Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan
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Exclusive UW departure – November 10-24, 2020 Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan 15 days for $6,674 total price from Seattle ($5,895 air & land inclusive plus $779 airline taxes and fees) On this exhilarating journey, we discover two distant and devout lands, different in fact yet similar in spirit. Hinduism in Nepal and Buddhism in Bhutan suffuse all aspects of life; in both, tradition and belief abide – and surrounding Himalayan scenery casts a truly awe-inspiring spell. NEPAL Punakha Nagarkot Kathmandu Paro Thimphu BHUTAN Map Legend Destination Air Motorcoach Entry/Departure Avg. High (°F) Nov Dec Kathmandu 74 67 Prayer flags and snowcapped Himalayan peaks: two potent symbols of both Bhutan and Nepal Thimphu 64 58 Paro 57 52 Day 1: Depart U.S. for Kathmandu, Nepal meditate, and learn about the Mahayana Buddhism practiced here. After our visit we enjoy a small group Your Small Group Tour Highlights Day 2: Arrive Kathmandu We reach the Nepalese highlight as we share lunch with a local family in their capital tonight and transfer to our hotel. home. Later we visit Shechen Clinic and Hospice, a Opportunity to visit two Himalayan countries • Kathmandu humanitarian project that provides sustainable medi- touring • Kathmandu Valley excursion • Visit to Buddhist Day 3: Kathmandu This morning we meet our fellow cal services to local residents; then tour Boudhanath, monastery • Lunch with a Nepalese family in their home travelers and Odysseys Tour Director for a briefing one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage sites. B,L,D • Patan’s traditional arts and handcrafts • Hindu shrine at about the journey ahead. Then we get our first look Pashupatinath Temple • Thimphu touring • Dinner with a Bhutanese family • Raising prayer flags at Dochula Pass at this landlocked Himalayan nation in Durbar Square, Day 5: Kathmandu/Nagarkot Leaving Kathmandu • Punakha river rafting trip • Beautiful Punakha Dzong • a jumble of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards, and today, we stop at Nepal’s oldest and holiest Hindu Historic Paro • Tiger’s Nest Monastery excursion streets. Next we visit hilltop Swayambhunath, the shrine, ornate Pashupatinath Temple. Here we see iconic Buddhist temple dating to about 500 CE. A sadhus and sages who, in following the lifestyle of Day Itinerary Hotel Rating 365-step climb brings us to the sacred UNESCO stupa, Lord Shiva, wear loincloths and cover themselves with its white dome, gilded spire, and all-seeing “eyes” with ashes. We also may witness cremation ceremonies 1 Depart U.S. for Kathmandu of the Buddha. This afternoon we travel through Kath- along the river banks; displaying appropriate respect 2-4 Kathmandu Hyatt Regency Deluxe Kathmandu mandu Valley to Patan, known for its rich culture to the mourners is requested of all visitors. We travel and artistic tradition. On a walking tour through the on to Bhaktapur, the least developed of the valley’s 5-6 Nagarkot Club Himalaya Sup. First Nagarkot Class UNESCO site of Patan Durbar Square, we see some three cities. Virtually a living open-air museum with 7-8 Thimphu Druk Hotel Sup. First of the city’s many Buddhist monuments and Hindu its unspoiled ancient square and warrens of medieval Class temples. Late afternoon we return to our hotel, where streets, Bhaktapur is known for its fine artisans and 9-10 Punakha Khuru Resort First Class tonight we enjoy a welcome dinner. B,D many temples. We have time to explore then con- Sup. First 11-13 Paro Zhiwa Ling Class tinue the scenic drive to Nagarkot, a hilltop village Hyatt Regency Day 4: Kathmandu Today we see different aspects commanding a spectacular vista of Nepal’s major Paro/Kathmandu/ of Nepali life up close. First, we travel through the Himalayan peaks. B,L 14 Depart for U.S. Kathmandu Deluxe (day room) beautiful Kathmandu Valley to hilltop Kopan Mona- 15 Arrive U.S. stery, home to 360 monks and lamas. With majestic Day 6: Nagarkot Early this morning we have an Ratings are based on the Hotel & Travel Index, the travel views of the valley below, the monastery and associ- opportunity for an unforgettable experience: watching industry standard reference. ated nunnery welcome seekers and visitors to study, the sun rise over the fabled Himalaya from the hotel’s 30 Visit us at UWalum.com/tours B – Breakfast; L – Lunch; D – Dinner Tour membership limited to 18 UW alumni and friends rooftop observatory. Later, we embark on an easy I COULDN’T THINK OF A BETTER walk around the village, where we have the chance to meet local people. The remainder of the day is at GROUP OF PEOPLE TO HAVE SHARED leisure amid the stunning Himalayan scenery. B,D THIS TRIP OF A LIFETIME