KATHMANDU &THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL 2009
KATHMANDU &
Mon.
Oct. 12:
Welcome to Kathmandu, The
Kingdom of Nepal! It is one of
the most beautiful, dramatic and truly exotic places in the entire world.
A city forbidden to outsiders until about sixty years ago, it is home to
a people who are kind, gentle and possess a generosity of spirit seldom found
elsewhere. Their customs and dress
are fascinating.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)
Tue.
Oct. 13:
A private vehicle with driver and professional, English-speaking
guide, and entrance fees for all temples, museums and other attractions noted,
both here and in Tibet, will be included.
First, we will drive to Boudhanath.
This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world. The base
of the stupa takes the shape of a mandala. Then, on to Pashupatinath: the most important
Hindu temple in Nepal. It's one of the most important Shiva temples on the
subcontinent and draws numerous devotees from all over Nepal and India,
including many colorful sadhus - wandering ascetic Hindu holy men. Shiva
is the destroyer and creator of the Hindu pantheon and appears in many forms.
Ceremonial cremations take place all day in front of the temple.
Ashes are sprinkled on the river that flows into the Ganges.
We will return to Kathmandu to explore Durbar Square.
Durbar in Nepali means 'palace' and in Patan and Bhaktapur, as well as Katmandu,
there are Durbar Squares in front of the old palaces. Clustered around the
central Durbar Square and the old Royal Palace (Hanuman Dhoka) are numerous
interesting temples, the Kumari Chowk or Kumari Bahal (House of the Living
Goddess) and the Kasthamandap (House of Wood). It's easy to spend hours
wandering around Durbar square and the adjoining Basantapur Square.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)
Wed.
Oct. 14:
6:00 AM; drive to Nagarkot, a popular resort area situated 20 miles east
of Katmandu at an altitude of 7,136 feet above sea level. The major peaks of the
eastern Himalayas including Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world at 29,029
feet, can be seen from here. We
intend to arrive in time for one of Nagarkot's famous sunrises. Then onto Bhaktapur: The third of the valley's ancient cities
is another century-long rival of Katmandu. It has an impressive number of
artistic treasures; it is rightly called "a living museum". The oldest
part of the town is around Tachupal Tole (Dattatraya Square), to the east.
Bhaktapur was the capital of the whole valley during the 14th to 16th
centuries; during that time the focus of the town shifted west to the Durbar
Square area. Much of the town's great architecture dates from the end of the 17th
century during the rule of King Bhupatendra Malla.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)
Thur.
Oct. 15:
Relax and explore the exotic town
at our leisure; or shop for oriental antiques and art, jewelry, bronze casting,
Tibetan wool garments, Bhutanese raw silk, Gurka knives, paper mache masks, and
Newar puppets.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)
Fri.
Oct. 16:
Arise early (o’dark thirty – well before sunrise).
We will be going out on one
of the first flights of the day from Kathmandu over the Everest Region.
Everyone will have the opportunity to take photos of Mount Everest,
known locally as Chomolonga, “Goddess of the Wind,” or Sagarmatha,
“Churning Stick of the Ocean of Existence,” at 29,028 feet the highest point
on earth. We will be flying at
24,500 feet, making two passes (one down the starboard side, the other down the
port side of the aircraft). We will
be on the south side of the mountain, overflying the route many climbers take
reaching Base Camp. Then
the flight returns to the Kathmandu Airport.
The rest of the day can be spent enjoying exotic Kathmandu at your
leisure.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)
Sat.
Oct. 17:
Morning flight, Kathmandu to
Pokhara. Pokhara is
situated on the shores of a pristine lake called Phewa Tal.
It differs from Kathmandu Valley in that the mountains are right there
outside your window! Spectacular
views in a quiet environment (unlike Kathmandu’s hustle and bustle!).
Get ready to slow things down a bit.
It is time to relax after our busy schedule in Kathmandu!
A decompression if you will allow.
This afternoon you can visit the local shops on the main street or
just lounge by the lake in one of the beach side bistros.
You might want you rent a dugout canoe and float on the lake!
HOTEL: (POKHARA)
Sun.
Oct. 18:
This morning we will drive up to Sarangkot.
For those more inspired, I recommend walking up to the Hungry Eye.
It’s a nice hike, a good two hours up.
Those going in the vans will be back before noon to join those staying
in town. In the early
afternoon, the Pokhara Museum is on our travel plan for a brief
visit.
Then we’ll go to the National History Museum on the Pokhara University
campus. We’ll take in some local
sites on foot, then travel by vans to nearby Tibetan settlements; stopping along
the way to see Devi Falls.
HOTEL: (POKHARA)
Mon.
Oct. 19:
Today you can enjoy Pokhara on your own, or in the company of your
fellow travelers. You can sighsee,
shop, or just relax. This is
all about recalibrating your personal space and pausing to consider what
you’ve been seeing for the last week. The
Seti Gandaki River cuts right through town.
Walks along its banks afford the cisitor unique views of the area, and
oveservations of local customs by natives.
Just 60 miles away is Gorkha, the mountain city of King Prithvi Narayan
Shah, the man who settled Kathmandu Valley and brought peace and prosperity to
the land. Those who desire a
stiff one-hour hike to a spectacular site with great views of the mountains:
will want to hike up to Gorkha Durbar for a picnic lunch.
There are shops in and around the area at the end of the road.
HOTEL: (POKHARA)
Tue.
Oct. 20:
Flight from Pokhara to
Kathmandu. This
afternoon we can explore one of the most truly exotic cities in the world, at
our leisure. Tonight a
Farewell Dinner and Cultural Show will be provided.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)
Total cost of $2,940.00 per person, double occupancy, Includes flight over mount everest; Kathmandu / Pokhara flights; domestic airport taxes; all hotel stays; all tours in private vehicles with driver and professional, English-speaking guides, entrance fees for all temples, museums, monasteries and attractions noted; and the Farewell Dinner and Cultural Show.
*Single supplements for all hotel nights are available for an additional $350.00 per person.
A non-refundable payment of $1,470.00, payable to W.S. DONAHOO and received at:
is required for reservations.
AVAILABLE SPACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS, UPON RECEIPT OF INITIAL PAYMENTS.
ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE; Payments are not transferable to other passengers nor other trips. Credit cards are not accepted.
Final payments will be due in July, 2009. Failure to pay on time will result in the cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your initial payment.
Items in italics are not included, but are suggestions based on location and time available. Initial flights to and from Kathmandu, visa fees and related costs, taxes at international airports, porterage, and gratuities are not included.
Passports, valid for 6 months after the end of this trip, will be required.
Buz Donahoo, Condor
Adventures
Post Office Box 3415
Winter Park, FL 32790, USA
Tel/Fax (407) 645-0490
buz@condoradventures.com