Nepal & the Mystical Himalayas

DAY 1
Depart U.S.
Evening: Depart the U.S. today on your overnight flight to Doha, Qatar.

DAY 2
Arrive Doha, Qatar • Fly to Kathmandu, Nepal
Destination: Doha
Activity Note: Travelers who took advantage of the option to personalize their trip by arriving early will remain in their current hotel this evening. They will join the rest of the group in the morning of Day 3.

You'll arrive in Doha, Qatar today and board a connecting flight to Kathmandu.

DAY 3
Arrive Kathmandu
Destination: Kathmandu
Meals included: B
Accommodations: Radisson Kathmandu or similar

Early Morning: Upon arrival in Kathmandu very early this morning, you'll transfer to your hotel. A day room will be available for your use upon arrival.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: You have the freedom to begin exploring Kathmandu at your own pace, or relax at the hotel after your flight.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Late this afternoon, we'll join our Trip Experience Leader and our fellow travelers, including those who took our Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La pre-trip extension, for a Welcome Briefing.

Dinner: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Leader for local restaurant recommendations. You may want to try momo, a South Asian dumpling popular across much of Asia, including the Himalayan region.

Evening: Free for you to do as you'd like. You might like to glimpse Kathmandu during a nighttime stroll, or retire early after today's transfer.

Freedom to Explore

Make the most of your time in Kathmandu with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Visit the Mahaguthi Craft Markets: Supporting the “craft with a conscience” work of nearly 1,200 artisans (mostly women), the market features Fair Trade Nepalese goods such as textiles, ceramics, and teas while helping disadvantaged women through home employment, fair wages, social benefits, and sales of their goods. How to get there: A 20-minute taxi ride, about $10 USD roundtrip. Hours: 9:30am-5pm, daily. Cost: Free.

Enjoy sweeping views and monkey encounters at Swayambhu stupa: Built atop a hill in 460 AD, this stupa is the oldest of its kind in Nepal. Its name translates to "self-sprung," a reference to the legend that the stupa raised itself from an eternal flame. After ascending 120 steps to the top, you'll be treated to views of the Kathmandu Valley and encounters with some special locals—hundreds of monkeys that call the stupa home, earning it the nickname "The Monkey Temple." How to get there: A 20-minute taxi ride, about $10 USD one way. Hours: 8pm-8pm, daily. Cost: About $2 USD per person.

Learn about traditional healing therapy at Kundalini Sound & Herbal Therapy: Take a course led by a certified master instructor about the healing power of singing bowls (inverted bells used during meditation), or receive a sound healing session aimed at balancing a person’s energy through the chakras, or "power points" of the human body. Perhaps you might run into locals coming in and out of their own appointments for this traditional form of sound therapy. How to get there: A 10- to 15-minute taxi ride, about $10 USD one way. Hours: 4pm-7pm, daily. Cost: Varies by service or course.

DAY 4
Optional Mount Everest flight • Kathmandu • Conversation about climbing Mt. Everest with a female mountaineer
Destination: Kathmandu
Meals included: B L
Accommodations: Radisson Kathmandu or similar

Early Morning: You may elect to join us for an optional flight to Everest (weather permitting). This iconic mountain is known in Tibet as Chomolungma, which means “Mother of the Universe” or “Goddess Mother of the Earth.” The Nepali name is Sagarmatha, or “Goddess of the Sky.” Avid climbers call this mountain “the ultimate climb,” and with its astounding summit height of 29,029 feet above sea level, Mount Everest earns the title of the tallest peak on Earth.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll drive to the Boudhanath Stupa, considered the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, and one of the most sacred sites of Tibetan Buddhism outside Tibet. This stupa—or large dome-like structure full of Buddhist relics—was built to reflect the shape of a mandala commonly featured in Tibetan art.

Lunch: At a local restaurant near the stupa.

Afternoon: After a brief visit inside the stupa, we'll drive back to our hotel, and you'll have a few hours to do as you please. You might venture out to explore expansive Durbur Square or you may visit Pottery Square where you can see a selection of handmade goods and the process of pottery making. Or, you may choose to relax at the hotel.

