WOMEN’S ONLY TASTE OF NEPAL
Your adventure begins
when we arrive at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan
airport and transfer to the domestic airport for a spectacular 30-minute flight
to Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful town set on the banks of the Phewa Lake.
It is smaller and much less hectic than Kathmandu
and is the perfect starting point for your trip. Whilst in Pokhara you will stay at the
delightful Hotel Stupa run by Mrs Raj Kumari and her family. Upon arrival you
will be free to relax in the hotel after your long journey or explore this
friendly easy-going town and take in the many shops and bazaars. The following
morning a tour will be arranged for you to visit the Tibetan Refugee Camp and Devi Falls.
Your next adventure will be an awe-inspiring flight to Jomsom on landing you will be automatically
surrounded by such giants as the Annapurna South (7273m) and Annapurna Fang
(7647m),Mt. Nilgiri (7647m) to the North and to the East we see Annapurna One
(8091m) with imposing views of the Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) and the Dhaulagiri
Range to the West. The views here are breathe-taking and the tranquility of
this special place affords an inner peace and calmness not often found in
today's busy lifestyle.
No other area in Nepal
has such a splendid variety of natural beauties as the Annapurna
region. It is a rare combination of long arrays of snow-capped peaks, crystal
lakes, and turbulent rivers with deep gorges, Tibetan monasteries, and
picturesque villages, inhabited by simple and friendly ethnic people.
On this trip you will pass through many villages where
you will have ample time to take photographs and chat with the local people.
Language is not a big problem as many of the local people speak English. If
not, your Guide and Lyn will be happy to translate for you. There are many
different ethnic groups along the trail, but the predominant people in this
area are the Gurung. Together with the Magar and Chetrie people, the Gurung are
famous as soldiers in the British Army, better known as Gurkhas. You will experience diverse terrain from glacial valleys to sub-tropical valleys with banana trees and
rice paddies to high ridges clad in thick rhododendron forest .
PROPOSED DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 Ex – Kathmandu – Pokhara arrive Kathmandu
2.45
Met at Kathmandu
airport by Lyn and your Nepalese guide. Transfers to the domestic airport for
your 20 minute flight to Pokhara.
Tranfer to your hotel the remainder of the afternoon will be free to explore
this friendly easy going town or just relax at the hotel after your long journey.
Pokhara is situated on the beautiful Phewa lake which is surrounded by the
magnificent Annapurna Ranges with the awesome Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Mountain) as its backdrop. Pokhara is part of a once
vibrant trade route extending between India
and Tibet.
It is also the starting point of all treks in the Annapurna
ranges. (B) 7/3
Day 2 Pokhara This morning your guide will take you on a boat trip
across the lake and an easy hike 1 hour to the Buddhist
Peace Temple,
you will return to your hotel via the Tibetan Refugee Camp, Devis Falls
and the Himalayan
Climbing Museum..
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. (B) 8/3
Day 3 Pokhara
- Jomsom Early flight to Jomsom (2720 mtrs) and trek to Kagbeni (2950
mtrs) (5 Hours walk)
Fly to Jomsom where we pick up our Nepalese staff for the trek. We then depart
on our first walk in Nepal,
the Kaligandaki valley here is called the Thakkhola, after the native
Thakalis, who are distantly related to the Tibetans and it is the most
spectacular valley in Nepal.
We arrive at our Lodge at Kagbeni you will have time to walk around this
fascinating village. This village used to be fortified with walls and tunnel
gates like this in the past, mostly during the time when salt trade route was
in operation. However, this has changed now. Salt trade does not exist anymore
and it has become an important tourist and pilgrimage destination. (BLD) 9/3
Overnight Lodge
Day 4 Jomsom - Jarkot (2670 Mtrs (3 hours)
Today is a short steep climb for appox 1 hr then we gradually ascend to the
village of Jarkot. After lunch we will hike to the pilgrimage village of Muktinath
approx. 2 hours return. (BLD) Overnight Lodge 10/3
Day 5 Jarkot - Marpha
After breakfast we will ascend by the same trail to Jomsom (option to ride a
mountain pony this is excellent fun and thoroughly recommended). We arrive in
Jomsom for lunch and the afternoon we hike on a flat easy trail to the
beautiful apple growing village
of Marpha. (BLD)
(Overnight Lodge 11/3
Day 6 Marpha – Jomsom
You will have time this morning to discover this wonderful village. After
lunch we will then retrace our steps to Jomsom. (BLD) Overnight hotel
12/3
Day 7-9 Jomsom – Pokhara – Chitwan
Depart on your 7 am flight to
Pokhara transfer to the bus station for your 4 hour trip to Chitwan. On arrival
in Chitwan you will then be transferred to your wildlife resort. The
next 3 days will be full of adventure, either riding on the back of an
elephant, jeep safari, canoeing and jungle walking. You will see rhino, many
species of birds, deer, crocodile and if you are lucky maybe the odd sloth bear
and tiger. (BLD) 13-15/3
INFORMATION ON ROYAL CHITWAN
NATIONAL PARK
Royal Chitwan
National Park where you will see yet
another side of Nepal.
