Catlin Gabel – Nepal

OUTREACH DRAFT Itinerary v.4

March 17-30, 2017 (in country)

10-12 students, 2 teachers + 1 Facilitator / Itinerary subject to change

Date / Activity
Mar 16 / Leave PDX for flights to Kathmandu.
Mar 17
Fri
Day 1 / Arrive in Kathmandu. Late evening arrival. You are met at the airport by your SAGE facilitator and in-country representative and taken to your guest house (20 min) for overnight. Meals and activities are dependent upon arrival time. Overnight in Bhaktapur.
Mar 18, Sat
Day 2 / Morning: After breakfast (daily at the hotel), a welcome meeting and a 45-60 minute orientation on Nepal, the program, what to expect, do’s and don’ts, Q&A.
Mid- morning: Walk to Changu Narayan from Bhaktapur (about 3 hrs). This is a moderate hike.
Afternoon: Lunch at restaurant by Changu Narayan. Bus back to Bhaktapur. Short rest at hotel (eg 1-2 hr depending on time). Take a guided walking tour of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is the most traditional of Kathmandu Valley’s three ancient cities, with narrow cobblestone lanes where people still make pottery by hand and dry grains. Visit the Royal Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its 3-400 year old temples, some now damaged. Alternatively, group can swap Patan/Swayambhunath on Day 2 and Changu Narayan on Day 3 to walk from the hotel and into the fields surrounding Bhaktapur. This would be a guided walking tour in the a.m. and the hike to Changu Narayan in the afternoon.
Before/After dinner: Presentation on Nepal’s history and politics OR Nepali culture, religion, social customs, OR overview of earthquake reconstruction. Dinner at nearby restaurant in Bhaktapur (Newari food). Overnight in Bhaktapur
Mar 19, Sun
Day 3 / Early Morning: Walk through Bhaktapur, see people doing devotions and starting their day (See alternative above).
Morning: After breakfast, drive to upper Lazimpath and walk to Swayambhunath (approx 1.5 hrs)– visit Swayambhunath stupa, and then drive to Patan Durbar Square Lunch in Patan Durbar Square and walking tour of Patan (include Mahaboudha Temple and/or Golden Temple) and award winning Patan Museum (time permitting. Bus back to Bhaktapur.
Evening: Dinner at nearby restaurant. Prepare for field trip. Overnight in Bhaktapur
Mar 20, Mon
Day 4 / Early Morning: Breakfast and morning energizers.
Morning: Travel Kathmandu to Sermathang (4.5 hrs) by bus. First 3 hrs on paved or well graded road in mini- bus; last 1.5 hrs climbing on hillside dirt road in high clearance bus.
Afternoon: Packed lunch or lunch in Melamchi Pul town at base of hillside road . Arrive in Sermathang mid-afternoon (elevation: 8,560 ft). Check into lodge. Orientation: guided walk of village; welcome tea.
Evening: Dinner at HMR, student time for reflection with SAGE Facilitator.
Mar 21, Tue
Day 5 / Morning: Breakfast at HMR. Activity w/Yangrima students at Yangrima School (approx 15 min walk from HMR): hearing their tales of the EQ.
Afternoon: Lunch at HMR. Orientation to reconstruction tasks. Divide into teams, review safety measures, tools and objective. Take pictures (before and after).
Evening: Cultural program and social evening with Yangrima School students. Dinner.
Mar 22, Wed
Day 6 / Morning: After breakfast, begin the reconstruction activities.
Afternoon: Lunch at HMR and continue the reconstruction activities.
Evening: Dinner, and reflection time.
Mar 23, Thu
Day 7 / Morning: After breakfast, continue the reconstruction activities.
Afternoon: Lunch at HMR and continue the reconstruction activities.
Evening: Dinner, and reflection time.
Mar 24, Fri
Day 8 / Morning: Continue the reconstruction activities.
Afternoon: Lunch at HMR. Football/soccer match between US and local students (or other activity) – or could schedule game/activity at an earlier time/day if desirable.
Evening: Dinner at HMR, review and rest; prepare for trek. Reflection.
Mar 25, Sat
Day 9 / Morning: Trek 4-5 hrs moderate hiking, with moderate elevation gain/loss.
Afternoon: Lunch en route. Arrive at Tarkeghyang village early to mid-afternoon, Check into lodge(s). Explore Tarkeghyang (elevation 8550 ft).
Evening: Dinner at lodge. Reflection time and rest.
Mar 26, Sun
Day 10 / Morning: Day hike to nearby village/stupa. (Could switch with next day if weather looks better for peak on this day.)
Afternoon: Pack lunch on trek. Hike to the meditation cave of the important Tibetan Buddhist teacher Milrepa (10th C) near the river below Tarkeghyang, and yes chose the day for this or Ama Yangri, based upon weather.
Evening: Dinner at lodge. Free time in Tarkeghyang and reflection time.
Mar 27, Mon
Day 11 / Morning: Day hike to sacred peak Ama Yangri (elevation approx 12,200’) 3.5-4 hrs each way (if too strenuous, can go part way & return w/guide).
Afternoon: Pack lunch on trek.
Evening: Dinner at lodge. Free time in Tarkeghyang along with reflection.
Mar 28
Tue
Day 12 / Morning to Afternoon: Trek to Sermathang (4-5 hrs), lunch en route.
Farewell Dinner and Social Evening: in Sermathang with US and local students and teachers.
Mar 29 Wed
Day 13 / Morning: After breakfast, drive (4-5 hrs) to Bhoudhanath.
Afternoon: Lunch at restaurant. Free time (or visit Pashupatinath).
Evening: Farewell traditional Nepali or Tibetan style dinner. Reflection time and Closing Circle.
Mar 30
Thu
Day 14 / Morning: Walk a short distance to the Boudha stupa and join Tibetans on a pilgrimage kora walk around the stupa. Sightseeing to Pashupatinath Hindu temple, lunch in restaurant. Free time in Bhoudhanath until transfer to airport.
Afternoon: Depart Kathmandu: Transfer to airport Late departure.
Mar 31 / Arrive Home!