Late this afternoon, we'll reconvene in the hotel and meet a local woman who has climbed Mount Everest. She'll share her experiences with us—including the challenges she faced and the emotions she felt when she finally reached the iconic summit.

Dinner: On your own. You may seek out a traditional dish like pulao, which is fried rice seasoned with local spices and accompanied by condiments like yogurt.

Evening: You will have free time following dinner to venture into Kathmandu by night or enjoy the company of fellow travelers at the hotel.

Mount Everest flight - $280/person

At dawn, you may elect to enjoy an optional flight to Everest (weather permitting), known in Tibet as Sagarmatha or “Goddess of the Sky.” Avid climbers call this mountain “the ultimate climb,” and with its astounding summit height of 29,029 feet above sea level, Mount Everest earns the title of the tallest peak on Earth. Rising majestically out of the Himalayan range, its snowy peak and intricate geography offer us breathtaking views from the air.

DAY 5
Meet the Kumari (living goddess) of Patan • Controversial Topic: The restrictive childhood of Nepal’s Kumaris • Explore Patan
Destination: Kathmandu
Meals included: B D
Accommodations: Radisson Kathmandu or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Drive to Patan (4,429 feet), which sits across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. Patan was developed on relatively thin layers of deposited clay and gravel in the central part of a dried ancient lake known as Nagdaha. The city was designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness). The four thurs, or mounds, located on the perimeter of Patan are known as the Ashoka Stupas, named for Emperor Ashoka, who visited Kathmandu with his daughter, Charumati, in 250 BC and erected the five stupas. These mounds are joined by more than 1,200 Buddhist and Hindu monuments of various shapes and sizes located throughout the city. Patan is known for its art and artisans: The region has produced the most artists and finest craftsmen in Nepali history, and their devotional artwork gives us fascinating displays of Nepal's fused cultures.

Upon arrival, we'll walk to a local temple where we'll meet the Kumari of Patan—a religious figure unique to Nepal. According to local tradition, the Kumari is a prepubescent girl that is believed to be the manifestation of a living goddess. Kumaris are chosen by Nepal’s priesthood according to a rigorous and secretive selection process. During their tenure as Kumari, which generally begins at around 6-8 years old, the girls are revered as living deities who offer their blessings to those who come to seek it—from the lowliest farmer to the nation’s president. The goddess is believed to dwell within the Kumari until she begins to menstruate, at which point the goddess vacates the body, and the search for the next Kumari begins.

We’ll visit Patan’s current Kumari in her home (which also functions as her temple) and receive her blessing, then have the opportunity to speak to her parents for a closer look at the day-to-day life of one of Nepal’s most revered religious figures. They’ll explain how the life of a Kumari, for all its privileges, is not without its challenges. Nonetheless, her parents are proud that she has been selected for this divine role, as we’ll learn during our visit.

In recent years, however, a growing number of human rights activists have begun to regard this tradition as a form of child cruelty that must be either abolished or seriously reformed. We’ll get a personal perspective on this Controversial Topic when we arrive at the home of one of Patan’s former Kumaris, and have a candid conversation about the difficulties of re-entering society after a childhood spent atop such a high pedestal.

After our conversation concludes, we'll walk to our next destination: Durbar Square, one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Nepal that are preserved within a protected Monument Zone. Upon arrival, we'll set off on a walking tour with our Trip Experience Leader. As Durbar translates to “palace,” the term “Durbar Square” is used to describe any plaza opposite a royal palace. But while there are several Durbar Squares across Nepal, Patan's is renowned for being one of the most picturesque, with its intricately carved architecture, delicate wind chimes, and ornate fountains. We'll end our discoveries where we began: in Durbar Square, where you will be in walking distance of many local restaurants.

Lunch: On your own in Patan. Ask your Trip Experience Leader where you can find traditional dishes like thukpa, a simple soup typically made with thick noodles, vegetables, meat, and eggs.

Afternoon: We'll regroup after lunch and visit a vegetable and spice market where you'll truly feel the rhythm of life as we weave through the crowds as the locals do. We'll also have the opportunity to interact with shoppers and vendors to get a full perspective of the typical scene at the market. Then, we'll return to our hotel, where you'll enjoy some free time to relax or set off to explore the city at your own pace. Perhaps you'll visit Mahaguthi Craft with a Conscience, a shop that sells goods crafted by locals living in remote areas of Nepal. Or, you may journey to Kundalini Sound & Herbal Therapy to learn about healing treatments for the mind and body.

