Truly Authentic Shaman Experience - Amazing, authentic experience. I was travelling alone to Nepal, and it was the first time in Asia alone. I was going on a spiritual pilgrimage, wanting to emerge myself in Buddhism, Hinduism, Shamanism, yoga and tantra, and saw this experience on TripAdvisor. With only one review, I was tentative, but it was a good review, and the operating company had many other positive reviews for their other experiences. So, two days before, Avi and Anil met with me at a coffee shop to make sure I knew what the experience entailed, as it’s very unique. They explained I would be picked up by Amil and their driver, at my hotel and we would drive about 2 hours, stopping at a few holy sites on the way, until meeting up with Avi for a family made meal. I was welcomed there and was made fresh Mo Mos, and greeted with a scarf. It just so turns out that I was actually joining a family affair… Avi’s family has been visiting this shaman since he was a child, and relatives of his were also going to be joining the ceremony. Our driver drove us as close as possible down the road until he could no longer pass, at which time we had to hike up the mountain. It was about a 45 minute trek at dusk, really adding to the mysticism of the experience. After arriving, I was greeted by the attendees there, and was fed another t chicken meal, and we had some mini bananas. It took a while for the shaman to prepare, but soon enough, we joined the ceremony room, where he had set up an alter or spiritual items passed down through 4 to 5 generations. Each participant added an offering (money from myself) and there were bowls of rice added for the shaman to use to tune into the energy for divination. The shaman doesn’t use any psychedelic substances to enter trance, but rather drums, chants, and recites mantras to shift his consciousness. After what must have been 2 hours of chanting, he started tapping into each rice bowl and speaking to each participant about what the spirits were telling him they needed to hear. For me, he asked me if I had back pain, and that was exactly why I was there, for my chronic pain. Avi and Anil were translating everything for me, as he told me that someone had put negative energy behind my back. I’m sure that could be interpreted in many ways, as I was not able to hear the exact translation or ask questions about any of this, but he did nail the core issue, which was kind of mind blowing. After he was done going through everyone’s messages, he told me he would provide a healing ritual for me. Before that, we all enjoyed some homemade rice wine, very unique. The ritual consisted of him chanting, signing, drumming, and dancing around me, while also blowing air on me from his mouth and the shaman dress he wears during ritual, as well as drinking water from a chalice that he has done a ritual with beforehand. The next morning, although I had slept on a wooden board with only Tibetan carpet on it, I somehow didn’t have any pain. Today is a few days later, and I’m not 100% sure if this has cured or healed me, but I certainly felt better, and he said the improvements will continue slowly. Overall, an amazing experiment, and Avi and Anil were making sure I had everything I wanted or needed the entire time. This is not some spiritual tourism, it’s very authentic, it was more of me joining two friends, and then inviting me into a special part of their lives that most people don’t get to experience. There are no frills. I slept at the shaman’s house in the same room as Avi and Anil (I had my own bed), and the house doesn’t have indoor plumbing, so if that’s something you require, you may want to skip out on this, or perhaps chat with Avi & Anil to see if there are any alternative arrangements (I would assume at an extra cost, if that’s even possible). The next morning, we woke up to the most stunning view of my entire trip in Nepal. Pictures attached. I very much appreciate the tenacity, authenticity and entrepreneurial spirit of these two young lads! Namaste.

Once in a Lifetime trip- off-the-beaten track! - The 2 D 1 N Spiritual trip far exceeded my expectations. Even before I went on the trip, my questions re the trip with Trek Pal Nepal were prompted responded. The company is founded by young, good hunoured & tenacious Avinash with his 2 other partners, Kishore & Sandi who came out to my hotel to meet me 3 days before the trip. They were sincere, eager to please and keen to understand my needs as a foreign traveller. The boys are really keen on spirituality and coming up with a unique Spiritual tour package to showcase what they know or experienced. Last Thursday, we set off for my 2 D 1 N trip out of Kathmandu and our driver, Booming is good humoured. We went to some spiritual sites of Tamang culture in Uttragaya Betrawati region in Nepal where we were hosted by Avinash's parents who own a cosy motel. I was met with so much hospitality, greeted with a flower garland & fresh cow milk curd. The next day, I even got to visit Avinash's grandfather's farm where I was greeted by a host of beautiful chickens, cows, goats and turkeys. We also went to an archeological buddhist site that was recently discovered. The truly magical and highlight of my trip was where we took the tuk tuk up a remote part of the village up into mountains. Our destination was not accessible by car. It was a rocky and fun adventure and we laughed like school kids. This was where I got to meet a Tibetan Buddhist lama guru whose Spiritual wisdom & craft was passed down for 5 generations. Him and his villagers received me with a white hata as we climbed up a steep slopes by foot to this village & met them there. He recited his daily evening mantras from an ancient prayer scripture and blessed me and the villagers by applying a piece of plant ( looks like from the bamboo) which I was told that he foraged wild in the forest with ghee on our forehead. Various instruments were played to explained to me what rituals they were typically used for. Some rituals were a combination of Tibetan Medicine and Tamang folk culture. It is interesting to note that geographically where we were in the mountains, we were rather close to Tibet. Later on, I consulted the lama guru regarding a personal matter. He divined my reading by asking me to hold and release some rice by saying my name. His reading was accurate. He was kind and compassionate with his advice and did a small blessing ritual for me and promised to do more prayers for my challenges when I was gone as I did not have time to bring a few items for a bigger cleansing ritual. I thanked him for everything and made a small donation. Further to that, Avinash's mum is an awesome cook and the home made food with fresh fried river fish was delicious. The motel was basic but clean and cosy with my own ensuite bathroom. The next morning, I meditated by a famous river associated with Lord Shiva. Words here cannot do justice to my experience . Avinash made sure I had a great time, was comfortable and being such a larrikan . Sandi was a quiet achiever and was thoughtful and always took the initiative to photos and video for me. It was definitely a one of a kind experience. Not what you will find in a typical tour especially with my visit with the Tibetan Buddhist guru since it happened to be Avinash's hometown and the guru's village is not a tourist attraction. If you want a unique experience and not a commercialized spiritual experience, I highly recommend this trip with the boys with the local activity knowledge.