Starting in October 2012
This journey, newly designed for 2012, will take you through the three ancient kingdoms of Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan, meeting the people and touching areas which have managed to remain largely...
Breathtakingly beautiful and fiercely protected, the Dolpo region of Nepal is legendary for both its culture and its landscapes. Inaccessible to trekkers until the beginning of the 1990s, even today its visitor numbers are strictly controlled by the government. And with good reason. Home to endangered snow leopard and rare bharal, huge soaring lammergeiers and some of the most untouched enclaves of Tibetan culture on the planet, this is without doubt one of the last unspoilt regions in the world. Settled by nomadic farmers during the 10th century it is one of the highest inhabited places on earth and much of it today lies within the protective embrace of the Shey Phoksundo National Park. A rugged landscape of towering peaks, snow lined passes and teetering mountainside settlements, its stunning beauty and noble simplicity was brilliantly and eloquently portrayed by Peter Matthiessen in The Snow Leopard, his award winning account of a two month journey he took with the naturalist George Schaller back in the early 1970s. Today those same landscapes remain as inspiring as they were over 30 years ago and can arguably claim the right to being amongst the finest trekking country anywhere in Nepal.
Sitting on the border with the Uttar Pradesh region of India, Nepalgunj is the gateway to the mid and far west regions of Nepal thanks to its airport offering flights into Kathmandu. It is also the hottest part of the country with temperatures rising into the mid-40s during April before the monsoon arrives. Situated virtually at sea level, the population is around 60,000 and the nearby highlights include Bardia National Park and the entrance to the Karnali River which is an excellent rafting location.
Imbued with centuries of culture and a sense of almost mischievous excitement, Kathmandu is a city that cannot fail to beguile. Crammed with temples and courtyards, shops and merchants this is where the Middle Ages and the modern world collide, against the towering backdrop of the Himalayas. Steeped in over 2000 years of history, the city, along with nearby Patan and Bhaktapur, boast some of the finest architectural monuments in the country and the city’s meandering network of alleys and side streets are a positive pleasure to explore. The World Heritage setting of Durbar Square is a showpiece of Newari workmanship, whilst the remarkable temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River is the oldest and holiest Hindu shrine in the country. Here, besides the sacred waters, royalty and commoners alike are still cremated, their ashes cast into the flowing current to be taken on towards the hallowed banks of the Ganges. For those willing to negotiate the long staircase up to the temple of Swayambunath (the Monkey Temple) the views across the city and the temple’s resident monkeys present visitors with a thoroughly worthwhile destination, whilst those looking for escape into the back streets of Thamel can find everything from singing prayer bowls to roadside bakeries.
The largest of its type in Nepal and covering 3,555 square kilometres, Shey Phoksundo earned National Park status in 1984 with the aim to preserve the unique Trans-Himalayan ecosystem. It has a number of spectacular landscapes and ranges in altitude from 2,130 metres above sea level to 6,883m at the summit of Kanjiroba Himal. More well known perhaps is the wonderful Phoksundo Lake which lies in the upper regions of Suligad and is the deepest and second largest lake in the country. The lake is famous for its incredible turquoise colour and the many surrounding 6,000m peaks, not to mention the fascinating myths surrounding its creation.
Despite an often severe climate the park remains an important habitat for many endangered species, especially the snow leopard and blue sheep while there are plenty of musk deer, Himalayan thar, jackals and even Himalayan black bears. In winter when temperatures remain below freezing in much of the area while the monsoon season of July-September also impacts on the region despite the ranges of Dhaulagiri and Kanjiroba creating a rain shadow.
The park is also home to more than 9,000 people and these small villages are among the highest settlements on earth. There are a hatful of sacred monasteries and chortens in the area as well, which are a mix of traditional Buddhism and the Bo-Po variety which is practised in Ringmo. All the communities are fairly reliant on trading with Tibet.
Visa Information
UK Passport holders require a visa to visit Nepal. This can be obtained on arrival for 30m 60 or 90 days although you will require passport photos and US Dollars. The fees can change regularly so please check the Nepal Embassy website for the latest information.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
If you wish to apply for your visa before departure this can be done through a visa company such as:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road
Battersea
London SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
If you are travelling on a non UK passport please contact your relevant consulate/embassy for the latest visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit th
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Nepal though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is preset in some parts of Nepal so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
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