NEPAL ADVENTURE

Not Scheduled

Join us on a unique experience in Nepal.  Led by OPA owner Joe Whittington, and Don Messerschmidt, a long time Kathmandu resident and Nepal expert, anthropologist and writer, this trip combines adventure, culture, history, and fun in a once in a life time experience.  Participants will benefit from the local knowledge and

cultural understanding from Don, and international expedition trekking and climbing expertise from Joe.  We will be supported by local Nepalese outfitters who are also long time friends of Don.

Our adventure starts in Kathmandu where we gather together and prepare for our trek to the ancient Tibetan border villages of Nar and Phu at the north of the Annapurna mountain range in Manang District.  Participants choosing the climbing option will climb Pisang Peak (6,092m/19,987'), while the trekkers will continue on to scenic and cultural adventures in the Upper Manang area.

The recombined group will fly back to Kathmandu from Humde (Manang) Airport to meet with the rest of the party who will join us for tours of the Kathmandu area and the safari to Temple Tiger Resort in Royal Chitwan National Park. No guarantees, but Temple Tiger Resort claims the best record for spotting tigers (as well as rhinos and other wildlife).

After we return to Kathmandu, we'll have one last day for touring/shopping .  From Kathmandu, the Angkor Wat visitors will fly to Bangkok for an overnight stay, then to Siem Reap for two nights/three days.  Finally, we return to Bangkok and end our trip to return home or pursue our own itinerary.
 

PRICES
You can do the entire trip or sequential portions. The prices are as follows :

Trekker Option (9/21-10/10) - $2,500 (Nar, Phu, and upper Manang Valley)
Trek/Climb Option (9/21-10/10) - $3,400 (Nar, Phu and Pisang Peak)
Tour Kathmandu 10/9-10/11) Add $200 (Village and Hindu/Buddhist sites)
Royal Chitwan Safari (10/12-10/15) Add $500 (Wildlife, including -we hope- tigers)
Tour Kathmandu + Royal Chitwan Safari (10/9 - 10/17) - $1,600
Angkor Wat (10/17-10/21) Add $1,000 (includes round-trip airfare Siem Reap/Bangkok)
 

There are four segments - Trekking (with or without Pisang Peak climb), Tour Kathmandu, Safari at Royal Chitwan, and Angkor Wat tour.

The prices include lodging, all internal transport, most of the meals (dinners and lunches in teahouses and in Kathmandu may be extra), all fees, guides, porters, tents & sleeping bags (where needed), and most everything else. Price does not include international air fare to Kathmandu.

So why would you want to go on this trip?

1. This is a one time deal. We're almost certainly not going to do this one again.

2. Don Messerschmidt and friends. Don has repeatedly traveled in all of these areas of Nepal, and we are be working with people who have been his friends for generations. You will never be so well hooked-up in Nepal.

3. In depth understanding of culture and history. Don will be providing commentary on the meaning of everything we are seeing and experiencing. And we plan to recruit some of his other expert friends to provide background on various aspects of life in Nepal while we are in Kathmandu.  Manang District is a spectacularly beautiful geological/geographical and cultural/religious (Buddhist) wonderland. The photography is stunning! The local people are marvelous!  As an anthropologist, Don will share with us his prodigious knowledge of local culture and geography.

4. Great value. Because of Don's long-term relationships, we have very good deals from all of the providers.

5. It's going to be freaking fun! Stunning scenery, spectacular mountains, ancient villages and Tibetan-Nepalese religious sites, looking for tigers and rhinos while riding on elephants, climbing a 6k meter peak, experiencing the bustle, people, and amazing temples of Kathmandu.

The prices are based on six to ten travelers and with a maximum of 15 in our group.

To reserve your space, the balance is due August 13, 2007.

 Use the secure form, E-mail us, or call (877) 965-5100 . 

ITINERARY
September 21: Arrive Kathmandu.  Rest/tour Kathmandu

September 22:  Lecture on Nepal customs and traditions and trip overview/tour Kathmandu

September 23: Travel by mini-bus to Besisahar (820m/2,690’)and trek to Bhulbhule(820 m/2,690’) about three hours.  (Lodge)

September 24:   Trek to Jagat (1,330 m/4,364’) about eight hours. (Lodge)

September 25: Trek to Dharapani (1,960m/6,430’) about seven hours. (Lodge)

September 26:  Trek to Suti Khola (2,765 m/9,071’) about six hours. (Tent Camp)

September 27:  Trek to Metha (3,570m/11,710’) about six hours. (Tent Camp)

September 28: Trek to Kyang (3,840m/12,600’)about six hours. (Tent Camp)

September 29: Trek to Phu village (3,800m/12,470’) about six hours. (Tent Camp)

September 30: Phu village  (3,800m/12,470’) Rest day (Tent Camp)

October 1: Trek to Chyakhu (3735 m/12,255’)about six hours. (Tent Camp)

October 2: Trek to Nar Village (4,100 m/13,450’)about six hours. (Tent Camp)

October 3: Trek to Kangla Phedi (4,350 m/14,270’) about six hours. (Tent Camp).

October 4: Trek to Ngawal-Braga (3,400 m/11,155’) via Kang La (pass) (4,940m/16,205').  At this point our trekkers continue to the Upper Manang area (3,600m/11,810') and the Pisang Peak Climbers go to Upper Pisang(3,900 m/12,795’). (Lodge)

TREKKERS
October 5:  Upper Manang Milarepa's Cave, Ice

 lakes above Braga, Manangbhot Town, etc. (Lodge)

October 6:  Upper Manang Milarepa's Cave, Ice lakes above Braga, Manangbhot Town, etc. (Lodge)

October 7:  Upper Manang Milarepa's Cave, Ice lakes above Braga, Manangbhot Town, etc. (Lodge)

October 8:  Upper Manang Milarepa's Cave, Ice lakes above Braga, Manangbhot Town, etc. (Lodge)

PISANG PEAK CLIMBERS

October 5:  Trek to  Pisang Base Camp (4,380m/14,370’) (Tent Camp)

October 6:  Trek to High Camp (5,400m/17,716’)  (Tent Camp)

October 7:  Summit Pisang Peak (6,092m/19,987') and descend to Base Camp (Tent Camp)

October 8:  Trek to Humde (3,420m/11,220'). (Lodge)

October 9:  Climbers/Trekkers fly to Kathmandu/Rest of group arrives in Kathmandu (Guest House)

October 10:  Kathmandu departure for those only doing the Trekking/Climbing portion

October 10:  Tour Kathmandu (Guest House)

October 11:  Tour Kathmandu (Guest House)

October 12:  Mini-Bus to Temple Tiger Jungle Resort/Royal Chitwan National Park/Kathmandu departure for Trekkers/Climbers/Kathmandu Tours only (Temple Tiger Jungle Resort)

October 13:  Safari - Royal Chitwan National Park (Temple Tiger Jungle Resort)

October 14:  Safari - Royal Chitwan National Park (Temple Tiger Jungle Resort)

October 15:  Safari - Royal Chitwan National Park - Fly to Kathmandu (Guest House)

October 16:  Tour/Shop Kathmandu (Guest House)

October 17:  Depart Kathmandu

ANGKOR WAT

October 17:  Depart Kathmandu to Bangkok (Hotel)

October 18:  Fly to Siem Reap - Tour Angkor Wat (Hotel)

October 19:  Tour Angkor Wat (Hotel)

October 20:  Tour Angkor Wat - Fly to Bangkok (Hotel)

October 21:  Depart Bangkok