Maitrī Mountain Blessings: Kindness in Every Breath
September 30 – October 5, 2025 | Pokhara, Nepal
Join us at The Pavilions Himalayas The Farm, a peaceful sanctuary near Pokhara surrounded by wild gardens and stunning views of the Annapurnas - an ideal setting for Maitrī Mountain Blessings: Kindness in Every Breath.
Rooted in the Sanskrit word for loving-kindness, Maitrī invites you to open your heart to yourself and others through connection, service and healing. Experience transformation as you explore Nepal culture, sacred practices and the natural beauty of the Himalayas - all during the sacred Dashain festival, a time when the entire country celebrates renewal, blessings and the victory of light over darkness. Feel the spirit of the season through traditional rituals, offerings and community gatherings woven into your retreat experience.
Itinerary
Flow through each day with intention, beauty and heart-opening experiences
Day 1 – Arrival & Intention
Touch down in Pokhara, where the Himalayas whisper your welcome. Ground into your luxury villa with Ayurvedic comforts, then step into sacred space with opening ceremonies, sound journeys and a nourishing welcome feast.
This is where your journey begins—in community, in intention, in the embrace of the mountains.
Day 2 – Inner Awakening
Begin with sunrise yoga or a village photo stroll, then explore energy healing, Ayurvedic treatments and forest meditation. End with a tea ceremony and twilight practices that soften the heart.
Every breath is a doorway inward.
Day 3 – Vijaya Dashami: A Day of Blessing
Experience Nepal’s most sacred festival through spiritual rituals, Rinpoche blessings and divine-tasting traditional foods.
A day of divine feminine power, ancient wisdom and embodied grace.
Day 4 – Peace Pagoda Pilgrimage
Embark on a mountaintop pilgrimage or serene drive to the World Peace Pagoda. Move through walking meditations, mantra chanting and yin yoga under Himalayan skies.
Sacred steps toward stillness and serenity.
Day 5 – Seva & Spice: A Day of Shared Abundance
Give and receive through Reiki, village connections and a joyful Himalayan momo-making showdown.
Service becomes ceremony. Healing becomes a shared language.
Day 6 – Transformation & Farewell
A final morning of heart-opening yoga and closing circle. Share, release and remember—with every cell singing a song of kindness.
Leave lighter. Return fuller.
The Pavilions Himalayas: Your Private Sanctuary
An exclusive haven where luxury bows to the sacred - reserved entirely for our retreat.
Imagine: A hidden valley in Nepal’s soul-stirring Pokhara, where mist curls around emerald peaks and the only footprints on the dew-laced grass are your own. The Pavilions Himalayas becomes ours alone - a sanctuary of whispered privacy, where every courtyard, sunlit pool and spice-scented garden exists solely for your transformation.
With a maximum of 25 kindred souls, five devoted Big Love Guides and a resort team attuned to your unspoken needs, this is luxury rewoven as gentle attentiveness. Mornings begin with mountain-chilled air and the freedom to wander silent forests; evenings dissolve into fireside conversations under skies dizzy with stars.
Here, every moment is sacred - yet nothing is left to chance.
Your days unfold with curated ease: sunrise yoga overlooking the Himalayas, forest meditation, moonlit sound baths - each experience woven into Nepal’s rhythms by design.
Where Every Bite is a Return to Yourself
At Maitrī Mountain Blessings, meals are more than nourishment — they’re a dialogue between land and body.
Imagine:
Sun-warmed vegetables from Pokhara’s valleys, transformed into vibrant curries with hand-ground spice blends.
Ayurvedic harmony in each dish — ginger for vitality, saffron for clarity, toasted seeds for earthy depth.
Shared silence or laughter over steaming bowls, as the Himalayan air carries the scent of fresh rosemary and slow-baked garlic.
This is food as it was meant to be — deeply nourishing, inherently sacred and alive with the spirit of Nepal.
Dessert? Caramelised Jumla apples with a crumble of toasted buckwheat — or ripe persimmons, their sunset-orange flesh dripping with honey.
Guided by Luminous Hearts
Your journey is lovingly held by these radiant guides:
Cathy Henderson | Sacred Movement, Sacred Sound
Sound Healing · Reiki · Yoga
A dancer-turned-healer and founder of London based High Vibez, Cathy blends yoga, crystal sound baths and Reiki. In Nepal, she’ll collaborate with local practitioners for a retreat where every practice is deepened by the land’s energy.
Why Sound Healing?
“My first sound therapy session recalibrated my entire being. Now I use crystal singing bowls and gongs to guide others into that same cellular harmony. It’s not just relaxation for me - it’s renewal.”
