Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals

Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals 15 Days

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Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals
Himalaya's Sacred Spaces, Exotic Bazaars, Spectacular Festivals

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Itinerary
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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 15 Days
Comfort: 66.6666666666667%
Language: English
Rating: 80.0%
Trip ID: 88324
Start Location: Lhasa, China
End Location: Paro, Bhutan

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Primary Activities: Local Culture & Cuisine, Walking Tour
Other Activities: Festivals, Temples & Shrines, Monasteries
Activity Level: Basic

There is mystery and magic in the Himalaya, in the eerie chanting of maroon-robed monks in brightly painted monasteries, in the snow plumes trailing from high peaks, and in the shy 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 mandala-shaped Samye Monastery, founded 1,200 years ago, the flourishing Tibetan Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan, where we hike up to the hermitage of Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest, ” and witness a traditional festival with masked 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 relish some of the most majestic mountain scenery on earth.

The Tsechu Festivals: It is extraordinary to witness Bhutan’s traditional Tsechu and Dromche Festivals, held in Paro in the spring and in Thimphu in the fall. The Tsechu celebrates events in the life of Padmasambhava, the 8th century master who brought Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan, while the Dromche reenacts events during the historic war against the Tibetans in the 17th century. Festivals last several days and are attended by Bhutanese from all around the countryside, who leave their farms and dress in their finery to gather and celebrate with friends. The festival’s sacred masked dances are wonderfully photogenic, performed both by costumed monks and laymen in monastery courtyards under the brilliant cobalt sky.

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.

Please Note: You must arrange your travel plans to arrive in Chendu, China, at least one day before Day 1 of the trip. Extra overnight(s) in Chengdu can be arranged on your own or by Wilderness Travel (an on your own expense).

Itinerary

Day 1: Lhasa, Tibet

From Chengdu, China, fly to Gongkar, the airport that serves Lhasa, the long-forbidden capital of Tibet. On arrival, we transfer via a 60-mile drive across Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa. We meet our Trip Leader at the hotel and gather for a welcome dinner this evening. Overnight at hotel in Lhasa...LD

Accommodations in Tibet: Please note that hotels in Tibet are somewhat basic. We choose our hotels for their optimum location and services, and while they are the best available, they may be simpler than hotels you may have experienced in other regions of Asia.

Lodging: Kyichu Hotel
Description: Conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor, and Potala Palace, the Kyichu, run by a Tibetan family, is ideally situated for exploring some of Lhasa’s major sights. The hotel’s 52 guest rooms feature private baths and are furnished in traditional Tibetan décor. The courtyard garden is an oasis in the otherwise bustling city, the kind and friendly hotel staff always has a ready smile, and the momos are fantastic! High-speed Internet access makes it easy to keep in touch.

Day 2: Exploration Day / Lhasa

A day of exploring major sites of the holy city of Lhasa sets the stage for our introduction to the ancient cultural heritage of Tibet. We visit massive, ancient Potala Palace, join pilgrims who gather at the candlelit altars at the Jokhang (Tibet’s most sacred temple), and walk the Barkhor pilgrimage circuit that encircles the Jokhang. We also hope to visit some of the many small temples tucked off the main thoroughfare, places other travelers rarely visit. Overnight at hotel in Lhasa...BLD

Lhasa & the Lhasa Valley: Tibet’s colossal Potala Palace is a striking thousand-room monument that dominates the Lhasa skyline. From the roofs of the Potala (13-stories high), the view over Lhasa is unforgettable. On its roof terraces are the Dalai Lama’s residences and courtyard. Eight Dalai Lamas are buried in this famous building. The original parts of the Potala date back to the 7th century. Jokhang, Tibet’s most sacred temple, draws multitudes of pilgrims from all over the country. It houses Tibet’s most revered statue, a magnificent image of Jowo Sakyamuni. The Barkhor, a pilgrimage circuit that encircles the Jokhang, serves as Lhasa’s central bazaar, where one finds everything from precious Kham amber to prayer flags. Norbulingka (“Jewel Park”) was the official summer residence for the Dalai Lamas and their families since the mid-18th century. It is a park-like enclave surrounded by trees, ponds, and pavilions on the outskirts of Lhasa. The current Dalai Lama lived here until he fled to India in 1959 and his residential quarters have been left untouched, remaining furnished as they were at that time. Drepung Monastery, a former Buddhist university, is cradled in rock ridges five miles west of Lhasa. Drepung was once the largest and most powerful of the six great Gelugpa religious centers in Tibet. The kora (a pilgrim trail circling a sacred place) around Drepung offers a panoramic one-hour walk with views of the Lhasa Valley and the monastery grounds. There is always something interesting to observe at Tibetan monasteries and temples, from monks engaging in ritual philosophical debates or chanting prayers to pilgrims in their devotional activities.

