NEPAL: Mid Mountain Mysteries International Bicycle Fund ©2011 (subject to change)

Note: This itinerary is developed jointly with our Nepalese hosts. While the region, general route and total mileage are unlikely to change much; some of the details are may be adjusted

Program: Small group, educational people-to-people bicycle tour. Visit with and gain a better understanding the lifestyles, history, politics, social institutions and economics of the people of central . Day-to-day, on a ongoing basis, throughout the program there will be discussions on history, architecture, culture, ethnic diversity, social systems, gender rights and roles, politics, agriculture, music, language, religion, geology, botany, and ecology. Cycling Conditions: 500 km, 300 miles, 80% paved roads, many hills, with sections of long hills, high elevation. Weather conditions: Highs in the 80sF (25sC), lows 40 F (4 C), slight chance of wind/rain.

Code: CB - cabin with bunk beds; Lighting: E - electric, K- kerosene; Climate: AC - air conditioned, F - fan; Bath: S - shower or bath tub, B - bucket bath, h - hot water, T - toilet, L - latrine, sc - self-contained/private.

DAY 01 Mon Arrive in (by air), bus transfer to the hostel 4 Km, 20 – 25 min by Car/Van) and settle in. Accommodations: Hotel / Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: Restaurant DAY 02 Tue Kathmandu (elev 1300-1400m): Acclimatization day, explore the capital city. Points of interest: topography, architecture, museum, temples and shrines. Accommodations: Hotel / Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 03 Wed Kathmandu: Acclimatization day, explore the capital city like Lalitpur, Patan Points of interest: topography, architecture, museum, temples and shrines. Accommodations: Hotel / Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 04 Thu Bike to Daman (elev 2320m) (75 km, 46 miles) Old dirt road, past hill farms and villages. Exit the Kathmandu valley at Thankot (10km W) to Palung (?) (65Km) and Daman Points of interest: Tamangs (a Mongoloid ethnic group), Tibetan monastery, panorama. Accommodations: Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner restaurant DAY 05 Fri Bike to (elev 400m) (75km, 45 miles) climb through a pass, then mostly down hill. Points of interest: Kulekhani hydro electric project, village tours. Accommodations: hotel (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 06 Sat Bike to Sauraha (Chitwan) (elev 190m) (75 km, 45 miles). Cycle in the Narayani valley ecosystem. Points of interest: Sub-tropical vegetation, interaction with local people Accommodations: Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 07 Sun Sauraha (Chitwan) (elev 200m) Excursions in the area. Points of interest: Rhino and Tiger National Park, Jungle Safari, Elephant riding, cultural dance, bird watching, Elephant breeding center visit, Crocodile breeding center, Vulture cage Accommodations: Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 08 Mon Sauraha (Chitwan) (elev 200m) Excursions in the area. Points of interest: see Day 7 Accommodations: Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 09 Tue Bike to Bharatpur (Chitwan) (elev 183m) (30km. 18 miles) Points of interest: Religious places, Devghat tour, Maula Kalika Temple Accommodations: hotel (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 10 Wed Bike to Mugling (Aabu Khaireni) (elev 300m) (40km, 25 miles) We head back into the foot hills of the Himalayas. Points of interest: Community visit Accommodations: Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 11 Thu Bike to Gorkha (elev 1143m) (30km, 18 miles) Visit the former capital of the kingdom. Points of interest: Royal Palace, Temple, fort Accommodations: Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 12 Fri Bike to Mugling (elev 300m) (30km, 18 miles) Points of interest: Manakamana Temple Accommodations: Guesthouse (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 13 Sat Return to Kathmandu by transport Program evaluation & feedback and experience sharing Points of interest: rafting program at Trisuli River (option) Accommodations: hotel (E, S, T) Dinner: restaurant DAY 14 Sun End of Program