Exploring Himalayan Cultures of Nepal Study Abroad – Summer 2019
You are invited to participate in this study abroad program, which will occur next summer (2019)! Anyone can participate. You need not be a TROY student, so pass the word to and aspiring world travelers.
If you want more information, please contact Dr. Jay Valentine at jvalentine@troy.edu.
Register for the trip at https://www.troy.edu/international/troyabroad/upcomingprograms.html
Part I: Travel to Kathmandu
Note: Below is the itinerary that I (Dr. Valentine) plan to follow to get to Kathmandu,
Nepal. You do not need to travel the same time as me, but you should aim to arrive
in Kathmandu on the same day (6/15/2018) as me.
(6/13/2019) Thursday - Atlanta to Amsterdam
(6/14/2019) Friday - Amsterdam to Delhi
(Overnight: Delhi Airport) – Travelers will arrange for accommodations for themselves.
I (Dr. Valentine) have spent several nights in this airport, and I intend to decide
on the best options once I get to the Delhi airport. The hotel is expensive for India
(approx. $130/night). The various lounges and sleeping pods are much more affordable.
Sleeping Pods: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/sleeping-pod.aspx
Napping/Eating/Relaxing Lounge: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/at-the-airport/relax/lounge.aspx
Hotel Inside Airport: https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airport-hotel.aspx
(6/15/2019) Saturday - Delhi to Kathmandu
Early Morning Flight to Kathmandu (Arrive approximately 9:00 AM)
Part II – Kathmandu and Surrounding Areas
Day 01: (6/15/2019) Saturday - Arrive in Kathmandu
You will be picked up by our company representative and driver and you will be transferred
to your hotel.
Afternoon: Rest and/or Explore
Orientation Dinner: (Location TBD) Receive maps of local areas. Discuss details of
coming days.
Overnight: Rokpa Guesthouse, Boudhanath
Day 02: (6/16/2019) Sunday - Boudhanath & Pashupatinath Visit
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at the hotel in the morning. Later proceed for the sightseeing
tour of Boudhanath and Pashupatinath.
Boudhanath is considered to be the most sacred Stupa by the Tibetan Buddhists and is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Kathmandu. It is said to have been constructed shortly after the demise of the Buddha. Additional Monument Fees: approx. USD $5
Pashupatinath - Pashupatinath temple is the holiest temple for Hindus stands along the side of Bagmati River - It is dedicated to lord Shiva. It is also a cremation site for Hindus. In Pashupatinath temple the visitors will observe different ceremonies and the ways of worshiping. The most interesting scene here is the cremation place on the edge of the river and next to the temple. The visitors can see how the funeral takes place according to Hindu Culture. Additional Monument Fees and Taxi Fees: approx. USD $15
Overnight: Rokpa Guesthouse, Boudhanath
Day 03: (6/17/2019) Monday - Full day visit to Thamel & Durbar Square
This day is reserved to explore the Kathmandu Durbar Square and Thamel.
Durbar Square Kathmandu Durbar Square ("UNESCO World Heritage Site") also known as
Hanuman Dhoka square is one of the major attractions in Kathmandu Valley. Kathmandu's
Durbar Sq was where the city's kings were once crowned and legitimized, and from where
they ruled ('durbar' means palace).Most of the cultural centres of Nepal are concentrated
around the Kathmandu valley; among those cultural sites, the important one is the
Hanuman-dhoka Durbar Square.
Thamel – Thamel is a local and famous commercial market in Kathmandu. It has been the centre of the tourist industry for over four decades. It has a lot of restaurants, mountaineering gear shops, foreign money exchange booths, mobile phone shops, pubs, clubs, and nightlife along with the numerous travel agents and guest houses.
Overnight: Rokpa Guesthouse, Boudhanath
Day 04: (6/18/2019) Tuesday – Meetings, Relaxation, Study, Service Learning
Overview: Activities will be designed to satisfy the needs of individual students
based on the for-credit options that each student will have select. While activities
are only mandatory for credit-seeking students, all participants will be welcome to
participate.
