Sunday, December 19, 2010

Extended earlybird booking discount!

To celebrate the festive season, the earlybird booking discount for both tours has been extended to 30 March 2011. See Costs, Fees and Details post for more info. These are strictly word-of-mouth tours, so please tell your friends! Cheers and Happy Festive Season to everyone! Here's to big joy, big adventure and big horizons for us all in the coming New Year...

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Announcing Beth Yahp & Sacred Journeys Writers' Trek and Writers' Retreat in Nepal and the Himalayas Oct/Nov 2011: Join Us On One - Or Both!



Tour 1: 12-Day Writing Trek in the Himalayas with Beth Yahp & Sacred Journeys Nepal: 9 - 21 Oct 2011

Join Beth Yahp and a small group of fellow-writers for a trek in the Himalayas while working on a writing project of your choice.

This is a unique opportunity for both writing and inner development for experienced and amateur writers located in one of the most extraordinary and beautiful regions on the planet. We will explore Kathmandu, trek from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, then unwind back in Kathmandu, with writing workshops and insights along the way.

Whether your focus is fiction, travel or memoir, prize-winning author and teacher Beth Yahp is sure to free your storytelling capabilities in her inspiring and openhearted writing workshops, and one-on-one or small group meetings to discuss your writing.

Tour 2: 10-Day Writers Retreat in Nepal with Beth Yahp & Sacred Journeys Nepal 27 Oct - 6 Nov 2011

Spend 10 days on Retreat in the Himalayas working intensively on your fiction, memoir, or travel writing project with acclaimed writer and highly experienced creative writing teacher and editor, Beth Yahp.

The biggest and most auspicious festival in the annual Nepalese calendar, Dashain, takes place around this time, and free days between the tours can be spent soaking in the once-in-a-lifetime experience in celebration of the Goddess Durga.

Tour 1: 12-Day Writing Trek in the Himalayas with Beth Yahp & Sacred Journeys Nepal: 9 - 21 Oct 2011

This is a unique journey of writing and inner development for experienced and amateur writers located in one of the most extraordinary and beautiful regions on the planet. We will explore Kathmandu, trek from Lukla to Namche Bazaar, then unwind back in Kathmandu, with writing workshops and insights along the way.

Whether your focus is fiction, travel or memoir, prize-winning author and teacher Beth Yahp is sure to free your storytelling capabilities in her inspiring and openhearted writing workshops, and one-on-one or small group meetings to discuss your writing.

A creative and supportive atmosphere for beginners, or the more advanced. Time for reflection and remembering. Sharing of knowledge and writing skills. And fun—as well as a sense of accomplishment—in writing and sharing our stories.

This is NOT a backpacker experience but for the trekker who delights in that little extra comfort after a day of challenge and creativity. Accommodation from rustic traditional mountain lodges to the Hyatt in Kathmandu for rest and rejuvenation.

Draft Itinerary:

DAY 1    Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu /Transfer to hotel/ Rest.
You will be staying in the heart of the tourist area of bustling Kathmandu in an eco-guest house decorated in traditional style. Walk out the front door and into atmospheric Thamel, where you can shop for presents, or just soak up the atmosphere. There will be a brief orientation session and introductions. 
   
DAY 2   Kathmandu
We will begin the day with our first workshop session, and preparations for the trek, followed by a tour of some of the famous Kathmandu World Heritage Sites.  There is so much to see in Kathmandu, and you won’t have time to see it all. However, Day 2 gives you a chance to whet your appetite and visit some of the sacred and world heritage sites; to look, take photos or write. Options include:

a. Patan Durbar Square –world heritage site, with ancient temples and well laid out museum
b. Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath) or Boudhanath Stupa—two soaring Buddhist stupas, pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, especially the Tibetan Community
c. Pashupatinath Temple—world heritage site, one of the  4 top pilgrimage sites for Hindu Pilgrims around the world
In the evening we will have a mountain safety briefing and video about altitude sickness  (and how to prevent it.)

