Annapurna Pilgrimage

Dear friends,

In 2022 we walked in the Himalaya with a group of soul seekers from all around the world, and we felt it clearly: the mountains themselves are a sacred medicine. We are going back to receive a message, guidance and the blessings of the Himalayas. We warmly invite you to come with us on this journey, one that can touch you deeply in heart, mind and soul.

In spring 2027 we will walk the Annapurna Circuit together, from Pokhara over the Thorong La pass to Muktinath, a holy place that pilgrims have walked to for centuries. The route winds through the sacred peaks of Annapurna, the Goddess of Abundance. It is a fourteen-day program with nine days of walking. We go as a small group with a mountain guide and porters, and there is time every day for prayer, singing, sharing and deep inner listening.

Spring is a beautiful time to walk here. The hillsides glow with rhododendrons, the national flower of Nepal, and the snow peaks stand sharp and bright against a deep blue sky. The days are warm in the sun, the nights are cold and quiet, and the high ridges still wear their winter snow.

Muktinath is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, and its name is often translated as ‘Lord of Liberation’. Water from 108 springs pours from the rock, a small flame burns beside the water, and all five elements are said to meet in this one place.

Evening light over a terraced valley in the Himalaya

A pilgrimage is simply a walk with a purpose.

Some people come with a question. Some come to put something heavy down. Some just love the mountains and want to share them with kind company. All of that is welcome, and you do not need to follow any particular tradition to join us.

On the trail

Prayer flags in front of a snow peak under a deep blue sky — Prayer flags and a snow peak

A village in a river gorge below snow mountains — A village in the gorge

Two trekkers with poles walking a mountain path, with a huge snow face behind them — Walking the trail

A wide valley with a river and fields, and a snow peak in the distance — The valley opens toward the mountains

Snow peaks rising above golden brown hills — Snow peaks above golden hills

A green meadow with wildflowers and a horse, with cloud-covered mountains behind — A green meadow in the valley

A snow peak glowing in warm light above dark trees, with a bird on a bare branch — A snow peak in the evening light

A river braiding through a wide valley with the sun above the ridge — The river braids through the valley

Terraced fields in warm evening sun, with the sun breaking through clouds — Terraced fields in the evening sun

Copper prayer wheels with prayer flags and snow mountains behind — Copper prayer wheels

A huge wall of snow and ice under a deep blue sky — A wall of snow and ice

Wind blowing snow off a high summit ridge — Wind on the summit ridge

A village with yellow trees at the edge of a cliff, with brown hills and snow peaks beyond — A village at the cliff edge

Colorful prayer flags below a sharp white peak, with a lodge in the snow — Prayer flags below a sharp white peak

Our last pilgrimage

A few moments from the walk we shared last time. You can also watch the stories from that journey on Instagram.

Watch the stories on Instagram

A group of friends laughing and posing together on a sunny ridge above the clouds — The whole group together

A group of trekkers in rain jackets and ponchos posing together on a wet road at the start of the trail — Setting off in the rain

Two trekkers smiling on a narrow path through green forest — Together on the forest trail

Trekkers coming up a grassy path through thick mist and tall bare trees — Walking up into the mist

Five smiling trekkers in a selfie with low cloud behind them — Happy faces in the clouds

A trekker in a yellow jacket standing on old mossy stone steps in the forest — Old mossy stone steps

Trekkers walking down a path under old trees covered in moss — Under the old moss trees

A trekker in a yellow jacket walking along a grassy ridge toward a sharp snow peak, with prayer flags beside the path — Walking toward the peak

Two smiling trekkers in a selfie with a snow peak and the morning sun behind them — Morning smiles below a snow peak

A sharp snow peak seen close up under a deep blue sky — A sharp peak in the morning light

Two trekkers sitting on a ridge and waving, with a huge wall of snow mountains behind them — Resting on the ridge

Four friends smiling in a selfie on a rooftop above a misty mountain valley — Friends above the valley

A woman in an orange top standing on a stone wall looking back, with hills and clouds in evening light — Evening light on the hills

A group of trekkers standing together in a courtyard under strings of prayer flags — Under the prayer flags

Three trekkers in bright jackets standing together on a green hillside — Three friends on the trail

Two people having tea at a table on a stone terrace, with a pointed snow peak behind them — Tea on the terrace

A group of trekkers sitting in a circle on cushions inside a lodge, smiling at the camera — Gathered together at the lodge

Guides and trekkers sitting around a table with a kettle inside a mountain lodge — Tea and a rest at the lodge

A trekker in a yellow jacket and wool hat holding a small cup of tea, with misty mountains behind — A warm cup with a view

A smiling woman in a green jacket sitting in a lodge window seat — A quiet moment at the lodge

Three tired trekkers resting on a red bench below a painted mural of a snow peak — Tired and happy

A group of friends posing together in a garden under strings of prayer flags — All together in the garden

The route

Annapurna Circuit and Tilicho Lake. We start in Pokhara, drive into the mountains, walk over the Thorong La pass and arrive in Muktinath.

