by karinella | Jun 4, 2015 | yoga vacations
This trek is now over, and was absolutely wonderful! I am planning another one next year.
Get in touch if you are interested in knowing more about it.
About the trek in October 2015
If you’ve ever wanted to explore Nepal, this is the moment to do it. It is actually one of the best ways you can help the country and people recover. The Annapurna region has not been destroyed by the earthquake, and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
The trek will last 17 days (19 if you’re counting in flights to Norway) with the possibility of flying back after 14 if you’re short on time. Or you can extend it if you have more time on your hands! We will wake up to soft yoga, pranayama and meditation in the fresh air, trek through lush rhododendron forests, visit beautiful terraced villages and experience the magnificent mountain vistas of the Annapurna mountain range. The ecological and cultural diversity and hospitable people of Nepal is enough to fall in love. And then there’s the sunrise … One of the highlights is to stand on Poon Hill and watch the sun caress the snow-capped mountains with golden rays. The photo at the top is from my first trip there in 2010.
There will be rest days where we stay at a lodge, do yoga and meditate in the grassy meadows, a dip in natural thermal springs and several days to explore both Kathmandu and the lovely lakeside town of Pokhara. You can read more and book though Høyfjellspesialisten (in Norwegian). Send them or me an email if you’re joining from a different country or have any questions!
Quick facts
Duration: 17 days (count 19 with your flights)
Trek distance: 90 Km approx.
Maximum altitude: 3 210 m (Poon Hill)
Accommodation: Lodge/ tea-house
Yoga classes taught by Kari Petronella Finstad
Photo credit: Carsten Aniksdal
Itinerary
Departure Oslo or elsewhere a day before.
Day 1. Arrive in Kathmandu (1330m), getting settled at the hotel, possibility of going for a massage.
Day 2. City tour around Kathmandu Valley and trek briefing. Special welcome dinner.
Day 3. Fly to Pokhara (980m) and trek to Australian Camp (2060m)
Day 4. Trek to Tolka (1700m)
Day 5. Trek to Jhinu (1780m) thermal springs
Day 6. Trek to Chuile (2309m)
Day 7. Rest- Yoga & Meditation
Day 8. Trek to Banthanti (2700m)
Day 9. Trek to Ghorepani (2850m)
Day 10. Morning hike to Poon Hill (3210m) for sunrise views and trek to Tadopani (2600m)
Day 11. Trek to Ghandruk (1951m)
Day 12. Rest- Yoga & Meditation
Day 13. Trek to Nayapul (1010m), drive to Pokhara (890m)
Day 14. In Pokhara. Sightseeing in the morning, afternoon at leisure.
Day 15. In Pokhara. Sightseeing in the morning, afternoon at leisure.
Day 16. Drive to Kathmandu
Day 17. Departure
Arrival Oslo or elsewhere the next day.
Price 17 days: NOK 21.900 (includes one domestic flight)
Price 14 days: NOK 18.900 (includes two domestic flights)
Prices include
All trekking permits and fees
Accommodation in lodges (full pension) on the trek
Guides and carriers
All local transport
Hotel/b&b in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Welcome dinner
Sightseeing and entrance tickets in Kathmandu
All yoga lessons, of course
Prices do not include
International flights to Kathmandu. Talk to Høyfjellspesialisten for good deals
Visa ($25)
Tips to carriers and guides
Lunches and dinners outside the trek
Single room
Other activities in Pokhara, such as paragliding or just a quiet boat trip on the lake …
by karinella | May 12, 2015 | yoga vacations
Nepal is close to my heart. I found solace and inspiration in the Annapurnas and got my yoga teacher training at Ananda Yoga Center. It is a magnificent country full of kind, beautiful people. It has meant – and continues to mean – so much for yoga. It feels incredibly unfair that such a disaster should strike right there in the heart of the Himalayas. Then again, disaster is always unfair, no matter where it strikes. All we can do is extend a hand. This is the time to extend it for Nepal.
On Saturday June 13th at 16.00 I will do another Yoga for Nepal donation class, this time outdoors! In collaboration with Jar Bazar I am having a session outside Jar Kirke, Wedel Jarlsbergs vei 20. All proceeds will go directly to the Hi On Life Rescue Team. This is a team of exceptionally brave trekking guides. They have brought food and aid directly to remote villages in the most heavily affected areas, reaching people where no relief or rescue teams have been before. They are also the people behind the Thade School Project. You can read more about their work here.
The class will be restorative and meditative, and I will add a twist and flavour of Nepalese culture to it that will be unique to this session. There will be a tonglen/compassion meditation and I will step far beyond my comfort zone and chant to you. Take it as a lullaby if you wish …
The next step in order to help Nepal back on its feet is to start getting tourism back on its feet. It might not seem so important right now, when people are in dire need. But it is really essential in order to rebuild the country. If nobody travels to Nepal anymore, what will the Nepalese people live from?
