KATHMANDU,THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL
& TIBET 2008
KATHMANDU,
(updated 4 June 2008)
[Click
here for additional photos of Nepal]
[Click
here for comments about Nepal]
Mon. Nov. 3: Welcome to Kathmandu, The Kingdom of Nepal! It is one of the most beautiful, dramatic and truly exotic places in the entire world. A city forbidden to outsiders until about sixty years ago, it is home to a people who are kind, gentle and possess a generosity of spirit seldom found elsewhere. Their customs and dress are fascinating.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)Tue. Nov. 4: A private vehicle with driver and professional, English-speaking guide, and entrance fees for all temples, museums and other attractions noted, both here and in Tibet, will be included. First, we will drive to Boudhanath. This ancient colossal Stupa is one of the biggest in the world. The base of the stupa takes the shape of a mandala. Then, on to Pashupatinath: the most important Hindu temple in Nepal. It's one of the most important Shiva temples on the subcontinent and draws numerous devotees from all over Nepal and India, including many colorful sadhus - wandering ascetic Hindu holy men. Shiva is the destroyer and creator of the Hindu pantheon and appears in many forms. Ceremonial cremations take place all day in front of the temple. Ashes are sprinkled on the river that flows into the Ganges. We will return to Kathmandu to
explore Durbar Square. Durbar in Nepali means 'palace' and in Patan and Bhaktapur, as well as Katmandu, there are Durbar Squares in front of the old palaces. Clustered around the central Durbar Square and the old Royal Palace (Hanuman Dhoka) are numerous interesting temples, the Kumari Chowk or Kumari Bahal (House of the Living Goddess) and the Kasthamandap (House of Wood). It's easy to spend hours wandering around Durbar square and the adjoining Basantapur Square.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)Wed. Nov. 5: 6:00 AM; drive to Nagarkot, a popular resort area situated 20 miles east of Katmandu at an altitude of 7,136 feet above sea level. The major peaks of the eastern Himalayas including Mt. Everest, the highest peak in the world at 29,029 feet, can be seen from here. We intend to arrive in time for one of Nagarkot's famous sunrises. Then onto Bhaktapur: The third of the valley's ancient cities is another century-long rival of Katmandu. It has an impressive number of artistic treasures; it is rightly called "a living museum". The oldest part of the town is around Tachupal Tole (Dattatraya Square), to the east. Bhaktapur was the capital of the whole valley during the 14th to 16th centuries; during that time the focus of the town shifted west to the Durbar Square area. Much of the town's great architecture dates from the end of the 17th century during the rule of King Bhupatendra Malla.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)Thur. Nov. 6: Relax and explore the exotic town at our leisure; or shop for oriental antiques and art, jewelry, bronze casting, Tibetan wool garments, Bhutanese raw silk, Gurka knives, paper mache masks, and Newar puppets.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)Fri. Nov. 7: Private transfer to the airport.
FLIGHT FROM KATHMANDU TO LHASA, TIBET. This flight will give us an aerial view of Mt. Everest and other Himalayan Peaks. (Processing and fees for our Tibet entry visas are included.) After clearing immigration and customs it will be a two-hour drive to Lhasa, which is situated at an altitude of 11,975 feet. Upon arrival we check in at the hotel, right in the heart of the old city.
HOTEL: (LHASA)Sat. Nov. 8: The first day of sightseeing starts from Lhasa's cardinal landmark, Potala Palace, a structure of massive portions. Our first sight of this towering image will be an awe-inspiring moment! It takes at least a good 2-hours to visit all of the rooms, halls and chapels. In the afternoon, we will drop visit the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center of Tibet. Everyday, pilgrims from every corner of Tibet trek long distances to the temple. The temple is the product of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese architectural techniques. Then on to Barkhor, the oldest street in a very traditional city.
HOTEL: (LHASA)Sun. Nov. 9: Today, we drive to Drepung, once the world's largest monastery with about 10,000 monks. This day's sightseeing begins with these white monastic buildings piled up on the
hillside. Walking up to the hill is a pleasant and easy break from the solemn ambience inside the halls and chapels. At the top of the hillside, we can have very good views of the whole Lhasa city and the distant mountains. Then onto Sera, the other of Lhasa's two great Gelugpa monasteries. Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples.
HOTEL: (LHASA)Mon. Nov. 10: Today, we will drive 144 miles to Namtso ("Heavenly Lake"), passing Damxung, then over Nyagche Mountain at 17,061 feet. Looking into the distance from the mountain pass of Nyagche, a vast expanse of sapphire-blue water lies ahead. This is Namtso. It is one of the three major holy lakes in Tibet. As we approach the lake, small ponds and herds of grazing sheep and cattle come into view. Herdsmen, with great curiosity, wave greetings to every car and traveler passing by. The actual lake appears much more breathtaking than what we have seen in pictures. Namtso is a seemingly boundless blue expanse of water. Occasionally, flocks of waterfowl glide over the lake.
Return to Lhasa.
HOTEL: (LHASA)Tue. Nov. 11: Private airport transfers.
FLIGHT FROM LHASA TO KATHMANDU. This afternoon we can explore one of the most truly exotic cities in the world, at our leisure. Tonight a Farewell Dinner and Cultural Show will be provided.
HOTEL: (KATHMANDU)
*Single supplements for all hotel nights are available for an additional $400.00 per person.
A non-refundable payment of $1,510.00, payable to W.S. DONAHOO and received at:
will be required for reservations.
AVAILABLE SPACES ARE STRICTLY LIMITED TO 12 PARTICIPANTS ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS, UPON RECEIPT OF INITIAL PAYMENTS.
ALL PAYMENTS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE; Payments are not transferable to other passengers nor other trips. Credit cards are not accepted.
* There is no additional cost for those signing on alone.
Final payments will be due in August, 2008. Failure to pay on time will result in the cancellation of your reservation and forfeiture of your initial payment.
Items in italics are not included, but are suggestions based on location and time available. Initial flights to and from Kathmandu, visa fees and related costs for Nepal, taxes at foreign airports, porterage, and gratuities are not included.
Passports, valid for 6 months after the end of this trip, will be required.
Buz Donahoo, Condor
Adventures
Post Office Box 3415
Winter Park, FL 32790, USA
Tel/Fax (407) 645-0490
buz@condoradventures.com