Join Together Women Rise for an incredible journey to Nepal, where you will visit and interact with three organizations that Rise has supported: 

• Sunsar Maya - Sunsar Maya builds pathways out of poverty by improving the livelihoods of vulnerable women and children through holistic, community-based services.

• Rural Health and Education Service Trust (RHEST) - RHEST’s mission is to reduce girl trafficking, early marriage, forced labor, domestic violence, and sexual abuse in Nepal through education.

• BlinkNow Foundation - The BlinkNow Foundation serves women and children in the lowest economic sector of the population in Surkhet, Nepal, a group that faces extreme poverty and lack of access to education and health care.

Between meaningful visits with Together Women Rise grantee partners, immerse yourself in the timeless beauty and cultural richness of Nepal. In the Kathmandu Valley, explore ancient cities like Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, where intricately carved temples, bustling bazaars, and sacred stupas reveal layers of history and living tradition at every turn. Wander through vibrant markets, take part in a hands-on Nepali cooking experience, and witness daily rituals that have endured for centuries. Beyond the capital, unwind in the serene hill town of Dhulikhel, where panoramic Himalayan views and crisp mountain air offer a peaceful retreat, before continuing to Surkhet in western Nepal for deeper connection with local communities. This journey weaves together cultural discovery, natural beauty, and meaningful engagement—creating a travel experience that is as enriching as it is unforgettable.

• Visit Together Women Rise grantee partners in Nepal, including Sunsar Maya, Rural Health and Education Service Trust (RHEST), and BlinkNow Foundation, to experience firsthand their impactful work expanding access to education, healthcare, and opportunity for women and children in underserved communities

• Explore the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Kathmandu Valley, with guided visits to ancient temples and UNESCO World Heritage Sites, vibrant local markets, and historic cities where centuries-old traditions continue to shape daily life

• Immerse yourself in Nepali culture through hands-on experiences, from learning to prepare traditional dishes in a local cooking class to navigating bustling streets by rickshaw and connecting with local artisans and communities

• Travel beyond the capital to the peaceful hill town of Dhulikhel, where sweeping Himalayan views and a slower pace offer time for reflection, and onward to Surkhet in western Nepal for deeper engagement with community-led initiatives

• Discover the artistic and architectural legacy of the Kathmandu Valley in places like Patan and Bhaktapur, where intricately carved temples, medieval squares, and living traditions offer a window into Nepal’s enduring cultural richness

Welcome to Nepal! Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, clear immigration, and collect your luggage. Meet your driver in the Arrivals Hall, transfer to the hotel (approximately a 20 minute drive), and check in. 

Meet as a group for the first time over a Welcome Dinner at the hotel—a chance to get to know each other and kick off the week together!

After breakfast at the hotel, commence on a sightseeing tour of Old Kathmandu City. Like any big city, Kathmandu has seen rapid expansion in the last decade, but despite the hustle and bustle so typical of metropolitan cities, its people remain as refreshingly friendly as ever. Retaining its ancient traditions, Kathmandu is blessed by a Living Goddess and is enriched by endless ceremonial processions and events that take to the streets every now and then with throngs of devotees seeking blessings. These religious festivals are steeped in legend and are quite a spectacle with chariot processions and masked dancers often possessed by the spirits of deities.

Take an exciting rickshaw (tricycle) ride honking your way through narrow alleys to the bustling bazaars of Ason. Sit back and relax as you navigate for a slightly different experience of exploring the city like a local.

After lunch, visit Swoyambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It rests on a hillock and is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist shrines of Nepal. Legend has it that when Kathmandu Valley was a lake 2000 years ago, a single lotus flower grew at the center of the lake. When Saint Manjushree, the Bodhisattva drained the lake with a single slash of his sword, the lotus settled on top of a hill and magically turned into a stupa. Thus, Swoyambhunath is also known as a Self-Created stupa.

 In the afternoon enjoy a cooking class at Sunghaba Nepal. This cooking class offers visitors a hands-on introduction to traditional Nepali cuisine and culture. During the class, participants learn to prepare popular dishes such as momos, dal bhat, vegetable curry, and achar etc. The instructor explains local ingredients, spices, and simple cooking techniques commonly used in Nepali homes. After the lesson, everyone enjoys the meal together, creating a warm cultural experience.

Return to the hotel in the evening.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Sunsar Maya for a half-day visit. In 2021, Together Women Rise funded a project that taught conversational and written English, Nepali, mathematics, and life skills. By using role play and experiential learning, this project provided women with the education and support they need to transform their lives and build pathways out of poverty.

