THE SACRED YATRA EXPERIENCE with Jason Gregory
NOVEMBER 2024
The Sacred Yatra Experience is the ultimate pilgrimage of the spiritual traditions of Asia. The Footsteps of the Himalayan Yogi Nepal Tour is one of the most unique travel experiences in the world. You can travel with author, philosopher, and teacher Jason Gregory on a mystical tour of Nepal to explore and trace the footsteps of the Himalayan Yogi. Get unique insights into Jason’s knowledge of the East and the memory of the masters and scared places you will visit. Jason wishes to take people to the most sacred places in the sacred Kathmandu valley to show that the ancient Hindu and Buddhist cultures are thriving. But this can only be experienced by those willing to join him on this pilgrimage of the heart.
Our 10-day itinerary includes visits to the most breathtakingly beautiful and mystical places in Nepal. We will travel through Nepal to visit the most important sacred places in Nepalese history. Most people never get the chance to experience face-to-face the archaic origins and sacred sites of Nepal’s spiritual culture. But on this journey, you will get a once in a lifetime opportunity to actually feel the ancient living spiritual culture that is still thriving in the sacred places you will visit. You will also get the chance to meet real-life mystics and mingle with the beautiful people of Nepal.
What is more, during the tour you will take part in private discourses given by Jason Gregory. He will show you the significance of how the great Eastern spiritual traditions can help you live more harmoniously in the modern world. You will begin to understand the deep wisdom the mystics of the East expounded for you to find true happiness and fulfilment in this life. And this is the reason for joining Jason Gregory on his tour of Nepal to follow in the Footsteps of the Himalayan Yogi. This is a once-in-a-life-time experience!
Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A representative of the tour team will welcome guests at the Tribhuvan International Airport and transport them to the hotel. After the check-in process at the hotel, guests will have time to rest and recuperate while all guests arrive at the hotel.
On day 2, we will explore two of the most sacred sites for Buddhists and Hindus in the Kathmandu Valley. In the morning, we will visit Boudhanath, one of the largest spherical stupas in the world because of its massive mandala. The Boudhanath Stupa is a sacred place of pilgrimage for Buddhists. We will circumambulate the stupa many times in meditation. Later, we will enjoy all the wonderful shops and culture that are thriving in Boudhanath.
In the late afternoon, we will visit the famous Pashupatinath Temple located along the Bagmati River. This is a very sacred temple for Hindus and is considered the most sacred place in Nepal. The temple serves as the seat of Nepal’s national deity, Pashupati, who is an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva. We will explore the temple complex, visiting the ritual cremation ghats and the many sadhus along the banks of the Bagmati River. In the early evening, we will attend the Pashupatinath Bagmati Aarti, a sacred Hindu ritual performed along the banks of the Bagmati River.
On day 3, we will travel to the ancient city of Bhaktapur and visit the famous Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Bhaktapur is the largest of the three Newar kingdoms; the other two kingdoms are Kathmandu and Patan. All three are home to a Durbar Square (royal palace), but Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square is the most impressive. It actually consists of four distinct squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square). It has Hindu and Buddhist iconography scattered all throughout the complex. We will explore this ancient complex all throughout the day.
In the morning, we will travel to the Kopan Monastery. This monastery is a famous place for retreat for Tibetan Buddhists and is very popular with the locals. We will explore the monastery grounds and meditate in the temple in the morning.
After lunch at Kopan Monastery, we will walk up to Pullahari Monastery. This monastery is one of the most peaceful places in the Kathmandu Valley. It’s not as well known as Kopan Monastery, which makes it a lot more quiet and conducive for meditation. It is a hidden gem in the Kathmandu Valley.
On day 5, early in the morning, we will go to the Swayambunath Stupa. This stupa is picturesque as it sits atop a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. Swayambunath is second only to Boudhanath for Tibetan Buddhists, though it is one of Jason’s favorite stupas in the world. On top of this hill, you get a wonderful view of the Kathmandu Valley. We will also circumambulate the foot of the hill, which is lined with prayer wheels for meditation. Along our circumambulation, we will arrive at the Buddhist trinity statues of Amitabha Buddha, Avalokitesvara (Guanyin), and Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche), where we will meditate.
Later in the morning, we will visit the Budhanilkantha Temple. Located in Budhanilkantha, Budhanilkantha Temple is a Hindu open-air temple dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu. Budhanilkantha Temple is also known as Narayanthan Temple and is famous for a large reclining statue of Lord Mahavishnu.
After lunch, we will visit Nagi Gompa Hermitage, where the great Dzogchen master, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, spent 33 years of his life, including two decades in retreat. We will explore the hermitage and meditate over the clear view of the Kathmandu Valley from the north to the south.
Dhulikhel is one of the most picturesque areas located in the Kathmandu Valley. It is high up on the eastern rim of Kathmandu Valley, where for the next two days you will enjoy breathtaking views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Early in the morning on day 6, we will travel to Dhulikhel, where we will stay for two nights. On the way to Dhulikhel, we will stop at the Kailashnath Mahadev, the world’s tallest Shiva statue. After this, we will continue our journey to Dhulikhel and explore this small mountain town in the afternoon.
On day 7, we will breathe in the Himalayan mountain air. We will go on a small trek through the Peace Forest to visit Shanti Ban, a massive golden statue of the Buddha, and then onto the famous Kali Temple. The rest of the day we will explore the surrounding area and absorb the culture and mountain views.
On day 8, we will trek to Namo Buddha, a small community home to the Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery. Namo Buddha is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists. This is one of the most serene places within the Kathmandu Valley for meditation and contemplation. We will spend the morning there in meditation and enjoy the breathtaking views of the area before we trek back to our hotel to relax.
In the morning on day 9, we will wake up to the beautiful Himalayas and reflect on our journey. We will enjoy a little peace and quiet before we head back to Kathmandu. After breakfast, we will travel to Kathmandu. In the afternoon, we will spend a little time exploring Kathmandu while enjoying our last day together.
After an epic and sacred adventure together, it is time to say goodbye to Nepal. After breakfast, we will be flying back to our homes.
The order of places that we are going to visit might be modified.
* Price per person: $3300 USD (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD) for one room.
* Early bird single ticket: $3100 USD (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD) for one room. Available until August 15, 2024
* Couple Special: $6000 USD (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD) for 2 people to share double room.
* Couple Early Bird: $5800 (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD) for 2 people to share double room. Available until August 15, 2024
* After September 12, 2024 deposit or full payment are nonrefundable. This refund policy is in place because from September 12, 2024 all accommodation and traveling schedule will be booked. There will be no refund after September 12, 2024 as a result.
Price Includes:
* Jason Gregory as your tour host
* 9 nights accommodation at good hotels in Nepal
* Transfers in air-conditioned private transport
* Entrance tickets to all sites
Not Included:
* International flight to Nepal and return flight back to your country
* Domestic flights within Nepal
* Visas and insurance. The onus is on the traveler to ensure that passports, visas and other travel documentation are valid and in order.
* Meals during the tour
* Only $1500 USD deposit during booking for a single ticket (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD).
* Only $3000 USD deposit during booking for a couple ticket (or equivalent in GBP/EUR/AUD).
* Full payment must be received by September 12, 2024.
* September 12, 2024, 2023 deposit or full payment are nonrefundable. This refund policy is in place because from September 12, 2024 all accommodation and traveling schedule will be booked. There will be no refunds after September 12, 2024 as a result.
During booking you should prepare personal details, date of birth, address, phone number, Email address, passport number, Passport Expiration Date (example mm/dd/yyyy). These details you should send to our Email: [email protected]