DAY 3  Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakdin
In the early morning, step onto the twin otter plane at Kathmandu, and be transported as if in a time capsule to the village of Lukla in the Khumbu region (2827m). Here you will begin the acclimatization process and the first mountain session while you enjoy breakfast and plenty of hydrating liquids.

Even if your mind is still racing at city pace, your body will remind you that it is time to slow down –particularly when you find yourself puffing more than usual when climbing stairs, as you become aware of the first effects of the altitude.

After breakfast in Lukla and a recap on mountain safety, the trek begins with a 3 to 4 hour walk to Phakdin. Sometimes you will be sharing the trail with yak trains, other trekkers, and local traders on their way up to Namche Bazaar.  Such rich material for your photos, writing and memories. You will also get your first close up glimpses of the mountains, weather permitting.

We will spend the night at a lodge situated in a valley right on the Dudh Koshi River.

Please Note: Lukla’s weather is variable, and the planes can’t land in the mist (when you get there you’ll see why). So be prepared for the potential for delays in the flight, sometimes even cancellations due to the weather.  This applies for the return journey from Lukla to Kathmandu also.

DAY 4  Phakdin to Monjo
A couple of hours walk through lush vegetation, past agricultural fields and Buddhist monuments takes us to Monjo. Monjo is a Sherpa village on the border of the Sagarmatha National Park. Opportunities for word pictures.  You will want to capture every blink of your eyes.

DAY 5 Monjo to Namche Bazaar
Namche Bazaar is situated approximately 3440 metres from sea level. At this point you will definitely start feeling the altitude, although most people acclimatise within a day or so.  Nestled at the top of a cliff, Namche is a traditional trading place, with traders coming from Tibet, India and Nepal to the small hill top village.  When the clouds part, views of Mount Everest, and several other 8000m peaks are visible.
(There is a steep climb into Namche Bazaar—and this section of the trip will be dependent on the health and fitness of our group.  The alternative will be day trips and writing sessions in and around Monjo and Phakdin)

DAY 6 - 8  Namche Bazaar Activities
Writing workshops in Namche Bazaar.
For those missing the comfort of home, there are bakeries that are a legacy left by early German climbers, with reasonable coffee and apple pie with a view.  There are also three museums to explore—the main one covers culture/ geography/ flora and fauna of the Everest Region. Then there are two smaller ones, one specialising in Sherpa Culture, the other in Traditional Himalayan Medicine.  There is also a traditional Tibetan Healer available for consultation at the Himalayan Healing Centre.

DAY 9   Namche Bazaar to Phakdin

Day 10   Phakdin to Lukla

Day 11   Lukla to  Kathmandu
After the mountain lodges, now you have the opportunity to be pampered at the majestic Hyatt Hotel.  This luxury five-star hotel overlooks Boudathnath Stupa—one of the largest Buddhist temples in Kathmandu.  At dawn and dusk, you can join the throngs of Tibetans encircling the stupa reciting their pujas. You may choose to have some additional pampering at the Hyatt’s day spa, such as a healing ayurvedic massage.

The Hyatt provides a serene environment to continue our writing. 

(Please remember, getting out of Lukla is dependant on the weather. Sometimes it can take several days to fly out.)

DAY 12 Kathmandu
The final full day in Nepal has some time for shopping, and optional sightseeing, and our last writing workshop and optional evening reading of our work at the Hyatt.

a. Bhaktapur Durbar Square- World Heritage Site
b. Changu Narayan Temple- World Heritage Site
c. Shopping, relax around the Temple
d. Visit to orphanage

DAY 13  Departure

Optional for those who would like to deepen their writing experience in Nepal, you can choose to follow this 12-Day Trek with a further 10-Day Retreat with Beth where she will mentor a 10 day intensive, luxurious and creative Writing Retreat at Nagarkot (27 Oct – 6 Nov 2011). The biggest and most auspicious festival in the annual Nepalese calendar, Dashain, takes place around this time, and free days between the tours can be spent soaking in the once-in-a-lifetime experience in celebration of the Goddess Durga. See details in following post on this blog.