Lodging: Kyichu Hotel
Description: Conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor, and Potala Palace, the Kyichu, run by a Tibetan family, is ideally situated for exploring some of Lhasa’s major sights. The hotel’s 52 guest rooms feature private baths and are furnished in traditional Tibetan décor. The courtyard garden is an oasis in the otherwise bustling city, the kind and friendly hotel staff always has a ready smile, and the momos are fantastic! High-speed Internet access makes it easy to keep in touch.

Day 3: Lhasa Valley / Ganden Monastery

Today we visit Ganden Monastery (13,700'), a remarkable, sprawling monastic city that was once one of the three great religious centers of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism (founded as a cave hermitage in 1409). His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, studied as a youth. Though it was sacked by Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution of 1966, most of it has been beautifully reconstructed and Ganden is once again a stunning sight—a city dramatically set in a high, natural amphitheater above the Lhasa River. Around 500 monks have returned to Ganden in the last few years. We explore its temples and have a chance to walk the pilgrim kora, which takes about 1.5 hours. A kora is always walked clockwise, and along the way we meet groups of Tibetans pilgrims performing various religious rituals to earn spiritual merit. Our picnic lunch today is on the monastery’s kora route, with a spectacular view down into the Kyi Chu Valley and beyond to the snowy, 23,000-foot summits of the Nyenchen Thanglha peaks. The driving time between Ganden and Lhasa is approximately 1-1.5 hours. We return to Lhasa for overnight…BLD

Lodging: Kyichu Hotel
Description: Conveniently located just a few minutes walk from the Jokhang Temple, Barkhor, and Potala Palace, the Kyichu, run by a Tibetan family, is ideally situated for exploring some of Lhasa’s major sights. The hotel’s 52 guest rooms feature private baths and are furnished in traditional Tibetan décor. The courtyard garden is an oasis in the otherwise bustling city, the kind and friendly hotel staff always has a ready smile, and the momos are fantastic! High-speed Internet access makes it easy to keep in touch.

Day 4: Samye / Yarlung Valley

Today we visit Samye, Tibet's first monastery, an architectural showplace constructed in the 8th century. Built in the shape of a mandala, with its 108 chapels built into a great circular stone wall, its remarkable murals are an encyclopedic representation of Tibetan culture and religion. To reach Samye, we cross the sprawling Tsangpo River by ferry, often traveling with Tibetan pilgrims, giving us a chance to mingle with the local people. Samye’s fantastic architecture mirrors the structure of the universe according to Buddhist cosmology. The vibrant, well-preserved murals offer a rare glimpse of the original artistry of the master mural painters who once flourished in Tibet. Samye's central temple, or utse, represents Mount Meru, the central pillar of the Buddhist cosmic universe. We return across the Tsangpo and continue to the beautiful Yarlung Valley, where we overnight in a hotel in Tsetang (11,500'), third largest city in central Tibet...BLD.

Lodging: Tse Dang Hotel
Description: 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.

Day 5: Yarlung Valley

It was in the Yarlung Valley that the first king of Tibet, King Trisong Detsen, is said to have descended from heaven to begin his rule. His descendants ruled the valley until the 10th century, and thus the Yarlung Valley is often called the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Today we explore this historic valley, from the massive burial mounds of the early kings at Chongye, Tibet’s “Valley of the Kings,” to the ruined hilltop fortress of Yumbu Lhakhang, with a stop en route at Trandruk, one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. Yumbu Lhakhang, considered the oldest building in Tibet, is perched on a crag like a medieval European castle. From its lofty ridge, we toss “wind horses” (tiny colorful prayer papers) into the high winds. If time allows, we will also have the chance to explore the countryside on optional walks. Overnight at hotel in Tsetang...BLD.

