Himalayan Splendor: Trekking in Nepal

Himalayan Splendor: Trekking in Nepal Mar. 7-20, 2016 | Approximately $6,795* Optional Extension: Bhutan | Mar. 19-25, 2016 | Approximately $3,595* (...
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Himalayan Splendor: Trekking in Nepal Mar. 7-20, 2016 | Approximately $6,795* Optional Extension: Bhutan | Mar. 19-25, 2016 | Approximately $3,595*

(*Please note: All dates, prices, and itinerary details are subject to change. Finalzed pricing and terms and conditions will be made available closer to departure.)

A Special Note: Nepal Stands Ready to Welcome You: While the April 2015 earthquake proved devastating in many parts of Nepal, most areas escaped without damage, including the locations we are visiting on our tour. In this country where tourism is the largest industry, recovery from this tragedy will be severely hampered if potential visitors avoid Nepal due to misconceptions about its current state. Our tour guide traveled to Nepal immediately after the earthquake, taking part in rescue and humanitarian efforts and verifying the good condition of sites on our trekking route. We at Cal Discoveries Travel are committed to helping the Nepalese people regain their economic footing, and encourage you to join us on this exciting tour. For centuries, the Himalayas have captivated the imagination and wonder of travelers who enter this realm. Join professional adventurer Dean Cardinale on this customized luxury trek through Nepal’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Dean has successfully summited Mt. Everest and many other of the world’s tallest mountains, and is a well-known lecturer and author who has been featured in programs on the History Channel, National Geographic, BBC,CNN and Fox News. Dean and his team of expert mountaineers and sherpas are skilled at leading treks for adults of moderate fitness levels. Begin your journey in legendary Kathmandu, where you will visit the Monkey Temple, Thanka Painting school and other historic sights. Then, join your Sherpa guides and yaks in Phakding, where you will begin a four-day trek through the Sargamantha National Park that is home to Mt. Everest. Your stay in Nepal culminates with a spectacular private helicopter ride up the Khumbu Valley for a great view of Mt. Everest and Everest Base Camp. Guests are encouraged to join us for an optional five-day tour of the Kingdom of Bhutan, whose scenic majesty and vibrant culture are a hidden gem. Access here is limited to 120,000 annual visitors and only with a licensed national guide. 510.900.8222 or 888.225.2586 | [email protected] | alumni.berkeley.edu/caldiscoveries

Itinerary: Days 1 & 2 (Mar. 7 & 8)

Day 7 (Mar. 13) | Phakding to Monjo

Board your international flight* for Kathmandu, Nepal. Depending upon airline routing, some passengers may need to depart on March 7th in order to arrive in Nepal on March 9th. (*international flights not included in program price)

You have been acclimatizing to the altitude for the past few days, and today you take your first trek, hiking past local villages, numerous Mani stones and prayer wheels, ending at the village of Monjo. You will arrive in the early afternoon, leaving time to rest and explore the village before eating dinner in a local restaurant. Yeti Mountain Home – Monjo. Monjo: 9.300’ elevation. (B,L,D)

Day 3 (Mar. 9) | Kathmandu, Nepal In the morning, arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal at 6,600 ft. elevation. Purchase your entry visa and go through customs, then meet your driver who will transfer you to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Durbar Square, followed by a welcome reception and dinner. Yak and Yeti Hotel. (D)

Day 4 (Mar. 10) | Kathmandu, Nepal After a hearty buffet breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a cultural tour of Kathmandu with visits to Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) and Bagmati River. Lunch is served at the Mezze Rooftop restaurant overlooking the Royal Palace. After a mid-afternoon gear check and pre-trek briefing, join your fellow guests for dinner at a local restaurant. Yak and Yeti Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5 (Mar. 11) | Kathmandu to Nagarkot After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy a half-day visit to a local monastery and the Thanka Painting School to see master artists in action. Following lunch in a local restaurant, transfer via motor coach to Nagarkot for an overnight stay before embarking on your trek. Nagarkot: 7,200’ elevation. Club Himalaya Resort. (B,L,D)

Day 6 (Mar. 12) | Nagarkot to Phakding This morning, fly via helicopter from Nagarkot to the village of Phakding, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy free time in this charming town, followed by a lecture from your guide Dean Cardinale. Share stories over dinner with your fellow guests, before returning to your hotel for a good night’s rest. Yeti Mountain Home, Phakding. Phakding: 8,563’ elevation. (B,L,D)

Day 8 (Mar. 14) | Monjo to Namche After breakfast, we continue our trek to Namche, a village along the Dudh Kosi River, where we officially enter Sagarmatha (Everest) National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the end of our trek heading up Namche Hill, weather permitting, we will have our first view of Mt. Everest. Arriving in the afternoon, we will have time to rest and explore Namche. Hotel Namche. Namche: 11,286’ elevation. (B,L,D)