“When we reconnect who we are
with what we do,
we approach our lives and our work
with renewed passion, commitment, and integrity.”
- P. Palmer

Sanjaya Tripathee
Managing Director,
Sacred Journeys Nepal Treks P. Ltd.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: sjnepal@wlink.com.np
Web: http://www.sacredjourneysnepal.com/
Mob: (0011)  977-9851112953

For more information, cost and a detailed itinerary, please contact Beth Yahp at bywritingworks@gmail.com or Susanne Rix at susanne@superworking.com.

For travel details please contact Sacred Journeys at sjnepal@wlink.com.np

Tour 2: 10-Day Writers Retreat in Nepal with Beth Yahp & Sacred Journeys Nepal 25 Oct - 4 Nov 2011

Spend 10 days in the Himalayas working intensively on your fiction, memoir or travel writing project with acclaimed writer and highly experienced creative writing teacher and editor, Beth Yahp.

Pristine mountain air and breath-taking views to Mount Everest in the traditional luxury of Newari-style Fort Resort of Nagarkot, 30 kms from Kathmandu, provide the perfect surroundings for intensive writing and editing of your work. Just about every room has a view.

Built in the traditional Nepali architectural style and set on 14 acres of land boasting forest and organic gardens, the ambience and facilities at The Fort provide a peaceful and creative space in which to breathe and be productive. "A space to let go of the addiction of pulling and pushing," as the owners say.

The Writers Retreat offers the combination of mentorship by a prize-winning author, in-depth creative and structural editing and discussion of your work, as well as small group workshops and masterclasses with writing exercises to get your creative juices flowing.

Beth’s clear, encouraging and open-hearted workshops guide participants to deepen their writing and narrative skills, as well as learn to give and receive useful and supportive feedback. Each participant also receives detailed comments and edits of their writing from Beth, as well as a Course Reader of useful readings and notes for further study.

There will also be spare time in order to enjoy the facilities of the resort, to read, write and reflect. There will be free days and afternoons for participants to hike or join optional guided tours to surrounding nature, sporting or cultural activities (at extra cost). Included in the retreat are daily yoga classes and Ayurvedic massage.

We may also visit Bhaktapur, a World Heritage-listed Newari town that is famous for its culture, temples and traditional artworks as part of the retreat.

In the evenings we will gather to discuss everything and anything, and read from our work if we like. On our final night at Nagarkot there will be a party with a formal reading of participants’ work.

The group is strictly limited to ten participants to ensure that everyone has ample time for discussion and detailed feedback. Participants would contribute five pieces of writing (up to 2000 words each, submitted in advance of the writing retreat) to be workshopped over the 10 days.

Please note that this is NOT a backpacker experience but for the traveller/ writer who delights in that little extra comfort after a day of challenge and creativity.

The following ITINERARY and CLASS SCHEDULE may vary  depending on the number of participants:

Day 1: Arrival in Nagarkot, orientation and introduction to course; getting to know each other and your projects.

Day 2: 9.00–1.00 PM: Masterclass 1: Intent, Critiquing and Workshopping
Afternoon free for own writing, reading, editing, or exploring.

Day 3: 9.00–1.00 PM: Masterclass 2: Editing, Description, Scenes
Afternoon free for own writing, reading, editing, or exploring.

Day 4: Free day for writing, reading, editing, or exploring. Optional full day hike/ tours available—see list below (extra cost).

Day 5: 9.00–1.00 PM: Masterclass 3: Transitions in Place & Time, Show & Tell
Afternoon free for own writing, reading, editing, or exploring.

Day 6: Morning free for own writing, reading, editing, exploring.
2.00–6.00PM: Masterclass 4: Structure: Plot Shapes and Sequences

Day 7: Free day for own writing, reading, editing, or exploring.

Day 8: 9.00–1.30 PM: Masterclass 5: Foregrounding, Flashbacks and Subtext
Afternoon free for own writing, reading, editing, or exploring.

