Our journey begins on Saturday evening as we depart Cairns at 6:20 PM on SQ204. This first leg to Singapore takes approximately six hours and forty-five minutes, giving us time to settle in and begin the transition to our retreat experience.

We will have a 19-hour layover in Singapore, arriving late at night. After touching down, we will take taxis straight to our accommodation in the city to get some well-deserved rest.

(Included: Accommodation in Singapore)

We will have a 19 hour layover in Singapore to rest or explore the city. We depart Singapore on Sunday evening at 6:55 PM via SQ442 and touch down in Kathmandu at 9:50 PM. We’ll be greeted with a warm Nepalese welcome at the airport by a local Take on Nepal member who will bring us to our hotel in the heart of the city. Since we will be tired after the long journey, we recommend going straight to bed to rest before our first day of sightseeing.

We start our morning at Swayambhunath, the “Monkey
Temple.” Climbing the stairs early in the day is a great way to wake up and see the city from above before the heat and crowds set in. From there, we head back into Thamel for a traditional lunch followed by our sound healing session. Doing this in the middle of the day is a perfect way to escape the midday bustle and ground ourselves before the journey ahead.

In the afternoon, we make our way to the great stupa at Boudhanath. The energy here shifts as the sun begins to go down and the local community comes out to circle the dome. We’ll head into one of the monasteries to meet with the monks for a traditional blessing, which is a powerful way to set our intentions for the trip.

[Breakfast included]

After breakfast, we will visit Pashupatinath. It is the most significant Hindu site in Nepal and offers a profound look at the local spiritual traditions along the Bagmati River.

Afterward, we will spend time at Patan Durbar Square. Patan is famous for its incredible Newari architecture and ancient stone carvings, and it feels a bit more relaxed than the centre of Kathmandu. We can wander through the hidden courtyards and visit the Golden Temple before heading back.

In the evening we will go to a restaurant for a shared dinner and a briefing on the days ahead.

[Breakfast and Dinner included]

Weather permitting, we will depart Kathmandu early in the morning for our 40-minute flight to Pokhara. The views of the Annapurna Range from the plane will make a lasting impression. Upon arrival at the airport, we will be picked up and taken to our hotel.

In the afternoon we have time to do as we choose, a walk to the lake and around the streets of Pokhara is a special way to spend the afternoon.

(Breakfast included)

We check into the Yoga Retreat Centre between 11:00
AM and 2:00 PM to settle into our new surroundings. At 3:00 PM, we gather for a welcome tea and orientation to meet the team and each other. Our formal training begins at 5:00 PM with an introduction to Singing Bowl Training, followed by dinner at 7:00 PM. We end our first night of retreat with Tatak Meditation and Mantra Sound.

[Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included]

Our day starts at 8:00 AM with Qigong and the 6 Healing Sounds led by Renee. After breakfast, we spend the morning exploring the origins of sound healing and the various ranges of mallets used in the practice.

Following lunch, we move into hands-on techniques and a deep dive into energy anatomy. Before dinner, we spend time exploring different instruments for a sound bath and finish the evening with Tatak Meditation.

[Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included]

We begin with our morning Qigong and breakfast before focusing our training on Chakras and sound therapy. After lunch, we participate in a 7 Bowls Therapy session and have the opportunity to receive a sound massage.

The late afternoon is dedicated to guided personal practice, and after dinner, we have free time for personal reflection.

[Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included]

After our morning Qigong and breakfast, we spend the
morning learning about the fascinating relationship between sound and the brain.

In the afternoon, the training focuses on using sound therapy for common ailments and practicing advanced techniques within the dome. We enjoy dinner together at 7:00 PM followed by a quiet evening of reflection.

[Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included]

Following our morning practice and breakfast, we have a Q&A and revision session, followed by self-practice tests and peer reviews. After lunch, we move into a Gong Workshop and a unique session on Water Sound Therapy practice. We hold our final practice at 6:00 PM and conclude the evening with a special sound meditation with Renee.

[Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included]

We start our final morning of training with Qigong and breakfast. At 10:30 AM, we have our closing circle and Q&A, followed by our formal Certification Ceremony at 11:00 AM. We check out of the retreat centre at noon and head back into Pokhara.

After dropping our bags, we take a boat across the lake and hike up to the World Peace Pagoda for those iconic Himalayan views. In the afternoon, we visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp, Devi’s Fall, and the Gupteshwor Mahadev cave before returning to the lakeside for dinner.

[Breakfast and Dinner included]

We start very early with a drive up to Sarangkot hill to watch the sunrise hit the peaks of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. Afterward, we visit the International Mountain Museum to learn about the history of the region.

In the afternoon, we explore the traditional red-brick architecture of Old Pokhara and visit the Seti River Gorge. We finish the day at the Bindhyabasini Temple before enjoying a final sunset by the lake.

[Breakfast included]

After an early breakfast, we head to Pokhara airport for our flight back to Kathmandu. Once we arrive and check into our hotel, the afternoon is free for any final shopping in Thamel. This is the perfect time to pick
up souvenirs or gifts before we head home. In the evening, we gather for our final group farewell dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant.

[Breakfast and Dinner included]

After breakfast, we have one final day to explore Kathmandu at our own pace. We head to the airport in the evening for our 11:05 PM departure on SQ441.

[Breakfast included]

After a short layover in Singapore, we depart on our final flight at 8:40 AM. We arrive back in Cairns at 5:20 PM, completing our journey.