Trekking Nepal:
Rocks and Docs in the Annapurna Sanctuary
May 5-22, 2012
Download Information/Registration PDF
Princeton Journeys is proud to partner with Outdoor Action to offer active travelers the chance to
explore the majesty of the Himalayas and to learn about the challenges inherent at highâaltitudes and
the geology of this amazing landscape. On this unique Nepal trek, join fatherâson team Robert 'Brownie' Schoene
'68, a world expert in high altitude physiology and medicine, and Blair Schoene, Assistant Professor
Geosciences at Princeton along with Rick Curtis '79, Director of the Outdoor Action Program.
The Annapurna Sanctuary trek is one of the classic treks in the Himalayas and a great trek for the novice
or intermediate hiker. Starting in lowland villages this nonâtechnical hike winds through thick forests of
bamboo, rhododendron and oak into higher elevations and while the trek itself attains maximum
elevation of only 13,550 feet, it offers outstanding views of one of the most spectacular mountain
ranges in the world and a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the Himalayan peaks and the
culture of Nepal. Travelers should expect 4â6 hours of hiking a day carrying a 10â15 pound pack. The
trails themselves are moderate but at these altitudes hiking will feel more strenuous so everyone should
be in good physical shape.
After exploring in Kathmandu for a day, fly to Pokhara and begin the trek. The trail climbs through lush
subtropical forests and farming villages as it winds its way along the Modi Khola river valley. Take in the
panoramic vistas of Mt. Dhalagiri, Annapurna II, and the Himchuli Himalsas you pass through the villages
of the Gurung people of Nepal. While in the Sanctuary, take a hike to the Annapurna South Base Camp
at 13,550 feet, below the nearâvertical south face of Annapurna towering more than 10,000 feet above
base camp. Return to Pokara for flights back to Kathmandu and homeward.An optional postâtrek extension is offered (5/21â25) to Chitwan National Park in the tropical region of
southern Nepal known for its elephant safaris, bird watching, and jungle walks.
On this Journey, Blair will provide the overview of mountain formation and give all trekkers a
perspective on the amazing geology that will surround them on the trek. Brownie will be conducting
daily medical seminars on the physiology of high altitude in wilderness medicine, covering topics such as
adaptation, high altitude illnesses, extreme altitude, high altitude natives, exercise and training,
hypothermia, and expedition medicine, to name a few. Travel medicine, prevention and treatment of
gastroâintestinal illnesses will be covered in the optional Chitwan portion of the trip. Continuing Medical Education units (CMEs) will be offered through the Wilderness Medical Society for physicians and healthcare professionals.
Itinerary at a Glance
Saturday, May 5
Depart the U.S. on flights to Kathmandu, Nepal. Cross the International Date Line for arrival on Monday
morning.
Monday, May 7
Arrive at Kathmandu airport and transfer to the
group's hotel. Relax and begin acclimatization
through a preâtrek briefing and welcome dinner.
Overnight: Yak n Yeti (D)
Tuesday, May 8
Spend the day seeing the wonders of Kathmandu.
Overnight: Yak n Yeti (B, D)
Wednesday, May 9 â Saturday, May 19
Spend eleven nights on the trail, with porters, cook,
and guide. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included
each day and prepared for you throughout the trek.
- Day 1: Fly to Pokhara and take an autoâtransfer to New Bridge to start the trek to Ulleri (1960m)
- Day 2: Ulleri to Ghorepani (2600m)
- Day 3: Ghorepani to Tadapani (2630m); see the amazing views
from Poonhill (3193m).
- Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandrung (1940m)
- Day 5: Ghandrung to Chomrung (2170m)
- Day 6: Chomrung to Bambu (2310m)
- Day 7: Bambu to Dheurali (3230m)
- Day 8: Dheurali to Annapurna Base Camp (4130m)
- Day 9: Annapurna Base Camp, by way of the Machhapuchhre
Base Camp (3700m), to Himalaya Hotel (2920m)
- Day 10: Himalaya Hotel to Chomrung (2050m)
- Day 11: Chomrung to Pothana (1990m)
Sunday, May 20
One last morning on the trail leads from Pothana to Pokhara, where the group will transfer to a hotel
and freshen up before a celebratory farewell dinner. Pokhara Hotel (B,L,D)
Monday, May 21
In the morning, travel overland by auto from Pokhara to Kathmandu to connect to flights homeward.
Tuesday, May 22
Most flight connections arrive in the U.S. on Tuesday.