Overnight: Rokpa Guesthouse, Boudhanath
Day 05: (6/19/2019) Wednesday – Day Hike – Changu Narayan to Nagarkot
Depart our hotel at 7 am and drive to Changu Narayan. After spending a short amount
of time there, hike to Nagarkot. Arrive Nagarkot and check in hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 06: (6/20/2019) Thursday – Nagarkot - Bhaktapur Sightseeing (UNESCO World Heritage
Site) - Kathmandu
Early in the morning, enjoy the breathtaking sunrise view from Nagarkot. After breakfast,
we drive towards Bhaktapur, an ancient city in the east corner of Kathmandu Valley.
Bhaktapur has the best-preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal and
is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood,
metal and stone artworks. After sightseeing tour of Bhaktapur, we return back to Kathmandu.
Overnight: Rokpa Guesthouse, Boudhanath
Day 07: (6/21/2019) Friday –Meetings, Relaxation, Study, Service Learning
Overview: Activities will be designed to satisfy the needs of individual students
based on the for-credit options that each student will have select. While activities
are only mandatory for credit-seeking students, all participants will be welcome to
participate.
Overnight: Rokpa Guesthouse, Boudhanath
Day 08: (6/22/2019) Saturday - Kathmandu to Lumbini (8 Hours)
Lumbini (Birthplace of the Lord Buddha)- Lumbini is a Buddhist pilgrimage site in
Nepal. According to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama
in 563 BCE. Gautama, who achieved Enlightenment and became the Buddha and founded
Buddhism.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 09: (6/23/2019) Sunday – Lumbini Sightseeing
Today we will visit some popular places of Lumbini such as Mayadevi temple, ancient
kapilvastu city, Birthmark stone, holy Puskarnilake, Ashoka pillar, Lumbini Museum,
Idol of Maya devi, World peace stupa and different monasteries. After exploration
rest overnight at hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 10: (6/24/2019) Monday – Lumbini to Pokhra (6 hours)
After breakfast, drive to reach Pokhara. Arrive Pokhra and check in Hotel
In the evening, you can have a stroll at the Shore of Fewa Lake.
The lake side becomes alive after the dark falls with the lighting of the shops and restaurants etc. It is a great hangout place for lovers of music and cuisines.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 11: (6/25/2019) Tuesday –Pokhra Local sightseeing
After an early breakfast our journey continues with a valley sightseeing tour by private
vehicle to the Annapurna range, the most spectacular sight in Pokhara. Especially
in the early morning the views are breathtaking. You can see the exotic natural scenarios
of eight majestic mountains right in front of your nose. Everyone in Pokhara wakes
up early to greet the mountains during sunrise. The reflection of sunlight from a
mountain is always a breathtaking site. You will never forget the sight of the fishtail
mountain standing right before your eyes saying "Good Morning".
Following our morning ride we will head to Devi's waterfall, located two kilometres
from central Pokhara City.
After that we will head to the Fewa Lake which is 1.5 kilometre long, the second largest
lake in Nepal, offers an excellent view of the mountains and their reflections on
the lake. You may also enjoy boating on the lake on direct payment basis. At last
we will head to The Seti Gandaki, a river which flows right through the city; it runs
completely underground at many places.
For our dear guests that are not claustrophobic it is possible to pay a visit to bat's
cave. This very narrow cave is worth visiting for its bats and its narrow exit. This
day we will overnight in Pokhara.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 12: (6/26/2019) Wednesday - Meetings, Relaxation, Study, Service Learning
Overview: Activities will be designed to satisfy the needs of individual students
based on the for-credit options that each student will have select. While activities
are only mandatory for credit-seeking students, all participants will be welcome to
participate.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 13: (6/27/2019) Thursday - Pokhra – Phedi – Day hike to Dhampus
In the morning after breakfast drive a short distance to reach Phedi. Arrive Phedi
and start a day trek to Dhampus. Arrive Dhampus and check in a Guest House.