Her Nepal Calling
“The Big Love team are experts in their field and have carefully curated the most exquisite retreat experience. I can’t wait to share Reiki with Nepali healer Shyam and learn Tibetan bowl traditions from local masters. This retreat fuses ancient culture with modern-day practices and offers you space to be, rest, relax and transform. I’m so excited to meet you, hold space for you and help you reset your entire nervous system to the rhythms of sound and nature.”
Connect: @high.vibez.tribe
Shyam Gurung | Himalayan Yogi & Wisdom Keeper
Hatha Yoga · Anatomy · Sacred Sound
Born in the high valleys of Mustang, Shyam's 20-year journey with yoga began at a Vipassana retreat. Trained across Nepal, Myanmar and India, he is now a senior yoga teacher trainer at Himalayan Yogini, blending:
Classical Hatha and Yin with modern anatomy insights
Yogic philosophy made practical for daily life
Tibetan singing bowls to deepen meditation
His Teaching Philosophy:
"In these mountains, yoga becomes three-dimensional - you'll feel philosophy in your postures and hear wisdom in the silence between breaths. Tibetan bowls help the body remember its natural rhythm."
His Retreat Calling:
“Come to the beautiful Pavilions Himalayas and feel the stillness of Nepal. Working with Cody and our team, this retreat will honour the sacred land—every practice feels like coming home. We are so happy to receive you.”
Connect: @himalayan_yogini
Aaditya Chand | Storyteller of Light & Presence
Mindful Photography · Himalayan Visual Alchemy
Born in Nepal’s valleys and peaks, Aaditya’s lens captures the quiet conversations between light, land and soul. Trained at the New York Institute of Photography, he blends technical mastery with a meditative approach.
His Retreat Offerings:
Mindful Photography Walks: Slow sensory journeys where composition meets breathwork.
"Seeing with the Heart" Workshops: Techniques to photograph Nepal’s essence.
Community Storytelling: A shared visual diary of your retreat.
Why He’s Here:
“The Pavilions Himalayas is where nature writes poetry in mist and stone. I’ll help you capture not just images but the feeling of being here—alive and utterly present. This retreat is a gift to Nepal and to you.”
Beyond the Lens:
Founder of SEOD Charity, Aaditya uses photography to empower local voices, proving artistry and compassion share the same frame.
Connect: @mountian_echoes
+ The Pavilions’ full team – Ensuring seamless magic at every turn.
Mukesh Singh | Traditional Hatha Yogi
Hatha Yoga · Mantra Chanting · Shathkarma
Mukesh Singh is a passionate Hatha Yoga teacher born and raised in Rishikesh, the world’s yoga capital. With over a decade of dedicated practice, he embodies the authentic spirit of Indian yoga. Trained in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Iyengar and traditional Hatha, he also holds a Master’s degree in Yoga from Uttarakhand Sanskrit University.
Beyond asanas, Mukesh is deeply versed in Mantra Chanting and Shathkarma (yogic cleansing techniques), offering a holistic approach to yoga. His teachings focus on alignment, breathwork and spiritual growth, helping students connect with their true selves.
His Teaching Philosophy:
"Inhale the future, exhale the past. Yoga is not just movement - it’s a return to stillness. In Rishikesh’s sacred energy, we merge discipline with mindfulness to awaken inner peace."
His Retreat Calling:
"Join me in Nepal to experience yoga as it was meant to be - rooted in tradition yet alive with possibility. Together, we’ll honour ancient wisdom while embracing the present moment, we’ll have fun, eat delicious food and enjoy the fresh mountain air. I am looking forward to meeting you soon"
Connect: @mukkibhandari27
Cody Edene | Founder of The Big Love Retreat
I am unbelievably excited to welcome you to this retreat. To say I’ve poured my heart and soul into every single detail is an understatement and I can’t wait to welcome you here. I have pulled out all the stops making it perfect for you and I know you’ll love it.
This is for you - the one who truly needs and deserves a real break. The one who’s tired of “just pushing through.” The one who wants to press pause, breathe deep and remember what feeling good, feeling rested and feeling alive actually feels like.
I built this retreat for people who:
💙 Need to stop hustling for a minute
💙 Crave being taken care of (no decisions, no chores - just pure nurture)
💙 Are ready to reset their mind + body in the most supportive space imaginable
Why The Big Love?
Because you deserve to be met with open arms - exactly as you are.
Need anything? Don’t hesitate to reach out - whether it’s about payment options, retreat details or just to chat. I’m here for you. Seriously - I want you here. Let’s make it work.
