The Best of the Mountain Kingdoms: Tibet, Nepal and Bhutan
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Overview
Highlights
- Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
- I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
- Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game
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Itinerary
We stop in Xi'an for two nights, allowing us time to rest as we wait to receive our Tibet Group Entry Permit. The Tibet Group Entry Permit has been pre-arranged and will be discussed at the Orientation today.
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and...
You are welcome to join the Group Leader for a Tai Chi session before breakfast. The drive to the Terra Cotta Warrior site is approximately 1 hour each way from Xi'an. Walking approximately 2 miles at the Terra Cotta Warriors site on flat, paved terrain.
Early m...
Although Tibet uses Beijing time, it is actually about 2 hours later than Beijing. Our itinerary adjusts for this difference. The motorcoach transfer from our hotel in Xi'an to the airport is approximately 1 hour. The flight from Xi'an to Lhasa is 3 hours. Once in Tib...
Walking up to ½ mile at Jokhang Temple, mostly indoors. 20-30 steps to the second floor by regular steps with railings (people may choose not to climb up). There are places to sit. Walking up to ¼ mile from lunch restaurant to the Tibetan Medicine Hospital where the l...
Before breakfast we have the opportunity to learn gorshay, an exuberant circle dance. The drive to the countryside today is approximately 75 miles/1½ hours. Approximately 20 steps to gain access to the nunnery.
Before breakfast, we meet in the hotel courtyard to...
The palace has 458 steps up and down. Walking shoes are necessary; walking sticks might be helpful. Sera Monastery is 2 miles from the city center with up to 1 mile of walking. The climb up to Potala Palace is a one-way trip; the entrance is at the front and the exit ...
The motorcoach transfer from Lhasa to the airport is approximately 1 hour. The Group Leader will assist the group check in for the flight to Kathamandu. Once in Kathmandu, a private motorcoach will transfer us the 10 miles to Bhaktapur. The afternoon drive to Dhulikel...
Our morning hike is 1½ hours over uneven terrain. Walking shoes are necessary; walking sticks might be helpful. The walk around Dhulikhel is less than ½ mile on paved roads with occasional uphill and downhill sections.
For those interested, waking up early rewar...
The motorcoach transfer to Kathmandu is approximately 20 miles/45 minutes. In Kathmandu’s Durbar Square, walking up to 1 mile on mainly flat surfaces; standing up to 2 hours indoors and out. At Swoyambhunath Stupa there are around 130 steps.
We check out of the ...
Walking is mainly on level ground. In Pashupatinath there may be smoke from cremations. For those participants intending to organise their own Mount Everest scenic flight, before breakfast this morning is the time to take this flight. This optional flight is not inclu...
Walking up to 3 miles, mostly on paved roads with some uneven sections.
We ride by motorcoach to Patan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of marvelous monuments. The Patan Museum showcases Nepal’s long cultural history and rare objects, most in bronze and copp...
The flight to Paro takes approximately 1 hour. Flight times are based on seasonal schedules and departure times are subject to change. Visas and flights to and from Bhutan are pre-arranged and the schedule and travel documents will be given out in Nepal. Once in Bhuta...
Walking approximately 3 miles today.
We are joined at the hotel by an ex-parliamentarian for a talk about Bhutan and its political history. The lecture also gives us an introduction to Bhutan. As many locals do, we then partake of a morning walk. Fifteen minutes...
Getting on/off motorcoach for short drives (under an hour); minimal walking.
We will be joined by a senior official from the Office of Gross National Happiness Commission for a discussion on Gross National Happiness. The discussion will touch upon the work of th...
The drive from Thimphu to Paro is approximately 43 miles/1½ hours.
We travel by motorcoach to explore the country’s biggest farmers' market, where farmers from the neighboring valleys come to sell their produce. Later, we watch a game of archery, Bhutan’s nation...
This is a full-day hike involving steep climbs and drops, with an elevation gain of 1,900 feet in under 3 hours. The hike is strenuous and one must be physically fit to complete it. It is approximately 4 miles/5-7 hours round-trip. There is the option to hike halfway,...
Flights from Bhutan to Thailand may be morning or afternoon depending on the variable seasonal schedule. The flight duration is 3-4 hours and flight schedules are subject to change. We have an overnight stop in Bangkok at an airport hotel prior to departing for North ...
Hotel check-out at 12:00noon.
Our program concludes with departures to the airport. Hotel check-out is 12:00 noon. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Schola...
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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