Meet the Monks & Shamans

Meet the Monks & Shamans

Travel safe, fun, meaningful and unforgettable

Highlight

  • Gain novel experiences for the rest of your life.
  • Explore sprituailty and peace of mind within you.
  • Interact, eat, greet, worship, sleep with the monks of the monastery.
  • Visit a Buddhist Monastery and live like a monk for a day.
  • Enjoy astonishing mountain panorama of the Himalayas.
  • Experience the life, food, culture and Shamanism of Nepalese Shamans or Dhami/Jhakri.
  • Hike or drive to the rural and ethnic villages of Shamans.
  • Go to the major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu like Swaymbhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Basantapur Durbar Sqaure, Patan Durbar Square, etc.

Overview

Monks live a simple spiritual life to find inner peace, known as Nirvana. Shamans are spiritual healers who help people through sacred rituals. Meeting both of these spiritual masters is a special experience. This is exactly what the Meet the Monks and Shamans Tour by Sabbatical Explore Nepal offers.

The tour starts with sightseeing in the UNESCO cultural heritage sites of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. Then, the journey continues outside the valley to a Shaman village (Jhakri village). Here, you will live like a local, experience traditional village life, learn about shamanism, take part in rituals and enjoy green surroundings with beautiful Himalayan views.

After that, the tour takes you to a Buddhist monastery, where you will stay with monks. You will spend a full day learning about their daily life, discipline and spiritual wisdom. When you leave the monastery, we hope you will feel calm, peaceful and refreshed.

With meaningful experiences and deep learnings, you will return to Kathmandu for departure. It completes the 10-day Meet the Monks and Shamans Tour.

In short, this tour is a journey into peaceful living, spiritual healing, and rich Nepalese culture. It is perfect for anyone seeking inner peace, wisdom, and a deeper meaning of life.
If this experience interests you, feel free to contact us for more details.

 

Outline Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu & Patan Sightseeing
Day 3: Explore Bhaktapur Cultural city
Day 4: Hike or Drive to Jhakri Village
Day 5: Meet the Shamans (Dhami/Jhakri)
Day 6: Special celebration day
Day 7: Farewell to Shamans & meet the Monks
Day 8: Living with Monks in monastery
Day 9: Back to Kathmandu
Day 10: Fly back home or join next trip

Itinerary

Transportation: Airport pick-up
Accommodation: 3- Star Standard Hotel
Meal: Welcome dinner
We will be there to welcome you to Nepal on your arrival. Together, we’ll head towards your hotel in Kathmandu. You’ll rest and get refreshments at the hotel. Later, we’ll pick you for a welcome dinner with the entire team of the tour. Overnight in Kathmandu’s Hotel.

Trek Duration5/6 hours
Transportation: Private Transport for sightseeing
Accommodation: 3 - Star Standard Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
On the second day, we’ll start the tour from the important cultural heritage sites of Kathmandu and the Patan area. We’ll guide you to the places like Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Basantapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Swaymbhunath Stupa. You’ll explore the cultural and architectural sides of these UNESCO Cultural Heritages sites, which date back ages. After this watchful sightseeing tour, we’ll return to the hotel for the night. Overnight in Kathmandu’s Hotel.

Trek Duration1/2 hours driving and 1/2 hours hiking
Transportation: Private Transport and hiking
Accommodation: 3-star Standard Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Now, we will leave our hotel to visit the cultural Bhaktapur City. Just like Patan and Kathmandu, Bhaktapur is a must-visit place inside Kathmandu Valley for cultural heritage. We’ll reach Bhaktapur after a short city ride. The sightseeing will start from Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the royal palace of old Bhaktapur.  From there, we will drive a little up to a hill where Changu Narayan Temple resides. The temple is one of the oldest temples in Nepal, which displays centuries-old architecture. After exploring both of the places, we will reach to Nagarkot our before sunset for the night stay.

Trek Duration4/5 hours
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll leave for Jhakri Village, a village of Nepalese Shamans. We can reach the village via two ways, drive and hike. As per your liking, we’ll manage things.  En route to the village, we’ll get a breathtaking mountain panorama of the towering mountains of Nepal. Enjoying the walk/drive, we’ll reach the community, where we’ll get a warm welcome from the locals. The rest of the time will be around the settlement among locals. Overnight in the village.

Now, finally, we’ll get to meet the Shamans or Dhami/Jhakri in Nepali. It will be the day when you’ll spend time interacting with the Shamans. You’ll know their wisdom and Shamanism practices. If you are one of them, you’ll have a great time with them sharing each other’s experiences. As we’ll spend the whole day in the village, we’ll go out for walks around the settlement for more interactions. Besides, we’ll witness the natural and cultural beauty of the community. Overnight in Jhakri Village.

After spending a whole day together with the Shamans of the village, we’ll be ready for a special celebration day. On this day, the Shamans will perform their rituals to display spiritual powers and healings. The shamans will celebrate the time by forming a circle, playing drums, humming chants, and dancing jointly. You’ll enjoy and participate in the unique practices of the Shamans of Nepal. Another overnight in the village.

