The following is information for those wishing to do retreat or spend time at Lawudo gompa.
Primarily, Lawudo is the home of Lama Zopa Rinpoche’s family. Secondly, it functions as a beautiful and very blessed Himalayan refuge for those who wish to meditate. With these purposes in mind we hope the following information will be of some help in planning your visit and during your time there.
Please observe the 5 precepts during your stay.
- No killing
- No stealing
- No sexual activity
- No lying
- No intoxicants (including tobacco)
The daily cost per person per day includes:
- 3 meals
- tea
- hot water for drinking
- hot water for a shower or washing clothes
- power for charging phones
- WiFi
The cost is the equivalent of US$30 in Nepalese rupees. Your stay needs to be paid for in rupees at Lawudo. It is best to bring the money with you from Kathmandu though one can find Rastriya Banijya Bank, Kumari Bank, Siddhartha Bank, and Nepal Invested Mega Bank in Lukla, as well as Nabil Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank, and Siddhartha Bank in Namche Bazaar.
Be aware that the accommodation and facilities are still quite basic, although things have improved considerably over the last years, and we are always working on upgrading.
It is helpful to remember that every thing has to be carried up, there is no little shop just around the corner as we are used to.
That’s why it is important that you bring with you all your supplies, such as extra food, snacks, medicines, supplements, toilet paper, napkins, washing soap, etc. You can buy everything you need in Namche Bazaar and bring it from there. Also if you plan to do a retreat, please bring with you whatever is needed for the retreat such as cookies for tormas, etc. If you run out of any items it may be possible to get them in Namche Bazaar if someone is going but this takes time.
Lawudo has a well stocked library.
Wifi is available in library and dining room.
What to Bring
- Good walking shoes are necessary.
- Trekking poles are indispensable in providing support and stability especially on those knee-pounding descents.
- If you plan to be there during the winter (October to February) a good quality four season sleeping bag is necessary as are warm socks, thermal underwear, a warm hat, and warm cloths in general, it gets very cold. ( In case, sleeping bags are available and we have enough blankets.
- During the monsoon (June to September) a rain jacket with a hood is a must and a small collapsible umbrella is also very useful.
- A down jacket is good to have no matter what time of the year you are there as it is always cold at night. At Lawudo’s altitude, the burning power of the sun is strong (except during monsoon) make sure you have a pair of good sunglasses, a hat and maximum protection sun.
- A rechargeable Torch (flashlight)
- Water Bottle, a Thermos Flask
- A camera; the views are stunning, except during monsoon.
- A small medical kit containing plasters for cuts and also for foot blisters, tablets for headaches, (at this altitude it is common to suffer for headaches for the first few days), and medicine for stomach problems like diarrhea and constipation.
Please help to keep the environment clean
- Please carry out all used batteries, etc.
- In order to avoid the danger of fire please do not burn incense in any wall cracks; use a bowl with sand.
- Please do not burn candles directly on wood, use a candle holder, plate or flat rock.
We hope that your stay will be enjoyable and rewarding, if you would like to contact us with any questions or comments on your experience of Lawudo please write to Lawudo via our Contact page.