Himalayan Wellness Retreat at Dwarika's Sanctuary
Eight days of Ayurveda, yoga and quiet on the Dhulikhel ridge, with five all-inclusive nights at Dwarika's Sanctuary and a doctor-led treatment plan. You begin and end in Kathmandu at Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or Dwarika's Hotel (Luxury).
8 days · Dhulikhel: Dwarika's Sanctuary · From US$ 4,110
Enquire- Duration
- 8 days
- Location
- Dhulikhel: Dwarika's Sanctuary
Overview
Dwarika's Sanctuary sits on the ridge above Dhulikhel, about an hour and a half east of Kathmandu, looking across terraced hills to the Himalaya. It is run as an all-inclusive wellbeing resort: your meals come largely from its own farms, and each day has yoga, breathwork, meditation and sound healing built in.
This retreat gives you five nights there, shaped around one plan. On arrival an Ayurvedic doctor reads your pulse, assesses your constitution (dosha) and sets your meals and treatments. Through the week you add a herbal oil or Panchakarma-style therapy, a detox body treatment, chakra balancing and a final signature treatment, with a mid-stay review to see how you are doing.
Between sessions there is time to walk the Shiva Lingam meditation maze, breathe slowly in the Himalayan Salt House, float in the Ananta infinity pool, or hike through pine forest to Namobuddha Monastery for a simple monastic lunch.
On the Comfort level you stay in The Suite at the Sanctuary and at Hotel Barahi in Kathmandu; on the Luxury level in The Sanctuary Suite, with its own garden and daybed, and at Dwarika's Hotel in Kathmandu. The programme is the same on both.
Highlights
- Ayurvedic doctor consultation, with a mid-stay review
- Five all-inclusive nights at Dwarika's Sanctuary, Dhulikhel
- Sunrise yoga, breathwork and singing-bowl sound healing
- Guided forest walk to Namobuddha Monastery
- Welcome massage plus four treatments chosen with your doctor
Gallery
Your days
Private pickup at Kathmandu airport and transfer to your hotel: Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or Dwarika's Hotel (Luxury). The rest of the day is yours to rest after the journey.
A private drive of about 1 to 1.5 hours east to Dhulikhel. After settling into your suite, you meet the resident Ayurvedic doctor, who reads your pulse, assesses your body constitution (dosha) and plans your meals and treatments. In the evening, a welcome massage at the Pancha Kosha Spa and a vegetarian dinner made with produce from the resort's farms.
07:00 sunrise hatha yoga on the open-air pavilion facing the Himalaya. In the morning, a Panchakarma-style or herbal oil treatment chosen in your consultation. In the afternoon, a guided walk through the Shiva Lingam meditation maze. In the evening, a sound-healing session with Himalayan singing bowls, then dinner following Ayurvedic principles.
A guided morning hike through pine forest to Namobuddha Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal, with a quiet, traditional monastic lunch there. Back at the resort, a breathwork session in the Himalayan Salt House, whose walls hold some 20 tonnes of salt. Sunset from the Zero Zone viewpoint on the ridge, then a private evening meditation.
07:00 pranayama (breath control) and morning yoga. A detox or holistic body treatment at the spa village. In the afternoon, something for the hands: a pottery session or an organic gardening class on the resort's terraced farm. In the evening, a chakra-balancing session and a light Ayurvedic dinner.
Morning restorative yoga, then your mid-stay review with the doctor to see how your body is responding. A slow afternoon floating in the Ananta infinity pool or meditating in the Crystal Room. In the evening, your final signature spa treatment, a farm-to-table dinner and candlelit mantra chanting.
07:00 closing meditation and gratitude ritual. A last breakfast and time on the viewing decks before 11:00 check-out. Private drive back to your Kathmandu hotel, and a farewell dinner with Nepali music and dance.
Private transfer to Kathmandu airport for your onward flight.
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car
- Private car between Kathmandu and Dhulikhel, both ways
- Two nights in Kathmandu with breakfast: Hotel Barahi (Comfort) or Dwarika's Hotel (Luxury)
- Five nights all-inclusive at Dwarika's Sanctuary: The Suite (Comfort) or The Sanctuary Suite (Luxury)
- All meals and non-alcoholic drinks at the Sanctuary
- Ayurvedic doctor consultation on arrival and a mid-stay review
- The Sanctuary's daily programme: yoga, pranayama, meditation, sound healing, the Salt House, a pottery or gardening session and the guided Namobuddha walk
- Welcome massage, plus four treatments: herbal oil or Panchakarma-style therapy, detox body therapy, chakra balancing and a final signature treatment
- One private evening meditation session
- Farewell dinner with Nepali music and dance in Kathmandu
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu, other than the farewell dinner
- Alcoholic drinks
- Extra spa treatments, private yoga classes and other services beyond those listed
- Gratuities and personal expenses
Dates & departures
A private retreat for you alone, a couple or your own small group, starting on any date. Dwarika's Sanctuary asks for at least three nights; this retreat has five. October to May usually brings the clearest mountain views from the ridge; from June to September the hills are green and quiet, and clouds often hide the peaks.
Questions, answered
Do I need any yoga experience?
No. Classes are suitable for beginners, and teachers adapt the poses to you. If you have an injury or a health condition, tell us when you book and tell the doctor at your first consultation.
Is this a full Panchakarma detox?
No. Classical Panchakarma is a longer, intensive course. On this retreat you receive single treatments drawn from Ayurvedic practice, such as herbal oil therapy, chosen by the doctor for you. If you want a longer clinical programme, ask us and we will check what the Sanctuary can offer.
What is the difference between Comfort and Luxury?
The programme, meals and treatments are the same. On Comfort you stay in The Suite at the Sanctuary and at Hotel Barahi in Kathmandu. On Luxury you stay in The Sanctuary Suite, which is larger and has its own garden with a daybed, and at Dwarika's Hotel in Kathmandu.
What are the meals like?
At the Sanctuary all meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Food is largely vegetarian, made with produce from the resort's own farms and adjusted to the doctor's advice. In Kathmandu breakfast is included, plus the farewell dinner.
How far is Dhulikhel from Kathmandu?
About 30 km, which takes around 1 to 1.5 hours by private car, depending on traffic. The resort sits at roughly 1,500 m, so there is no altitude concern.
Can my partner come if they don't want the treatments?
Yes. The daily programme is optional, so a partner can simply walk, swim, read and enjoy the views. Tell us and we will adjust the treatments in the price.
Enquire about this journey
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