Spring Break 2026

Empowering Rural Nepal Through Environmental and Women’s Entrepreneurship

Trip Leaders

• Dr. Ramesh Balayar  |  cell: 515-509-5213  |  email: rbalayar@iastate.edu
• Dr. David Peters  |  cell: 515-538-0869  |  email: dpeters@iastate.edu

LAS Study Abroad

• Mercedes Serracin, Director  |  office: 515-294-1162|  email: mlst@iastate.edu

Informational Postcard

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Overview

Our study abroad program to NEPAL will offer deep insights into understanding women engages in micro-entrepreneurship activities in the rural hills and mountains of eastern Nepal. Women struggle with changing culture and gender norms, climate change, and market accessibility as they secure their families’ livelihoods. As many men must leave Nepal to work abroad, women now play an significant role in rural economies and social systems. The program will explore issues related to ethnicity, gender, and caste; the role of development agencies. Students will have a once-in-a-lifetime trekking experience in the mountains and see Mt. Everest and the Kanchenjunga Range.

During this 11-day trip, we will visit small villages and meet with indigenous farmers in Ilam. We will also explore cultural sites in the Kathmandu valley; and also explore Doha, Qatar during our flight layover.

Itinerary for Spring Break 2026
March 12-22, 2026

PDF Version – Nepal_IntinerarySB2026.pdf

Date	Location	Activities
Thu 3/12/2026	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 19:55pm.
Fri 3/13/2026	In-Transit	Arrive Doha, Qatar 17:10pm. 8 hour layover. Explore Souq Waqif bazaar in Doha. Cultural and entertainment activities during layover.
Sat 3/14/2026	Kathmandu District	Flight QR#648 DOH-KTM departs 1:15 am. Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal 8:15am. Rest, eat, shower. Visit cultural sites. Explore city. Stay at Kathmandu Guest House.
Sun 3/15/2026	Kathmandu District	Meet with national and international organizations to promote small-scale entrepreneurship and empower women. Stay at Kathmandu Guest House.
Mon 3/16/2026	Ilam District	Depart Kathmandu at 8:15 am. Fly to Bhadrapur. Drive to Sunshine Villa, Fikkal, Ilam. Hike around tea garden, view sunset, and evening meal. Stay at Sunshine Villa.
Tue 3/17/2026	Ilam District	Tour coffee farm and processing facilities. Meet with local growers and processors. Stay at Sunshine Villa.
Wed 3/18/2026	Ilam District	Tour regenerative farms, meet farmers, and have lunch at one of the farms. Visit various women’s cottage industries. Cultural event in the evening. Stay at Sunshine Villa.
Thu 3/19/2026	Ilam District	Drive to Ilam Bazaar. Explore Ilam Bazaar and nearby tea gardens. Meet with local entrepreneurs, various women’s groups, and local leaders. Dinner with FWEAN members and other leading women entrepreneurs and political officials. Stay at local homes or hotel in Ilam Bazaar.
Fri 3/20/2026	Kathmandu District	Meet with civil servants, elected officials, NGOs and INGOs working to advance women’s entrepreneurship. Drive to Bhardrapur. Depart Bhadrapur at 16:25. Fly to Kathmandu. Explore Kathmandu. Stay at Kathmandu Guest House.
Sat 3/21/2026	In-Transit	Explore Kathmandu in morning. Leave the Kathmandu Guest House at 15:00 for airport. Flight QR#645 KTM–DOH departs 18:45. Arrive DOH 21:35. 10 hours layover. Rest, sleep, shower, eat, study in Business Class lounge.
Sun 3/22/2026	In-Transit	Flight QR#725 DOH–ORD departs 8:00. Arrive ORD 15:30. Bus from Chicago to Ames, arrive in Ames 23:30.

Hotel/Tour Contacts

Kathmandu Guest House +977-1- 4700632
Sunshine Villa