WITH.” – STACY GARFIELD, UW FRIEND Day 7: Nagarkot/Kathmandu/Thimphu, Bhutan We have another chance to see the sun rise over the peaks sacred in both Buddhism and Hinduism. Then learn traditional Bhutanese arts. Then we have we return to Kathmandu for the flight to Bhutan. Upon some free time to explore the local markets on our arrival in the Dragon Kingdom, we travel to the capital own. Late afternoon we depart for Paro, nestled in of Thimphu and our hotel, where we dine tonight. B,D the center of a valley dotted with rice paddies, wheat fields, and scattered settlements. Early this evening Day 8: Thimphu Today’s excursion begins at a local we reach our hotel overlooking Paro town and valley factory where paper is made by hand in the traditional and dine there tonight. B,L,D way, followed by the Textile Museum, housing exqui- site weavings from the 16th century to modern times. Day 12: Paro We begin our tour of this historic town Later we visit Tashichho Dzong, the historic fortress at Ta-Dzong, the national museum showcasing Bhutan’s and monastery that today houses temples and govern- rich cultural heritage dating from at least 2000 BCE to ment offices, including those of the king; then Memorial the present day. Built in 1648 as a watchtower, the Chorten, one of Bhutan’s best-loved religious landmarks. cylindrical-shaped museum houses a fine collection Tonight we attend a Bhutanese cultural performance of Bhutanese art and artifacts. We also visit Rinpung then dine in the home of a local family. B,L,D Dzong, a superb example of Bhutanese architecture. After lunch we call on the sacred 7th-century pilgrimage Day 9: Thimphu/Punakha En route to Punakha temple of Kyichu Lhakhang. We dine together tonight today, we visit Kunselphodrang, the recently built at our hotel. B,L,D We climb to Tiger’s Nest Monastery on Day 13. Buddha Point where the world’s largest sitting Bud- dha presides over the Thimphu valley. Then we set Day 13: Paro/Tiger’s Nest Monastery Today we Tour Departs: November 10, 2020 out for Punakha embark on a highlight of any trip to Bhutan: a visit Prices include international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees via Dochula Pass to Paro Taktsang, the sacred Tiger’s Nest monastery New York, Washington, DC $6,074 (alt. 10,000 feet), and temple complex perched on a cliff some 3,000 which offers views feet above the upper Paro Valley – itself at an altitude Atlanta, Baltimore, of snow-topped of 10,200 feet. We embark on our scenic uphill hike Boston, Chicago, Himalayan peaks early this morning (rental horses are available to take Cleveland, Detroit, $6,474 and where we visitors about two-thirds of the way). Those not Miami, Orlando, follow the sacred wishing to climb all the way up can enjoy excellent Philadelphia, Tampa tradition of rais- views of Tiger’s Nest from a way-station cafeteria. Charlotte, Cincinnati, ing prayer flags in Late afternoon we return to our hotel; tonight we Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, $6,574 the name of peace celebrate our Himalayan adventure over a farewell Minneapolis, San Francisco and compassion. dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D Denver, Phoenix, $6,674 We eat lunch here Portland (OR), Seattle then continue on Day 14: Paro/Kathmandu, Nepal/Depart for U.S. our way, stopping We fly this morning to Kathmandu, where we have Land Only (transfers not included) $4,895 to visit a local rice day rooms, lunch, and opportunities for exploring on Please call if your city is not listed. Prices are per person farming village. our own. Later we depart for the airport and our based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, Next: an easy overnight flights to the U.S. B,L surcharges, and fees of $779, which are subject to change Buddhist monks in Bhutan amble through until final payment has been made. rice fields to Day 15: Arrive U.S. We arrive in the U.S. and con- Single travelers please add $1,195. All 2020 tour prices Chimi Lhakhang, the temple built by the “Divine nect with our flights home. above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and fees) Madman” in 1499, now a pilgrimage site for couples are guaranteed. struggling with infertility. Late this afternoon we Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure reach Punakha, which sits at the confluence of the cities may require a departure one day prior to the Mo Chu (“Mother”) and Pho Chu (“Father”) rivers Your Tour Price Includes schedule listed above. in a sub-tropical valley. B,L,D • Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight: Day 10: Punakha We embark this morning on an • 12 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, $5,795 per person in addition to the above costs (upgrade exhilarating rafting trip on the Mo Chu River.