Trip highlights
- Daily Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation sessions at Avata Wellness Studio and beyond
- Overnight stay and yoga immersion at Neydo Monastery, Pharping
- Relaxing 90-minute Ayurvedic massage before departure
- Scenic private jeep journey through the Annapurna region to Manang
- Apple farm tour and tasting at Bhratang Orchard
- Guided hike to Chongkor viewpoint with meditation
- Village tours through Besisahar, Chame, Manang, and Ngawal
- Evening winery tour and wine tasting in Bhratang
- Authentic vegetarian dining at Nourish by Avata
Trade the pace of the city for the rhythm of the mountains on this eight-day journey that pairs daily yoga practice with the raw beauty of the Annapurna region. Beginning at Avata Wellness Center in Kathmandu and moving through the monastic calm of Neydo, the trading town of Besisahar, and the high-altitude villages of Chame and Manang, this retreat is built for travelers who want their wellness practice to unfold against ever-changing Himalayan scenery.
Each day blends structured yoga sessions with immersive cultural stops — apple orchards, centuries-old gompas, farmhouse stays, and village walks — so that movement, mindfulness, and mountain life come together naturally. Whether you’re deepening an existing practice or discovering yoga for the first time, this retreat offers a rare combination of physical renewal and cultural discovery.
Itinerary
Yoga and Himalayan Wellness Retreat
Arriving into Practice
Wellness Theme: Beginning the practice, releasing the pace of the city.
Begin your retreat with a session in Avata’s studio, choosing from a rotating schedule of Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Vinyasa Flow, Slow Flow, Mobility, or Flex Flow classes — each suited to a different pace and intention, from meditative and restorative to dynamic and strength-building.
Following practice, enjoy a plant-based breakfast at Nourish by Avata, then unwind with a relaxing Ayurvedic massage. In the afternoon, drive from Kathmandu to Pharping, watching the city give way to farmland and forest along the winding road. Check in at Neydo Monastery, a guesthouse set beside the working Neydo Tashi Choeling Monastery, with mountain and valley views from every room.
Stillness in Pharping
Wellness Theme: Deepening practice through repetition and quiet.
A full day at Neydo Monastery centered on practice: morning and evening yoga sessions, pranayama, and meditation, along with time to connect directly with your yoga instructor. Meals are taken slowly, in keeping with the monastery’s unhurried rhythm.
Kathmandu to Besisahar
Wellness Theme: Transitioning from stillness to movement.
Depart for Besisahar, the gateway to the Annapurna Circuit. The drive follows the Prithvi Highway through Kurintar, where you’ll stop for lunch beside the Trishuli River, before continuing on to Besisahar — a bustling trading town framed by views of Annapurna II, Machhapuchhre, and Lamjung Himal.
Besisahar to Chame
Wellness Theme: Grounding the body for higher altitude.
Start the day with a morning yoga session before driving along the Marsyandi River through terraced fields, bamboo forest, and Tamang, Brahmin, and Gurung villages, with a lunch stop in Taal village. Arrive in Chame, the district headquarters of Manang, framed by views of Lamjung, Manaslu, and Annapurna.
Chame to Manang
Wellness Theme: Nourishment from the land.
Practice yoga before setting off through barley fields and apple orchards toward Bhratang, where you’ll tour the village’s apple farms and share a farm lunch. Continue on to Manang village, framed by yak pastures and Himalayan peaks, for an evening village tour.
Manang Exploration
Wellness Theme: Presence within vast landscapes.
Morning yoga sets the tone for a day of discovery in and around Manang village, including a guided hike into the surrounding hills with a packed lunch. Sacred chortens, mani walls, and a hillside gompa mark the trail, with expansive views of Annapurna II, III, and IV. Close the day with an evening yoga session.
Manang to Bhratang
Wellness Theme: Reflection before the descent.
An early hike to Chongkor viewpoint pairs with a guided meditation before breakfast back at the lodge. After free time, drive to Ngawal — one of the oldest villages in the Nyeshyang region — for lunch and a visit to its historic gompa, then continue through Pisang toward Bhratang. The day closes with a final yoga session followed by a winery tour and tasting.
Onward Journey
Wellness Theme: Carrying the practice forward.
Depart Bhratang for Kathmandu, or extend your journey with a stop in Bandipur or Pokhara.
What's Included on this package?
Includes
- Yoga sessions at Avata Studio and throughout the retreat
- Vegetarian breakfast at Nourish by Avata
- One 90-minute Ayurvedic relaxation massage
- Private jeep transfer throughout the retreat, sized to group
- 2 nights’ accommodation at Neydo Monastery, including all meals
- 2 days of dedicated yoga instruction at Neydo, with instructor accommodation and meals included
- 1 night at Hotel Gateway Himalaya, Besisahar, including all meals
- 1 night at Athilaya Lodge, Chame, including all meals
- 2 nights at Athilaya Lodge, Manang, including all meals
- 1 night at Bhratang Farmhouse, including all meals
- Nepali yoga instructor and Avata organizer throughout the trip
- Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS) card
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
- All applicable government taxes and service charges
Excludes
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance, including evacuation and cancellation coverage
- Personal expenses such as laundry, beverages, and telephone calls
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities for guides and drivers
- Costs arising from unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, natural disasters, or political changes
Know Before You Go
- This retreat suits both yoga beginners and experienced practitioners; class types can be selected in advance based on interest.
- Altitude increases steadily through the trip — Manang sits at roughly 3,500 meters, so a moderate level of fitness and mobility is recommended for hikes and excursions.
- Vegetarian meals are served throughout the retreat, with gluten-free and vegan options available at Nourish.
- Days combine structured yoga practice with driving and light-to-moderate hiking; pacing allows time for rest between activities.
- Modest, comfortable clothing is recommended for monastery visits and village walks.
- Weather and road conditions in the Annapurna region can occasionally affect the itinerary; flexibility is appreciated.