Handicrafts Tours

  • 11 Days
  • N/A
  • Year-round

Artistic Heritage of the Himalayas 11 Days Full Service Tour to Nepal

A Cultural Adventure in Five-Star Comfort Exotic Kathmandu, set in a bowl of mountains at 4,000 feet with the snow peaks of the Himalayas towering above, deserves the sobriquet "Shangri-La". Though a modern city with the comforts and facilities demanding travelers require, she is also an ancient city, dotted with thousands of palaces, temples, gods and goddesses.

The tap-tap-tap of artisans' hammers, the calls of the vegetable sellers, and the laughter of children sound as they must have a millennia ago; and the smiling, graceful people's lives seem untouched by the modern world.

A classy hotel, many meals included, and all details handled for you ensure your comfort. Shopping opportunities at workshops and stores where we have negotiated special discounts ensure you won't go home empty-handed.

Outside of the Kathmandu valley, the natural beauty of terraced hills, rushing rivers, and majestic mountains dominates. We travel by air and ground to experience the whole, and to visit local villages unused to seeing westerners. Guides speak excellent English, so they can interpret and explain the sights and sounds for you.

And to complete this remarkable journey, visit the rich forests of Nepal's south, ride elephants in search of wildlife, and see how the lowland peoples live and create beauty in their houses and objects of daily use. Try canoeing or rafting, bird walks, and jeep tours into the National Park. Anyone want to help wash the elephants?

Exotic adventure travel specially created for you, in comfort, hassle free. Come visit us in the Himalayan Kingdom.

Trip Highlights Include...

  • Walk the streets of exotic Kathmandu amidst ancient palaces, temples, and bazaars
  • Visit handicraft workshops and artisans plying their ancient crafts
  • Shopping opportunities at special discounts
  • Jungle Safari at the world famous Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge
  • The great mountains: Everest up close from a small plane, the Annapurnas from Pokhara
  • Accommodations at a five-star boutique Hotel
  • Cultural programs and visits to local villages

Nepalese Handicrafts include...

Handmade Paper Nepal is the home of rice and Lokta bark papers and many beautiful items are made from them.

Local Fabrics Yak wool and Pashmina (finer than Cashmere), cotton and silk prints, knits, and traditional woven goods.

Wood and Stone Carving Beautiful religious and architectural carving survives in the hands of a few master craftsmen.

Pottery Handcast, decorated, and fired mudware, both practical and beautiful, for just pennies.

Handknotted Carpets Forty years ago Tibetan exiles brought their traditional wool carpet industry with them. Not to be missed.

Gold and Silver Jewelry Made in the traditional way at wooden workbenches with charcoal braziers beside.

Beads and Buttons Handmade in Nepal and imported from India

Baskets and Woven Goods An ancient home handicraft, basket making now contributes valuable cash income to many families

Cast and Hammered metal wares Beautiful religious and household goods of cast, hammered, and gilt copper and bronze abound.

Painting Exquisitely detailed devotional paintings and beautiful watercolors are only two of the options.

Program Summary

11 Days: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Safari

All inclusive: Transportation, hotels, guides, fees, most meals

 

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu. Hotel check-in, Q&A and briefing and orientation. Group dinner with entertainment.

Day 2

Morning sightseeing to Kathmandu old city and bazaar. Afternoon shopping on foot to Thamel.

Day 3

Morning mountain flight (option: and trip to Patan city palace, temples, carpets, jewelers, and metalworkers.

Day 4

Morning visit the medieval city of Bhaktapur's brick lanes, potters, papermakers, and fabric dyeshops. Afternoon Fly to Pokhara, Nepal's "second city" and check in at the beautiful Shangri-La Village.

Day 5

Day at leisure. Options for sightseeing and walking by or boating on Phewa Lake. Evening meal together with entertainment.

Day 6

Morning drive to Chitwan National Park in the Southern jungle. Transfer to the Lodge. Full afternoon program.

Day 7

Full day of activities deep in the jungle.

Day 8

Morning jungle programs, and a afternoon visit to a local village outside the park.

Day 9

Morning program, then fly back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free.

Day 10

Morning visit to a Buddhist Monastery, followed by an audience with the Rinpoche (reincarnate Lama). Optional day trek in the hills around Kathmandu to follow.

Day 11

Mid day departure for home