Sacred Harmony
Yoga, Nature & Ancestral Wisdom in Nepal
with Michelle Chua

November 11-20, 2026

(For 10-21 Total Participants)​
Early Bird discount ends May 15, 2026.
For seekers of presence, cultural depth and mindful exploration, join Michelle Chua-- an inspired retreat facilitator since 2011-- for 10 days through the sacred landscapes of Nepal--from the timeless temples of Kathmandu to the serene lakes and Himalayan foothills of Pokhara. 
Practice yoga, meditation and nature connection beneath the vast Himalayan sky, where mountains, temples and vibrant traditions invite reflection and presence.  This mindful pilgrimage fosters deeper relationship--with yourself, your yoga practice, the natural world, our global community and the living traditions that have shaped the region for centuries.
Together we'll explore historic spiritual centers, trek gentle forest paths and engage in meaningful cultural exchange. Through direct experience of ancestral wisdom practices, Sacred Harmony awakens embodied awareness of the subtle threads that connect all life.
I went on my first international retreat with Michelle. Her communication leading up to the trip was detailed and thorough, which made it easy to prep for the trip. You can tell Michelle spent a lot of time to meticulously curate the itinerary because it was thoughtful and honored the local culture with various experiences and opportunities to learn more about the country. Michelle is really passionate about what she does and is eager to share her love for yoga, nature, and life with others. -- Melissa M. (Retreat Participant)

Retreat Objectives:

1. Live Yoga as a Path of Union
Experience yoga as a multi-dimensional practice—movement, breath, sound, meditation, devotion, self-inquiry, clear perception and conscious lifestyle--rooted in its Himalayan origins.​

2. Deepen Shared Humanity
Cultivate embodied understanding through intimate encounters with traditional village life and heartfelt cultural exchange.
3. Reawaken Your Relationship with the Earth
Journey through awe-inspiring Himalayan landscapes while exploring Nepalese and Tibetan cosmologies that honor the sacredness of all life.

4. Form Meaningful Connections
Build authentic friendships with like-hearted seekers through shared, once-in-a-lifetime experiences grounded in mindful presence.

5. Cultivate Inner Clarity
Through daily reflection, forest bathing, ritual, and meditation, attune to your inner wisdom and return home with renewed devotion to your deepest values.

Retreat Highlights:

  • Thoughtfully curated by Michelle Chua and a respected certified Nepalese guide, offering insider access and cultural depth 
  • Daily yoga, pranayama, meditation, and retreat facilitation with Michelle Chua, Founder of Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki (15+ years of retreat leadership experience)
  • Locally owned luxury and comfortable accommodations across five unique destinations
  • Nourishing, plant-based regional cuisine prepared with seasonal ingredients
  • Immersive encounters with living spiritual traditions including Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Newari culture, Bhakti Yoga, Nāda Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Bön Shamanism
  • Visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, sacred temples, monasteries, and stupas
  • Educational cultural exchange and humanitarian support of the Gurung Village Mothers’ Cooperative
  • Traditional cultural dance performance
  • Guided exploration of historic towns including Patan, Bhaktapur, and Kathmandu’s vibrant Thamel district
  • Domestic flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Scenic village walks and forest hikes in the Annapurna foothills
  • Guided shinrin-yoku, or forest-bathing, and mindfulness practices with Michelle Chua
  • Responsible travel, directly supporting local businesses and communities 

Why Michelle's Inspired to Host a Retreat in Nepal

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Nepal has called to me since my twenties, when I began exploring world cultures through dance, music, art, and yoga. Over time, that curiosity deepened through my studies of Nāda Yoga, Sound Healing, and Tibetan Buddhist teachings, whose mindfulness practices and reflections on living a meaningful life and dying peacefully resonate with me.

In 2025, I traveled to Nepal for Himalayan Sound Healing Practitioner Training and was met with a profound sense of community and warmth. I was humbled by the generosity and integrity of the people I met--and many of whom I danced with--whose devotional practices flow naturally into daily life.

I returned home feeling called to share what moved me so deeply. My intention in offering this retreat is to create space for loving connection—to our Mother Earth, to one another, to our shared humanity, our ancestors and our personal spiritual paths.

10-Day Itinerary

Michelle is incredibly thoughtful in how she curates these retreats--every detail is intentional...I deeply value Michelle's vision, creativity, and her rare ability to bring people together in a way that nurtures connection, peace, and inner stillness.  -- Mita P. (Returning Retreat Participant)
To view our day-by day itinerary for Sacred Harmony retreat, click the button below.

Who is this Retreat for?

