Kathmandu Yoga 2-Day Tour Highlights
- Two-day yoga and meditation programme in Kathmandu, designed for travellers with limited time who want a focused practice setting
- Hatha yoga and pranayama practice at a quiet ashram, less than an hour from Thamel
- Pranayama and meditation sessions paired with each asana class, taught in the Hatha tradition
- Vegetarian satvik meals throughout, prepared by a cook who understands yogic dietary principles
- Suitable for first-time retreatants and experienced practitioners; extendable to our 8-day Kathmandu and Pokhara version
Why I built this trek the way I did
I am Shreejan, the founder of The Everest Holiday. This is the short yoga retreat for travellers between treks or business commitments who have two days in Kathmandu and want their breath back. It is not a luxury wellness package and it is not a beginner intro. The teaching is real, the meals are simple, and the ashram is a quiet place to practise.
Most yoga tours in Kathmandu run as add-ons to sightseeing schedules and treat the practice as filler. I built this one with the asana, the meditation and the meals as the main schedule, with no sightseeing built in. If you want more sightseeing, the 8-day Kathmandu and Pokhara version is the right fit.
Every booking helps fund the teacher's salary at our Nagarjun Learning Center in Saldum, where 70 children get free education out of my own pocket.
The road climbs out of Kathmandu through terraced hills and thins to a track. The noise drops away—first the horns, then the engines, then the voices—until the only sounds are birdsong and wind through sal trees. The ashram is less than an hour's drive from Thamel, but it feels completely separate from the city. Inside, the rooms are simple: a bed, a window, and clean walls. The yoga hall faces the valley. When you sit cross-legged on the mat and close your eyes, stillness comes naturally. It's already there, waiting.
This is a short, quiet retreat built around breathing, sitting and simple postures. Led by a certified instructor trained in classical Ashtanga yoga, the programme covers Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Dhyana (meditation), and the foundations of Patanjali's Eightfold Path. It's not a fitness class dressed up as spirituality. It's an honest introduction to yoga as a way of living—taught in a setting where the culture of Nepal and the stillness of the hills do half the teaching for you. Many people book it before or after a trek. You leave with a few breathing and sitting practices you can keep using at home.
What Makes This Retreat Worth It
- Ashram-style simplicity—live as they do at traditional Nepali ashrams in a quiet retreat centre set in the hills, less than an hour's drive from Thamel, where the noise and pace of the city can't reach you.
- Classical Ashtanga yoga taught properly—not just poses, but the full Eightfold Path, including ethical foundations (Yama/Niyama), breathwork (Pranayama), meditation (Dhyana), and the path to self-awareness (Samadhi).
- Morning Hatha or Ashtanga-based asana sessions to wake the body, followed by afternoon philosophy discussions and guided meditation rooted in both yogic and Buddhist mindfulness traditions.
- Perfect for short stays — ideal if you're passing through Kathmandu and want a meaningful yoga experience without committing to a longer retreat.
- No previous yoga experience needed — the instructor meets you where you are, adapting every session to your level and any physical conditions.
- Vegetarian meals prepared with fresh local ingredients, included on Standard and Luxury (Budget is bed and breakfast).
- From USD 265 per person for two guests: two days of guided practice with a certified instructor. The price per person falls as the group grows.
2-Day Retreat Overview
The retreat follows a clear rhythm. Day one is in Kathmandu. After you settle in at your hotel, your instructor meets you there for an introduction, asks about your experience and what you want from the two days, and takes you through a gentle first session. The evening is free, with dinner at a nearby restaurant. On day two your guide collects you from Thamel at two o'clock and you drive to the ashram, less than an hour away, arriving around three. Your first practice begins at four, a gentle session of Hatha yoga and breathwork. Dinner is a vegetarian meal eaten together, and an evening teaching session follows.
The evening teaching session is an introduction to the Eightfold Path of classical yoga, given as a conversation about how that old wisdom applies to modern life. It closes with a guided meditation, and then we drive you back to your hotel in Kathmandu for the night.
Before You Arrive
Day one is your arrival day. Your instructor meets you at your hotel in Kathmandu for the first session, and on day two your guide collects you from Thamel at two o'clock for the drive to the ashram.
Your Online Briefing
After you book, we'll send you an email with available times for a video call. This is your chance to discuss your yoga experience, any injuries or conditions, and what you hope to gain from the two days. We'll cover what to bring, what to expect, and answer every question.