I am teaming up with the Hi On Life team for a Support Nepal yoga trek starting on October 10th. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the awe-inspiring Himalayas, this is the moment to do it. It is actually one of the best ways you can help the Nepalese people! The Annapurna region has not been destroyed by the earthquake, and it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The trek will last 17 days with the possibility of flying back after 14 if you’re short on time. Or you can extend it if you have more time on your hands! We will trek through lush rhododendron forests, beautiful terraced villages and see awe-inspiring mountain vistas of the Annapurna mountain range. One of the highlights is to watch the sunrise on Poon Hill. The photo at the top is from my first trip there in 2010.
There will be several rest days where we stay at a lodge, do yoga and meditate, a dip in natural thermal springs and several days to explore both Kathmandu and the lovely town of Pokhara. You can read more here (in Norwegian) or here (in English). Feel free to contact me if this is of interest.
But first, let us do yoga together to help those in need right now!
Hope to see you 16.00 on June 13th at Jar Kirke.
by karinella | Feb 25, 2015 | yoga vacations
More adventures coming up soon!
This is what a glorious week of surfing and yoga in Taghazout, Morocco looks like:
The package includes everything you need: lovely rooms, free wi-fi, a great rooftop terrace, nutritious breakfast, great packed lunch for the beach and tasty dinners four nights a week (the other nights we go out to affordable and cozy restaurants – with lots of vegetarian options). We’ll practice yoga on the rooftop in the morning and before dinner, get driven to the best surf spots, get wetsuits, boards and lessons if required, surf and relax all day. Oh, apart from when we take a trip to the hammam, the souk or a lovely river valley with azure pools – included in the package!
Mint Surf Morocco really does everything to ensure that their surf crowd has the best time. Everything from airport pick-up to gear to delicous lunch sandwiches. They have a wonderful team of surf instructors and guides that really do their best to keep you safe, happy and quickly improving on the waves. I’ve surfed with them before, so I’m not just claiming this because they have top reviews on TripAdvisor (the are rated as the #1 attraction in Taghazout).
There’s a variety of packages to choose from, depending on your needs. If you’re an experienced surfer with your own board you’ll get driven to the best breaks of the day, but you won’t have to pay for surf lessons, of course. If you’re a beginner or want to improve your surfing, there are packages tailored for that. You can even come and just do yoga, and then relax on the beach.
The full beginner package is just 4950NOK/575 EUR! The other packages vary, depending on your needs. Contact me for more details!
The package includes five full days of yoga and surfing, and depending on your arrival and departure times, we can get a bit of yoga and maybe even some surfing in on the first and last day too. I am open for requests and will do all I can to help you with alignment, breathing, meditation or with whatever you are curious about or would like to focus on.
The typical day will look like this:
7.30 Yoga on the rooftop.
8.30 Breakfast
9.00 Departure to the surf
All day at the beach!
Yoga to warm up and surf lessons if you’ve booked that package.
You can take breaks from the surfing whenever you like, to read a book or do more yoga.
We get sandwiches, fruit and soft drinks at the beach, and I will also give talks on yoga philosophy, meditation etc. when we are gathered under the umbrellas.
We’ll arrive back at the riad in the afternoon, with plenty of time for yoga, shower and relaxation before dinner.
Plane tickets are not included, but you can find really reasonable flights.
If you’re flying from Norway, you can get directly to Agadir with Norwegian. You can also fly to Marrakech and get a transfer (actually a comfy and scenic three hour bus ride). Other routes are possible too, of course! I’d be happy to help you with suggestions.
Get in touch on kari@yogini.no
by karinella | Sep 8, 2014 | yoga vacations
Join me in Turkey for deep breaths, playful movement, great food and some serious lazy times by the pool from September 21st to 25th 2014!
There will be workshops on ayurveda and yogic philosophy, and we’ll learn about delicious, nourishing food as well. A great way to find balance in your life that lasts a lot longer than the vacation itself! We’ll focus on sustaining the glow and warmth of summer within ourselves, even when there is a blizzard outside.
We’ll be staying in
The Shambala in Kabak Koyu, Turkey. This place is an oasis! Sooo relaxed, and in the middle of a lush, green forest with a great pool and breathtaking views over the bay. The beach is turquoise beyond belief and the food is delicious.
The program will include:
- Two yoga asana classes per day, in the morning and in the evening
- Healthy, vegetarian food (breakfast and dinner)
- Guided excursion to a gorgeous waterfall (with lunch included)
- Meditation, mindfulness, pranayama breathing techniques and yoga nidra relaxation
- An introduction to ayurveda where we’ll determine your dosha (ayurvedic type)
- A personal consultation to create your own yoga program
The price (including accommodation, 2 meals/day, yoga classes, ayurveda workshop):
NOK 5000 (adults) or Nok 4000 (students).
If you want to, this vacation can be combined with a trip to Istanbul and/or a trek along the Lycian Way.
Stay tuned for more adventures! I am planning a surf & yoga trip to Morocco February 14th to 20th and trekking & yoga in Nepal during the Easter vacation!
