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Nepal - Never End Peace and Love Tour - 16 Day/15 Night Itinerary

October 30 - November 14, 2009

Friday, Oct. 30 - Day 0 - TRAVEL DAY

Today you will be arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal from your overseas flight from home. When you arrive in Kathmandu we will meet you after you exit from immigration with a WELCOME RED LOTUS TOURS sign. Our Nepali guide will greet you and provide you with transportation to our hotel in the historic Bhaktapur district.

Diana will be there to help you get settled in and oriented to your environment. Snacks and fresh water will be provided in your room. We will meet in the evening for a group dinner at the hotel.

Saturday, Oct. 31 - Day 1

Breakfast at the hotel.

We will be hosting a day with the children of Disabled Newlife Center (www.nepalichildrenstrust.com) and taking them sightseeing to one of the World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley. This is an opportunity for us to share our time and service with some children and teens who are greatly marginalized in their culture. Their smiles and positive attitudes are truly amazing.
Dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.

Sunday, Nov. 1 - Day 2

We will check out of our Bhaktipur hotel this morning and will be boarding a flight to Pokhara, gateway to the Annapurna region of the Himalaya. The lakeside location and spectacular mountain views will give a peaceful respite to the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. We will have the remainder of the afternoon to get settled into our hotel rooms and do some wandering and shopping through the Lakeside district.

Dinner together at our hotel.

Monday, Nov. 2 - Day 3

There are a few day trek options available here in Pokhara and we will offer a sunrise over the Annapurna range for those early birds with cameras who don’t want to miss a minute or a magnificent sunrise. Options will be discussed as this day approaches, but there will be something for everyone.

Tuesday, Nov. 3 - Day 4

Today is at your leisure, spend the day as you like. Pokhara has a few day trek options we can arrange for you, or you can just enjoy the ambiance of this laid-back and easy town full of fun cafes and shops. It's a great place to relax and do some journaling or reading.

Dinner together in a Lakeside district restaurant.

Wednesday, Nov. 4 - Day 5

Today we check out of our Pokhara hotel and will travel by private transport to the jungle area of Nepal, the Chitwan Park. You will be en route approximately 5 hours and lunch will be provided at a very nice restaurant along the way. The views along the drive are beautiful and you will see the amazing change in landscape from the mountains to the Terai and the warmth of the jungle.

We will check into our hotel in Sauraha and enjoy sunset drinks and dinner by the Rapti River.

Thursday, Nov. 5 - Day 6

This is a fun day with lots of things to do, and you are welcome to come along on all the outings or sit out a few if you need some down time.

Early option for those who enjoy nature, a misty morning trip in a dugout canoe down the river, great for bird watching and just enjoying the quiet jungle morning.

Later morning we will be visiting the women of Happy House (www.happyhouse-fairtrade.com.np) ) to learn about their cooperative effort to empower women in their community through promoting their arts, crafts and beekeeping. Lunch at leisure in the village.

Mid afternoon we will regroup to enjoy an elephant trek into the jungle. Be prepared with your camera, as you will most certainly see wildlife in their natural habitat. Dinner together in the village.

Friday, Nov. 6 - Day 7

We will check out of our Sauraha hotel and go by private transport to the town of Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha. Once we check into our hotel, we will have some time to wander through this sacred place of temples, monasteries and monuments, or again if you need time for journaling, reading this is the perfect place.

We will be doing a group session of sharing and meditation this afternoon before we have our dinner at the hotel.

Saturday, Nov. 7 - Day 8

Today we will do some guided sightseeing in Lumbini and will have an opportunity to sit as a group and connect with the energies of the Buddha as we quiet ourselves and take a slower pace throughout the day.

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Sunday, Nov. 8 - Day 9

Check out of our Lumbini hotel and catch a flight back to Kathmandu where we will be met by private transport and taken to the village of Dhulikhel, about 45 minutes outside the city in the foothills of Kathmandu Valley, where the views of the Himalayas will astound you. We will have what is left of the day to settle into our beautiful hotel and enjoy the views and private "secret garden" feeling of the hotel grounds.

Dinner at the hotel.

Monday, Nov. 9 - Day 10

Early morning wake up and short hike up the ridge for our Tantric Salute , a ceremony of meditation, yoga, and Nepali tea while we watch the sunrise over the Himalaya. This 180-degree view is beyond description. During the day will have us day trekking to a nearby Newari village, Panauti, which has a rich history and heritage of its own.

Transport will await us to return us to our hotel in Dhulikhel.

Evening activity tonight is a return to the 60's in Kathmandu, recapturing the essence of Freak Street so bring your inner flower child and let's party!

Tuesday, Nov. 10 - Day 11

We will leave our Dhulikhel shangri-la and return to Kathmandu via private transport. After getting settled into our Thamel district landmark hotel, the rest of the day is at your leisure to shop, get a massage, wander on your own, journal &.or just be.

Dinner at Thamel restaurant.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Day 12

After breakfast today we will do some sightseeing around Kathmandu starting with Swayambhunath, the monkey temple. It's a fascinating place with lots to see and photograph and an easy walk back to the hotel, or if you wish we can have the transport available. Lunch at leisure in Thamel.

Afternoon sightseeing to Pashaputi and the Shiva Temple. Very interesting and informative look into Hindu practices and rituals around death and dying.

Dinner at Thamel restaurant.

Thursday, Nov. 12 - Day 13

After breakfast this morning we will visit The Buddhist Child Home, an orphanage founded and run by a Nepali woman. We will meet her and hear her story of how she started and continues to run this children's home and take a tour of the facility. There will be an opportunity to learn how we can assist her project individually, and as a group.

Return to Thamel for lunch.

You will be able to spend the rest of the day shopping and wandering around Thamel.

Dinner at Thamel restaurant.

Friday, Nov. 13 - Day 14

Breakfast at hotel and day at leisure until around 3:30 p.m. Tonight is the night to bring out your party dress (or sari!) as we will visit the Swayambunath stupa once again to have a view of the city at sunset and take some lovely photos of us all together before driving to our special farewell dinner at an amazing restaurant.

Saturday, Nov. 14 - Day 15 - TRAVEL DAY

Private transport to the airport where you will board your international flights for home.

Your Red Lotus Tour officially ends with your transport to the airport. Please remember to have US cash on hand to pay airport departure tax.

If you are continuing on to India, Tibet or Bhutan your expedition coordinator, Rajan, will be meeting with you at the hotel to give you an overview of the tour and your early departure tomorrow.