Himalayan Tree Planting Trek

On arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by a JOURNEYS guide at the airport and transferred to your Western-style hotel. On the way you will have your first taste of the busy life of Kathmandu. Your vehicle will dodge water buffaloes, bicycles and scores of people, some in colorful saris. Golden roofed temples glisten in the distance and neatly terraced rice fields sculpt the hillsides. The rules and conventions of Western life have been exchanged for the customs of ancient Asia. At the hotel you’ll have a briefing by JOURNEYS staff.

Lodging: Western-style hotel

Your second day in Kathmandu includes a guided visit to the famous temples of Swayambhunath and Bouddanath where you may hear Tibetans chant, see Hindu religious rituals and observe the procession of pilgrims. You will see life going on as it has for hundreds of years against a background of sacred peaks, terraced hillsides and an exotic culture. While you explore, your staff gets logistical requirements in order.

Meals: Breakfast

It is time to head out on the trek! You travel five scenic hours by minibus to Gorkha, the ancient capital of Nepal. On clear days it is possible to see over 250 miles of great peaks spread across the horizon from the western peaks all the way to Mt. Everest in the eastern part of the country. Gorkha Bazaar is among the most historic communities in Nepal. It is alive with the activity of people shopping, tending to domestic animals, doing laundry, bathing, working in local cottage industries and just socializing along the narrow streets. There is no rush to reach the first campsite, so take your time and join in the activities with your guide. Above Gorkha is the palace of King Prithvi Narayan Shah who unified Nepal in 18th century and established the approximate modern boundaries of the country. He would be the 11th grandfather of the present King. Nepali (or Gurkhali) was his own language and the language he declared to be the official dialect of the Kingdom of Gorkha. The nearby temple of "Gorkha Kali" (Goddess of Destruction) was believed to have given the soldiers of Nepal their legendary bravery. It is venerated as one of the holiest places in Nepal outside of Kathmandu. The inner sanctum is only accessible to the King of Nepal. Your trek begins with a climb to the palace and just beyond it, to a point offering excellent mountain views, access to a rich forest environment, and the pure waters of the Royal Spring. Your cooks prepare a sumptuous dinner, and you contemplate the majesty of the Himalayas, the history of the Kingdom and the adventure that lies ahead on trek to the great Himalayan peaks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start a full day of trekking amid the serenity of Chetry, Newar, and Gurung communities not often visited by Westerners. Only a few miles from the road, you have come decades back in time. Meet children on their own long "treks" to school. Hike down to a river valley. Camp beside a stream that invites bathing, bird watching, and meditation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue following the river valley, at times trekking on a path cut into the rock above the stream. Cross rice fields before beginning the longest climb of your trek. Camp at the edge of a picturesque village part way up an 8000' ridge. Keep alert for deer, eagles, and brightly colored sun-birds in the forests.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Finish your climb in time to see the soft morning light on the high peaks. Lunch in a park-like laurel and rhododendron forest near Barchak, a Buddhist Gurung community on the ridge top. Trek north along the ridge as the trail narrows. You may even feel as if you are walking in the sky. Along with a small Buddhist Monastery and a nearby community, JOURNEYS has been active in a forestry project in this area. Enjoy a free day to explore the surroundings or to push further along the ridge with your guide. You may reach as high as 13,000', if desired. Look for bearded vultures or Lammergeier, and rare musk deer during the day. Listen for barking deer and owls at night. The camp is set by the edge of the forest that was planted by past JOURNEYS clients.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you, the guides and porters, along with local villagers, will plant dozens of saplings in the area. Sirendanda was essentially void of trees when JOURNEYS started the reforesting project here. Now you’ll see 20 feet tall, gorgeous pine tress. Overnight camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is free to explore the village, plant more trees, or just relax and enjoy the beauty surrounding you.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Take an alternate route back along the ridge. Much of the trail lies along the boundary between forest and farmland, providing a unique opportunity to observe both nature and culture. Camp at around 6,000'.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue south with a gradual descent. Pass Ampipal, a prosperous community with a small missionary hospital. Enjoy a last panoramic view of the high peaks before descending to camp on the ancient lake bed of Palungtar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The steep hills are over. There is a feeling of antiquity here. Giant Scared Fig and Mango trees are planted in groves hosting myriads of birds and butterflies in their boughs. This area was settled long before the surrounding hills because of the extensive flat land where agriculture was easily cultivated and the crops and villages were protected from landslides and violent weather. You reach camp on the Marsyandi River at Bimalnagar. (Participants who are not doing the rafting and Chitawan portion of the trip will return to Kathmandu from here).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a brief instruction clinic, begin rafting on the Trisuli River near Fishlingtar. The elevation here is about 1,800' and it is quite warm, even in winter. This is participatory paddling under the direction of an expert guide. Camp and cook by the side of the river. Explore communities in the Trisuli River gorge. Have lunch on a broad sand bar. Watch for kingfishers, eagles, osprey and herons. You may even see otter and deer along the banks. Spend two days rafting and two nights camped by the river.

Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

After breakfast at your final rafting camp, you transfer to jeeps and drive the short distance to Chitwan National Park in Nepal's southern lowland Terai region. Most of this day is spent in the wildlife rich environs of the park. This is a fantastic contrast to the middle hills and higher Himal. Spend two nights in an airy, comfortable lodge in the jungle. Join at least two elephant safaris, a dugout canoe trip, and a game hike. Observe rhinos, deer, boar, and other animals. A former Royal Hunting Reserve, the park is home to tigers, leopards, and several other species of cat. This is an amazing area for bird watching, particularly during the winter when migrants from northern Asia fly south to join the resident population. More than 300 species of birds have been recorded. Visit nearby Tharu villages to observe how these people and customs differ from those in the hills.

Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

After exploring Chitwan in the morning, travel back to Kathmandu.

Meals: Breakfast

Today is free to explore on your own. You may wish to consider the Everest Mountain View Flight (additional cost).

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast you’ll have a little time for last minute shopping before being transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast