Luxury Himalayan Retreat
Luxury Himalayan Yoga Retreat in Mustang, Nepal
A 4 nights / 5 days curated journey into the former Tibetan-Buddhist kingdom of Lo, with daily yoga and meditation led personally by Maa Nisha Kabir and Swami Anish. Maximum 8 guests, twin sharing from USD 4,500 per person, all-inclusive.
What is the Mustang Luxury Retreat?
The Mustang Luxury Retreat is a 4 nights / 5 days, all-inclusive yoga and meditation journey from Kathmandu into Upper Mustang, the restricted-permit Trans-Himalayan region that was the independent Buddhist kingdom of Lo until 2008. Hosted jointly by Maa Nisha Kabir and Swami Anish, it is built for small groups of eight or fewer.
Upper Mustang sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, on a high desert plateau between 2,800 and 4,900 metres. It remained closed to outside visitors until 1992 and still requires a special Restricted Area Permit, which is why the region has preserved a living Tibetan-Buddhist culture that was largely lost across the border in Tibet itself. You will walk past 700-year-old monasteries with original murals, sit in caves where Tibetan masters meditated for centuries, and stay inside the walled medieval city of Lo Manthang.
The retreat is not a trek. Daily walking is light to moderate; the heart of the experience is contemplative practice in extraordinary settings. Mornings open with meditation and pranayama in temple courtyards and rooftop yoga decks. Afternoons are for cultural visits, with a guided sky-cave excursion and a private session with a resident Buddhist monk in Lo Manthang. Evenings end with sound healing, Reiki integration or quiet reflection led by Swami Anish, whose background as a clinical hypnotherapist shapes the gentler emotional work.
You sleep in two of the finest mountain lodges in Nepal: Shinta Mani Mustang in Jomsom, a Bensley Collection property with heated suites and a full spa, and Royal Mustang Resort inside the heritage quarter of Lo Manthang. All domestic flights, permits, meals, guides, spa treatments and cultural fees are bundled into the USD 4,500 per person fee. If you would like to compare options first, see our broader Kathmandu and Himalayan retreats before committing to Mustang specifically.
What does the itinerary look like day by day?
The 4 nights / 5 days itinerary moves with a paced acclimatisation arc from Kathmandu (1,400 m) to Pokhara (820 m) to Jomsom (2,700 m) and finally Lo Manthang (3,840 m), before returning the same way. You gain altitude gradually, your body adapts, and the practice gets quieter as you go higher.
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Jomsom
Scenic flights into the Kali Gandaki gorge
Early flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then a breathtaking STOL flight through the deepest gorge on earth, between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, into Jomsom at 2,700 metres. Check into Shinta Mani Mustang. Afternoon orientation walk, gentle pranayama and an early dinner. Hydration and rest take priority.
- Day 2
Jomsom to Kagbeni
Sacred gateway village
Short drive and walk to Kagbeni, a Tibetan-style village marking the entry to Upper Mustang. Visit Kag Chode Thupten Samphel Ling monastery, sit in silent meditation overlooking the Kali Gandaki, and return to Jomsom for an evening sound healing session with Tibetan singing bowls.
- Day 3
Kagbeni to Lo Manthang
Crossing into the walled medieval capital
After a permit check at Kagbeni, you cross into restricted Upper Mustang. Drive and walk through ochre cliffs and wind-carved canyons with constant views of Nilgiri and Tilicho, arriving at Lo Manthang (3,840 m), the ancient walled capital of the former Buddhist kingdom of Lo. Check into Royal Mustang Resort inside the heritage quarter, with a slow afternoon walk along the medieval walls and guided breathwork at the lodge.
- Day 4
Lo Manthang exploration
Monasteries, caves and silence
A full day in Lo Manthang. Morning meditation with Maa Nisha at one of the 700-year-old monasteries (Thubchen and Champa Lhakang). Visit the sacred Jhong and Chhoser sky caves carved into the cliffs, with a brief audience at the former King's Palace. A private meditation session with a resident Buddhist monk, followed by a Reiki integration with Swami Anish.
- Day 5
Return to Kathmandu
Reflection and departure
Morning flights from Jomsom to Pokhara and on to Kathmandu, with a guided journaling reflection from Swami Anish on translating the journey into daily life and a personal session with Maa Nisha to design a take-home practice plan. Final group sharing circle and farewell, or extend your stay for further sessions at our Tarkeshwor centre.
What is included in the USD 4,500 fee?
The Mustang retreat is genuinely all-inclusive once you arrive in Kathmandu. Domestic flights, accommodation, every meal, all permits, all guiding, daily practice and the spa treatments are bundled into one price. International flights to Kathmandu and personal trip insurance are the only outside costs you carry.
