Arrivals to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal.

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive

The streets of the Old City are alive first thing in the morning as the locals bustle around and shop for fresh vegetables - join us for a walk around to enjoy the excitement.

We'll also explore the World Heritage Durbar Square - the light, people praying, and bells ringing are just magical around sunrise- let's be ready.

Back for breakfast and then out to explore for the day.

The World Heritage Patan Durbar Square is our destination this morning. 

The quality of the carvings and decorations is stupendous, a place that will long be in your memory.

Lunch in a restauarnt that specialises in delicious Newari [the ethnic group native to this aprt of Nepal] fare, locally sourced,

In the afternoon, let's explore the markets as we make our way back to our hotel. Supplies are what we are after - fabulous yarn to be found [wool, silk, nettle, yak], fabric and haberdashery.

We'll brainstorm with Gillian for ideas to use it all up and catch a little of Nepal in our creative projects.

We will share a Welcome Dinner in the evening, let's celebrate our coming  journey.

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Bhaktapur used to be a nearby city but now is really just part of Kathmandu.

The Old Square and many temples are beautiful, their art gallery is extraudinary so we will take time to enjoy it all.

We will visit a studio still making beautiful Lokta Paper by hand - it is handmade artisan paper indigenous to Nepal. It is made from the bark of two of the species of the shrub Daphne. The paper was used historically in Nepal for religious scriptures and government documents.

Lokta paper's durability and resistance to tearing, humidity, insects and mildew have traditionally made lokta paper the preferred choice for the recording of official government records and sacred religious texts.

Lunch can be found at one of the cafes around the square, we will meet up again to visit Nepal's Womens Foundation - the work of these strong women is so inspiring.

In the afternoon we will visit the very special Boudhanath Buddhist Stupa.

Evening free 

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We are leaving Kathmandu behind today and heading west along the valleys and rivers.

We'll stay at a beautiful resort perched over the river, in the afternoon there are many options - take a swim, or the zip line or drink tea and relax.

Gillian has a project to work on as well, utilising some of the treasures discovered in the markets in Kathmandu. 

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Heading to a beautiful area, where the Rhinoceros roam free, in the Chitwan National Park. The park has seen successful conservation efforts, increasing the rhino population despite threats like poaching and natural disasters. 

Our lovely resort along the river has a great spot to watch the sun go down, 

after chilling out and working on our projects.

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Early morning canoe ride down the river, through the National Park - peaceful and beautiful.

We land at The Elephant Training Centre. 

A big reason the NP has been able to protect their rhinoceros and increase their numbers from around 70 in the 70's to over 700 today is that rangers patrol continuosly via elephants looking for poachers.

After lunch we are going out via Jeep and hope to see the mighty creatures in the wild.

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Heading further west  today, we will come to Pokhara.

Pokhara nestles amongst the mountains around a gem of a lake. It’s known as a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular trail in the Himalayas. 

No mountain climbing for us, but we can admire the mountains and stories of those who have braved the extreme conditions. 

The International Mountain Museum has exhibits on the history of mountaineering and the people of the Himalayas and is a must visit place.

After settling in to our hotel we will stroll down to the Lake, as the sun goes down there is an evening Aarti [Hindu fire ceremony] so lots of activity, a great atmosphere.

Dinner will be a delightful local restauant which serves regional cuisine.

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This morning we will take the Annapurna Cable Car to Sarangkot - the view can be spectacular and encompass all the mountains - hope the clouds are kind to us and stay away.  😊

There is a great coffee shop which will double as a workspace today - let's drink coffee and be inspired by Gillian this morning.

Later we are visiting the Women's Skill Development Centre - working since 1975 to empower socially and economically disadvantaged women of rural Nepal, it is inspiring and they have  fabulous workmanship.

Afternoon is free to enjoy Pokhara.

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Starting our return east, today we are stopping at Bandipur - this little gem perched on a hilltop feels like time has stood still.

It was once an important stop on the trade routes between India and Tibet and the merchants of town built some beautiful mansions.

We will be staying in one tonight.

Nearby, Mrs Guari will welcome us to her house, she works with a lot of local woman and they weave lovely wool scarves. It is not the season yet, to see nettle growing but she has a plant tucked in her garden and we will get a glipse of the famous Nepali Nettles that produces such a great fibre.

Free time to explore this beautiful little spot- lets's get together later and work on our projects with Gillian.

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We will return to Kathmandu today, 

with time in the afternoon for a last market raid or visit to the Temples.

We will celebrate our journay at a delightful reatuarnt that specialises in Newari Cuisine.

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Departures from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal.

NOTE we will drop you to the airport whatever time you arrive

We will be collecting supplies at the markets and Gillian will supply a kit with other materials you will need.

Please bring small sharp scissors [Not in carry-on luggage]

Physical Fitness for Sightseeing 

You need to have the fitness level required for our sightseeing activities.

Our itinerary involves frequent disembarking and boarding of the minibus throughout the day.

Some of the monuments and markets we will visit are extensive so you need to be capable of walking several kilometres at a gentle pace and managing occasional flights of stairs or hills.