About this trip
Embark on a Transformative Journey with The Spiritual Pilgrim: Buddhism, Yoga & Trekking in the Himalayas!
Ashtanga Yoga with Marque Garaux and Meditation with Pilgrimage Leader Cory Bryant
JOIN US for a transformative journey of yoga, spiritual exploration, and Himalayan adventure! Begin each day with rejuvenating yoga practices designed to prepare your mind and body for the depth of what lies ahead. In the afternoons, delve into the rich and ancient Buddhist and Hindu traditions of the Kathmandu Valley, a sacred destination tucked away in the Himalayan foothills.
This special valley is a powerhouse for pilgrims and spiritual seekers from India, Nepal, Tibet, and beyond! It is where the living traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism converge in age-old sacred rituals, offering a rare opportunity to experience timeless teachings and spiritual heritage.
After immersing yourself in these profound teachings for four days, embark on a five-day trek through the breathtaking Himalayan mountains. Experience the grandeur of these towering peaks while connecting more deeply with your inner self through daily meditations in these serene and awe-inspiring surroundings.
Whether you seek spiritual growth, connection with ancient wisdom, or an unforgettable adventure, these 10 days promise a spiritually supercharged experience like no other!
This is the early bird rate -- $200 off!
Rates will increase on Jan 15, 2025
What You Can Expect
It's Nepal! Be ready for the unexpected - we are!
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.
- Daily visits and hikes to unforgettable and powerfully charged sacred sites, temples and monasteries
- Masterfully taught yoga & meditation each morning
- Delicious vegetarian meals (with vegan options)
- Free time and space for YOU
- The company of good friends
- Magical sunrises and sunsets
- Teachings with true masters, scholars, monks/nuns in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition
Sacred Sites Abound!
Stops on our journey include:
- 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
- Swayambhunath Stupa - over 1500 hundred years old and accessible via 365 steps - this shrine traces its origins back to that of the valley itself
- 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
- Pashupatinath Temple - a millenia old Shiva temple - like the Varanasi of Nepal a cremation ground for local people
- Several monasteries, including
- Ka Nying Shedrup Ling Monastery (where we'll receive teachings from Khenpo Tulku Tokpa - a reincarnated lama);
- AND a Buddhist nunnery - Nagi Gompa where we'll have lunch and practice meditation with the amazing head of the nunnery - Ani Gyan Tara
- 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!
- The Reclining Vishnu at Budhanilkantha Temple - a most sacred site and home to the largest stone carving in Nepal
- And many more local temples and stupas will come as we progress on our pilgrimage through the valley!
REFUND POLICY
Deposts are nonrefundable for any reason.
Pilgrimage payments are nonrefundable if you cancel within a 3 month window of the pilgrimage start date. If cancelation occurs prior to the 3 month mark, TSP will refund 50% (excluding the deposit) - unless otherwise specified for the particular pilgrimage for which one has registered.
The only refunds offered are in the case wherein TSP cancels the trip, in which case TSP will refund in full - excluding credit card and other service fees.
What’s included
- LodgingComfortable locally owned and operated
- MealsMany of your meals are included
- YogaTaught by master teachers
- MeditationGuided daily practice with highly experienced teachers
- Admittance to all sitesWe've got you covered
- TransportationAll local transportation including airport pickup and dropoff
What’s not included
- AirfareTo/from Kathmandu
- ShoppingLots of fun items - you'll have time to explore
- Some mealsWe build in free time for you and this includes a few of our meals
- VisaNepal Visas may be obtained on arrival and vary from $30 to $125 depending on the length of your stay
Available Packages
Shared room includes 2 beds and private bath (unless you request one bed).
Single traveler - private room and bath at each of the lodgings/hotels on our itinerary.
Available Add-Ons
Exploring the 3 Yanas of Buddhism
A Dharma Study & Practice Week
with Cory & James
Oct 15-22, 2026
*Note, this is for a shared room. ($300 off the public cost)
The Spiritual Pilgrim invites you to join us for a 7-day immersion into the teachings and practices (i.e., dharma) of Buddha Shakyamuni in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. After fifteen years of taking folks on pilgrimage in this magical part of the world, we have time and again witnessed the life-changing impact of practicing here and how a desire to deepen one’s understanding and dedication to the buddha dharma naturally emerges. This inspired us to design a new type of program – a pilgrimage 2.0 if you will – with a curriculum of Buddhist theory with an emphasis on furthering your meditation practice.
