Down to earth holidays

1. DAY 1: Arrive Kathmandu & transfer to your hotel.
2. DAY 2: After breakfast you'll be collected for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City, Swayambunath Stupa and Patan City.
   Patan City is an artistic and architectural jewel founded in 250AD. It is sometimes known as the 'Town with a Thousand Golden Roofs'. Here we visit highlights such as the Durbar Square, Royal Baths, Mahaboudha, Krishna Mandir and Hirayana Mahabihar Temple (The Golden Temple). We can also visit a Tibetan handicraft centre.
   Travel to typical Newar villages of Bungmati and Khokana. Founded in the 7th century, Bungmati is home to one of the most important Gods of the Kathmandu Valley - Matsyendranath, the God of Rain and Compassion. Both villages give a clear insight into the relatively unchanged traditions and lifestyle of the Newari people. (B).
3. DAY 3: Today we'll take you to see Bhaktapur, Pashupati, Boudda and Nagarkot.
   The medieval city of Bhaktapur is about 17kms east of Kathmandu. Here we can visit the Lion Gate, Picture Gallery, Golden Gate and 17th century Palace of Fifty FiveWindows. The city’s ancient temples and palaces are magnificent examples of Newari craftsmanship with their beautiful carved wooden windows and lattivework, and Bhaktapur’s people are still renowned for their pottery and hand woven fabrics, including the traditional local red and black saris.
   From Bhaktapur we continue to Thimi. The village’s mainly Newar inhabitants are skilled craftsmanship, especially known for making exquisite paper masks and pottery.
   In the afternoon we visit the Pashupatinath Temple with its superb architecture, two–tiered golden roof and sliver doors. Built in 1696 and dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is the most sacred of Nepal’s Hindu temples and a famous pilgrimage site. Before returning to the city, we also pay a visit to Boudhanath, the world’s largest stupa, and a site of great veneration for Buddhists.
   In the late afternoon we drive to Nagarkot and stay overnight at a resort here. (B).
4. DAY 4: The day starts at sunrise as this is the main reason for coming to Nagarkot. The views from here as the sun rises are simply stunning. On very clear days, you can even see Mount Everest.
   Before we head back to Kathmandu, we'll visit the Changunarayan Temple, Nepal's oldest (built in 4th century). (B).
5. DAY 5: This morning we drive you from Kathmandu to Pokhara (about 5-6 hours). After checking in the hotel you can enjoy a boat trip on Phewa Lake and a short sightseeing trip around Pokhara. (B).
6. DAY 6:  Early this morning we drive to Sarankot for sunrise. (We think it's worth it, but you dont' have to!). We walk for about 45 minutes to reach the top from where we can see the magnificent views of the Annapurna ranges, Fishtail Mountain and the Dhaulagiri ranges. 
   The rest of the day's tour around Pokara will begin with a tour of the awesome Davis Falls, known locally as Pataale Chhango. We also visit the Bindabasini Temple, the centre of religious activity in the old bazaar. In the afternoon we visit Mahendra cave or Ghupa. This limestone cave is locally known as the house of bats lies to the north of Pokhara. On the way back to the hotel we visit the Mahendra Pul to see the flow of the Seti River. (B).
7. DAY 7: This morning we drive from Pokhara to Bandipur (about 3 hours). On arrival, we transfer to Gaun Ghar Resort. Afternoon walk around Bandipur. (B).
8. DAY 8: Today you have a full day visit in and around Bandipur. Bandipur is an ancient Newari mountain town in the Mahabharat range at an altitude of 3400 feet, and is untouched by modernization. It is a fabulous place to spend a day exploring.  (B).
9. DAY 9: This morning we drive about 3 hours to Royal Chitwan National Park. It is the home of the great one horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, wild boar, gaur (bison), 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, 2 species of crocodiles, leopard, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, over 400 species of birds and various other reptiles.
   In the afternoon you will be taken for the jungle activities. Overnight at a jungle lodge. (FB).
10. DAY 10: A full day to enjoy Chitwan, including game activities, including either by boat ride, jeep drive, elephant drive, nature walk, jungle walk or a tour to the village. (FB).
11. DAY 11: Today we make our way back to Kathmandu. On the way we will stop at Daman for fabulous views of the world’s highest peaks. (B).
12. DAY 12: A free day in Kathmandu.  (B).
13. DAY 13: Transfer to the airport for the final departure.  (B).

How your holiday helps:
The partners we work with in Nepal are at the forefront of responsible tourism in this country. Not only have they been instrumental in ridding Kathmandu of plastic bags, but they also undertake clean-up treks in the Himalayas.

Our Kathmandu hotel: this hotel was an important temple building which had been left to decay. It was saved and restored using skilled local workers and local resources. Not only did this save an important historic building, but it also gave work to some very skilled people in the region, and now it provides tourism jobs.

The camp in Chitwan: The camp makes a point to only hire local people as guides, cooks, ornithologists, naturalists, lodge maintenance crew, etc. They even go so far as to only employ one member only from any local family so that the entire community has a chance to benefit from tourist income.They provide education and medical services for staff members and their immediate family.  The camp does not use elecrticity in the rooms (only candles and lamps).
In addition the camp supports the park's efforts in conservation by loaning jeeps and elephants do their job. They also help local villages by contributing to road construction/maintenance, building schools and providing access to water through the use of tube-wells.

Carbon Offsetting:
For every client we take on holiday we plant 10 indigenous tree saplings. This is used as a poverty alleviation and biodiversity scheme as well as helping with carbon offsetting. Click for more details…

Giving to grassroots projects:
Our registered charity, The Tribes Foundation, is currently raising funds for a project in Nepal. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference, so if you’re a travel philanthropist considering donating to a worthwhile charity, please consider backing this excellent community project.

Information to come about the project.

We will shortly have a page with photos of the project on http://www.the-tribes-foundation.org/.

Shop ethically:
If you support buying fair trade, ethical and organic goods, please take a look at our online ethical shop for books, maps, travel gadgets, first aid kits etc before you travel. This is also a great place to find organic goodies and handmade crafts, many made in the countries and areas that we visit. Shop at Tribes Trading.

FOR MORE GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICIES, CLICK HERE.

2+ people can take this holiday on most days of the year, subject to availability. Please call us to check availability.

Throughout 2009 :        £1235 pp.

• Prices are based on twin share, excluding flights.
• Please ask about child rates (if available) and single supplements.
• Exchange rate fluctuations may affect these prices (see our Booking Conditions).