The Trip

The Himalayas have long been known to be the abode of yogis and seekers, of mystics and adventurers alike. Join us on the journey of a lifetime, with Yoga in the Himalayas.

 

Yoga is a science of harmonizing one’s nature, of finding the balance between the many dimensions of our being-- physical, emotional, mental, energetic and spiritual-- and between our inner and outer worlds. Although ancient, Yoga and its sister science of Ayurveda are still very alive in Nepal, woven into the culture, food, daily rituals and traditions. As lived in Nepal, Yoga encompasses all facets of one’s daily life--from how to eat to best serve one’s unique nature, to what it means to be part of a community. In other words, yoga is responsibility-for one’s self and for others.

Embarking on this journey you will have the unique opportunity to take a dip into a land and people that- even in the throws of modernization- resonate with ancient yogic and vedic wisdom.

Yogatara Ale | Lisa Gaustchi

Yogatara (Lisa Gaustchi) is director of Isha, a center of yogic learning and conscious living in Patan. Born in the U.S., raised in France, Yogatara began her journey in Yoga in 1996 when she first arrived in Nepal. With a B.A. in biochemistry, she turned from hard sciences to the life sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda in her search for healing and spiritual growth. Yogatara holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Yogic Sciences from Bihar Yoga University, the first accredited Yoga University, in Bihar, India and a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology. Yogatara now works as yoga therapist, instructor, and counselor. In addition, she is a freelance writer and leads yoga retreats and spiritual journeys to Nepal, India and Tibet. Yogatara strives to embody the teachings of yoga and to follow the example of her teachers, Swami Satyananda and Swami Niranjanananda-- to serve, love and give (www.yogavision.net).

She credits her five beautiful children with continually teaching her this real meaning of Yoga....the opening of the Heart and the art of Living.

Detailed Itinerary

March 25: Kathmandu Arrive at Kathmandu and received by a socialtours member, transferred to a hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu

March 26: Heritage tour of Kathmandu. Visiting Astrologist and Dietitian Half day Kumari tour discovering the local life style of Newars (ethnic group) of the valley is a remarkable feeling. Socialtours proudly announces a splendid walk to the paths of the goddess Kumari into the local areas of the city. To hike into the ethnically rich Newar neighbourhood is a memorable experience for the hikers. One could gain knowledge of the culture, custom, ritual, occupation, destitution and standard of living of Nepalese people close by as the name (Go Local) suggests. After Lunch- visiting to Astrologist to know past and future. That might be interesting. Followed by meeting with Dietitian who will suggestion regarding the meals as per need and want. Overnight at a hotel

March 27: Yoga tour In this day, you would visit the yoga instructor Isha in Patan, take a class and would be given a briefing on the trek and could gear up for the trek next day. Overnight at a hotel

>>>>> TREKKING ITINERARY

March 28: Kathmandu to Dhunche (1950m) After an early breakfast, drive North West of Kathmandu (1375m) with packed lunch boxes. The drive till Trishuli Bazaar 71 Kms by Nepali standards is quite comfortable and takes about 4 hours and normally everyone stops for lunch here. After lunch, the road becomes a track with incessant twists and turns. This combined with under maintained roads make the journey a nightmare. Fortunately, the views of the Trishuli Ganga below that accompany the road for nearly 4 hours will keep one distracted. Dunche (1950 Meters), the main town of the Raswa District lies where the Trishuli Khola (which originates in Gosaikund) and the Trishuli Ganga meet. Here are many lodges and some camping sites offering exceptional views of the Tibetan mountain range and Mount Langtang (6958 Meters). Dinner and Overnight at a Teahouse

March 29: Trek to Singompa (3350m) From Dhunche, take the road leading to Syabru Bensi to the northeast. At the end of the village there is a sharp U- turn, and a steep, narrow path starts on the right towards the direction of Gosainkund. Once you have crossed some fields, another forty-five minutes walk will take you to the banks of Trisuli Khola. We cross the river on a small wooden bridge and then the path soon moves away from the north side of the river before it starts climbing up quite steeply in the direction of Deurali, which should be reached after two strenuous hours. The path continues through rhododendron forest and ancient hemlock to the little settlement of Sing Gompa. Duration –5 ½ hrs approx.

