Sept 17-18

Fly from USA with the group or arrange your own air.

Sept 19

Welcome to Katmandu which has been a traveler’s mecca since 1960 when Nepal opened its doors to visitors.  Once there were hippies.  Now it’s Gore-Tex clad tourists in search of espressos.   On airport arrival, our local guide will transfer us to Hotel Himalaya for 2 nights.  It’s a leading 4* hotel just a stone’s throw from Durbar Square.

 Free time to rest or explore after an orientation tour.  Everywhere you look in Nepal’s capital city, there is something of interest.  The magic is found within its sights, sounds and smells of this exotic and radiant hub.  Hire a bicycle rickshaw, have your fortune told by a Tibetan astrologer or bargain for crafts at hole-in-the-wall shops.

 Get know everyone tonight at our Welcome Dinner at Bhojan Griha, meaning “House of Food”.  The renovated house is 150 years old and known for its organic cuisine.  Enjoy the Nepalese dishes along with ethnic dance performances.  (Himalaya Hotel)  D

Sept 20

(Optional Mount Everest Flight – today or tomorrow at 6am.  Don’t miss this incredible tour available nowhere else but Nepal.  The vast Himalaya range includes 8 out of 14 peaks on earth above 8000 meters (about 5 miles) above sealevel.  Mt Everest, “Godess of Sky” at 29,028’ rules them all.  The 1 hour journey takes you up high and close for majestic photos.  Only $205 and it sure beats climbing.) 

  Full day tour.  Morning guided tour of Old Kathmandu and it’s historic landmarks.  Visit temple of the Living Goddess, Kasthaman- a wooden temple built froma single tree, Shiva Paravati and Hanuman Dhoka, palace of Nepal’s royality.  Then to Swayambhunath, a UNESCO site over 2000 years old.  It is called “Monkey Temple” for the many monkeys that reside here.  This Buddha Stipa has unique spires painted with the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.  Nearby see pagoda style Hindu temples.  We will also visit the 17^th century with its astonishing concentration of shrines and palaces within a few blocks.  The busltling energy here epitomizes the religious and cultural life of the people.   

After lunch we head east of the city to Pashupatinath, holiest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.  This gold crowned temple with silver doors sits by the Bagmati River.  Behind it are cremation grounds.  Like Mecca, it is the center of the annual Hindu pilgrimages.  On to Bodhnath (UNESCO), one of the biggest stupas in the world and center of Tibetan Buddhism.  It has an ornate octagonal base and is ringed by several monastaies.  See here Tibetain’s spinning the prayer wheels and selling their crafts.  Free time later to wander the streets.  (Himalaya Hotel)  B

Sept 21

Nagarkot.  After breakfast, check out and drive 40 miles to one of the most beautiful cities of Nepal.  Visitors flock here to see views of the sunrise on Mt. Everest.  Check into Club Himalaya, a resort featured in Time magazine (hot spot 2001).  There is a great restaurant, Tea House, health club, pool, shops and bikes.  Each room has a private balcony with views of the Kathmandu Valley.  This hotel is “comfort above the clouds” at an altitude of 7200’ high.  You can even ride ponies here.  Strap on your day pack as we head out on a moderate trek and visit rural Nepalese villages.  Picnic lunch included.  Witness the lifestyle of local ethnic people who rarely see Westerners.  (Club Himalaya Hotel)  B,L

Sept 22

Rise early for the sunrise photos.  Today is our longest drive (around 7 hours) to Pokhara but the scenery of the Annapurna mountains is breathtaking. Pokhera is a remarkable place of natural beauty with 3 lakes mirroring a backdrop of mountain peaks.   It’s also Nepal’s center of adventure.  You may see mountaineers gathering after their long treks and mule trains bringing in goods to trade.  See countless wooden sailboats and lodges along sparkling Lake Phewa.

