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Discover the Himalayan Wonderland of NEPAL November 9-23, 2015 Dear Travelers: Around Pokhara, the Himalayan foothills recede Nepal is one of Asia’s most enchanting lands. so that high, icy summits like Machapuchare Set on the rugged flanks of the Himalayas, Nepal (the Fishtail Mountain) and the Annapurna range offers an unsurpassed wealth of ecological and seem to rise directly from the lowlands. There cultural diversity. are few other places in the world where it’s Two generations ago, Nepal was a kingdom iso­ possible to see 20,000 feet of vertical relief out lated by dense monsoon forests from the control in front of you! of India’s British Raj. Today the Nepalis are a proud We will then wind downward to the low­ but hospitable people who have held tenaciously lands of Nepal’s terai region and Chitwan to customs and architectural traditions that have National Park where we will stop in Lumbini vanished elsewhere on the Asian Continent. and visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Highlights of this expedition include the Our next stop is Chitwan National Park, cultural diversity of Kathmandu Valley, the a pocket of grassland and riverine forest on the tranquil landscapes of Pokhara, the birthplace terai, the broad alluvial plain that extends south­ of Buddha in Lumbini, and the wildlife of ward from the foot of the Himalaya. Chitwan— Chitwan National Park. “heart of the jungle”—is habitat for endangered Our journey starts in the Kathmandu Valley, mammals, includ ing elephant, Bengal tiger and spiritual heartland of Nepal. Isolated in a mountain one­horned rhinoceros. basin at 4,100 feet, Kathmandu was long the center of trade between India and Tibet. Good farming Activities in Chitwan include a jeep safari and attracted settlers, and, over centuries, distinct a misty­morning elephant ride through the forest communities within the valley evolved customs and grasslands, both good ways to view wildlife and traditions unlike anywhere else in Asia. There in a place which includes tigers, rhinoceros and are more than 60 distinct local languages. We will sloth bears. visit cultural highlights in the Kathmandu Valley, as We will also have a chance to see garial well as Nagarkot for stunning views of the valley. crocodile along the banks of the river. Those Our next destination, the town of Pokhara, with binoculars and a little patience can see lies along a freshwater lake called Phewa Tal. babblers, barbets and bulbuls, yellow­naped wood peckers, paradise flycatchers, shelducks, storks, and numerous other memor able bird species. On return to Kathmandu an optional Everest flight seeing trip will cap our adventure! Nepal offers an unsurpassed combination of hospitality, cultural diversity, mountain land­ scapes and subtropical wildlife. We hope that you will be able to join us! Best regards, Margaret M. Betchart President, Betchart Expeditions Inc. for AAAS, Sigma Xi, ACS & The Planetary Society ITINERARY Days 1/2 – New York to Abu Dhabi and Tibetan neighbors. We will also explore & Kathmandu, Nepal Patan’s adjacent Durbar Square and traditional Expedition members depart JFK Airport and Newari neigh borhoods. After lunch at the Patan fly to Kathmandu via Abu Dhabi. Arrive on the Museum, we will return to the hotel before a late evening of Day 2 in the Kathmandu Valley. We afternoon visit to Pashpatinath, an important Hindu will begin to get acquainted with the charm and temple complex along the upper reaches of the intrigue of this fabled Himalayan Kingdom. Park Bagmati River in Kathmandu. Village Resort Hotel (2 nights). Days 4/5 Ancient Town of Bhaktapur Day 3 Cultural Heritage of & Nagarkot the Kathmandu Valley In the morning, we’ll visit Bhaktapur, a Newari This morning we will visit the town of Patan, market town that appears little changed since one of the original Newari settlements of the medieval times. Recent meticulous restoration Kathmandu Valley. The wonderful Patan of enturies-old temples—a style unique to the Museum, installed in an old palace, provides a Kathmandu Valley—makes Bhaktapur a center for beautiful and informative introduction to the traditional religious architecture and handicrafts classical culture of the Kathmandu Valley which including pottery, wood carving and paper making. evolved over centuries of trade with its Indian Lunch in Bhaktapur. In the afternoon we will depart for Nagarkot and Spectacular The Fort Lodge (2 nights) situated high above the Machapu- Kathmandu Valley. This will give us an opportunity chare, or for walks and a splendid view of the Himalayas at Fishtail sunset. The next day, we will enjoy sunrise over Mountain, the Himalayas, a village visit, and other optional with 22,950 foot high twin summits, overlooks the activites in the Nagarkot area. town and lake. Days 6/7 Pokhara The next day we will visit several interesting After breakfast we will depart for