Dinner: At a local restaurant

Evening: Free. Upon arrival, you may choose to retire to your room to pack before we depart Pokhara tomorrow. Or, you may choose to set off on an evening stroll to enjoy the city by night.

DAY 6
Fly to Pokhara • Overland trek through Annapurna Valley
Destination: Majgaon
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Mala Lodge or similar

Activity Note: Today's activities include a 2-hour trek through terraced farmland and wooded hillsides.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll check out of our hotel and drive to the airport for our flight to Pokhara, a historic city located at an elevation of 3,080 feet and built around Lake Phewa along the ancient trade route from Tibet to India. From our plane, we may see panoramic views of impressive canyons carved out by the Seti River and defined by the fast rise of the Annapurna mountain range. Pokhara boasts a number of natural phenomena such as a waterfall that plunges and disappears into a hole and a stretch of the Seti River that disappears into a small opening in the canyon wall.

Upon arrival, we meet our trek guide at our regional office for a briefing about our upcoming journey to our lodge.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Pokhara.

Afternoon: Following lunch, we'll drive out to the lower foothills of the Annapurnas to meet our trekking crew, who will escort us to our lodge. As we walk amidst terraced farmland and wooded hillsides, we'll take in the sweeping views of the Pokhara Valley that surrounds us.

After checking into our lodge, you'll enjoy free time to relax. The lodge, with its beautiful gardens and peaceful atmosphere, offers views of Machhapuchhare, or Fishtail Mountain, a peak whose sacred summit is off-limits to climbers. While this famous peak is less than 22,000 feet high, it is known for its twin peaks and its startling beauty. You may take some time this afternoon to sit back and enjoy the view.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

Freedom to Explore

Make the most of your time in the Annapurna Valley with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Visit a village in the Annapurna Valley: Take a leisurely 2- to 3-mile hike to a traditional Gurung village in the valley. You might interact with locals here who will give you a glimpse into the village's main occupation: beekeeping. This is also a great opportunity to chat with ex-Gurkha soldiers from this village who served in the British-Indian Army. How to get there: About a 30-minute walk from the lodge. Hours: All hours, daily. Cost: Free.

DAY 7
Grand Circle Foundation visit: Tanchok Primary School • A Day in the Life of Majgaon Village
Destination: Majhgaon
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Mala Lodge or similar

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Following breakfast, we'll walk to Majgaon Village, where we'll enjoy several culturally-enriching people-to-people experiences. Up first is a visit Tanchok Primary School, supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation as part of the World Classroom Initiative.

After departing the school, we’ll begin our A Day in the Life experience in Majgaon Village. Tucked into the shadows of the Annapurna mountain range, Majgaon is a small village with a population of just around 85 people, predominantly from Nepal’s Gorung ethnic group. Like many Nepali communities, the men of the village mostly seek their fortune in neighboring countries, where they work for a period of time to earn money to send back to their families at home—therefore, it falls primarily upon the women to keep the village running.

We’ll learn about how the village’s women are getting on at Majgaon’s health post. Here, we’ll meet the head nurse to learn about the challenges of providing adequate healthcare in this rural region of Nepal, and how the village provides for women’s health issues including birth control and family planning.

Our understanding of women's roles in the community will be further enriched when we meet a village leader who participates in the local chapter of Aama Samuha, or “mothers’ group.” This group is made up of local women and allies who work to empower Nepal’s female population, encouraging awareness and gender equality around social issues such as childcare, education, conflict resolution, and healthcare. The village leader will explain the work her group does and its role in the village.

Then, we’ll head out into the village to meet the rest of Majgaon’s community. As we wander through the lanes, we’ll witness—and maybe have the opportunity to participate in—scenes of daily village life, including wine-making, wicker basket-weaving, flour-milling, and butter-churning.

