Discover the Himalayan Wonderland of 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 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 , 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, includ­ing elephant, Bengal and spiritual heartland of Nepal. Isolated in a mountain one‑horned 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 misty-morning 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 , 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, yellow-naped wood­peckers, paradise flycatchers, shelducks, storks, and numerous other memorable­ bird species. On return to Kathmandu an optional Everest flightseeing­ 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 neigh­borhoods. 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, wood­carving 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 overlooking­ 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 charm­ing. 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, (Asian bison), several species of deer, two species of monkey, sloth bear and gharial crocodile. 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  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

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Accommodations Preference: Planetar ___ Twin ___ Single Twin Share: ___ with a friend or ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker ___ assign a roommate RESPONSIBILITY Signature ______Date______Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and The Planetary Society act only as agents for the passenger with respect to Signature______Date______transpor­tation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or irregularity in connection with Mail To: Himalayan Wonderland of Nepal 2015 the services of any airplane, ship, motorcoach,­ or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for Betchart Expeditions Inc. losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, 17050 Montebello Road sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 as tour rates pro­vide for arrange­ments only for the time stated. We reserve the right to y substitute another leader of similar expertise or reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded with no further Society obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any per­ son as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrange­ments are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. ©2015 Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Photos courtesy of our agent, Chris Carpenter, Margaret Betchart & Cynthia Gould. Map by April Milne. CST# 2036304-40 AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions The Planetary Society BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435

FIRST CLASS

Discover Nepal! A Himalayan Wonderland! November 9-23, 2015

cold (40’s to 50’s). This expedition will be a tremen­dous COSTS & CONDITIONS experience for travelers with an appetite for adventure who would enjoy a chance to explore culturally and biologically Trip Fee: rich areas in the Himalayas of Nepal. We will have a great $4,895 per person for 15 days (plus air fare of $1,795 per adventure of discovery. (No smoking in vehicles, during person from JFK to Kathmandu, Nepal, round trip). lectures, or meals, please.) Questions? Please contact Betchart Expeditions Inc. Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: Air fare quoted is based Telephone (408) 252-4910, Toll Free (800) 252-4910, on a special fare with Etihad Airways. All air bookings­ will Fax (408) 252-1444. Email: [email protected] be handled by Betchart Expeditions Inc. AIR FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; group airport transfers; accommodations twin share; all meals in Nepal; tips Accommodations: Are in excellent first class hotels and to local drivers and guides; entrance fees; baggage handling lodges and in an excellent national park lodge at Chitwan. where available; leadership, administration. Accommodations are twin-share with private bath. Single accommoda­tions are avail­able for a supplement of $795. Expedition Fee Does Not Include: International air fare If you do not have a roommate, or we cannot provide one, (quoted separately); optional Everest flightseeing ($200); visa; you must pay the single supplement. baggage hand­ling in remote locations; gratuities to expedition leader; personal items such as laundry, phone calls, alcoholic Reservations, Deposits and Payments: Please mail a beverages, sodas, snacks, personal insurance; or foreign deposit of $500 per person with the completed reservation airport departure taxes. form to: What to Expect: This expedition is planned for travelers Himalayan Wonderland of Nepal 2015 who would enjoy exploring the cultural and natural heritage Betchart Expeditions Inc. of the Himalayan Wonderland of Nepal. We will explore the 17050 Montebello Road Kathmandu Valley at 4,100 feet, Nepalese foothills up to 6,000 Cupertino, CA 95014 feet, and the lowland terai beneath the majestic backdrop The balance is due 60 days before departure. of the Himalayas (there are walks, but no trekking or high Cancellations & Refunds: elevation activity). Leading this expedition will be an excellent The initial deposit is refundable naturalist/anthropologist and local guides. The group will up to 60 days before departure travel 7 to 8 hours by coach on two days and 3 to 4 hours on less a handling fee of $100 per two or three other days. On traveling days, we will take time person. There is no refund after for both planned and spontaneous stops to walk, photograph, the 60-day period unless your and meet the local people. Several half-day walks will be at a place is resold, then only the leisurely pace suitable for cultural discovery, bird watching, $100 per person handling fee is and natural history study; binoculars are suggested. Food withheld. There are no refunds will include a varied Nepali, Indian, and international menu. for unused meals or other Weather is delightful, with midday temperatures in the expedition features. 70’s to lower 80’s and generally clear skies. Nights can be