nepal Y O G A N I S T U D I O S P R E S E N T S K I RT I YO G A E X P E D I T I O N 2 0 1 6 14 Day Trekking & Yoga Seva Adventure APRIL 11-24 $3275/PERSON P R I C E I NC L U D E S P O RT E R F E E S, L O D G I NG, T R A N S P O RTAT I O N, YOGA /MEDITATION AND ONE TO TWO MEALS PER DAY AIRFARE NOT INCLUDED P I C K U P A F L Y E R & V I S I T Y O G A N I. C O M F O R D E T A I L S W I T H A N N I E O K E R L I N, HEMU A D H I K A R I & JOHN C O L U M B O
Join us on this remarkable journey as we share uniting our culture with the culture and youth of Nepal. Our intention is to deliver school supplies, books and shoes to the children of various mountain villages along our path. This cultural immersion is certain to transform you and the lives of all those you encounter along your pilgrimage. Consider this opportunity to help others while on a yogic expedition through the breathtaking Himalaya. Share an intimate glimpse of mountain culture and village life immersed in habitats as diverse as the jungles of Chitwan and the wondrous peaks of the Annapurna Himal.
You will practice yoga at its intended height, in the country of Buddha s birth, enmeshed within the natural beauty of a forest mountain terrain. In this unique village immersion, you will experience the richness of rural Nepal as the guests of local villagers. Through the altruistic heart of yoga we will offer the gift of the hope, support and education for children in remote areas. We will visit some of the most scenic locations of this rich and majestic center of spirituality and yoga. This is a opportunity to take your practice out into the world while living your yoga at the altitudes where the gods and goddesses of the yogic pantheon still abide. Trip Details & Itinerary: Cost: $3275 per person - includes porter fees, all lodging, transportation, yoga/meditation and two to three meals per day. Does not include air fair (approximately $1200- $1400) or local flight of $150. Getting There & Back Participants must arrive in Kathmandu by April 11 therefore must arrange to leave the U.S. by April 9. Individuals will meet up with the group and be escorted to lodging and accommodations (Day 1 in itinerary). The first full day April 12 will be spent in Kathmandu (Day 2). First trek begins on April 13 (Day 3). Last day of journey is April 24 (Day 14) If you are interested in extending your stay in Nepal to hike to Annapurna Base Camp it will add another 6 days to your trip. Please contact us to build and price the itinerary of this or other trips. Day 1 Monday, April 11 Kathmandu Arrival We will receive you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. Kathmandu can bring about culture shock. You will be captured by the city s mystical thrall of temples, music, buzzing traffic and shopping. In the evening, we will have a detailed briefing on what's to come in the days ahead. We will also take care of your dinner at Thakali Restaurant. You will spend overnight in a comfortable hotel. Day 2 Tuesday, April 12 City Sightseeing and Yoga After breakfast at 6 am, you will be taken to Pashupatinath Temple, a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus. We will practice yoga at the top of hill within the premises of Pashupatinath, surrounded by trees and temples. Then, we will drive to Patan to explore its major attractions, namely: Patan Durbar Square, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple, and Maha Buddha. We will have our lunch here. Then, we will visit Boudhanath Stupa, a gigantic and highly revered stupa in the Kathmandu Valley. First built in 600 AD; it is a powerful Tantric pilgrimage site that will give some insight about the merger of Hindu and Buddhist culture and religion.
The Stupa is said to be the embodiment of the Buddha and is believed to fulfill earnest wishes to many. Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in a traditional cleansing Tibetan smoke offering ceremony at the Stupa and practice prostrations around the temple. Dinner in Thamel. Day 3 Wednesday, April 13 Drive to Hugdi and trek to Hattibang Breakfast at 6 am and we will leave for Hugdi in a reserved van at 7 am. The journey from Kathmandu to Hugdi will be quite a scenic experience. If weather permits you will witness spectacular views of Ganesh and Buddha Himal. It is a 3 hour drive to Hugdi and about 6 hours of uphill walking to JaiPuri, where we will stay overnight in a homestay having local cuisine for dinner. We will have packed-lunch on the way uphill and enjoy a traditional culture program in the evening. Day 4 Thursday, April 14 Trek to Kaule Breakfast at 6 am. We begin our walk through beautiful hill terrain and forests, and come down to Kaule, a quaint village surrounded by orange groves. It is a 4 hour walk from JaiPuri to Kaule. We will settle in a home stay and have lunch there. We will enjoy the evening visiting an orange farm and tea garden across the Rigdi stream. Our yoga practice will be beside the streams bend with a delightful audience of young children and village elders. Day 5 Friday, April 15 Trek to Gadi After breakfast at 6 am, we will start an uphill walk to arrive at a secondary school where we will distribute school supplies to students. From there we will trek to Gadi. It is a 5 hour walk from Kaule to Gadi. We will have lunch on the way. In the evening, we will visit the fort and practice yoga. Day 6 Saturday, April 16 Trek to Shaktikhor and drive to Sauraha After breakfast at 6 am, we will visit Gadi School and distribute school supplies, then walk down to Kolar and distribute school supplies there as well. After, we will trek down to Shaktikhor where we will have lunch. Next, we drive to Sauraha, settle into a hotel with a spacious garden and practice yoga. Day 7 Sunday April 17 Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga 1,460 m Today is a down day in Sauraha. You can decide after breakfast whether you want to go to the crocodile park by the Rapti River, explore the local town or rest and restore. In the evening, we will observe a unique Tharu Culture Show at the hotel. Day 8 Monday, April 18 Drive to Nayapul and trek to Tikhedhunga 1,460 m After breakfast at 6 am, we will drive to Nayapul through Pokhara, one of the most beautiful places in Nepal where many trekking routes begin. It takes 5-6 hours to reach Nayapul from Sauraha and a 2-3 hours walk to reach Tikhedhunga from Nayapul. We will have our lunch in Birethanti, which is about half an hour walk from Nayapul. We will stay overnight in local lodge. Approx. 600 m ascent. Day 9 Tuesday, April 19 Trek to Ghorepani 5-6 hours walk, 1,290m ascent, overnight in local lodge. After breakfast at 6 am, we will walk steep Ulleri Hill in the morning when sun is not so intense. A nice view of a mountain, Annapurna South, makes our journey exciting. We will have our lunch in Banthati, on the way from there it is an easy walk through the rhododendron forest up to Ghorepani.
