for a printable version...click here
to return to treks and tours mainpage.. click here

October 24 2006 - November 5th 2006
(Women only)
Do you dream of walking in a faraway land?
Do you want to taste a little bit of adventure?
Do you ever think about visiting a country so beautiful it is sure to change you forever?

Then come and visit Nepal with me in 2006 for the trip of a lifetime that gives you an all round introduction to this fascinating country. Contact Wanda Vivequin on wanda@hihimalayas.com

Arrive Kathmandu October 24 2006 - finish Kathmandu November 5th 2006
Includes:
· 2 nights Kathmandu, 3 nights in Bhaktapur, 3 nights in Pokhara.
· Fully catered 3 night stay in the beautiful Balthali Village Resort for a taste of rural Nepal within site of the Himalaya
· Fully catered night in a lodge at Sarangkot, possibly one of the most beautiful places from which to see the full Annapurna Range.
· City tour, farewell meal, all entry fees.
· All private transport and accommodation (3 star standard)
· Services of an experienced western tour guide
Not included: meals in Kathmandu, Pokhara (breakfast is included in Pokhara and Bhaktapur but not lunch and dinner) - budget no more than US $10 a day for meals . Entry visa is US $30 on arrival, staff tips, departure tax.
Cost: US $1090 - based on twin share for the whole package. (min 4 people/max 10)

This trip is being run by Wanda Vivequin a seven year veteran of trekking in Nepal. This is the ninth trip she has organized and led in Nepal. Wanda is a 40 year old writer/communicator with a Bachelor of Arts and a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism from Canterbury University, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Wanda is the Canadian representative of the International Porter Protection Group (IPPG) and is involved with a number of other organizations in Nepal in a voluntary capacity.

Wanda now works as a freelance journalist and is based in Edmonton Canada.

Day 01 (Oct 24) Arrival into Kathmandu You will be met and transferred to your hotel in Bhaktapur, possibly the most beautiful town in all of Nepal. Bhaktapur is about 10km from the middle of Kathmandu and far less busy and noisy than the big city.
Please let me know when you arrive and on what flight so that I can arrange this transfer. If you are arriving earlier let me know and I will book another night/s into the hotel. (US$25 per night per twin room)

Day 02 (Oct 25) A day in Bhaktapur. Get to know the town and get over jet lag. We will visit a few of the sites by taking a two to three hour stroll through this beautiful town and get into the groove of life in Nepal. I will help you get your bearings, watch yoghurt being made in the traditional way and experience the regular markets that keep locals fed with fresh produce. If you like we can drive to Nagarkot to watch a sunset over the Himalaya.

Day 03 (Oct 26) Another day in Bhaktapur and its marvelous surroundings. After breakfast we take a minivan and a packed lunch and drink and head to Nagarkot above Bhaktapur for a splendid view of the mountains. Our van then drives us to Changunarayan and we will walk back to Bhaktapur (about 3 hours on the flat) through stunning farmland.

Day 04 (Oct 27) Three nights at the tranquil Balthali Village Resort.
We don't venture too far today, heading to what must certainly be the most beautiful spot in the entire Kathmandu Valley. After a leisurely breakfast and a last look at Bhaktapur, we head to Khopasi. On the way we may stop in at Namo Boudha, one of the most holy places for Buddhists in the Kathmandu Valley. Unspoiled by the effects of modernization, Balthali Village Resort sits atop a hill overlooking stunning fields and the Langtang/Helambu Himal in the distance. There a numerous short or longer walks to be done from this place into forests or fields.

Day 05 (Oct 28) We take our time to enjoy the surroundings, and after a leisurely breakfast we head out for a short one or two hour walk around the village. After lunch you may want to accompany me on another walk in the area or save your energy for tomorrow when we venture further a field.

Day 06 (Oct 29) Today we get a little more energetic and armed with a picnic lunch head out on a walk of your choice. We will decide this in consultation with everyone else.

Day 07 (Oct 30) After an early breakfast we walk back to the road head at Khopasi and then embark on our journey to Pokhara. This will probably take us between 5-7 hours depending on the traffic situation. We will likely arrive in the late afternoon.

Day 08 (Oct 31) Free day to sit by the lake and read, go boating, visit the newly opened museum of mountaineering or go for a bike ride. There is NO shortage of things to do in Pokhara. For those of you wanting to go for a two- three hour walk I am more than happy to accompany you.

Day 09 (Nov 1) The morning is free and just after lunch we head to the Tibetan Monastery and refugee camp where my father's adopted daughters live. We then drive to the top of Sarangkot, the high point that towers above Pokhara At Sarangkot we stay in a lodge for the night on a spot that guarantees the most amazing view in the world to wake up to. It's a nice way to "taste" the trekking lifestyle. There is no walking today although once we reach our camp spot you are free to wander about admiring the view down to the lake or across to the Annapurna Himal or enjoying the surrounding farming community.

Day 10 (Nov 2) After a magnificent sunrise over the Annapurnas we are treated to a lovely breakfast and you have a choice to either accompany me for the three to four hour walk back to Pokhara (all downhill) or catch a ride back down. It is not a hard walk at all although a walking pole is handy. We overnight in Pokhara again.

Day 11 (Nov 3) We catch a morning flight back to Kathmandu and finally aquaint ourselves with this frenetic city. By this stage you will be familiar with the Nepalese way of doing things so the rest of the day is free for you to shop or relax at the hotel which will be the Kantipur Temple House Hotel. www.kantipurtemplehouse.com

Day 12 (Nov 4) We leave early in the morning to drive to Boudhanath, the most holy place for Buddhists in Nepal. Going in the morning is a wonderful time to see the hundreds and hundreds of Buddhists walking in a clockwise direction around a magnificent white stupa (religious structure) saying their prayers. We will find you somewhere to have breakfast in this most interesting area and about mid morning will head to the holy Hindu site of Pashupatinath and then through the rush of traffic to the Tibetan refugee camp in Patan where beautiful rugs and carpets are made by hand. We return to our hotel in the mid afternoon and the rest of the day is yours to do with what you wish.
Overnight in Kathmandu again. We have a farewell meal tonight for the group.

Day 13 (Nov 5) The tour officially finishes today although I can come up with plenty of ideas if you would like to spend some more time in Nepal! Those of you flying home will be transferred to your flight.
I hope you had the holiday of your dreams!

Our Philosophy
Nepal has earned a Shangri-la image from its dramatic landscape and welcoming people but has also struggled with economic and political upheaval throughout the last century. Many people visit Nepal each year without awareness of the country's economic and environmental challenges. Hi Himalayas Treks and Tours strives both to contribute to the country in a positive way while limiting environmental impact and to ensure that everyone on the trip has a great time while gaining awareness about the realities of life in Nepal.
· We ensure that porters are well taken care of, from cold weather clothes to fair pay.
· We encourage reduction of plastic water bottle waste through the use of boiled and purified water.
· We discourage use of plastic bags which generate litter and become a breeding ground for disease.
· We patronize local businesses and we support the local economy by hiring guides and porters.
· We build awareness about Nepal by discussing the political, socio-economic, and environmental issues which affect the lives of its citizens.
· We seek out individuals and organizations which are innovative in their attempts to ameliorate Nepal's problems and we publicize and support their efforts.
· We discourage begging by giving to communities, schools, and local organizations.
· We give back to the community by volunteering time and expertise for local projects.