Heather's first visit to Nepal was in 2000 on the way to and from Tibet and the area and scenery captured her interest and made her determined to make a return visit to explore further. She returned in 2002 to trek in the Annapurna region and to visit Chitwan as well as to enjoy the sights of Kathmandu. In 2003 another visit, this time to the Everest region for trekking. A stop over again on the way to and from Bhutan in 2006 and back again for another visit in 2007.

As a practising artist with 36 years experience as a teacher it seemed a perfect opportunity to launch some painting tours. In her paintings, Heather has always concentrated on landscapes and her response to the views that she has seen. She has travelled a great deal, to many interesting countries and has produced work about the places seen as well as of the English landscape near Stratford upon Avon in Warwickshire where she lives and teaches. She uses acrylic paint mostly but also works in pastels and oil paint.
Heather is able to offer tuition and advice in the use of pastels, oils, acrylic, drawing and mixed media.
She says "I am really excited at the prospect of leading art courses in Nepal, particularly to this region. I look forward to meeting you".

Duration: 15 days/14 nights – 2 nights Kathmandu, 5 nights Tiger Mountain, 5 nights Chitwan, 2 nights Kathmandu Grade: Relatively easy Accommodation: Deluxe Heritage Hotel in Kathmandu, premier lodge in Pokhara, safari-style in Chitwan. Price: TBC

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu Upon arrival you will be met and assisted by an Escape 2 Nepal representative and transferred to award winning Dwarika’s Hotel which is located 5 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from the tourist district of Thamel. This Heritage style Hotel is beautifully designed with traditional Nepalese carvings and offers superb service and accommodation. Day 02: Kathmandu A pre-trip briefing will be conducted today in which maps and other general information will be distributed. This will also offer you the ideal opportunity to ask any last minute questions that you may have. A half day sightseeing tour will also be arranged. Lunch at Bhoudanath and the in the afternoon we will take you to a traditional Art School in Kathmandu where you can see art students learn traditional Thanka painting. Overnight Dwarika’s Hotel. Day 03: Kathmandu - Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Transferred to the airport for the 30 minute flight to Pokhara. On arrival you will be met for the half hour drive to the award winning Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge. Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge is situated on a hilltop ridge, a thousand feet above Pokhara Valley. It has spectacular, panoramic views of Machhapuchhare (Fishtail Mountain), and three of the world’s 8,000m peaks, Daulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna. The nineteen elegant and spacious rooms are arranged around the hilltop in thirteen individual hand cut stone bungalows, blending naturally into their surroundings. Sited to maximize the breathtaking vistas and set in private gardens, each room has a private verandah, adjoining bathroom and is furnished with twin or super-king sized beds. Activities available from the Lodge include a ridge top walk visiting local villages; a full day Gurung Village trek circuit exploring the picturesque communities of Tulaswor, Chiteipani, and Lankachhar; naturalist-guided nature and bird watching walks; or relaxing in Col. Jimmy’s Library reading about some of the more famous mountain expeditions. A beautiful swimming pool is located in a strategic site at the end of the ridge and reflects the high mountains which drop away to the Bijaypur river far below. Day 04: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Paint, Relax, or take optional day hikes from the Lodge… Take the opportunity to sketch or paint the wonderful mountain views from the comfort of the hotel terrace or even your bungalow verandah. Day 05: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Paint, Relax, or take optional day hikes from the Lodge… Develop your studies using the media of your choice with help and guidance from Heather or find another scenic spot to sketch and paint. Day 06: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Paint, Relax, or take optional day hikes from the Lodge… Here there are an abundance of scenes to delight the eye. Let the unique colours and light of the mountain landscape inspire your work. Perhaps take the opportunity to use soft pastels on beautiful hand made local paper to record the scenery. Day 07: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Paint, Relax, or take optional day hikes from the Lodge… In the evening there will be a chance to exhibit your work and discuss your achievements with your fellow artists over a relaxing drink in the bar. Day 08: Pokhara – Tiger Tops Tented Camp, Chitwan Today we head out of Pokhara and take a 5 hour scenic drive through the hills to the southern Terai region of Nepal and the Chitwan national Park. Upon arrival in Chitwan you will be met and transferred to Tiger Tops Tented Camp by boat and landrover. Upon arrival at the Camp, you will be briefed by the resident Guest Relations officer regarding the Park and the wildlife programmes available. The Tiger Tops Tented Camp is located in the Surung Valley in the heart of the Royal Chitwan national Park. Situated on high ground overlooking tall grasslands with the river, middle hills and the snow capped Himalayas beyond. On clear days several 8,000 meter peaks including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Manaslu can be seen from the Tented Camp. The central dining area will be your special place for relaxation. Built in traditional Nepali style, it has a well stocked bar and an attractive open fireplace. Accommodation is in twelve large safari tents with comfortable twin beds, separate hot and cold shower amenities and jungle toilets. Western and Nepali cuisine is served. Activities at the Camp include wildlife viewing from elephant back, jungle walks, bird-watching, landrover drives, river safaris, elephant camp visits, wildlife viewing and photographing from machans (blinds). All wildlife activities are escorted by experienced naturalists. Wildlife in Chitwan includes the greater one-horned rhinoceros, spotted deer, hog deer, sambar deer and barking deer as well as a wide variety of birdlife. With a bit of luck, there is always the chance of glimpsing the leopard, sloth bear and Royal Bengal tiger. Overnight at Tiger Tops Tented Camp. Day 09: Tiger Tops Tented Camp Painting and Wildlife activities and overnight at Tiger Tops Tented Camp… Today find a scenic spot to sketch and paint the views of the water and jungle grasslands. The colours of your palette will change from the crisp tones of the mountains to more muted hues. Day 10 : Tiger Tops Tented Camp Painting and Wildlife activities and overnight at Tiger Tops Tented Camp… As well as taking the elephant to explore the area maybe visit the elephant camp to sketch the elephants resting with their mahouts. Day 11: Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge Transferred through the jungle by landrover and boat to the Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge. Situated on high ground overlooking the lush forests of the park, the Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge is styled after the traditional ‘longhouse’ of the Tharu people in a tranquil garden setting with all modern facilities including a swimming pool, a tennis court and saddle club. Activities at Tharu Safari Lodge include: walks to explore the surrounding villages and countryside or the Lodge’s organic farm, bullock cart trips, tennis, badminton, table tennis, nature walks, birdwatching, boat rides, river sunset viewing or relaxing by the beautiful swimming pool. In the evening local tribal dancing is featured before dinner. Living mainly along the southern strip of Nepal, Tharus are the indigenous and colourful people inhabiting the Terai lowlands. Overnight at the Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge. Day 12: Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge Painting and cultural activities and overnight at Tiger Mountain Lodge… Let the landscape of this region inspire you further with time to record the wonderful scenery around the camp. Day 13: Tiger Mountain Tharu Lodge – Kathmandu - Dwarika’s Hotel Transferred to the Bharatpur airstrip for the 30 minute flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival you met and transferred to the Dwarika’s Hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Day 14: Day in Kathmandu Today enjoy a leisurely lunch at the exclusive Shivapuri Heights Cottage in the hills just north of Kathmandu. In the evening we will visit a local art gallery and enjoy a farewell dinner in a nearby restaurant. Overnight at the Dwarika’s Hotel. Day 15: International flight Transfer to the International airport for your final departure from Kathmandu.

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