Lodging: Tse Dang Hotel
Description: 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.

Day 6: Lhasa / Kathmandu, Nepal

After breakfast, we transfer to Gongkar Airport for the spectacular mountain flight over the highest Himalayas to Kathmandu. In the hidden corners of fabled Kathmandu, the ancient past lingers in a maze of narrow streets crowded with turmeric sellers, small golden temples, wandering cows, and traditional workshops. Today, enjoy a half-day afternoon tour of this magical city, exploring some of the extraordinary Buddhist and Hindu temples of Kathmandu, including Bodhnath and Pashupatinath. Lunch and dinner are on your own, so you can choose from among Kathmandu’s wide selection of restaurants and delicious food. Dinner is on your own tonight. Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel, an elegant oasis in a bustling city...BL

About Kathmandu: Once a traditional medieval city of breathtaking Newari architecture, Kathmandu is now fully grown into a bustling urban capital. Nevertheless, one still finds magic, especially in the ancient, narrow streets and in countless temples and shrines where Buddhist and Hindu iconography mix in fascinating ways. One such place is Bodhnath, a 1,400-year-old stupa that attracts pilgrims from across Buddhist Asia. At Bodhnath, pilgrims circle the stupa to make a kora, and turn the stupa's giant prayer wheels as they go. With new monasteries sprouting up all around it, Bodhnath is rapidly becoming a world center of Tibetan Buddhist study. Pashupatinath, with its triple-roofed temple, cremation ghats, and wandering sadhus (holy men), is set along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, whose waters flow south to join the mighty Ganges (the holy river of India). Pashupatinath is one of four major sites of Shiva worship on the subcontinent. Its entrance to the inner temple precinct is for Hindus only, but from the outside, the huge structure of Nandi, the Bull, and a smaller statue of Hanuman, the Monkey God, are in view.

Dwarika’s Hotel: A heritage hotel that takes its inspiration from the Kathmandu Valley’s ancient culture, Dwarika’s is modeled upon the architectural grandeur of the palaces of the Newar kings, yet offers the welcoming and serene ambiance of a private home. Guest rooms blend contemporary comforts with Newari motifs and artwork from another age, and the hotel’s three restaurants offer a range of options, from multi-cultural Nepali cuisines to continental and Japanese dishes, with fresh vegetables from Dwarika's own farm. There is peaceful inner courtyard, a library to read in, a lovely pool, and a spa for rejuvenation. The hotel houses an extensive collection of Newari artifacts from the 14th century onwards. For its work in preserving the heritage of the Kathmandu Valley, Dwarika’s won the PATA Heritage Award.

Lodging: Dwarika's Hotel
Description: A heritage hotel that takes its inspiration from the Kathmandu Valley’s ancient culture, Dwarika’s is modeled upon the architectural grandeur of the palaces of the Newar kings, yet offers the welcoming and serene ambiance of a private home. Guest rooms blend contemporary comforts with Newari motifs and artwork from another age, and the hotelís three restaurants offer a range of options, from multi-cultural Nepali cuisines to continental and Japanese dishes, with fresh vegetables from Dwarika’s own farm. There is peaceful inner courtyard, a library to read in, a lovely pool, and a spa for rejuvenation. The hotel houses an extensive collection of Newari artifacts from the 14th century onwards. For its work in preserving the heritage of the Kathmandu Valley, Dwarika's won the PATA Heritage Award.

Day 7: Kathmandu

Today we enjoy a full-day tour including Swayambu and Bhaktapur. Swayambu is an ancient Buddhist stupa with commanding views of the valley. A steep climb of 300 steps leads to this place of worship. Swayambu was established as a shrine around 500 BC. By the 13th century AD, it had become an important center of Buddhist learning. Its eyes, painted on four cardinal points, keep watch over the Kathmandu Valley. Out in the Kathmandu Valley, we discover Bhaktapur, a medieval world unto itself and Nepal’s most perfectly preserved city, with its streets paved in bricks of herringbone pattern, graceful pagodas, and Newari houses of carved wood. The “City of Devotees” was founded in the 9th century and by 1200 it ruled all Nepal. Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel...BL.

