GONE 2 ASIA

		SAMPLE ITINERARY
		(This extension can be done as a separate trip or in conjunction with our Bhutan and Tibet tours)
		Day 1- Kathmandu Arrival in Kathmandu from Bhutan or Bangkok. You will be met and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free to relax or explore the Thamel district just outside the gates of the hotel.
		Day 2- Kathmandu
		Today is a full day of sightseeing in and about Kathmandu. We will begin with Swayambhuuath, known as the "monkey temple" because of its resident swarm of monkeys. This spectacular Buddhist Stupa lies on a hilltop only 2 km from Kathmandu. The ancient city of Patan faces Kathmandu on the southern bank of the river Bagmati. It's a colorful place with Hindu temples and Buddhist monuments jostling side by side in its narrow winding streets and unexpected squares. Durbar Square (of which there are three) is dominated by the Royal Palace with its beautifully carved windows and the triple roofed octagonal tower of the 17th century Teleju Bhawani Temple. Breakfast & Lunch served.
		Day 3- Kathmandu - Chitwan National Park
		After breakfast we will depart Kathmandu for our flight to the Chitwan area. Upon arrival we will drive to the pick-up point of our lodge. Upon arrival lunch will be served, rooms assigned and there will be a short briefing on the facilities and the program while in the park. At about 4pm we will depart on an elephant-back safari. Guests will ride on elephants to explore the jungle and observe the wildlife...the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys , wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard, and tiger. This ride lasts about 2-3 hours. Dinner will be served about 7pm in the central dining hall. After dinner one of the parks experts will introduce background data and history of the Royal Chitwan National Park. B,L,D.
		Day 4- Chitwan National Park
		Our wake-up call is at 5:30am followed by tea and coffee in the courtyard. A nature walk is scheduled for this morning. Breakfast will be served at 8:30am. At 9:30 attend the elephant briefing and learn more about these special animals. We will visit the stables and learn how to ride and lead the animals. Lunch will be served about 1pm followed by free time to relax or enjoy a swim. We will meet again in the late afternoon for a traditional dug-out canoe trip down the Rapti River to view aquatic birds and the animals of the river banks. This evening, before dinner, enjoy the traditional Tharu stick dancers. B,L,D.
		Day 5- Chitwan - Pokhara
		Another 5:30am wake-up call with tea and coffee followed by a bird-watching excursion. Breakfast will be served at 8am. We will depart the park at 9:30am and drive to Pokhara. The town of Pokhara is the second most popular destination in Nepal. Situated in the lap of the Annapurna, it features mountain views, peaceful lakes, rivers, deep gorges and picturesque villages. There is a bazaar style shopping area along the river where you will find any Nepalese craft and a myriad of restaurants and bars to enjoy. B,L,D.
		Day 6 - Pokhara
		Our wake-up call will be 4am for those wishing to view sunrise from Sarangkot. Breakfast will be served after our return followed by city sightseeing including Phawa Lake, the Pokhara Museum, Patale Chhango (David's Falls) and the Tibetan refugee camp where you can see hand-knotted carpets being made. Evening free to explore the city and local entertainment. B,L.
		Day 7 - Pokhara - Kathmandu - Nagarkot
		This morning we will fly back to Kathmandu and then drive to Nargarkot. This "poor man's hill resort" is located on the rim of the Kathmandu valley at an elevation of 7,200 feet. It offers a 200-mile panorama of the Himalayas from Mt. Everest in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west. At dawn and dusk the snow-covered peaks are painted in shades of lavender, rose, pink, orange and gold. It is a sight not to be missed, although you can never be sure that the mountains will be visible. B, L, D.
		Day 8- Nagarkot - Kathmandu
		After breakfast we will return to Kathmandu via Changu Narayan and Khaktapur. Changu Nagayan Temple is perched on a ridge in the eastern part of the Kathmandu valley and is one of the oldest in Nepal. Though this temple is quite beautiful, it is better known for the stone statues, bas-relief carvings and inscriptions that are scattered around the temple courtyard. Bhaktapur is one of the three ancient cities of Nepal. It is the home of medieval art and architecture as well as a thriving local pottery and weaving industry. It is also noted for the magnificent carved windows of its buildings. B, L.
		Day 9 - Kathmandu
		We continue our local sightseeing with a morning visit to Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal. It is built in the form of a mandala. In recent times it has become an important center of Tibetan Buddhist studies. After lunch we will visit Thimi, another medieval city near Kathmandu. It is known for its craftsmanship on ceramics and paper-mache masks. It is also the vegetable growing area for the city. B, L.
		Day 10 - Kathmandu
		Today is free to sleep in and to do any last minute shopping and/or sightseeing. A sightseeing flight can be arranged to view Mt. Everest (weather permitting). B.
		Day 11 - Kathmandu - Home (or on to Tibet or Bangkok)
		Early afternoon departure from Kathmandu to Bangkok. If you are continuing on to the USA you will have a forced overnight in Bangkok as all international flights bound for the USA depart Bangkok early AM. If continuing on to Tibet your departure from Kathmandu must be on a Saturday. (Subject to change)

				Nepal, exotic land and people Our Nepal itineraries can be designed to fit your desires and schedule.
				NEPAL (11 Day Adventure)

		Nepal still evokes pictures of exotic peoples, high snow capped mountains, diverse religious beliefs, wild animals and peaceful vistas. Cradled amongst the highest mountains in the world, Nepal has become known as the kingdom where deities meet mortals. Many people revere the Himalaya as sacred. These include followers of two of the world's major religions, Buddhism and Hinduism. Nowhere on earth does a mountain range play such an important role in the religious beliefs of such a large population. Such beliefs date back thousands of years and feature in the oldest legends and epics. Mountain worship by primitive peoples predates the established religions and it is not difficult to see why. Mountains influence weather and are the sources of rivers, they affect the welfare of all who live below them. They unite the sky and the earth and are believed to be the guardians of the land, people and animals, within their domain

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