Inclusions
Thoughtfully curated options to support your comfort, healing and transformation
✔ Private eco-luxury villa at The Pavilions Himalayas
✔ Roundtrip airport transfers from Pokhara Airport (PKR)
✔ Farm-to-table vegetarian & plant-based meals
✔ Daily Ayurvedic medicinal teas for balance & vitality
✔ Sunrise & sunset yoga overlooking the Himalayas
✔ Guided meditation & breathwork for deep renewal
✔ Sound bath healing under the Nepali night sky
✔ Reiki energy treatments to restore harmony
✔ Big Love Pyjama Party – nightly rituals of connection & joy
✔ One signature Ayurvedic treatment (Abhyanga or Shirodhara)
✔ Guided Himalayan hikes with a professional photographer
✔ Personalized care from 5 dedicated wellness guides + full resort team
✔ Exclusive access to the entire property for an intimate retreat experience
Pricing
Transparent pricing for a retreat that gives back—to you, the community and the Earth
Your Investment Options
(USD per person)
| Room Type | Founding Circle (5 spots) | Early Love (7 spots) | Timeless Wellness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Luxury Classic Villa (Twin & Double) | $1,499 | $1,699 | $1,899 |
| Private Luxury Classic Villa | $1,999 | $2,299 | $2,599 |
| Shared Luxury Grand Villa (Double) | $1,799 | $1,999 | $2,199 |
| Private Luxury Grand Villa | $2,199 | $2,499 | $2,799 |
| Shared Luxury Chalet Villa (Double) | $1,799 | $1,999 | $2,199 |
| Private Luxury Chalet Villa | $2,339 | $2,599 | $2,859 |
Key Details
Check out these gorgeous eco-luxe villas here
$500 deposit secures your place
Flexible payment plans available
We’ll happily match you with a like-minded roommate if you are travelling solo and want to share
We donate $100 from every booking to Right4Children, a Pokhara-based NGO empowering Nepali youth through education and vocational training. Your journey with us supports their mission!
This retreat in Nepal is more than an escape — it’s a homecoming to yourself. Surrounded by the sacred Himalayas, you’ll find healing, connection and transformation in every moment.
For the full experience — including guides, soul-nourishing practices and more —
download the complete itinerary here.
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This is a 6-day immersive yoga retreat during Dashain, Nepal’s most sacred festival. You’ll be held in Himalayan nature, guided through transformative practices and nourished with slow, seasonal food and meaningful connection.
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Maitrī (मैत्री) means loving-kindness, friendship and benevolence in Sanskrit. It is the compassionate heart of many yogic and Buddhist teachings. This retreat is named for that practice – a soft return to self, nature and shared humanity.
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Dashain is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu festival, celebrating the triumph of good over evil and honouring the divine feminine. During this time, families gather, blessings are offered and the air is filled with celebration and reverence. You’ll experience Dashain with local rituals, sound ceremonies and tika blessings in a way that’s intimate, respectful and deeply moving.
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At The Pavilions Himalayas – The Farm, a solar-powered eco-luxury resort:
🌿 80% of profits go back into local education and community uplift
🌿 Plant-based meals grown on site in organic gardens
🌿 Clean energy, zero waste, plastic-free ethos
🌿 A sanctuary of privacy, sustainability and Himalayan beauty -
30 September – 5 October 2025, during the heart of Dashain.
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October is gorgeous in Pokhara:
🌿 Clear skies and warm days: 22–26°C
🌿 Crisp mornings and evenings: 12–16°C
🌿 Lush landscapes and vibrant mountain views -
Not at all. If yoga isn’t for you, you can opt for:
🌿 Nature walks, sound healing, reiki and spa treatments
🌿 Photography sessions and tea ceremonies
🌿 Rest, journalling or simply soaking in the surroundings -
Himalayan-inspired Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa, Shatkarma cleansing, pranayama and meditation. Sessions are inclusive, respectful and deeply grounding.
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Yes – no experience needed. Everyone is welcome.
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Yes - it’s incredible. Cody, our Chief Love Officer and spa connoisseur, has personally tested many of the treatments and they are truly world-class. Ayurvedic therapies, herbal steams and traditional Nepali massages are available.
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🌿 Breathable yoga clothes
🌿 Modest wear for local outings (cover shoulders/knees)
🌿 Layers for cooler mornings and nights
🌿 Walking shoes or sandals
🌿 Sunscreen, personal medication and toiletries
🌿 Shawl or scarf and a sunhat
🌿 Pyjamas or leisure wear for our optional Pyjama Parties
🌿 DaypackWe provide a Big Love journal, personal water bottle and high quality yoga mats.
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Absolutely – many of our guests come alone. It’s a safe, joyful space to reconnect and feel at home.
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Yes - it’s designed to give more than it takes. Your stay supports local livelihoods, the land and a regenerative future for travel in Nepal.
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🌿 For general travel, payment or booking FAQs, visit our General FAQs section.