One night beneath Shivapuri: Where a murmuring stream, Birdsong, and silence remind you to slow down

KATHMANDU: Why do we travel?

Is it to tick another destination off a list, capture a few beautiful photographs, or post another update on social media? Or is it simply to reconnect with ourselves, even if only for a brief moment?

In today’s fast-paced world, that question feels more relevant than ever. Our mornings begin with the glow of a smartphone screen, our days disappear into meetings, deadlines, traffic and endless notifications, and even our nights remain connected to a digital world that never truly sleeps.

Somewhere in between, perhaps the greatest thing we lose isn’t time—it is our connection with ourselves.

That thought stayed with me as I recently escaped Kathmandu for a night at Meraki Holistic Wellness Retreat, nestled on the serene foothills of Shivapuri National Park. It wasn’t a reporting assignment or a planned review. My family simply wanted to spend a little quality time together away from the city’s constant rush.

Yet that single night offered something far more valuable than a short getaway.

It reminded me that sometimes a journey doesn’t introduce you to a new place—it introduces you to yourself.

Leaving the City Behind

The transformation begins long before arriving at the retreat.

Once you leave Budhanilkantha behind, Kathmandu slowly starts fading away. The traffic noise becomes quieter with every turn, concrete buildings give way to forests, and fresh mountain air replaces the familiar haze of the city.

By the time we reached Meraki, the first thing we noticed wasn’t the architecture or the rooms.

It was the silence.

Not an uncomfortable silence, but one that seemed alive—a silence where nature quietly speaks for itself.

The gardens didn’t feel like carefully designed landscaping meant only for decoration. Mature trees, flowering plants, soft green lawns and the surrounding woodland blended naturally into the retreat, making it feel less like a resort and more like an extension of the forest itself.

The balance between comfort and nature was immediately evident.

Falling Asleep to Nature’s Own Music

Our room overlooked a small stream flowing gently beneath the window.

During the afternoon it appeared to be just another scenic feature. But after sunset, it became the soundtrack of the evening.

In cities, many people now rely on white-noise apps or relaxation playlists to fall asleep. Here, nature provided something no speaker ever could.

The steady murmur of flowing water continued through the night.

There was no urgency in its rhythm. No interruptions. No traffic horns. Just water moving peacefully over stones, as it had done long before anyone built a retreat nearby.

Perhaps that is why I enjoyed one of the deepest sleeps I have had in a long time.

A Morning Without an Alarm Clock

The next morning, I wasn’t awakened by a phone notification or an alarm.

Instead, birds announced the beginning of a new day.

Opening the curtains revealed mist drifting between trees, fresh mountain air flowing through the window and endless shades of green stretching across the hillside.

It reminded me of something we often forget while living in cities:

Nature is not a luxury.

It is a necessity.

Discovering Sound Healing

The morning continued with a sound healing session, an experience still unfamiliar to many people in Nepal.

Using carefully produced sound frequencies and vibrations, the practice aims to relax both body and mind.

Sitting quietly in the peaceful surroundings while listening to the gentle resonance of singing bowls and therapeutic instruments created an unexpected sense of calm.

The combination of mindful breathing, meditation and sound didn’t simply relax my body—it seemed to quiet the constant conversation inside my head.

It was an entirely different way to begin a day.

Wellness Tourism Is Changing How People Travel

Experiences like these explain why wellness tourism has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the global travel industry.

Today’s travelers increasingly seek more than luxury rooms or iconic landmarks.

They want healthy food, meaningful experiences, yoga, meditation, spa therapies, forest walks, digital detoxes and destinations that help them return home feeling physically and mentally refreshed.

Travel is gradually shifting from being about destinations to being about experiences.

For Nepal, this presents an enormous opportunity.

The country has always promoted its mountains, trekking routes and natural beauty. But these same landscapes can also become destinations for mental wellness and holistic retreats.

Places like Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarkot, Dhulikhel and Pokhara offer much more than panoramic views.

They have the potential to become wellness destinations for travelers seeking peace as much as adventure.

Retreats such as Meraki demonstrate what that future could look like.

The Happiest Traveler Among Us

Our young daughter, however, experienced the trip in a completely different way.

She knew nothing about mindfulness, meditation or wellness philosophy.

Her world revolved around one thing.

The jacuzzi.

Watching her laugh uncontrollably while playing with warm water and bubbling jets was a gentle reminder that happiness rarely requires complicated explanations.

Sometimes a handful of bubbles, carefree laughter and the imagination of a child are enough.

Family trips often become memorable not because of where you go, but because of the moments you share together.

Comfort Served on a Plate

Dinner added another layer to the experience.

A traditional Nepali meal—rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables, pickles and locally inspired dishes—felt comforting rather than extravagant.

It tasted less like hotel cuisine and more like something served at home.

The following morning’s breakfast buffet reflected the retreat’s wellness philosophy as well, offering balanced and thoughtfully prepared options that complemented the overall experience instead of simply filling the table.

Redefining Luxury

We often measure luxury through grand hotel lobbies, infinity pools or expensive interiors.

But perhaps true luxury is much simpler.

It is falling asleep to the sound of a mountain stream.

It is waking up to birds instead of phone notifications.

It is spending an hour looking at trees instead of screens.

It is enjoying tea with family without checking the time.

Meraki quietly reminded me of that.

Nepal’s Next Tourism Opportunity

Nepal’s tourism industry can no longer rely solely on selling sightseeing experiences.

Modern travelers increasingly seek places that restore both body and mind.

With its Himalayan landscapes, ancient wellness traditions, clean mountain air, organic food and rich culture of yoga and meditation, Nepal possesses all the ingredients needed to become a leading wellness tourism destination.

What remains is continued investment in quality services, international standards and long-term vision.

For those living in Kathmandu, the experience is surprisingly close.

Just thirty minutes beyond the city’s busy streets lies a place where mobile signals matter less than birdsong, where the gentle flow of a stream replaces the city’s endless noise, and where slowing down becomes the greatest luxury of all.

We spend much of our lives chasing success, wealth, recognition and opportunity.

Yet sometimes, finding ourselves requires nothing more than sitting beside a quiet stream and listening to the water flow.