Yana means “vehicle” and is a term applied to the three major paths of Buddhism: Hina (foundational) yana vehicle, Maha (great) yana and Vajra (diamond) yana. While these three are generally presented and practiced as separate schools, our teachers often emphasize the importance of an understanding, as well as a deep and abiding respect, of all three.
Over the course of your time with us, we will also provide an intro to the history of Buddhism, an overview of the three yanas - including highlights of the major teachings of each, the Four Noble Truths, the 8-fold path, the four mind turnings, the four immeasurables, and the bodhisattva path with an emphasis how to take these teachings onto the path – in other words, our primary aim is to focus on enabling your practice. As part of our curriculum, we will provide access not only to power places that are deeply aligned with each tradition, but we will also be receiving teachings directly from monks and nuns along the way.
Exploring the 3 Yanas of Buddhism
A Dharma Study & Practice Week
with Cory & James
Oct 15-22, 2026
*Note, this is for a private room. ($300 off the public cost)
The Spiritual Pilgrim invites you to join us for a 7-day immersion into the teachings and practices (i.e., dharma) of Buddha Shakyamuni in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. After fifteen years of taking folks on pilgrimage in this magical part of the world, we have time and again witnessed the life-changing impact of practicing here and how a desire to deepen one’s understanding and dedication to the buddha dharma naturally emerges. This inspired us to design a new type of program – a pilgrimage 2.0 if you will – with a curriculum of Buddhist theory with an emphasis on furthering your meditation practice.
Yana means “vehicle” and is a term applied to the three major paths of Buddhism: Hina (foundational) yana vehicle, Maha (great) yana and Vajra (diamond) yana. While these three are generally presented and practiced as separate schools, our teachers often emphasize the importance of an understanding, as well as a deep and abiding respect, of all three.
Over the course of your time with us, we will also provide an intro to the history of Buddhism, an overview of the three yanas - including highlights of the major teachings of each, the Four Noble Truths, the 8-fold path, the four mind turnings, the four immeasurables, and the bodhisattva path with an emphasis how to take these teachings onto the path – in other words, our primary aim is to focus on enabling your practice. As part of our curriculum, we will provide access not only to power places that are deeply aligned with each tradition, but we will also be receiving teachings directly from monks and nuns along the way.
We pick you up early in the morning (around 5am) and transport you to the domestic airport terminal where you will board a small plane (approx 20 rows with one person per row). After a hot tea or coffee, the pilot will take you up for an epic view of the Himalayan snow peaks -- to view and then head back. We'll then transport you back to your hotel. The whole trip takes around 3 hours.
Chitwan National Park was established in 1973 as the Royal Chitwan National Park and was granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 952.63 km2 (367.81 sq mi) in the subtropical Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. It ranges in elevation from about 100 m (330 ft) in the river valleys to 815 m (2,674 ft) in the Sivalak Hills.
We'll book you in a lovely hotel/resort for your stay with the following (flexible) 3-day, 2-night ALL-inclusive program:
Day 1
Welcome Drink upon arrival
Check In
Briefing About Program
Lunch
Walking Tour
River Side Sunset View
Dinner
DAY 2
Wake Up Call
Tea/Coffee
Breakfast
Jeep Safari on sharing basis
Canoeing on Sharing basis on the Rapati River
Lunch
Crocodile Breeding Center Tour
River Side Sunset View
Tharu/Derai Cultural Dance Show
Dinner
DAY 03
Wake Up Call
Tea/Coffee
Breakfast
Departure
Tranport to/from the park takes about 5 hours (160km) and you'll be driven in a modern clean car or SUV.
Our English speaking guide will pick you up at your hotel and take you on a walkabout sightseeing tour of the incredible Kathmandu -- starting at Nargokot and ending at the sacred Changu Narayan.
*Note, if you wish to tour any ticketed places/areas while out and about you'll need to cover those entrance fees yourself.
Boudha is the final location of our pilgrimage. If you'd like us to reserve additional nights for you to extend your stay we're happy to do so. You can select the number of nights you'd like to add here. Or we can always add this on later.
Thamel's Hotel Vajra is the first location on our itinerary. If you'd like us to reserve additional nights for you to extend your stay we're happy to do so. You can select the number of nights you'd like to add here. Or we can always add this on later.
Itinerary
Exploring the vibrant Swayambunath area - including excursions to nearby World Heritage sites!