After lunch, explore the artistic town of Patan. Also known as Lalitpur, the city of artisans is a paradise of fine arts and best known for its rich cultural heritage. It is home to the valley’s finest craftsmen who have preserved such ancient techniques as the repoussé and lost wax process used to produce exquisite sculptures. The city retains much of its old charm with its narrow streets, brick houses, and multitude of well-preserved Hindu temples, Buddhist monasteries (vihars) and monuments.

In the heart of Patan, amidst the Patan marketplace lies the Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area is filled with ancient palaces, pagoda temples, stone baths, Hindu and Buddhist statues, engravings, and bronze cravings. The Palace of the Malla Kings is one of the highlights of Patan. 

After today’s full day in Kathmandu, you’ll return to the hotel to freshen up before this evening’s group dinner.

Today will be early morning! You’ll have breakfast and check out to depart Kathmandu and drive to Sindhupalchowk, about a 3 hour drive, for a site visit with Rural Health & Education Service Trust (RHEST). In 2025, Together Women Rise provided a grant to support RHEST’s Stop Girl Trafficking program (SGT), an initiative that aims to empower vulnerable girls and reduce their risk of trafficking and exploitation through education.

After the visit, continue driving to Dhulikhel Mountain Resort, about a 1.5 hour drive from Sindhupalchowk. This peaceful lodge sits on the Northeast of Dhulikhel with breathtaking views. After checking in, settle into your rooms and freshen up before this evening’s group dinner at the resort.

Today you’ll have a slow, leisurely morning to relax and take in the beautiful mountains and peaceful energy of Dhulikhel.  

In the early afternoon, you’ll drive back to Kathmandu to explore more of the city. You may visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, literally the ‘City of Devotees’ is a major tourist destination that takes visitors back in time. Bhaktapur lies on the Arniko Highway that connects Kathmandu to the Chinese border. Bhaktapur is still untouched by rapid urbanization and has managed to retain its brick paved roads, charming red brick houses and a way of life that goes back to medieval times. This ancient city is also famous for pottery and woodcarving, amply displayed on the squares and windows, respectively. The extraordinary Bhaktapur Durbar Square and its monuments reflect the glory days of the Malla Dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the valley.

In Bhaktapur Durbar Square, visit the Nyatapola Temple, the unique Temple that literally means ‘five storied’ and rises above the city’s landscape as a remarkable landmark; Bhairavnath Temple, dedicated to Bhairav, the God of Terror, is a three-storied temple noted for its artistic grandeur and stands adjacent to the famous five-storied Nyatapola Temple.

The Golden Gate is the entrance to the 15th-century Palace of 55 Carved Windows. The golden gate is a masterpiece in repousse art, which has added splendor to this palace square that consists of buildings dating from the 13th century to the 18th century. 

Dinner can be enjoyed casually at the hotel this evening as you pack your bags for an early morning check out.

Have breakfast at the hotel this morning before checking out to depart for the airport for a domestic flight to Surkhet, in the Karnali Province in western Nepal.

When you land in Surkhet, you’ll collect your luggage and meet your driver who will transfer you to the hotel. When you arrive, you’ll quickly check in, have a bite to eat and freshen up before setting out for the Kopila Valley School.

This afternoon, enjoy a half-day site visit with BlinkNow Foundation. Together Women Rise has a long history supporting Blink Now Foundation, having invested more than $130,000 in the organization’s work since 2014. This funding has allowed BlinkNow to create the Kopila Valley Women’s Center, which provides programming and resources to local marginalized and vulnerable women in the Surkhet Valley. By providing training, health care, and literacy programs along with vocational training skills, BlinkNow is empowering women, increasing their earning potential, and their belief in their own self worth.   

Afterwards, return to the hotel to relax before tonight’s group dinner.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before returning to BlinkNow for another half-day visit. 

After the visit, tour Kankre Bihar which is an important historical and religious site surrounded by dense forest, making it a peaceful and scenic place to visit. It is believed to be an ancient Buddhist monastery built around the 12th century during the Khasa Kingdom period.

The site contains stone ruins, carved pillars, and statues that show the architectural style of medieval Nepal. Archaeologists believe it was once a large monastery where Buddhist monks studied and practiced. Because of its historical and cultural importance, Kankre Bihar is considered a significant archaeological sites.

Return to the hotel in the afternoon to rest, have dinner and pack up before tomorrow’s flight back to Kathmandu.

After breakfast and checking out from the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. When you arrive, you’ll be met by your driver and transfer to Hotel Yak and Yeti.

