In an effort to revive Nepal’s tourism after the spring 2015 earthquakes, India and South Asia travel specialist Geringer Global Travel invites travelers to discover the country’s dramatic landscapes with its 14-day Explore Nepal – Culture, Jungle & Mountains itinerary.
“There is no better time than now to visit Nepal,” said Susan Geringer, owner of Geringer Global Travel. “Nepal is recovering from the April–May 2015 earthquakes and the country’s Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation has deemed it safe for returning visitors. Tourism remains a vital part of the economy, and renewed travel will help support ongoing recovery efforts.”
Beginning in Kathmandu, the historic capital known for its temples, shrines and pagodas, the itinerary leads travelers to Thimi, one of Nepal’s most celebrated pottery villages, where visitors can meet skilled artisans and tour ceramic workshops. The journey continues with a jungle experience in Chitwan, featuring guided walks led by expert naturalists and activities such as bird watching, canoeing and an elephant safari. The final segment of the trip is centered around Pokhara, with treks to Dhampus that offer sweeping views of the Annapurna range, as well as visits to the sacred towns of Pharping and Gokarna.
Notable highlights include an audience with Nepal’s living goddess, the Kumari, in Patan; aerial views of Mount Everest on a one-hour mountain flight; time spent with renowned pottery artists in Thimi; an elephant safari in Royal Chitwan National Park; a visit with monks at a monastery in the Tibetan village of Hemja; and an overnight stay at the Neydo Monastery Guest House.
To support local recovery and education, a portion of every booking on Geringer’s Nepal itinerary will be donated to the construction of the Sanjiwani Vocational School, which will provide vocational training opportunities for students in the region.
Pricing for the Explore Nepal itinerary starts at $3,758 per person. The package includes accommodations, private vehicle and driver, English-speaking guides, monument entrance fees, most meals and packaged drinking water. International airfare is not included. Special savings were available for bookings made by Oct. 15 for travel through Dec. 15, 2016 (excluding the monsoon season, June–August 2016).