Spiritual Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
From USD 0.00
Office phone number: +977 9801123617
Spiritual Nepal
Kathmandu, Nepal
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Cover all the spiritual bases on this multifaith Kathmandu tour. Learn about Buddhism in Boudhanath, meet holy Hindu “sadhus” in Pashupatinath, and then look into your future with a local palm-reader. Fingers crossed there's travel, glory and a lottery win ahead!
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Highlights
- Rotate the prayer wheels along with local Buddhists and light a butter lamp in Boudhanath
- Interact with the 'Sadhus'- Hindu Holy Men in Pashupatinath
- Get an acquaintance with a Hindu palm-reader and get your palms read like the locals do
- Witness the evening "Aarati" – an offering of lights to the Lord at Pashupatinath Temple
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- Your Spiritual Nepal tour includes entrance fees to the UNESCO-listed Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa, which helps preserve local cultural heritage and ensures these important sites are maintained.
- Should you choose to have your palm read during the tour, the fee for the reading supports the local palm-readers who would otherwise have no access to tourist money.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Meeting point:
Hotel Marshyangdi, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 3.00 PM
- Ending point:
Hotel Marshyangdi, Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entry fees to Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, transportation costs (from the meeting point to Boudhanath, and from Pashupatinath temple to the endpoint).
Exclusions: Lunch / dinner, tips/gratuities for your guide, alms to holy men and monks, palm reader’s fees.
Meet up with your guide and fellow travelers at the meeting point and hop in for a ride in a cab (local taxi for up to 2 people, private cab for more than 2 people) to the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal: the Boudhanath Stupa. Rotate the prayer wheels along with the locals as you circumnavigate the magnificent white spherical dome and offer prayers to Lord Buddha by lighting a traditional butter lamp.
After this spiritual experience, walk for around 15 minutes to Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu pilgrimage site of Nepal. At Pashupatinath, go on an insightful spiritual journey of Hindu beliefs, the cycle of birth and death, and the stories of Sadhus - Hindu Holy Men, who renounce their hedonistic social life to devote their life to Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction). You can also get your future read by a local palm-reader! Witness one of many cremations along the banks of Bagmati River, and interact with soot-smeared, saffron-clad, dreadlocked Sadhus.
As the sun goes down, brace yourself to be overwhelmed by throngs of locals as they gather around on the banks of Bagmati River on the eastern side of Pashupatinath Temple. Watch along with them the mesmerizing every-day ritual called “Aarati,” which is an offering of lights to Lord Pashupatinath. Make sure you keep near your guide and your group lest you get lost in the crowd of locals! Return a transformed person after this divine (and truly local) experience!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, entry fees to Boudhanath and Pashupatinath, transportation costs (from the meeting point to Boudhanath, and from Pashupatinath temple to the endpoint).
Exclusions: Lunch / dinner, tips/gratuities for your guide, alms to holy men and monks, palm reader’s fees.
Dress standard: When packing be aware that dress standards are conservative throughout Asia, especially outside major cities. To respect this and for your own comfort, we strongly recommend modest clothing. This means clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. Loose, lightweight, long clothing is both respectful and cool in the predominantly hot Asian climate. In many rural areas in Asia women will need to wear modest clothing even to swim. Singlets, tank tops and topless sun bathing are all unacceptable. When visiting religious sites men often need to wear long trousers and women a long skirt or sarong.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Additional Information: Please bring comfortable walking shoes and your own water bottle. (If you’re traveling during monsoon season you might want to carry a rain-proof jacket or an umbrella!)
Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +977 9801123617
Email address: info@kathmanduurbanadventures.com
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