After lunch, set out to explore more of Kathmandu. You’ll start at Boudhanath - one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu and is a center of Tibetan Buddhism. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stupa is built on a massive three-level mandala and is one of the largest in the world. A popular tourist attraction, there are many shops around the stupa selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and a variety of exclusive Tibetan specialties and delicacies.

You will have the opportunity to light “butter lamps” as an offering of light to the deities. Lighting butter lamps is considered one of the most common means of making merits and one of the most powerful offerings. The light from the flame symbolizes the wisdom of the awakened mind, dispels the darkness of delusion and mental obscuration. 

Return to the hotel in the afternoon to freshen up, and then regroup for tonight’s final dinner together.

Have breakfast at the hotel this morning before checking out. You’ll have a private airport transfer based on the time of your departure flight. 

Depending on your departure flight, we can arrange a day room for you at the hotel, which would be available until 6 PM.

Safe travels home or as you continue your travels!

Double occupancy: $5,820

• 30% Deposit (due upon booking):  $1,745

Single occupancy: $6,380 ($5,820 + $560 for single supplement)

• 30% Deposit (due upon booking): $1,915

Rise member priority booking: Until August 21, 2026

Booking & Final Payment Deadline: Tuesday, June 1, 2027

What’s Included: 

• Shared accommodations

• Day room on departure day

• Ground transport and private airport transfers

• Arrival airport and visa assitance  

• Round-trip domestic flights

• All meals and non-alcoholic drinks

• All activities mentioned

• Private English-speaking guides

• Gratuity for drivers, guide, restaurant staff

• Evacuation insurance 

What’s not Included: 

• Visas

• International flights

• Travel & medical insurance

• Alcohol

• Personal expenses (shopping, phone calls, laundry, etc.)

• Gratuity for airport transfer drivers & housekeeping

• Lunch on arrival and departure days: October 16 & 24

• Bank or credit card processing fees

Refund Policy: Trip payments made before June 1, 2027 are refundable minus a $550 administration fee and any bank fees. Trip payments made on or after June 1, 2025 are non-refundable.

The main program begins on Sunday, October 16 in Kathmandu and ends on Tuesday, October 24 in Kathmandu. Arrival and departure flights are booked by travelers independently. Here are our recommended arrival and departure times:

• October 16, 2027: Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) by the afternoon. The trip will kick off with a Welcome Dinner at the hotel this evening, likely around 6 PM.

• October 24, 2027: Depart from Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) anytime. Check-out time from Hotel Yak & Yeti is around 12 PM, so if your flight is later in the day, we can arrange a day room for you (check out time at 6 PM), which is included in the trip cost.

Flight Booking Assistance: 

If you would like assistance booking your flights, please complete this form and a flight booking specialist from our partners at AirSupply will contact you directly to assist with your booking. Under the line “Traveler / Group Name,” write “Your Name / Elevate Destinations.” Note that there is a $35 service fee per booking.

Dhulikhel Mountain Resort offers stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas and is ideally located near hiking trails and cultural sites. Guests can relax in beautiful rooms with private balconies, enjoy local and international cuisine at the on-site restaurant, and unwind at the wellness center featuring yoga and spa services.

If you would like to extend your travels in Nepal or the surrounding area, we’d be happy to introduce you to our Private Travel team, who specialize in designing customized, meaningful trips all over the world. Looking for inspiration and travel ideas? Click here for Elevate's sample itineraries throughout Asia.

For any 5+ day trip before or after your trip with Together Women Rise, we’ll offer you a $500 discount. Email Fiona at fiona@elevatedestinations.com for more info!

Nepal Extension | Pokhara, Chitwan & Kathmandu

Interested in exploring more of Nepal with some of your fellow travelers? Elevate Destinations' Private Travel team put together this incredible itinerary from October 24 - 29, 2027.

Extend your journey into Nepal with a richly layered experience that moves from the Himalayan foothills to the country’s subtropical lowlands, weaving together mountain landscapes, spiritual landmarks, and extraordinary biodiversity.

Begin with a scenic flight to Pokhara, where the Annapurna range rises dramatically above forested hills and lakeside villages. Discover stories of mountaineering at the International Mountain Museum and enjoy a guided hike through wooded trails to the World Peace Pagoda. A tranquil boat ride across Phewa Lake, with a visit to the island Barahi Temple, offers a moment of stillness set against sweeping mountain views.

From the mountains, descend into the lush lowlands of Chitwan. Set along the Rapti River, your lodge offers direct access to the remarkable ecosystems of Chitwan National Park. Venture deep into the park in jeep safaris, and explore on foot with expert naturalists. Wildlife sightings may include one-horned rhinos, gharial crocodiles, deer, and, with luck, the elusive Bengal tiger. Beyond the park, time spent in nearby communities offers insight into the traditions and daily life of the Tharu people, deepening your understanding of this region’s cultural fabric.

