NEPAL

The Himalayas, Roof of the World, Nepal has captured the imagination of travelers for generations. Home to the highest and mightiest mountains on Earth, Nepal’s rugged geography serves to isolate and preserve ancient cultures. The isolation of these valleys led to a diversity of language, cultures and traditions unrivaled anywhere on Earth.

Nepal is a crossroads between Buddhism and Hinduism, with traces of mystical thought, such as Bon, from the highlands, and 3000-year-old pre-Vedic religions from the lowlands, still found today. The birthplace of Buddha himself, Nepal may be considered the cradle of Eastern religious thought.

Nepal is the world’s preeminent destination for trekking, with routes to Everest base camp, around-Annapurna, and the Langtang Valley attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. This has led to some regions, particularly Everest and around-Annapurna, falling victim to their own beauty with trail overcrowding, commercialization, westernization, and the worst, road-building, which exacerbates all of the other problems while leading to a total loss of the wilderness experience.

We’ll enjoy awe-inspiring sunrises and sunsets over the entire Annapurna range, with views of Mardi Himal peak, and Annapurna itself, the 10th highest on the planet. Each day, we’ll hold a yoga and meditation session in some of the most beautiful locations on Earth, following up our daily hikes with guided light stretching. The trek will culminate with a long day hike to Mardi Himal base camp and viewpoint, at an altitude of 4500 meters (14,800 feet), offering a staggeringly beautiful panorama.

The journey is so much more than the trek, yoga and meditation. We begin with a tour of Kathmandu, the bustling capital of Nepal, visiting a trio of unique Buddhist and Hindu Temples. From Kathmandu, we’ll drive along the foothills of the Himalaya to the relaxed lakeside city of Pokhara and the next day begin our seven day trek into the mountains. Upon returning to Pokhara, we will drive deep into the hill country of Nepal, to its ancient capital of Nuwakot, a region heavily affected by the 2015 earthquakes.

Amidst the centuries-old architecture live ethnic groups that have inhabited this region for centuries. Through local connections, we will donate any supplies or clothing that you may wish to share to people whose lives were permanently altered by the disasters of 2015.

From here we travel to Boudhanath Temple, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Nepal, and a center for the Tibetan Buddhist Diaspora. Following lunch, we’ll visit Pashupatinath temple, a sacred Hindu complex located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Considered the home of Nepal’s national deity, Lord Pashupatinath, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site, first erected over 1500 years ago, and the source of many legends, of which we’ll learn. After our day of exploration we return to our hotel, chosen for its peaceful gardens suitable for yoga. After dinner, we retire for our early departure the next morning.

DAY 4

Following our sunrise yoga and meditation session on the rooftop of our hotel, we drive approximately one hour to begin our trek at the roadside village of Kande. Here, our porters will take our loads (10kg/22lbs per person), and we’ll begin the slow uphill climb through hill-country villages of Gurung peoples, with their red and grey mud homes with straw roofs, and emerge in Australian Camp village, where we’ll take our lunch. Weather permitting, we’ll have spectacular views of the mountains. From here, it’s a short walk to Deurali Village, where we’ll spend the night at our comfortable teahouse. Yoga/meditation, dinner at teahouse.

DAY 6

After another morning yoga/meditation session and after breakfast, we continue our slow ascent, stopping for the night after 3-4 hours at Low Camp, at just under 2900m (~9500’). At this altitude and above, the evening and morning temperatures will be cool.

DAY 8

This morning we depart before dawn in order to catch the sublime sunrise at Mardi Himal Base Camp (4500m – 14,800′), a continuation of the summit ridgeline of Machapuchare. With close-up views of some of the largest mountains on Earth, the feeling of being amongst the giants of the Himalayas has to be experienced to be understood. The sense of awe is overwhelming. Today’s hike is optional. Those wishing to stay behind and rest are free to do so. We return to High Camp for our second night, with yoga and meditation at sunset.

DAY 10

Following morning yoga, we trek downhill for 3-4 hours to Lumre, where our trusty bus will be waiting to take us back to Pokhara, approximately 1.5 hours away. This afternoon we’ll drive up to the Peace Pagoda, which offers a panoramic view of Phewa Lake and Pokhara, Dhaulagiri (the 7th highest peak in the world, and highest entirely within Nepal), and the Annapurna Massif. Unfortunately, they’ll kick us out shortly before sunset, but the views are still sublime. Tonight we dine on restaurant – prepared food with fish options, straight from the lake. Overnight hotel.

Our visit to Nuwakot is twofold: to visit this beautiful and historic site, and to help the impoverished and isolated communities in the region that suffered greatly from the earthquakes and are still struggling to recover. Jonathan has visited three times, and typically brings toothbrushes, donated clothing and school supplies, but anything helps. This is all optional, of course, but giving is its own reward. Time permitting, we’ll enjoy an afternoon session of meditation within the historical center before retiring to our basic lodge for dinner and rest.

DAY 13

APRIL 25, 2020

International departures. Airport transfers are provided according to your international flight schedules. Program ends.

NOT INCLUDED

TRIP COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:
■ International flights
■ Nepal visa
■ Emergency Medical and Evacuation Insurance (required)
■ Drinks at meals (besides tea)
■ Alcoholic beverages
■ Single supplement ($500)
■ Shopping and personal extras
■ Tips to staff (we will advise on customary tipping)

JONATHAN STEWART

Jonathan Stewart is a Ventura County-based photographer and trip leader. Working as an immigration attorney by day, he much prefers his other job, leading trips around the world, which he has been doing since 2006 to places such as Peru, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Namibia, and Kenya as well as Nepal. A former mountaineer and avid trekker, Jonathan has hiked nearly the entire Great Himalayan Trail across Nepal. He has been to the Annapurna region six times, but this will be his first time on the Mardi Himal route. Jonathan currently resides in Thousand Oaks, California, with his wife Carmen and their three children.