Drachen Kultur Reise 8

Carpet Culture Tour Nepal, Bhutan & Tibet.

DATES 2007

Carpet Culture Tour Nepal, Bhutan & Tibet. 18 Jul- 07Aug .

DAY 01. 18 JULY.07. WED. ARRIVAL AT KATHMANDU.

Arrive from Europe to Kathmandu. Transfer to the heritage hotel Dawrika. Experience the traditional hospitality of the Nepali culture. The fine architecture and the historical structure that confines it with modern décor is truly a delightful experience.

DAY02. 19 JULY 07. THU. AT KATHMANDU.

Visit carpet production center and school. Visit Boudha Stupa, special interests for individual guests can be arranged, if guests are interested in meditation can be arranged.

DAY03. 20 JULY 07. FRI Sightsee Kathmandu valley, can visit the historical city of Bhaktapur, the Swambu Stupa and in the evening get a reception from the school with cultural performance from our students.

DAY04. 21 JULY 07. Sat. KATHMANDU TO PARO.

The flight from Kathmandu to Paro is approximately 1hr. weather permitting there are great views of the Himalayas. All great peaks of the Himalayas are visible on this mountain flight. Check into the luxury Zhiwaling Hotel at Paro, the marvel of Bhutanese traditional architecture is at its height here! Traditional Bhutanese hospitality awaits you at this beautiful luxury hotel. You can be at leisure to explore the small Paro town or just be at ease to use the many facilities offered at hotel Zhiwaling.

DAY05. 22. JULY.07. Sun. PARO SIGHTSEEING.

Visit the National Muesuem, the Paro Dzong and the Kichu Monastery. In the evening guests can experience the singing bowl massage or meditation, or try the Bhutanese healing of he hot stone bath, where stones are cooked red hot and dropped into the wooden tub.

DAY06. 23 JULY.07. Mon. PARO TAKTSANG MONASTERY HIKE

Make the famous Taktsang Monastery hike, the hike takes appx. 4 hrs back and forth depending on the personal capability of the guests. The Taktsang monastery is a very famous Buddhist pilgrimage site for Buddhists who follow Tibetain Buddhism. It was here Guru Rimpoche the founder of Tibetain Buddhism did his meditation in the 8th century. The Monastery clings magically on a cliff 300m above the valley floor.

DAY07. 24 JULY 07. tue. PARO TO THIMPHU. 65km 2hrs Drive to Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan. Sightsee Thimphu city visit the folk heritage muesuem the national memorial stupa of the 3rd King. Visit the national emporium and be at leisure to explore the city with its many curio shops. During dinner a fashion show will be organized displaying selected rich textile heritage of Bhutan.

DAY08. 25 JULY 07. wed. THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA. 77km 3.15hrs.

Visit Punakha valley via the Dochula pass at 3000m, weather permitting you have great views of the Eastern Himalayan range including Mt. Gangkar Phuensuem 7541m which is also the highest unclimbed mountain in the world. Visit Chimey Lhakhang Monastery or the temple of the Devine mad man. Punakha is a warm valley and used to be the former capital of Bhutan and till date it is used as a winter capital by the Monastic community.

DAY09. 26 JULY 07. Thu. PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING.

Tour the Punakha Dzong which is built on the confluence of two rivers, the male and female rivers. Punakha Dzong is one of the most beautiful Dzongs in the country with its lavish display of Bhutanese art and woodwork. Drive north towards the Crown Prince’s monastery perched on a hill top, this is a 20 minutes hike from the road head.

DAY10. 27 JULY 07. Fri. PUNAKHA TO PARO.

We will now head back towards Paro, via Thimphu, complete last minute shopping and sightseeing. Farewell dinner at the Zhiwaling Hotel.

DAY11. 28 JULY 07.Sat. DEPARTURE FOR KATHMANDU. O/N KATHMANDU. Start preparing for Tibet visa etc. Be at leisure at Kathmandu.

DAY12. 29 JULY 07. SUN.

Preparation for Tibet.

DAY13. 30 JULY O7. MON. FLY TO TIBET.

Fly to Gongkhar, Lhasa Airport. Transfer to Lhasa 1.3hrs. Check into your Hotel be at leisure or just start exploring Lhasa.

DAY14. 31 JULY07. TUE.

Visit Potala, the former winter palace of the Dalai Lama and visit Norbulingkha the summer palace. Evening at leisure.

DAY15. 01 AUG 07. WED. Visit the Jokhang Monastery and the Barkhor, the shopping mall.

DAY16. 02 AUG 07 THU.

Drive to Shigatse and visit a local carpet factory. Visit Tashi Lungpo the former seat of the Penchen Lama.

DAY17. 03 AUG 07 FRI.

Drive to Gyantse, visit the Kunbum and the Stupa. o/n Gyantse.

DAY18. 04 AUG 07 SAT.

Pass over 02 passes Kamba La and Kora La, and drive till Xedang passing through Yamdrok lake. o/n Xedang.

Day19. 05 Aug 07. SUN.

Visit Samye Monastery the oldest Monastery in Tibet. Pass over the Tsangpo River which is the origin of the mighty Brahamaputra in India. o/n Tsethang.

Day20. 06Aug 07.

Airport Trasfer Tsethang-Gongkhar, and fly out to Kathmandu. o/n Kathmandu.

Day21. 07.Aug. 07. DEPARTURE

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tariff: Total Costs. USD 3804/- Single Supplement USD 813/-.

• Full Board in Bhutan and Tibet.

• Half Board basis in Kathmandu at the Dwarika Hotel.

• All Domestic flights are included.

• Guide & Transfers throughout.

High lights of the Tour.

• School Festival in Kathmandu.

• Carpet factory study Tour.

• Carpet showroom at Zhiwaling Hotel.

• Textile and carpet tour in Bhutan.

• Cultural Tour of Tibet and carpet factory and market tour.

Notes: Rates are subject to change as per flights, hotel changes and Itinerary might have slight changes due to flight schedules.

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