Pilgrimage Tours to Kathmandu Valley with Yana Womack, Ph.D.

Known as the abode of gods and goddesses, Kathmandu is a magical place where elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, tantrism, and animism continue to harmoniously coexist. While on pilgrimage, we visit ancient shrines and temples dedicated to the worship of the Buddha, Vajrayogini (Queen of the dakinis or 'skydancers'), Tara, Sarasvati, Shiva, Parvati, Durga, Kali and Laksmi. We witness rituals to the Mother goddess Durga during Dasain, the most vibrant festival in Nepal where masked dances and processions enliven the atmosphere with shakti, (female power); We visit with, and receive blessings from Kusali Devi of Kathmandu, a living manifestation of the goddess Hariti, and attend teachings by renowned Tibetan Buddhist master Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche. A tour of the beautiful Kopan Monastery and a visit to medieval villages to explore the making of exquisite statues and thangkas are included in our itinerary. We receive lessons in sacred dance and sound healing (Tibetan singing bowls) and enjoy a private mountain retreat for personal meditation and hiking, complete with full views of the breathtaking, pristine Himalayan peaks.

Tour includes: deluxe hotel accommodations, full breakfasts, tours and entrance fees, lectures by guides and local experts, transportation per itinerary, mountain retreat, sacred dance instruction by master dancer in traditional Newari dance, Tibetan singing bowl lesson by master sound healer, and farewell dinner.

The tours I offer are both cultural adventures and spiritual pilgrimages.They are designed for those interested in learning about the art, culture, folkloric and spiritual practices in Nepal, and for participants who want to begin, or expand and deepen their spiritual practices in an atmosphere imbued with sacred imagery.

My passion for Nepal, particularly Kathmandu Valley, began in 1998 when I traveled to Nepal and India on fieldwork for my Master's thesis on Hindu female deities. The sights, sounds, flavors, customs and people left an indelible imprint on my psyche. I had no idea about the vast cultural differences of the East and West! To read about the customs and practices was one thing but to experience it . . . well, it exceeded my wildest expectations. Since then (for over a decade), I have traveled there numerous times bringing small groups. My contacts include: holy men and women, high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, village shamans, living manifestations of the goddess, including the Kumari of Bhaktapur and Kusali Devi of Kathmandu, masters in Newari dance, sound healers, ayurvedic body workers and many other loving, warm and fascinating people of Nepal. It gives me the greatest pleasure to introduce participants to this amazing culture. One cannot help but feel transported into the past. To me, it feels much like walking around in a mythic realm. There is no other place like Kathmandu Valley! The combination of Hinduism, Buddhism and Shamanism is a harmonious blend that continues to coexist. There is so much for us to learn by traveling to this magical place, whether it be in pilgrimage or for cultural enrichment. I hope you will accompany me on what many consider 'a trip of a lifetime'.

~ Yana Womack, Ph.D.

For information on the next scheduled tour or if you are interested in a customized personal or group tour to Kathmandu Valley, please contact Yana at: (510) 652-3697 or email: yanaw@comcast.net