2008 Spring Newsletter
Ausangate Circuit Trek, Peru Monastery in Mustang, Nepal Peace Pagoda, Ladakh, India
In this Newsletter:
- New! Exploratory Trip in Peru! The Ausangate Circuit Trek July 12-23
- Budget and Luxury Summer Trips to Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
- November 1-22: Women’s Yoga and Hiking in Nepal- Everest Adventure and Everest Basecamp Treks Spaces Filling Fast, Sign Up Now!
- Explore Buddhist Culture in Ladakh and the Indian Himalaya
- New! Trekking in Nepal: The Kingdom of Mustang
- Budget Trips and Weekly Departures
Happy Spring!
With the clocks rolled forward and the sun lingering a little longer in the sky, we can't help but turn our attention to Summer adventures in Peru, India and Nepal. Our Winter trips in the Southern latitudes were good fun and a nice respite from the snow and cold in the Rocky Mountains. In May, Lotus Expeditions will travel to the Himalaya for more trekking adventures including an all-women Cultural and Trekking Tour of Central Tibet.
This Summer we will journey back to the Peruvian Andes and the Himalaya. Lotus owner, Raleigh Coburn, will lead a challenging, exploratory trek to Peru where we will circumnavigate Nevado Ausangate, the highest peak in the Cuzco region at 21,028 feet. We also now offer Budget Camping and Luxury Lodge-to-Lodge Treks to Machu Picchu. See below for more details.
And if exploring the Himalayas is still on your life's "to do" list, consider a Summer or Fall trip to Ladakh, Northern India or Mustang, Nepal. Our Women's Hiking and Yoga in Nepal: Everest basecamp Trek November 1-22 is filling fast so don't hesitate and join us on what is certain to be an amazing adventure.
We hope to see you out there soon!
-Lotus Expeditions
New! Exploratory Trip! Ausangate Circuit Trek July 12-23, 2008
This challenging high altitude trek begins in the colonial city of Cuzco, visits spectacular Inca ruins and travels to the high Andes where we will circumnavigate Nevado Ausangate, the highest peak in the region at 21,028 feet. We will cross several high passes up to 16,500 feet, experience traditional Andean village life and camp in stunning glacial valleys near pristine alpine lakes.
Combine this trip with the Inca Trail Trek to Machu Picchu for an amazing 16-day Andean adventure. Or drop down to the Amazon for a fascinating jungle experience.
Prices from U$2150
Hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu- Budget and DeluxeTrips!
For many modern travelers, Peru conjures images of elaborate stone walkways along the Inca Trail or the misty ruins of Machu Picchu. Nestled deep in the Andes Mountains, and hidden to the outside world for centuries, this archaeological masterpiece remains a mystery to explorers and historians. Inexplicably abandoned by the Incas and never revealed to the Spanish conquistadors, it is known as "the lost city of the Incas."
Prices from U$1095 Weekly Departures March-December, 2008
New! Luxury Lodge to Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu
Lotus Expeditions is proud to introduce the first trans-Andean Inn to Inn Trek in the Soraypampa Valley of Peru. Mountain Lodges of Peru has recently completed construction on four luxury lodges located in the breathtaking Salkantay Mountains. This trek is considered "the other" Inca Trail but is much less crowded and has stunning mountain scenery.
The trek travels to a new lodge each day where eiderdown bedding, a jacuzzi, fireplace, private full bathrooms, gourmet meals and stunning views await you!
Prices from U$3070 Weekly Departures March-December, 2008
November, 2008: Women’s Yoga and Hiking in Nepal
Everest Adventure and Everest Basecamp Treks
Join Lotus Expeditions and Wild Women Workshops on an all-women expedition to Everest Basecamp. This challenging high altitude hike will visit important Hindu temples and Buddhist monasteries in Nepal. We will have opportunities for daily classes including educational topics about Nepal, yoga, meditation, writing and reflection led by professional guides Raleigh Coburn and Heather Sullivan. Our journey will culminate with a climb of 18,500 foot Kala Pattar before reaching Everest basecamp at 17,500 feet.
Alternatively, the Everest Adventure Trek will accompany the Basecamp trekkers as far as the Tengboche Monastery at 12,887 feet. This is a moderately challenging hike with stunning views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam.
For more details click on the following links:
- Women's Hiking and Yoga in Nepal: Everest Basecamp Trek November 01-22, 2008
- Women's Hiking and Yoga in Nepal: Everest Adventure Trek November 01-16, 2008
Prices from $2495 and $3095. Spaces are limited to 12 participants and are filling up fast. Please contact us for more information or to sign up
Trekking and Buddhist Culture in Ladakh, Northern India
Sandwiched between the Himalaya to the south and the Karakoram to the North, Ladakh is truly the jewel of northern India. Also known as “little Tibet”, Tibetan Buddhism influences every aspect of the people, the land and the culture. The arid, windswept landscape is dotted with rural villages, rugged, glaciated peaks and vast valleys.
We offer two outstanding treks in the region. The shorter, 13-Day Monasteries and Apricot Valley Trek and the challenging, 18-day Markha Valley Trek.
- Click here for more information on the Monasteries and The Apricot Valley Trek
- Click here for more information on The Markha Valley Trek
Prices from U$1340 and $1540 Weekly Departures May-September, 2008
Trekking in the Forbidden Kingdom of Mustang, Nepal
Mustang, considered a "lost Tibetan kingdom," is one of the last restricted (and least visited) areas in Nepal. The region is a part of the Tibetan plateau and sits in the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas. It is a high altitude desert split by Grand Canyon-size river gorges and surrounded by towering, snow-covered peaks.
Plans to build a road from the Tibetan border, through the heart of Mustang and into Nepal are underway. This lifeline will bring cheaper goods into the region and will facilitate the export of locally produced goods. It will also open up the area to more outsiders. Seen as a positive by locals, rapid modernization will have a powerful impact on the traditional way of life of this peaceful Buddhist culture and it will consequently be changed forever. The time to visit Mustang is now thus Lotus Expeditions will offer treks to this extraordinary region this Summer and Fall, 2008.
Click here for more information on Trekking in Mustang
Contact us for more details or to schedule your Custom or Private Departure
New! Budget Trips and Weekly Departures in 2008
Our friends and clients asked for it…Lotus Expeditions is now offering Budget and Deluxe Services for all open-enrollment, regularly scheduled trips. Compare the differences:
Budget Services Include*:
- All ground transportation
- Accommodation in 2-3 star hostels, lodges, B&B’s or hotels
- Professional, English-speaking, local guides
- Local cooks, porters, pack animals, etc.
Deluxe Services Include*:
- All ground transportation
- Accommodation in 4-5 star lodges, B&B’s or hotels
- Professional, English-speaking, local guides
- Professional International Guide
- Local cooks, porters, pack animals, etc.
We also offer weekly departures for all open-enrollment trips to accommodate your travel schedule or vacation time.
For Custom or Private Trips you may choose any combination or level of service to fit your travel style or budget and any departure date.
* Please see specific trip listings on our website for a full list of trip inclusions and exclusions.