Overnight: Guest House
Day 14: (6/28/2019) Friday - Dhampus – Pokhra (Drive)
In the morning enjoy the breathtaking view of high Himalayan peaks and later we check
out and drive back to Pokhra. Arrive and check in hotel.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 15: (6/29/2019) Saturday –Pokhra - Meetings, Relaxation, Study, Service Learning
Overview: Activities will be designed to satisfy the needs of individual students
based on the for-credit options that each student will have select. While activities
are only mandatory for credit-seeking students, all participants will be welcome to
participate.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 16: (6/30/2019) Sunday - Pokhra – Kathmandu
After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Kathmandu. Today we pass through
several small highway town and we head towards east until we reach Mungling. From
Mungling we drive through the gorge of the Trishuli River to reach Kathmandu valley.
Arrive Kathmandu and check in Hotel
Overnight: Rokpa Guesthouse, Boudhanath
Day 17: (7/1/2019) Monday - Kathmandu – Meetings, Relaxation, Study, Service Learning
Overview: Activities will be designed to satisfy the needs of individual students
based on the for-credit options that each student will have select. While activities
are only mandatory for credit-seeking students, all participants will be welcome to
participate.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 18: (7/2/2019) Tuesday - Kathmandu - Patan Full Day
The day is reserved for a visit to Patan.
After a relaxed breakfast we will explore Patan Durbar Square, Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and other places of Patan - Patan is actually is an open museum showcasing intricately carved windows, intrinsic roof struts, statues of gods and goddesses, temples designed in pagoda style with erotic carvings and reposes' metalwork facades. One can also visit handicraft centre in Patan. Additional Monument Fees and Taxi Fees: approx. USD $20.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 19: (7/3/2019) Wednesday - Kathmandu -Swayambhunath Stupa
Find peace and prayers on the little hillock of Swayambhunath in the northwest of
the Kathmandu Valley. Also known as the "Monkey Temple" among visitors from abroad,
Swayambhunath sits atop its hill, overlooking most parts of the valley. This is a
good place to catch panoramic views of the city. The site itself has stood as a hallmark
of faith and harmony for centuries. The glory of Kathmandu Valley is said to have
started from this point.
Resting on a hillock 3 km west of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath is one of the holiest Buddhist
Chaityas in Nepal. It is said to have evolved spontaneously when the valley was created
out of a primordial lake more than 2,000 years ago. This stupa is the oldest of its
kind in Nepal and has numerous shrines and monasteries on its premises. Additional
Monument Fees and Taxi Fees: approx. USD $20.
Overnight: Hotel
Day 20: (7/4/2019) Thursday - Departure: Kathmandu to Delhi
In time departure to Kathmandu airport to catch the flight to your onward destination.
*******END OF TOUR AND SERVICES ******
Cost Includes –
11 Night stay in Rokpa Guest House or similar In Kathmandu with Breakfast.
04 Night stay in Hotel Kumari Star Inn in Pokhra or similar in Pokhra with Breakfast.
01 Night stay in Hotel View Point, Nagarkot or similar with Breakfast.
02 Night stay in Hotel Nirvana / Zambala in Lumbini or similar in Lumbini with Breakfast.
01 Night stay in Hotel Dhaulgiri or similar in Dhampus with Breakfast.
Guided Hiking from Changu Narayan to Nagarkot.
Guided Hiking from Phedi to Dhampus.
All Sightseeing tour by English Speaking Guide.
Private Surface Transportation by Medium size Car (10 Pax), including toll, fuel,
taxes and Driver's allowances.
Cost Does Not Include:
Air Fare, Train Ticket, monument fees / any other entry fees.
Expenses of personal nature like drinks, Lunch & Dinner, laundry, telephone and tips
etc.
Expenses due to bad weather, land slide, road block and any other natural or personal
reasons beyond our control
Every year, Dr. Dan Puckett of the Montgomery campus takes TROY University students
and faculty on memorable study abroad trips to far away places to learn about their
history, language, culture, and customs. Past trips have included England, France,
Greece, and Italy. For more information, please contact Dr. Dan Pucket at dpuckett45442@troy.edu
and be sure to check out more study abroad opportunities at http://trojan.troy.edu/internationalprograms/troyabroad/upcomingprograms.html