Yasuda Garden Museum

Himalayan Panorama

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12 days (Paro)

Destinations visited: Nepal, Bhutan, Paro, Tibet, World

Grading:

Adventure touring level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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An unforgettable journey through once forbidden Kingdoms - Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet

In Bhutan we capture the cultural highlights from the tranquil Paro Valley to Punakha and the impressive Punakha Dzong, en-route crossing the Dochu La with magnificent views of the Himalaya. On return to Paro we make the 2 hour hike to view the famous Taktsang Monastery perched high above the valley. In vibrant Kathmandu we explore ancient sites including Bhaktapur, before journeying to Dhulikhel on the valley rim for sunset views of the Nepal Himalaya. Finally we take a flight to the ancient Tibetan city of Lhasa where we appreciate its rich cultural heritage as we visit the famous Jokhang, the Norbulingka and the Potala Palace - a must for all Himalayan enthusiasts.

Highlights

Sightseeing in Paro,Kathmandu & Lhasa
In Bhutan cross Dochu La to Punakha
The remarkable Punakha Dzong
Kathmandu Valley and the Himalayan foothills in Dhulikhel
2 days in the Ancient City of Lhasa

Itinerary

Day 1 Join Paro

We fly in to Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, and after clearing customs and immigration, we're met by our group leader. There will be a pre-trip briefing on arrival at the hotel, followed by an afternoon/evening at leisure in Paro, to allow some acclimatisation; Paro is 2280m above sea level. Overnight at Kyichu Resort on the banks of the Paro Chhu (Paro River).

Day 2 Transfer to Thimphu (approx.1-2hrs)

Bhutan's compact capital (population about 50,000 – Bhutan, had its very first census in May 2005) is easily explored on foot. We visit the Indigenous hospital, where traditional healing arts are still practiced, the Art & Craft school, the National Library, the Royal goldsmith workshop and the Handicraft Emporium with its famous weaving, woodcarvings and paintings. In the afternoon we visit the memorial chorten (a “chorten” is a stone Buddhist monument, often containing relics) dedicated to the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the founder of modern-day Bhutan. We'll also visit the 15th century Changangkha monastery and Motithang mini zoo, where we'll see the rare "takin" (the national animal of Bhutan), before driving out of town for a view of the Thimphu Valley. We also visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and browse the local market. Overnight Thimphu.

Day 3 Cross Dochu La, Punakha Dzong (drive approx. 3/4hrs)

From Thimphu, we drive for about three hours to Wangduephodrang (locally known as “Wangdi”) via Punakha, changing climatic zones from mountainous to tropical. On the way, we cross over Dochu La, a 3150-metre-high pass marked by prayer flags and a chorten and, if the weather is fine, a view of the eastern Himalaya including the highest mountain in Bhutan, Mt Gangar Punsum (7520m). We drive through forests of rhododrendron and magnolia, before the road descends into the warmer lowlands around Punakha. We visit the Punakha Dzong, which once served as the old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built in 1637 between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire. Every February there is a procession known as the Punakha Serda to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. From there it's just 45 minutes' drive to Wangduephodrang where you can view the Dzong and stroll around the market area. Overnight Wangdi Kyichu Resort.

Day 4 Return to Paro, afternoon at leisure

The return drive back to Paro is no less spectacular, we re-cross the spectacular Dochu La and arrive into Paro in the afternoon.The remainder of the day can be spent wandering the peaceful streets of Paro or relaxing in the hotel.

Day 5 In Paro, Taktsang Monastery

We spend the day sightseeing in and around Paro. We visit Ta-Dzong, which now houses the National Museum of Bhutan. The seven-storey museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century; there are excellent displays of all facets of the country's rich cultural history including traditional costumes and battle dress, priceless jewellery and specimens of the kingdom's unique flora and fauna. We take a short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative centre and school for monks, before walking a little further and crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. In the afternoon we drive to the foot of the Taktsang Monastery - the famous Tigers Nest Monastery said to have been one of the divine resting places of the Guru Ringpoche. Although much of the building was once destroyed by fire it is now restored and it is worthwhile to ascend the walking trail to appreciate the monasteries breathtaking location on a cliff edge about 800 metres above the valley floor.

Day 6 Fly Paro to Kathmandu

On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met by your group leader and transferred to the Radisson hotel. A sightseeing tour has been arranged taking in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and handicraft shops contrast with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world. Evening drinks are held in the hotel for all World Expeditions clients arriving today. Drinks and snacks will generally be served from 6:30 pm until 7:15pm, before heading out to dinner.

Day 7 To Dhulikhel via Bhaktapur

A leisurely start this morning. After breakfast at the hotel, we check-out and journey a short distance to the medieval town of Bhaktapur, known as ‘Khwopa’. This fascinating town is rich with temples, monasteries and palaces, with ornately carved features such as the famous ‘Peacock Window’. The main square, Durbar Square, is a UNESCO world heritage site, and is best appreciated by sitting and watching while one of the many religious festivals and processions passes by. Following time to appreciate this living history and the many artisans workshop (the town is famous for pottery and wood carving), we continue on to Dhulikhel on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley. This ancient town is situated 32 Km east of Kathmandu on the side of Kathmandu - Kodari highway.It is the district headquarters of Kavre, with a number of government offices. The town is inhabited by the Newar community and offers a traditional atmosphere along with spectacular views of Langtang and Rolwaling ranges. Once an important link in the ancient trade route to Tibet, Dhulikhel has a glorious past which can be seen in the lovely buildings and intricate wood carvings in the shop-lined streets and temples. The pleasant climate, even during summer, attracts visitors to Dhulikhel.There will be an opportunity this evening to watch the sun setting over the Himalaya.

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Day 8 Return to Kathmandu, afternoon at leisure

A great opportunity to wander the tourist quarter of Kathmandu, Thamel. There are many fascinating little shops in this oversized market place, or you may chose to try some of the many restaurants and coffee shops.

Day 9 Fly Kathmandu to Lhasa

This morning we take the one hour flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. On arrival at Lhasa Airport you will be transferred to the city – a drive that takes around two hours. The afternoon is set aside to rest and acclimitise.

Days 10-11 In Lhasa

Three days are scheduled in Lhasa to appreciate its rich cultural history. We include visits to the Jokhang, the Norbulingka (the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama), and the famous Potala Palace. We also include visits to the nearby monasteries of Drepung and Sera.

Day 12 In Lhasa, trip concludes

After breakfast our trip concludes.

Additional Information

Inclusions

10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
Flight Paro/Kathmandu & Kathmandu/Lhasa
3 to 4 star hotel accommodation on a twin share basis
Arrival and departure transfers
English speaking local guides
Welcome drinks in Kathmandu
All internal transport by private bus, jeep,car or scheduled air services
all sightseeing mentioned in the itinerary plus site entrance fees
emergency medical kit
pre-departure information guide with all you need to know for your trip

Summary

11 nights hotels

Trip Main Activities

Adventure touring

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

What You Carry

A small daypack which will hold a jacket, camera equipment, water & snacks is sufficient on this journey.

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Book this trip with World Expeditions on their site

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USD$3,620

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