Can you tell me how many people are currently booked on the Colours of Nepal tour departing on 12th November, together with M/F split and age range please? In addition, can you tell me the maximum group size for this tour?

I also have a question regarding the itinerary. Is a visit to Phewa Lake planned during the stay in Pokhara on day 5-6? Nowhere is this mentioned in the itinerary, despite it being one of the major attractions in the immediate area. If not, is there any chance of revising the itinerary to include a visit and boat ride on the lake, perhaps at the expense of one of the ‘shopping stops’ currently planned during this time? 

Finally, a question regarding the potential for an Everest flight whilst in Kathmandu, or a helicopter ride to Annapurna base camp from Pokhara. Are the H&S police still refusing to sanction either of these activities? 

Many thanks

Mike

There are 13 people booked so far, 1 man and 12 women. Their ages range from late 30s to early 80s.

In regards of Phewa Lake, we don't include a visit, however there is some leisure time in the afternoon of day 6 – this could be used to visit the lake.

We're not planning to change the itinerary at the moment, as this is a new tour that has yet to have a departure, and we're confident customers will enjoy the itinerary planned. However, we always taken on board your feedback, so please let us know your thoughts on your return.

Regarding the Everest flight and helicopter ride, this isn't something that we would offer.

Many thanks,

Vickie

Thanks for your reply, even if it is somewhat disappointing - no visit to Phewa Lake included (can’t believe it!) and still no movement on your stance regarding Everest/Annapurna flights although this is less surprising.

Still, I guess that travellers will be too busy shopping in refugee camps and arts and craft centres to engage in rather more interesting pursuits! And just in case people haven’t bought enough souvenirs already, they can ‘create their own unique souvenir to take home’ on day 10! Don’t get me wrong, the programme in Kathmandu, the visit to SASNE and Chitwan National Park all seem great. And while I like to purchase a souvenir of my holiday (the visit to Indrachowk market on day 2 sounds good and would also provide for some great photo opportunities), I just think that you’ve gone a little overboard with the number of shopping stops. I’m not asking for major alterations to what is a new tour itinerary - just a minor tweak to take in a major attraction whilst in Pokhara.

I think perhaps that this is a tour designed with the ladies in mind; something which is borne out by the figures that you’ve given me on bookings so far, and if you won’t take on board a little constructive criticism then I’ll probably pass on this particular tour. Oh, and by the way, you didn’t answer my question regarding the total number of places available on this holiday.

Mike

I've done the walking tour. When you are in Pokhara you stay at the Waterfront Hotel so it's right on the lake. Some of us made our way into town from where you can get the boats. 

We did a couple of included boat rides both of which you could do yourself if you had the time. The boats are nothing more than the canoe/rowing type boats you see in all the photos or a platform that moves by a chap pedalling! 

The summary of this tour on the website suggests you get a boat trip on Phewa Lake but then I realised it was the summary of the walking tour. This needs changed. 

I did the Everest flight. One of the best things I've ever done. Could've went to Everest base camp of a morning if I fancied it. I paraglided in Pokhara and have the movie to prove it. All arranged independently of JY but the highlights of my trip. 

Angie

Thanks very much for your comments, I have passed them all to the team so they can take this feedback on board.

Apologies I missed your request for numbers. There are 7 people booked on this trip so far, 1 man and 6 women. Their ages range from late 30s to early 80s.

The maximum group size is 30.

Many thanks,

Vickie

Now I’m really confused! In your original response of 22nd March you said that 13 people were booked on the tour (1 man and 12 women). Now you say that only 7 people have booked - so which of these two sets of figures is correct? You say that there is leisure time in the afternoon of day 6. Can you tell me the itinerary timings for day 6 please? And being as JY won’t sanction an Everest flight, can you tell me if there is any morning whilst in Kathmandu whereby itinerary timings would allow me to do this independently.

Hi Angie. I hope you’re keeping well. After I’d done a bit more digging, I found that the Waterfront Resort was on the lake itself - I guess the clue was in the name! And yes, I saw that a boat trip on Phewa Lake was included in the walking tour itinerary. As for the Everest flight, your comments make me even more frustrated that JY won’t change their stance on this when other companies are happy to offer it.

Cheers

Mike

So sorry, I got my tours mixed up when checking the system - it was the original, 1 man and 12 women.

I am just checking about the itinerary and will get back to you.

Thanks,

Vickie

So my next question is, if you got your tours mixed up, is the maximum group size still 30 as you’ve now stated?

Many thanks

Mike

Have been reading this thread with interest as I love Nepal and have been twice, once with TS in 2010 (JY didn't do the tour we wanted) and again with a different company in 2013.

