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Yes.
Getting a visa to Nepal is usually an easy and a simple process.You can either get your visa from home through an appointment with the embassy, or receive it upon arrival in Kathmandu airport, Nepal.
Visa upon arrival are given to most nationalities from Europe/the Western World. You can either choose a visa of 15 days, 30 days or 90 days.
I advice that you check the visa rules of your country via the Nepali embassy in your country. Check their website or schedule a call with them.
Should you need to extend your visa, this can easily be done in one of the 2 main large cities of Nepal: Kathmandu and Pokhara. I have done this myself multiple times and can be of assistance with the extension process should you need it. -
Short answer is yes. Yet Nepal is a cash-culture country. Local restaurants, small shops and shopping areas usually only take cash, and if they take card it is with an added fee. ATM’s er widely available in Pokhara and Kathmandu, though it costs around 500npr. (3,5€) every time you make an ATM wihdrawel. ATM’s also have a limit on how much you can withdraw at a time. Their valuta exchange rates offices are usually incredible accurate and in my experience very reliable, I therefore advice that you
1) travel to Nepal with cash, preferably EURO (American dollar will also do), and exchange your cash to Nepali rupees. This is a very simple process and can be done all over Kathmandu and in certain places in Pokhara as well. They usually only receive paper, not coin.
2) pay with card whenever possible, fx. for a trek, to make a hostel/hotel reservation (online) etc.
3) limit the visits to the ATM and once you do you take out a bigger amount to avoid paying for the ATM fee too many times.
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Cash! Everything on this matter is explained in the questions above!
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You fly to the capital KATHMANDU. One of my favourite big cities in the World! From there you either take the scheduled bus to Pokhara or up for a domestic flight from Kathmandu - Pokhara.
I have hired the best bus company with the best seats (soft and wide) possible. Travelling with the bus through the country is a far journey, a very bumpy ride and local experience. Expect between 10-12 hours.
The flight, though a little more expensive, takes 25 minutes.Should you choose to upgrade your trip and arrive “less tumbled” at the Retreat, reach out to my friend, business partner and owner of the Retreat Center, Ishwor. He is of service and will be assisting you on the matter. I myself only fly with Buddha Air when flying domestically in Nepal, and Ishwor have an in with the airline and can therefore provide you with great service and good tickets for the price of 100 US$ from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Contact Ishwor via Whatsapp: +977 982-4133153Tell him your name and that you are/will be a participant at my Retreat.
If you arrive by plane or are already in Pokhara, by October 9th. you have the possibility to join the group and sleep at the hostel. If not, this does not change the price of the Retreat. -
I understand this choice. The bus journey - though beautiful - is a ride!
I myself only fly with Buddha Air when flying domestically in Nepal, and my friend, business partner and owner of the Retreat center, Ishwor, have an in with the airline and can therefore provide you great service and good tickets for the price of 100 US$.
Contact Ishwor via Whatsapp: +977 982-4133153
Tell him your name and that you are/will be a participant at my Retreat. -
There is reliable wifi connection at our Retreat location at GreenHills.
Do keep in mind that we are in a mountainous country atop of the World and that stable connection can fluctuate.
Prior to coming to the Retreat I advice that you give your family or friends my contact number (phone number, email and instagram) so that in case of emergency they can get in touch with you through me as well. -
Simpel answer; No. We are all different and so are our needs. You are adult women and I trust your flow. If you need to sit over a class, feel uncomfortable with spa treatments, wish to be in your own space for some hours or have a private chat with me this is all possible. This Retreat is for YOU! Show up authentically, as who you are.
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Yes. I provide one free discovery call of 15 minutes for thos who feel the need to connect with me or speak about certain things before signing up. Don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here.
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Yes.
When signing up for ‘Himalayan Soul Retreat’ you can either pay the full amount at once, or choose the option of paying in 1-2 rates. If the rates are not payed for on time you loose your spot. To secure your spot at ‘Himalayan Soul Retreat’ a payment of 500€ is required up front. -
Yes!
The rule applies: first come first served. All the details about private rooms, as well as insights of the Retreat center, can be read under “Location” in the bottom of the page. -
Once your spot for this Retreat is confirmed, you will gain access to another private website (only available for the participants). Here you will see you will have the packing, advise on how to dress, information about how to find good flight connections and more!
Essentials packing list:Passport
Copy of passport
2-4 passport sized photos
Printed copy of your travel insurance
Cash, preferably Euro (American dollar is also fine)
Visa card, Mastercard etc. It can be a good idea to travel with 2 different cards
Personal medication if needed
Pocket size sanitiser
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Yes, absolutely! Once your spot at the Retreat is confirmed I will invite you into the WhatsApp group with all the participants. That way you can easily connect and make plans if some of you are arriving days before, wish to stay at the same hostel or share a cab from the airport etc.
