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Journey of immersion

Journey of immersion in Nepali Dhami - Jhankri Shamanism

October  7 – October 21, 2026

These unique Nepal-Himalayan Experiential Shamanic Pilgrimages are offered to aspiring, curious and interested participants who cherish and understand Shamanism and Animism and are curious about the diverse and deeply rooted shamanic lineage practices that abound in Nepal. These trips are organized and coordinated by Bhola Banstola, a 27th-generation Dhami - Jhankri Shaman with more than three decades of experience leading a wide range of Shamanism and cultural events in Nepal and other countries. 

As the world continues to change, there is a growing need for healing and remembering our role worldwide. We can only achieve this healing by bridging ancient traditions into our modern times. To restore harmony, Elders and other leaders of our practices must unite to preserve, share, and transmit our ancestral wisdom. It's time to protect and spread our Shamanic teachings, knowledge, and culture in unity worldwide.

 

Nepal's renowned Dhami - Jhankri

Shamans, both men and women with diverse cultural backgrounds, will share their lineage rituals and traditions in an eco-friendly village nestled on the slopes of Nagarkot Hills above the medieval UNESCO heritage town of Bhaktapur. All the presentations and ceremonies will be both indoor and outdoor. 

These exciting proposals are built on previous highly successful events. They have a significant advantage over the earlier events. They can be a more intimate and powerful experience for everyone, focusing more specifically on Nepal's rich and varied Shamanism. 

Each proposed itinerary suits everyone to allow interested individuals and groups from different corners of the planet to participate. In the past, many interested folks had to renounce these trips because there was trekking, which they could not do, or there was no trekking, as they wanted to be in nature. 

Therefore, the following proposals have been made, considering each aspirant's taste, physical health, needs, and possibilities. I hope this suits each of you. 

 

The Proposed Programmes 

Each day of these experiential pilgrimages will offer new revelations and opportunities to explore the richness of Nepali culture and practice. The sessions will be presented in the morning, afternoon, and night (if necessary), with lunch and dinner breaks. All participants are encouraged to participate in ceremonies and the group cleansing and healing processes within the stipulated time and space. 

For an enhanced experience, all the presentations, discussions and ceremonies in Nepali or any regional language will be translated into English and vice versa (interpreters simultaneously translate rituals and sacred songs as much as possible). As the Nepali shamans and elders have their rhythms and ways of working and sharing, there will be time to ask questions and get clarity.

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, the program starts with a reception. Then, participants are escorted to a beautiful property in Thamel, the Apsara Boutique Hotel, where there will be a welcome dinner at 7:00PM.

 

The first three nights and two days will be spent in Kathmandu, acclimatizing, visiting, preparing, and resting after a long journey with time differences and jet lag. Then, the group will be transferred for a weeklong retreat with the Dhami-Jhankri-Shamans in a beautiful homestay setting in the village of Nagarkot, immersed in nature. During this retreat, the first three days will be dedicated to shamanic practices, the definition of classes of spirits, causes of disharmony, disease, and group rituals. The fourth day will be allocated to visiting the power places like the nearby waterfall, walking in the forest and resting, or driving to Bhaktapur to visit the UNESCO-recognized medieval town. The final three days of the retreat will be devoted to learning shamanic rhythms, melody, songs, etiquettes and discipline, empowerment of some healing tutelary spirits and deities, and basics of healing on others. The rest of the sojourn will be dedicated to visiting the sacred power places in the Kathmandu Valley and final initiations and empowerment.

Daily program

Programmes and itineraries are subject to change

Legend: B - breakfast, L - lunch, D - dinner

Day 1 (October 7, 2026)

Arrival and check-in at Hotel Apsara followed by get together at 6:30 PM at the hotel's conference hall in the 7th floor -welcoming and opening ceremony followed by a dinner at 8:00 PM in the Ankur Garden Restaurant in front of the hotel. Overnight at Apsara (D)

 

Day 2 (October 8, 2026)

After breakfast, a walking visit to Medieval Kathmandu, a visit to shrines, temples and the resident temple of living virgin goddess Kumari. Lunch in the old town, return to the hotel walking through the traditional local market street, Ason. Visit the sacred art painting gallery and introduction. Dinner and overnight in the hotel (B/L/D)

 

Day 3 (October 9, 2026)

After breakfast, we take a private bus to Pashupatinath shrine dedicated to Shiva, the patron deity of Nepal. Visit the surrounding temples and river bank to observe the funeral rites- discussions about death and dying rituals. We ascend a small hill to watch the shrines, descend to the Bagmati River's bank, and take a private bus to the giant Boudhanath Chaitya( Stupa). Lunch in a restaurant overlooking the stupa, visit and in the late afternoon, return to the hotel. Preparation for the next day's trip to Bhaktapur and Nagarkot, dinner, and early bed (B/D)

 

Day 4 (October 10, 2026)

By private vehicle, we embark on a weeklong journey to stay and experience the UNESCO heritage town of Bhaktapur for two days and two nights and further continue to the Nagarkot Village for a retreat with the traditional Nepali shamanism- the oldest and uninterrupted lineages in the world. On arrival in Bhaktapur we check-in in the hotel if the room are available (it can be too early to get the rooms, in that case we leave our luggages at the lobby) and go to visit the beautiful town. Overnight in a hotel in Bhaktapur (B)

 

Day 5 (October 11, 2026)

After breakfast visit the other parts of Bhaktapur – the stunning tmples, shrines, squares, fountains, etc. And in the late afternoon visit to Bhaktapur Kumari to receive her blessings (Note: as she goes to day school all depends on her availability and timings). Overnight in a hotel in Bhaktapur (B)

 

Day 6 (October 12, 2026)