Your Retreat, Your Way
This is a private retreat. Your group practices with your instructor at your own pace. We'll never add strangers to your group. Want a longer morning practice? Prefer more meditation and less philosophy? We adjust everything.
Compare Our Packages
| Budget | Standard | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | USD 265 | USD 340 | USD 590 |
| Meals | Breakfast included (bed and breakfast) | All meals included (vegetarian, full board) | All meals plus fruit, nuts and soft drinks |
| Accommodation | Tourist-class hotel, bed and breakfast | 3-star hotel | Luxury hotel |
| Transport | Local vehicle | Shared tourist vehicle | Private vehicle |
| Instructor | Certified yoga instructor (all sessions) | Certified yoga instructor (all sessions) | Certified yoga instructor (all sessions) |
| Includes | All yoga sessions, meditation, philosophy talks, certificate of participation | All yoga sessions, meditation, philosophy talks, certificate of participation | All yoga sessions, meditation, philosophy talks, certificate of participation |
Everything you need for a genuine yoga retreat — no hidden costs, no extras required.
Kathmandu Yoga Tour at a glance
| Duration | 2 days, from Kathmandu |
|---|---|
| Route | Kathmandu |
| Style | Private or small group, easy, a short yoga and wellness retreat |
| Good for | A short wellness break woven into a Kathmandu stay |
| Best months | October to November and March to April |
Best time for the Kathmandu Yoga Tour
| Season | Months | What it is like | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn | October to November | Clear skies and festival season, the best window | Best overall |
| Spring | March to April | Warm and pleasant | Great |
| Winter | December to February | Cool, clear and quiet | Good |
| Monsoon | June to mid-September | Warm, humid and green with afternoon rain | Fair |
Your Retreat, Our Family
When Hari Lal Simkhada helped international travellers experience the Himalayas, he could not have imagined his grandson would still be doing the same thing, in a family with three generations of guiding in the Himalayas. His son, Ganesh Prasad Simkhada, went on to hold senior positions in Nepal's tourism and mountaineering institutions. Today, Shreejan Simkhada carries that legacy forward as CEO of The Everest Holiday, personally designing every itinerary and hand-picking the instructor for your retreat.
For this yoga retreat, your certified instructor has been personally selected by Shreejan for their depth of knowledge in classical yoga and their ability to teach students of all levels.
Need anything? WhatsApp Shreejan directly: +977 9810351300.
Why Yogis Trust Us
A short retreat does not have to be a shallow one. The time goes on practice with a certified instructor, not on sightseeing.
Kathmandu insiders. Our family has lived here for generations. We take you to the quiet corners of the city where the real spiritual energy lives—away from the tourist crowds.
Over 300 reviews on TripAdvisor, Google and Trustpilot. Four-time TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice winner (2019, 2020, 2023, 2024). Government registered, TAAN Member #1586.
Solo Travellers Welcome
This retreat is perfect for solo travellers. Most of our guests arrive alone, and the ashram setting creates a natural sense of community from the first session. You can book it privately, or let us know, and we'll list your date as a fixed departure so other solo yogis can join you. Group size ranges from 1 to 20.
Women travelling solo will find this retreat particularly welcoming. The retreat centre is safe, well-established, and staffed by experienced people. The small group size and contemplative pace create an environment where you can truly let your guard down and be present.
Difficulty: Easy
There is no trekking, no hiking, and no physical challenge beyond the yoga practice itself. The retreat centre is at approximately 1,400 m—the same altitude as Kathmandu—so there are no altitude-related concerns. Sessions are adapted to all levels, and your instructor provides modifications for every pose. If you can sit comfortably on a mat and are willing to try, you're ready for this retreat.
Where part of your price goes
In 2019, Shreejan Simkhada and Shamjhana Basukala founded the Nagarjun Learning Center to give back to the communities that shaped their family. Today, 70 children receive free education and hot meals daily at the flagship centre in Saldum Village, Dhading District. The centre has expanded to 7 locations across Nepal, provided free medical care to over 600 people, and brought internet access to 65 children for the first time in their village's history.
A portion of every booking with The Everest Holiday supports the Nagarjun Learning Center, which is verified and listed on the UN Partner Portal.