Day 9: Free day for own writing, reading, editing, or exploring. Optional full day hike/ tours available—see list below (extra cost).

Day 10: 10.00–12.00 PM: Masterclass 6: Polishing, Publishing and Sustaining Your Writing Project; Reading Techniques. Afternoon free for own writing, reading, editing, or exploring.
6.00 PM: Dinner reading/ party.

Day 11: Departure for Kathmandu; optional extended stay in Kathmandu or 3 day tour of Nepalese village (extra cost).

This is NOT a backpacker experience but for the traveller/ writer who delights in that little extra comfort after a day of challenge and creativity. Please note that Nepal is a developing country.

CONTACT AND BOOKINGS:
To secure your place, a non- refundable deposit of US$500 per traveler is required.

“When we reconnect who we are
with what we do,
we approach our lives and our work
with renewed passion, commitment, and integrity.”
P. Palmer

We look forward to welcoming you on this special expedition.

Sanjaya Tripathee
Managing Director,
Sacred Journeys Nepal Treks P. Ltd.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: sjnepal@wlink.com.np
Web: http://www.sacredjourneysnepal.com.np/
Mob: (0011) 977-9851112953

For Information: Beth Yahp at bywritingworks@gmail.com or Susanne Rix at susanne@superworking.com

For Bookings: Sanjaya Tripathee at Sacred Journeys Nepal sjnepal@wlink.com.np

The Writer and Tutor: Beth Yahp

BETH YAHP has published short fiction and travel/ memoir feature articles in Australia, South-east Asia and Europe. She is the award-winning author of The Crocodile Fury, a novel, as well as a libretto, Moon Spirit Feasting, for composer Liza Lim, which won the APRA Award for Best Classical Composition in 2003.

Beth has worked as an editor and taught creative writing for many years, including at the University of Technology, Sydney, the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education and the American University of Paris.

Beth is currently completing her Doctorate of Creative Arts in travel and memoir writing at the University of Technology, Sydney. She is the presenter of Elsewhere, a program for travellers on ABC Radio National (2010).

Comments from past participants of Beth’s writing workshops:

"A very relaxed, enjoyable group that stunned me by also being so productive. Very little tension and writing exercises that were easy yet intensely involving. Beth has a very skilled approach to group work."

"Beth is an excellent tutor—patient, positive and the content and selection for the readers very inspiring."

"Helps me to open the little door of my brain that has never opened before."

Trek Organisers: Sacred Journeys Nepal

Sacred Journeys Nepal Treks P. Ltd. arranges journeys with a difference. From Cultural visits to Pilgrimages to Leadership Journeys, we are committed to meaningful and socially responsible travel. We find that often the most memorable moments come from experiences that weren’t pre planned in an itinerary and couldn’t be described in a brochure. We do our best to facilitate those magic moments.

We are also deeply committed to the wellbeing of the people who make it possible for you to trek in comfort in the mountains – the porters. Unlike many other expeditions, our porters will not be overloaded, and each one of you will have your own personal porter. We also provide medical insurance for our porters.

Sanjaya Tripathee, founder of Sacred Journeys Nepal, was born in a hillside Nepalese village with a view of the Himalayas. It took him years to realise that not everyone has such a good view from his birthplace, and he now is passionate about sharing the jewels of Nepal with others. Sanjaya began working in the tourism sector in 1994, for Sagarmatha Trekking and Cross Country Tours and Travels, a trekking company that specialises in treks for school groups. He then went on to work for the Himalayan Rescue Association, managing aid posts in the Everest and Annapurna regions, arranging rescues for trekkers and porters who had succumbed to altitude sickness or other mountain hazards. After two years living in Australia, Sanjaya has now returned to his homeland to lead treks.

Sanjaya and his team of guides and porters will do their best to ensure your trip is as smooth as possible.

