NEPAL 107 INDIA & HIMALAYAS Images of Nepal Imaginative Facts Tour code: HAIP • Activities: Trekking, optional canoeing and elephant ride. Trek grade - Easy • Accommodation: 7 nights simple hotels, 2 nights camping during trek, 2 nights jungle lodge • Transport: Private coach, public bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader, trek leader, cook, services of porters DAYS 1 & 2: KATHMANDU- Arrival in Kathmandu, the gateway to the Himalayas. The next day take a morning walking tour of the market area of Asan, Durbar Square and Swayambunath Temple. DAYS 3 & 4: POKHARA- Drive to Pokhara, a lovely lakeside town in western Nepal amid a spectacular Himalayan backdrop. Go for a boat ride on the lake, hike into the hills, visit the Tibetan refugee centre or simply hire a bike and enjoy this laid back town. DAYS 5 & 6: CHITWAN- Our journey takes us through the valleys of central Nepal to the banks of the Rapti River beside Chitwan National Park. This famous wildlife park is home to elephant, single- horned rhino, leopard and the elusive Bengal tiger amongst others. Explore the park on foot, canoe - or elephant- back! DAY 7: KATHMANDU- Return to Kathmandu. DAY 8: SHIVAPURI- We trek into the peaceful Shivapuri hills north of Kathmandu. We walk past a fascinating monastery and uphill through lush oak and rhododendron forests to Shivapuri, where we camp for the night. ( LD) DAY 9: SHIVAPURI - CHISOPANI - DHAP-A climb of 45 minutes takes us to the top of Shivapuri from where we have fabulous Himalayan mountain views ranging from Everest to Manaslu. The trail continues gradually downhill through beautiful forests with different kinds of birds and flowers. ( BLD) DAY 10: DHAP - NAGARKOT- An interesting trail takes us to the hill retreat of Nagarkot, perched on a ridge 32km east of Kathmandu. It commands sweeping views of the Himalayas. Five of the world's ten highest peaks - Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Makalu and Manaslu are visible from here. Nagarkot is also a popular spot to watch sunrise and sunset. We stay the night in a lodge. ( BL) DAY 11: NAGARKOT - BHAKTAPUR - KATHMANDU- The trail continues downhill through terraces and villages to Bhaktapur, a beautiful ancient city which exudes a sense of the traditional past. ( B) DAY 12: KATHMANDU- Tour ends. Experience the wildlife of the lowlands and mighty Himalayan peaks • Explore the sights of exotic Kathmandu and the lakeside town of Pokhara • Chance to take a safari in search of rhino and tigersin Chitwan • Trek through the beautiful Shivapuri hills north of Kathmandu • Enjoy the diverse sceneryof lush rhododendron, oak forest and rocky ridges • Witness a sweeping panorama of Himalayan giants including Everest Nepal Rover DAYS 1 & 2: KATHMANDU DAYS 3 & 4: POKHARA DAYS 5 & 6: CHITWAN DAY 7: CHITWAN - KATHMANDU DAY 8: KATHMANDU A shorter, non- trekking version of our ' Images of Nepal' • Tour the narrow streets and exotic templesof Kathmandu • Relax in the tranquil lakeside town of Pokhara • Explore Chitwan National Park with its superb wildlife on elephant- back • Chance to take a safari in search of rhino and tigers! • Enjoy the lush valleys of Central Nepal and the mighty Himalayas Imaginative Facts Tour code: HARV • Activities: Walking, optional canoeing and elephant ride • Accommodation: 5 nights simple hotels, 2 nights jungle lodge • Transport: Private transport • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader • Seasonal Supplement £ 25 Single Supplement £ 55 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 449and local payment of US$ 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 549pp Land Only * • Seasonal Supplement £ 25 Single Supplement £ 35 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 275and local payment of US$ 120All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 335pp Land Only * adventurer adventurer Tour duration 12 days Tour duration 8 days Starts SunEnds Thu KathmanduKathmandu 2009 04- Jan- 0915- Jan- 09 25- Jan- 0905- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0926- Feb- 09 08- Mar- 0919- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0909- Apr- 09 19- Apr- 0930- Apr- 09 20- Sep- 0901- Oct- 09 11- Oct- 0922- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0912- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0903- Dec- 09 13- Dec- 0924- Dec- 09 • Starts SunEnds Thu KathmanduKathmandu 2010 03- Jan- 1014- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1004- Feb- 10 14- Feb- 1025- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1018- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1008- Apr- 10 • 18- Apr- 1029- Apr- 10 19- Sep- 1030- Sep- 10 10- Oct- 1021- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1011- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1002- Dec- 10 12- Dec- 1023- Dec- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Starts SunEnds Sun KathmanduKathmandu 2009 04- Jan- 0911- Jan- 09 25- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 15- Feb- 0922- Feb- 09 08- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0905- Apr- 09 19- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 19- Jul- 0926- Jul- 09 09- Aug- 0916- Aug- 09 30- Aug- 0906- Sep- 09 20- Sep- 0927- Sep- 09 11- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0908- Nov- 09 22- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 13- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 Starts SunEnds Sun KathmanduKathmandu 2010 03- Jan- 1010- Jan- 10 24- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 14- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 07- Mar- 1014- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 18- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 18- Jul- 1025- Jul- 10 08- Aug- 1015- Aug- 10 29- Aug- 1005- Sep- 10 19- Sep- 1026- Sep- 10 10- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 31- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 21- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 12- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies Trek grade - Easy Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

