PENN ALUMNI TRAVEL PRESENTS HIMALAYAN KINGDOMS: NEPAL &

November 6-20, 2018

15 days for $4,797* total price from Boston, New York, Washington, DC ($4,195* air & land inclusive plus $602* airline taxes and fees)

singular journey to two distant and devoutA lands, different in fact yet similar in spirit. Hinduism in Nepal and in Bhutan suffuse all aspects of life; in both nations, tradition and belief abide – and surrounding Himalayan scenery casts a truly awe-inspiring spell.

ITINERARY IN BRIEF TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Days 1-4: November 6-9, 2018  Arrive in the Nepalese capital and get your first look at this landlocked Himalayan Depart U.S./Kathmandu, Nepal nation with a visit to Durbar Square. Next, visit Swayambhunath, an ancient and UNESCO site; and take a walking tour through Patan Durbar Square, another UNESCO site. Travel through the beautiful Kathmandu Valley to hilltop Kopan . Enjoy a small group highlight as you dine in the home of a local family.

Days 5-6: November 10-11, 2018  Stop at Nepal’s oldest and holiest Hindu shrine, Pashupatinath Temple. Travel on to Nagarkot Bhaktapur, with time to explore this unspoiled ancient city before the scenic drive to hilltop Nagarkot. The following morning, watch the sun rise over the fabled Himalaya then meet local people on a walk through the village.

Days 7-8: November 12-13, 2018  Fly to Bhutan, the Dragon Kingdom, and enjoy a full-day excursion in Thimphu, Bhutan featuring a visit to the Textile Museum, Tashichho Dzong fortress, and Memorial Chorten, one of Bhutan’s best-loved religious landmarks. Attend a Bhutanese cultural performance and dine in a local family’s home.

Days 9-10: November 14-15, 2018  En route to Punakha, visit Kunselphodrang, site of the world’s largest sitting Punakha Buddha. Travel over Dochula Pass where you follow the sacred tradition of raising prayer flags. Visit a local village and temple. Embark on an exhilarating rafting trip on the Mo Chu River and visit monastery.

Days 11-13: November 16-18, 2018  Tour Thimphu then depart for Paro, nestled in the center of a valley. Explore this Paro historic town’s rich cultural heritage. As a highlight: visit , the sacred Tiger’s Nest Monastery perched on a cliff some 3,000 feet above the Paro Valley.

Days 14-15: November 19-20, 2018  Fly to Kathmandu where day rooms are available before your mid-afternoon Paro/Kathmandu/Return to U.S. departure for the airport and your overnight flight to the U.S.

(OVER)

Himalayan Kingdoms, Continued:

*PLEASE NOTE: At this time, elements of the tour are still being finalized. Your deposit will be fully refundable until all details, including pricing, are complete. We will be in touch with you when the final tour details and tour brochure are available in March 2018. At that time, you will have two weeks to decide whether you would like to convert your preliminary registration to a confirmed booking or to cancel and receive a full refund. Once your booking is confirmed, the cancellation penalties as outlined in the brochure will apply. You will then receive a complete confirmation packet.

*Probable Pricing: $4,797* total price from Boston, New York, Washington, D.C. Please call for prices from other cities. Prices are per person based on double occupancy and include airline taxes, surcharges, and fees of $602*, which are subject to change until final payment is made. Land only price is $3,695*; airport arrival and departure transfers not included. Single travelers please add $795*. Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight is available on a request basis – please call for details. This trip involves considerable walking uphill and on uneven terrain, as well as some lengthy coach rides on unpaved roads. You should be in good physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest. A Note about Altitude: While the elevations are not severe, the relatively high altitude of Dochula Pass (10,000 feet), as well as the relatively high altitudes of Thimphu and Paro (both 7,500 feet), could pose problems for travelers with certain health conditions. You should consult your physician if you have concerns. A Note about Hotel Accommodations: As remote and developing nations that slowly are building their tourism industry, Nepal and Bhutan do not have many of the luxuries to which we are accustomed in the West. Hotels are simple, comfortable, and clean, but amenities and service are of a lower standard than in other parts of the world. As with travel anywhere, an open mind and a sense of adventure will help mitigate any inconveniences.

PLEASE NOTE: All dates, prices, and itinerary details for 2018 tours are subject to change. Finalized pricing will be made available approximately eight months prior to departure.

Your Tour Price Includes:  Round-trip air transportation from listed cities; all flights within itinerary  12 nights’ accommodations in Deluxe, Superior First Class, First Class, and unrated hotels  31 meals: 12 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners  Extensive sightseeing as described  Services of Odysseys Unlimited Tour Directors  Private motorcoach transportation throughout your trip  Luggage handling for one bag per person  Gratuities for local guides, dining room servers, airport and hotel porters, and all drivers ------PRE-REGISTRATION FORM

Please FAX, mail, or e-mail your pre-registration form and deposit information to our tour operator, Odysseys Unlimited, Inc.: One Newton Place, 275 Washington Street, Suite 300 Newton, MA 02458 Secure FAX: 617-454-9199 E-mail: [email protected]

Enclosed is my/our deposit for $______($500 per person) for ______person/people. This secures my/our space on the following tour: Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan, November 6-20, 2018. Make check payable to Odysseys Unlimited, Inc., or please charge my/our deposit to:  AMEX  VISA  MasterCard  Discover Card # ______Expiration Date ______Security Code______Signature ______

I/We understand that I/we will be contacted in March 2018, once the final brochure for the tour is available, and will be given the opportunity to cancel at that time, without penalty. I/We also understand that billing and a complete confirmation packet will follow once I/we convert this preliminary registration into a confirmed booking.

Passport Name ______Date of Birth______Gender ____ Passport Name ______Date of Birth______Gender ____ Street Address______City ______State ____Zip ______Phone: Home ( ) ______Cell ( ) ______E-mail ______

Sponsored by the University of Pennsylvania