Our final destination is the home of a local woman, who, along with a few other women from the village, will help us prepare a typical Nepali lunch. Our meal is likely to consist of spinach soup, locally-grown vegetables, lentils, rice, and roti—an unleavened round flatbread that is common on the Indian subcontinent.

Lunch: We’ll sit down for lunch with our host, the village leader, and other members of Aama Samuha. As we dine, we’ll enjoy more opportunities for intimate conversation and cultural exchange between the residents of Majgaon and our small group. You might choose to ask about the kind of progress that groups like Aama Samuha have helped to make over the recent decades, and about the work that they believe still needs to be done.

Afternoon: We'll say our goodbyes to our hosts and return to our lodge. Upon arrival, you'll have a few hours of down time to relax.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 8
Annapurna overland trek • Visit Patalekhet village • Conversation about Nepal’s migrant laborers
Destination: Majhgaon
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Mala Lodge or similar

Activity Note: Today's optional excursion to Tamejong Village will involve walking for nearly 2.5 hours over trails that may be bumpy, uneven, or steep at times and will include walking up many steps.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We'll depart our lodge on foot, bound for Patalekhet, a small village which seems to naturally rise out of the terraced rice fields. These green “steps” that cascade down the hillside are a testament to the care and dedication of the people that live and work on the land. Upon entering this ancient village, we have the chance to interact with the villagers as they move through their day of feeding the animals, farming, and caring for their children.

Then, we'll meet with a local woman to discuss a sensitive subject in Nepal: migrant workers. Nepal is one of Asia’s poorest countries, and in many communities, there is not enough work available to make ends meet. To provide additional income for their family, more than 2 million Nepali people—about 10% of the population, predominantly male—seek work in other countries. The local woman we'll meet with today is married to one of these workers. She'll detail her experience—including the challenges she faces when money is tight, and how she copes when her husband is away.

Lunch: We'll return to our lodge for lunch.

Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries. You may choose to relax at the lodge where you have the option to get a massage or rest in your room. Or perhaps you'll join your Trip Experience Leader on a walk to Tamejong Village where you can get another perspective on living in this region from the locals who live here.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 9
Return to Pokhara • Home-Hosted Dinner • Conversation about marriage in Nepal
Destination: Pokhara
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Mount Kailash Resort or similar

Activity Note: Today's activities include a 2-hour walk.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Following breakfast, we'll trek back to the main road, where we'll catch our bus bound for Pokhara.

Set in a valley where Asia's ancient civilizations crept down from the highlands of Tibet and the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Pokhara marks an important stop along an age-old trade route. The mountains around this tropical valley shoot up starkly toward the sky, leaping upwards of 26,000 feet and disappearing into the misty shroud that drapes about their shoulders. As lofty symbols of man's highest hopes and the source of eternal inspiration, these peaks are considered sacred to Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and followers of Tibet's indigenous Bon traditions alike. Machapuchare, the fishtail crown at the center of the Annapurnas, is off-limits to climbers because of its association with the gods.

Upon arrival in Pokhara, we'll check in to our hotel.

Lunch: At the hotel.

Afternoon: Free for your own discoveries—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations. Perhaps you'd like to discover traditional art at The Batik Workshop. There, you'll learn about Batik, a traditional process for dying patterns into cloth, during a hands-on course led by an expert instructor.

Dinner: We'll split into smaller groups and drive to the homes of local families for a Home-Hosted Dinner. Our host families hail from a range of middle class backgrounds, including nurses, corporate workers, retired soldiers, entrepreneurs, and more, offering a variety of perspectives on daily life in Pokhara. As is traditional in Nepali culture, our hosts live with multiple generations of family together under one roof, broadening our perspective of life in Nepal even further.

After introducing ourselves, we’ll have the opportunity to help prepare the evening meal. Our hosts will choose the menu, but it may include Nepali staples like rice and lentils, as well as local herbs, vegetables, and spices to give our meal an authentic Nepali flavor. Perhaps we’ll enjoy a taste of dal bhat, one of Nepal’s national dishes, consisting of curried chicken served over lentils and rice.

Evening: We'll return to the hotel after dinner, and you have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish.