Lodging: Dwarika's Hotel
Description: A heritage hotel that takes its inspiration from the Kathmandu Valley’s ancient culture, Dwarika’s is modeled upon the architectural grandeur of the palaces of the Newar kings, yet offers the welcoming and serene ambiance of a private home. Guest rooms blend contemporary comforts with Newari motifs and artwork from another age, and the hotelís three restaurants offer a range of options, from multi-cultural Nepali cuisines to continental and Japanese dishes, with fresh vegetables from Dwarika’s own farm. There is peaceful inner courtyard, a library to read in, a lovely pool, and a spa for rejuvenation. The hotel houses an extensive collection of Newari artifacts from the 14th century onwards. For its work in preserving the heritage of the Kathmandu Valley, Dwarika's won the PATA Heritage Award.

Day 8: Kathmandu

Today is free for exploration on your own in Kathmandu. Wander the bustling streets of the Thamel district where artisans and shopkeepers display a myriad of crafts and wares, or hop on a cyclo-rickshaw for an adventurous ride through the city streets. Overnight at Dwarika’s Hotel...B

Lodging: Dwarika's Hotel
Description: A heritage hotel that takes its inspiration from the Kathmandu Valley’s ancient culture, Dwarika’s is modeled upon the architectural grandeur of the palaces of the Newar kings, yet offers the welcoming and serene ambiance of a private home. Guest rooms blend contemporary comforts with Newari motifs and artwork from another age, and the hotelís three restaurants offer a range of options, from multi-cultural Nepali cuisines to continental and Japanese dishes, with fresh vegetables from Dwarika’s own farm. There is peaceful inner courtyard, a library to read in, a lovely pool, and a spa for rejuvenation. The hotel houses an extensive collection of Newari artifacts from the 14th century onwards. For its work in preserving the heritage of the Kathmandu Valley, Dwarika's won the PATA Heritage Award.

Day 9: Kathmandu / Paro, Bhutan / Punakha

Another spectacular mountain flight brings us to Paro, Bhutan, and we land in the emerald-green Paro Valley at 7,500 feet, where shrines dot the landscape and graceful willow trees grow along the edge of the Paro River as it winds through fields and farmlands. On arrival, we head out for a beautiful drive from Parao to Punakha, crossing the Dochu La Pass. At 10,200 feet, the Dochu La is marked with fluttering prayer flags and more than 100 chortens (stupas) dedicated to Bhutan's continued peace and happiness. On a clear day the pass offers astounding views of the Bhutanese Himalaya. After a stop for hot tea at a café atop the pass and time to savor the mountain views, we descend toward the Punakha Valley. Here we enjoy a half-hour walk through mustard fields to Chimi Lhakhang (lhakhang means temple), a monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. Drukpa Kuenley originally built a chorten on the site in the 14th century. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags atop a picturesque hill, has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Overnight at Dragon Nest Resort or similar in Punakha...BLD

Punakha: The winter capital was established in this location in part because Punakha is a warm valley with a relatively low altitude of 4,100 feet, allowing for the production of two rice crops each year, along with oranges, mangos, and bananas. In Punakha, we may see people from the remote village of Laya. The Layap, as they are known, are yak herders who make the three- or four-day walk to Punakha from their high-altitude villages in northwest Bhutan. Women of Laya wear conical bamboo hats with a center spike of bamboo, and Laya’s men wear black woolen coats.

Lodging: Dragon's Nest Resort
Description: The Dragon’s Nest Resort is a rustic country hotel nestled in the Phobjikha Valley on the banks of the Puna Tsang Chu River. Guest rooms are simple, but clean and comfortable, with en suite bathrooms and hot-water showers, and the hotel property is well maintained. All 18 of the guest rooms have views overlooking the river and the valley. Meals are served buffet-style in the separate central dining room.

