Nepal & India Itinerary Highlights — December 28, 2008 to January 11, 2009:

Here is a brief outline of our planned itinerary:

• December 26–27, Pre-Trip: Travel days in order to arrive by tomorrow in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• December 28, Day 1: Welcome to Nepal! You will be met at the airport and transported to our comfortable guest house on the outskirts of Kathmandu. Later, enjoy sightseeing around Boudha Stupa, an impressive Buddhist monument surrounded by Tibetan Monasteries.
• December 29, Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing: Your first full day will be an enlightening introduction to both Buddhism and Hinduism in Nepal — while touring bustling Kathmandu.
• December 30, Day 3: Enjoy morning sightseeing in the neighborhood of old palaces. Later that afternoon, take a short drive to Kopan Monastery — set high on a hillside overlooking the ancient Kathmandu Valley.
• December 31, Day 4: We spend this day at Kopan Monastery helping to celebrate New Year's Eve with the friendly monks and nuns.
• January 1, Day 5: We celebrate the arrival of 2009 with a morning visit an orphanage — playing with the children and helping them practice their English. Later that day, drive to Dhulikel in the countryside and to our guest house in Dhulikel.
• January 2, Day 6: Early wake-up for a short climb up a nearby hill to watch the sun rise over Mt. Everest and nearby high peaks. After a beautiful morning, hike back down the hill to have lunch at ancient temple. Return to our guest house in Boudhnath.
• January 3, Day 7: Free time for optional service work and shopping. Leave in the afternoon for Varanasi where we'll stay in a local guest house.
• January 4, Day 8: Varanasi is an extremely holy and ancient Hindu city. There is so much to see! In the evening we'll enjoy a scenic and tranquil boat ride on the Ganges River.
• January 5, Day 9: In the morning visit Sarnath, the place where Buddha gave his first teaching.
• January 6, Day 10: A second day of exploring the wild sights of Varanasi. Later today we'll travel onward to Root Institute in Bodhgaya.
• January 7, Day 11: In the morning we visit the stupa built on the actual site where Buddha sat under a Bodhi tree and became enlightened. From there we explore some of the many different Buddhist monasteries (Japanese, Sri Lankan, etc.) and visit a famous meditation cave. In the evening we start a retreat with Ven. Tenzin Chokyi of Land of Medicine Buddha in California.
• January 8, Day 12: On our retreat there will be discussion, introductory meditation and more. Everyone will also have free time in the afternoon to learn about and participate with the many service projects of Root Institute.
• January 9, Day 13: Free time to explore more of Bodhgaya. We take an overnight train to New Delhi.
• January 10, Day 14: Daytime sightseeing of both old and new Delhi. In the late evening, transfer to the airport for the return flight home.
• January 11, Day 15: Your departure is likely just after midnight. Today is spent in the air, flying home! Those in the Americas return in the same day.

Julia Hengst, Leader: After spending a year as a student in India, Julia returned four years later for the job of Spiritual Program Coordinator at Tushita Institute, Dharamsala. Between other trips to India, Southeast Asia and Europe, she served for one year as a counselor at a youth group home under California Child Protective Services, led a trip to Kenya and volunteered as a counselor for Vajrapani Institute's popular Family Camp. She has led workshops as a Certified California Community Mediator at the University of California at Berkeley and also worked for three years as an editorial assistant at Mandala Magazine. Julia earned her Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications from U.C. Berkeley and is certified in first aid and CPR.

Alaya Vautier, Leader: Alaya is an avid traveler having visited over twenty countries for study and exploration. She served as Director of the Leadership Education Adventure Program in 1996-97 in Arcata, where she worked with at risk youth. She has worked for several California non-profits such as "Shared Adventures", which provides outdoor activities for those with special needs. Alaya served as a discussion leader for two years with Mind Trip, a youth group that met to discuss relevant life issues. She earned her Bachelors Degree in 1999 from Humboldt State University and in 2005 received her Masters Degree in International Policy Studies from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Alaya is certified in first aid and CPR.

Amber Tamang, Local Guide: Amber comes from a small rural village in the Solu Khumbu region of Nepal. From a humble background, his self–sufficient attitude brought him high achievements. Amber put himself though high school and college — finally achieving his Masters Degree in in Nepali Culture, Religion and Philosophy.
He researches the culture and religion of the Himalaya and has published articles in Nepali and English. Amber became a guide with HHT in 1995 and is now an active group leader as well as our Regional Manager for Nepal. Those who've traveled with him praise his resourcefulness, patience and kindness. His English is articulate as he enthusiastically describes the local customs of the beloved Himalayan mountains and its Buddhist people. Amber and his family live in the Thamel district of Kathmandu.

Effie Fletcher, Trip Logistics & Administration: Effie is the founder and director of Himalayan High Treks. For twenty years, Effie has designed and operated guided mountain adventure treks and Buddhist pilgrimages for individuals and groups — traveling throughout the Himalayan countries of India, Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. Combining a proven network of trail support and local experts, hundreds of adventurers have explored the cultural diversity and natural beauty of these rugged, ancient lands. Himalayan High Treks is a regular contributor to service and community agencies throughout the region — promoting principles of responsible tourism and protection of social, cultural, natural and historical resources. Effie lends her insight, expertise and support in operating this special adventure program.

How To Apply For This Special Program:


• The Trip Itinerary will be available for download soon in this location. Review the schedule dates, full activities and all trip specifics. Ask us questions!
• Optional: Register online below (if you wish to immediately hold your spot on this trip) by completing the Online Reservation Form and making your trip deposit. Complete your registration process by submitting the following Application.
• Download the Trip Application (available soon). A parent or legal guardian sponsor completes and returns this application with deposit, to apply to join the group.
  Everyone completes and returns this form promptly!
• Our trip staff reviews each received application and personally responds to each applicant and parent–sponsor. Informal interviews help us learn more about the interests of each participant and their sponsor.
• Trip safety, resource and informative materials are sent to each participant, helping prepare everyone for the many unique experiences of the journey.
• Staff is available for pre–trip consultation as needed.

We will need to obtain several important items from each trip participant. It is necessary for you to submit these items at your earliest convenience in order for us to successfully book your arrangements or satisfy regulations. You'll receive any forms (to be completed) upon your registration, while the passport copy and air itinerary you'll provide to us. Passport copy (photo and data) must be clear and distinct.

To help you plan ahead, here's a quick overview list of what we'll need:

As soon as possible:

• Completed Trip Application.
• Trip Deposit.
• Valid Passport 'Photo Page' = clear, high–quality scan or enlarged photocopy. No FAX!
  Your passport must be valid for six (6) months after your trip. Renew now if necessary!



As soon as available:

• Kathmandu/New Delhi arrival/departure Air Itinerary (as provided from your airline or agent).
• Completed Physicians Certificate (sent upon application).
• Final payment before due date.

Contact Us For More Information:


• Email: Himalayan High Treks — Trip Administration & Logistics
  241 Dolores Street
  San Francisco, CA 94103
  1–800–455–8735 (Toll Free U. S & Canada) or
  1–415–551–1005
• Email: Julia Hengst — Trip Leader.
• Email: Alaya Vautier — Trip Leader.