At the feet of the mighty Himalayas, your journey through Nepal will be a unique experience filled with breathtaking views, learning about life in tranquil mountain villages and ancient Hindu and Buddhist rituals, seeing wildlife on jungle safaris, and indulging in delicious vegan food.
Itinerary
Day 1: KATHMANDU
Day 2: KATHMANDU
Day 3: BAGLUNG BAZAAR
Day 4: BHAKUNDE
Day 5: BHAKUNDE
Day 6: NAGDADA VILLAGE
Day 7: BANDIPUR
Day 8: BANDIPUR
- Detailed Orientation Meeting where you will get to know your fellow travelers and adventure leaders better, discuss the adventure ahead and have our Introduction to Nepal’s History, Cultures and Diversity Presentation.
- Visit the oldest temple in the valley, Changu Narayan Temple where we’ll learn about Nepal’s architecture from a Hindu point of view and the science behind Vastu Shastra.
- Explore the Ancient City of Bhaktapur’s back alleys and bazaars and witness the best example of living Newar architecture and urban life.
- Join a local family at their home for a delicious home-cooked Newari meal all specially veganized just for us!
Day 2: KATHMANDU
- Introduction to the different Ethnic Groups of Nepal through their traditional and distinct music.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site – Boudhanath Stupa. Learn about the history of the stupa, and what stupas and prayer flags are all about and represent.
- Introduction to Tibetan Monastery and the Tibetan School of Buddhism from a vegan Buddhist Monk.
- Taste our way through the mouthwatering cuisines of the Kathmandu valley.
- Join local vegans and activists for delicious vegan dinner and cultural exchange, and learn about animal rights, conservation, and veganism in Kathmandu and in Nepal.
- Vegan Meals Included Today: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: BAGLUNG BAZAAR
- Mountain flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
- Visit Kusma Suspension Bridge (tallest spanning suspension bridge in Nepal – over 384 feet high, spanning over 1,128 feet long).
- Cultural Culinary Experience, introduction to the Eating Etiquette of Nepal where we’ll learn how to eat a meal properly following local eating customs and etiquette.
- Special guests of local community for their evening ceremony at the town’s ancient Hindu temple.
- Join our family at their home for tasty vegan dinner, local drinks and discussion on the way of life in Baglung Bazaar and how it has changed over the years.
- Explore the town streets and narrow lanes of Baglung Bazaar.
Day 4: BHAKUNDE
- Vipassana Meditation Session.
- Guests of the town’s Mother’s Association for a tasty vegan mountain meal.
- Morning heritage walk in town and along the foothills of the mountain.
- Traditional Magar greeting and music procession to Bhakunde.
- Lunch with the village community in Bhakunde.
- Traditional Homestay.
- Sunset Hike to the mountain peak with epic views of the surrounding Himalayas.
- Interactive program with music and dance hosted by the village Women (Mother’s) Association.
Day 5: BHAKUNDE
- Bhakunde Village Walk and Introduction.
- Traditional Farming Introduction and pick up veggies from the field for our dinner tonight.
- Visit a local blacksmith home.
- Guests of an ex-Gurkha soldier and his family (the Gurkha have formed part of the British army since 1815. They are known as fearsome fighters).
- Participate in a local education program where we’ll join teachers and students in helping them with their projects.
- Join in the community for a Traditional Music and Dance.
- Magar feast with the local community all specially veganized for us.
Day 6: NAGDADA VILLAGE
- Guests of local community for special mountain view breakfast and farewell ceremony.
- Guests of the teachers and students at the Baglung Deaf School, where’ll participate in an interactive Nepalese sign language lesson.
- Campfire Cultural Q&A overlooking the Machhapuchere Mountain peak.
- Momo tasting experience (oh how we love momos!).
- Special Gurung dishes themed dinner – all veganized specially for us.
Day 7: BANDIPUR
- Vipassana Meditation overlooking the mighty Himalaya’s Annapurna Range.
- Newar Cooking Class – meet up with our friend, a local community leader whose family are 8th generation residents of Bandipur, for our cooking class where we’ll learn firsthand how to cook a full course Newar Samay Baji feast!
- Newari eating etiquette class with local family.
- Newari language lessons.
Day 8: BANDIPUR
- Vipassana Meditation overlooking the mighty Himalaya’s.
- Heritage walk around Bandipur’s town streets, narrow lanes and bazaar with our friend where we’ll learn about the steps being made to help preserve Newari traditions and culture here.
- Join in and learn how to play a traditional Newar game.
- Join local family at their home for a traditional Newar lunch.
- Newari language lessons.
Day 9: CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
Day 10: CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
- Surya Namaskar Yoga and Vipassana Meditation overlooking the Himalaya’s.
- Introduction to Tharu and Bhojpuri cuisines – made 100% vegan specially for us.
- Jungle hike into the surrounding riverside plains and forests as we learn about the flora and fauna of the Chitwan National Park with 2 excellent naturalists – and are on the lookout for rhinos!
- Conservation and Protection Presentation and Introduction to the animals of the Chitwan National Park.
- Refreshing sundowners (drinks) and fresh fruit overlooking sunset on the horizon over the Rapti River and jungle.
- Vegan meet-up with local animal rights and vegan activists of Chitwan.
Day 10: CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK
- Early morning jeep safari into the plains, grasslands and forests of the Chitwan jungle!
- Explore the Rapti River by boats where we’ll learn about the impressive variety of birds that call its shores home along with the Critically Endangered Gharial Crocodiles. Also be on the lookout for the Marsh Mugger Crocodiles.
- Afternoon 4-hour jeep safari into the inner realms of the Chitwan National Park with two of the best naturalists in the Terai.
- Introduction to Tharu music and folk dances, and tasty Tharu and Bhojpuri dishes from the region specially veganized for us.
Day 11: LUMBINI
Day 12: LUMBINI
Day 13: LUMBINI to KATHMANDU
Day 14: KATHMANDU (departure day)
- Morning Meditation & Yoga Sessions with Sureshji overlooking the jungle.
- First introduction to the history, heritage and evolving cultures of Buddhism.
- Visit the wetlands of the Lumbini Crane Bird Sanctuary – a great spot for bird watching a short walk from our retreat.
- Visit the World Peace Pagoda at sunset.
- Themed vegan dinner reflecting Buddhism’s cultural impact throughout Asia.
Day 12: LUMBINI
- Morning Vipassana Meditation with Sureshji.
- Visit monasteries and archaeological remains associated with the birth of Buddha.
- Guests of our friend, a senior Theravada Buddhist Monk in Lumbini, who will introduce us to Buddhism and Meditation at the temple grounds.
- Introduction by Buddhist Monks to the different schools of Buddhism – Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism at their respective “monastery embassies” among the sacred grounds of The Buddha’s birthplace.
- Visit the sacred site of Maya Devi Temple and Ashok Pillar Birthplace marker.
- Vegan lunch prepared by Theravada Monastery.
- Participate in a Traditional Blessing Ceremony by local monks.
- Themed vegan dinner reflecting Buddhism’s cultural impact throughout Asia.
Day 13: LUMBINI to KATHMANDU
- Morning Vipassana Meditation and Yoga with Sureshji.
- Flight from Lumbini to Kathmandu.
- Festive farewell dinner party complete with live music and a variety of Nepali vegan fusion dishes – make sure to bring a hearty appetite and thirst, your party shirt and, don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Day 14: KATHMANDU (departure day)
- Morning Vipassana Meditation and Yoga with Sureshji.
- Special Vegan Farewell Breakfast.
- Airport transfer.
Tour Includes
Not Included
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