Frequently Asked By Questions

Bodhidham Yoga Retreat Ashram Nepal is located at Ghachowk Village, Pokhara, Nepal. We also operate in Kathmandu, Nepal and Rishikesh, India, offering authentic yoga teacher training, meditation retreats, and spiritual wellness programs in peaceful Himalayan surroundings.

We arrange transport from Pokhara for all guests. Please inform us of your arrival date, time, and location (airport, bus park, or Lakeside) and we will arrange pickup. The drive from Pokhara to Ghachowk takes approximately 30 minutes on good roads. If you prefer to arrange your own transport, taxi is available from Lakeside Pokhara to Ghachowk.

All meals at Bodhidham are organic, freshly prepared, and vegetarian, following Sattvic (yogic) dietary principles. Breakfast typically includes oats, fruits, herbal teas, and local Nepali dishes. Lunch is the main meal, dal bhat (lentils and rice) with seasonal vegetables, curries, and chutneys. Dinner is lighter. Special dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, allergies) can be accommodated with advance notice.

Yes. Bodhidham is a Registered Yoga School (RYS) with Yoga Alliance USA. Our 100-hour, 200-hour, and 300-hour Yoga Teacher Training programs are all Yoga Alliance registered. Upon successful completion, graduates can register as Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT) with Yoga Alliance, which is the international standard for yoga teacher credentials.

Most of our retreat programs are open to all levels, from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. Our teachers are experienced in adapting practices to individual needs. The Intense Yogasana and Meditation Retreat and the 300-hour YTT are designed for experienced practitioners. If you are unsure, please contact us and describe your experience — we will help you choose the most appropriate program.

Comfortable, loose-fitting yoga clothing for practice. Warm layers — Ghachowk can be cool, especially in the mornings and evenings, and significantly cold in winter. Personal toiletries (we provide basic items but prefer you bring your own to reduce waste). Yoga mat (we provide mats but you are welcome to bring your own). Any prescribed medications. A notebook for journaling. Walking shoes for forest walks and village exploration. A light raincoat or poncho (especially during spring and monsoon months).

Yes. Bodhidham is a residential ashram environment with a caring community. We have hosted many solo female travellers who have felt completely safe and comfortable. Nepal in general is considered a safe destination for solo female travellers, and Ghachowk village has a welcoming, close-knit community. We ask all guests to respect ashram values of mutual respect and mindful behaviour.

A 20% advance payment is required to confirm your booking. The remaining balance is due upon arrival at the ashram. Due to Nepal Government and Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) regulations on foreign currency transactions, Bodhidham operates a NO REFUND policy on deposits and payments once processed. However, if you are unable to attend your booked program, your payment will be credited and valid for use within 6 months from your originally planned visit date. Check our full Booking & Refund Policy

Our standard pickup service is from Pokhara (airport, bus park, or Lakeside hotel). If you need pickup from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, this can be arranged for an additional fee. Please contact us in advance to arrange this. The journey from Kathmandu to Pokhara is approximately 6-7 hours by bus or 25 minutes by domestic flight. We recommend flying Pokhara-Kathmandu (Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, or Shree Airlines) for ease of travel.

All programs at Bodhidham are taught in English. Sanskrit terms and mantras are taught with transliteration and translation. Our teachers are fluent English speakers, and the ashram community is multinational. We have hosted students from Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia.

Yes. If you wish to extend your stay beyond your booked program, please inform us as soon as possible so we can check availability. Extensions are priced per night inclusive of meals, or you can book a subsequent program. We also offer our Long Term Retreat program for those wishing to stay 1-3 months.

Yes, we have WiFi at the ashram. However, we encourage all guests to practise digital minimalism during their retreat, particularly in the mornings and evenings when practice is scheduled. The transformative effect of a retreat is significantly enhanced by reducing screen time. Many guests choose to use WiFi only during the afternoon rest period.

The ashram is located at 1,320 m above sea level. This altitude is well below the threshold at which altitude sickness typically occurs (usually above 2,500m). The vast majority of guests experience no altitude-related symptoms. The fresh mountain air at 1,320m is actually highly beneficial, richer in oxygen than sea level and free from urban pollutants. If you are joining our Yoga Trek program, which reaches up to 4200m, we take full precautions including acclimatisation schedules and have guides experienced in high-altitude safety.