Kathmandu: Spiritual Nepal Experience

Embark on a spiritual adventure through Kathmandu's rich heritage that takes you on an unforgettable, multifaith journey! Start at Boudhanath, where you'll immerse yourself in Buddhism. Partake in kora, rotate prayer wheels, visit the monastery, and pay your respects like the locals. Then, explore the vibrant Hindu culture at Pashupatinath, one of Hindus' holiest sites. Glimpse the life of the sadhus, witness people get their future read by a local palm reader, witness cremations along the Bagmati River, and partake in the mesmerizing Aarati ritual – an enchanting offering of lights at Pashupatinath Temple.

Highlights

• Visit the two UNESCO Heritage Sights - Boudhanath & Pashupatinath
• Rotate the prayer wheels along with local Buddhists.
• Get a glimpse of the Sadhu lives.
• Witness the cremation ceremony.
• Take part in the evening "Arati" – 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.

If you choose the option of offering butter lamps at Boudhanath, have your palm read (varies 7.5$ to 9$/pp) during the tour, and take pictures or interact with sadhus (cost 7.5$) (guide will also assist the guests in negotiating with the palm readers and Shadus accordingly.), it supports the local communities and readers and sustains the lives of sadhus who would otherwise have no access to tourist money.

Meet up with your guide and fellow travelers, then head to Boudhanath Stupa, the largest Buddhist Stupa in Nepal, and a UNESCO Heritage sight. Join the locals in rotating the prayer wheels and partake in the Kora around the magnificent white spherical dome. If it interests you, visit a local Thanka Shop to learn about these intricate artworks. Each element of the art holds a significant meaning about the Buddhist culture. You might also see artists at work bringing the cultural masterpiece to life.

After this spiritual venture, either walk for around 15 minutes or drive to Pashupatinath Temple, the largest Hindu pilgrimage site in Nepal. Here, go on an insightful journey of Hindu beliefs, the cycle of birth and death. Get glimpses of the lives of Sadhus, and if you wish to know more, offer alms to unfold their stories. These soot-smeared, saffron-clad, dreadlocked Sadhus are renounced for their hedonistic social life to devote their life to Shiva, the Hindu God of Destruction. You can also opt to have your future read by a local palm reader!

Witness the solemn cremations along the banks of the Bagmati River. As the sun goes down, brace yourself to be overwhelmed by throngs of locals as they gather around on the banks of the Bagmati River on the eastern side of Pashupatinath Temple. Watch along with them the mesmerizing everyday ritual called Aarati which offers lights to Lord Pashupatinath. Make sure you keep near your guide and group to navigate the bustling crowd.

Return from this tour a transformed person, having experienced the divine and the local substance of Kathmandu's spiritual heritage.