Himalayan Mountain Kingdoms
Tibet’s Sacred Spaces, Kathmandu’s Exotic Bazaars, Bhutan’s Spectacular Festivals
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $5795 see pricing |
|---|---|
| Length: | 14 days |
| Arrive: | Lhasa, Tibet |
| Depart: | Paro, Bhutan |
| Lodging: | 13 nights first-class and best-available hotels, with some rustic lodges describe |
| Meals: | All meals included except 1 lunch and 2 dinners |
| Activity: | Walking, Cultural Adventures |
| Trip Level: |
Optional walks, altitudes between 4,000-13,000 feet
|
Highlights
- Lhasa and the Potala Palace, Yarlung Valley, cradle of Tibetan civilization
- Traditional Bhutanese Tsechu Festival in Paro (spring), Thimphu (fall)
- Cliff-perched Tiger’s Nest monastery, Kathmandu’s Buddhist center at Boudha
- Deluxe hotels: the Zhiwa Ling and Taj Tashi (Bhutan), Yak and Yeti (Nepal)
An outstanding trip. One not to miss in this lifetime!Demetra H.—Narberth, PA
Choosing the Right Trip
We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
Email Area Manager
References
We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.
Email Area ManagerDeparture Notes
Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.
Resources
Special Photo Expedition Departure
Please note we are offering a special Himalayan Mountain Kingdoms Photo Expedition, with Dan Heller, September 6-19, 2010.
There is mystery and magic in the Himalaya, in the resonant chanting of maroon-robed monks in brightly painted monasteries, in the snow plumes trailing from high peaks, and in the smiles of Buddhist pilgrims at their ancient temples. We enter this world by exploring three exotic Himalayan lands, experiencing Tibet through the immense power of places like Samye Monastery, the flourishing kingdom of Bhutan, where we hike up to the hermitage of Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest” and witness a traditional festival with mask dances, and Nepal, where the ancient past lingers on in the temple-filled streets and vibrant bazaars of Kathmandu. Throughout, we encounter an array of peoples from nomads to lamas, and revel in the most majestic mountain scenery on earth.
Itinerary at a Glance
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Days 1-5
Lhasa, Tibet / Yarlung Valley / Samye
(March Paro Festival Departure) We explore Lhasa’s massive 1,000-room Potala Palace, join pilgrims who gather at the candle-lit altars at Tibet’s most sacred temple, the Jokhang, and walk the Barkhor pilgrimage circuit. We also visit some of the small temples hidden in Lhasa’s back streets that other travelers rarely visit. Beyond Lhasa, we explore the imposing Ganden Monastery, with its vast complex of temples, and follow the kora along with groups of Tibetan pilgrims who perform various religious rituals to earn spiritual merit. Heading to the remote Yarlung Valley, 7th century birthplace of the first kings of Tibet, we visit the spectacular 8th century Samye Monastery, an architectural showplace with its 108 chapels built into a great circular stone wall. Samye’s remarkable wall paintings offer a rare glimpse of the original artistry of the master mural painters who once flourished in Tibet.
Days 6-7
Kathmandu, Nepal
In Kathmandu, we discover an ancient city where Hindu and Buddhist worlds intertwine. Golden shrines are adorned with garlands of marigolds, beautifully carved wooden windows and doorways overlook narrow alleys, and the scent of exotic spices fills the air. Temples abound, and we explore such fascinating sites as the thriving Buddhist center at Boudha, Swayambu, with its commanding views of the valley, and the riverside cremation ghats and Hindu temples of Pashupatinath.
Days 8-14
Paro, Bhutan / Thimphu / Punakha / Paro
The presence of Tibetan Buddhism is everywhere in Bhutan, from fluttering prayer flags dotting the countryside to exquisite hilltop lhakhangs (temples). In Paro, we attend the spectacular Tsechu Festival, an occasion when Bhutanese dress in their finery and express their faith in a traditional celebration of community. The festival’s sacred masked dances are wonderfully photogenic, performed both by costumed monks and laymen in monastery courtyards under the brilliant blue sky. We also hike up to the famous hermitage of Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest.” Journeying by vehicle across the 10,200-foot Dochu La Pass, we head to the peaceful Punakha Valley for hikes to hillside chortens (shrines) and to view the stunning and labyrinthine Punakha Dzong, set at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Po Chu (the Mother and Father rivers). In charming Thimphu, the capital, we visit the Arts and Crafts School, where children are trained in traditional Bhutanese painting, sculpture, and woodcarving, and the Folk Heritage Museum. We depart via Paro on Day 14.
For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure
Optional Extensions
If you would like to continue your adventure, we offer the following extension:
- Scenic Everest Flight (1 days)
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2+, easy to moderate. It features vehicle-based sightseeing with day walks and hotel/lodge accommodations throughout. Our optional day hikes take place at altitudes of 4,000-13,000 feet. All hiking is with a daypack only, and you always have the option to skip any hike you don’t want to undertake. This trip is appropriate for anyone in good health living an active outdoor lifestyle. Although you carry only a daypack on the walks, we recommend that you make a special effort to be in good physical condition. Daily brisk walking and/or regular hiking (or using a stair-climbing machine at your gym) are excellent preparatory exercises. You should wear sturdy, well-broken-in footwear. Accommodations in Tibet and Bhutan range from rustic to deluxe. The Zhiwa Ling Hotel in Paro, the Taj Tashi in Thimphu, and the Yak & Yeti in Kathmandu are deluxe and offer a great deal of comfort, while the lodge in Punakha and the hotels in Lhasa and Tsetang are well situated and cozy but somewhat rustic.
