The road climbs out of Kathmandu through terraced hills and thins to a track. The noise drops away — first the horns, then the engines, then the voices — until the only sounds are birdsong and wind through sal trees. The ashram sits on a ridge about fifteen kilometres from the airport but a world apart from it. Inside, the rooms are simple: a bed, a window, clean walls. The yoga hall faces the valley. When you sit cross-legged on the mat and close your eyes, the stillness isn't something you have to work for. It's already there, waiting.
This two-day retreat strips everything back to what matters: your body, your breath, and the quiet space between them. Led by a certified instructor trained in classical Ashtanga yoga, the programme covers Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Dhyana (meditation), and the foundations of Patanjali's Eightfold Path. It's not a fitness class dressed up as spirituality. It's an honest introduction to yoga as a way of living — taught in a setting where the culture of Nepal and the stillness of the hills do half the teaching for you. Whether you're adding this to the start of a longer trip or carving out a weekend for yourself, you'll leave with tools that work long after you've returned home.
What Makes This Retreat Unforgettable
- Ashram-style simplicity — live as they do at traditional Nepali ashrams, in a serene retreat centre set in the hills roughly 15 km from Kathmandu, where the noise and pace of the city can't reach you.
- Classical Ashtanga yoga taught properly — not just poses, but the full Eightfold Path including ethical foundations (Yama/Niyama), breathwork (Pranayama), meditation (Dhyana), and the path towards self-awareness (Samadhi).
- Morning Hatha or Ashtanga-based asana sessions to wake the body, followed by afternoon philosophy discussions and guided meditation rooted in both yogic and Buddhist mindfulness traditions.
- Perfect for short stays — ideal if you're passing through Kathmandu and want a meaningful yoga experience without committing to a longer retreat.
- No previous yoga experience needed — the instructor meets you where you are, adapting every session to your level and any physical conditions.
- Vegetarian meals included, prepared with fresh local ingredients in the ashram kitchen.
- Just USD 99 for the complete experience — the most affordable way to practise yoga in Nepal with a certified instructor and proper ashram accommodation.
2-Day Retreat Overview
The retreat follows a clear rhythm. Day one begins with your transfer from Kathmandu to the retreat centre, followed by an introductory session where the instructor assesses your experience level and discusses your intentions. The afternoon brings your first full practice — asana, breathwork, and a short meditation. By evening, the pace has already slowed. Dinner is vegetarian, eaten together, and conversation tends to flow naturally toward the questions that brought you here.
Day two opens with a dawn practice — Hatha or Ashtanga-based, depending on the group's energy — followed by a session on yogic philosophy that draws on both Hindu and Buddhist traditions, both of which run deep in Kathmandu's spiritual landscape. The final integration session around midday ties everything together: a guided meditation, a closing breathwork practice, and space to ask the instructor anything. You'll be back in Thamel by early afternoon, carrying a quietness that lasts longer than you'd expect from two days.
Before You Arrive
We recommend arriving in Kathmandu by 4:00 pm the day before the retreat begins. This gives you time for a brief meeting with your guide and ensures a smooth transfer to the retreat centre the following morning.
Your Online Briefing
After you book, we'll send you an email with available times for a video call. This is your chance to discuss yoga experience, any injuries or conditions, and what you hope to gain from the two days. We'll cover what to bring, what to expect, and answer every question.
Your Retreat, Your Way
This is a private retreat. Your group practises with your own instructor, at your own pace. We'll never add strangers to your group. Want a longer morning practice? Prefer more meditation and less philosophy? We adjust everything.
Your Package
| Standard Package | |
|---|---|
| Price | USD 99 |
| Meals | All meals included (vegetarian, full board) |
| Accommodation | Ashram-style retreat centre (clean, simple rooms) |
| Transport | Return transfer Kathmandu to retreat centre |
| Instructor | Certified yoga instructor (all sessions) |
| Includes | All yoga sessions, meditation, philosophy talks, certificate of participation |
Everything you need for a genuine yoga retreat — no hidden costs, no extras required.
Your Retreat, Our Family
When Hari Lal Simkhada helped international travellers experience the Himalayas in the 1960s, he could not have imagined his grandson would still be doing the same thing six decades later. His son, Ganesh Prasad Simkhada, went on to hold senior positions in Nepal's tourism and mountaineering institutions. Today, Shreejan Simkhada carries that legacy forward as CEO of The Everest Holiday, personally designing every itinerary and hand-picking the instructor for your retreat.
For this yoga retreat, your certified instructor has been personally selected by Shreejan for their depth of knowledge in classical yoga and their ability to teach students of all levels.
Need anything? WhatsApp Shreejan directly: +977 9810351300.
Why Yogis Trust Us
Two days, complete transformation. A short retreat doesn't mean a shallow one. Morning sessions, temple visits, meditation at ancient Buddhist sites — we've distilled the essence of Nepal's spiritual power into 48 focused hours.
Kathmandu insiders. Our family has lived here for generations. We take you to the quiet corners of the city where the real spiritual energy lives — away from the tourist crowds.
Trusted by 320+ travellers. TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice 2024. Government registered, TAAN Member #1586.
Solo Travellers Welcome
This retreat is perfect for solo travellers. Most of our guests arrive alone, and the ashram setting creates a natural sense of community from the first session. You can book it privately or let us know and we'll list your date as a fixed departure so other solo yogis can join you. Group size ranges from 1 to 20.
Women travelling solo will find this retreat particularly welcoming. The retreat centre is safe, well-established, and staffed by experienced people. The small group size and contemplative pace create an environment where you can truly let your guard down and be present.
Difficulty: Easy (1 out of 5)
There is no trekking, no hiking, and no physical challenge beyond the yoga practice itself. The retreat centre is at approximately 1,400 m — the same altitude as Kathmandu — so there are no altitude-related concerns. Sessions are adapted to all levels, and your instructor provides modifications for every pose. If you can sit comfortably on a mat and are willing to try, you're ready for this retreat.
Trek With a Purpose — Even Two Days Can Change a Life
In 2019, Shreejan Simkhada and Shamjhana Basukala founded the Nagarjun Learning Center to give back to the communities that shaped their family. Today, 70 children receive free education and hot meals daily at the flagship centre in Saldum Village, Dhading District. The centre has expanded to 7 locations across Nepal, provided free medical care to over 600 people, and brought internet access to 65 children for the first time in their village's history.
A portion of every booking with The Everest Holiday supports the Nagarjun Learning Center, which is verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal. Even a two-day retreat helps change a life.
What Trekkers Say About Us
"The Simkhada family runs this company with genuine care. From planning to the trip itself, everything was personal and well organised. Highly recommended."
— TripAdvisor Review, 5 stars