Freedom to Explore

Make the most of your time in Pokhara with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Support while you shop at Yes Helping Hands: Established in 2011, Yes Helping Hands endeavors to empower marginalized individuals by training them in the art of traditional handicrafts. Over 100 trainees now participate in the initiative, with the goal of achieving emotional and financial independence. How to get there: About a 20-minute walk from the hotel, or a 5- to 7-minute taxi ride, approximately $5 USD one way. Hours: 9am-8pm, daily. Cost: Free to enter.

Take a "peak" at the International Mountain Museum: Learn about the geology and ecology of world's tallest mountains, explore the history of mountaineering, delve into the cultural of indigenous mountain inhabitants, and ponder the mysteries of the elusive yeti at this museum dedicated to preserving the spirit of the mountains. How to get there: A 10-minute taxi ride from the hotel, approximately $8 USD one way. Hours: 9am-5pm, daily. Cost: $5 USD.

Soar over Pokhara on a ziplining or paragliding adventure: Witness the beauty of the Annapurna region from above in one of two ways. Float over charming villages and glittering lakes as you paraglide alongside the majestic Himalayas. Or embark on the world's most extreme zipline adventure on the longest and tallest zipline in the world. How to get there: About 2 hours, including transfer time to and from the activity. Hours: Experiences can be scheduled daily. Cost: $120 USD, including a round-trip taxi ride.

DAY 10
Pokhara • Optional Heli-tour to Annapurna base camp • Phewa Lake canoe excursion
Destination: Pokhara
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Mount Kailash Resort or similar

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Enjoy a couple of hours of leisure time this morning. Or—weather permitting—you may choose to join an optional helicopter tour to Annapurna Base Camp. Surrounded on all sides by 26,000-foot peaks, the views from the helicopter are some of the most coveted in the world.

We'll re-group with our Trip Experience Leader later this morning for a briefing on river rafting in preparation for our excursion tomorrow. Then, we'll walk to the shore of Phewa Lake, a lovely gem set at 2,917 feet, framed by the Sarangkot and Kaskikot hills. As we canoe across the crystalline waters, we may spot fish zipping below us or local bird species flying overhead, and weather permitting, we may have the opportunity to see the majestic Annapurna Mountains.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Enjoy a few hours of free time to relax at the hotel or set off to explore on your own. Perhaps you'll visit the International Mountain Museum. Learn about the geology, flora, fauna, and human activity of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest, here.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

Heli-tour to Annapurna Base Camp - $460/person

Travel by helicopter among the Himalaya's iconic 26,000-foot peaks, eventually reaching Annapurna Base Camp, a coveted destination for mountaineers around the world. We'll land there, at an elevation of 13,550 feet above sea level, before returning to Pokhara via a route that takes trekkers up to a week.

Please note: This optional tour must be reserved prior to your trip's departure. A minimum of 5 travelers must reserve in order for the tour to operate.

DAY 11
Overland to Seti River • Seti River rafting
Destination: Seti Valley
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Seti River Camp

Activity Note: For our rafting experience, we'll split up into smaller groups as our rafts can only hold up to 6 passengers. During our rafting adventure, we may face a few sections of Class II rapids, where there may be some rough water with waves up to three or four feet, and perhaps some rocks and drops that require maneuvering by our expert guides.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We'll board our bus bound for the Seti River, where we'll begin the rafting journey that will take us to the camp where we'll spend the next two nights. Located at an elevation of 2,500 feet, this animated river runs through Pokhara and displays some visually fascinating feats—at one point it appears to be only two meters wide, while its massive volume of water continues to flow, hidden by immense depths. Upon arrival at our rafting launch site, we'll receive instructions from our river guides before boarding our American-made raft. An experienced crew will navigate while we observe villagers we may encounter along the river banks: women washing clothes, men fishing with sticks and cloth nets, and children swimming and playing.

Lunch: We'll pause our rafting journey for a prepared picnic lunch on the banks of the river.

Afternoon: We'll continue following smooth, easy waters. Around mid-afternoon, we land on the banks of the river to settle into our safari-style camp surrounded by forest. Our luggage will be waiting for us upon arrival. We'll enjoy Welcome Drinks and a briefing from the camp manager before taking some time to relax.

