TIBET S SHODUN FESTIVAL & THE HIMALAYAN PLATEAU

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1 2012 Lerner Lane Santa Ana, CA (714) (800) Fax (714) TIBET S SHODUN FESTIVAL & THE HIMALAYAN PLATEAU Chengdu- Lhasa-Kathmandu-Bhutan August 26-September 10, 2019 $4639 per person, double occupancy AUGUST 26: DEPARTURE FROM THE U.S. Fly on Cathay Pacific to Chengdu from either LAX or SFO or SEA (flights from other cities available upon request.)

2 AUGUST 27: ARRIVE CHENGDU Arrive in Chengdu and transfer to the Holiday Inn Express Gulou. AUGUST 28: PANDA RESEARCH BASE & CITY TOUR Drive just outside of Chengdu to the Panda Research Base where you can see Giant Panda conservation in action. The base is home to panda cubs and adult pandas, as well as adorable Red Pandas. From there, visit some of the local sites in Chengdu, including Wenshu Monastery and Jinli Old Street. In the evening, enjoy a Sichuan Opera performance. (B) AUGUST 29: CHENGDU TO LHASA Transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa. Take the day to rest while you adjust to the high altitude of the Tibetan Plateau. Lhasa sits at nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, so it is important to allow your body time to adjust. Make sure to stay hydrated and eat normally so as to avoid altitude sickness.(b) AUGUST 30: SHODUN FESTIVAL Go to Drepung Monastery early in the morning to witness the unveiling of the Giant Thangka on the rocks above this important monastery. The unveiling is a rare event that only happens once a year. From there, drive to Norbulingka Palace to see Tibetan traditional dances and opera performances as part of the Shodun Festival. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Norbulingka Palace. Overnight at the Four Points Sheraton Lhasa. (B, Picnic Lunch) AUGUST 31: SHODUN FESTIVAL Return to Norbulingka Palace to enjoy another day at the festival. See more traditional dancing and opera performances. Picnic lunch at the Palace. (B, Picnic Lunch) SEPTEMBER 1: LHASA Climb the steps up to Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama, and the center of Tibetan Buddhism.

3 From there, head to Johkhang Temple, in the heart of the old quarter of Lhasa, where it is said that the temple pins down a wild demoness that wished to prevent the spread of Buddhism. You will see many pilgrims who come from all over Tibet to worship at the temple. The surrounding area is called Barkhor Street, part of Lhasa s old section. While the main street itself now has many tourist shops and restaurants, you can still see pilgrims prostrating themselves repeatedly on their way to Johkhang Temple. (B) SEPTEMBER 2: LHASA Drive outside of Lhasa to the Ganden Monastery, one of the three great Gelug Monasteries in Tibet. This monastery was originally built in 1409 and still operates today. Return to Lhasa. (B) SEPTEMBER 3: LHASA TO KATHMANDU Transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to the Hotel Grand. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of the Boudhanath Stupa, a Buddhist monument built in the 4 th or 15 th or 16 th centuries, depending on who you ask. Both the Nepalese and the Tibetans have supposedly played a part in the creation of this temple, making it important to both the Nepalese and Tibetan refugees who have settled in Nepal. Visit to Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu Temple in Nepal. There are many legends surrounding the creation of this temple, and to this day, only Bhatta Priests are able to serve there. (B) SEPTEMBER 4: KATHMANDU Drive just outside of Kathmandu to the Newar city of Bhaktapur. This ancient city is full of temples and largely un-modernized, giving visitors a glimpse into what life in Nepal was like in the past. From there drive to Patan Durbar Square, home to beautiful Newari palaces and temples, that are still in use today. Return to Kathmandu. (B) SEPTEMBER 5: KATHMANDU

4 Visit Swayambhunath Stupa, one of Nepal s most famous monuments, which sits atop Kathmandu and overlooks the city. Then see Kathmandu s Durbar Square, home to the former royal palace and the Kumari Goddess, a living child goddess. The square was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake, but has since been rebuilt. OPTIONAL: Everest Overflight - $275 per person (B) SEPTEMBER 6: KATHMANDU - PARO - THIMPHU Transfer to the airport for the flight to Paro, Bhutan. Upon arrival in Paro, transfer to Thimpu, Bhutan s capital, with a stop to see the 15th century iron bridge near Tacho Gompa monastery. Lunch in Thimphu in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Arts & Crafts School, Royal Textile Academy, Giant Buddha statue. Free time in the evening. Dinner and overnight in hotel (Pedling or Jumolhari hotel) (B, L, D) SEPTEMBER 7: THIMPU PARO Visit the Post Office to buy stamps, as Bhutan is famous for its stamps. Then go to the weekend market where farmers from Paro and Thimphu come to sell their farm products, visit the Takin Preservation Centre. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Zilukha Nunnery Monastery, and Changgangkha Monastery. In the evening, drive to Paro (about an hour). Free time in Paro. Dinner and overnight at Khangkhu Resort or similar. (B, L, D) SEPTEMBER 8: PARO Hike up through pine forests festooned with Spanish moss to reach the striking monastic retreat of Taktsang, the Tiger s Nest, built into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro Valley. This is the most famous temple in Bhutan and one of the venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world. Padmasambhava, the great 8th century Buddhist saint and teacher, is thought to have landed at this spot after flying over the mountains from Tibet on the back of a tigress, thus bringing the teachings of Buddhism to Bhutan. The primary temple was built around Padmasambhava's meditation cave in Enjoy lunch en route at a teahouse midway with fantastic views of the monastery. Dinner and overnight at Khankhu Resort or similar. Hiking Details: Approximately 4 hours. Donkeys are available part way for those who do not want to do the full hike. (B, L, D) SEPTEMBER 9: PARO BANGKOK

5 In the morning, visit the National Museum of Bhutan, with its collection of ancient artifacts, weapons, and silver tea ware. Then head to the nearby Paro Dzong, an imposing fortress originally built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Situated along the river with a beautiful covered bridge, it is the administrative seat of the Paro district, and also houses a state monastic community. Lunch at a local farm house and then transfer to the airport. Upon arrival in Bangkok, transfer to the Best Western Premier Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. (B, L) SEPTEMBER 10: BANGKOK HOME Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B) INCLUDED: END OF SERVICES Round trip airfare on Cathay Pacific from LAX/SFO/SEA to Chengdu, returning from Bangkok. Add $150 for flights from Chicago, Boston, New York, or Washington D.C. 2 nights in Chengdu including accommodations, transfers, breakfast daily, Tour to Panda Research Base, half day Chengdu city tour, Sichuan Opera Performance 5 nights in Lhasa including accommodations, transfers, breakfast daily, Tibet travel permit 2 days at Sho Dun Festival in Lhasa with lunch, Lhasa city tour, tour of Ganden Monastery 3 nights in Kathmandu including accommodations, transfers, breakfast daily Half day tour of Boudhanath Stupa & Pashupatinath Temple, full day tour of Bhaktapur & Patan Durbar Square, full day tour of Swayambhunath Stupa & Kathmandu Durbar Square Flight from Kathmandu to Paro 1 night in Thimpu including accommodations, transfers, all meals, & sightseeing 2 nights in Paro including accommodations, transfers, all meals, and sightseeing. Flight from Paro to Bangkok 1 night in Bangkok with breakfast and airport shuttle. NOT INCLUDED: Flights between Chengdu Lhasa Kathmandu (flights are instant purchase, please contact us to arrange your flights.) Meals not mentioned in the itinerary Tips Personal expenses Chinese Visa required to enter Tibet ($140, must be arranged by a separate visa service.) Nepal Visa (available for purchase on arrival, $25) SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $5199