Pilgrimage of Spirit: Journey into Nepali Shamanism and Sacred Power Places

Aug 30, 2027

Sep 13, 2027

Nepal

Embark on a transformative pilgrimage through Nepal, where ancient spirituality and vibrant culture meet against the Himalayan backdrop. This journey offers more than visits to sacred sites and bustling bazaars; it offers deep immersion in Nepali shamanism, an animistic tradition rooted in reverence for nature and the interconnectedness of all life.

This pilgrimage centres on exploring power places - sites shaped by centuries of devotion and myth, where tradition holds that the boundary between worlds is thin. As you travel through Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, and the highlands of Nagarkot, you will see sacred and daily life merge: prayer wheels beside stupas, incense in temple courtyards, and the vibrant energy of local bazaars.

This journey offers the chance to learn directly from Nepali shamans, or Jhankri, who serve as healers, protectors, and spiritual guides. Through personal teachings and storytelling, shamans will share their unique paths, including their callings, initiations, and apprenticeships. You will observe their ceremonial dress - colorful robes, feathered headdresses, and mala beads with bandoliers - and discover sacred altar items, each carrying spiritual and ancestral significance.

Firsthand participation is central to this pilgrimage. You will join healing ceremonies that blend drumming, chanting, and trance to restore balance and vitality. Receive teachings on protection, empowerment, and the animistic worldview that recognizes spirit in all aspects of nature. Experience water and fire ceremonies, ancestral rites by the river, and craft personal amulets for spiritual protection.

The journey focuses on healing at personal, community, and environmental levels. Shamans teach that transformation comes from caring for all beings, honoring spirits, and fostering harmony between people and nature. By participating, you become both a student and a supporter of these traditions, helping sustain the communities that uphold them.

This pilgrimage invites you to move beyond the ordinary, follow in the footsteps of yogis, monks, pilgrims, devotees, sages, and shamans, and return home with new insights, greater clarity, and a deeper sense of life's sacredness.

Welcome to a lifetime's pilgrimage.

Detailed itinerary

Legend: B (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner)

Day 1 (Aug 30, 2027): Arrival and warm welcome

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel to check in. At 6:00 PM, the group will meet for an introduction and ceremonial welcome, followed by a traditional Nepali dinner to experience local hospitality and flavours.

(D) Overnight at Apsara Boutique Hotel or similar

Day 2: Exploring Sacred Kathmandu

Begin with a walking tour of central Kathmandu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore revered temples and places of worship, experience the city's spiritual atmosphere, and witness daily rituals that have shaped the Kathmandu Valley for centuries. Visit the Royal Palace, Kumari House, Maha Kaalo Bhairung, Sweeta Bhairung, Kasta Mandapa, and more.

(B/L/D) Overnight at Apsara Boutique Hotel or similar.

Day 3: Introduction to Nepali Shamanism

The day focuses on teachings with Bhola, a respected Jhankri shaman. You will receive an introduction to Nepali shamanism, culture, and traditions, and learn about its foundational principles and practices. This session prepares you for the transformative experiences ahead with the shaman group.

(B/L/D) Overnight at Apsara Boutique Hotel or similar.

Day 4: Pilgrimage to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath

Visit two of Nepal’s holiest sites. At Pashupatinath, Nepal's Guardian Deity and a UNESCO World Heritage site, witness Hindu cremation rituals on the Bagmati River. At Pashupatinath, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the seat of Nepal’s Guardian Deity, witness Hindu cremation rituals on the Bagmati River and explore sacred shrines. At Boudhanath, visit the large stupa, a centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture, surrounded by prayer wheels and chanting pilgrims.

(B) Overnight at Apsara Boutique Hotel or similar.

Day 5: Kathmandu-Bhaktapur (City of Devotees)

After breakfast, transfer to Bhaktapur, a UNESCO World Heritage town renowned for its well-preserved architecture and rich culture. Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square, sacred baths (Hitis), Taumadi and Dattatraya, and the Pottery Square. Today, you’ll witness the Teej Festival, a vibrant celebration dedicated to the goddess Parvati, where women dress in red, dance, and sing to pray for marital bliss and family well-being. Overnight in Bhaktapur.

(B) Overnight at Hotel Vajra or similar.

Day 6: Bhaktapur, Changu Narayan, and Nagarkot

Continue exploring Bhaktapur, known for its squares, temples, and Newari culture. Take a walking pilgrimage to Changunarayan (about a two-hour and a two-and-a-half-hour one-way walk), a UNESCO World Heritage site and the oldest Hindu temple in the Kathmandu Valley, set on a hill with panoramic views and intricate carvings. Return to Bhaktapur, then drive to Nagarkot in the late afternoon for an overnight stay in nature.

(B/D) Overnight in a homestay facility.

Day 7: Nagarkot – Shamanic Retreat Begins

The retreat begins with an introduction to local shamanic groups. Hear personal stories of the 'shamanic call' and initiation ceremonies from both male and female shamans. Next, learn about the shaman's Thaan (sacred altars) and purification rituals to prepare for deeper practice. Participate in a ceremony honouring the Jangali, the forest spirit, with offerings and trance inductions known as Jhaak.