Varanasi & Kathmandu

Post Retreat Tour

February 11-17, 2024

North India & Nepal

After a week of rejuvenation in South India, we go north for the Post Retreat Tour through the spiritual epicenters of sacred Varanasi and the Kathmandu Valley.

Also experience South India: The Sacred Sap Retreat

Varanasi: Bathing Ghats on Sacred Ganga

After a week of rejuvenation down south, we are ready to begin the Post Retreat Tour with a sunrise visit to the holy Ganges River in the ancient city of Varanasi, better known as Kashi (the Luminous One) or the City of Light. Varanasi is a spiritual epicenter where pilgrims travel long distances to bathe at the sacred bathing ghats, where it is believed that a dip in the Ganges will remove all sins/karmas for a life time. Devotees of Lord Shiva, both householder pilgrims and sadhus (holymen) gather to bathe and reflect on the transience of life, in plain view of the many cremation ghats nearby.

Offering prayers to the Divine Mother on the Ganges

The traditional means of touring the Ganges is via rowboat along the river’s banks. We will start in the early morning as the sun rises over the eastern river bed plains illuminating the Ganges and western shore temples. This is a sacred time for prayer and meditation. The group will offer sacred flower aartis to the Divine Mother as Ganga with silent prayer. We are allowed one request of the Divine Mother in this puja, and from past experiences, all requests are immediately granted on the spot. This is a powerful ceremony for all involved. Guests are advised to carefully plan their prayer and request in advance.

Manikarnika Cremation Temple and Ganga Aarti

In the evening, we will return to the Ganges to witness up to a dozen human cremations simultaneously taking place at the famous Manikarnika Temple cremation ghats on the river banks. Witnessing cremation ceremonies is a transformative experience that has the effect of pacifying the fears we have of our own mortality. It also awakens our hearts to a more intimate acceptance of our lives. These experiences of conscious passage rites are life affirming and life validating experiences that heal the spirit. After the cremations, we will witness one of India’s largest fire ceremonies, the Ganga Aarti, a massive celebration to the Divine Mother as Ma Ganga, the holiest of rivers and source of life.

After the tour of Varanasi, we’ll take a flight to Kathmandu, to take in the cultural beauty of Nepal and the majestic Himalayas.

Kathmandu: The City of Temples

We will explore the heritage site of Kathmandu including the famous Pashupatinath Temple, two huge Buddhist stupas (Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa), two durbar squares (Patan Durbar Square and Hanumandhika Durbar Square). These sites are perfect examples of Nepali cultural and religious history. Nepal is a beautiful blend of Indian Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist cultures. We will note the same qualities in the foods as well.

Nagarkot: Closing the Cycle in the Himalayas

We close the 12-day tour cycle in the heart center of the Himalayas and within ourselves. On the third evening in Nepal, we celebrate our shared ecstatic experience with a private dinner and party: live music, Nepalese cuisine, spirits, and a henna artist to illustrate your hands and feet are on order. The following day we take our private luxury coach to Kathmandu for our last group meal. Then we head to Tribhuvan International Airport for our final departure home. Guests are optionally welcome to stay in Kathmandu to explore the city’s culture, historical sites, and shopping opportunities at their own expense.