An art journey to the top of the world.
Nepal is a country of diverse landscapes, cultures and people. Discover a diaphanous land of dream-like mountains, thunderous rivers, valleys full of unspoilt flora and fauna, temples that were built long ago, and many different peoples.
As the Dali Lama said; “Once a year, go some place you’ve never been before-“, and realise that Nepal is much more then a myth, it is real. The colours of this country are unique, the food is delicious and the culture is both very musical and spiritual. This will dazzle and mesmerise, fascinate, and challenge all the pre-conceptions that exist in a normal ‘everyday’ life.
Susanna Bailey has travelled and worked in Nepal several times. Her collection of pastels from her last trip to Everest base camp, (the long way), were sold to raise money for orphaned children after the earthquakes in 2015.
This is a trip of a lifetime, you will return with a portfolio of memories about this unique experience, and you will have experienced a whole new dimension to life.
Itinerary
Day 01 (03 Oct 2021): Fly London to Kathmandu
Depart London for overnight flight to Kathmandu.
Day 02(04 Oct 2021): Arrive Kathmandu
On arrival in Kathmandu you will be transferred to the Hotel. Your stay will be situated to the north of Thamel, the tourist district of Kathmandu.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 03 (05 Oct 2021): Kathmandu Durbar Square and walk to Swayanbunath. Drive to Patan and the afternoon painting in Patan Durbar Square.
Kathmandu is a wonderful mixture of the ancient alongside the modern – crowded bazaars still throng with colourful local people as they have done for hundreds of years, while roads are crowded with cars, roaring motorbikes and buses belching out black smoke; ancient temples and crumbling shrines sit alongside modern offices, picturesque palaces slowly sag into dereliction while Buddhist stupas gaze over the bustling scene with their all-seeing eyes. Meanwhile, in the tourist hub of Thamel you will find restaurants and bars, shops and internet cafés. Although this is a crowded, noisy and polluted city, it is also fascinating, friendly and vibrant.
Firstly today you will drive down to Kathmandu’s Durbar Square where you will see some fine monuments, including the Hanuman Dhoka (the old Royal Palace), the temple housing the Kumari or ‘Living Goddess’ and many other wonderful masterpieces of Newari architecture and wood carving. You will then walk through to Swayanbunath, also known as ‘The Monkey Temple’. This fascinating temple is perched on a hilltop to the west of the city and is a site of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Buddhists.
For those who are not keen to climb the long way up the famous steps to the temple, transport will be on hand to take you close to the back entrance.
Later you will drive to Patan, Kathmandu’s twin city, located just a few miles to the south. Patan is a very ancient city, believed to have been founded in the 3rd century AD. The Newari people of Patan are famed as fine artists and craftsmen – Patan’s Durbar Square is a testament to their workmanship and is arguably the finest square of the Kathmandu valley. The woodcarving, metal artwork and stone work of the magnificent temples and royal palaces show evidence of this rich artistic heritage and in the streets of Patan you find people still working in traditional crafts such bronze, wood and stone. A visit to the excellent museum in Patan will introduce you to many fine works by Newari artists and craftsmen, who are particularly celebrated for their tradition of producing very fine bronze statuary, using the lost wax method.
You will have the afternoon to paint in Durbar Square. You will look at colour and portraying buildings and people. Susanna will demonstrate all these aspects in one quick watercolour using only three colours.
Overnight: Kathmandu.
Day 04 (06 Oct 2021): Full day in Bhaktapur
Today you will have a full day in Bhaktapur, about an hour’s drive away and one of the three cities built in the Kathmandu valley by the ancient Malla kings. Bhaktapur is rather more laid back than Kathmandu city and still has quite a rural feel to it, and is a town of farmers and craftsmen. The people of Bhaktapur are famous for their skill in painting thankhas, paintings on cotton or silk usually depicting a Buddhist deity, scene, or mandala. Bhaktapur’s Durbar Square area has some wonderful examples of Newari craftsmanship in its temples and palaces. Many of Bhaktapur’s buildings having their origins in the 15th Century and the side streets have a really medieval feel to them with streets being mostly brick paved. It is still very much a lived in city, and with much of it being closed to traffic walking around is a pleasure and you will get a real taste of how things must have been in medieval times.
Overnight: Kathmandu.
Day 05 (07 Oct 2021): Fly to Pokhara. Time to relax. Susanna does a demo of lake painting.
Today you will transfer to the airport for the short domestic flight to Pokhara, Nepal’s second city. Pokhara has a wonderful location being set on the banks of Lake Phewa Tal and enjoying magnificent views of the Annapurna range of mountains. Your hotel, the Fishtail Lodge is the oldest established hotel in Pokhara and is situated on an arm of Phewa Tal Lake in an unrivalled secluded position with wonderful mountain views and yet still just a short walk from the hurly-burly of Pokhara’s lakeside. You will have lunch at a local restaurant and in the afternoon there will be time to relax in the hotel’s lovely gardens.