The 3 days here are spent on trips into the jungle on an elephant's back,
swimming, jungle walks, and bird watching and if the river is up, even a canoe
trip on the Rapti
River to look at
crocodiles. Or, if you prefer, you can stay at the lodge and just relax, or you
may wish to do any different or independent activities. Your jungle lodge is
very comfortable and in a great location the food is excellent - a combination
of western and traditional Nepali. The friendliness and knowledge of the staff
will be a highlight of your stay here.
Situated
in the Rapti Valley,
Chitwan National
Park is approximately 80 miles southwest of Kathmandu
by road. The region in which the park is situated is known as the Terai, a flat
and highly cultivated plain that constitutes the entire southern quarter of the
country. Extremely hot in the Summer while mild and cool in winter, this region
produces most of the country’s food. Early this century, the Terai was a rarely
visited jungle expanse with very few inhabitants, the only visitors being
members of the Nepalese upper class on hunting trips.
During
the 1950’s malaria was eradicated and the population began to expand rapidly.
Loggers and farmers in search of new fields slowly cleared the jungle.
Conservationists soon realised that if action were not taken it wouldn’t be
long before all the animals of the Terai would be extinct. In 1962 King
Mahendra designated Chitwan as a rhinoceros preserve. In 1973 it was finally
gazetted in parliament as the first national park in Nepal.
Today there
are only about a thousand one horned rhinos left in the world, and over 300 of
these are in the Chitwan
National Park. Fewer than
2000 tigers remain in the sub continent, more than 40 live in Chitwan. There
are many other animals as: the fish eating gharial crocodiles, buffaloes, sloth
bear, hog deer and wild peacocks. For amore in-depth study of all the animals
in the park you should read The Heart of the Jungle by KK Gurung. Remember that
although there are many animals to be seen in Chitwan, it is not a zoo. Nor is
it like the vast open plains of southern Africa.
It is a small compact jungle park where you must go out and find the animals;
it is possible that you may not see anything at all. If you rise early in the
morning and go on a jungle walk or elephant ride with the park guides, you are
very likely to spot some wildlife. It should also be noted that there are over
400 species of birds living in the park, and if you are interested in bird
watching there will be plenty of opportunities. Just ask the Lodge guides all
transport, meals and activities are included in your stay.
Day 10 Chitwan - Kathmandu
This morning you will
transfer once again by tourist bus for your 6 hour drive to Kathmandu. Kathmandu known as
Kantipur, the capital of the Kingdom
of Nepal. Here you will
visit the temple of the Living Goddess, who acknowledges the greetings of the
devotees from the balcony of her temple residence. Katsthamandap - the source
of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree
and the Durbar Square
area with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka
Palace. Afternoon free to
shop and explore Kathmandu Overnight Hotel (B) 16/3
Day 11 - Kathmandu - Bhaktapur
Morning
free and after lunch you will depart by private car to BHAKTAPUR: Bhaktapur meaning the City of Devotees, this place is the home of medieval
art and architecture. Lying 14km/9 miles east of Kathmandu City,
this place was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch
shell. The city is at the height of 5,600ft above sea level. In Bhadgaon you
will visit the Durbar Square
with its array of temples overlooked by the Palace of 55 Windows built by King
Bhupatindra Malla, The Nyatapola Temple. This temple also built by King
Bhupatindra Malla, is the best example of the Pagoda style and stands on five
terraces on each of which stands a pair of figures, two famous strong men, two
elephants, two lions, two griffins and two goddesses. Time permitting, a visit
to the museum of Thanka painting can also be considered. Overnight
Guest House (B) 17/3
Day 12 Kathmandu –
Free day (B) 18/3
Day 13 Kathmandu - Bangkok
After breakfast you will
depart for the airport and on the way visit Pasaphupatinath, the most famous
Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati river.
Here you will see Hindu holymen (or Sardhus), pilgrims bathing, and
occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. Transfer to the airport for
you 1350 flight to Bankgok arrive 1830. (B) 19/3
Cost: US$1900Trip
Inclusions
*3 internal flights
*4 day fully escorted lodge trek
*Tourist bus Pokhara/Chitwan/Kathmandu
*2 Nights Pokhara including b’fast
*2 night Kathmandu
including b’fast
*1 night Baktapur (B)
*Sightseeing Pokhara – Baktapur,
Pasapatinath
*Private car to Baktapur
*Entry into sightseeing places
Bhaktapur
*3 Nights Chitwan including all
meals, transfers and activities
* Experienced English Speaking
Nepalese Guide
*Australian Group Leader
accompanies you throughout Nepal
*Arrival and departure transfers
*Trekking permit and National
Park Fees
Not Included
*International Airfare $1550
including taxes
*Meals not stated allow $15 per
day lunch and dinner
*Entry into sightseeing places
Bhaktapur
*Gratitudes for hotel staff and
Chitwan and your Nepalese guide who will be with you for the full trip
*Airport taxes
WOMEN’S ONLY TASTE OF NEPAL