Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu

Pick-up at Tribhuvan International Airport, meeting with your guide and transfer to the hotel. First impressions of Kathmandu, capital city of Nepal – walk into medieval royal Kathmandu Durbar Square and explore the important courtyards and temples, power places, shrines built between the ancient centuries. We bring you to Thamel – the vibrant tourist area with restaurants, banks and bakeries – and get to know each other over a welcome dinner at Nepali Chulo, a vibrant Nepali restaurant which offers authentic Nepalese cuisine, folk music and cultural performances. Overnight at hotel Norbulinka, Kahtmandu.

Day 2 – Yanglesho and Asura Cave – Pharping. We drive with a private car to Pharping, an old Newari town, situated 32 kilometer south from Kathmandu to visit Asura cave and Yanglesho cave, both blessed by Guru Rinpoche.

At Yanglesho cave Padmasambhava practised the sadhana of Yangdak Heruka with the consort Shakyadevi, daughter of a king of Nepal. Powerful spirits caused a three year drought, with famine and disease and Padmasambhava asked his teachers in India for a teaching to counter them. Two men returned, laden with the tantras and commentaries of Vajrakilaya, and the moment they arrived, the obstacles were pacified. Guru Rinpoche and Shakyadevi both attained the third vidyadhara level, ‘vidyadhara of the great seal, or mahamudra’. Guru Rinpoche recognized that Yangdak is like a merchant engaging in trade—the achievement can be great, but so can the obstacles, whereas Vajrakilaya is like an armed escort; he is needed to guard against obstacles and overcome them. He then composed sadhanas of Yangdak and Vajrakilaya combined, and bound the guardians of Vajrakilaya to protect the teachings.

We also visit “the upper cave of Yanglesho”, the famous Asura cave temple. The cave has an ancient history as it was here the tantric master Padmasambhava attained realization. To fulfill the 16th Karmapa’s wish, Kyabje Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche and later his son Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche developed the area around the cave to house traditional three-year retreatants and pilgrim guests. Many local elderly people come also here to spend their last years cultivating love and deeper insights. We visit the monasteries, temples and retreat centers. On our way back, we can stop at Dakshinkali Temple, just outside of Pharping, one of the major Hindu temples in Nepal dedicated to goddess Kali. Overnight at hotel Norbulinka, Kathmandu.

Day 3 – Maratika Cave

Our next halt on our spiritual journey is located at a scenic remote place in Eastern Nepal (245 km from Kathmandu), between Dudh Koshi and Sun Koshi rivers. We make a 5 hour long 4WD drive to reach Maratika cave, an ancient place full of divinity an power which is believed to be more than 6000 years old. Guru Rinpoche spent 3 months meditation in Maratika cave. The caves are also for Hindus a sacred place. The caves are called Haleshi Mahadeva Temple by Hindus, who associate them with Mahadeva, a form of Shiva. The cave host various ceremonies and celebrations and thousands of followers visit this holy place once in their life. It is an excellent example of religious tolerance existing in Nepal. Overnight at Halesi Hotel, Maratika.

Day 4 – Yarinak

To the east of Kathmandu, in slate mountain forests, we visit the Yarinak cave (136 km from Maratika cave). Here Guru Rinpoche retreated to practice Vajrakilaya, the yidam of enlightened activity. And here he took on the fiercely wrathful form of Dukyi Shechen. The Mahaguru then wielded his kila-dagger to set ablaze a forest and so defeat enemies to the Dharma, liberating them into the space of awareness. An extraordinary site for connecting with Mahaguru’s wrathful aspect, Yarinak is where he perfected the practices for eliminating obstacles to the realization of the essence of the path. We explore the environments of the cave, spend some time for meditation and perform a puja inside the cave. Overnight at hotel Norbulinka, Kathmandu.

Day 5 – Kathmandu – Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath

On our last day we have plenty of time to enjoy sightseeing around Kathmandu. We visit Swayambhunath which means “self sprung”. Much of Swayambbunaths iconography comes from the Vajrayana tradition of Newar Buddhists. We explore the vast complex consisting of a stupa and a variety of shrines and temples overlooking Kathmandu Valley. After we head to Bouddhanath, where one of the largest stupas in the world dominates the skyline. The stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapu Buddha. Tibetans merchants have rested and prayed here for many centuries. Together with the many locals and pilgrims we encircle the white washed stupa and light candles in one of the nearby monasteries. After you enjoy free time for shopping and we invite you for a farewell dinner at Third Eye Restaurant in Thamel. Overnight at hotel Norbulinka, Kathmandu.

Day 6 – Fly Back Home

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope you enjoy your sacred journey in Nepal!

Four nights in Norbulinka hotel Kathmandu, superior deluxe room (with breakfast)
One night in Halesi hotel Maratika, standard (with breakfast)
Transfers and transportation with private car within Kathmandu valley and for sightseeing in Pharping
Welcome and farewell dinner in Kathmandu
4wheel drive transport and sightseeing in Maratika, Ausura Cave, Yarinak.
Sightseeing in Bouddhanath and Swaymbhunath
Assistance of all necessary staff and cultural English speaking guide who has vast knowledge about Buddhism
Entrance fees.

Expenses for meals and drinks which are not mentioned in the program, laundry, tips for guides
Travel Insurance
International flights,
Nepali Visa
Personal expenses like laundry, shopping bar bills etc.

1050 Per Person