Nepal Retreat FAQs: Every Question, Answered

By Aarav Sharma · Published 2026-07-04

This page answers the most common questions about booking a verified retreat in Nepal: deposits, visas, safety, seasons, food, what to pack, and what verification means. Each answer is short and factual, with links to the full guides when you want to go deeper into any topic.

Start Here

This page gathers the questions we hear most from travellers planning a retreat in Nepal, with short, checkable answers you can act on. Think of it as a map: every answer stands on its own, and when you want the full story on a topic, follow the link to the dedicated guide.

The questions below are grouped the way a trip comes together: first how booking and money work, then entry and getting here, then safety, health, and timing, and finally life on retreat, from food and packing to what verification really means.

Start with how booking works to see the confirm-before-charge flow end to end, and read our refund policy for the plain-language cancellation terms. Then check the visa guide for entry rules, the best-time guide to choose your season, and the Vipassana guide if silent meditation is your path. To understand the trust behind every listing, read our verification.

Two things hold true throughout: the prices you see are all-in per program and shown in US dollars, and your deposit is charged only after an operator confirms your dates. If they cannot confirm, you pay nothing.

Still Have a Question?

If your question is not here, three paths help. Browse verified retreats to compare real dates, prices, and inclusions side by side. Every listing has passed our in-person check. Read the guide that matches your topic: visas and entry rules, when to come, or silent meditation courses. Or ask a human: our team in Pokhara and Kathmandu answers by WhatsApp and email, usually within 24 hours, and we are happy to talk through options before you request anything.

Whatever you decide, the booking itself carries no risk before it is confirmed: pick a retreat, request your dates, and you will only pay the deposit once your operator says yes.

Ready to hold your dates? The rule stays the same everywhere on the site: you request for free, and you only pay the deposit once your operator confirms. The balance goes to your hosts on arrival.

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Frequently asked

How does booking a retreat in Nepal work?

You request your dates for free. The operator confirms availability, usually within 24 hours. Only then do you pay a deposit (10% or 15% of the price); the balance goes to your hosts when you arrive. Nothing is charged before confirmation. See how booking works.

How big is the deposit, and what happens to the rest?

The deposit is 15% of the total price on standard listings, or 10% on founding-operator listings. It is the only amount paid online, and it doubles as our commission. You pay the remaining balance directly to your hosts, in person, when you arrive.

How do I pay the deposit, and is my card safe?

You pay the deposit by card through Stripe, a secure payment processor, so we never see or store your full card details. Nothing is charged when you request. The card is only used after your operator confirms the dates. The exact deposit and balance are shown before you pay. See how booking works.

What if the operator can't confirm my dates?

Then you pay nothing. We never charge before an operator confirms availability, so if your dates fall through, there is no deposit to refund: the card was never charged. We will email and message you, and help you find another verified retreat if you want one.

Can I get a refund if I cancel my booking?

Yes, within the terms. Because only the deposit is ever paid online, a cancellation affects that deposit alone: the balance isn't charged until you arrive. How much comes back depends on how far ahead you cancel, with clear cutoffs and worked examples set out on our refund policy page.

What currency are prices in, and how do I pay the balance?

Every price is all-in and shown in US dollars, and your deposit is charged in that amount. You pay the balance to your hosts in person on arrival; most operators accept US dollars or Nepali rupees in cash, and ATMs are easy to find in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Confirm the accepted currency with your operator.

Do I need a visa for Nepal, and which one?

Most travellers get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. Fees are $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, or $125 for 90 days, up to 150 days per calendar year. Full details are in our visa guide.

Can I extend my visa or stay longer?

Yes. A tourist visa can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara, for a per-day fee, up to the 150-day limit in a calendar year. That gives you room to add a trek or a second retreat. Full entry and extension details are in our visa guide.

How do I get from the airport to my retreat?

Most travellers fly into Kathmandu's international airport. Kathmandu Valley retreats are a short taxi ride away; for Pokhara, it's a 25-minute domestic flight or a 6–7 hour drive. Many operators arrange an airport pickup. Ask when you request, and your confirmation will list where and when to meet.

Is Nepal safe for retreat travellers, including solo women?

Nepal is generally safe for travellers, and many women come solo. The US set its travel advisory to Level 2 in April 2026, which asks visitors to exercise increased caution. Booking a retreat we verified in person adds a checked, accountable host, which changes the equation for solo guests. The full picture, solo-female section included, is in our Nepal safety guide.

Do I need travel insurance?

We strongly recommend it. Standard travel insurance covers trip delays, lost luggage, and medical care, which is worth having anywhere. If your plans include trekking, pick a policy that covers high-altitude activity and helicopter evacuation to the route's maximum height. Those are excluded from many basic plans. Buy it before you travel.

Do I need any vaccinations for Nepal?

Nepal requires no vaccinations for entry from most countries, though a yellow-fever certificate is asked of travellers arriving from affected regions. Any other travel vaccines are a personal-health choice. This is general information, not medical advice. Check with a travel-health clinic well before you fly.

Do I need to worry about altitude sickness?

Not at most retreats. Kathmandu sits around 1,400 m and Pokhara around 820 m, low enough that altitude is not a concern. It matters only on high treks: Poon Hill reaches 3,210 m and Annapurna Base Camp 4,130 m, where good itineraries build in acclimatization days. See our trek-wellness routes.

When is the best time to come to Nepal?

The peak seasons are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), with clear skies and comfortable temperatures for both retreats and treks. The monsoon runs June to August, which suits indoor practice and some Ayurvedic programs. See our best-time guide for a month-by-month view.

What will I eat on a retreat?

Most retreat kitchens are vegetarian, and many are plant-based. The staple is dal bhat: lentil soup, rice, vegetables, and pickle, usually served twice a day and often refilled freely. Operators can cater to vegan, gluten-free, and other needs; note yours in your request so they can prepare.

What should I pack for a Nepal retreat?

Bring layered clothing: mornings and evenings are cool, and treks get cold at altitude. Add comfortable practice clothes, a warm layer, rain protection, sturdy shoes, and any personal toiletries. Most centers provide yoga mats, props, and bedding, so you rarely need your own. Check your listing to be sure.

Will I have wifi and phone signal on retreat?

Usually, yes. Most retreat centers in and around Pokhara and Kathmandu have wifi, and a local SIM gives reliable mobile data in both cities. Remote trek lodges are patchier. Some meditation programs, such as silent courses, ask you to hand in devices. Check your listing so you know what to expect.

Do I need prior experience to join a retreat?

No. Most yoga and meditation retreats welcome complete beginners and mixed-level groups, with teachers who adjust for each person. Teacher-training courses do ask for some prior practice, which each listing states. If you're unsure, note your experience in your request and browse verified yoga retreats that suit beginners.

What does 'verified' mean on NepalRetreat?

Verified means our Nepal-based team visited the operator in person and completed a five-point check of the space, safety, hosts, and how they run retreats. Only verified listings can be booked, and the verified badge is set by us, not operators. Read the full method on our verification page.

Can I combine a retreat with a trek?

Yes. Trek-wellness journeys pair guided trekking with daily yoga and meditation, and many guests add a few days on a route like Poon Hill or Annapurna Base Camp around a retreat. Browse options and see what each includes on our trek-wellness page.