Prior to dinner, we'll reconvene for a conversation about this region with our Trip Experience Leader, which will give us insight into the local culture, social issues, and traditions here.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 12
Explore local village
Destination: Seti Valley
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Seti River Camp

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Our guides will lead us on a hike to a nearby village. This is a chance to see and experience daily life in this valley for yourself. The Kahare Village is home to around 150 members of the Gurung hill tribe who primarily work as farmers. We'll explore the village, passing over a suspension bridge to take in views of the surrounding scenery, and we'll see locals going about their daily routines. We'll also chat with villagers to learn more about daily life here.

We'll walk back to our camp, and enjoy free time before lunch.

Lunch: At the camp.

Afternoon: On your own. You may choose to take a leisurely walk along the riverbanks, take a dip in the water, or relax in your room with a good book you brought along.

Dinner: At the camp.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations.

DAY 13
Seti River Rafting • Explore Chitwan National Park on foot
Destination: Chitwan
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Kasara Resort or similar

Breakfast: At camp.

Morning: After breakfast, we'll begin the final leg of our rafting journey. Savor the images of rushing water, lush jungle foliage, and villagers along the banks. Our rafts and experienced Nepalese crew expertly navigate five sections of Class II rapids and one patch of Class III rapids as we travel to our end point.

After bidding farewell to our faithful rafting guides, we'll drive to Chitwan. Upon arrival, we'll check in to our lodge and meet for a quick briefing.

Chitwan National Park (800 feet) is the oldest national park in Nepal and lies in the subtropical inner Terai lowlands of South-Central Nepal. Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984, the park covers an area with a unique ecosystem of significant value to the world. It contains the Churiya hills and the flood plains of the Rapti, Reu, and Narayani rivers. Formerly, the Chitwan Valley was well known for big-game hunting and until 1950 was exclusively managed as a hunting reserve for the iron-fisted Prime Ministers of the Rana dynasty, which controlled Nepal for almost a century. In 1963, the area south of the Rapti River was designated as a rhinoceros sanctuary. In 1970, His late Majesty King Mahendra approved the creation of Royal Chitwan National Park.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: We'll depart by Jeep and drive to the edge of the park. From here, we'll explore the buffer zone surrounding Chitwan National Park on foot alongside a naturalist guide. We’ll venture to where the Sal forest of the Chitwan jungle meets the wide valley of the Rapti River. Broad grasslands sweep north to the Mahabharata range and virgin jungle extends south to the Churia hills. For centuries, the dense jungle covering the foothills of the Himalayas formed an impenetrable barrier for Nepal, keeping it a hidden and mysterious land.

Once we conclude our discoveries, we'll board our Jeep and drive back to the lodge. Enjoy some time to freshen up before gathering for a presentation on Chitwan, its history, and its flora and fauna.

Or, depending on your departure date, we'll be treated to a traditional Tharu dance. But first, we'll get to try the dance for ourselves when the troupe gives us a lesson. The Tharu people are an indigenous group who will share their history, customs, and traditions through typical dances. After the lesson, they'll perform for us, and you'll have the chance to join in if you wish.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: Free for your own interests. Perhaps you'll take in the stars in this remote location. Or return to your room to relax.

Freedom to Explore

Make the most of your time in Chitwan with these suggestions for independent exploration from our local regional office. Your Trip Experience Leader will lead the activity with the most traveler interest.

Witness a variety of birds native to Chitwan: Your Trip Experience Leader, an expert naturalist, will take you around your jungle lodge and help you identify some of the nearly 700 species of birds that can be found there throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, you might come across purple herons, kingfishers, or flocks of majestic cranes. How to get there: At your jungle lodge. Hours: Determined by your Trip Experience Leader. Cost: Free.

DAY 14
Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park • Rapti River canoe excursion
Destination: Chitwan
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Kasara Resort or similar

Activity Note: Our Jeep safari through Chitwan is not offered on August-September departures, and may be unavailable on select October departures, depending on weather conditions. During these months, we will instead take a Jeep safari through the community forest area.