Optional PostâTrek Extension: Chitwan National Park
Monday, May 21
In the morning, travel overland by auto from Pokhara to Chitwan National Park. Arrive at camp in time for
lunch and an orientation to the park, and an evening at leisure. Accommodations TBD (B,L,D)
Tuesday, May 22
Options for activities abound at the park, including an elephant safari, a jungle walk, a visit to an
observation tower, a bird watching expedition, or a boat ride with a naturalist. Accommodations TBD
(B,L,D)
Wednesday, May 23
Continue your explorations of the park before flying in the late afternoon to Kathmandu. Yaki n Yeti
(B,L,D)
Thursday, May 24
Fly from Kathmandu homeward. (B) Depending on schedules and your final destination you may arrive
home either Thursday or Friday.
About the Study Leaders
Robert "Brownie" Schoene '68, M.D. and Blair Schoene PhD, Assistant Professor of Geosciences at Princeton University and will serve as Study Leaders on this program.
After his undergraduate years at Princeton, "Brownie" turned his energy
from intercollegiate sports to the mountains. While in medical school at
Columbia, he learned technical climbing on rock and ice in New England. He
continued his medical training in Seattle at the University of Washington in
internal Medicine and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine while climbing
avidly in the nearby mountains. Climbing took him to the Himalaya, and
during his research fellowship, he was chosen as a climberâscientist for the
1981 American Research Expedition to Everest. High altitude physiology fit
well with his clinical and research interests and throughout his academic
careers at the University of Washington and University of California San
Diego. He has studied high altitude pulmonary edema on Denali and high
altitude natives in the Andes of Chile and Peru. He has coâauthored and coedited
two books and written scores of research papers and reviews on high
altitude physiology and medicine. Past President of the Wilderness Medical Society, he and his wife Kim Marquis practice critical care medicine in Bozeman, Montana.
Blair Schoene has been on the faculty in the Department of
Geosciences at Princeton since the fall of 2009. He finished his
PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006,
where he studied plate tectonic and mountain building
processes in a 3.6 billion year old Southern African continent.
While doing a threeâyear postdoc in Geneva, Switzerland, he
studied mass extinction events in Earth history and their
relationship to volcanic events and magmatic processes and
spent lots of time exploring the Alps.
Rick Curtis '79 has been the Director of the Outdoor Action Program at Princeton for the past thirty years. During that time the program has grown significantly with over 800 freshmen and 200 student trip leaders participating in the annual Frosh Trip outdoor orientation program. Rick is an experienced backpacker, backcountry skier, and kayaker and is author of The Backpacker's Field Manual, a best-selling book on hiking and backpacking. Rick participated in OA's Nepal: The Mountain Kingdom Program in 1992 that trekked the Annapurna Circuit up to 17,700 feet.
Program Pricing
Main Program
$3,995 per person, double occupancy
$2,500 single supplement
Chitwan Extension
Additional per person, double occupancy
Call for single supplement
Main Program Rates include:
All meals during the trek; 4 nights hotel
accommodation in Yak n Yeti in
Kathmandu & 1 night hotel
accommodations in Pokhara; trekking
permit & ACAP entry fees; welcome
dinner & farewell dinner; ground
transport and domestic airfare as per the
itinerary; trekking guide, cook and porters
and their insurance, foods, salary and
accommodation; basic emergency medical
and evacuation insurance; services of Bio
Bio Expeditions tour manager. Please
note: Accommodations will be in hotels,
lodges, and tents. All major trekking
equipment will be provided, carried, and managed by expert handlers. All participants will be required
to both sign a release/waiver of liability and obtain a doctor's medical release before final documents
can be processed.
Program Rates do not include:
International airfare; airport departure tax; on tour beverages; personal hiking equipment such as
sleeping bag/pad, first aid kit and toiletries (recommended packing list will be provided); trip
cancellation or baggage insurance; any other expenses of a personal nature not expressly stated as
included.
University Disclaimer: Princeton University, through its Office of the Alumni Association and Princeton Journeys, is pleased to
provide this service of facilitating travel opportunities for its Alumni and Friends. The Office of the Alumni Association strives to
work with the best tour operators to make available interesting and enriching travel opportunities for the Princeton family.
Please note that the University does not conduct tours, nor does it act as an agent for guests interested in tours. Princeton
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refund policies, and also to investigate available services such as trip cancellation insurance. The University is not responsible
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Trip Details
Cost:Â $3,995 per person, double occupancy. $3,150 for optional Chitwan National Park extension.
Deposit:Â $600 per person
Activity Level:Â Challenging
Operator:Â Bio Bio Expeditions
Download brochure:
Nepal Trekking Brochure
Reservations:
To reserve your spot, please print out, complete and return the 2012 Registration Form [PDF] or contact Princeton Journeys at (609) 258-8686 or journeys@princeton.edu
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