Photograph Nepal

Itinerary

Day 1-2 Kathmandu

You may arrive at the joining-point hotel at any time on Day 1 as no group activities are planned for today except for a group meeting in the early evening followed by an optional dinner. It is important that you arrive in time for this meeting as we will cover important aspects of the trek. Please check the entrance of the hotel for a notice from your leader detailing the location of the meeting.Kathmandu is Nepal’s magical capital and largest city and for many, simply the name alone is sufficient to conjure up images of temple pagodas, long-haired saddhus in clouds of hashish smoke and the ever-present Himalayas. Kathmandu is all this and more. Sitting in a bowl-like valley surrounded on all sides by some of the highest mountains on earth, Kathmandu has been a crossroads of cultures since hundreds of years before Christ, a tradition very much alive today.Highlights in Kathmandu include world-famous Durbar Square, the King’s Palace, the burning ghats at Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, the monkey temple. But more than almost any city in the world, Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, and some travellers prefer to just wander, seeing where chance, fate or the city may lead them.During our stay in Kathmandu, we will visit the world heritage sites of Durbar Square, the King's Palace. Durbar Square was built primarily in the 16th and 17th centuries. Within the square there is of course the Royal Palace and many temples built in the traditional Newari pagoda style. On the south side lies the Kumari Chowk, home to Nepal's living goddess the Kumari, a prepubescent girl chosen as the incarnation of the Hindu goddess Talejn. The Kumari lives a cloistered life rarely leaving the confines of the chowk, when she does it is for important religious festivals and whilst traveling her feet must never touch the ground. Once the Kumari reaches puberty another 3-5 year old girl will take her place. In your free time you may want to visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist shrines in the world. Here you may observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the Stupa. Another fascinating place is Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we will see Hindu holy-men (or Sadhus), pilgrims performing ritual bathing, and occasionally, funeral pyres burning on the ghats. Swayambhunath is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles. On each of the four sides of the main stupa there are a pair of big eyes. These eyes are symbolic of God's all-seeing perspective. There is no nose between the eyes but rather a representation of the number one in the Nepali alphabet, signifying that the single way to enlightenment is through the Buddhist path. Above each pair of eyes is another eye, the third eye, signifying the wisdom of looking within. No ears are shown because it is said the Buddha is not interested in hearing prayers in praise of him. To reach Swayambhunath you climb 365 steps that lead up the hill and the area surrounding the stupa is filled with temples, painted images of deities and numerous other religious objects. MOUNTAIN FLIGHTSRegular flights are conducted daily from Kathmandu towards the Himalayan Range in the North and East of Kathmandu. The flight generally takes off in the morning and lasts for one full hour. This is the quickest way to get a close look at Mt. Everest, the highest mountains in the world. Other mountains that can be viewed at close range are Nuptse (7879 M), Lhotse (8501 M), Cho Oyu (8000M), Makalu (8475 M) and Kanchenjunga (8584 M).

Day 3 Patan and Bhaktapur

Today we visit the medieval cities of Patan and Bhaktapur are known as Nepal's second and third city in the Kathmandu valley, after Kathmandu itself. Both towns are filled with Hindu temples, pagodas, palaces and ancient monuments, some dating back to the 16th century.Located 8km south of central Kathamandu, Patan is situated on a plateau across the Bagmati river. The city is known for its finest traditional crafts and rich artistic heritage. Despite having undergone many socio political upheavals over the years the city has succeeded in preserving much of its glorious culture, heritage and the history of its finest artisans. Patan was initially designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma Chakra (wheel of Righteousness) there are more than 1,200 Buddhist monuments of various shapes and sizes around the city. The most important monument is Patan Durbar Square, which is a UNESCO listed site. Hindu temples and Buddhist Vihars adorn the city. Intricately carved doors and windows, beautiful courtyards, art pieces devoted to the Gods designed in stone and metal are to be found at every turn making the whole city look like one open museum.Known as Bhadgaon or the city of the devotees, Bhaktapur is a unique old town. Since time immemorial it lay on the trade route between Tibet/ China and India. This position on the main caravan route made the town rich and prosperous, which in turn fed the cultural life of the city, which today is a living gem of Hindu temples, pagodas, palaces and monuments, many dating back to the 16th century. The old palace in Durbar square, built in 1700, is well preserved and has beautifully carved wood work and a finely worked gilt gateway. Nepal's Malla dynasty's achievements in arts and crafts are reflected throughout the city. During our stay here you will observe interesting happenings such as colorful open markets, locals making clay pots and weaving. The town is famous for its home made curd which is known locally as khopa dhau.