Sanjaya Tripathee
Managing Director,
Sacred Journeys Nepal Treks P. Ltd.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: sjnepal@wlink.com.np
Web: http://www.sacredjourneysnepal.com.np/
Mob: (0011) 977-9851112953

For Information: Beth Yahp at bywritingworks@gmail.com or Susanne Rix at susanne@superworking.com

For Bookings: Sanjaya Tripathee at Sacred Journeys Nepal sjnepal@wlink.com.np

Testimonials By Past Participants:

Recent participants of a Sacred Journeys trek had the following to offer on their experience in Nepal:

"I met a wonderful collection of individuals of diverse background but each had his or her own fascinating story and perspective on life. It took me to a place of discovery by learning more about the core 'me' that was equally tough and facile. Above all it was a trip loaded with fun...”

- Fatima Ali

“To undertake a course in the Himalayas of Nepal is the most amazing experience. It was challenging but enormously rewarding. While walking amongst the breathtakingly beautiful mountains, you let go all of your everyday life of cars, traffic, computers, mobiles, TV and radios. This allows you to free your mind and the most powerful learning can take place I would highly recommend it to anyone, who seeks to go that extra step in knowing and developing themselves.”

- Baikie, Wick Consulting


Comments from past participants of Beth Yahp’s writing workshops:

"A very relaxed, enjoyable group that stunned me by also being so productive. Very little tension and writing exercises that were easy yet intensely involving. Beth has a very skilled approach to group work."

"Beth is an excellent tutor—patient, positive and the content and selection for the readers very inspiring."

"Helps me to open the little door of my brain that has never opened before."

Optional Extras:

For those who wish to stay longer and explore Nepal further, Sanjaya will be happy to organise additional trips for you such as:

Jungle Safari
White water Rafting
Visit to Sanjaya's Village

Please contact Sanjaya Tripathee for more information.

Visit to Sanjaya’s Village:

The village of Koshi Dekha where Sanjaya grew up is situated 60 Km East of Kathmandu on a forested hillside. It is a unique opportunity to experience a village untouched by tourism where you can be part of the daily life of the village people. You will be hosted by a village family, eat with them, cook with them, and slow down to Nepali village pace.

This is a 2 nights, three-day program, with an additional OPTIONAL Cost US $500per/person.

Sample Optional Half and Full Day Hike Programs at Fort Resort, Nagarkot
See: http://www.mountain-retreats.com/fort/resort/open4.htm

1. Hike from Fort to Gairi Gaon and return via ancient Tibet trade route. Back to Fort. Half-day program.

2. Hike from Fort to Dhad Gaon. Reach Kartike Bhanjyang and back to Fort. Half-day program.

3. Hike to the View Tower and back to Fort via alternate trails. 3.5 hours duration.

4. Picnic on the Southern Ridge of Nagarkot hill and return via an alternate route to the Fort. Launch at Rohini Farm. Full day program.

5. 20 minutes drive to View Tower by Jeep and 2.5 hours of Trek down to Nala. Exploration around Nala Bhagabati, Karunamaya and Banepa. Drive back to The Fort by an alternate route. Full day program.

6. 4.5 hours Trek down to Sankhu, visit Sankhu-Vajrayogini. Another half hours trek to Telkot Bhanjyang. Drive back to The Fort by Jeep. Full day program.

7. Trekking down to Changu Narayan. Explore and drive back to The Fort via Bhaktapur. Full day program.

8. Drive excursion to Chinese Boarder/Tibet. Explore Natural Hot Spring and back. Full day program.

9. Drive for Sightseeing in the valley. Explore Kathmandu (Patan, Swoyambhu, Pashupatinath), Bhaktapur and back to the Fort. Full day program.

10. A full day trip to Indravati River. Rafting/Fishing can be organized on request.

Sanjaya Tripathee
Managing Director,
Sacred Journeys Nepal Treks P. Ltd.
Kathmandu, Nepal
Email: sjnepal@wlink.com.np
Web: http://www.sacredjourneysnepal.com/
Mob: (0011) 977-9851112953

For Information: Beth Yahp at bywritingworks@gmail.com or Susanne Rix at susanne@superworking.com

For Bookings: Sanjaya Tripathee at Sacred Journeys Nepal sjnepal@wlink.com.np