This retreat is for open-minded, spiritually curious—or devoted—travelers who value cultural immersion and meaningful connection. All levels of yoga and meditation experience are welcome, including beginners open to daily guided practice.

Participants should be comfortable with moderate hiking on varied terrain in the Annapurna foothills (no high-altitude trekking). An optional longer hike will be offered.

Included meals are locally sourced and plant-based, honoring environmental sustainability and the yogic principle of ahimsa.

If you wish to travel as a respectful guest and conscious participant, this journey is for you.
Michelle attracts and brings together a lovely community to her classes, events and retreats...Truly a magical experience, and I'm glad it was with the Root 2 Rise yoga community.  -- Lisa L. (Retreat Participant)

Accommodations (9 Nights)

Planned accommodations are subject to availability. Comparable properties of equal quality will be secured if needed.
  • 2 nights at a peaceful monastery guesthouse in the southern Kathmandu Valley, offering Tibetan-style ambiance with modern comforts
  • 2 nights at a luxury yoga and wellness retreat center in the forested hills of Pokhara
  • 2 nights at a mountain hotel in the traditional Gurung village of Dhampus, with panoramic Himalayan views
  • 1 night at a lakeside resort on Fewa Lake peninsula, walking distance to Pokhara’s shops and cafés
  • 2 nights at a boutique hotel near Kathmandu Airport for convenient access to key cultural sites

​Each location has been chosen to support rest, beauty, and immersion—inviting harmony between comfort, cultural authenticity and supporting the sustainability of local communities.

What's Included:

  • 9 nights / 10 days accommodations across five destinations in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Airport transfers within designated arrival/departure windows
  • Daily yoga, pranayama, meditation, mindfulness discussions, and Sacred Harmony reflection practices with Michelle
  • Guided Forest-bathing and nature hikes (not high altitude)
  • Daily cultural immersion experiences with a certified local guide
  • 14 plant-based meals at specialty restaurants, retreat centers, village homes, and accommodations
  • Domestic round-trip flights between Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • All tours, visits, entrance fees, and private group transportation listed in Retreat Highlights
  • Access to discounted private Reiki sessions during the retreat
  • A meaningful retreat keepsake from Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki

What's Not Included:

  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Nepal visa
  • Travel insurance (medical and evacuation coverage strongly recommended)
  • Select lunches and dinners, allowing space to explore local restaurants independently
  • Suggested gratuities and donations to guide, driver, accommodations, Mothers’ Cooperative, monastery, and shaman ($100 USD total suggested)

Investment and Payment Terms

Your retreat investment includes all items listed under What’s Included above.

Early Registration Rates
Register by May 15, 2026 and receive $250 off:
  • Shared Room: $2,350 per person
  • Single Room: $2,650 per person

Standard Rates
Effective after May 15, 2026, subject to availability:
  • Shared Room: $2,600 per person
  • Single Room: $2,900 per person

Roommate Policy
Prior to registering for a shared room, you are responsible for securing your roommate. ​  
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Payment Schedule
  • $500 nonrefundable deposit due at registration to secure your spot
  • August 15, 2026: 50% of remaining balance due
  • October 15, 2026: Final remaining balance due

​Full payment must be received by October 15, 2026. All payments are nonrefundable unless otherwise stated in the retreat agreement. 

Cancellation Policy

Due to the advance planning, vendor commitments, and limited group size of this retreat, the following cancellation terms apply:
  • The $500 deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
  • Cancellations made on or before August 15, 2026 will receive a refund of payments made beyond the deposit.
  • Cancellations made between August 16 and October 14, 2026 will receive a 50% refund of the total retreat fee, less the nonrefundable deposit.
  • Cancellations made on or after October 15, 2026, or failure to attend the retreat, are nonrefundable.
If your spot can be filled from a waitlist, a partial refund may be considered at the discretion of the retreat organizers.  We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes flight cancellation, interruption, medical coverage, and emergency evacuation to protect your investment.

How to Register:

1. Complete application form and retreat agreement
2. Submit $500 deposit once you receive an acceptance email
3. Receive confirmation of your spot on the retreat
4. Book flights after confirmation of arrival and departure times for group ground transport
5. Submit retreat payments according to the Payment Plan schedule

Ready to Join?

If you’ve been feeling a quiet curiosity, a pull toward the Himalayas, or a desire to practice in a place where devotion and daily life are intertwined, I invite you to listen to that.

This retreat is not about checking a destination off a list. It is about traveling thoughtfully, practicing sincerely, and opening to connection—with the land, with community, and within yourself.

Our group will be intentionally small so that the experience feels personal, spacious, and meaningful. If this journey feels aligned, I would be truly honored to share it with you.​