4 nights luxury lodging
Heated suites at Shinta Mani Mustang in Jomsom and Royal Mustang Resort inside Lo Manthang, both selected for comfort, mountain views and cultural authenticity.
All domestic flights
Round-trip Kathmandu to Pokhara to Jomsom flights, including the spectacular STOL leg through the Kali Gandaki gorge. Permit-coordinated with licensed local airlines.
All meals, all days
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included throughout. Vegetarian by default, prepared with local organic produce. Vegan, gluten-free and Ayurvedic options available on request.
Daily yoga and meditation
Morning meditation, gentle pranayama and high-altitude breath training led by Maa Nisha Kabir and Swami Anish. Evening sound healing and Reiki integration on selected days.
All permits included
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and TIMS where applicable. Permit processing, photo submission and ID coordination handled by us.
Expert spiritual and cultural guides
Licensed Mustang local guides for trekking and culture, plus daily teaching from Jivan Parivartan founders. Private meditation session with a resident monk in Lo Manthang.
Spa treatments and bodywork
Included full-body massage at Shinta Mani Mustang on return through Jomsom. Hot plunge pool access and traditional treatments available at both lodges.
Cultural visits and ceremonies
Curated visits to 600 to 700-year-old monasteries (Thubchen, Champa Lhakang), sacred Jhong and Chhoser sky caves, the walled city of Lo Manthang and the King's Palace.
Airport transfers
Private vehicle transfers in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with assisted handling of luggage, permits and travel documentation throughout the journey.
Pre-departure preparation pack
Personalised packing list, altitude preparation breathing routine to begin three weeks before arrival, and a private welcome call with Maa Nisha and Swami Anish.
Where do guests stay in Mustang?
The four retreat nights are split between two of the most carefully designed lodges in the Nepalese Himalayas. Both are heated, both have private bathrooms with reliable hot water, and both were chosen because they understand contemplative travel rather than adventure tourism.
Shinta Mani Mustang, Jomsom
Nights in Jomsom (2 nights across the trip)
A Bensley Collection property with 29 suites built into the Kali Gandaki valley, facing the Nilgiri range. Every suite has a heated floor, a private balcony with mountain views and a deep soaking tub. The lodge includes a dedicated yoga and meditation pavilion, a heated indoor plunge pool, a full spa and a vegetarian-first fine-dining restaurant. Wi-Fi runs throughout the property.
- Heated suites with private bathrooms and Nilgiri views
- Spa with traditional Himalayan and Ayurvedic treatments
- Dedicated yoga and meditation pavilion
- Vegetarian-led gourmet kitchen, dietary requests honoured
Royal Mustang Resort, Lo Manthang
Nights in Lo Manthang (2 nights)
A heritage-style resort built inside the walled medieval quarter of Lo Manthang, in traditional Tibetan stone and timber. Rooms are heated, with private bathrooms, thoughtfully simple decor and reading desks overlooking the inner courtyard. The resort works closely with local monasteries, which is how we arrange the private meditation session with a resident monk on Day 4.
- Heated heritage rooms inside the walled city of Lo Manthang
- Direct walking access to Thubchen and Champa Lhakang monasteries
- Quiet courtyard and rooftop suitable for morning meditation
- Local Mustangi cuisine served alongside vegetarian options
Both lodges were chosen for stillness and ease of acclimatisation. Twin sharing is the default; single supplements are available on request.
What does a typical day on the retreat look like?
A typical Mustang day starts gently and ends early. Practice is built around the light and the altitude, with the longest sessions in the morning when oxygen and energy are highest, and quieter integration work in the evening. Nothing is mandatory; every session is offered, not imposed.
06:30 to 07:30
Sunrise meditation and pranayama
Led by Maa Nisha Kabir on the rooftop or in the meditation pavilion. Slow, altitude-aware breath sequences followed by 30 minutes of silent sitting.
07:30 to 09:00
Gentle yoga
Hatha-based practice scaled to altitude. Focus on the spine, the diaphragm and the hips, with restorative shapes to open the body for the day.
09:00 to 10:00
Breakfast and rest
Vegetarian breakfast at the lodge, with extra hot fluids for high-altitude hydration. Time to journal or read before the cultural session.
10:30 to 13:00
Cultural visit
Guided visit to a monastery, sky cave, medieval wall or local family. Always with our cultural guide and one of the founders for context and reflection.
13:00 to 15:30
Lunch, slow walk, rest
A long, unhurried lunch followed by free time. Many guests rest, take a slow walk along the cliffs, or sit in silence at the lodge.
16:00 to 17:30
Evening practice or therapy
Sound healing, Reiki integration, restorative yoga or a guided journaling session with Swami Anish, depending on the day and group energy.