Start and finish: Pokhara, ~820 m
Highest point: Thorong La, 5,416 m
Destination: Muktinath, ~3,800 m

On foot
By jeep, on day 3 and day 14
Number of the day we arrive

A sketch of the route, not to scale.

How high we sleep

Overnight altitude in meters, with the highest point of each day marked.

Itinerary

Day1
PokharaMar 28 · ~820 m
Arrive in Pokhara and check in at the hotel in your own time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day2
PokharaMar 29 · ~820 m
Group introductions, an opening talk and a safety briefing. Gear shopping and renting, permits and paperwork. Sharing circle. Overnight at the hotel.
Day3
Pokhara to ChameMar 30 · ~2,670 m · 8–9 h
Our journey begins. A day of driving on mountain roads. In the evening we soak in the hot springs of Chame, then hold our opening circle with intention setting, meditation and prayer.
Day4
Chame to Upper PisangMar 31 · ~3,300 m · 5–6 h
Walking through forest, with views of Annapurna II.
Day5
Upper Pisang to ManangApr 1 · 3,519 m · 5–6 h
The upper trail, with wide views of the whole Annapurna range.
Day6
Manang, rest dayApr 2 · 3,519 m · 3–4 h
A hike above the village to help the body adjust, then back to Manang for the night.
Day7
Manang to KhangsarApr 3 · 3,734 m · 4–5 h
Walking toward the Tilicho valley.
Day8
Khangsar to Tilicho Base CampApr 4 · ~3,900 m · 5–6 h
Crossing scree slopes.
Day9
Tilicho Lake to Shri KharkaApr 5 · 4,920 m · 6–8 h
A morning climb to one of the highest lakes in the world. Overnight in Shri Kharka (~4,080 m).
Day10
Shri Kharka to Yak KharkaApr 6 · ~4,110 m · 4–5 h
Little altitude gain. Walking toward the pass.
Day11
Yak Kharka to Thorong PhediApr 7 · ~4,600 m · 3–4 h
Our last camp before the pass. Rest and preparation.
Day12
Thorong La to MuktinathApr 8 · 5,416 m · 8–9 h
The crossing of the pass, the highest and fullest day of the journey. We sleep in Muktinath (~3,800 m), and the high-altitude banya (Russian sauna) is waiting.
Day13
Muktinath, day at the templeApr 9 · ~3,800 m
The Muktinath temple, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, the 108 springs, and the Gumba Samba and Jwala Mai temples. We rest, share, and close our circle with prayer.
Day14
Muktinath to PokharaApr 10 · ~820 m · 6–8 h or ~20 min
Back by jeep via Jomsom, or by a short flight. Those joining the deepening program stay in Muktinath.

What each day looks like

Morning qigong

Gentle movement and breathing to wake up the body for the day of walking.

Walking

At your own rhythm, sometimes talking, sometimes in silence.

Ritual, prayer and meditation

At special places along the trail we pause for short moments of ritual, prayer and meditation, to arrive in the place and listen inside.

Intention setting

At the start, each person sets an intention. It can be a question, a wish or a prayer. We return to it on the pass and again in Muktinath.

Songs and chanting

Kirtan and mantra, song circles, heart songs and medicine songs. We both sing, on our own and together, and you are invited to sing with us.

Heart sharing circle

Every evening we gather to listen to each other and share from the heart.

Six days in Muktinath

After crossing the pass, the body has done its hard work and the mind is often open and quiet. For those who want to go deeper, we stay on in Muktinath. The days are slower: meditation and silence, energy and body practices, intention work, and two plant medicine ceremonies guided by Yakov, with time in between to rest and share.

Where it happens
A comfortable hotel in Muktinath with very good food, hot showers, a ceremony hall and a high-altitude banya (Russian sauna).

Apr 11

Rest dayIntention work after the pass

Apr 12

Amazonian plant medicine ceremonyAyahuasca

Apr 13

Group sharingIntegration, banya (Russian sauna) and rest

Apr 14

Daytime San Pedro ceremonyIn the mountains

Apr 15

Sharing, integration, closing circleBanya

Apr 16

Jeep from Muktinath to Jomsom and on to Pokhara(optional flight from Jomsom to Pokhara)

Yakov and Akari

Yakov Rajuna

Spiritual Mentor·Neo-Shaman·Meditation & Qi Gong Teacher

21+years on the spiritual path

300+retreats guided

3,000+people accompanied on their journey

Yakov is a healer, musician, and spiritual guide who helps people reconnect with themselves, find inner balance, and rediscover their true nature.