March 30: Trek to Gosaikunda(4312 m) After Singompa, the ascent is quite easy and only takes one hour to reach Chalang Pati (3584m). The country changes again becoming alpine and the slope becomes steeper, and after two hours of walking along the ridge and stony scrubland, arrive at the hamlet of Laurebina (3900 m) for a lunch. And follow the ridge for about an hour then the path gently descends until it reaches the first glacial lake Saraswati Kund (4,000m). A little further up is the Bhairav Kund (4,150m) and from here it takes about an hour to reach the final lake Gosainkund (4,380m). Duration of the trek 2 ½ hrs Dinner and Overnight at a Teahouse March 31: Yoga day at Gosainkund In the day it is worth exploring the surroundings. There are some caves which the pilgrims use as shelters during festivals. A huge white rock, engraved with a stylised trident, emerges dramatically from the centre of the lake. According to legend, when Divine Shiva threw his trident (Trishul) here, the glacier melted giving birth to the Trishuli River. Dinner and Overnight at a teahouse

April 01: Trek to Ghopte (3430 m) via Laurebina pass (4,609m) After leaving the hamlet of Gosaikund, walk along the northern bank of the river until we meet up with the trail leading to the pass. The climb may require two to three hours depending upon ones staying power. On the way there are many smaller lakes but the most significant one is the Surja Kund, as it is the largest as well as closest to the track leading to the Laurebina pass. The Laurebina Pass, at the height of 4,609 meters, is at somewhat modest altitude for the Himalaya and presents no technical difficulties. The path suddenly descends along the northern bank of the Thadi Khola and it may take about two to three hours to reach Ghopte, where a few rocks will provide you shelter for the night. (Note: If all goes well and have enough time on our hands, one can continue on to Tharepatti for overnight Camp instead of Ghopte because there are better camping spots at Tharepatti. The trek entails another 1 ½ - 2 hours of walking most of which is downhill and quite pleasant.) Dinner and Overnight at a teahouse

April 02: Trek to Kutumsang (2460 m) via Tharepati (3630 m). As you descend down the ridge at Ghopte, the trail continues up the ravines and across the boulders, then you make the final ascent to Tharepati at 3630 meters. The trail from Tharepati is all the way downhill till Sundarijal except for a few surprising ascents. From Tharepati it takes 5 hrs to reach Kutunsang and the path is mostly downhill. Duration of Trek 7 Hours Dinner and Overnight teahouse at Kutumsang

April 03: Trek to Chisapani (2181m) From Kutumsang you can easily reach Chisapani in about 6 hours via Gulbhanjyang. The view from Chisapani is spectacular enough to justify a night here. Dinner and Overnight a teahouse at Chisopani.

April 04: Trek to Sundarijal - Kathmandu. Following the ridgeline, the trail makes an ascent for about 45 minutes to bring one to the crest of the ridge. Then it descends through jungly country passing the deserted ruins of the Buryong Bhanjyang Village where once a thriving village was located. Descend steeply further down for about an hour to arrive at a army camp. Normally lunch is prepared here because of the beautiful and quiet location however one can continue down for another hour arriving at a large water project which supplies much of Katmandu’s drinking water in an immense pipe. From here it is about 30 minutes to the settlement of Sundarijal. Upon arrival meet waiting vehicles for the 1 hour drive to Kathmandu.

>>> KATHMANDU GO LOCAL Series

April 05: Cooking class - Organic Farm house Breakfast followed by cooking class. This starts with the walk to the local vegetable market. Cooking like a local then lunch. After the class, drive to an organic farm in Gamcha (8 km drive) for overnight stay.

April 06: Pottery- Bhaktapur After breakfast drive to Thimi for pottery. See the processes and learn how to throw a pot, or a cup, or a saucer, making your own souvenir that you get to take when you return back. TA the same time tour of Thimi, old Bhaktapur / Newari village to view the traditional style of making pottery and to explore their lifestyle. Drive to Bhaktapur. Overnight at Bhaktapur

April 07: Bhaktapur- Kathmandu Early morning: Bhaktapur tour with local guide. It is a best opportunity to see the real life style of locals and cultural activities. After breakfast drive back to Kathmandu via stopping for some Responsible shopping at Patan. Overnight at Kathmandu

April 08: Kathmandu: Garden of Dreams. Departure The Garden of Dreams is a historical garden located in Thamel (nearby socialtours). It was created by late Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana (1892-1964) around 1920. It was considered as one of the most sophisticated private gardens of that time belonged to Kaiser Sumsher. The garden of dreams became a place of peaceful oasis with full of unique architect and varieties of flowers and fauna brought from the different countries. You would be served with international standard cuisines with Nepalese or Continental food for farewell lunch in the Kaiser Cafe in the garden itself. Transfer to the airport and depart from Kathmandu.