Day 10 Wednesday, April 20 Hike to Poon Hill for sunrise 3,210 m Mountain View and trek to Tadapani 2,590 m 5-6 hours walk, 500m ascent, 700m descent, overnight in local lodge. Early wake up and start uphill walk to Poon Hill to observe a spectacular sunrise view and unmatched beauty of the Anna Purna mountain range. This is flowering season, brilliant rhododendron blossoms will be in full bloom. We will walk down to the hotel, have breakfast, and leave for Tadapani. From Ghorepani, the trail climbs along ridges and through pine and rhododendron forests to Deurali. We descend to reach Banthanti, where we will have lunch, before winding our way to Tadapani. Day 11 Thursday, April 21 Trek to Ghandruk 1,940 m An easy day; only 2-3 hours downhill walk, visit Gurung village and museum, overnight in local lodge. Breakfast at 6 am. We will take a journey on a downhill descent, observing a cornucopia of breathtaking views of the Annapurna Mountain, walking through the beautiful forest. Next, we walk along a flag-filled path which slides through the Gurung-inhabited village of Ghandrung. We will settle in a traditional cottage, have lunch there and visit to Gurung Cultural Museum. We will do the yoga in the evening in a pleasant atmosphere. Day 12 Friday, April 22 Day in Ghandruk Meditation/yoga at 6 am. Today we take a break, and allow ourselves some stillness while staying in Ghandruk. We find ourselves at Ghandruk Buddhist Monastery, taking time to witness the silence of the mountains and reflect on the past 11 days of walking, bonding and our relationship with the universe. A fun evening with local Gurung music and dance will close this day. Day 13 Saturday, April 23 Drive to Kathmandu 3-4 hour walk, 800m descent, 1.5 hours drive, overnight in a hotel in Pokhara. Breakfast 6 am. Our last day of trekking takes us to Nayapul. We will have our lunch at Birethanti. From Nayapul, we will drive back to Pokhara. We will be on our own for dinner this night which will give us an opportunity to take a small break from the group and enjoy a little quiet time. Day 14 Sunday, April 24 Drive to Kathmandu Breakfast 6 am. Leave for Kathmandu, it is about 30 minutes flight from Pokhara. We will arrive in Kathmandu for lunch. We will visit Syambhunath upon arrival and have time for shopping before our farewell dinner in Thamel. This concludes the tour.
Annie Okerlin Annie Okerlin, RYT-500, is the owner and founder of Yogani Studios and Exalted Warrior Foundation, Tampa. She teaches and travels nationally teaching yoga to traumatically injured military populations and yoga teachers wanting to teach in a military setting. As an irest yoga Nidra instructor, Annie will guide you thru deeply restorative and meditative practices. Hemu Adhikari Hemu Adhikari is a founder of Books4Nepal and board member of Global Action Coalition, born and raised in Chitwan, Nepal. He has trekked to Everest base camp, Annapurna region as well as many remote villages in Nepal. John Columbo John Columbo is a healthcare professional and registered yoga teacher at the 200 hour level. He is currently practicing, teaching and sharing the practice of yoga with the Tampa community. While his classes can be intense and challenging, he brings a light, fun and playful presence to the space. As a Wilderness First Responder and making his second trek to Nepal, John enjoys world travel and the unique perspective only immersion in a foreign culture can bring.
For an application, gear list and additional information and details related to the expedition as well as international travel please see Nepal 2016 Application and Fact Sheet. YOGANI STUDIOS 1112 W. PLATT ST TAMPA, FL 33606 YOGANI.COM