Kathmandu & Himalayan Wellbeing Through the Eyes of René Vijay Shrestha
Seven nights. One ancient valley and Himalayan wellbeing. Four nights in Kathmandu, followed by three at Dwarika’s Sanctuary — tracing the footprints of a 2,300-year-old civilization and its passage into modernity, alongside Himalayan wellbeing traditions whose ancient roots have reached far beyond their origins. A fixed departure, 4–11 February 2027, limited to 10 people, led by René Vijay Shrestha Einhaus, owner of Dwarika’s Collection, and Sanjay Nepal, an expert in Eastern philosophy. René and Sanjay take you to the Kathmandu they know intimately: restoration workshops, hidden temples and corners few visitors reach. The journey then continues to Dwarika’s Sanctuary, where René Vijay introduces Himalayan wellbeing as a way of living deepened here for thousands of years.
Trip Highlights
- Fixed departure 4–11 February 2027, limited to 10 guests
- Hosted by René Vijay Shrestha Einhaus with Sanjay Nepal
- Four nights at Dwarika’s Kathmandu and three at Dwarika’s Sanctuary, Dhulikhel
- Restoration workshop, Patan, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath
- Private Ayurvedic consultation and Himalayan wellbeing at the Sanctuary
- Krishnarpan tasting menu, Mako’s omakase and a farewell dinner
Exclusive Tour Leadership
This is a personally hosted journey, led exclusively by René Vijay Shrestha, whose knowledge, perspective and connection to Dwarika’s Collection form an integral part of the experience.
While every possible effort will be made for René Vijay to lead the journey as planned, circumstances beyond his or Dwarika’s Collection’s reasonable control may occasionally make this impossible. In such circumstances, Dwarika’s Collection will provide a full refund of the program cost paid to Dwarika’s Collection. This refund does not include any personal expenses or travel arrangements made separately by the guest, including international airfare, visa fees or travel insurance.
Itinerary
4 February: Arrival
You step into one of Asia’s oldest cities, beginning at the legendary Dwarika’s — a hotel built from an architectural heritage that was almost lost. Tonight is an introduction, not an itinerary - a first glimpse of Kathmandu through its rich stories, its new flavors, and the man whose family helped preserve the Newari architecture at its heart.
Experiences
- Arrive at Dwarika’s, a hotel that tells the story of its cultural hub of Asia.
- Welcome drinks with René Vijay at the Fusion Bar — a tasting of Himalayan cocktails and an introduction to the world you are about to discover
- Dinner in Dwarika’s famed courtyards, surrounded by the architecture and atmosphere that make the hotel unlike anywhere else.
5 February: The Restoration Workshop & Patan, the City of Arts
The day moves from craft to craft — first to the hands still carving the same wood that built Dwarika’s, then to Patan’s temples and courtyards, where stone and timber tell the story of a civilization that grew into a culture found nowhere else on earth. By evening, you’ll find yourself somewhere almost no visitor finds on their own, before dinner introduces you to the flavors of Nepal.
Experiences
- Morning: René Vijay takes you to Dwarika’s own restoration workshop, where the Kathmandu Valley’s wooden architectural artwork is still being preserved by hand — tracing the story of Kathmandu through its craft.
- Late morning: On to Patan — the Golden Temple, Patan Durbar Square, the museum, and René Vijay’s favorite Newari architectural courtyard, a glimpse of an art form that has shaped Kathmandu for millennia.
- Lunch: At a restored neoclassical aristocratic palace.
- Afternoon: Time to slow down in the courtyards of Dwarika’s.
- Sunset: René Vijay and Sanjay take you off the beaten track to a hidden temple and a ritual few visitors ever have the opportunity to experience.
- Dinner: At Krishnarpan — a seven-course tasting menu designed uniquely for René’s groups, tracing flavors across Nepal’s different communities.
6 February: Kathmandu City and the 1,200-Year-Old Trade Route
This is the day the old city and the new one sit closest together — a market unchanged for centuries, a living goddess still worshipped as she has been for generations, and then, minutes away, an art scene evolving into something entirely new. The night ends wherever you choose, before everyone regroups at the speakeasy René Vijay calls his favorite.
Experiences
- Morning: Walk through Ason market — loud, unfiltered, and full of hidden gems tucked into ancient courtyards.
- Kathmandu Durbar Square: Pause at René Vijay’s favorite spot for tea and local delicacies, watching the city move past as it has for centuries. Here, you’ll also witness the Living Goddess and stand in one of the oldest courts in Asia.
- Later: From there, straight into MONA — Kathmandu’s contemporary art scene, where the city breaks from old forms and moves into something entirely new.
- Lunch & Dinner: Your way— Choose from René Vijay’s list of favorites
- Evening: Everyone reconvenes at René Vijay’s favorite speakeasy, rated one of the best in Asia.
7 February: Sacred, Then Unexpected
Today moves between the deeply sacred and the wonderfully unexpected — beginning at one of the holiest sites in the Hindu world before the crowds arrive, and ending at René Vijay’s favorite sundown spot in Bouddhanath, a view he rarely shares. In between, lunch somewhere one would be unable to find in Kathmandu at all.
Experiences
- Morning: A walk through Pashupatinath with René Vijay, before the crowds arrive.
- Late morning: Time is yours — rest, or have a car on standby for shopping.
- Lunch: Four courses of omakase at Mako’s, Kathmandu’s most unexpected culinary edge curated by René Vijay.
- Afternoon: Explore Bouddhanath — a site of powerful energy, René Vijay’s favorite antique shop, and his favorite sundown spot, the one view he doesn’t show everyone.
- Dinner: At Tusa, a modern interpretation of Nepali cuisine.
8 February: Leaving the City, Entering the Ancient
Today you leave Kathmandu behind for Bhaktapur, the valley’s oldest city, before continuing further still — into a wellbeing tradition that predates the temples you have spent the past four days walking through. The pace changes here: from the energy of the valley to the stillness of the mountains, and towards a deeper sense of your journey of Himalayan wellbeing.
Experiences
- Morning: Visit Bhaktapur, the oldest city in the Kathmandu Valley, via Sanjay’s route — taste the city’s famous curd and meet one of the great masters of Newari woodcarving in a beautifully renovated traditional Newari space over tea and local treats
- Welcome: The transition into Himalayan wellbeing begins with a welcome lunch at the Sanctuary.
- Afternoon: A private consultation with our Ayurvedic doctors.
- Meditation: Inside the Crystal Room — surrounded by walls of Himalayan crystal, with nothing modern about it.
- Sundowner: Over the mountains — the first full exhale of the week.
9 February: Introduction into Himalayan Wellbeing
A full day immersed in the ancient wisdom of Himalayan wellbeing, embraced by the rejuvenating environment of the Sanctuary — a lifestyle built on a 5,000-year-old rhythm.
Experiences
- Nine-planet balancing to restore harmony and alignment.
- A deeply restorative Himalayan massage.
- A private, lunch at the farm.
- Open-air yoga amidst the stillness of nature.
- Guided breathwork in the Salt House.
- Sound healing to gently close the day.
10 February: Buddhist Encounters in Himalayan Wellbeing
Your final full day moves you into Buddhist philosophical encounters and Himalayan wisdom, bringing the week gently towards its close — with a farewell dinner that ends the way it began together.
Experiences
- A visit to one of Nepal’s most revered monasteries — witness the monks’ chants, share lunch with them, and meet the Khenpo.
- A creative immersion through art or pottery.
- A closing massage to restore and renew.
- Farewell dinner
11 February: Departure
As your journey draws to a close, depart rested and aligned - carrying with you the stillness and serenity of the Sanctuary.
