28 October - 8 November

“Climb mountains not so the world can see you, but so you can see the world”

Trek to Stamp Out SIDS www.riversgift.org “Calling all who are taking the road less travelled... this one is for you”

River’s Gift have partnered with trek experts $2,950 per person* Kokoda Courage to bring you the trek of a lifetime - River’s Gift Trek 2019 Includes: (28 October - 8 November). • Six-day guided trek over the magnificent Join us in conquering the , Ranges the most visually stunning mountain range • Experienced Australian guides and local guide of the Himalayas in Nepal, as we create • Domestic charter flight awareness for River’s Gift and raise funds • All land transport for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) • 11 nights’ accommodation research and safe sleep education. (five nights’ accommodation pre and post trek in x2, Bandipur and Kathmandu x2, and six nights’ guest River’s Gift - Stamping Out SIDS. house accommodation on trek) • All meals on trek • Visit to hot springs • Comprehensive evacuation plans and protocols, satellite phone, defibrillator • One month high intensity pre-trek training program run locally in Geelong • Certificate of achievement • All trekking permits and entry fees to Annapurna Conservation Area

*Not Included: International airfares and taxes; travel insurance; VISA; bottled water; aerated and alcoholic drinks; personal items such as phone calls, laundry etc; tips; meals pre-post trek. Those who would like to use (or share) individual porters can at an additional cost of approximately AUD$25/day/porter).

Trek to Stamp Out SIDS Our story SIDS claims the lives of approximately 100 River’s Gift has a vision to create a world babies a year in Australia alone. That is without SIDS, and what started from 100 families devastated by the loss of their heartache and grief is now becoming a precious baby, with no answers as to why. movement that’s gaining momentum and SIDS can be defined as the unexplained global support. death of an infant under one year of age River’s Gift have partnered with trek experts during sleep, that remains unexplained after Kokoda Courage to manage the River’s Gift a thorough investigation. It is one of the Nepal Trek 2019. largest causes of death of babies between Join us on the trek of a lifetime, as together the ages of one month and one year. we conquer the Annapurnas in Nepal, River’s Gift was established in November create awareness for River’s Gift, and raise 2011 by Karl Waddell and Alex Hamilton, funds for our cause. two devastated yet focused and determined parents who were searching for answers surrounding the sudden death of their “it’s not the mountain healthy four month old son, River. River passed away in his sleep at just 128 we conquer, but ourselves” days old to SIDS. Sir Edmund Hillary

River’s Gift... breathing life into SIDS research, education and awareness

www.facebook.com/RiversGift www.instagram.com/rivers_gift www.riversgift.org The Annapurnas are the most visually The River’s Gift Nepal Trek 2019 is aimed stunning mountain range of the Himalayas, at experiencing as much ‘Himalayan’ variety making them by far the most popular as possible, from trekking portions of the trekking destination in Nepal. well-worn Annapurna Circuit trail to some Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest city and high-altitude trekking way above the tree is situated about 200km west of Kathmandu. line, and for those game enough, even a Its ‘Lakeside’ area is a backpacker and shot of paragliding with the eagles back into trekking hub with facilities for western Pokhara at the end of it all. expectations including hotels, bars, nightlife, It’s somewhat of an amalgamation of restaurants, internet cafés, banks, ATMs, a couple of treks that you won’t find souvenir shops and camping/trekking shops. advertised elsewhere. So, get ready for daily doses of stunning DOBATO and diverse views, swing bridges over raging rivers in deep valleys, bathing in hot springs, and spectacular mountain views from ridge GHOREPANI JHINU DANDA 2 3 top guesthouses; but never so isolated 4 KOKAR that the cost of a beer at the end of the day FOREST 1 5 CAMP is prohibitive!

ULLERI “it’s easier to go down a 6 hill than up, but the view NEPAL is best from the top” KANDE KATHMANDU KANDE

1 = Trek day

Trek to Stamp Out SIDS Proposed itinerary

Oct 28 For those not completely Mulde Hill is much more isolated exhausted there is an optional than (which you will see Arrive in Kathmandu 45 minute walk to nearby Poon in the distance) and there’s every OVERNIGHT: KATHMANDU Hill lookout (3,210m). chance we’ll have it to ourselves. Trekkers arrive and stay overnight It is then a half hour walk down Another option is to get a good in Kathmandu on Oct 21, ready for to the settlement of Dobato. night’s sleep and join the throng the domestic flight the next day. of other trekkers who ascent Poon TREK DAY 3 - Nov 1 Hill each morning for sunrise. Oct 29 Dobato – Tadopani – Ghandruk Kathmandu – Pokhara TREK DAY 2 - Oct 31 TREK TIME: 5-6 HOURS OVERNIGHT: POKHARA OVERNIGHT: GHANDRUK Ghorepani – Daurali – Dobato Explore Kathmandu in the TREK TIME: 6.5-7.5 HOURS Although you’ll be tired after the morning and stock up on hiking OVERNIGHT: DOBATO two hardest days of the trek, a pre-breakfast walk back up to gear if needed, before the This day starts with a two hour Mulde Hill to watch the sunrise domestic flight from Kathmandu walk along a ridge to the village is an option. After breakfast it is to Pokhara with Buddha Air. of Daurali where we will have an all mostly easy trekking downhill early lunch. We then leave the as we gradually lose over 1,500m TREK DAY 1 - Oct 30 main Annapurna Track for what in altitude and gain 15oC in will be the most difficult leg of Pokhara – Ulleri – Ghorepani temperature! the trek. It is a very challenging DRIVE TIME: 4 HOURS TREK TIME: 4 HOURS four to five hour uphill walk along Five to six hours walking time OVERNIGHT: GHOREPANI a secondary (often steep and down to the large village of narrow) trail with no villages Ghandruk with lunch in the much Four hour jeep ride from Pokhara or settlements. smaller village of Tadopani, where to start of trek from the village of we rejoin the Annapurna Circuit Ulleri. From Ulleri it’s a solid four By the time we reach Mulde Hill Track about halfway down. hour walk to Ghorepani, mostly (3,630m) we will be well above (90%) uphill. It is part of the well- the tree line, and there could used Annapurna Circuit Track with be patchy snow. plenty of settlement options for a The upside is the magnificent late lunch. Ghorepani used to be 360o views from Mulde Hill and “Wherever you go, a rest stop where ancient trades the closeness to the highest found water (pani in Nepali) for of the Annapurna peaks. go with all your heart” their horses (ghora), thus leading to the name Ghorepani. Confucius

