Upcoming Trips in 2024/2025

February 2025

Yoga and Culture tour in Nepal – 13 nights/14 days Spring 2025  – February 16 – March 1. Email me to book … neil.haggard@gmail.com

A relaxing visit to Nepal with a daily yoga practice in unique surroundings including Kathmandu, Pokhara, Begnas Lake in the foothills of the Himalayas> We stay in 3-4  star hotels, breakfast included, and take daily walks to local markets, villages and learn about the culture of Nepal.

Namaste!

Yoga in Nepal

Morning yoga in Begnas Resort
Morning yoga in Begnas Resort
Silent boat on Begnas Lake
Silent boat on Begnas Lake
Boudhanath Stupa, Kathmandu

Nepal

Patan Durbar square tour
Patan Durbar square tour

Trekking in Nepal – Ghorepani loop and Mardi Himal

NEPAL – October 20 – November 4, 2024 – 16 day trip trekking the Ghorepani loop and exploring the new route to Mardi Himal in the Himalaya!      

TRIP IS FULL!

Includes trekking for 11 days with amazing views of the Annapurna mountain range! We take a mini bus to Pokhara, trek to Ghorepani featuring a sunrise walk to Poon Hill for views of Dhaulagiri (7th highest mountain in the world) and Annapurna (the 10th highest) plus walking culture tours in Kathmandu, a rest day in Pokhara then a 30 minute flight returning to Kathmandu.

We have porters to carry the big bags, you only carry your day pack! We stay in comfortable tea houses and enjoy local ‘dal bhat’ lunches (rice, lentils, curry and achar pickle) and nutritious meals each day to keep you fit and healthy!

I will provide a 4 month training plan to help you get your legs in shape and prepare for the journey of a lifetime! In my 22 visits to Nepal and 13 treks, I know the value of preparations.

(package starts in Kathmandu, international flight not included)

 

$1995 USD double occupancy – ($300 single supplement) $500 USD deposit due March 15, 2024 (balance due June 15, 2024)

Ghorepani & Mardi Himal

Annapurna (8091m) from Poon Hill
Annapurna (8091m) from Poon HillThe 10th highest in the world

Mardi Himal ridge & Machhapuchhre (6993m)

Mardi Himal ridge & Machhapuchhre (6993m)
Mardi Himal ridge & Machhapuchhre (6993m)Holy Fishtail mountain

May/June 2025

Cycling in Norway

On the Sjernerøy Islands
On the Sjernerøy Islands

NORWAY Cycle Tour (May/June 2025)

 

Monday, May 26 to Wednesday, June 11, 2025 – Experience the culture and geography of Norway on your bike! This tour is recreational riding, not a race. Fun and exhilarating!

A 17-day tour to discover the unique aspects of this Scandinavian country by cycling islands, along fjords and hills, hiking to a glacier, exploring Viking history and the land with some iconic sights (including Preikestolen) in central Norway. I have organized this itinerary many times and enjoy introducing folks to this amazing country.

Norway can be a bit expensive, however, we stay in some beautiful hostels, hotels and cabins, and enjoy happy hour while cooking our own meals when we choose. We share the cost of food as we go. I rent a 9 passenger van and a trailer for our bikes and gear. Price includes all accommodations, van & trailer rental, ferries, road and bridge tolls, fuel and insurance.

(international flight Edmonton to Stavanger not included)

 

$2995 CAD double occupancy –  $500 CAD deposit due December 15, 2024 (balance due March 1, 2025) (+$500 single supplement)

Check out the blog for more on a typical tour – http://neil-in-norway.blogspot.com

Cycling to Heddal Stavkirkje

November 2023

Tiger's Nest, Paro, Bhutan

Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan
Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan

BHUTAN- an 11-day Culture Tour of this exotic country in the Himalayas includes the Black Necked Crane festival on November 11! THIS TOUR IS FULL!

 

November 5 – 15, 2023 – Experience the culture of Bhutan

An exciting culture tour of the land of Happiness. We will take walks in villages and Buddhist temples, a classic hike to Taktsang, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, tasting foods of this amazing culture on a relaxed holiday, with comfortable 3-4 star hotels and resorts in the foothills of the eastern Himalayas.  Includes accommodations with breakfast, all meals in Bhutan, local transportation, internal flight return from Kathmandu to Paro, Bhutan return and Karma as your guide! (package starts in Kathmandu Nov 4, international flight to KTM not included)

 

NB – the Bhutan Government increased their SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) for tourists by over 300% in 2022 making a substantial increase in cost. This is in line with their “high value, low volume” tourism policy.

 

$3995 USD double occupancy –  $750 USD deposit due March 1, 2023 (balance due  May 1, 2023) (+$750 for single supplement)

Check out the blog for past tourhighlights – http://neilinbhutan.blogspot.com

Gangtey Gompa Monastery, Phobjika, Bhutan

Gangtey Gompa, Black Neck Crane Festival
Gangtey Gompa, Black Neck Crane Festival

Scenes from Yoga in Nepal

More trips to come...

Ever been to NORWAY? If you are a cyclist, a supported tour of this amazing Scandinavian country is being planned for about 17 days in June 2025. Learn about Viking history, cycle around fjords, Stave churches, beautiful landscapes, hike to the toe of Nigardsbreen glacier, cycle in Lom to the best bakery in the world and hike to the famous Preikestolen, eat delicious foods, stay in cozy, unique and comfortable hostels and experience the southern half of Norway from the seat of your bike!   I am also in the process of planning another tour to BHUTAN  in October/ November 2023 (see above). This would include a few days in Kathmandu, Nepal and 11 days in Bhutan for the Black Neck Crane Festival (Nov 11) Please watch for specifics to be posted spring 2023 and if you are interested please email me and I will add you to the email list. Happy travels!

