Kathmandu Valley Buddhist Pilgrimage

Jivamukti Yoga & Meditation in Nepal’s Sacred Heartland

with Jessica Stickler & Cory Bryant

March 6-16, 2027

Practice at Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist sites—including Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, and Namo Buddha—while integrating daily meditation, yoga, and cultural immersion.

10 Incredible Spiritually Supercharged Days!

JOIN US for Vajrayana Meditation & Jivamukti Yoga practice in the mornings and exploration of the rich, ancient, Buddhist and Hindu traditions of the Kathmandu Valley in the afternoons. This special valley, tucked away in the Himalayan foothills, is a power-house for pilgrims and spiritual seekers from India, Nepal, Tibet, and the world! The living traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism converge here in age-old sacred worship.

Our days will include…

A person dressed in traditional attire, sitting on a wooden floor in front of a small audience, engaging in a spiritual or cultural ritual inside a room with minimal decor.

Daily meditation practice guided by your Pilgrimage Leader Cory. Drawing on the teachings of his teachers Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche & Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche we will explore traditional śamatha (calm abiding) to open awareness practices.

Vajrayana Meditation

Jivamukti Yoga morning classes under Jessica’s expert guidance with Cory assisting. Jivamukti Yoga is a physically vigorous, vinyasa-based style founded by Sharon Gannon and David Life in 1984, aiming for "liberation while living". It combines energetic hatha yoga with five core tenets: Ahimsa (non-violence), Bhakti (devotion), Dhyana (meditation), Nada (sound), and Shastra (scripture). It emphasizes activism, ethical veganism, and animal rights.

Jivamukti Yoga

A Buddhist monk in maroon robes teaches a group of people in a room with wooden flooring and large windows. The monk is seated cross-legged on a small mat, raising his right fist, with a gold Buddha statue on a pedestal behind him.

Teachings with true masters, scholars, monks/nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Here you see our main teacher - Khenpo Karma Guyurme of Ka Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery.

Learning

AND Adventure!

  • Namo Buddha Resort

    Day 1 - 3

    Lodging at the beautiful Namo Buddha Resort, a cozy, nature reserve in the foothills of the Himalayas (think The Shire in the Hobbit movies!).

  • Swayambhunath

    Day 4 - 5

    Exploring the vibrant Swayambhunath area - including excursions to nearby World Heritage sites!

  • A large stupa with colorful prayer flags draped from its spire, set against a mountain range and cityscape.

    Day 3 - 7

    Comfortably based in Kathmandu's Boudha village, a thriving buddhist community of 40,000 Tibetans living the spiritual tradition of the Buddha.

DAILY RUNDOWN

Day 1 – Arrival & Transition to Namo Buddha

Your journey begins in Boudhanath with optional morning practice, followed by breakfast and free time to settle in. We gather for lunch before traveling to Namo Buddha, a peaceful hillside retreat. After arrival, we come together for orientation and dinner, beginning our time in a quieter, more contemplative setting.

Day 2 – Grounding in Practice

The day opens with meditation and yoga, establishing a steady rhythm for the journey ahead. After breakfast, we go on a hike to explore the surrounding villages with a local guide, followed by free time to rest or reflect. In the afternoon, we gather for a workshop with Jessica, deepening our connection to the practice before dinner together.

Day 3 – Namo Buddha Pilgrimage

Morning practice is followed by a pilgrimage walk to the Namo Buddha Stupa and Thrangu Monastery, a site deeply connected to the Buddha’s path of compassion. The afternoon offers space for rest and integration, with time to gather again for sangha and meditation in the evening.

Day 4 – Bhaktapur & Transition to Kathmandu

After a final morning of practice, we depart Namo Buddha and travel to Bhaktapur, one of the valley’s most beautifully preserved medieval cities. We explore Durbar Square, temples, and local artisan life before continuing to Kathmandu and settling into our hotel in Thamel. The evening is open to explore at your own pace.

Day 5 – Swayambhunath

We begin with morning meditation and yoga before visiting Swayambhunath, one of Nepal’s most iconic Buddhist sites. After lunch, the afternoon and evening are open—an opportunity to explore, rest, or enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Kathmandu.

Day 6 – Pharping & Arrival in Boudha

Morning practice is followed by a journey south to Pharping. Along the way, we visit Chobar Gorge and continue to sacred sites including Asura Cave and Vajrayogini Temple. By late afternoon, we arrive in Boudhanath, check into our hotel, and take an introductory walk around the Great Stupa before a shared dinner.

Day 7 – Teachings & Community

After morning practice and free time, we gather for a hands-on mala-making experience and lunch. In the afternoon, we receive Dharma teachings, followed by a visit to a local community initiative, witnessing compassion in action. The evening is open.

