Upon arrival at Kathmandu Airport, you will be warmly received by our representative and transferred to your hotel. This marks the beginning of your Nepal Shamanism Tour. Later, an orientation session will be held to introduce the purpose and spiritual focus of the journey. Led by your tour guide and ethnographer from High Asia Tours, the program will outline the aims and objectives of the tour through interactive discussions. The session will be supported by an ethnographer, who is also an expert in Himalayan Shamanism. This session will offer deeper insight into the traditions and practices you will encounter during the tour.

In the evening, you will be formally welcomed with a Nepalese dinner at a traditional restaurant in Kathmandu.

After breakfast prepare for Sayachongma initiation program. Sayachongma will be performed for the guests by an adept Shaman, also known as a Mangpa.

A Sayachongma is an important Shamanic ritual performed to restore Saya through Shamanic vibrations. Saya is the invisible life force that affects and is affected by the surrounding environment because it is the energy that binds and animates all things in the physical world. The vital force, Saya makes itself felt, not only in the subjective physical or psychic states but also, and in particular, in the social, economic, religious, and political spheres- that is, it finds expression in success, power, and well-being.

Next, visit Pashupatinath Temple-one of the holiest Hindu Temples in entire South Asia. The temple is situated on the bank of sacred Bagmati River, which is a tributary of sacred Ganges. Admission to the temple is reserved for Hindus only, yet we can have close up view of the temple from other side of the river. The temple and the surroundings are vibrant with rites and rituals performed by Hindu devotees. We will also have opportunity to watch the Hindu cremation services in the bank of the river.

The next stop would be the giant Boudhanath Stupa-Asia’s one of the largest Buddhist shrine. The stupa with 100m (328 ft) diameter and 40 m (130 ft) height can be spotted from many view points in Kathmandu. There are a number of Buddhist monasteries around and the area is dominantly Tibetan in character and reminds very much of Barkhor area of Lhasa.

In the morning, we drive to Bandipur, a journey of about five hours. En route, we stop at the banks of the Trisuli River to witness and take part in an ancient Himalayan shamanic ritual known as Gaali Sarap, a practice of washing away negative energies. Rooted in age-old shamanic belief systems, this annual ritual focuses on forgiveness and the cleansing of verbal sins. Himalayan tribes, deeply respectful of nature, believe that spoken curses carry lasting consequences if not purified through the flowing element of water. Following the ritual, we enjoy an outdoor picnic lunch along the sunny riverbank. After lunch, we continue our drive to Bandipur.

In the morning, you take part in and learn from Himalayan shamanic healing sessions, including your own personal divination ritual performed by an adept shaman. This is an intensive and immersive learning experience that calls for attention, openness, and dedication. After the sessions, we set out to explore Bandipur and its surroundings.

Once a key stop on the Nepal–India trade route, Bandipur later faded after modern roads were built. Its hilltop setting, preserved culture, and mountain views now draw travelers seeking an authentic and less-visited town. After checking in to a boutique heritage-style accommodation and refreshing, we begin our exploration.

On clear days, Bandipur offers fine views of the central Himalayas and the Marshyangdi Valley. Our walk includes visits to Khadga Devi Temple, the town’s most sacred shrine, the Martyrs’ Memorial honoring those lost in the anti-Rana movement of 1951, and Paarpani Mahadev, where locals pray for rain, before returning to the bazaar.

The bazaar reveals a classic Newari townscape of compact brick houses, narrow lanes, temples, and traditional pati-pauwas. Take time to stroll, sit, and observe daily life for a genuine Nepali experience.

Following breakfast, we leave for Pokhara valley, situated in the lap of mighty Annapurna and Fishtail. Pokhara with lakes, gorges, waterfalls, mysterious cave temples to gorgeous mountain views truly make the natural capital of Nepal! We check our resort in the lakeside and set out to explore the wonders of the areas. We begin from Davis Fall where water cascades down from the lake and literally disappears into the earth! Opposite to the fall lies the mysterious cave of Gupteshwara Mahadeva. You may also want to visit the Tibetan Village and its monastery. In the evening take a relaxed stroll in the lakeside.

Early morning, we drive to Sarangkot (1,592 m / 5,222 ft) to witness sunrise and a sweeping Himalayan panorama. On clear days, Sarangkot offers fine views of the western Himalayan range and surrounding valleys. On the return, we stop at Bindhebasini Temple, Pokhara’s most revered Hindu shrine, followed by a visit to the lively Old Bazaar.

Those interested in walking can opt for a hike to the Peace Stupa, perched on a ridge above Phewa Lake. Later, enjoy a boating trip on Phewa Lake with a visit to the island temple of Goddess Barahi, one of Pokhara’s most visited temples. Depending on your interest and time, a visit to the Gorkha Museum can also be arranged.

After breakfast, we drive to Chitwan. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel and rest. After lunch at the lodge, we head into the forest for the Sikari ritual led by a Shaman.

Sikari refers to the dense horde of invisible forest entities recognized by Himalayan clans. These spirits are classified by their dwelling places or distinctive traits, and the ritual is performed to honor them, propitiate the capture of game, and thank the forest deities. This is one of the oldest rituals among Himalayan clans, predating the agricultural era.

Although Sikari is a pre-hunt ritual, no hunting takes place today; it is performed solely to maintain a connection with the forest spirits. Many Shamans claim to have been personally trained by these Sikari spirits. According to oral tradition, when a Shaman dies, their spirit merges with the forest, awaiting a future child in the same lineage. The child must be strong and pure enough to be trained as a Shaman through divine dreams or by the appearance of ‘Ban Jhankri,’ the mysterious forest Shaman.

Chitwan National Park, 932 sq miles, is Asia’s one of the most famous game parks, renowned for the preservation of Great One Horned Rhinoceros. The park is also home to about 100 Royal Bengal Tigers, leopard, sloth bear, and 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys and more than 600 different species of birds. We will go for a river tour on a traditional dugout canoe to see the aquatic life including Gharial crocodiles. After the canoe trip, we have options of taking jungle trek or taking a jeep or an oxcart ride back to the resort. After lunch, you will again be in the park on the back of an elephant to view the rich wildlife of the park including the great one horned Asian Rhino, Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Leopard, deer and even the ruler of the jungle-The Royal Bengal Tiger, if our luck favors us. In the evening, we watch the sticks clashing in aggressive dance amongst the Tharu Tribal men but this is Tharu’s famous stick dance, which is arranged by the lodge to entertain us.

In the morning, we begin our drive back to Kathmandu, a scenic journey of approximately 5–6 hours. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel and take some time to rest and refresh after the drive.

In the afternoon, we hold a reflective session to review and evaluate the shamanic practices and rituals experienced during the tour. This session allows participants to discuss insights, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of Himalayan shamanism.

The evening is free for leisure, giving you an opportunity to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or enjoy the comforts of the hotel.

Overnight in Kathmandu at hotel.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your onward flight. This concludes your Nepal Shamanism Tour, leaving you with lasting memories of Himalayan rituals, cultural encounters, and spiritual experiences.