Kathmandu Valley Forest and Mindfulness Retreat
Six quiet days at the edge of the Kathmandu valley: three nights at Gokarna Forest Resort among old forest, with meditation at Kopan Monastery and an evening kora at Boudhanath, then two nights at Kavya Resort & Spa on the Nagarkot ridge for hydrotherapy and sunrise yoga facing the Himalaya.
6 days · Gokarna Forest Resort & Kavya, Nagarkot · From US$ 1,700
Enquire- Duration
- 6 days
- Location
- Gokarna Forest Resort & Kavya, Nagarkot
Overview
You do not have to travel far from Kathmandu to find quiet. Gokarna Forest Resort sits in a protected forest on the northeast edge of the valley, about 10 km from the airport, with walking trails, a spa and Nepal's 18-hole forest golf course. Kavya Resort & Spa is a villa resort on a pine-covered ridge at Nagarkot, at about 2,175 m, with views across to the Langtang range.
The first three days mix forest and Buddhist practice: a forest walk on arrival, a morning meditation with a teacher at Kopan Monastery, the evening kora with pilgrims around Boudhanath Stupa, and a day of forest bathing, yoga and a spa treatment. Then you drive up to Nagarkot for the hydrotherapy pools, a sunrise yoga session and an Ayurvedic massage.
On the Comfort level you stay in a Deluxe Room at Gokarna and a Junior Villa Suite at Kavya; on the Luxury level in a Forest Suite at Gokarna and an Executive Mountain Villa at Kavya. The programme is the same on both.
Highlights
- Three nights inside the forest at Gokarna Forest Resort
- Morning meditation at Kopan Monastery
- Evening kora around Boudhanath Stupa
- Hydrotherapy pools and an Ayurvedic massage at Kavya, Nagarkot
- Sunrise yoga facing the Himalaya
Gallery
Your days
Private pickup at Kathmandu airport and a short drive (about 30 to 40 minutes) to Gokarna Forest Resort. An easy evening walk in the forest, then a spa treatment to settle in.
With your private car and licensed guide, drive up to Kopan Monastery on its hill above the valley for a morning meditation session with a teacher. In the evening, join the kora, the walk with pilgrims around the great stupa of Boudhanath, as the butter lamps are lit.
A slow morning of forest bathing and a private yoga session among the trees, followed by a spa treatment. In the afternoon you can rest, or play a round on the resort's golf course (optional, at extra cost).
A private drive of about 1 to 1.5 hours up to Kavya Resort & Spa on the Nagarkot ridge. In the afternoon, a session in the hydrotherapy soak pools and Himalayan salt therapy.
Sunrise yoga facing the Himalaya, weather permitting, then an Ayurvedic massage. The rest of the day is free for the infinity pool, reading or walks in the pine forest.
A last sunrise and breakfast, then a private drive of about 1.5 hours to Kathmandu airport or your hotel.
What’s included
Included
- Airport pickup and drop by private car
- Private car for all transfers and the Kopan and Boudhanath day
- Three nights at Gokarna Forest Resort with breakfast: Deluxe Room (Comfort) or Forest Suite (Luxury)
- Two nights at Kavya Resort & Spa, Nagarkot, with breakfast: Junior Villa Suite (Comfort) or Executive Mountain Villa (Luxury)
- Licensed guide for the Kopan and Boudhanath day
- Guided meditation session at Kopan Monastery, a monastery donation and Boudhanath entry
- Two private yoga sessions (forest yoga and sunrise yoga)
- Two spa treatments at Gokarna, a hydrotherapy and salt therapy session and an Ayurvedic massage at Kavya
Not included
- International flights and Nepal visa
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners
- Golf green fees, caddie and club hire
- Extra spa treatments, drinks, gratuities and personal expenses
Dates & departures
Private for you alone, a couple or your own small group, on any date. October to May usually brings the clearest Himalayan views from Nagarkot; the monsoon months are green and peaceful, though the peaks are often in cloud. Kopan Monastery holds its month-long course in November, when sessions for visitors may be limited; we will confirm for your dates.
Questions, answered
Do I need meditation or yoga experience?
No. The meditation session at Kopan and the private yoga classes are suitable for complete beginners and are adapted to you.
Is Kopan Monastery open to visitors?
Yes. Kopan welcomes respectful visitors and there is no entrance ticket; a donation is customary and included. We arrange a guided session with a teacher; sessions can be limited during Kopan's November course and on festival days.
What is the difference between Comfort and Luxury?
The programme is the same. Comfort uses a Deluxe Room at Gokarna and a Junior Villa Suite at Kavya. Luxury uses the larger Forest Suite at Gokarna and an Executive Mountain Villa at Kavya.
Can I play golf at Gokarna?
Yes. The resort has an 18-hole course through the forest. Green fees and club hire are not included; we can book a tee time for you.
Will I see the mountains from Nagarkot?
On clear mornings you see a long stretch of the Himalaya, including the Langtang range. Views are best from October to May; in the monsoon clouds often hide the peaks.
Enquire about this journey
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