Program Details
Day 1:
USA to Paro - Bhutan
We will leave USA for Paro, Bhutan.
Day 2:
In transit
Day 3:
Paro - Thimphu, Bhutan
Upon arrival at the Paro International Airport in Bhutan, our guide will meet us and
transfer us to our hotel in Thimphu, the capital city. Rest of the day at leisure.
Thimphu is the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Bhutan. It is situated in the
western central part of Bhutan, and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags,
the Thimphu District. The ancient capital city of Punakha was replaced as capital by
Thimphu in 1955, and in 1961 Thimphu was declared as the capital of the Kingdom of
Bhutan by His Majesty the 3rd Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Overnight in Thimphu
Meals: D
Day 4:
Thimphu
There are a good many things to see in the capital, which has a population of
approximately 100,00 people.
After breakfast, we will visit Kuensel Phodrang, where we will feel the grandeur of the
world's largest sitting Buddha and enjoy a great bird's eye view of the Thimpu Valley. We
will continue on to the Takin Preserve to learn about the national animal of Bhutan.
The takin, also called cattle chamois or gnu goat, is a large species of ungulate found in the
eastern Himalayas. The four subspecies are the Mishmi takin, the golden takin, the Tibetan
takin and the Bhutan takin.
Whilst the takin has in the past been placed together with the muskox, more recent
research shows a closer relationship to sheep. The takin is the national animal of Bhutan.
After lunch, we will visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, the school of 13 forms of
traditional arts and crafts, commonly referred as the “painting school”, to see how the new
generation of the Bhutanese artists are learning and creating.
In the late afternon or early evening, we will visit the Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to
commemorate the third King, Jigme DorjiWangchuck, popularly known as 'the father of
the modern Bhutan.' The chorten or stupa is where the pious, young and old alike gather
every morning and evening to circumambulate, making it a local favorite spot.
Overnight in Thimphu
Meals: B-L-D
Day 5:
Thimphu
We will take a morning tour to the Changangkha Lhakhang, which is considered to be the
oldest tantric temple of Bhutan, built in the 12th century by Lama Phajo, who came to
Bhutan from Ralung, Tibet.
Then, we will visit Zilukha Nunnery in Drubthob, the biggest nunnery established by the
multi-talented Lama Thenthog Gyalpo in the 15th century.
After lunch, we will have a lecture on Buddhism in Bhutan. We will then drive to
Tashichho Dzong or fortress, the administrative headquarters of the government, to be
there at 5pm. While the northern half of the fortress is spared for the monks, the southern
half houses the office of the King, the Prime Minister's office and the Office of the Gross
Happiness Commission.
Gross National Happiness (also known by the acronym: GNH) is a philosophy that guides
the government of Bhutan. It includes an index which is used to measure the collective
happiness and well-being of a population. Gross National Happiness is instituted as the
goal of the government of Bhutan in the Constitution of Bhutan, enacted on 18 July 2008.
The term "Gross National Happiness" was coined in 1972 during an interview by a British
journalist for the Financial Times at Bombay airport when the then king of Bhutan, Jigme
Singye Wangchuck, said "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross
National Product."
Overnight in Thimphu
Meals: B-L-D
Day 6:
Thimpu - Paro
Before heading to Paro, we will enjoy the local farmers market in Thimpu, the largest in
the country, where farmers from nearby villages sell their produce.
Then we will visit Rinpung Dzong, “fortress on a heap of jewels” the religious and secular
center of Paro. The dzong was first conceived in the 15th century, and finally consecrated
in 1646.
Overnight in Paro
Meals: B-L-D
Day 7:
Paro - Tiger’s Nest
Today we will go on a strenous but rewarding hike to visit Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's
Nest).
Important note: Hike to “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery is an arduous one; 2.5 hrs uphill, 1 hr
spending there; 1.5 hrs downhill. So it takes practically the whole day. Any tour member
who does not want to do the full hike, can either go up to the half way, see the scenery
and come down or visit Kyichu Lakhang Temple and farmhouse and return back to Paro for
a leisure time.
The trail to the monastery climbs through a beautiful pine forest. We will continue at a
leisurely pace and have a picnic lunch on the way. Built in 1600s, the imposing monastery
clings to the edge of a sheer rock that plunges 2953 ft in the valley below. It is believed
that, in the 8th eentury, Guru Rimpoche, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to
Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tigress to subdue a demon. He is believed to
have meditated here to be followed by numerous Buddhist masters over the centuries. It is
considered one of the most sacred places for Buddhists.
Time permitting we can also visit the 7th century sacred Kyichu Lakhang Temple and a
typical farmhouse on our way.
Overnight in Paro
Meals: B-L-D
Day 8:
Paro / Bhutan - Kathmandu / Nepal
In the morning we will be transferred to the airport to fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we
will visit Patan.
The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur, meaning “the city of beauty.” Its most photogenic
center of attraction is its Durbar Square complex. The city is full of Buddhist monuments
and Hindu temples, with fine bronze gateways, guardian deities and wonderful carvings.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: B-L-D
Day 9:
Kathmandu and Two Temples
*Due to the earthquake, many buildings in Kathmandu City (old Kantipur) have either
collapsed totally or been damaged and now are under renovation. If the renovations are
not finished until the group arrives, we will instead visit other towns around the city.
Early in the morning (6:30 AM) Optional Mountain Flight to see the Himalayas: Tour
members who want to join this flight will be transferred to take the one-hour flight. After
the flight, back to the hotel to have breakfast.
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, with a population of around 3 million.
Kathmandu is also the largest metropolis in the Himalayan Mountain region. Nepali and
Newari are the most spoken languages in the city.