Day 10: Wangdue / Punakha Dzong

We head to the small town of Wangdue to visit the ancient Wangdue Dzong, then return to Punakha to explore the impressive Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Po Chu (the Mother and Father rivers). The Punakha Dzong is an architectural wonder and seat of the head abbot of Bhutan, It has survived six fires, two glacial lake bursts, and an earthquake. Overnight at Dragon Nest Resort or similar...BLD

Lodging: Dragon's Nest Resort
Description: The Dragon’s Nest Resort is a rustic country hotel nestled in the Phobjikha Valley on the banks of the Puna Tsang Chu River. Guest rooms are simple, but clean and comfortable, with en suite bathrooms and hot-water showers, and the hotel property is well maintained. All 18 of the guest rooms have views overlooking the river and the valley. Meals are served buffet-style in the separate central dining room.

Day 11: Paro / Paro Festival

Today we return to Paro as we set out to watch the festivities of the annual Paro Festival. We also have the opportunity to visit the beautiful 17th century Paro Dzong, the religious and secular center of the Paro Valley, as well as Bhutan’s National Museum, with its collection of ancient artifacts, weapons, stamps, and silver teaware. (Please note that our activities today and tomorrow may be altered to accommodate the festival schedule.) Overnight at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel...BLD

Bhutan’s Festivals: It is an extraordinary privilege to witness one of Bhutan’s traditional Tsechu Festivals. Tsechu (pronounced say-choo) means “tenth day” because the festival is usually held around the 10th day of a month. The Tsechu celebrates events in the life of Padmasambhava, the 8th century master who brought Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan. Such festivals are celebrated throughout Bhutan, but the ones in Paro, Thimphu, and Wangdi are among the most colorful. Festivals last several days and are attended by Bhutanese from all around the countryside, who leave their farms and dress in their finery to gather and celebrate with friends. Activities include sacred masked dances performed by costumed monks wearing huge masks. The dances take place in beautiful monastery courtyards under the brilliant cobalt sky. Most Tsechus conclude with a ceremonial unfurling of the thongdrol, a sacred thanka (mural on cloth) with a portrait of Guru Rimpoche. Many of these giant thankas cover the entire exterior wall outside the monastery and are only viewed on special occasions. It is believed that seeing this portrait can lead to enlightenment.

Lodging: Zhiwa Ling Hotel
Description: Located on 10 acres in a serene setting in the green Paro Valley, the deluxe Zhiwa Ling is a wonderful example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, every bit of it hand-carved in Bhutan by local craftsmen. The 45 rooms (all suites) are airy and large, with balconies opening onto views of world-famous Taktsang Monastery. At the hotel’s Menlha Spa, enjoy a sauna or a Bhutanese-style massage, perfect after a long day’s hike, while the tea room offers local safflower and cinnamon herb teas. The hotel has two restaurants, plus the Mad Monk bar, a great spot for winding down. The Zhiwa Ling has appeared on Conde Nast Traveler’s annual “Gold List.”

Day 12: Taktsang Monastery / Paro Festival

This morning we explore the famous ruin of Drukgyel Dzong (8,465'), built in the 17th century to defend against attack from Tibet. Bhutanese forces garrisoned here twice repelled Tibetan invaders. We then hike up through pine forests festooned with Spanish moss to reach the striking monastic retreat of Taktsang, the “Tiger's Nest,” built into a sheer cliff face about 2,700 feet above the Paro Valley. It is the most famous temple in Bhutan. Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche), the great 8th century Buddhist saint and teacher, is thought to have landed at this spot after flying over the mountains from Tibet on the back of a tigress, thus bringing the teachings of Buddhism to Bhutan. The primary temple was built around Padmasambhava's meditation cave in 1684. Enjoy lunch en route at a teahouse midway with fantastic views of the monastery. Those who opt out of the hike may instead visit Kyichu Lhakahang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of Bhutan. Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples—the first built by Buddhist Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and the second by the Queen Mother of Bhutan in 1968. We also witness more activities of the Paro Festival today. Overnight at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel...BLD.

Lodging: Zhiwa Ling Hotel
Description: Located on 10 acres in a serene setting in the green Paro Valley, the deluxe Zhiwa Ling is a wonderful example of traditional Bhutanese architecture, every bit of it hand-carved in Bhutan by local craftsmen. The 45 rooms (all suites) are airy and large, with balconies opening onto views of world-famous Taktsang Monastery. At the hotel’s Menlha Spa, enjoy a sauna or a Bhutanese-style massage, perfect after a long day’s hike, while the tea room offers local safflower and cinnamon herb teas. The hotel has two restaurants, plus the Mad Monk bar, a great spot for winding down. The Zhiwa Ling has appeared on Conde Nast Traveler’s annual “Gold List.”