Day 8 – Nagi Gompa Pilgrimage

We begin early and travel to Budhanilkantha before hiking into Shivapuri National Park to Nagi Gompa. Here, we receive teachings and meditate in a powerful natural setting. After a simple meal, we return to Boudha, with the evening free to rest.

Day 9 – Deepening the Practice

Morning meditation and yoga continue to anchor the experience. The day includes group discussion and additional Dharma teachings, offering space to reflect and deepen understanding. In the evening, we visit Pashupatinath Temple, experiencing its powerful ritual atmosphere along the Bagmati River.

Day 10 – Patan & Closing Celebration

After morning practice, we travel to Patan, exploring Durbar Square, the museum, and its rich artistic heritage. Returning to Boudha, we gather in the evening for a closing celebration, including a shared meal and time together to reflect on the journey.

Day 11 – Closing Practice & Departure

On our final morning, we gather for meditation and yoga before a final breakfast together. Departures begin, with each participant carrying forward the experience of practice, pilgrimage, and connection cultivated throughout the journey.

What You Can Expect

It's Nepal! Be ready for the unexpected - we are!

Close-up of a traditional Asian temple or palace with gold rooftops, peacock-shaped finials, and intricate decorative elements, set against a cloudy sky and mountainous background.
  1. Daily visits and hikes to unforgettable and powerfully charged sacred sites, temples and monasteries

  2. Delicious vegetarian meals (with vegan options)

  3. Free time and space for YOU

  4. The company of good friends

  5. Magical sunrises and sunsets EVERY day

On arrival in Kathmandu Airport our sweet local staff will greet you and from that point on you can just lean back and enjoy the ride! Rest assured we’ve got you covered from start to finish, including some “free time” as we thought you would appreciate that too..

How much does it cost?

  • $3200 (USD) - shared room (note, if you do not have a roommate we will do our best to pair you with one; however, if that’s not possible you’ll need to pay the private room rate).

  • $3800 (USD) - private room (note, Namo Buddha Resort - our hillside destination for days 1-3 - may not have enough singles depending on the group composition, but they do have houses with upstairs/downstairs bedrooms - there is a chance you will be asked to share such a house - one up, one down).

  • Hold your spot with a $600 nonrefundable deposit.

You are responsible for your international transportation to/from Kathmandu, Visa costs, shopping and a few meals here and there, otherwise all expenditures are included.

Deadline to sign up is Feb 1, 2027.

Program Costs do not include: airfare to and from Kathmandu, airport or departure taxes not included in your air ticket, visa fees, additional hotel nights before or after scheduled program dates, unscheduled activities and excursions, soft drinks, alcohol and espresso drinks, phone calls, massage services, shopping, laundry or other personal expenses, additional meals, drinks and snacks, travel insurance, trekking/travel extensions (although we are happy to arrange for you).

Sacred Sites Abound

People walking near a large stupa with prayer flags and a sunset in the background.

Unesco World Heritage Sites

Boudhanath Stupa

Dating back to 5th century CE this is the largest and one of the most sacred site for Buddhists in the world - surrounded by a village of 40,000 Tibetans and 50 monasteries, this will be our home base.

People walking in a courtyard surrounded by small stupas, with larger stupas and a temple in the background, under a cloudy sky.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Over 1500 hundred years old and accessible via 365 steps - this shrine traces its origins back to that of the valley itself.

People walking in front of ancient temples in a busy square, with traditional architecture and cloudy sky overhead.

Patan Durbar Square

Along the Silk Road and home to the old palace of the kingdom dating back to Ashoka and the 3rd century BCE.

People standing and walking around a stone courtyard in front of a tiered wooden pagoda at Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

One of the three original kingdoms dating back to at least the 12th century CE and located in the east corner of the valley - Bhaktapur is known for its artisans and is a super fun place to wander and shop

Several monasteries, including:

Ka Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery

Ka Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery

We'll receive teachings from Khenpo Tulku Tokpa - a reincarnated lama

Namo Buddha monastery

Thrangu Monastery

In the hills of Namo Buddha

Buddhist nunnery: Nagi Gompa

We'll have lunch and practice meditation with the amazing head of the nunnery - Ani Gyan Tara

A group of people, including a Buddhist monk in maroon robes, gather in a courtyard decorated with marigold flower garlands. Some people are talking, and there is a woman with a backpack and a dog in the background. The setting appears festive or religious.

Pharping

A sacred Newar town on the southern edge of the valley that’s chock full of monasteries, meditation caves and an amazing Vajrayogini Temple!