Testimonials

  • Thank you for an amazing time in Nepal and Bhutan.  When people ask…..the only words that fit for me to say is that “it was a trip of a lifetime." You’re leadership, passion and love for these great countries made this trek to the other side of the world a truly memorable experience."

    CB, Edmonton, Nov 2015

  • "Thank you so much for organizing this awesome adventure. I am looking at all the wonderful pictures I took and it brings it all back. We saw and did so much in such a short period of time, incredible is all I can say."

    MT, Edmonton, November 2015

  • "Thank you once again for such a unique & personal adventure. We were truly blessed to have had your experience, knowledge, and most importantly your friendship along with us on the journey. It helped make our trip run smoothly & worry-free."

    AD, Edmonton, November 2015

  • "Nice blog and wonderful pictures, it was such an amazing adventure, that I am still processing. Thank you, Neil, for the great memories!"

    MD, Edmonton

  • "Just wanted to thank you for all your work to get us to Tibet and Nepal, and for the chance to meet Lok and his crew. Lok was exceptionally helpful while I was in Nepal. I got a beautiful rug, as well as a chance to speak with him about some of the work he has being doing. Tibet was amazing…challenging physically, mentally and emotionally as well as one of the most incredible places and people I have ever had the good fortune to have time with. Trust your travels for the yoga trip will be full of great days. Look forward to meeting up with you some time in the future!"

    PS, B.C. Jan 2016

  • "I had an amazing time in Nepal and have been having great fun showing off the pictures and telling tales. Nepal was a fantastic location to put the new camera to work and try out some new techniques."

    KE, Edmonton

  • "This trip was memorable, we saw Nepal at the grassroots level. Neil's knowledge of the Nepalese culture was excellent. Everywhere we went the people made us feel very welcome, they were all so friendly and kind. The food was so exciting and tasty and I think we all developed an eating problem. We did yoga every morning usually on the roof top of the hotel which to me made it very spiritual and peaceful. In Pokhara we got our first glimpse of the Himalayas and it was spectacular. The company was great and I felt very safe and relaxed. A trip worth thinking about."

    KP, Edmonton

  • "I had a GREAT time on our trip, thanks for a wonderful experience. The hotels you picked for us to stay in were so great, and I felt as if we got to see the best of the places we went; it would probably have taken 3 times as long to find those places if you had not been our guide.. I loved the yoga, and was surprised at how much more flexible I was after I got back. Thanks again for a lovely trip, and it was great getting to know you; although it felt like I already knew you for a long time before that. Maybe in a monastery in Tibet a long time ago?"

    WV

  • "Take good care, and once again, words cannot efficiently tell you how much we enjoyed your company and the trip you organized for us! It really was a once-in-a-lifetime-experience for us."

    FS, Edmonton

Trekking & Travel Experience

I am an independent trekking leader organizing and leading treks and travel to Nepal, India, Tibet, Bhutan and Norway. With 21 trips to Nepal to date, I have introduced adventurers to this special part of this world. While guiding them I’ve gained an amazing insight into the people, culture and the incredible Himalayan mountain ranges! I also assist in making arrangements for travel to Southeast Asia and have led several cycle tours to Norway (2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, next in June 2025)

My Nepal experience includes guiding 6 treks to the Langtang Valley in Nepal, three treks to Annapurna Base Camp (aka the Annapurna Sanctuary), and twice around the Annapurna Circuit. I have led 6 Yoga and Culture tours to Nepal and more to come in 2024! In fall 2014 I led a group into the Langtang valley and another to Everest Base Camp, one of the top 10 treks in the world! I have organized 4 group Bhutan tours (2015, 2017, 2018, fall 2022 and November 2023) via Kathmandu, Nepal to attend the Black Neck Crane Festival and hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest – the Taktsang monastery. In fall 2018, I led a tour to Tibet for 10 days which included monasteries in Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, Xegar and a visit to Everest Base Camp on the Tibet side.

In April 2015, Nepal experienced a major earthquake, however, in spite of news reports of devastation, most hotels and tea houses were NOT damaged and many cultural sights are still intact. With the opening of the Langtang valley, all trekking trails are open as of October 1, 2016. Many trekking areas continue to rebuild as evidenced on our recent Manaslu trek in March 2018. We can help Nepal rebuild by traveling there which helps put cash into the local people’s shops and villages. The spirit there is incredible! Join me for trekking to support the rebuilding process in Nepal. Namaste!

Travel Blogs

In 2016 I traveled around the world in 9 weeks with time in New Zealand, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, India and Norway with 18 flight segments and over 44,000 kilometers!

Check out these travel blogs…

Neil in Morocco http://neil-in-morocco.blogspot.com

neil’s World Tour 2016 http://neilsworldtour.blogspot.com

neil in Nepal  http://neilinnepal.blogspot.com

neil in Norway   http://neil-in-norway.blogspot.com

neil in Bhutan  http://neilinbhutan.blogspot.com

neil in Beijing  http://neil-in-beijing.blogspot.com

neil in New Zealand  http://neilinnewzealand.blogspot.com

neil in India  http://neiltoindia.blogspot.com

nei in Iceland  http://neiliniceland.blogspot.com

neil in Japan  http://neil-in-japan.blogspot.com

neil in Tibet 2018  http://neilintibet.blogspot.com