Make sure to have WhatsApp downloaded. This is also an app widely used in Nepal. -
The bus journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes between 8-12 hours. To ensure that everyone arrives, well and rested, at the Retreat on the 10th. of October, I have arranged for a private bus to pick you up in Kathmandu on the 9th. of October at 8AM from Flock Hostel (in Thamel, Kathmandu Central). The bus will take you straight to Pokhara, with a stop over for a local Nepali vegan lunch, before dropping you off at Pokhara Backpackers Hostel, where my friend Sam awaits you. Lunch, dinner at the hostel and a nights stay is all taken care of and payed for.
If you arrive by plane or are already in Pokhara by October 9th. you have the possibility to join the group at the hostel in the evening. A great vegan dinner in house is being made for you! If not, this does not change the price of the Retreat. -
I absolutely recommend you do so. You are not insured by ‘Himalayan Soul Retreat’.
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Check the “Refund policy” in the bottom of the page.
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Nepal is a beautiful melting pod of many different religious beliefs.
The main religions followed in Nepal are Hinduism and Buddhism.
As per the census of 2011, 81.3% of the Nepalese population is Hindu, 9.0% is Buddhist 4.4% is Muslim, 3.0% is Kirant/Yumaist, 1.4% is Christian and 0.9% follows other religions.
This is first and foremost a Spiritual country in my experience. -
I asked a local friend this question. His reply was: “It’s totally fine! Nepal is a country with religious tolerance hence people respect every belief. “
I have seen people of different faiths sitting side by side praying at the same sights in Nepal. A rare sight.I have read that there has never been any noticeable conflicts between Hindu and Muslim communities or any other religious communities in Nepal. The Government of Nepal declared Nepal as a secular state and has provided rights to all the religious communities equally.
A general guideline in life and the spiritual law of Karma is ‘You respect them and they respect you.’ -
As a general rule we do not show public display of affection no matter the sex of our partner. Nepali people tend to be shy or private when it comes to showing affection towards their partner. Remember that we are in a country where we bow and say “Namaste” when greeting one another, instead of shaking hands or hugging. That is the cultural customs here and I strongly suggest that you honour it and follow it as we are privileged to be guests in this country.
As for being of a different sexual orientation: Same sex marriage has become legal in Nepal in recent times. I advice that you look up local or travellers Facebook group or forums to get more details.
Furthermore, Nepal, similarly to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, has an indigenous third gender community, considered by society as neither male or female.
As for the Retreat: YOU ARE WELCOME AS YOU ARE! -
This is not a raw food Retreat.
This is a whole foods, plant-based and vegan Retreat. We provide high quality, locally sourced, organic and nutrient dense foods for you on this Retreat. This includes both raw and cooked foods.
This is not a tropical country but a mountainous one and that shows in the food as well. If you are a fully raw vegan it is important that you get ready to enjoy cooked food for this Retreat as well. I myself was a fully raw vegan for 5 years until I travelled around Nepal. Here I too enjoy their local cuisine which is NATURALLY plant based (isn’t that amazing!) made with vegetables, rice and beans.
The menu will be a blend of raw and cooked vegan cuisine. Expect abundant salads, fresh juices, colourful smoothie bowls, potatoes salads, rice, beans and more local cuisine that will make your taste buds dance! -
Yes.
Please notify me via email post signing up about any allergies. This goes for both food, things found in nature and medication.
All food served at the Retreat or eaten when out together on excursions with the group is plant based and vegan.
This means that if you are a muslim and eat halal, this will be no issue as no animal foods will be served or be available for or at my Retreats. -
Whether you are looking to do a trek, have some amazing sight seeing in Kathmandu, emerge yourself in the culinary scene or are looking for great hostels or hostels, I got you! Much more information will follow on this matter in the coming months. If you wish to book a trek after the Retreat I advice that book with the best guide there is! Dipendra. He is an incredible guy and a dear friend, and will keep you - a solo travelling female treker - safe and inspired! Reach out to him via +977984-1490392, or contact him via instagram @explorewith_dipendra.
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My last Retreat was in 2021 and got sold out in less than 24 hours! If you feel a resonance with this Retreat, with me and wish to participant in this adventure and have a transformative experience I strongly suggest that you sign up now and join us in Nepal in October 2024!
No other future Retreats are booked or planned.