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Day 1 – To Kathmandu:
Overnight flight from
London to Kathmandu, via Delhi, with Jet
Airways. (N)
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Day 2 – Kathmandu:
Afternoon arrival in
Kathmandu and transfer to the Soaltee
Crowne Plaza (or similar) for 2 nights. (N)
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Day 3 – Kathmandu:
Morning tour of
Kathmandu. Afternoon visit to the temple at
Pashupatinath and Bodhnath, a religious centre
for Nepal’s considerable Tibetan population. (B)
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Day 4 – To Paro:
Morning flight from
Kathmandu to Paro. Afternoon visit to Ta
Dzong, now the National Museum. On the way
back, stroll through Paro market and along the
Paro river. Stay overnight at Gangtey Palace /
Tashi Namgay Resort*. (B, L, D)
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Day 5 – To Thimphu:
Drive to the Bhutanese
capital of Thimphu. Afternoon city tour includes
the National Library. Stay 2 nights at the Hotel
Kisa / Hotel Jumolhari†. (B, L, D)
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Day 6 – Thimphu:
Morning sightseeing in
Thimphu, including the National Memorial
Chorten. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L, D)
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Day 7 – To Trongsa:
A long drive to Trongsa via
Wangdiphodrang Dzong, a monastery at the
confluence of two rivers, and then over Pele-la
Pass (3,300 metres / 10,800ft). Stay overnight
at Yangkhil Resort / Phuenshi Lodge. (B, L, D)
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Day 8 – To Bumthang:
Morning visit to Ta
Dzong and Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of
Bhutanese architecture built in 1647. Proceed
to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan. Stay at the Mountain Lodge
(or similar) for 2 nights. (B, L, D)
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Day 9 – Bumthang:
Morning visit to Kurje
Lhakhang, regarded as one of the most sacred
places in the kingdom. Continue to Jambey
Lhakhang Temple, erected by Tibetan kings in the
seventh century. This afternoon, see the ancient
Buddhist wall paintings at Tamshing Lhakhang and
visit Jakar Dzong, a former monastery now used
as the administrative centre of the Bumthang
valley and the regional monk body. (B, L, D)
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Day 10 – To Punakha:
Early morning visit to
Bumthang market before driving to Punakha
via Wangdiphodrang. Stay 2 nights at the Meri
Puensum / Hotel Zangtho Pelri. (B, L, D)
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Day 11 – Punakha:
Morning tour of Punakha,
including the Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century
fortress. (B, L, D)
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Day 12 – To Paro:
Drive to Paro and stay 2
nights at the Gangtey Palace / Tashi Namgay
Resort*. (B, L, D)
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Day 13 – Tiger’s Nest & Rinpung Dzong:
Morning trek to Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest). The
monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with
a sheer drop of more than 800 metres. The
return walk takes about five hours. Afternoon
visit to Rinpung Dzong. (B, L, D)
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Day 14 – To Kathmandu:
Morning flight to
Kathmandu. Stay overnight at the Soaltee
Crowne Plaza Hotel (or similar). (B)
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Day 15 – To London:
Fly from Kathmandu to
London, via Delhi, with Jet Airways. (B)
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* Upgrade:
The de luxe Uma Paro may be
booked at a supplement from £150 pppn (twin
share) or £300 pppn (single), on a bed and
breakfast basis.
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†Upgrade:
The magnificent Taj Tashi may be
booked at a supplement from £200 pppn
(twin share) or £350 pppn (single), on a bed
and breakfast basis.
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Tsechus (festivals):
Bhutan’s monastic
tsechus are colourful events accompanied by
Buddhist chants and masked dances.
The 25 March departure is timed to
coincide with the Paro festival and the 22
September departure is timed to coincide
with the Thimphu festival.
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Private Journeys:
In addition to the Escorted
Group Tours departures, this itinerary may be
taken at any time as a Private Journey, subject
to availability.
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Discovery Tour:
Hotel standards in Bhutan
range from first class in Paro (available at a
supplement) to reasonably comfortable in
western Bhutan and more basic in central
areas. The tour involves some long drives.
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Meal Basis:
(B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
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