{"id":25189,"date":"2025-01-22T10:50:04","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T10:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=25189"},"modified":"2025-01-24T11:46:44","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T11:46:44","slug":"nepal-etg-pioneers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/nepal-etg-pioneers\/","title":{"rendered":"ETG Pioneers Back From Nepal: Stories & Snapshots"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1737133906172{padding-top: 60% !important;background-image: url(https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/nepal-pioneers-etg-1.jpg?id=25211) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/6″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_empty_space height=”20px”][vc_column_text css=””]ETG Travellers, Jane & Bob Williams, were our Nepal<\/a> Pioneers and have returned home raving. They’ve kindly shared their experience and musings with us via handwritten diary entries and photos. Get a feel for their incredible, immersive adventure…<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”chino”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

Days 1 – 3: Exploring Kathmandu<\/h2>\n

Anup, our guide, greeted us with marigold garlands \u2013 very friendly and warm. Because of Diwali and the first day of the Nepal Sambat New Year 1145, families were celebrating together in wonderful costumes, while dancing and singing at Boudhanath Stupa.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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We were thrilled Anup invited us to join his family for the special celebration today. We drove to his uncle’s house in the countryside… to watch the ceremony where all the sisters painted dyes onto their brothers’ brows. Rituals are extremely important in Hindu society.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Walking through Kathmandu’s streets was fascinating. Monkeys, cows, motorbikes, scooters, cars, pedestrians all jostle for space on the roads and narrow streets. Concluded with watching a cremation on River Bagmati with noisy dancing performance opposite.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Day 4: Exploring Bhaktapur & Thimi<\/h2>\n

Exquisite craftsmanship at woodcraft shop. We watched 6 men all working on different pieces and arrived at Thimi at dusk. The welcome at potter’s home was wonderful – whole family full of smiles – we were offered tea before our pottery demonstration.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Day 5: Hemjakot Homestay<\/h2>\n

Anup had suggested we borrow waterproof holdalls, which he borrwed for us for our trek. Our flight was delayed but we had fantastic seats for viewing the Himalayas on starboard side of plane! Lovely welcome in Hemjakot village, family came to greet us. Benita [mother] is remarkable in what she does – an enterprising example to her family and a wonderful illustration of how hard work can change and benefit the next generation. Her eldest daughter wants to train in Early Years education in the UK, hopefully in Bristol. Community homestays have such positive benefits. Benita was so delighted to have been able to afford a washing machine, which will transform her daily routine, and all her three children are educated at an English boarding school in Pokhara [as a result].<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Days 6 – 7: Sarangkot<\/h2>\n

Arrived at modern Mountain Lodge with excellent alpine views from our room and breakfast balcony. Zip wire to valley closeby and access to paragliding. We walked to World Peace Stupa for fabulous views and butterfly spotting.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Days 8 – 11: Trek to Lumle via Majgaon village<\/h2>\n

Visiting Majgaon was so worthwhile and the museum was unmissable. We set off on our trek with our porter, and Anup who were very good at anticipating water stops and rests for us. We were fortunate to have clear views of the Annapurna Range from all the lodges and homestays. Magnificant. The bamboo swing was a wonderful experience for us all. Very privileged to meet honey hunters – it is becoming rare – fascinating to see their the rope ladders, equipment, honeycomb and grubs fried and eaten as a delicacy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Days 12 – 14: Back to Kathmandu to explore Patan<\/h2>\n

Fog delayed our flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The Inn at Patan is delightful and is built in the Newari style, preserved by conservation architect owner. Our room was spacious and comfortable. Staff charming, food delicious and conveniently located for exploring Durbar Square. Memorable place to stay and a perfect environment to spend our final two nights in Nepal.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”25207″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_single_image image=”25208″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_separator color=”chino”][vc_column_text css=””]After every great adventure, there’s a story. Huge thanks to Jane & Bob for sending in theirs. We’d love to hear from each and every one of you in our ETG community if you have a travel story to share. Get in touch by emailing augusta@experiencetravelgroup.com<\/a>.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”chino”][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

TEMPTED TO TRAVEL NEPAL?<\/h2>\n

Look at our Nepal, the ETG way: Iconic Sights with a Twist itinerary<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please get in touch on 020 7924 7133<\/span>\r\n \t.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, fill out an online enquiry form to start your journey<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Discover what happened when ETG Pioneers, Jane & Bob, travelled to our latest destination, Nepal…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":25211,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17,1444,1427,1314],"tags":[],"coauthors":[1316],"class_list":["post-25189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guest-contributors","category-nepal","category-travel-inspiration","category-your-travel-story"],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":2937,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25189\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25211"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25189"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=25189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}