For what it's worth I would like to say that when we went in 2010 we all did the optional Everest early morning flight. The plane held 22 people and there were 22 on the tour. Yes,it was interesting but difficult to see which mountain was actually Everest even though there was a  map of the mountains on the back of each seat. We took it in turns to go to the front of the plane to chat to the pilot. Yep, it was good but the following year one of the Everest flights crashed and killed all the tourists, the pilot and the only cabin crew member. It was full page in the Metro and I sent a copy to  the pal who I had travelled with, saying it might well have been our plane.

We  went to Pokhara airport and,as Angie did, some of us booked the microlight flight and some of us booked the little two seater yellow plane which flew directly up to Machhapuchhre (FishTail). So much closer to the mountain peaks. That plane flight was awesome, much preferred it to the Everest Flight-if you book Nepal I can give Dave the details of the Aviation Company to forward to you although I am sure JY won't be too happy -you would need to sign a disclaimer, I think.

As for Phewa Lake it is easy to have a boat trip on it. Pokhara isn't very large and safe enough to walk around independently.

Personally, I don't think the shopping stops will affect the ratio of men to women on this tour, because as you and I both know there are always invariably many more women than men on JY tours (Burma was an exception).

I am looking forward to seeing the Himalayas again on the combined Darjeeling railway and invitation to India tour. I have seen a couple of TV programmes about the railway and the scenery around Darjeeling looks spectacular.

Best wishes

Di

I see the flight home from Kathmandu still leaves in the evening, like what I had. As they like you at the airport very early morning to be ready for the Everest flight, there is ample time to fit this in (weather permitting) and have absolutely no impact on the itinerary.

Angie

Yes, 30 is the total - sorry to completely confuse the situation!

Many thanks,

Vickie

I have timings now. As this tour is new and hasn’t departed, these should be used as just a guide for now.

On day 6 you'll have lunch at 1pm, and then you'll have free time until dinner at 7pm.

For the mornings in Kathmandu, below are the timings for breakfast and the beginning of the day’s activities :

Day 3 : Breakfast at 8am, sightseeing begins 9am

Day 4 : Breakfast at 8am driving to Bandipur at 9am

Day 10 : Breakfast at 8am, sightseeing begins at 9.30am

Many thanks,

Vickie

Also, many thanks Angie for your great suggestion about taking the Everest flight on day 11 - that’s something that I hadn’t considered. Would anyone else booked on this holiday be interested in this?

All the best

Mike

Hope you are well.

 Don't be put off by some of the negative remarks about Nepal (airports in particular!), it is a fantastic country. I have flown in and out of Kathmandu Airport, and Lukla (which yes is scary but exhilerating!). Of all the 66 countries I have been to, Nepal is still my favourite, and I'm hoping to return later this year.

Despite the fact I have seen Everest (11 day Everest Trail trek in 2003), I will still be considering doing the flight (not going with JY though!) as this is included as an optional extra. The price I was quoted was $250.

Needless to say you will have to take many memory cards with you, and spare batteries!!

Enjoy!

Hi to Di too!

Cheers,

Hils

I seem to recall that the cost was just over $200.

Tim

Hi TimH - many thanks for the information regarding the Everest flight. I’ll consider this when making a final decision.

Cheers

Mike

I know who you are referring to regarding an alternative tour - the only reason I'm not going on her tour is that there are too many days in Kathmandu, and having been to Nepal before, I want to see more of the country. I have now booked with a company I have been using for the last couple of years. If you do, or already have, booked with JY, we may bump into each other!

Cheers,

Hils

Thank you, Vickie for supplying the timings on this holiday and for confirming the maximum group size.

Also, many thanks Angie for your great suggestion about taking the Everest flight on day 11 - that’s something that I hadn’t considered. Would anyone else booked on this holiday be interested in this?

All the best

Mike

Hi, Just found this thread: am booked on the India and Nepal trip leaving on 12 November 2019.  We fly to Khatmandu on 12 th November and fly on to India in the morning of day 11.  I don't know whether our paths will overlap or whether the two trips are combined at any point, but I will definitely do everything I can to get on an Everest flight although the option of taking it on the 11th day is clearly not available to me.  I'm pinning my faith in a representative being at the hotel whith whom I can discuss it.  Meanwhile, off to do some more research.  I cannot think why anyone would wish to visit and not take an Everest flight!!!  By the way, although being female I personally I am not at all interested in shopping;)

I've just booked this trip and was informed there were 7 places left so I presume, from previous replies, there is now 23 travellers. Could you please tell me the M/F split. Thanks.

Regards,

Roger