For over ten years, he has been holding plant medicine ceremonies, learning from shamanic traditions in Peru and Brazil, and exploring the wisdom of non-duality.

Through meditation, Qi Gong, music, and energy work, he creates a space for deep inner exploration, healing, and transformation.

His intention is simple: to help people open their hearts, reconnect with life, and find their way back to themselves.

Akari Tamura

Kirtan artist·Musician·Teacher of voice, instrument and devotional living

Akari began classical piano at a very young age, plays several instruments, and has made music all her life. Since 2006 she has been studying yoga, spirituality and Bhakti, and she has been teaching since 2013. She has guided thousands of people around the world through concerts, workshops, retreats and trainings in Bali, Thailand, Japan, India and Europe, sharing kirtan, mantra, yoga and the practice of devotion. She is passionate about creating transformative experiences that help each of us realize our connection with the divine center. In 2022 she and Yakov created and walked a trekking retreat to Mardi Himal. On this pilgrimage she brings kirtan, mantra, music and prayer to the trail and evening circles.

Safety and organization

The route is led by a professional mountain guide with long experience on high-altitude Himalayan treks. Everything is planned in advance, and our team takes care of the details. Once you sign up, we will send you the full list of what to bring and all the information you need to make this journey safe.

Guide and team

A professional mountain guide. ACAP and TIMS permits are arranged in advance by the organizers.

Light all the way

Porters carry your main bags for the entire trek. You carry only what you need for the day.

Medical

A first-aid kit with altitude medication, including for altitude sickness, stays with the guide.

Built-in acclimatization

A rest day in Manang and a gradual gain in height, with a helicopter emergency plan along the route.

Important for participants

Medical insurance covering helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 m (paid separately, about $100)
Normal or good physical condition and readiness for multi-day trekking
A short video call with us before you join

A person standing on rocks with arms open, facing snow mountains

Price and what is included

Main program

$2,240

Early bird until 31 December 2026Then $2,44014 days, March 28 to April 10

Deepening program

$1,300

6 days, April 11 to 162 plant medicine ceremonies

Full journey, recommended

$3,440

Early bird until 31 December 2026Then $3,64020 days, March 28 to April 16

Accommodation is included in every priceEvery night of the program is covered: hotels in Pokhara and Muktinath, and lodges along the trek.

Logistics

Trekking guide and porters for the entire route
All permits (ACAP and TIMS)
Jeep from Pokhara to Chame, and from Muktinath to Pokhara
Lodges along the whole route
2 nights with breakfast in Pokhara and 2 nights with breakfast in Muktinath
High-altitude banya (Russian sauna) in Muktinath
Deepening program: 6 nights in a comfortable hotel

Practices

Morning qigong and breathing
Singing, chanting and prayer
Intention work
Short moments of ritual, prayer and meditation on the trail
Evening sharing circles and guidance
Deepening program: 2 plant medicine ceremonies (Ayahuasca and San Pedro), meditation and silence, energy and body practices, integration

Bring a friend. $100 off for every person who joins on your recommendation, while places are available.

Not included

International flights to and from Nepal, to Pokhara or Kathmandu
Your own way to Pokhara, by plane, jeep or bus
Optional flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (about $100)
Nepal visa for 30 days, US$50. We recommend applying online before you arrive
Medical insurance (about $100)
Meals, about $15 to 30 a day, except four breakfasts
Personal expenses, such as drinking water and showers
Trekking gear, such as proper clothing, shoes and poles. All of it can be rented in Pokhara

Two 3x4 photos are also needed for the permits. We suggest arriving in Pokhara or Kathmandu one or two days before March 28.

How to join

A group of up to 15 people
Good physical fitness is needed, since the route asks for endurance even with porter support
We would love to meet you on a short video call before you join
Once you sign up, we will tell you exactly what to bring and prepare

To join, fill in the registration form.

It takes about 10 minutes and is not a final booking. We will write to you to arrange a short video call.

Open the registration form

Questions first? Write to one of us.

Yakov

Telegram@Rajuna_Yakov WhatsApp+66 97 952 5054 Instagram@yakov_rajuna

Akari

Telegram@akaritamura WhatsApp+66 65 056 4784 Instagram@akaritamura_bhakti