Day 4 Pokhara

Pokhara lies on a once vibrant trade route extending between India and Tibet. To this day, mule trains can be seen camped on the outskirts of the town, bringing goods to trade from remote regions of the Himalaya. The enchanting city has several beautiful lakes and offers stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks - creating the ambience that has made it such a popular place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. Nestled in a tranquil valley at an altitude of 827m, Pokhara is a place of natural beauty. The serenity of Phewa Lake and the magnificence of the fish-tailed summit of Machhapuchhre (6977m) rising behind it create an ambiance of peace and tranquility.Pay a visit to the striking temple of Brindabasim which stands proudly over Pokhara. The temple is of great religious importance to Hindus and is the site of much religious fervor. Dedicated to the goddess Durga who is the chosen guardian deity of Pokhara. Animal sacrifices take place here usually on Saturdays and Tuesdays. Later why not relax in a café, hire a boat and float around the lake or shop for Nepali and Tibetan souvenirs in the endless stalls and shops.

Day 5-7 Annapurna Circuit

At 8091m, Annapurna 1 is one of the highest mountains in the world. Its surrounding sister mountains are equally imposing, creating magnificent panoramas from any view point. Throughout the trek we come across isolated mountain communities, each observing different ancestral customs and traditions, resulting in not only a visually superb expedition but also a culturally rich one. Amid the rugged mountain scenery, we meet warm and welcoming locals herding yaks and goats on the grassy pastures. We also enjoy the opportunity to visit their monasteries and temples. Along the way we see waterfalls of melted snow, cross icy rivers, broad plains and high mountain passes and reward ourselves with a soak in natural hot springs (boy, have you earned this!).

Day 8 Pokhara

Today we return to Pokhara, take time to relax, float on a boat, visit the cafes or wander the streets or check out some of the sites around the town.

Day 9 - 10 Chitwan National Park

Today we arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Chitwan National Park (approx 4-5 hrs). Known as the Terai Tarai ("moist land"), the landscape you travel through today is a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests at the base of the Himalayas. The Terai zone is composed of alternate layers of clay and sand, with a high water table that creates many springs and wetlands; the zone is inundated yearly by the monsoon-swollen rivers of the Himalaya.The Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands form an eco-region that stretches across the middle of the Terai belt. They are a mosaic of tall grasslands, savannas and evergreen and deciduous forests; the grasslands are among the tallest in the world, fed by silt deposited by the yearly monsoon floods. It is this eco-region that is home to the endangered Indian Rhinoceros, as well as elephants, Bengal tigers, bears, leopards and other wild animals. Much of the region has been converted to farmland, although both Royal Chitwan National Park and Royal Bardia National Park preserve significant sections of habitat, and are home to some of the greatest concentrations of rhinoceros and tiger remaining in South Asia.Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP), the oldest national park in Nepal. Established in 1973, it became a World Heritage Site in 1984. Within its area of 932km², the Royal Chitwan National Park is home to at least 43 species of mammals, 450 species of birds, and 45 species of amphibians and reptiles including sambars, chitals, rhesus monkeys, and langurs.Until 1950 the Chitwan Valley was a hunting reserve for big game. Happily, today tourists come only to spot wildlife, rather than shoot it, and the park offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Asia. There is an opportunity to ride an elephant through the national park before we are accompanied by our local guides, for a half day walk inside the park. We also visit the nearby elephant breeding center. There will also be free time to go on a canoe ride or to enjoy a spot of bird watching.

Day 11 Kathmandu

A free day for your own explorations and shopping. If you have not done so already you could visit the burning ghats at Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath, the monkey temple. More than almost any city in the world, Kathmandu is fascinating at every turn, and some travelers prefer to just wander, seeing where chance, fate or the city may lead them.

Day 12 Kathmandu

You are free to depart at any time on Day 12, though remember check out from the hotel is 12.00 midday. Your tour leader can help you arrange any onward travel. Or why not book a G.A.P Adventures Kathmandu city break extension!

Trip Details

Accommodation	Hotels (8 nts), teahouse lodges (3 nts).
Departure	Departs selected Sundays
DepEnd	Sun-Thu
Group Size	Min 4, Max 15
Included Highlights	Kathmandu walking tour, historical city tour - Patan and Bhaktapur, Pokhara views, Annapurna trek, Chitwan National Park
Local Payment	USD250
Meals Included	No meals are included.
StartFinish	ex Kathmandu
Transport	Plane, bus, walking.
Brochure Intro	Blessed with gurgling rivers, luxuriant forests and pristine wildlife, Nepal is the perfect destination for photographers - professional and amateur alike. Nepal is filled to the brim with medieval temples and monuments, incredible wildlife such as tigers and rhinos, and hospitable locals. You are bound to be captivated by this magical country.

When can I go?

Start Date	Finish Date	Places Available
2008-10-12	2008-10-23	7+

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