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| Day
1 |
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Arrival
into Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Meet upon
arrival with traditional garland ceremony and transfer by private
car to Hotel Himalaya, which is a four star deluxe hotel run my
Japanese management. Upon arrival, welcome cocktail and assignment
of rooms. Lunch at hotel.
In the evening, a cultural program depicting folk dances from the
various ethnic tribes of Nepal, followed by an authentic Nepalese
dinner. Nepalese cuisine is similar to Indian food but milder and
less oily. Return to hotel for overnight.
(Lunch/Dinner) |
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| Day
2 |
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After
breakfast at the hotel, drive 45 minutes to the ancient city of
Bhaktapur. Known as the city of devotees, Bhaktapur was founded in
the 9th century and is built in the shape of a conch
shell that takes one to bygone days. Highlights are the Durbar
Square, Palace of 55 windows, Nyatapola temple, etc. Numerous
attractions and temples along with intricate woodwork, brass work
are evident in the city.
Drive on for 30 minutes to the
hill station of Dhulikhel. Lunch at Dhulikhel Mountain Resort and
relax for the rest of the day. Watch the spectacular sunset in the
evening before returning to Kathmandu. Dinner and overnight.
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner |
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| Day
3 |
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A buffet
breakfast at the hotel followed by a sightseeing tour with an
English speaking guide. The first half of the day features the old
part of Kathmandu City. Highlights are the Kumari Temple (Kumari
is the legendary living goddess), Kasthamandap, the old palace,
Kalbhairav, the Big Drum, etc. Continue on to Swayambhunath Stupa,
which is a stupa resting on a hillock. The all-seeing eyes of Lord
Buddha smiles down with benevolence upon the city of Kathmandu.
Lunch will be at a reputed Chinese restaurant. After lunch, start
sightseeing tour of Patan City, Krishna Mandir, Tibetan refugee
Camp. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
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| Day
4 |
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After
breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Lhasa by
China Southwest Airlines. (SZ 408 departing Kathmandu at 9:15 am
and arriving in Lhasa at 1:30 pm). The flight is of an hour’s
duration and must be one of the most spectacular in the world as
it goes through the entire Himalayan range, ending in Tibet. Upon
arrival, you will be met by your local tour guide and transferred
to your hotel in Lhasa. Your stay in Lhasa is on bed and breakfast
basis. Overnight.
(Breakfast) |
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| Day
5 |
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After
breakfast, visit Sera Monastery. Sera means hail stone in Tibetan.
Set on the foot of the Wudu hill to the north of Lhasa, Sera
comprises of a great Sutra chanting hall, a college and 32
sections. Continue on to Jokhang temple, built in 647 AD and is
the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest destination for
Tibetan Buddhism. It houses the sitting statue of Shakyamuni when
he was 12 years old. Visit Barkhor Bazaar, the oldest street of
ancient Lhasa city and encircles the Jokhang Temple. Overnight.
(Breakfast) |
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| Day
6 |
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After
breakfast, visit the Potala Palace, located on the Red Hill and
built in 640 AD during the reign of Songtsen Gampo. The original
palace was destroyed in the 9th century and rebuilt in
the 17th century during the reign of the fifth Dalai
Lama. Continue on to Drepung Monastery, situated to the west of
Lhasa and founded in 1417 by one of the disciples of tsong Khampa.
It was the largest and richest of the three major yellow sect
monasteries in Lhasa. Return to hotel and overnight.
(Breakfast) |
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| Day
7 |
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Visit
Norbulinkha Palace and the Tibetan Medical center. Rest of the day
free. Overnight.
(Breakfast) |
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| Day
8 |
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After
breakfast, drive back to Gonggar Airport for your return flight to
Kathmandu (SZ 407 departing LXA at 9:15 am and arriving KTM at
9:30 am). Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga can be viewed during
the flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met by your
tour officer and transferred to Lunch at a restaurant. Start a
half day sightseeing tour of Bodhnath Stupa, Pashupatinath temple,
the holiest Hindu temple in the world. Drive for 45 minutes to the
hill station of Nagarkot. The sunrise and sunset are spectacular
from here and a worthwhile experience. Tonight you stay at
"The Fort", which is a popular resort built in
traditional Newari style. Dinner and overnight.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
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| Day
9 |
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After
watching the sunrise and breakfast, drive back towards Kathmandu.
The rest of the day is spent visiting babar Mahal revisited, an
authentic Rana Palace that has been refurbished with handicraft
shops, restaurants, etc. Later part of the day is spent for your
own shopping pleasures and also to visit Thamel, the Mecca of the
backpackers. Thamel is especially attractive in terms of the
hundreds of souvenir possibilities and western culinary
experiences.
Return to hotel for dinner and
overnight.
(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) |
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| Day
10 |
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After
breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight by Thai
International.
(Breakfast) |
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