INDIE TRAVELLERS | Nepal - 16 days 15 nights Tamang Heritage Trail, World Heritage Sites, Chitwan National Park

8th February 2008      Arrive Kathmandu - Transfer to hotel.
You will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel to check in. You are free at leisure for the rest of the day. There will be a welcome dinner with live Nepali cultural performance hosted to welcome you to Nepal. (D)

9th Ferbuary 2008    Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple and Bouddhanath Stupa, World Heritage Sites - Nagarkot.
In the morning, visit the Pashupatinath Temple and the Bouddhanath Stupa are two of the seven groups of monuments and buildings that illustrated the Kathmandu Valley rich cultural heritage. The Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. Situated 5 kilometers east of Kathmandu, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracts ten's of thousands of Hindu pilgrims from South Asia. Pashupatinath means the “Lord of the Animals”. It is believed that to die and to be cremated here will release one from the cycle of repeated birth and death. Next to the temple is the holy Bagmati River that flows into the Ganges. The cremation ground is near the temple and it is popular place to be cremated. The ashes of persons cremated are sprinkled into the waters of the Bagmati, eventually to be carried to the Ganges. About 2 kilometers from Pashupatinath Temple is Bouddhanath, one of Nepal’s most holy sites for the Buddhist faith. Here lies the 36 meter high ancient Stupa of Bouddhanath, the biggest in the world. The remarkable structure stands as a giant version of the smaller monuments lining the trails in the mountainous lands of the Sherpa people. The stupa is located in the area of ancient trade route to Tibet where Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers for many centuries. Your overnight stay will be at Nagarkot situated at the eastern periphery of the Kathmandu Valley. It is located at 2,000 meters above the sea level and is the second highest peak in the Kathmandu Valley. After an hour long exciting and winding drive you will be above to feel the cool breeze of air blowing endlessly into your face, and see the widest range of Himalayas including Mount Everest with our bare eyes from here. It is also one of the best spots to visit for unmatched sunrise and sunset views. (B,L,D)

10th February 2008     Nagarkot – Bhaktapur, World Heritage Sites - Kathmandu.
After breakfast, depart for Bhaktapur, one of Nepal’s most well preserve ancient cities situated at 1,401 meters above sea level. Bhaktapur was once Nepal’s capital from the 12th to the 15th century during the great Malla Kingdom. The ancient city is known for its wood and stone carving, high quality pottery and thangka-painting. Lunch will be on your own expenses, giving you the opportunity to explore traditional food that interests you. Return to Kathmandu in the late evening. Check in to your hotel and your will be free at leisure. (B,D)

11th February 2008     Kathmandu – Syabrubensi, exploration of the Tamang Heritage Trail
Early rise for a 9 hours drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubensi (1460 meters), the starting point of the 8 days 7 nights exploration of the Tamang Heritage Trail in the region of Lantang, Rasuwa. This trail brings you to the Tamang and the Tibetan culture in the Himalayan scenery along the old trading route of the Nepalese and Tibetans. This region was formerly a restricted area near the Tibetan border and was declared Langtang National Park in 1976. The Tamang Heritage Trail was developed under the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme (TRPAP) managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to distribute equal tourism opportunities among poor rural communities living on the other side of the traditional route of the Langtang, Rasuwa region. Today’s lunch will be on your own expenses. Your night halt will be at a guesthouse in Syabrubensi. (B,D)

The Tamang Heritage Trail route: Syaphrubesi (starting point) - Goljung - Gatlang - Tatopani – Thuman - Rasuwagadhi – Timure - Briddim – Syaphrubesi. See map.

