Venture to the “Rooftop of the World” to explore the majestic Himalayas and the ancient kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan. Until the 1960s, the Himalayan Kingdoms were virtually cut off from one another and the outside world. These starkly beautiful countries have flourished in the isolation of the Himalayas, offering visitors a richness of religious and cultural traditions and an amazing diversity of art and architecture. This program provides rare insight into the beauty and cultural diversity of the Himalayan Mountain range and its people.

Begin your experience in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal set in a mountain valley that serves as a crossroads of ancient Asian civilizations. View the magnificent Himalayas during a flightseeing excursion (weather permitting) and experience the most imposing mountain range in the world from a bird’s eye view, including views of Mount Everest, rising more than 29,000 feet above sea level. While in Nepal, see many UNESCO World Heritage Sites highlighted in Patan and Bhaktapur.

Continue to Bhutan, a country that strictly limits the number of visitors allowed each year and enjoy ten days of learning and emersion. Bhutan’s culture is warmly hospitable, and the scenery is astonishingly beautiful. Fascinating dzongs (fortresses), breathtaking chortens (religious structures), and the incomparable Tiger’s Nest Monastery provide a truly unforgettable cap to the program.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Most of this itinerary takes place at moderately high altitude (in Kathmandu, approximately 4,600 feet; in Bhutan, approximately 7,000 feet). Altitude sickness is most common above 8,000 feet, but some participants may experience some symptoms of altitude sickness, including headache, fatigue, and insomnia. In addition, higher altitudes can exacerbate health issues you already have.

This will be a fast-paced, active program covering rugged terrain, with considerable walking and several rigorous travel days with early departures. Daily excursions involve one to three miles of walking, including stairs without handrails, high thresholds, and cobbled uneven paths. The optional excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) in Bhutan is a rigorous 4–6-hour hike on a sometimes steep and rocky trail with several hundred steps – it’s around 4 miles roundtrip and is at an altitude of 10,240 ft. There is an option to ride a mule or horse up to the halfway point. Participants can opt out of this excursion if preferred.

Motorcoach rides to remote locations are sometimes long and over bumpy roads, occasionally lasting up to seven hours, and briefly reaching an altitude of 12,000 feet.

Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment must be reported. All reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate special diets and treatment, but medical treatment is not at Western standards, and we cannot guarantee special arrange¬ments. Meals will be basic, and restaurants may not offer the kind of variety or service one finds in larger cities. Not all hotels have elevators; you may have to walk up several flights of stairs to your room. Restrooms outside the hotels and restaurants are often quite rustic (including some squat toilets) and may not supply toilet paper. In Bhutan, “bush stops” will be made during the longer bus rides, as public toilets are not available in remote areas. You should be prepared to handle your own luggage at Customs points where porters are not permitted. Anyone with a serious medical problem, whose medical situation might be adversely affected by active travel at high altitude, or who might have difficulty walking, should not consider this program.