Friday, March 28, 2008

Extended Travel & An Invitation To Join

Team members are welcome to make personal travel plans prior to meeting the team in Kathmandu on November 9, or starting November 22 from Kathmandu.

Bob and Leslie can supplement your research and give suggestions of what to do/where to go within Nepal, as well as some other countries nearby, ie: India, or countries where you may arrange a relatively easy stopover, such as in Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam.

Once team members start communicating with each other, there is likely to be other suggestions as well, and you may even discover a new travel partner!

If you are interested in touring, hiking, or trekking within Nepal we would highly recommend an agency, Karnali Excursions, that we've used for several teams as well as personal treks. In fact, they are making the arrangements for this team's R&R as well. The owner/director is Hira Dhamala, and you can contact him personally at
karnali@excrns.wlink.com.np. Tell him you are on Bob & Leslie's Habitat team. He will give you the most amazing service and is always prompt and thorough. You can go to his website at http://www.trekkinginnepal.com/ and check out some suggested pre-planned excursions, or you can ask him to adapt one to your liking. Then, if you want some companions, let other team members know about it.

To start off the invitations, you are very welcome to join a trek in the Pokhara region that Hira has arranged for Bob and Leslie once the team event is over, starting November 22, and ending up back in Kathmandu on the night of November 27. You don't have to arrange anything - it's already been done. You just need to let Hira know that you want to join this trek and make arrangements for payment. You have the option of using November 22 to fly to Pokhara (for $85), or to take a beautiful scenic drive (which is already included in the trek price) that takes about 6 hours. You also have the option of flying back on November 27 (which is what we are going to do) for another $85, or taking the drive back at no extra cost. It isn't possible to shorten or modify this particular trek. If you want something different, you will have to make separate arrangements.

This trek is considered easy to moderate by Nepali standards. By the end of each day we will not have gained more than 500 meters in altitude, therefore "altitude adjustment" is not an issue. Maximum elevation on the trek will be 2900 meters. Hira considers this to be the most beautiful trek in the Himalayas. You will have the opportunity to view the "natural art gallery" of Nepal. Each village we pass through will have different languages and cultures to experience.

The itinerary for this particular trek is:

November 22 - drive or fly to Pokhara, overnight in hotel
November 23 - Drive to Birethanti and trek to Ghandrung. It is a traditional Gurunag village and allows us to enjoy breath taking views of Annapurna, Lamjung Himal and Fishtail
November 24 - Trek to Tadapani. Today we will work through the alpine forest and stay at a lodge in beautifully built small village, Tadapani
November 25 - Trek to Ghorepani, continous walk through rhododendron forest and small villages. We will stay overnight in Gorepani probably. This is the place that allows us to enjoy 180 degree arial view of Himalayan range including Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, Champus Peak, Nilgiri, and Fishtail. We'll also celebrate Leslie's 61st birthday!!
November 26 - Early morning sunrise view from Poon Hill then trek down to Tikedhunga and overnight.
November 27 - Trek to Birethanti and drive to Pokhara and fly to Kathmandu, hotel lodging
November 28 - Depart Kathmandu - (transport to airport included)

The price of $450 includes the following:

  • all ground transportation

  • all lodges/hotels

  • meals/coffee/tea, except for meals noted below

  • porters (you need only to carry a daypack)

  • experienced guide, probably Nawang Sherpa, the one that was Bob's guide to Everest last November
  • all trekking permits and entrance fees

It doesn't include:

  • porter and guide tips (about 10%)
  • air transportation if that is what you choose (there is no reduction in the price of the trek if you choose to fly)
  • beverages other than coffee and tea
  • departure day lunch and dinner, Nov 22; dinner on last day Nov 27