Days 9-10 (Mar. 15-16) | Namche to Everest Our schedule for these two days is flexible and the order of activities will depend upon weather and flying conditions. Namche is the gateway village to the Himalayas, housing a mixture of Tibetan traders, tourists from around the world, expedition climbers, proud Sherpas, monks, Nepalese civil servants, local residents in colorful costumes and too many yaks to count. We will spend time in the Namche Bazaar, enjoy an optional visit to the Namche Dental Clinic, a charitable operation supported by World Wide Trekking, and experience a private helicopter flight through the scenic Khumbu Valley for a breathtaking view of Mt. Everest and Everest Base Camp. Hotel Namche. (B,L,D)

Day 11 (Mar. 17) | Namche to Lukla After breakfast, enjoy a day hike from your home in Namche before flying back via helicopter to Lukla. Yeti Mountain Home – Lukla. (B, L, D)

888.225.2586 or 510.900.8222 | [email protected] | alumni.berkeley.edu/caldiscoveries

Day 12 (Mar. 18) | Lukla to Kathmandu This morning, transfer via domestic flight back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, drop your luggage at the hotel and join the group for a walking tour of Boudhanath Stupa, the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside of Tibet. Enjoy fee time for shopping and optional sightseeing, then culminate your tour with a farewell dinner at the hotel. Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. (B, L, D)

Days 13 & 14 (Mar. 19 & 20) | Departure After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer to the international airport to board your flights*, arriving home on March 20. (B)

Optional Extension: Bhutan | Mar. 19-25 Price | $3,595 double; $4,495 single Day 1 (Mar. 19) | Bhutan Travelers continuing to Bhutan will gather their documents for their Bhutan visa and transfer to the airport for a flight to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day, you will have breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks within Bhutan. Upon arrival, travelers purchase their visa and clear customs, where they are greeted by our representative for a motor coach ride to the village of Thimpu. After checking into our hotel in Thimpu, travelers can visit their choice of local sights, including: King Memorial Chorten, Buddha Park, a traditional paper factor or Trachichoe Dzhong. Enjoy a welcome dinner tonight, where you will meet your Bhutanese guide. Lodging in Thimpu TBD. (B, L, D)

Day 2 (Mar. 20) | Paro & Thimpu, Bhutan After breakfast, take a scenic drive tour of Thimpu, visiting the National Library, the 15th century Changangkha monastery, Drupthob nunnery temple, the Fold Heritage Museum, and Simtokha Dzhong. Enjoy a tour of the capital of Bhutan, where you will visit the Memorial Chorten, the National Library, the Changangkha monastery, and the Drupthob nunnery

temple. After lunch, visit the school of arts and crafts where young students learn the Zo Rig Chusum – the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Transfer back to Paro in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner with your in a local restaurant. (B, L, D)

Day 3 (Mar. 21) | Paro, Bhutan Today, you will attend the spectacular Paro Tshechu, one of the most popular festival in Bhutan. The celebration features dances performed by trained monks and local residents, utilizing exotic and colorful masks and costumes. Spend the day exploring the festival and taking in the beautiful sights and sounds on this unique and ancient tradition. (B, L, D)

Day 4 (Mar. 22) | Paro, Bhutan After breakfast, enjoy more time at the Paro Tshechu and lunch in town. In the afternoon, hike to the Taktsang Monastery, (“Tiger’s Nest”), the most famous of Bhutanese monasteries. Time permitting, visit the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong monastery and a traditional Bhutanese Farm House where you will catch a glimpse into the lifestyle of the local people. Lodging TBD. (B, L, D)

Day 5 (Mar. 23) | Paro to Kathmandu Say farewell to the Kingdom of Bhutan this morning as you board your return flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. Enjoy afternoon free time in Kathmandu for last minute shopping or relaxation and then join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. (B, L,D)

Days 18 & 19 (Mar. 24 & 25) | Return Home Today, transfer to the airport for your international flight* home, which will arrive on March 25th. (B) (*international flights not included in program price) Meals included as listed above: B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; D=Dinner A minimum of 10 travelers are required in order for this trip to depart.

888.225.2586 or 510.900.8222 | [email protected] | alumni.berkeley.edu/caldiscoveries

Lecturer & Guide: Dean Cardinale, founder and President of World Wide Trekking Dean Cardinale is a professional adventurer, ski patroller, rescuer, mountaineer, humanitarian and public speaker. He is the founder of World Wide Trekking, a company that conducts trekking tours and humanitarian projects worldwide, and he will be leading Cal Discovery’s tour of Nepal and Bhutan. Following successful summits in Alaska, Africa, Russia, Europe, Asia and South America, Dean reached the summit of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest 29,035’ in May 2005. He continues to indulge his passion for mountaineering by leading others to achieve their goals in challenging environments worldwide.