 Check into Fish Tail Lodge on the lakes edge for 2 glorious nights.  It is listed in the book 1000 Places to See Before You Die.  Former guests include Prince Chales and emporers of Japan.  The only way to reach the hotel is by rope ferry.  Afternoon we enjoy a boat ride in serene Lake Phewa at 2917’ altitude.  In the middle is a pagoda dedicated to the boar.  Often devotees can be seen carrying animals and fowl across the lake to be sacrificed here.  Later we visit the lakeside market for great souvenirs.  If time permits you can paddle rowboats or hike to the nearby village off Sarongkot.  At the lodge, loll on hammocks in gardens of flowers that bloom year round. (Fishtail Lodge)   B,L

Sept 23

Sightseeing tour of Pokhara.  The rare combination of snow-clad peaks and snow-fed lakes make this day a Kodak moment.  We visit the colorful local Bazaar with ethnically diverse traders who come as far as India and China.  You can bargain for anything here; cloth, spices, fragrances and even gold.  Lunch is included.  Afternoon we walk 2 hours to reach Mahendra Caves to see great rock formations. Here is The House of Bats named for the thousands living in its walls.  Bring a small flashlight.  We continue on to Devils Falls which were discovered by a trekker who mysteriously disappeared behind them. (Fishtail Lodge) B,L

Sept 24

Rafting Expedition.  Rivers running down these mountains are fast flowing.  We gear up for a safety lecture and descend down the Trishuli River for some awesome white water.  The rapids are usually class II – III but it all depends on river conditions.  See a variety of flora and birdlife along the way.  After around 3 hours, we dock and board our buses for the overland journey to Chitwan.

Royal Chitwan National Park was once the hunting grounds for kings.  Now the 460 sq miles are Asia’s finest protected forest area.  This “river kingdom” is said to be Asia’s best wildlife experience with an impressive number of species; wild boar, crocs, sloth bears, leopards and more.  Its home to over 400 Asian rhinos and a bird lover’s paradise with 528 species.  Most endangered now is the Bengal tiger.

Check into Island Jungle Resort for 2 nights.  The eco-lodge consists of jungle huts.  Each one showers, but electricity is limited, so lighting is by kerosene lamps.  It’s like living a chapter from Kipling’s, The Jungle Book.   All fresh meals are included here and a well stocked Tharu Bar.

After lunch is a slide presentation with lectures by guides on the wildlife and history of Chitwan.  Then enjoy an Elephant Safari.  Seated high on elephant back is the best way to penetrate the jungle.  Later the naturalist guides will lead us in jeeps and a on a jungle walk to aid us in our search for the elusive tiger and other animals.  (Island Jungle Lodge) B,L,D

Sept 25

Awaken to bird song and a jungle breakfast followed by bird watching.  Today explore Chitwan’s lowlands of riverine forests and marshes.  We begin with the “Crocodile Walk” along the banks of Narayani River.  Then board boats to observe the wildlife as we float back to camp.  Along the way, we’ll stop to watch elephants bathe in the river with a chance to become part of their bath time.  (Island Jungle Lodge) B,L,D

Sept 26

Drive back to Kathmandu and check in hotel.  Afternoon tour of Patan City, known as Lalitpur, city of fine arts.  It is enclosed within 4 temples built around the 3^rd century by Emperor Ashoka.  See the Bronze Collection, Mahabouda and the Krishna Temple.  Continue on for a visit to the Tibetan Refugee Camp.  At the Handicraft Center here you will witness the hand weaving of Tibetan carpets and modeling of statues. This evening we celebrate our trip with a farewell dinner of 6 courses at Krishgnarpan Restaurant in Dwarikas Hotel.  History surrounds you with original lattice woodwork.  Costumed hostesses serve you Nepalese specialties on antique plates.  B,D

Sept 27-28

Transfer to airport for flight home.  Land Sept 28 at 10:55am

A $300 deposit to AFS will secure your space on a first come basis.  Don’t delay!  Limited to 2 side by side groups of 25 participants.  This will fill quickly.  Final payment due June 3.

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