Day 13: Thimphu

A drive of three hours brings us to Thimphu. This afternoon we visit the Folk Heritage Museum, founded by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. Here we can see traditional utensils used in farming, cooking, religious ritual, and everyday life, and learn about Bhutanese folklore and legends. Overnight at the Taj Tashi Hotel...BLD

About Thimphu: Thimphu was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan's official national capital. Even today, it still only has a few streets and no traffic lights. The massive Tashicho Dzong, about 700 years old, was carefully revamped in the 1960s by the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to house the royal and main government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Je Khempo, Bhutan’s chief abbot. King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk was the main architect of modern Bhutan. He died in 1972 and was succeeded by his son, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who was age 17 at the time. He abdicated the throne in 2006, as Bhutan changed to a constitutional monarchy, and his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (then 28), was crowned king and became the head of state in November 2008.

Lodging: Taj Tashi Hotel
Description: 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 Bhutanese tradition in its elegant architecture. Guest rooms are large and artfully decorated with hand-painted wall murals. The guest bathrooms are similarly large, with heated slate floors, a walk-in shower, and large tub for relaxing soaks. The Taj Tashi has two restaurants, a tea lounge, and the cozy Ara Bar. Its "downtown" location in Thimphu, the capital, is convenient for heading out on foot to explore local cafes and shops around town. The staff is welcoming and the service is excellent. The hotel has been featured on Conde Nast Traveler’s “Hot List.”

Day 14: Thimphu

Today we visit the National Memorial Chorten, a beautiful stupa built in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, explore Changgangkha Lhakhang, a fortress-like 12th century temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, and finish our day at Takin Sanctuary. The takin, Bhutan’s national animal, resembles a cross between a gnu and a musk deer. Overnight at Taj Tashi Hotel...BLD

Lodging: Taj Tashi Hotel
Description: 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 Bhutanese tradition in its elegant architecture. Guest rooms are large and artfully decorated with hand-painted wall murals. The guest bathrooms are similarly large, with heated slate floors, a walk-in shower, and large tub for relaxing soaks. The Taj Tashi has two restaurants, a tea lounge, and the cozy Ara Bar. Its "downtown" location in Thimphu, the capital, is convenient for heading out on foot to explore local cafes and shops around town. The staff is welcoming and the service is excellent. The hotel has been featured on Conde Nast Traveler’s “Hot List.”

Day 15: Depart

Early in the morning, we drive back to Paro, where we fly to Bangkok in order to connect with homewardbound flights. Flights typically arrive in Bangkok between 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m…B.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
Accommodations in hotels and lodges
All meals included except 2 lunches and 3 dinners
Land transportation, airport transfers, and sightseeing as noted in the Full Trip Brochure

Trip Excludes

International airfare
Hotels in Chengdu or Bangkok
Transfers for individual arrival or departure
Airport departure taxes,
Meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure
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.).

Trip ID#: 88324

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

Operator

For the specifics on this tour operator, please contact AdventureLink directly.

Reviews (5)

Demetra H.

An outstanding trip. One not to miss in this lifetime!
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Laura B.

The trip leader was very enthusiastic about the areas we visited and had a good rapport with the people in all areas we visited.
- Overall Rating
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Nancy W.

Wonderful trip. I loved the festivals in Nepal and Bhutan.
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Jesseca S.

One of the best trips of my life.
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Linda Y.

"I had a fabulous time. Everything we saw was so interesting!"
- Overall Rating
  80%
- Guide Rating
  70%
- Value Rating
  70%
- Itinerary Rating
  90%
- Accomodation Rating
  80%

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When would you like to go? month / day / year

How long do you want to go for?

How many people are going?

Is anyone in your party under 18? Yes No

If "Yes", please list their ages

What activities do you want to do?

Enter your price range (From and To price. Provide a departure city if you'd like to include airfare in your quote.)

If you don't want to indicate a price range, tell us how you like to travel

Best available accommodation Highest quality – not necessarily the most expensive Moderate Budget

Please provide us with any additional information you feel will help us design your trip.