For the past several years Dean has conducted safety and rescue workshops and given entertaining presentations on his many adventure expeditions. He has been featured in several nationally broadcast television programs run on the History Channel, National Geographic Channel, BBC, CNN, Fox news, Outdoor Life Network, the Discovery Channel and the major network affiliates. In February 2015, he published his first book, Inspired, a collection of stories about people pushing themselves to conquer challenging situations.

CAA is a self-funded non-profit organization that relies on donations to provide programs and services that support students, alumni, and the University. To make a gift, please visit alumni.berkeley.edu/donate or call 510.900.8204. Thank you for choosing CAA as the recipient of your generosity. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/CalDiscoveriesTravel

About the accommodations: A variety of accommodations are utilized during this tour of Nepal and Bhutan. In Kathmandu, Nepal, guests will stay at the 5* Yak & Yeti Hotel and the 5* Hyatt Regency Kathmandu.

888.225.2586 or 510.900.8222 | [email protected] | alumni.berkeley.edu/caldiscoveries

Pre-registration Form: Himalayan Splendors: Trekking in Nepal | Mar. 7-20, 2016 Send To:

Cal Discoveries Travel Cal Alumni Association 1 Alumni House Berkeley, CA. 94720-7520

Direct Line: 510.900.8222 Toll-free: 888.225.2586 Fax: 510.642.6100 Email: [email protected]

Enclosed is my/our deposit of $_______________($800 per person) for ___________ person/people on the above tour. Make check payable to Cal Alumni Association (CAA), or charge my deposit to:

□ AMEX □ Discover □ MasterCard □ VISA Card # ___________________________________________________________ Expiration Date ___________________________ Signature: __________________________________________________________________ Date ___________________________ Names of each traveler as they appear on your Passport: Traveler 1 ____________________________________________________________ Cal Class Year _________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________ Date of Birth: ________________________ Traveler 2 ____________________________________________________________ Cal Class Year _________________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________ Date of Birth: ________________________ Street Address______________________________________________________________________________________________ City ____________________________________________________ State ________________ Zip __________________________ Phone: Home ___________________________________________ Alternate __________________________________________

□ I prefer a single room and will pay the supplement of $1,500 □ I/we want to book the Bhutan extension Mar. 19-25 in a: □ CAA MEMBERSHIP POLICY Travelers, whether alumni or friends, must be current Cal Alumni Association members to participate in CalDiscoveries travel offerings. For the Cal Alumni Association, $50 for seniors 65 years and over, and $60 for those who are 64 years and under establishes a regular or affiliate membership with all other Association benefits. A married couple and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. Memberships are for individuals only, and are nonrefundable and non-transferable. Please make dues payable to CAA by separate check, or if you prefer, provide a Visa, Mastercard, or American Express number with expiration date for payment. PLEASE NOTE: Your deposit will be charged upon receipt and is completely refundable until we receive your sign-off on the final brochure. At that time we will send you a confirmation with information about Travel Insurance. Please do not make any non-refundable airline reservations until we can fully confirm the completion of this trip. Pricing is per-person based upon double occupancy, unless otherwise noted.

Double room $3,595



Single room

$4,495

INCLUDED FEATURES: Lodging as per the itinerary; group transfer from the Kathmandu Airport to Yak & Yeti Hotel; Daily breakfast and dinner; lunch daily except on arrival and departure days; all motor coach transfers specified in the itinerary; Expert guides; Yak porterage of luggage and supplies while trekking; All taxes and gratuities; All internal flights listed in the itinerary including helicopter Nagarkot to Phakding on 3/26, helicopter tour Namche to Lukla with Everest view on 3/30, Lukla to Kathmandu flight 3/31 and round trip Kathmandu to Bhutan to Kathmandu for those passengers traveling on the Bhutan extension; Assistance preparing documents for Nepal and Bhutan visas; Full-time guide; Services of a Cal Discoveries Travel manager; Price listed is per-person based on double occupancy. COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare; Costs of passports; Visas for Nepal and Bhutan; Meals other than those specified; Alcoholic beverages other than those specified; Optional tipping or gratuities; Admissions tickets to optional sights; Travel insurance including emergency evacuation; and other expenses of a personal nature.

California Seller of Travel #: 2090031-50

888.225.2586 or 510.900.8222 | [email protected] | alumni.berkeley.edu/caldiscoveries