Kathmandu, also known as City of Temples, stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400
metres (4,600 feet) above sea level in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley in central Nepal.
The valley is historically termed as "Nepal Mandala" and has been the home of Newar
culture, a cosmopolitan urban civilization in the Himalayas foothills. The city was the royal
capital of the Kingdom of Nepal and hosts palaces, mansions and gardens of the Nepalese
aristocracy.
In the morning we will have a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu, originally known as
Kantipur. We will visit the Durbar (Palace) Square, starting with the inner palace complex
of Hanuman Dhoka and Gorkha Durbars, the traditional seat of the Nepalese royalty,
which were converted to museums and the Kumari Ghar (house), the residence of the
Kumari; the Living Goddess of Kathmandu.
We will also see the Kasthamandap, an unusual temple built from a single tree and gave
its name to the city. After lunch, we will visit the Boudhanath Stupa. This stupa is one of
the biggest in the world of its kind. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal
direction keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. Then we will visit
the Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal’s most important Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva.
Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the
temple was built in pagoda style and has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors
will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of the Bagmati River. Entry to the
temple is strictly forbidden to all non-Hindus.
We will have our welcome dinner at a special restaurant with Nepalese delicacies and
cultural show.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: B-L-D
Day 10:
Kathmandu - Pokhara
Transfer to the airport to fly to Pokhara, a remarkable place of natural beauty with several
lakes and stunning panoramic views of the Annapurna Mountain Range. We will visit
International Mountain Museum, and then enjoy a boat trip on the Phewa Lake and see
the Barahi Temple, which is right on a small island on the lake.
Overnight in Pokhara
Meals: B-L-D
Day 11:
Pokhara - Kathmandu
We will have a short hike to Sarangkot to view the amazing sunrise before breakfast. After
breakfast, we will enjoy the Gurkha Museum and the Gupteswar Cave. Then we will go to
the Tibetan Refugee Camp to visit the SOS Children's Village. In the afternoon, we will fly
back to Kathmandu.
Depending on actual flight arrival time we may have time to drive to Bungamati, a
pleasant traditional Newari village that dates back to the 16th century.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: B-L-D
Day 12:
Kathmandu
Today we will have an excursion to the towns of Bhagtapur and Kirtipur located near
Kathmandu.
Kirtipur, a traditional Newari town, has a wonderful sense of faded grandeur thanks to the
impressive medieval temples dotted around its backstreets. When Prithvi Narayan Shah
stormed into the valley in 1768, he made a priority capturing Kirtipur to provide a base for
his crushing attacks on the Malla kingdoms. Kirtipur's resistance was strong, but eventually,
after a bitter siege, the town was taken. The inhabitants paid a terrible price for their brave
resistance-the king ordered that the nose and the lips be cut off every male inhabitant in
the town, sparing only those who could play wind instruments for his entertainment.
Overnight in Kathmandu
Meals: B-L-D
Day 13:
Departure
In the morning we will be transferred to the airport for our return flight to USA.
TIBET EXTENSION / 4 NIGHTS
Day 13:
Kathmandu - Lhasa / Tibet
In the morning we will fly from Kathmandu / Nepal to Lhasa Tibet on Air China. This one
hour trans-Himalayan flight will give us an opportunity to have an aerial view of Mt.
Everest and other Himalayan Peaks (weather permitting).
Arrival at Gonggar Airport 2:05 pm. After clearing immigration and customs, we will meet
our guide and drive to Lhasa, which is situated, at an altitude of 3650 meters. On the way
to our hotel, we will visit the Lhasa Museum. home to a rich collection of cultural relics,
antique thangkas, scriptures, costumes, and folk art.
Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: B-L-D
Day 14:
Lhasa
High altitude takes time to get used to. We will rest in the morning in our room till lunch
at a local restaurant. Then we will visit Norbulingka, the summer residence of the
successive Dalai Lamas from the 1780s to 1959.
It was built by the 7th Dalai Lama and served both as the administrative and the religious
center. It's a unique representation of the Tibetan palace architecture. Covering an area of
approximately 89 acres, Norbulingka has the largest man made garden in Tibet, where the
annual «Yoghurt Festival» is held.
We will continue with the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet. It was built as a
shrine in the 7th century by King Srong Tsan Gampo for a Buddha statue called Jobo,
which is richly decorated in jewels, brocade and silk bands. The architectural style of th e
temple is a combination of the Indian Vihara, the Chinese Tang Dynastyand the Nepalese
Newari designs. The walk around the temple is called “Barkhor” and is considered
“sacred” to all pilgrims. It is a famous bazaar for the Tibetan crafts.
Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: B-L-D
Day 15:
Lhasa
Perched upon Marpo Ri Hill, 130 m. above the Lhasa Valley, Potala Palace rises a further
170 m. and is the greatest monumental structure in all of Tibet.
Being the chief residence of the Dalai Lamas from the 5th to the 14th Dalai Lama, the
palace has more than 1000 rooms, 10 000 shrines and about 200 000 statues. It is now a
museum and a World Heritage Site. As it was never damaged badly, all the chapels and
their artifacts are very well preserved.
In the afternoon we will drive to Sera Monastery, which was built in 1419 by a pupil of
Tsongkhapa, Jamchen Chojey, and is one of “the great three” Gelug university monasteries
of Tibet, along with the Ganden and Drepung Monasteries. It is a complex of the Great
Assembly Hall and three colleges.
Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: B-L-D
Day 16:
Lhasa / Tibet - Kathmandu / Nepal
In the morning we will be transferred to the airport to fly to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we
will be transferred to our hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure in Kathmandu to explore on our own.
Overnight in Lhasa
Meals: B-L-D
Day 17:
Departure
In the morning we will be transferred to the airport for our return flight.
Meals: B