Trek to Stamp Out SIDS TREK DAY 4 - Nov 2 After lunch we again leave the Nov 5 main Annapurna Circuit Track with – Pokhara Ghandruk – Jhinu Danda a steep three to four hour climb TREK TIME: 3-4 HOURS up to another ridge where we OVERNIGHT: POKHARA OVERNIGHT: JHINU DANDA spend the night at the settlement In the morning, those looking A short day of only three to four of Forest Camp (3,050m), also for a challenge can paraglide hours walking where we walk a know as Kokar. from Sarangkot to Pokhara (or spectacular 200m swing bridge jeep back to Pokhara for the over the valley and ascend to TREK DAY 6 - Nov 4 less adventurous). Enjoy an the village of Jhinu Danda, arriving afternoon footy clinic with kids Forest Camp – Kande – Sarangkot around lunchtime. from the ‘Himalayan Leopards’ TREK TIME: 7 HOURS Aussie rules football team, For the afternoon, there is a OVERNIGHT: SARANGKOT followed by a celebration night 30 minute walk down to some In the morning it’s a four hour out in Pokhara dressed in the best hot springs where you can wash undulating (but mainly downhill) Nepalese outfit you can find! and soak away your newly walk through light rainforest acquired aches and pains in jungle to the small village of Pitam Nov 6 one of the pools. Deurali (2,100m) for lunch. We then rejoin the Annapurna Circuit Pokhara – Bandipur TREK DAY 5 - Nov 3 Track and follow it all the way OVERNIGHT: BANDIPUR Jhinu Danda – Lundruk – down to where our trek will end Enjoy a free morning in Pokhara. Forest Camp at the highway town of Kande. After lunch it’s a two to three TREK TIME: 7-8 HOURS A mini-bus will be waiting for hour drive to the hilltop village OVERNIGHT: FOREST CAMP us to take us to the comfortable of Bandipur situated a few kilometres off the Pokhara to After a couple of easy days, it’s Panoramic View Guest House near Kathmandu Highway. time for another more challenging the peak of nearby Mt Sarangkot. day. We descend down to the Here you’ll get amazing views of Nov 7 valley with swing bridges and the Annapurnas on one side and Pokhara City on the other. waterfalls included in the morning Bandipur – Kathmandu highlights. We cross the Modi OVERNIGHT: KATHMANDU River at the lowest altitude point Five to six hour drive to of the trek (1,340m) before a “A journey is best Kathmandu with free time in gradual climb to the village of the afternoon and evening for Landruk for lunch. measured with some sightseeing or shopping.

friends, rather Nov 8 than miles” Fly home from Kathmandu

Trek to Stamp Out SIDS Frequently asked questions

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE TREK? WHAT ARE THE EXTRA PERSONAL EXPENSES? The trek is quiet challenging at times, involving You will need to bring some extra spending trekking up and down the mountains of the money for buying personal items along the way. Annapurna Ranges. Paragliding for those who want to partake. It will involve a commitment to pre-trek training to gain a good level of base fitness. WHAT CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT DO I NEED? October is trekking season and you can generally WHAT FITNESS LEVEL IS REQUIRED? expect warm sunny days walking in shorts and t-shirt. A warm change is required for night time A good level of fitness with a serious and full waterproof gear is required in case of commitment to pre-trek training which involves inclement mountain weather. A full equipment four to five weekly sessions of walking up hills list will be supplied for every participant. or stairs. Kathmandu and Pokhara have numerous trek WHAT IS THE ACCOMMODATION LIKE? equipment stores stocking very good quality trekking gear and equipment at a third of the Considering that you are up in the mountains price of Australian stores. You will have time the accommodation is of a very good standard. to shop prior to the trek for any clothing or You will sleep in a bed every night with a doona equipment you might need. and pillow. From your window each morning you will be greeted with a breathtaking sunrise WHAT FOOTWEAR DO YOU RECOMMENDED? over the Himalayan mountains. Quality trekking shoes with good ankle support WHAT ARE THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE LIKE? are recommended. The Nepalese are very laid back, gentle, friendly and caring people. With neighbours India and China, the Nepalese have their own unique culture which appears not to have changed in “All you’ve got to do is thousands of years. decide to go and the hardest HOW HIGH DO WE GO, IS ALTITUDE AN ISSUE? The highest point we walk to on this trek is part is over” 3,630m at Mulde HIll, so altitude is not a problem.

WHAT SORT OF FOOD WILL WE EAT? Book your trek of a lifetime Considering everything is carried on the trek by horse or by porter, the food is delicious. You will have a mix of Nepalese food such as c/ Karl Waddell e/ [email protected] m/ 0488 111 182 w/ www.riversgift.org vegetarian curries, mo mos, Dahl and rice, along with western dishes such as roast chicken c/ Peter Condon e/ [email protected] and pizzas. m/ 0439 327 197 w/ www.kokodacourage.org.au $500 deposit is required at time of booking. FL_13558

Trek to Stamp Out SIDS www.riversgift.org