Overnight: Pokhara
Day 06 (08 Oct 2021): Morning Excursion on Lake Phewa Tal. Afternoon painting beside the lake.
On a clear day, there are astounding views of the Annapurna range of mountains from Pokhara, including most famously the holy Machapuchare or ‘Fishtail’ Mountain. It is well worth getting up early to see sunrise on the mountains, as the moment when the first flush of pink colours the peaks the view is truly stunning; you might ask the hotel reception to arrange an early morning call for you, so that you do not miss it.
In the morning you will take a boat ride on the lake, perhaps paying a visit to the two-storied pagoda style temple of Tal Barahi located on a small island in the centre of the lake. On this excursion you will enjoy wonderful views of the not so distant mountains and of the terraced hillsides around the lake and you can also watch the daily life of local people along the shores of the lake, with boats loaded with produce crossing the lake, water buffalo up to their noses in the water and children splashing about in the shallows.
You will have the afternoon for painting by the lakeside.
Water, water everywhere and a whole day to paint boats and lakeside nature.
Overnight: Pokhara
Day 07 (09 Oct 2021): Free day in Pokhara
Today you will have a day in which to roam and enjoy time to yourselves.
There is plenty to see in Pokhara. The hotel gardens would be a pleasant spot to do some painting or you might wander along to the lakeside area for some people watching or shopping, or visit the Mountaineering Museum which has interesting displays on expeditions in the Annapurna Range and on the mountain peoples living in the region. It would also be pleasant to take a walk up to the ridge behind the hotel to the so called ‘Peace Pagoda’ for amazing views over the lake and mountains. Alternatively you could take a taxi to the Devis Falls Tibetan Centre to look at the carpet weaving there or visit the little school to meet the charming Tibetan children. On the opposite side of the road to the Tibetan Centre are the Devis Falls, an interesting rock formation and waterfall – take a look at the precipitous gorge and strange rock formations – there may not be any water flowing over the falls at all times of the year but this still makes an interesting visit.
Overnight: Pokhara
Day 08 (10 Oct 2021): Drive to Chitwan (150km, 3.30Hrs).
Today you will havea drive to Chitwan, Chitwan is the first national park in Nepal. It was established in 1973 and granted the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984. It covers an area of 360 sq mi.
After you get the hotel you have a free afternoon to relax by the pool in the hotel
Overnight: Chitwan
Day 09 (11 Oct 2021): Chitwan wild life park
Today you will have an adventure day for visit the wild life park It has a history of over 3 decades in park management and a rich experience in resolving conflicts between the park and the people. It has a rich natural area in the Terai, the subtropical southern part of Nepal. A total of 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpetofauna and 126 species of fish have been recorded in the park. The park is especially renowned for its protection of One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tigers and the Gharial Crocodile.
Overnight: Chitwan
Day 10 (12 Oct 2021): Drive to Kathmandu.(170km 4.30Hrs) Rest of day at leisure.
Later you drive back to Kathmandu, continuing along the valley of the Trisuli River before climbing to cross a low pass into the Kathmandu valley.
On arrival you will check into wonderful Dwarikas Hotel, a real haven away from the bustle of Kathmandu and a lovely place to relax, with its beautiful courtyard garden and pretty swimming pool. You will then have free time to relax or paint for the afternoon.
If you fancy a little walk you could visit nearby Pashupatinath, the important Hindu temple complex set on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River just a 15 minute walk from the hotel (you may ask at the hotel desk for directions). Pashupatinath has an important Shiva temple and is the most important centre for cremations for the Hindu people of Kathmandu. It is also a real experience to go there first thing in the morning (possibly even before breakfast) when local people visit the temple with offerings.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 11 (13 Oct 2021): Walking tour to Boudhanath Stupa. Painting at Stupa.
After breakfast you will have a walking tour from the hotel to visit the Buddhist stupa at Boudhanath. (If you do not wish to walk then the vehicle will be going there with the painting things so you may ride if you prefer.) Boudhanath Stupa is the largest stupa in Nepal and the holiest Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It is the centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu. From the top of the stupa all-seeing eyes look out in every direction. The stupa is surrounded by streets and narrow alleys lined with colourful houses and monasteries and the whole complex is rich in Buddhist symbolism. It is an important place of pilgrimage and meditation for Tibetan Buddhists and local Nepalis, as well as being popular with tourists. Today will be for painting movement. The stupa provides a constant picture of movement as pilgrims and members off the local community circle the building in prayer.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 12 (14 Oct 2021): At leisure in Kathmandu. Review of paintings. Celebration dinner.
Today you will be free for some last minute shopping or sightseeing or just to relax in the peaceful ambience of Dwarikas Hotel. Susanna will be there to help each group member complete their work and in the evening you will all get together to review your work and the art that has been created during you time in Nepal. You will be going home with a very precious set of memories.
You will have a last celebration dinner in Dwarikas famed Krishnarpan Restaurant.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 13 (15 Oct 2021): Depart from Kathmandu Airport.
You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.