Your journey concludes back in Kathmandu, where a final day room provides space to rest and reflect before your onward travels.

Email Dominique Callimanopulos at dominique@elevatedestinations.com to reserve your spot.

UPLOADING TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: After completing a booking form and paying your trip deposit, you will receive an email with your WeTravel account information. Please click on the blue "manage your booking" button at the bottom of the email. Then navigate to "complete your info" which is where you can upload the following documents at your earliest convenience.

Click here for a helpful tutorial on how to upload documents in your WeTravel account.

Passport & Visa:

• Check that your passport is current and valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip departure date, April 16, 2027. If your passport expires before April 16, 2027, you will need to renew your passport. We recommend using A1 Passport & Visa Services. You can email them at info@a1passportvisa.com.

• Check that your passport has at least 2 blank pages for the entry and exit stamps, or more. The last two amendment pages are unacceptable for visas and immigration stamps.

•  Visa: Citizens from the United States are required to obtain an e-visa to travel to Nepal. Detailed application instructions will be emailed to you in July 2026.

Physician’s Form:

A physician’s approval is required to participate in this trip. Please download the physician’s form here and upload it upon completion.

Flights:

Upload your round-trip flight itinerary to your WeTravel account.

Insurance:

Elevate Destinations will purchase emergency evacuation coverage for you. This policy covers emergency evacuations due to medical, political, or natural disasters from June 10 - June 17, 2026. This policy also provides $5,000 of emergency medical coverage. More details about this coverage are noted in this brochure.

This coverage does not include trip cancelation or interruption benefits and also does not cover pre- or post-trip days of travel booked outside of Elevate Destinations. We strongly suggest you purchase additional coverage to cover your non-refundable expenses in the event you need to cancel your trip or have additional expenses incurred on the trip.

Elevate strongly recommends purchasing additional travel and medical insurance and Cancel for Any Reason Coverage (CFAR) to cover trip related expenses. Please note that some CFAR insurance options are time-sensitive. Please be ready to purchase an insurance policy within 14 days of making your first trip payment. 

Medical insurance that covers you in Nepal is recommended for this trip. If you would like to purchase additional medical insurance in the country of travel, below are two insurance brokers that Elevate Destinations recommends.

1. USI Travel Insurance Services
   Email: info@travelinsure.com
   Phone Number: (800) 937-1387

2. Travel Insurance Center (Dan Drennen)
   Email:  dan@travelinsurancecenter.com
   Phone Number: (402) 343-3621 

Elevate Destinations is not equipped to answer specific questions on insurance. Please contact the insurance broker or company for specific information.

Prior to travel, Elevate Destinations strongly recommends that you look into other recommended immunizations for your time in Nepal. Given that we are not a licensed healthcare provider, we cannot advise travelers on which immunizations they may need. We recommend that all travelers do the following:

• Travel Doctor: Consult with a travel clinic or your primary care physician regarding immunizations or other precautions you may need to take in order to participate in this journey. You will need to do this well in advance of your trip as some vaccinations require time to take effect, and you may need to allow time between a series of shots.

• Resources for Health Guidance: Please consult  with a travel clinic or your personal physician read through the following resources for information on immunizations and other health preparations and individual requirements to travel to Uganda.

  • CDC Website - US Based

  • Travel Pro - UK Based

  • Runway Health

• Medical Insurance: Elevate Destinations covers evacuation insurance for this trip. All travelers are recommended to also have health insurance that will cover them while abroad. Check that your health insurance covers you in Nepal. 

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

We recommend that all travelers from the U.S. sign up for the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in case of an emergency. Enrolling in this program has enormous benefits in case of an emergency while abroad:

You will receive information from the Embassy about safety conditions in Nepal.

• Enrolling lets the U.S. Embassy in that country know that you are there and helps them contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family-related.

Coming Soon: A downloadable Nepal Country Guide.

Coming Soon: A downloadable Packing List for traveling to Nepal in October.

Elevate Destinations specializes in planning group travel for philanthropic organizations. As international event planners, our team is equipped to handle all of your on-the-ground arrangements, from airport transfers to extra nights in-country to a post-trip excursion.

We welcome any questions you have about how to prepare for your trip, in-country arrangements, and cultural information. For questions about your international flights, including how to purchase tickets, cancellations or delays, lost items, or layover arrangements, please contact your airline or booking agency. For questions about travel insurance, please contact your insurance company.

Feel free to get in touch via phone or email:

Fiona Mokry: fiona@elevatedestinations.com or +1.508.618.1354