Pokhara. The sites in the Pokhara Valley, including the journey westward is very scenic, descending International Mountaineering Museum and the from the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, then along Annapurna Conservation Area Project where we the Trisuli, a river which flows down from the will learn about innovative conservation strategies high Himalaya. designed to reconcile the often conflicting requirements of wildlife protection and human Weather permitting, we may have views of the development in the Annapurna region. If the high peaks, including the spectacular Annapurna weather is fine, we might venture up Sarankot Range. Have a traditional Nepali lunch on a hilltop Hill for a spectacular view of the encircling over looking the river, then arrive Pokhara in the mountains. Pokhara has been an important late afternoon. Enjoy a stroll along the lakeshore. center for trekking in Nepal and popular with Pokhara means “lake” and Phewa Tal Lake paragliders. Dinner at Lakeside Pokhara to enjoy is charm ing. Check in at Temple Tree Resort the Nepali music and dance. (2 nights). Days 8/9 Lumbini, birthplace of Lord Buddha, World Heritage Site LEADERSHIP We will depart this morning for Lumbini, birth- Leading this expedition will be Cynthia place of Lord Budda. After breakfast, descend Gould. Cynthia has an M.A. from the University from Pokhara, then pass through scenic foothill of California, Berkeley in Asian Studies and a B.A. landscapes to the terai, an expansive region of from the University of California, Davis. She farmland and forest that spreads from the foot of has a special interest in cultures and wildlife in the mountains south to India. Asia, and has lived in Nepal for nearly five years This region of the Nepal terai is renowned and in India for ten. She speaks Nepali and Hindi as the birthplace 2,700 years ago of Siddhartha fluently and has a deep love of the people and Gautama, whose doctrine of suffering and wildlife of Nepal and their heritage. She has impermanence is the foundation of the Buddhist led several Nepal and India Expeditions for religion. Visit the complex that was built 2,000 Betchart and has led many university study years ago where Lord Buddha is thought to have abroad programs in Asia. Cynthia will be joined been born. In the afternoon visit the Maya Devi by an excellent local guide and looks forward Temple, protecting the “Marker Stone” statue of to sharing the delights of Nepal with you! the nativity scene, and ruins of old temple walls. Day 13 Return to Kathmandu We will trace the Narayani River and its tributary, the Trisuli, capitol where Buddha spent his first 29 years. though narrow gorge country before climbing Buddha Maya Garden Hotel (2 nights). back up to the Kathmandu Valley. Farewell dinner Days 10/11/12 Chitwan National Park tonight at Nanglo Bakery & Cafe to celebrate our Highlights of today’s scenic journey will visit to this fascinating Himalayan nation. Park include views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Village Resort (1 night). Ranges and a crossing of the glacier-tinted Days 14/15 Kathmandu, Abu Dhabi Kali Gandaki River. We will then follow Nepal’s & Home East-West Highway toward Chitwan National Park. This morning we will have an opportunity Chitwan Maruni Sanctuary Lodge (3 nights). to go flightseeing over the Kathmandu Valley to We have a full schedule of national park activities planned for our visit to Chitwan. Most of these involve wildlife viewing and exposure to the distinctive ecology of this forest and grassland region, the inner-terai. Wild mammals commonly encountered in Chitwan include Asian one-horned rhinoceros, gaur (Asian bison), several species of deer, two species of monkey, sloth bear and gharial crocodile. Bengal Tiger are present as well, but rarely seen. Chitwan is a fabulous place to see birds, and the area around our lodge abounds in species you very likely have never seen before. We will explore Chitwan’s backcountry by jeep and on elephant-back, and have an opportunity to float down a placid stretch of river that flows near our lodge. There will also be opportunities for bird walks and cultural activities focused on the Tharu, the indigenous people of this region. • THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY RESEARCH SCIENTIFIC THE SIGM Days 14/15 Kathmandu, Abu Dhabi & Home RESERVATIONS #1402 This morning we will have an opportunity Yes! I/we want to join the Himalayan Wonderland of to go flightseeing over the Kathmandu Valley to Nepal, November 9-23, 2015, offered by AAAS Travels, A look at Mt. Everest from the air. Transfer to the Sigma Xi, ACS, and The Planetary Society. Please X airport for departure for Abu Dhabi and JFK, reserve ____ space(s). As a deposit, I/we enclose a check arriving on Day 15. B for $_____________ ($500 per person) payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc.

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