Jazzmandu Grand Slam
Intro
Total Trip - 13 days
We've been wowing guests in Nepal with our Nepal Grand Slam since 2006. With an eye to fine accommodations and food, fully-serviced trekking and a variety of unique activities, there's simply no better way to get a taste of this Himalayan nation until now. We've designed a one-time, reloaded version of the Nepal Grand Slam featuring a brand new trek in the Annapurna Range and tickets to Jazzmandu, a multi-day jazz festival at wild venues in the Kathmandu Valley. Step into the rhythms of Nepal with Smiling Albino's Jazzmandu Grand Slam!
From the moment you touch down in Kathmandu you're covered. The first six days you'll discover the key experiences in the Kathmandu Valley, such as Buddhist shrines, Hindu temples, ancient villages, artisans, exploring by foot, pillion riding on vintage Royal Enfield motorcycles, mountain bike and even a chance for an optional Mount Everest scenic flight. We've built in tickets to five jazz concerts at historic venues as part of Jazzmandu 2010, the Himalaya's top jazz festival, to get things off to a running start. From Kathmandu you'll then fly east to Pokhara and head into the Annapurna Range for an exclusive six-day, fully-supported trek. Each day you'll pass through quaint villages, marvel at life as its taken place for centuries and have the Himalayas as your backdrop. A final night in Kathmandu rounds out a one-time adventure that's truly a grand slam.
Itinerary
October 28: Welcome to Nepal
Your host will be waiting for you at the airport and guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu's narrow, winding streets and introduce you to your incredible digs at the award-winning Dwarika's Hotel. Every brick and piece of wood in this stunning property was laid by hand, creating the perfect environment to soak in the very soul of the country. Tonight we'll treat you to a traditional Newari dinner (Newars are the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu valley) at one of the capital's tastiest restaurants then head to tonight's gig – a warm-up for Jazzmandu 2010.
Arrival Flight: a morning or early afternoon arrival is best
Meals: D
Gig: The Valley Jams, Upstairs Bar
October 29: Old Kathmandu & Jazzmandu Kickoff
A long time resident will host you on an intimate exploration of alleyways and courtyards of old Kathmandu, taking you right into the heart of residents' lives. We walk through ancient bazaars of central Kathmandu, mystical Durbar Square (Royal Square) and Pashupatinath, Kathmandu's main Hindu temple. In the late afternoon we'll head just outside the city to the old forest of Gokarna, where we'll spend the next couple of nights at the very comfy Gokarna Forest Resort. Freshen up and get ready for a great evening of jazz with the festival's official opening concert right at the resort.
Meals: B, L
Gig: Jazz Headliner, Gokarna Forest Resort
October 30: Jazz, Jazz, Jazz
Today is a big one of jazz with gigs starting in the early afternoon and running late into the evening. You're in great shape to hit as many or few as you like as your room is right at the venue for the day. Fill your boots with jazz.
Note: for those wanting to see Everest and the Himalayas up close we can arrange an early morning scenic flight (additional cost)
Meals: B
Gig: Jazz Bazaar, Gokarna Forest Resort
October 31: Mountain Biking, Bhaktapur & Mountains
Hop on a mountain bike and ride little tracks and walking trails across the greater Kathmandu Valley to Bhaktapur, one of the ancient capitals. Off-limits to cars, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has been lovingly preserved and you'll see locals living as they have for hundreds of years. A vehicle takes up a windy mountain road to your quaint room at the Summit Village with sweeping views of the valley and Himalayas in the distance.
Cycling: about 15km of leisurely riding
Note: non-cyclists can enjoy all activities by private car
Meals: B, L, D
November 1: Biking, Patan & Jazz
Take breakfast as you enjoy sunrise over the Himalayan Range – an incredible sight, before we jump on bikes for an awesome day in the saddle. We ride a mixture of single-track and small roads to Patan, the third of the ancient cities of the Kathmandu Valley…and it's all downhill! Tonight's stay is one of our favorites at Newa Chen, a Newar family house renovated with UNESCO support into a charming B&B. Tonight we'll have a stroll through Patan then head to the Patan Palace for a wonderful evening of jazz fusion in the palace garden.
Cycling: about 20km of leisurely riding
Meals: B, L, D
Gig: Jazz Fusion, Patan Palace
November 2: Valley Sights on Big Bikes and the All Star Jazz Finale
Get ready for an exclusive day that only Smiling Albino can pull off! We'll spend the day exploring the Kathmandu Valley's sights perched on the back of classic Royal Enfield motorcycles. You'll have one of the city's best drivers chauffer you pillion-style, so you can sit back, take in the sights while locals envy your ride (a car option exists for those who don't want to ride on a motorcycle). Check in to the Shangri La, freshen up, then hit the final concert of Jazzmandu 2010 right at the hotel.
Meals: B, L
Gig: All Star BIG JAM, Shangri La
November 3: Into the Mountains
This morning we experience a spectacular 30-minute flight along the Himalayan Range to Pokhara, the jumping off point for our six-day trek. An hour drive through gorgeous scenery takes us Chansu where we begin with a two-hour hike up to our campsite at the Mardi Khola River Valley. This is a stunning trek in an area where few visitors tread, allowing us to experience friendly villages and traditional cultures without running into many travelers. During the trek we'll have a full crew to porter bags, set-up/tear-down camp and prepare three hot meals per day.
Trekking: about 2 hours walking
Meals: B, L, D
November 4: To Siklis
Today is a full, but leisurely day trekking mostly up, through colorful villages, terraced fields, alpine meadows and rhododendron forests on our way into Siklis, a Gurung village set against the stunning snowy peaks of the Himalayas. Gurung people are famous for having been recruited as Gurkha soldiers and maintain a unique identify. Stroll the village, chat with locals and indulge in fresh mountain air.