After breakfast we take a bus ride (about 45 minutes) to the Nagarkot Homestay facility (the participants will be distributed in four or five different houses) and on arrival in the village, welcome, check-in in respective houses, group lunch, rest and in the afternoon, encounter with the shaman-elders. Purification rituals will be followed by invocation, incorporation and practice (B/L/D)

 

Day 7 (October 13, 2026)

After breakfast we wlak about fifteen minutes to reach a long and beautiful bridge and cross to the other side (those who are afraid of height can wait), walk back to the village and get together in the hall and follow teachings. Group lunch and afternoon teachings. After dinner fire cleaning and purification (B/L/D)

 

Day 8 (October 14, 2o26)

After breakfast about half an hour walk to the village shrine dedicated to Jalapa Devi (water goddess) and the labarinth representing the connections with the ancestors and back to the village. Whole-day teachings and the introduction of representative shamans who share their journeys and how they became shamans. Late evening Tatopani – the hot water cleansing ritual (B/L/D)

 

Day 9 (October 15, 2026)

Early morning drive to Batashi Danda, the view point to see the mid and eastern Himalayan ranges (depends on weather of course), come back to the village, breakfast and and practical teachings on Nepali traditional foods. In the afternoon pilgrimage to the Garuda/Eagle/Tundi waterfall, a river water ritual, a walk through the lush green forest, and a return to the village (B/L/D)

 

Day 10 (October 16, 2o26)

All-day teachings from the shamans of different lineages- learning about shamanic drums and practising rhythms and ceremonies (B/L/D)

 

Day 11 (October 17, 2026)

All day, learning and practising, empowerment, protection and final rituals- with the concluding rituals of Life-essence calling, raising the spirits and preparation of protective amulets(B/L/D)- end of the retreat with the shamans

 

Day 12 (October 18, 2026)

After breakfast, drive to Chobar Gorge/Jala Vinayaka/Shesh Narayana/Pharping- Self-generated Tara/Ganesha shrine and Padmasambhava Cave and return to Kathmandu. Overnight in Apsara Hotel (B/L)

 

Day 13 (October 19, 2026)

After breakfast, drive to Patan/Lalitpur, a medieval city of beauty with infinite Bahas/monasteries, temples, squares, art and architecture and Swayambhunath Chaitya (monkey temple). Overnight in Apsara Hotel (B)

 

Day 14 (October 20, 2026)

In the early morning, visit the sacred shrine of Budhanilakantha (the dreamy deity in the cosmic ocean) and return to the hotel for breakfast. Get together in the conference hall for initiation and final rituals. In the afternoon, prepare the bags, rest, and final errands. Farewell dinner. (B/L/D)

 

Day 15 (October 21, 2026)

The trip ends with breakfast. If you plan to remain longer, all necessary arrangements for your departure or assistance will be made (B).

Included services:

  • Transportation for arrival and departure from the airport in Kathmandu 

  • 6/7 days of guided sightseeing of UNESCO Heritage Sights of Kathmandu DS/ Swayambhunath/ Pashupatinath/ Boudhanath/ Pharping/ Bhaktapur/ Patan/ Budhanilakantha.

  • Hotel accommodation: 6 Nights of hotel accommodation in Kathmandu in Apsara Boutique Hotel or equivalent and 2 nights hotel in Bhaktapur

  • Full participation in the 6 days/nights shamanic teachings in retreat and one day in Kathmandu

  • Full board HomeStay facility in Nagarkot (6 nights/ 7 days)

  • Use of conference halls in Nagarkot Community Hall and Apsara Boutique Hotel or equivalent

  • Participation in ceremonies and rituals 

  • Supplies of materials for ceremonies and rituals

  • A ceremonial bag with Shamanic souvenirs 

  • Entrances fees to the temples, monuments and UNESCO heritage sites

  • All the meals – please check the itinerary (B-breakfasts, L-lunches, and D-dinners) are included as per the itinerary, except 4 dinners and 4 lunches (this is to allow participants to go out in small groups or explore the culneries)

  • Transportation: Kathmandu – Nagarkot - Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Patan - Budhanilakantha - Pharping -Swayambhunath - Pashupatinath - Boudhanath and all the places of sightseeing as per the itinerary 

  • Guide service, interpreter, city cultural guide and support staff 

  • Transport, meals and lodging for the Shamans throughout the program 

  • All sacred items and objects necessary for the Shamanic rituals and ceremonies 

  • Group healing rituals

  • Dhami - Jhankri mediation experts and ritual interpretations

  • All government taxes

Excluded services:

  • Your international flight tickets to and from Kathmandu 

  • Nepal tourist visa. You can obtain an entry visa on arrival at the airport by paying a fee of US$ 30 for two weeks- (please check updates before you embark on this trip) 

  • Tips to the service providers like guides, homestays, hotel staffs, drivers, assistants perks and gratitude to the Shamans 

  • Insurance of all types (health insurance, baggage loss, trip cancellation, rescue due to unforeseen circumstances, natural calamities, etc.)

  • Personal expenses like phone calls, laundry, drinks, or anything else are not explicitly included under the clause 'what is included.' 

Cancellation policy

  • ​​60 days before programme start - there are no cancellation fee

  • 59 to 45 days before - 25% cancellation fee

  • 44 to 30 days before - 50 % cancellation fee

  • 29 to 15 days before and after - 100% cancellation fee​
     

​​​Refunds will be made for a valid reason: personal health with a certification of the medical doctor.

Important

  • Please check your passport validity: it should be valid for at least another six months from when you arrive in Nepal. To avoid long lines at the immigration in Kathmandu, you may obtain a Nepali visa in your country.

  • Please have full insurance for your safety.

Any questions?

Write to us! Please send email at

bhumi1008@outlook.com

Book your spot

For tentative daily itineraries and programs, please send email at

bhumi1008@outlook.com

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