12th February 2008     Syabrubensi – Goljung (1960 meters) – Gatlang (2240 meters)
The exciting exploration begins today by trekking for about 6 hours from Syabrubensi to Goljung (1960 meters). Goljung is a Tamang village with ancient monasteries and beautiful hats. From Goljung, you will trek for another 5 hours to get to Gatlang your overnight stay at a community lodge. Gatlang is a large Tamang village set high on a hillside among terraced fields. The beautiful Parvati Kunda (or lake) and the Chhorten trail are nearby. (B,L,D)

13th Ferbuary 2008 Gatlang (2240 meters) - Tatopani (2240 meters)
Today’s trek is about 6 hours to a village called Tatopani. Tatopani, literally means hot water, and it has one of the biggest and hottest natural hot springs in Nepal. Villagers here believe that the waters have healing qualities for aches and pains. This village will be your night stop, so, you can relieve your body pain and strains by dipping at one of the hot springs. Overnight at Tatopani community lodge. (B,L,D)

14th February 2008   Tatopani - Nagthali (3300 meters) - Thuman (2000 meters)
Trek for about 6 hours to Nagthali, the high open grassland with amazing views of snow covered Himalayas and the Tibetan range. On top of the hill lies a Buddhist monastery. Trek to Thuman for your overnight at a homestay. Thuman is a Tibetan influenced Tamang village with friendly people who love to sing and dance. (B,L,D)

15th February 2008    Thuman - Timure (2240 meters) – Rasuwagadhi (2240 meters) – Timure
Today’s trek is about 7 hours to Timure with an en-route to the old trade route to Tibet. Here it leads to the historical fort at Rasuwagadhi rests in the banks of the river. An old suspension bridge is the linkage between Nepal and Tibet. You will return to Timure for your overnight stay at a community lodge. (B,L,D)

16th February 2008    Timure - Briddhim (2290 meters)
Trek for about 6 hours to Briddim, another Tibetan influence Tamang village. It is a small yet beautiful village where villagers. You will be staying at a homestay. Go on village walks with your host family to see the lifestyle, traditions and customs of the people. The villagers will gather in the evening in their traditional costume, performing cultural songs and dances, as a gesture of welcoming guests to their home. (B,L,D)

17th February 2008      Briddhim – Syabrubesi
From Briddhim, trek for about 4 hours to Syabrubensi. Check in to a lodge for your overnight stay at Syabrubensi. (B,L,D)

18th February 2008    Syabrubensi – Kathmandu
After breakfast, leave for Kathmandu on a 7 hours drive. There will be a lunch stop along the way. Lunch is on your own expenses. Check in at a hotel in Kathmandu for your overnight stay.   (B,D)

19th February 2008    Kathmandu – Meghauli, the Royal Chitwan National Park, a World Heritage Site
After breakfast, leave for Meghauli on a 7 hours drive for your 4 days 3 nights wildlife exploration at the Royal Chitwan National Park. Meghauli is a village surrounded by Royal Chitwan National Park and two great rivers called Narayani and Rapti. The Royal Chitwan National Park is located in the south central of Nepal, has long been one of the country’s treasures of natural wonders. It covers an area of 932 sq km in the subtropical lowlands of the inner Terai. A habitat for the last populations of single-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and the Bengal tiger, the area was gazetted as the country’s first national park in 1973. In 1984 UNESCO declared it as a World Heritage Site due to its unique ecosystems of international significance. You will check in at a lodge for your overnight stay. (B,D)

20th February 2008    Royal Chitwan National Park.
Your programme for the next two days at Chitwan is a combination of walking, elephant ride and river cruise. If you are lucky, you might spot the endangered one-horned rhino, wild sloth bear, water hogs, wild boars, deers, several specie of birds and the Gharials (crocodile) during the river cruise. Sometimes, one can spot the Bengal tiger during an elephant ride. Overnight at a lodge. (B,L,D)

21st February 2008   Royal Chitwan National Park.
Wake up earlier for birdwatching or simply enjoy the breathtaking view at sunrise. After breakfast, go on a full day of exploration with your nature guide. Overnight at a lodge. (B,L,D)

22nd February 2008   Royal Chitwan National Park – Kathmandu
After breakfast, return to Kathmandu. There will be a stop for lunch along the way. Lunch is on your own expenses. Check in to your hotel for your overnight stay. A special Nepalese farewell dinner will be held in the evening at a traditional restaurant with fine cuisine. (B,D)

23rd February 2008   Departure.
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight. (B)