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Nepal Study Abroad


Trip Leaders

CALS Study Abroad

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Overview

Our study abroad program to NEPAL will give students the ability to understand the linkages between climate change, indigenous farming systems, and U.S. development agencies as it relates to: South Asian food security and international trade, co-existence of indigenous knowledge and Western technology adoption, rural human capital and infrastructure challenges, and community social systems related to gender and caste. Will offer firsthand knowledge about the everyday struggles of smallholder farmers, mostly women and the feminization of agriculture.

We will visit small villages and meet with indigenous farmers in two areas of Nepal. The first is the lowlands of Chitwan in the south, where we will also do a jungle safari. The second is in the mountain areas of Kaski in north, where we will also spend 5 days hiking to Mardi Himal base camp (watch a YouTube video). We will also explore cultural sites in the Kathmandu valley; and also explore Doha, Qatar during our flight layover.

Itinerary for Spring Break 2025

PDF Version – Nepal_Intinerary2025.pdf

Date

 

 Location

 

 Activities

 
Fri
3/14/2025		 In-Transit
  • Park at General Staff or 112N lots on east side of Haber Road (need plate #).
  • Bus from Ames to Chicago departs 9:00am.
  • Flight QR#726 ORD-DOH departs 7:50pm.
Sat
3/15/2025		 In-Transit
  • Arrive Doha, Qatar 5:05pm. 8.5 hour layover.
  • Explore Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha. Cultural and entertainment activities during layover.
Sun
3/16/2025		 Kathmandu District
  • Flight QR#652 DOH-KTM departs 3:15 am. Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal 10:30am.
  • Rest, eat, shower.
  • Visit cultural sites. Explore city.
  • Stay in Kathmandu Guest House.
Mon
3/17/2025		 Kathmandu District
  • Meetings with development agencies and college students.
  • ICIMOD. USAID. Mercy Corps. Peace Corps. US Embassy.
  • Stay in Kathmandu Guest House.
Tue
3/18/2025		 Chitwan
District
  • Bus from KTM-CHT leaves at 9:00am. Stop at cultural and natural sites. Stop for lunch and tea. Arrive CHT late afternoon.
  • Explore Sauraha village.
  • Stay at Maruni Sanctuary Lodge.
Wed
3/19/2025		 Chitwan
District
  • Bus to remote side of Chitwan National Park, including Bhairabpur and Chirauli Tharu villages.
  • Visit Tharu farms doing terai/lowland agriculture.
  • Return to lodge at 6:00pm. Explore Sauraha bazaar.
  • Stay at Maruni Sanctuary Lodge.
Thu
3/20/2025		 Chitwan
District
  • Leave at 6:30am for jungle safari on either Jeep or elephant. Return by 12:00pm.
  • Visit Tharu farms doing terai/lowland agriculture.
  • Community meal and Tharu dance/cultural event that evening.
  • Stay at Maruni Sanctuary Lodge.
Fri
3/21/2025		 Kaski
District
  • Flight U4#642 BHR-POK departs at 10:30am. Arrive POK at 10:50am (2,950ft).
  • Drive by Jeep to Ghalel (5,020ft).
  • Visit Gurung farms doing step agriculture.
  • Drive to Kalimati (5,580ft).
  • Stay at Kalimati Guest House.
Sat
3/22/2025		 Kaski
District
  • Leave Kalimati at 9:00am and hike to Forest Camp (8,530ft). Lunch and rest.
  • Hike to Low Camp (9,745ft).
  • Stay at Low Camp Tea House.
Sun
3/23/2025		 Kaski
District
  • Leave Low Camp at 9:00am and hike to High Camp (11,810ft). Lunch and rest.
  • Easy hike to Stephen Rock to acclimatize (11,745ft).
  • Return to High Camp by 6:00pm.
  • Stay at High Camp Tea House.
Mon
3/24/2025		 Kaski
District
  • Leave High Camp at 4:30am and hike to viewpoint to see sunrise (13,058ft).
  • Option to hike to upper view points (13,780ft to 14,446ft).
  • Return to the High Camp. Breakfast and rest.
  • Hike to Low Camp.
  • Stay at Low Camp Tea House.
Tue
3/25/2025		 Kaski
District
  • Leave the Low Camp at 9:00am and hike to Sidhing.
  • Lunch and rest. Explore village. Visit Tamang farmers.
  • Tamang cultural programs and community evening meal.
  • Stay at Stone Gallery Hotel.
Wed
3/26/2025		 Kaski
District
  • Leave Sidhing at 9:00am.
  • Walk to public school and interact with high school students.
  • Drive to Jeep to Pokhara. Arrive 3:00pm.
  • Explore Pokhara. Rest and relaxation.
  • Stay at Waterfront KGH Hotel.
Thu
3/27/2025		 Kaski
District
  • Rest, relax, and explore Pokhara.
  • Stay at Waterfront KGH Hotel.
Fri
3/28/2025		 Kathmandu District
  • Leave hotel at 7:15am. Flight U4#670 POK-KTM departs at 8:30am. Arrive KTM at 8:55am.
  • Meetings with stakeholders.
  • Expo – Heritage Garden, FWEAN
  • Stay in Kathmandu Guest House.
Sat
3/29/2025		 Kathmandu District
  • Explore Kathmandu for half-day.
    • Possible Mt Everest flight?
  • Leave hotel at 3:00pm. Flight QR#647 KTM-DOH departs at 6:00pm. Arrive DOH at 8:50 pm.
  • 11 hours and 35 minutes layover. Rest in Qatar Airways Business Lounge.
Sun
3/30/2025		 In-Transit
  • Flight QA#725 DOH-ORD departs at 8:25am. Arrive ORD at 3:25pm.
  • 6-hour drive to Ames by bus, arrive at 11:00pm.

Hotel/Tour Contacts

Kathmandu Guest House +977-1- 4700632
Maruni Lodge (Sauraha) +977-56-580160
Waterfront Resort (Pokhara) +977-61-420004
Ethical Trekking (Mardi Himal operator) +977-9856034997
Kalimati Guest House +977-9856034899
Low Camp +977-9856085611
High Camp +977-9856014765
Stone Gallery Hotel +977-9856051222