Following two days in the Jhakri Village, it is time to bid a farewell to the Shamans and the village. We’ll drive towards the Buddhist monastery to meet the monks. The monks will greet us with a lovely welcome into the monastery. We will communicate with the monks about how they do things from dawn till dusk at the monastery. They will impart to us their learnings and philosophies throughout the time. We will also observe Buddhist Ceremonies, perform meditation, join prayers, dine with the monks. Overnight in the monastery.

We’ll wake up with the monks at their times to perform morning prayers. After that, we’ll have breakfast with them before doing other things at the monastery. We will use the day to learn more things about life from the monks. We will repeat performing prayers and meditation.   We will spend the day as one of them, doing their daily things from waking up to sleeping. It will be a well-spent day with the monks. You will know yourself better than ever as the Buddhist Monasteries teach you to explore yourself. Overnight in the Monastery.

We will thank the monks and monastery for their hospitality and teachings. Saying them goodbye, we’ll trace back to Kathmandu. On our journey back, we'll explore some ancient cities like Panauti and Nagadesh Thimi breifly.  Next, We’ll arrive at our hotel for a rest. The remaining time will be free time in Kathmandu. If you want to explore some more places in the valley or do some shopping, this will be the time. Overnight in Kathmandu’s hotel.

If you want to return home, we’ll leave you at the airport for your departure. We’ll bid farewell to you until your next trip. Or if you want to join another trip with us, we’ll start preparing for the next one.

What's Included?

  • All ground Private transport.
  • 4 nights Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu & Bhaktapur with Bed & breakfast plan.
  • Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast (Nepali style) in Village & Monastery.
  • Guest House/Tea House accommodation in Village & Monastery.
  • Professional German Speaking Guide (airport to airport).
  • Government tax.

Cost Excludes

  • Nepal Visa
  • International Flight
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Entrance fees to Spiritual Sites
  • Personal Extra expenses
  • Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu & Bhaktapur
  • Tips to Driver & Guide

FAQ's

What is Monks and Shamans Tour in Nepal?
  • The Meet the Monks and Shamans Tour is a 10-day experiential Nepal tour designed to introduce travelers to two distinct spiritual traditions: Buddhist monastic life and indigenous shamanic healing practices. The tour combines cultural sightseeing, village life, spiritual learning and peaceful living.
How long is Nepal Shamans Tour?
  • This tour lasts 10 days, allowing enough time to explore Kathmandu Valley, stay in a Shaman village and live with Buddhist monks in a monastery.
Who are Shamans (Jhakris) in Nepal?
  • Shamans, locally known as Jhakris, are traditional spiritual healers in Nepal. They practice ancient rituals, chants and ceremonies believed to heal physical, mental and spiritual imbalances.
What kind of experience will I have in the Shaman village?
  • You will live like a local, experience traditional village life, observe and participate in shamanic rituals, learn about indigenous beliefs, and enjoy nature, greenery, and Himalayan views.
What will I experience at the Buddhist monastery?

  • Monastic lifestyle

  • Meditation and mindfulness practices

  • Buddhist philosophy and teachings

  • Simple, peaceful living aimed at achieving inner peace (Nirvana)

Who should take the Meet the Monks and Shamans Tour?

  • Spiritual seekers and soul travelers

  • People interested in meditation and healing

  • Cultural explorers

  • Travelers seeking peace, self-discovery, and meaning of life

  • Anyone wanting a unique and transformative Nepal experience

What is the best time to do the Meet the Monks and Shamans Tour?
  • This Tour can happen all year round but the best time to visit Nepal is spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when the weather is pleasant and the Himalayan views are clear.
Is the Meet the Monks and Shamans Tour customizable?
  • Yes, the itinerary can be customized based on your interests, time frame, budget and comfort level.
How can I book the Meet the Monks and Shamans Tour?
  • You can book this tour by contacting Sabbatical Explore Nepal through the website inquiry form, email, or phone. Our team will be happy to guide you.

Trip Reviews

User

We had a wonderful time travelling with Shiva and his team. From the moment we were picked up at the airport until the final drop off, everything was well organised and smooth. We joined the Culture Tour and the Shaman Village hiking trip, which gave us a unique and memorable experience. We visited many important cultural and historical sites around Kathmandu and also had an incredible opportunity to visit monasteries and spend time with monks, which was very special and peaceful.

The program was well planned and allowed us to travel away from the busy tourist crowds, giving us a more authentic and local experience of Nepal. All accommodations during the trip were comfortable and nicely arranged. It truly felt like a great opportunity to explore Nepal in a more local and meaningful way.

The Team Sabbatical members were very friendly, helpful, and always ready to support us. Whenever we had questions or needed help, someone was always available immediately to give answers and solve any problems.

We highly recommend the “Meet Monks Shamans with Boudhanath Stupa Tour” together with the Kathmandu Cultural Tour. It is a beautiful and enriching experience for anyone who wants to understand Nepal’s culture and spiritual traditions.

Meet the Monks & Shamans - 10 Days
Price USD 595
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