18:30 to 20:00
Dinner and reflection circle
Warm, simple vegetarian dinner. Optional closing circle where the group shares one image, sensation or insight from the day.
21:00
Rest
Early nights are recommended. Sleep is one of the most important parts of acclimatisation, and the lodges are designed to support it.
Who this retreat is for
- ●Travellers who want depth over distance: cultural and contemplative rather than fast-paced trekking.
- ●Yoga and meditation practitioners ready to take their home practice into an extraordinary environment.
- ●People in mid-career transitions, sabbaticals, or recovery from sustained stress who can afford the time and the price.
- ●Healthy adults comfortable with moderate altitude (3,840 m) and 2 to 5 hours of light walking per day.
- ●Couples and solo travellers who appreciate small groups: maximum eight guests per departure.
Who it may not suit
- ●Anyone with uncontrolled heart, lung or blood pressure conditions for whom 3,800 metres is contraindicated.
- ●Travellers wanting a budget Himalayan retreat: see our weekend and Kathmandu Valley retreats instead.
- ●People who want a hard trekking experience. For that, see our pre and post trekking retreats paired with a separate trek operator.
- ●First-time meditators with no exposure to seated practice. Start with the One-Day Transformation Program before booking the Mustang journey.
Who leads the retreat?
The retreat is jointly led by the two founders of Jivan Parivartan, the Kathmandu-based wellness and transformation centre behind this site. Both travel with every Mustang departure; you are taught by the founders, not by junior staff or contracted guides.
Maa Nisha Kabir
Founder and Spiritual Healer
Maa Nisha Kabir founded Jivan Parivartan after a two-year silent retreat in the caves of the Nepalese Himalayas. A Reiki Master and Tibetan singing bowl practitioner with 12 years of continuous sadhana, she has supported more than 8,000 people through one-to-one healing, meditation and counselling. In Mustang she leads morning meditation, energy balancing and the closing integration sessions.
Swami Anish
Co-Founder and Meditation Guide
Swami Anish co-founded Jivan Parivartan to bridge Eastern contemplative practice with Western therapeutic work. He is a meditation teacher, Reiki Master, sound healer and certified clinical hypnotherapist with more than a decade of practice. In Mustang he leads breathwork (designed for high-altitude breathing), sound healing sessions and the journaling and reflection work.
You can read full bios of the team on our about page and learn more about Maa Nisha's daily energy work on the Reiki in Kathmandu hub.
What do past guests say?
Mustang departures are small, so reviews are personal and detailed. The themes that recur most are the unexpected emotional impact of the landscape, the comfort of the accommodation in spite of the altitude, and the quality of teaching from the two founders. Two recent guest reflections are below.
The two years she spent in Himalayan caves shine through her teaching. Her meditation guidance is unlike anything I have experienced. Authentic, powerful and deeply transformative.
When are the next departures, and how do I prepare?
We run small Mustang departures in the two clear seasons each year. Each window is capped at eight guests and tends to fill four to six months in advance. The practicalities below cover the questions we hear most often before booking.
Autumn 2026 (early)
15 September to 19 September 2026
Clear post-monsoon air; warmer days; the most photographic light
Autumn 2026 (peak)
10 October to 14 October 2026
Tiji-festival proximity; cool nights; deep blue skies
Spring 2027
15 March to 19 March 2027
Almond blossom in lower Mustang; fewer travellers; long bright days
Visas and documents
Most nationalities receive a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport (15, 30 or 90 days). Your passport must have at least six months of remaining validity and two blank pages. We handle the Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit and ACAP on your behalf.
Altitude preparation
Three weeks before departure you receive a daily pranayama routine to expand diaphragmatic capacity. We also recommend a short fitness consult with your own doctor if you have any cardiovascular history. The itinerary itself is paced for conservative acclimatisation.
What to pack
Layered clothing for 15 to 0 degrees Celsius across the day. Light hiking shoes, a warm fleece, a windproof outer shell, a refillable water bottle, sunglasses and strong sun cream. The lodges supply yoga mats, props and toiletries.
Travel insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is required, including high-altitude trekking cover up to 4,000 metres and helicopter evacuation. We recommend World Nomads, IMG Global or Allianz; we will check your policy is appropriate before final confirmation.
If you would like to taste this style of teaching before committing to the Mustang journey, the best entry point is our One-Day Transformation Program in Kathmandu, which is led by the same two founders.
Mustang Luxury Retreat: Frequently Asked Questions
Reserve Your Place in Upper Mustang
Eight guests per departure. Twin sharing from USD 4,500 per person, all-inclusive once you arrive in Kathmandu. WhatsApp or email Maa Nisha and Swami Anish directly.