ODYSSEYS UNLIMITED: THE SMALL GROUP TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
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the sun rise over the fabled Himalaya from the hotel’s
rooftop observatory. Later, we embark on an easy
walk around the village, where we have the chance
to meet local people. The remainder of the day is at
leisure amid the stunning Himalayan scenery. B,D
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
we return to Kathmandu for the flight to Bhutan. Upon
arrival in the Dragon Kingdom, we travel to the capital
of Thimphu and our hotel, where we dine tonight. B,D
Day 8: Thimphu Today’s excursion begins at a local
factory where paper is made by hand in the traditional
way, followed by the Textile Museum, housing exquisite weavings from the 16th century to modern times.
Later we visit Tashichho Dzong, the historic fortress
and monastery that today houses temples and government offices, including those of the king; then Memorial
Chorten, one of Bhutan’s best-loved religious landmarks.
Tonight we attend a Bhutanese cultural performance
then dine in the home of a local family. B,L,D
Day 9: Thimphu/
Paro/Punakha
En route to Paro
today, we visit
Kunselphodrang,
the recently built
Buddha Point
where the world’s
largest sitting
Buddha presides
over the Thimphu
valley. Then we
set out for
Punakha via
Dochula Pass
(alt. 10,000 feet),
which offers views
of snow-topped
Himalayan peaks
and where we follow the sacred tradition of raising
prayer flags in the name of peace and compassion.
We eat lunch here then continue on our way, stopping to visit a local rice farming village. Next: an
easy amble through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang,
the temple built by the “Divine Madman” in 1499,
now a pilgrimage site for couples struggling with
infertility. Late this afternoon we reach Punakha,
which sits at the confluence of the Mo Chu (“
Mother”) and Pho Chu (“Father”) rivers in a sub-tropical
valley. B,L,D
Day 10: Punakha We embark this morning on an
exhilarating rafting trip on the Mo Chu River. This
afternoon we visit Punakha Dzong, winter home of the
central monastic community and one of the country’s
most attractive fortress monasteries, set on a spit of
land where the rivers meet. B,L,D
Day 11: Punakha/Thimphu/Paro We set out early
to see more of Thimphu, including the National Lib-
rary, with an immense collection of Buddhist manuscripts;
and the Painting School, where students learn tradi-
tional Bhutanese arts. Late afternoon we depart for
Paro, nestled in the center of a valley dotted with rice
paddies, wheat fields, and scattered settlements. B,L,D
Day 12: Paro We begin our tour of this historic
town at Ta-Dzong, the national museum showcasing Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage dating from at
least 2000 BCE to the present day. Built in 1648 as a
watchtower, the cylindrical-shaped museum houses
a fine collection of Bhutanese art and artifacts. We
also visit Rinpung Dzong, a superb example of Bhutanese architecture. After lunch we call on the sacred
7th-century pilgrimage temple of Kyichu Lhakhang,
and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a 17th-century victory fortress. B,L,D
Day 13: Paro/Tiger’s Nest Monastery Today we
embark on a highlight of any trip to Bhutan: a visit
to Paro Taktsang, the sacred Tiger’s Nest monastery
and temple complex perched on a cliff some 3,000
feet above the upper Paro Valley – itself at an altitude
of 10,200 feet. We embark on our scenic uphill hike
early this morning (rental horses are available to take
visitors about two-thirds of the way). Those not wishing
to climb all the way up can see excellent views of Tiger’s
Nest from a way-station cafeteria. Late afternoon we
return to our hotel, where tonight we celebrate at a
farewell dinner. B,L,D
Day 14: Paro/Kathmandu, Nepal/Depart for
U.S. We fly this morning to Kathmandu, where we
have day rooms and opportunities for exploring on
our own, before our mid-afternoon departure for the
airport and our overnight flights to the U.S. B,L
Day 15: Arrive U.S. We arrive in the U.S. and
connect with our flights home.
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
• $100 frequent traveler credit towards your next Odysseys
Unlimited tour ($200 after three tours; $300 after 10 tours)
2017 Tour Dates and Prices
including international airfare and all taxes, surcharges, and fees
Apr 11 Sep 12 Oct 3
Nov 28 Oct 31 Oct 10
Boston, New York, $4,597 $4,697 $4,797
Washington, DC
Baltimore, Dallas, $4,897 $4,997 $5,097
Orlando, Philadelphia
Atlanta, Charlotte,
Chicago, Cincinnati, $4,997 $5,097 $5,197
Cleve, Detroit, Miami,
Minn, Seattle, Tampa
Denver, Houston,
Los Angeles, Phoenix, $5,097 $5,197 $5,297
Portland (OR), San Fran
Please call if your city is not listed or for land only prices.
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 has been made.
Single travelers please add $695. Your $375 deposit is
fully refundable up to 95 days before departure. All 2017
tour prices above (excluding airline taxes, surcharges, and
fees) are guaranteed.
Depending on flight schedules, certain U.S. departure
cities may require an overnight stay at the gateway city
airport at your expense.
Business Class upgrade on round-trip Trans-Atlantic flight:
$5,995 per person
Please note: This trip involves considerable walking
uphill and on uneven terrain. You should be in good
physical condition to enjoy the tour to the fullest.
While elevations are not severe, the relatively high
altitude of Nagarkot ( 7,000 feet) and 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.
We climb to Tiger’s Nest Monastery on Day 13.
Young Buddhist monks
“IT IS BETTER TO TRAVEL WELL
THAN TO ARRIVE.”
– GAUTAMA BUDDHA