Trekking: about 6 hours walking
Meals: B, L, D
November 5: Big Mountain Views
We wake to the sight of towering peaks that make up the Annapurna Range, our backdrop for breakfast. A short, steep walk up through pastures above the village allows us to see many of the giants of the Annapurnas - Annapurna IV (7,525m), Annapurna II (7,937m) and the monolithic hulk of Lamjung Himal, with its dozen or more summits. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring and learning about this beautiful mountain village and the history of environmental conservation in this part of the world.
Trekking: about 6 hours walking
Meals: B, L, D
November 6: Tara Top
A full day of trekking as we walk through lush rhododendron forests before beginning a steep climb to our night's perch, a grassy wooded knoll, Tara Top (3,025m), the highpoint of the trek. Meaning 'Star Top', this cozy camp is one of Nepal's best sunrise and sunset spots with spectacular 360-degree views that include most of the Annapurna Massif - not to mention half of central Nepal including the Himalayan foothills dropping away towards the Ganges and the Indian plains - a truly unforgettable campsite.
Trekking: about 6 hours walking
Meals: B, L, D
November 7: Heading Down
We reluctantly say goodbye to Tara Top and commence our return journey, following a different route back to civilization. There's some serious downhill, with about five hours of walking down through shady forests, hung heavy with lichen and moss, wild flowers on the sunnier banks and wild orchids to the branches above us. We end up at Ghale Kharka where we make camp near a little school with breathtaking views of the sacred and unclimbed Machhapuchare (Fishtail Mountain).
Trekking: about 6 hours walking
Meals: B, L, D
November 8: Back to Kathmandu
This morning we enjoy a final camp breakfast then follow a tumbling stream to the edge of the Pokhara Valley where we're met by our transport and make our way to Pokhara Airport for our flight back to Kathmandu. We take up residence again at the incredible Dwarika's Hotel for one final night. Spend the remainder of the day shopping in ancient bazaars or sipping coffee on a rooftop patio before our final feast together where we're bound to be recounting tales of the adventure.
Meals: B, L, D
Sleeping: Dwarika's Hotel
November 9: On, On
We'll enjoy a superb breakfast and then transfer you to the airport to bid farewell. We look forward to our paths crossing again. Until next time…
Meals: B
FAQs
What kind of clothing & equipment should I bring to Nepal?
You'll need a reasonable variety of clothes to best enjoy your trip, from light active wear for hiking, to warmer clothes for evenings at higher elevations, and at least one nice, casual outfit for city dining. As this is a physical adventure, you may wish to bring some of your favorite personal equipment such as: bike helmet, biking shorts, biking gloves and hydration pack.
Keep in mind that Nepalese are very modest and don't appreciate visitors passing through their communities or visiting temples in tank-top shirts and shorts. Having appropriate clothing - sleeved shirts and long pants - will ensure you make the best of your adventure.
For a more on this subject, check out What to Pack.
Do I need any special visa for Nepal or Tibet?
For information on visas, as well as general details on customs and how to prepare for your trip, visit our Nepal Tips page.
Have more questions?
We have lots more information in our Travel Tips section that will give you an idea of what it's like to travel with Smiling Albino. You can read more on food, weather, language, history and culture, see where you'll be travelling, and maybe find a book or two that you can read before your adventure.
Visit the Travel Tips area.
How many people in a travel group?
2 - 8 guests. All trips need a minimum of two participants, the average trip has six travelers and our maximum is eight.
If you have a group or family larger than 8 - or are after a private solo adventure - we'll design the perfect trip especially for you, see our Custom Adventures.
Can my family or friends reach me during my adventure?
Yes. While getting off the beaten path is important, it feels good to know important people can get in touch should a need arise. All Smiling Albino hosts/guides carry mobile phones at all times. Should you need to be reached, call our main office in Bangkok at 662-718-9560, 6687-035-0705, 6681-171-0778 or our fax line at 662-718-9562 (these numbers include country and city codes). We'll be sure to connect everyone as quickly as possible. In addition, many Smiling Albino adventures provide you with a mobile phone during your trip to use as you wish. During your adventure you'll have access to an internet connection about half the time.
Upgrade Options
Like to stay an extra night in Kathmandu before or after the trip?
Extra nights at Dwarika's $310US/night (double) or $290US/night (single).
Need a hotel in Bangkok before or after the trip?
Either downtown or at the airport we can accomodate you.
Downtown: Majestic Grande $115US/night or the Four Seasons $300US/pp/night (double) or $600US/pp/night (single).
Airport: Novotel Suvarnabhumi $220US/night.
Need time on the beach when you're done? Our Thailand beach escapes are second to none.
Smiling Albino has an extensive selection of amazing beach resorts and destinations. Check out our options and let us know if we can add a beach escape to your trip.
Flights to & from Bangkok can be arranged.
Like to customize this adventure as a private trip?
Any of our trips can be changed up and moved around to give you the perfect experience. Take a look at one of our custom trip examples and let us know what we can do for you.
Related Categories:
Nepal
Have any questions?
info@smilingalbino.com.
Itinerary
Length: 13 days
Cost: $4,000US/pp
Single Supp.: $675US
Includes: Nepalese and western guides/host, all airport transfers, most meals, 12 nights of quality accommodations, full Sherpa and porter supported camping, mountain bike, all internal transport, all admissions, two internal Nepal airfares, and your personalized 'Adventure Kit'.
Areas: Kathmandu Valley, Annapurna Range
Activities: cycling, hiking, walking, and lots of jazz
Food: from fine dining to local fare
Accomodations: comfortable accommodations and full service camping
