The Nepal experience
Accompanied by HDFA Nepal Country Director Jo Chaffer, the Nepal experience will include:
- Seven day ride through villages and trails from 300m to 1,900m above sea level
- Vehicle support for your overnight bag and bike mechanic
- Cultural sightseeing day in the Kathmandu Valley
- Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu for 3 nights on bed and breakfast basis
- Domestic transfers to and from airports in Nepal
- Assistance with any issues in Kathmandu or additional tours you may wish to participate in
Recommended extensions to your Nepal trip
- Single Track riding in the Kathmandu Valley (2-3 days suggested) – weeks of trails!
- 3 day/night Chitwan Safari – jungle, tigers, elephants, rhino
- Rafting options
- Mt Everest mountain flights are conducted almost every morning from Kathmandu
Ask Unique Trails for options and prices on additional nights stay or extensions.
What’s HDFA about?
The purpose of the Himalayan Development Foundation Australia is to raise funds to support projects that educate the children who live in remote locations of Nepal and provide for sustainable development to benefit the whole community, with an emphasis on education. Your participation will raise funds to support the work of the Foundation in these remote areas in the years to come. The ride itself will provide a personal, physical and mental challenge guaranteed to take you to some amazing places, incredible views and provide you with a memorable adventure.
Program Dates, Costs
Duration: 10 days ex Kathmandu
Cost: USD $1,390 ex Kathmandu **
Style: Vehicle supported mountain bike touring
Group Leader: HDFA representative
Guiding: Local guide and bike mechanic
Dates: 21st – 30th November 2015
Single Supplement: USD$250
Bike Rental: USD$120 or BYO
Food: B-L-D outside of Kathmandu
Kathmandu hotels B&B basis
**Prices based on 6 riders minimum
More information
www.hdfa.org
www.uniquetrails.com
How technical are the off road sections?
The riding is not technically hard or classed as “serious downhill” and is more “touring” level. However it will require good riding skills and some experience with dirt trails to navigate your way through the journey and avoid the odd cow, chicken, bridge or other random obstacle! It’s Nepal!
But I want steep downhill single track!
If you are after some serious downhill single track, then stay on at the end for a few days around the Kathmandu Valley and try and keep up with the melee of local Nepali riders on some serious downhill sections – keep your travel insurance phone number handy…
Please contact us to receive the full trek itinerary and information package.
mailto:bike@hdfa.org
Group size
We expect to take a group size of 6 to 12 riders. In addition to the group will be your local leader(s), HDFA representative and local support crew.
Children as riders
We recommend the ride as suitable for children over the age of 14 who have a high level of riding skill, are mentally strong and physically capable of exercising for long days of 6-8 hours. A parent or guardian must accompany them.
Tax Deductibility
The holiday costs are not tax deductible, however the donation to the HDFA is 100% deductible. It is government legislation.
Organisational & money matters are split into three parts: Donation to HDFA; Nepal land content (Unique Trails); and International air, travel insurance.
To make it clear, HDFA is not operating the trek, Unique Trails Nepal is. HDFA is not operating the aeroplane either…
You can begin booking any of the three parts at any time, but all three will need to be completed before your journey commences.
Donation requirement
HDFA requires each member to raise or donate AUD$2,000 per adult, separate to the trip cost. This is a tax-deductible donation for which no reward is gained, as required by legislation.
Payment of a donation is a pre-condition and may be made by you directly or others donating to HDFA on your behalf via the website payment and receipt system.
HDFA will keep a running tally of donations which come in via the website below. We prefer you to use this facility as it allows automatic receipts and reconciliation for our accounts.
Nepal land content: Unique Trails
The Unique Trails Crew will email you once you indicate your willingness to attend the trek to HDFA. Unique Trails will send you an invoice and booking form, which can be emailed or faxed back to them. They will co-ordinate all hotels, airport transfers, ride, tours etc. in Nepal. If you wish to stay longer or need additional services they can quote that directly for you and handle all your needs. You will need to arrange your international airfares. Unique Trails will handle all domestic matters.
OR just EMAIL THEM DIRECT NOW!
mailto:mads@uniquetrails.com.
Unique Trails
Unique Trails have been operating for over a decade worldwide and are based in Kathmandu. We have known them personally for all this time and have been impressed with the professional operation they run.
Mads Mathiasen
Founder & Managing Director
E: mads@uniquetrails.com
Phone: +977 98412 33560.
Duncan Chessell (HDFA) is also available for any general Nepal information you need.
Phone: +61 414 804 055
duncan.chessell@mac.com.
International Airfares, Visa and Travel Insurance
International flights from Australian return are estimated at A$1,100-$1,500 depending on the airline and city you live in.
A visa is available on arrival, payable in cash AUD, USD, UK Pounds or Yen. You require one passport photograph. Cost for visa for 15/30/90 days is USD$30/$40/$100 (Feb 2015).
You will need travel insurance and you must supply details of this to the tour operator in Nepal as part of the conditions for booking with them. The travel insurance must cover Nepal and bike riding, trekking, medical and evacuation costs.
Travel medicine -
You should consult the latest information online to check if you are up to date. These sites have recommendations and information:
http://www.traveldoctor.com.au
Travel Medical Facts Sheets on Nepal
http://www.traveldoctor.com.au/Page/Knowledge-Hub/Destination-fact-sheets/nepal
In Adelaide we have personally been using Travel Bug in North Adelaide for inoculations for over a decade.
Travel Bug
+61 8 8267 3544
182 Ward Street
North Adelaide SA 5006
