4 days to rest and re-energise in pristine nature – yoga retreat in Nepal

Join us in Nepal's gorgeous Begnas Lake Resort, and spoil yourself in somewhere totally unspoiled.

Dates: 17 February 2017 - 20 February 17
Taught by: Annie Seymour, Lizzie Hacker
Location: Begnas Lake Resort & Spa (near Pokhara), Nepal
Cost: $455

Mahalaya are heading to the gorgeous Begnas Lake Resort for a four-day yoga retreat in one of Nepal’s most beautiful spots.

Join us for this chance to unwind and warm up after the winter months, and spoil yourself somewhere totally unspoiled.

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We’re offering daily morning yoga practice, evening relaxation practices, mouth-watering meals that takes care of you inside-out from the Resort’s fantastic Ayurvedic kitchen, and plenty of space for you to simply unwind and explore the beautiful surroundings.

Begnas Lake enjoys a sub-tropical climate (at 650m, its relatively low elevation keeps temperatures moderate throughout the year), so read a book by the pool, take a swim or boat in the healing waters of the lake while gazing up at the Annapurna peaks. Breathe in the pure mountain air on a hike in the hillside forests.

Join our afternoon sessions on the basic practices of foot reflexology for those interested in techniques to soothe and energise through touch, and to learn a flowing 30-minute vinyasa practice which you can enjoy at home whenever you need a boost. Unknot your soul with an optional dawn mountaintop meditation and evening candlelit chanting by the lake

Bicycles are available for a cycling trip among the coffee and fruit trees, and there is an Ayurvedic spa so that you can treat yourself to a healing massage. Alternatively, simply snuggle up with a loved one in your cosy Gurung-tradition heated stone cottage with postcard views, or enjoy the company of a friendly like-minded people in a rejuvenating place.    

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The resort lends itself to celebrating some of the great joys in life. Our previous retreat in Begnas Lake Resort was wonderfully fun, with great yoga, swimming, hiking, boating, meditation, great food, fantastic conversation, kite flying and even a pub quiz! Sometimes, the best way to connect with ourselves and to find balance in our lives is to remember who we are when we are really happy.

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Come and breathe life into each day at Lake Begnas, and return a refreshed, relaxed and revitalised you!

Begnas Lake is the perfect stepping stone to a trek in the Annapurna range afterwards, and is close to the Vipassana centre for those looking for more stillness (courses begin on the first day of each month).

Mahalaya yoga retreat venue Annapurna

Retreat fee

The retreat fee is $455 per person. The fee includes accommodation at the heavenly Begnas Lake Resort & Spa, three delicious nutritious meals per day, use of the pool, and all your yoga sessions with Annie and Lizzie. For local residents wishing to pay in Nepalese Rupees, the equivalent rate is 49,750 NPR. 

We expect a lot of people will prefer to make their own transport arrangements, as you may wish to go earlier, or stay on after, or fly. However, we will organise a private bus and all are welcome to join us in that, either return or one-way: we will simply divide the cost-price between participants taking this option (expect around 4,000 rupees (approx. $40) return, depending on numbers). The bus will depart from Kathmandu at 5.30am on the Friday (with a stop for breakfast on the way), getting to Begnas for lunch at around 1pm on the 17th. We will leave Begnas after lunch on the 20th and arrive into Kathmandu around 8/9pm. 

Dinner at Mahalaya yoga retreat venue nepal

Begnas Lake Resort

Located 12km east of bustling Pokhara lies this wondrous paradise –  Begnas Lake is known for its clear spring-fed water and lushly vegetated surroundings. The resort is on the southern bank of the lake with every room offering spectacular mountain views.

Surrounded by pristine nature, with gurgling mountain springs forming natural boundaries on either side, the Begnas Lake Resort spans a whole hillside of unspoilt forestland. To the North and the North-East are the great Himalayan snowy peaks, below which lie terraced paddy fields and the tranquil Begnas Lake, lending a perfect view from every guestroom. Surrounding the resort are chestnut, orange and other fruit trees interspersed by bushes of coffee, cardamom and flowering plants. The entire resort breathes pure, unadulterated nature. In this healing and life-nourishing environment, you can opt to indulge yourself in the resort’s Himalayan Nature Spa, offering a wide range of classical Ayurvedic treatments as well as soothing and rejuvenating massages (not included in the retreat fee).

Begnas Spa treatment 2

Rooms are all built on old paddy terraces close to the water’s edge, and all north facing for stunning views of the magnificent countryside and the mighty snow-clad Himalayan peaks. All rooms are spacious and built in ethnic Gurung style stone-houses. Each room is temperature controlled so that you can keep cosy and warm when inside as well as out. All accommodation units are interspersed with fruit trees and flowering bushes and guestrooms are tastefully appointed in teakwood, terracotta and cane. All bathrooms are attached, large and done in rough stone and slate with running hot and cold water. Rooms are on a twin-share basis.

Contact Lizzie for more information, or book your place now!

Back in the usual reality, I am even more reminded of the value and beauty of our time during Begnas Lake retreat. It has been a great experience, with a strong learning and beautiful community. We came from different walks of life and yoga experience, and received very balanced teaching and genuine care. What really made it such complete experience was your care and warmth, BIG thank you for your willingness to take on the challenge of organizing this retreat, and keep it seamlessly running, taking care of every aspect. Your dedication and love for what you do was so clear throughout every interaction, and your warmth, presence and smiles were constant encouragement. Delicious indeed!

Suzana Paklar, participant of our Begnas Lake retreat in Oct 2016


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