Included in the tour:

?  Domestic air tickets: Pokhara-Kathmandu and airport taxes 

?  All ground transportation: Airport pick-up/drop-off, sightseeing, van or mini-bus

?  All breakfasts are provided; lunch & dinners provided where indicated

?  Entry fees for all temples and monasteries

?  Trekking permit for Annapurna Conservation Area

?  On trek – local lodges, all meals, guide and porters and their food, lodging, & insurance, sleeping bag (unless you prefer your own), towel, walking poles.

?  Tips for city guide and driver and airport porters 

?  Tips for porters and guide following trek, including send-off dinner in Pokhara

?  Donations when visiting local schools, clinics, clubs, etc.

?  Final evening’s dinner at a Nepali restaurant in Kathmandu with culture dance

?  Please Note: Single rooms in lodges along the trekking route are few and not always available – trekking staff will do their best to reserve single rooms but these rooms can only be guaranteed for Pokhara and Kathmandu hotels

?  Also –night stops and times listed in the itinerary are approximate and depend on weather conditions and trekking speeds

Not included in the cost: 

For current public health information: Go to www.cdc.gov and click on “travelers health” and select the county (Nepal). Generally, during October and March, mosquitoes are less common in the terai because of cool nights. However, as monsoon rains can sometime extend into September it is best to be prepared and travel with repellent if you plan a visit Chitwan National Park or the terai. (Deet or Picaridin, etc.).

Things to bring: Good walking shoes are required, as is a water bottle and small day-pack to carry personal effects. It’s suggested that you bring sun hat, sun glasses, casual and comfortable clothing for layering, energy bars and trail mix for snacking, and particularly for Chitwan, a pair of binoculars and insect repellent.

Tourist visa: Available on arrival at the airport:  $25 for the first 15-day stay or $40 for a 30-day visa. Before arrival, you can download a Nepal visa form from: www.treks.com.np/visa/. The visa process is greatly simplified if you have exact change and a completed visa form on arrival at the Kathmandu airport, with two passport-size photos.

My website contains information on equipment needed for trekking, and suggestions for other trekking itineraries and options for mountain flights, unscheduled sightseeing, short day-walks, etc.  www.studytreks.com  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Madan Pun

Nepal Study Treks and Expeditions Pvt. Ltd.

(nste@wlink.com.np)

011-977-98460-65714 (mobile)

011-977-61-532065 (home in Pokhara)

I am a longtime friend and trekking companion of Madan Pun. I have no business relationship with Madan or his company (Nepal Study Treks & Expeditions) except to be available to answer questions you may have about treks, tours or other travel information.

Please feel free to contact me anytime for tour and trekking (and travel) information at: 707-538-4577 (tarens@sonic.net)

 Madan leads all his treks and tours personally. He lives in Pokhara and he is from the Annapurna area and has been leading tours for almost 20 years. I assure you that he is skilled at keeping people healthy and satisfied.  

Madan’s tour and trek will get you out of the city and into villages to observe the “real Nepal” and meet people and get a better understanding of Nepal’s multi-ethnic culture and present situation.

You may have read about the changing political situation in Nepal. The national election held in April 2008 elected an assembly to write a new constitution for the new Republic of Nepal. The King’s powers have been entirely removed by the new assembly. Later in 2011, when the constitution is completed, an election will be scheduled to elect a new parliament and government. Nepal struggles with this transition as the preparation of a new constitution is years behind schedule.  Nepal is one of the poorest countries in Asia (for example, maternal mortality is one of the highest in Asia) because of lack of infrastructure and remoteness of most of the country.

 Let Madan know of your specific interests. For example, an interest in observing a school and talking with students and teachers, visiting a rural health clinic and meeting nurse-midwives and other medical providers, a visit to a women’s savings & credit group meeting, and/or anything you would like to do in Nepal.  Despite the inconveniences of travel (traffic, road work, strikes, etc.) in a developing country, Madan will give you an opportunity to meet wonderful people and see the most breath taking views and peaks in the world, including some of the top ten highest mountains in the world.  

Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.

 Tom Arens

707-538-4577

tarens@sonic.net