CHITWAN

We're off to Chitwan National Park where we will experience the wild side of Nepal at our jungle resort for 2 nights.  A jeep safari, a ride in a dugout canoe and a jungle walk to a local gharial breeding center will be balanced by time to relax on the resort’s veranda overlooking the river and enjoy cultural events which will introduce us to the region’s Tharu tribal culture.  Tharu tribal customs are quite localized and we will get an in depth look at several regions during our travels.  If you are really enjoying the wild side, sign up for a rhino wake up call at the resort and you will be notified if any rhinos come to graze on the resort's grass at 5 am!

POKHARA

Heading north, we will travel to Pokhara, perched at the edge of the Annapurna region of the Himalayas to tour the Women’s Skills Development Center. There we will make our own macrame souvenirs as well as learning about how they collect wool, dye their yarn, weave fabric and sew accessories for sale to support their community.  A scenic boat ride will be icing on the cake with amazing views of the mountain backdrop.

NEPALGUNJ

From Pokhara we will fly west to experience an area of Nepal that is definitely off the beaten path.  In Dang we will stay at the Tharu Cultural Center for 2 nights and learn in depth about the varied traditions of this tribal culture and how they were incorporated into the now illegal caste system imposed by India.  The Tharu people are very proud and independent, and it is fascinating to see they preserve, honor and celebrate their traditions while rejecting the position imposed on them by the caste system which still lingers even though it was abolished in 1963.  Our time will be spent amidst the rice paddies visiting homes and speaking with locals.  We will learn traditional dances, eat traditional food, and meet with women who sew traditional costumes and weave baskets.

KATHMANDU

Thoroughly sated with local food and the warm hospitality of the locals we will fly back to Kathmandu for one final night before heading home.

 Heather loves designing and leading knitting and fiber tours. She’s fascinated with local traditions, unique yarns, and the modern twist added to both by current designers. Her ever-widening exposure to both has led to a long queue of patterns and a dramatic accumulation of stash!  She’s also been trying her hand at new wooly endeavors like felting and spinning. When not knitting, traveling or planning your next trip, Heather tends her small flock of chickens and ducks, volunteers in her local thrift shop, and spends time with her two dogs, her family, and friends in Dunbarton, NH.

Lindsay Roberts, aka  “The Border Tart”, is a dyer, a stitcher, a maker and a lover of words. Inspired by color and pattern and passionate about Indian artisans and textiles, she values most highly all things made by hand. Lindsay uses both indigo and acid dyes to produce a full range of colors in her dye work. Her offerings are sometimes subtle, sometimes bold, but they seldom shout. She’s also a proponent of mindful stitching and hand work of all kinds. In her words, “Making with your own hands brings pleasure, calms the heart rate and imbues each piece with love.” Peruse her hand-dyed yarns and small edition stitching kits here. You’ll also find her images, thoughts and adventures on Instagram at @bordertart. We’re so pleased to collaborate with this wonderful Scottish artisan and teacher.