa and other relics. There were many monkeys roaming about in the complex.
We walked around the complex on the hill before heading to Swayambhu Maha Chaitya, the white stupa.
Among the numerous temples and shrines, a white stupa with golden pinnacle stood out, standing on the site of an ancient pilgrimage.
It was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1979. The complex is an important pilgrimage site, and the stupa stands as a symbol of religious harmony as Hindu temples and deities.
Boudha Stupa
Another major site was a semi-circle shaped stupa with a massive mandala is one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. It was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1979.
The base symbolizes the universe with the white dome represented the path to enlightenment. The eyes of the Buddha represented wisdom and compassion. There is a path called the kora where pilgrims walk clockwise as part of their pilgrimage.
Painting shop
We visited a painting shop where artists did their paintings and drawings on the premises itself. The artists had different levels of expertise 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. Many souvenir stalls were set up within the square.
I walked around the square, also climbed up to two of the temples to have a bird-eye view of the surrounding and the setting sun. <<It was a mesmerising site 💗>>
Day 8 - Kathmanthu - Singapore
Our last day was a free and easy one. There was a morning yoga session followed by the closing ceremony. Since our flight was in the evening, we spent the rest of the time in Thamel for lunch and shopping before going to the airport for the flight home.
It was an enjoyable trip of group yoga, massage sessions, interesting excursions and catching up with people from the previous trip, and also getting to to know new friends.
Random sights
On the move from the van:
On the move - walking and others:
Thoughts
I did not sign up for the trip initially as it would be only ten days after the New York trip. When I chatted with Fen after her class, I relooked at the itinerary and decided to sign up for the last available slot. 😊 <<I liked Fen's effort in curating a mix of yoga and sightseeing>>.
I enjoyed the trip, and look forward to finding out where the destination will be <<I like yoga (but not hardcore la) and thus the location is the selling point for me 😉>> for the next yoga retreat . Thank You Fen and fellow travellers 💓!
P.S: SQ used one of the old planes (if not the oldest) for the Singapore - Kathmandu flight. I hope it had replaced them with newer planes. 😐
(Given) *~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 hike to the hills which climb up to 2551 meters above sea level. If we are lucky enough we can see Mount Everest.
👉《Lunch at 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
My first trip to Nepal in 1887
Kathmandu
Out of Kathmandu - Annapurna, river raftingDocumentation