INDIA & HIMALAYASNEPAL 108 " The local cuisine and accommodation were great. I had a fantastic time and would do it all again!" Trina and Cameron Hanns india & himalayas Nepal Panorama Imaginative Facts Tour code: HTNP • Activities: Walking and 7 day trek, safari in Chitwan National Park by elephant and dugout canoe. Trek grade - Easy/ Moderate • Accommodation: 6 nights tourist class hotels, 2 nights jungle resort at Chitwan, 6 nights lodges during trek • Transport: Private coach • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour/ trek leader, services of porters, local representatives DAYS 1 & 2: KATHMANDU- Arrive and transfer to hotel. Later this evening you will have the chance to meet your tour leader and the other members of the tour. The next morning take a walking tour of the market area of Asan, Durbar Square and Swayambunath Temple. ( B) DAY 3: POKHARA - PHEDI - DHAMPUS ( 1,770m)- A very scenic drive takes us past Pokhara to where we start our trek. A short walk brings us to our scenic campsite at Dhampus located on a ridge. This is a great spot that affords lovely views of the magnificent Annapurnas and Machapuchare. ( BLD) DAY 4: TOLKA ( 1,850m)- We make our way over the Deurali Pass and down the valley to Tolka. ( BLD) DAY 5: GHANDRUK ( 1,940m)- Descend down the valley to cross the Modi Khola river before ascending through rhododendron outcrops into Ghandruk, famous for its Gurkha soldiers. ( BLD) DAY 6: TADAPANI ( 2,590m)- Continue through the forest, past mountain streams and across open grassland to Tadapani. On the way there are excellent views of Annapurna South and the Manaslu range. ( BLD) DAY 7: GHOREPANI ( 2,860m)- We continue along the Bhurungdi Khola and ascend Ulleri Hill. We reach Ghorepani with panoramic vistas of the Annapurna range. We have lunch in Deurali where there are fantastic views of the mountains. ( BLD) DAY 8: POON HILL / GHOREPANI - BANTHANTI- You have the option to rise early to climb up Poon Hill ( 3,194m) to watch a magnificent sunrise over the Himalayas. West to East you can see Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Dhampus Peak, Nilgiri, the Annapurnas and Machapuchare. After lunch, walk three hours along a downhill trail to Banthanti. ( BLD) DAY 9: BANTHANTI - POKHARA- A downhill walk through oak forests passing interesting villages along the Bhurungdi Khola river to the pleasant riverside settlement of Birethanti. We drive from here to Pokhara. ( B) DAYS 10 & 11: POKHARA- Pokhara is a market town in western Nepal set on a beautiful lake amid a fantastic Himalayan backdrop. Go for a boat ride on the lake, hike in the hills, visit the Tibetan refugee centre or simply hire a bike and enjoy this laid- back town. ( B) DAYS 12 & 13: CHITWAN- Drive from Pokhara to Royal Chitwan National Park. This famous wildlife park is home to elephant, single- horned rhino, leopard and the elusive Bengal tiger amongst others. Enjoy a full day exploring Chitwan on foot, by canoe - or elephant- back! ( BLD) DAY 14: KATHMANDU- Drive back to Kathmandu. ( B) DAY 15: KATHMANDU- Tour ends. ( B) The perfect introduction to Nepal • Enjoy a superb 7 day trekin the magnificent Annapurna foothills • Hike through tranquil villagesamidst stunning mountain scenery • Explore the many ancient temples and shrinesof the exotic city of Kathmandu • Relax in the lakeside town of Pokhara • Take a safariin Chitwan in search of tiger and rhino Nepal Kathmandu Volunteer Programme Pokhara Chitwan National Park Nepal Panorama Village Build in Nepal NepalBhutan Kathmandu Paro Thimpu Wangdi Gangtey Punakha Bhutan - The Dragon Kingdom • Seasonal Supplement £ 30 Single Supplement £ 40 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.11 * Price includes tour price of £ 615and local payment of US$ 200All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 720pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SunEnds Sun KathmanduKathmandu 2009 18- Jan- 0901- Feb- 09 08- Feb- 0922- Feb- 09 01- Mar- 0915- Mar- 09 22- Mar- 0905- Apr- 09 12- Apr- 0926- Apr- 09 • 04- Oct- 0918- Oct- 09 25- Oct- 0908- Nov- 09 15- Nov- 0929- Nov- 09 06- Dec- 0920- Dec- 09 27- Dec- 0910- Jan- 10 • Starts SunEnds Sun KathmanduKathmandu 2010 17- Jan- 1031- Jan- 10 07- Feb- 1021- Feb- 10 28- Feb- 1014- Mar- 10 21- Mar- 1004- Apr- 10 • 11- Apr- 1025- Apr- 10 03- Oct- 1017- Oct- 10 24- Oct- 1007- Nov- 10 14- Nov- 1028- Nov- 10 05- Dec- 1019- Dec- 10 26- Dec- 1009- Jan- 11 • • Seasonal supplement applies The word Sherpa means ' person from the East'. They can cope with high altitude better than most people and are thus a vital asset to any expedition on Everest. amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Trek grade - Easy / Moderate Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243