On 19 August, Anna from Hong Kong joined Maya Trips for a traditional incense crafting experience in Kathmandu. Accompanied by Saloni from Maya Trips, she spent the late morning learning about Nepali incense, exploring the traditional techniques behind its preparation, and trying the craft herself.
A Personal Interest in Incense
For Anna, incense making was more than just a new activity to try while travelling in Nepal. With an existing interest in incense making back home, she was curious to discover how traditional incense is prepared in Nepal and how it is connected to the country’s everyday cultural and spiritual practices.
Rather than simply purchasing traditional incense as a souvenir, Anna wanted to see how it was made and experience the process first-hand.
This curiosity became the starting point for a hands-on cultural experience in Kathmandu.
Stepping Into the Craft
The session began at 9:00 AM, when Anna met Saloni, her Maya Trips escort for the day, and headed to the location of the incense-making workshop.
The morning started with an introduction to traditional Nepali incense, its ingredients, and its role in everyday life. Rather than simply watching a demonstration, Anna was encouraged to get involved from the very beginning. She learned how the ingredients are prepared, combined, and shaped through traditional techniques.
The setting was relaxed and personal, giving Anna plenty of time to ask questions and try the process herself. As she worked with the materials, she began to appreciate the patience and skill required to make incense by hand.
For Anna, who was already familiar with incense making in Hong Kong, it was also an opportunity to discover a different approach to a craft she knew and enjoyed.
Learning From the People Behind It
As the work continued, Anna had the opportunity to chat with the people involved in the craft. The conversation naturally moved between incense, local customs, daily life, and the ways traditional practices continue to be used in Nepal.
For Anna, this was also an interesting point of comparison with what she knew from Hong Kong. The craft was familiar, but the ingredients, methods, and context gave it a distinctly Nepali character.
A Different Side of Kathmandu
The session continued into the late morning, giving Anna time to work at her own pace and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
Away from Kathmandu’s monuments and busy streets, the workshop offered a quieter way to experience the city. Instead of simply seeing a traditional product, Anna had the chance to understand where it comes from and the hands and knowledge behind it.
By the end of the session, she had created her own incense and left with a much closer appreciation of a craft she had already been curious about.
“I booked an incense making workshop with Maya trip through Klook. Their staff are very attentive and escorted me throughout the whole workshop helping with the transportation and translation. The incense master shared her know and skills, and I had a wonderful day.” – Aana
I booked an incense making workshop with Maya trip through Klook. Their staff are very attentive and escorted me throughout the whole workshop helping with the transportation and translation. The incense master shared her know and skills, and I had a wonderful day.
Experience It Yourself
Discover traditional incense making in Kathmandu with Maya Trips.
Learn about the craft, work with traditional ingredients, meet the people behind the practice, and make your own incense in a relaxed local setting.
It is a simple, hands-on experience that offers a different way to discover Nepal, one that begins not with a landmark, but with a tradition.