Early Morning: We'll rise early this morning to witness the local birdlife at their most active time of day. We'll enjoy a Jeep safari drive through Chitwan National Park where more than 43 species of mammals, more than 450 species of birds, and more than 45 species of amphibians and reptiles live. From the back of the open Jeep, we’ll explore the diverse ecosystems of the park, traversing its jungles, marshlands, and grasslands in search of animals such as one-horned rhinos and spotted deer. We'll also have the opportunity to visit a crocodile breeding center.

Breakfast: A boxed breakfast will be served in the park.

Morning: After our boxed breakfast, we'll continue our Jeep safari, visiting watering holes where we'll keep our eyes peeled for any wildlife. Then we'll stop for tea before further exploring Chitwan aboard our Jeeps.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: Enjoy a couple of hours of free time before we board our Jeeps and drive to the buffer zone surrounding Chitwan National Park with a local guide. From here, we'll set off on a canoe ride. During our explorations, our guide will point out the distinct wildlife that lives along the Rapti River, including local bird species and crocodiles that may be lounging along the river banks.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations. You might take a refreshing couple of hours at the spa and massage at Kasara Resort. The massages are based in traditional Himalayan healing methods.

DAY 15
Conversation with a rhino attack survivor • Fly to Kathmandu • Pashupatinath • Explore Kathmandu
Destination: Kathmandu
Meals included: B L D
Accommodations: Radisson Kathmandu or similar

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: Today we'll visit a home in a local village for a conversation about the rising occurrence of animal attacks in the villages located along the border of Chitwan National Park. While the park has been wildly successful at bolstering the population of several endangered species, its boundaries have shrunk in recent years due to climate change, human encroachment, and other detrimental factors. As resources within the park’s borders have begun to dwindle, many of its wild animals—including rhinoceroses, tigers, and other potentially dangerous creatures—have begun to search for food in the forests and farmlands frequented by local villagers, resulting in death, serious injury, and the destruction of vital property for the unlucky people who cross their paths. We'll meet with a local woman who survived a rhinoceros attack for a first-hand perspective on this issue—including how authorities are responding.

After our conversation we'll walk back to our lodge and check out shortly thereafter. Then we'll drive to the airport and catch a flight back to the bustling city of Kathmandu, located at an elevation of 4,265 feet.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Kathmandu.

Afternoon: Next, we'll drive to Pashupatinath, the most sacred temple of the Hindu god, Shiva, who is also known as Pashupati. In the company of our Trip Experience Leader, we'll explore this pagoda-style temple, boasting gold-gilded copper rooftops and silver-crowned doorways. After our discoveries here, we'll drive to our hotel where we'll check in and have a couple of hours of free time.

Dinner: Enjoy a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant.

Evening: You have the freedom to spend the rest of your evening as you wish—ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations. Kathmandu offers an array of nightlife options that appeal to a wide range of interests. From quiet, cozy bars to jam-packed clubs, there's an experience for everyone to enjoy in this capital city.

DAY 16
Kathmandu • Fly to Doha, Qatar or begin post-trip extension
Destination: Doha
Meals included: B
Activity Note: If your adventure includes an optional trip extension, you will fly from Kathmandu to Delhi this afternoon. Travelers who took our pre-trip to Bhutan will stay overnight in Delhi and fly to the U.S. on Day 17.

Early Morning: Travelers returning to the U.S. will catch a flight to Doha just after midnight this morning.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Travelers flying to Delhi today are free to make their own discoveries this morning. Ask your Trip Experience Leader for recommendations. Perhaps you'd like to wander the colorful, narrow streets of Thamel, a commercial hub lined with shops and vendors. Talk with store owners as you peruse wares, handicrafts, clothing, and more.

Lunch: On your own—ask your Trip Experience Leader for local restaurant recommendations.

Afternoon: Travelers who reserved an optional trip extension will catch a flight to Delhi this afternoon. Travelers departing Kathmandu very early in the morning on Day 17 will have access to their hotel room for the remainder of the day today.

Dinner: On your own—you may choose to grab something to eat at the airport.

Evening: Travelers departing on Day 17 are free to relax in their day room while awaiting their airport transfer.

DAY 17 Return to U.S.
Activity Note: If you took our pre-trip to Bhutan, you will fly from Delhi back to the U.S. early this morning.

Early Morning: Board your flight from Delhi or Doha to the U.S.