Nekhor Pilgrimage 2025: The Sacred Sites of Guru Padmasambhava in the Kathmandu Valley

Nekhor is delighted to announce a pilgrimage to the sacred sites of Guru Rinpoche in Nepal, happening this March 2025 in alignment with Chötrul Duchen, the Great Festival of Miracles. These first fifteen days of the Tibetan lunar new year are an auspicious time, with the virtuous actions of visiting sacred places and making offerings being multiplied hundreds of thousands of times in power.

Join us on March 7th at the great Boudha Stupa, where our week-long journey begins. Guided by senior lamas from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery and our dedicated Nekhor team, we will explore the sacred sites of the Kathmandu Valley before venturing into the majestic Himalayan foothills of Eastern Nepal.

Our pilgrimage will culminate on March 15th with the celebration of Chötrul Düchen in Boudha, marking the Buddha’s display of great miracles. Together, we will journey, offer, aspire, and deepen our practice—dedicating our collective merit for the well-being of all.

Pilgrimage Itinerary

Friday, March 7th: Boudha – Our journey begins with a welcome dinner and an introduction at Utpala Café, located near the Great Boudha Stupa.

Saturday, March 8th: Patan – We will visit E-Vihara Temple, Guru Rinpoche’s main seat in the Kathmandu Valley. We will also explore the revered Avalokiteshvara statues, a sacred source of compassion and wisdom.

Sunday, March 9th: Asura and Yangleshö Caves – On the auspicious first Guru Rinpoche day of the Tibetan lunar year, we journey to the Asura and Yangleshö caves, where Guru Rinpoche attained enlightenment.

Monday, March 10th: Break day

Tuesday-Thursday, March 11th to 13th: Maratika Caves – Our pilgrimage continues with a journey to the Maratika Caves, where Guru Rinpoche attained immortality. After an eight-hour scenic drive, we will spend two nights at this auspicious and sacred site practicing alongside lamas from Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling.

Friday, March 14th: Boudha Stupa and Sankhu – Returning to the Great Boudha Stupa, we will make offerings and participate in the Tsekar (White Amitayus) Drupchen at Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling. To complete this extraordinary journey, we will visit the sacred Vajrayogini site of Sankhu.

Saturday, March 15th: Receiving the siddhis at Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling’s Tsekar Drupchen (Boudha) – Our pilgrimage culminates with a blessing-filled morning as we gather at Ka-Nying Shedrup Ling to receive the siddhis of the Tsekar (White Amitayus) Drupchen.

Pricing and Further Details

We are excited to offer this pilgrimage at an affordable rate of just $750 per person for the entire week, which comes to only $108 per day! This package includes transportation to and from each sacred site, lunches at every location (with all meals included in Maratika), comfortable lodging in Halesi near the revered Maratika Caves, expert guides offering in-depth explanations at each sacred site, and contributions to the lamas who will lead us in spiritual practice throughout the journey. What’s not included: airfare to Nepal, tourist visa, and accommodations in Kathmandu—we suggest all participants stay in the Boudha neighborhood of Kathmandu, as this is where all our trips will depart from and conclude. Note that we will follow up with registrants regarding payment details in the near future.

While we aim to make your trip as comfortable as possible, traveling through Kathmandu and rural Nepal can bring its own challenges. You might encounter busy city traffic and bumpy rural roads, but with a little flexibility and patience, you’ll be able to fully enjoy the unique experiences this journey has to offer. Please also note that while we will provide transportation to the main sites, much of the pilgrimage will involve walking, so get ready to immerse yourself in the journey on foot! Expect to walk 1-2 miles (around 4 kilometers) at each location, with some sites like Asura and Maratika offering a bit more of an adventure—steep flights of stairs leading up to sacred heights. We understand this may be challenging for some, so if you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information. We’re here to help you every step of the way!

Minimum participants: 15 people

For more information please contact us at info@samyetranslations.org.