Hidden Nepal
Luxury Group Travel | 12 Days
- Epic Himalayan scenery—including close-ups of Everest by helicopter—without the crowds
- Tibetan Buddhism and Sherpa culture in remote Solu Khumbu and Mustang Districts
- Behind-the-scenes access through American Himalayan Foundation projects empowering Nepalese people
- Insider opportunities including meditating with monks, meeting artisans and royalty, and more
Drawing on decades of adventures and friendships in the Himalaya, we worked with the American Himalayan Foundation to craft an enchanting Giving Back travel adventure celebrating and benefiting Tibetan, Sherpa, and Nepali people and traditions.
Journey into the foothills of Everest, the homeland of the Sherpa people, and helicopter to remote Mustang, where ancient Tibetan traditions are thriving. Stops in Pokhara and Kathmandu reveal positive, tangible change through access to American Himalayan Foundation and other NGO programs supporting vulnerable people across the Himalaya.
American Himalayan Foundation
The American Himalayan Foundation was founded in 1981 to bring shelter, safety, education, health, and opportunity to people across the Himalaya. Geographic Expeditions has been helping to fund their work since 2013 through the GeoEx Foundation.
Trip Overview
Located in the tiny village of Phaplu in northeast Nepal, the Happy House is the bucket list destination of your restless-in-lockdown dreams.
– FORBES
1 – 2
Arrive at UNESCO-listed Kathmandu Valley Explore Newar history and architecture accompanied by a local historian Take tea with students from AHF’s highly successful Stop Girl Trafficking program and visit another AHF project changing children’s lives.
3 – 6
Fly by private charter into the foothills of Everest to trace the history of the Sherpa people through monastery and village visits and interactions with local people Stay at the Happy House, a grand Sherpa home steeped in mountaineering history, taking walks in the dazzling Himalayan countryside Option for an overnight camping trip with panoramic views of the mountains.
7 – 9
Board helicopters for a fly-by of Everest and spectacular scenery en route to Mustang Discover Upper Mustang’s Tibetan heritage through bucolic walled villages and mysterious sky caves See cultural revival in progress at ancient Buddhist monasteries, meeting artisans and educators.
10
Touch down at the lakeside city of Pokhara for Annapurna views, farm-to-table cuisine, and a project supporting Himalayan communities.
11 – 12
Back in Kathmandu, explore more of the history of the Kathmandu Valley and enjoy a private farewell dinner behind closed doors in the courtyard of the Patan Museum.
Meet Your Leader
Vassi Koutsaftis
During his decades-long tenure with GeoEx, Vassi has been named an Outside Best Cultural Guide and a Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist. Whether trekking in Tibet or sipping tea on the Nile, Vassi is sure to be an affable host. He is a passionate photographer whose work has appeared in Newsweek, National Geographic Traveler, and more.
Meet Your Guide
Ang Tshering Lama
Ang Tshering Lama was born in the Sherpa village of Phaplu in Nepal’s Solu Khumbu region. After studying and working in New York, he soon felt the mountains calling him back. Passionate about sharing his Sherpa heritage, he now leads trips in the Himalaya and has opened his ancestral home, The Happy House, to travelers seeking an authentic experience.
Dates & Prices
Dates
10/08/23 – 10/19/23 Limited space; please call
04/21/24 – 05/02/24
10/20/24 – 10/31/24
Pricing
Giving Back Group Trip: From $11,975 per person
based on double occupancy
Internal Air & Helicopters: From $4,500 per person
Tax-deductible donation to the American Himalayan Foundation: $1,000 per person
Inclusions
- Expertise of GeoEx’s travel specialists
- Services of GeoEx’s in-house air reservations team
- All accommodations
- All ground transportation and airport transfers
- Sightseeing, events, visits, and entrance fees
- Most meals
- Bottled or filtered water at included meals and while sightseeing
- Services of a GeoEx trip leader, national and local guides, drivers, and other staff
- Some gratuities
- Emergency evacuation services and secondary medical expense insurance
A Journey Built Just For You
Take customization to the next level on a journey fully tailored to you. GeoEx's destination specialists will gladly tailor this existing itinerary—or build one completely from scratch—to suit your style, interests, and time frame. Contact us to see what's possible.
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