Trekking the Ridges of East Nepal

Custom Trekking Nepal Itinerary Above the Clouds & Yoga Vermont Present

Trekking the Ridges of East Nepal March 13 - 25, 2016 PO Box 1566 | Burlington VT 05402 | (800) 233 4499 | info@aboveclouds.com | aboveclouds.com

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Trekking the Ridges of East Nepal This trek in east Nepal takes you through a variety of landscapes and includes traditional villages that have had relatively little exposure to trekkers or the outside world. Life here is simple, but the locals are not wanting. This area gets more rainfall than most of Nepal, and the terrain is a little less steep than average, making agriculture a somewhat less formidable undertaking. In addition, there are spectacular views to be had on the Milke Danda ridge at the start of the trek, as well as from atop one of the area’s most prominent “hills,” (everything in Nepal under 15,000’ is considered to be a hill)!

The people are friendly and welcoming and always happy to share what they have. We will be traveling in the fall and the weather will be mild. We may see some harvesting and learn about the largest export crop in the area Alaisi, known to us as cardamom. In addition to the trek we will have some time to explore the medieval city of Kathmandu. We will explore the sites including the stupa at Bouddhanath and Pashupati and will have a chance to see some of the monasteries and favorite tourist destinations. Possible side trips may include: Swayambunath (the monkey temple), Patan Durbar Square, Kathmandu Durbar square, Bhaktipur, and Thamel.

On top of the phenomenal trekking, views, villages and monasteries that the trip includes, this adventure is being offered in partnership with Kathy McNames of YogaVermont. There will be daily yoga offered throughout. Yoga can help loosen the muscles after a long day on the trail, help to prep your legs after a night in a tent or even act to enhance your overall experience in Nepal. The level of practice is malleable to your needs and led by Above the Clouds’s favorite Yogini in the world. She’s accommodates everyone on trek and is able to make the yoga a lovely compliment to trek, trail and experience of Nepal.

PO Box 1566 | Burlington VT 05402 | (800) 233 4499 | info@aboveclouds.com | aboveclouds.com

March 2016: 11: Depart the USA. 12: En route 13: Arrive Kathmandu today. On arrival you'll be met by representatives of the office and together you’ll transfer to to the Tibetan quarter of the city, where the hotel is located. Depending on the time of your arrival, you’ll have a chance to stretch your legs, explore your new surroundings and get a feel for the city before gathering together for our welcome dinner and first night in country.

14: Starting this morning the group will gather together to do a gear check before heading out to explore this medieval city. If the gear check reveals any holes in packing or gear, while out this afternoon you’ll be able to fix any potential issues before heading out of the city for the trail. You’ll return to the hotel in time for dinner and early to bed in prep for trek.

15: This morning starts early with a quick breakfast en route to the airport to board a flight take a quick flight to Biratnagar (elev. 800’) in eastern Nepal. On arrival the bags will be gathered and together, you’ll head out of the small airport to meet your driver and begin the all day drive up into the hills.

The road is through the foothills of the Himalayas and as you head towards the start of the trail you’ll begin to get acquainted with the rhythm of village life in Nepal. By early evening you’ll arrive at your destination (Jhiri Kimpti a small town at the trailhead, just over 5,200) in time for a much needed yoga session and your first night of dinner on the trail. Camp.

16: Today you’ll begin your trek! The day will start with a light yoga session to get your legs and bodies ready for what is to come. The first day takes you gradually uphill through meadows and villages, where you can stop, visit, explore and begin to get the feel for the pace of trek. By mid-day you’ll arrive to Kube for a nice hot lunch en route and have a chance to relax before continuing on ward to Morang (5,’800). By the time you get to camp it should be mostly set up and you’ll have some time to do some yoga, explore and enjoy dinner and a great night sleep. Camp.

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5 17: This morning you’ll continue your uphill trek along the ridge, with the only steep sections coming quickly after leaving camp. You’ll have lunch in Asine en route to tonight’s camp at Gupha Pokhari (Cave Lake). Gupha is a Wild West kind of town, a crossroads bazaar town with lots of shops selling everything local villagers need for their daily living, including east Nepal’s favorite beverage, thongba. This is a fermented millet drink, served hot in wooden vessels, and drunk through a bamboo straw. It is safe to drink because the water is boiled, and the thongba shops are good places to observe and interact with the folks that call this place home. Camp.

18: You’ll now leave behind village Nepal for a few days and set off onto the Milke Danda ridge, which affords almost non-stop views of four of the world’s five highest peaks, including Everest.

Today’s hike is probably the easiest of the entire trek, feeling almost flat as you ascend ever so gradually along the ridge.

Tonight’s camp is beside the small lake called Sukhe Pokhari (9,800’). From here we may encounter yakherders camped with their families and animals. Camp.

19: A This morning you’ll ascend along the ridge to your high camp for the trek, and high point of the Nepal segment, at Dobate (11,400’). You may encounter more yakherders today, who spend their summers on these ridges. Their winter home is in the village of Topke Gola, just south of the border with Tibet, the ancestral home of these herders. If the skies are clear, you can expect the best mountain views of your entire trip from this campsite. Camp.

20: After four days of gradual uphill, today you’ll have the polar opposite, with a steep downhill trek through some of Nepal’s most pristine forests to our camp at Dhap, just above the village of Mayoom. Camp.

PO Box 1566 | Burlington VT 05402 | (800) 233 4499 | info@aboveclouds.com | aboveclouds.com

21: This morning you’ll return to village areas and encounter several settlements en route to camp at Chainpur, one of the wealthiest towns in Nepal. Most of the wealth derives from land ownership and the bronze casters living here, who established a century-old reputation as the finest at their craft in the hills of Nepal. You’ll have time to explore the town and visit with some of the bronze casters in their workshops before dinner. Camp.

22: The final day of trekking is flat for an hour and then downhill the rest of the day to the airstrip at Tumlingtar. The altitude here, 1700’, is almost 10,000’ lower than your camp of just three nights ago.

Temperature on arrival may be well into the 80s, and 90’F wouldn’t be unusual. Tropical fruits and vegetation form a stark contrast to what you experienced on the ridge just a few days ago. Such is the contrast of Nepal! Camp.

23: After breakfast this morning the group will head to the airport for the group flight back to Kathmandu.

There are few times in life where walking to the airport is the most common mode of travel and it certainly is a special experience. After flying the approximately 40 minutes back to Kathmandu, the group will be transferred back to your now familiar hotel to rest, relax and recover from trek.

24: You'll have a full morning of sightseeing today, with the afternoon at leisure. This evening the group will share a farewell dinner together in the city. Hotel Tibet.

25: Depending upon your own personal flight path, today you’ll transfer to the airport for departing flights.

End of Services.

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Trekking the Ridges of East Nepal (March 13 - 24, 2016)

Grade: Moderate Land Cost: $4,950 per person (based on double sharing throughout) Single Supplement: $885 per person Included in land cost: All listed airport transfers, transportation to/from the trail head (by surface or regularly scheduled flight), all meals on trek, trekking services (guide/cook/porters), all communal camping equipment (tents, ground pads, cooking/eating utensils), and all required trekking permits & fees.

Not included: International airfare, Nepali Visas (best obtained upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport), accommodations/meals/transfers other than listed, travel / medical insurance, telephone calls, laundry and other items of a personal nature. *Every single image included here was taken on this very route with Yoga Vermont!* PO Box 1566 | Burlington VT 05402 | (800) 233 4499 | info@aboveclouds.com | aboveclouds.com

The Art of Adventure Travel