Departures & Leaders
Sep 9-22, 2010 Devendra Basnet
Mar 10-23, 2011
Sep 22-Oct 5, 2011
Special Photo Expedition
with Dan Heller & Trip Leader Hashmat Singh
Sep 6-19, 2010
Tour Costs
Prices are for 2011
$5795 (11-15 members)
$6295 (7-10 members)
Single supplement: $1525
Internal airfare: $1625 (subject to change)
Extension Costs
Scenic Everest Flight
from: $235
more on pricing
Tour Cost Includes:
- expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
- accommodations in hotels and lodges
- welcome and farewell dinners and other meals as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
- land transportation, airport transfers, and sightseeing as noted in the Full Trip Brochure
Tour Cost Does Not Include:
International airfare, hotels in Chengdu or Bangkok, airport transfers for individual arrival or departure, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors, pre-trip expenses of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance, or passports and visas; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).Lhasa Hotels
Days 1 to 3 (3 nights), Lhasa, Tibet
Our three hotels in Lhasa are welcoming and Tibetan-run. You will stay in one of the hotels below, based on availability during your trip dates. All three are comfortable and well located.
Tse Dang Hotel
Days 4 to 5 (2 nights), Tsetang, Tibet
Located in the heart of Tsetang and close to the historical sites, this large, modern, four-story hotel is an ideal base for exploring Tibet’s third largest city. Guest rooms with attached bath feature telephone, cable TV, and air-conditioning. Several restaurants are on the premises, and there is a tranquil garden where we can relax after a day of exploring.
Hotel Yak & Yeti
Days 6 to 7 (2 nights), Kathmandu, Nepal
Perfectly located in the heart of Kathmandu yet on a quiet street, the Yak & Yeti is a combination of old and new. Its restaurants and ...
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Zhiwa Ling Hotel
Day 8 (1 night),
Day 13 (1 night),
Paro, Bhutan
Located on 10 acres in a serene setting in the green Paro Valley, the deluxe Zhiwa Ling is a wonderful example of traditional Bhutanese ...
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Zangtho Pelri or Meri Puensum
Days 9 to 10 (2 nights), Punakha Valley, Bhutan
Based on availability, you will stay in either the Zangtho Pelri, pictured at left, or the Meri Puensum (see photo). Both are basic lodges. The Zangtho Pelri enjoys a scenic location on a hillside overlooking the lush rice paddies of the Punakha Valley. Simple twin-bedded cottages with basic en suite bathrooms and hot-water showers are spread out in a garden setting, and buffet-style meals—a blend of Indian and Bhutanese dishes—are served in a central building.
Taj Tashi Hotel
Days 11 to 12 (2 nights), Thimphu, Bhutan
Part of the venerable Taj group of hotels in India, this 66-room hotel has all the conveniences of a luxury hotel, while at the same time reflects ...
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Extension Accommodations
If you would like to view the accommodations offered with our extensions option:
- Scenic Everest Flight (1 days)
Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
Devendra Basnet
Devendra Basnet was born in Darjeeling, India, in the foothills of the Himalayas, and makes his home in Kathmandu, Nepal. He studied Zoology in college in India and began his guiding career as a naturalist guide in Nepal's Royal Chitwan National Park. Devendra is one of our veteran Trip Leaders in Asia, versatile enough to guide for us throughout the Himalayas as well as in Rajasthan, southern India, Central Asia, and China's Silk Road. He has an extensive knowledge of both Western and Eastern cultures. "I love working with people and I also love working in beautiful surroundings, so guiding is a natural for me. I especially love being in the high Himalayas, from Tibet to Bhutan to India. I want my trip members to appreciate how fast everything is changing (for better or worse) in these regions, and help them take back wonderful memories of the wild places and rich cultures we visit." Devendra speaks English, Nepali, Hindi, as well as some Tibetan and Bengali and is learning Chinese.
Upcoming Trips:
Himalayan Mountain Kingdoms, September 9-22, 2010
Annapurna Sanctuary, October 3-18, 2010
Royal Rajasthan - Nagaur Fair, February 8-21, 2011
Client Testimonials:
Devendra did a terrific job well beyond what I was expecting and in many ways throughout the trip.Nancy D., Ultimate Everest
D.B. is one of the best trip leaders we’ve ever had with WT.Bill M., Magical Tibet
D.B. is an excellent guide, very knowledgeable, but more importantly, in his continual care and concern for the group’s health and safety.Ann C., Magical Tibet
Extremely well organized, thoughtful, and detail oriented. We all learned to trust his judgement and were never disappointed.Andrea Novicki, Magical Tibet
D.B. did a wonderful job, very attentive to the needs of individuals. He’s good humored, even tempered and very competent.Terry W., Magical Tibet
Devendra Basnet is a joy to travel with. He’s thoughtful, humorous, very knowledgeable about the history, sites, and wildlife. He takes time out to let you meet the people and interact so that you have an appreciation of local life.Peter W., Cincinnati, OH
Devendra Basnet was marvelous and he has a fabulous sense of humor.Carolyn M., Portland OR
Royal Rajasthan
Devendra knows the territory and the profession. He kept a close eye on us all, in a quiet way, and his ‘lecture’ on Buddhism one day on the bus demonstrated his teaching skills.Tom M., Hanover NH
Royal Rajasthan
Client Comments
An outstanding trip. One not to miss in this lifetime!Demetra H., Narberth, PA
The trip leader was very enthusiastic about the areas we visited and had a good rapport with the people in all areas we visited.Laura B., Pacific Grove, CA





