Rooftop of the World

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Overview
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Itinerary
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Fares
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Accommodation
A journey overview
- Kolkata
- Darjeeling
- The Himalayas
- Thimphu
- Paro
- Kathmandu
- Chitwan
- Pokhara
- Lhasa
20 Days Explorations
- Departing:
- 27 Sep 2019
The people of the Himalayas exude a warmth that belies the forbidding peaks their countries are built around. Explore India, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. Prepare for immersion into a way of life enthrallingly alien to our own.


Take in Panoramic Views of the Himalayas
As we ascend Dochula Pass to an altitude of 3,100 metres, we’ll enjoy astounding 360-degree views of the snow-laden Himalayas.

Trek to the Cliffside Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Swelling from a cliffside 900 metres above Paro Valley, Taktsang monastery, or Tiger’s Nest, is well worth the hike. As we walk, the sun’s light illuminates the golden and ruby-red complex of temples.

Fly Over Everest
Take a once-in-a-lifetime flight over Mt Everest from Kathmandu, taking in views of Lhotse, Makalu and the countless other Himalayan peaks.


Chitwan National Park
Explore Nepal's Royal Chitwan National Park by canoe and look out for-horned rhinoceroses, deer, monkeys and the occasional leopard and Bengal tiger.
RESIDENCES OF THE HIGHEST STANDARD

Taj Tashi, Thimphu
Bhutanese dzong architecture is taken to new heights at the Taj Tashi, atmospherically set in the meditative Thimphu Valley. Hand-drawn Buddhist murals adorn its walls, and stone terraces with fire pits invite you to linger.

Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Paro
Enjoy the generous living area and private balcony from which you can admire the Paro Valley from your Junior Suite at the Zhiwa Ling Hotel in Paro.

Kasara Jungle Resort, Chitwan National Park
Set in the lush heart of the national park, this resort is both luxurious and respectful of nature. Each room comes with a private water garden, indoor-outdoor bathroom and a sun deck.
Itinerary
Kolkata (India)
Built in the 1880s, the Oberoi Grand in Kolkata is known for its colonial-era interiors, exquisite handmade wood furniture and exceptional dining, having played host to countless dinner parties since the time of the British Raj. W e check in here for two-night stay.
Darjeeling
Offset the pace of modern India with a flight to Bagdogra, in the tea-covered hills of Darjeeling. A road journey then brings us to our destination, located in the lesser Himalayas. With a choice of Your World experiences, you might catch a sunrise at Tiger Hill, or ride on the antiquated ‘toy steam train’ of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Among other adventures, we call in at the Himalayan Zoological Park.
Phuntsholing (Bhutan), Thimphu
We check in to Hotel Druk in Phuntsholing before setting off to explore the Kharbandi Monastery. With strands of prayer flags, enormous prayer wheels and clanging bells, the place breathes spirituality. The rugged geography of Bhutan is on show as we make the uphill journey to Thimphu, passing pine forests and slopes with plunging ravines. The Taj Tashi Hotel welcomes us for the next three nights – ample time to explore the city.
Punakha, Paro
From Thimphu, we gain altitude driving along the Dochula Pass. If the weather is clear, we will see the Himalayas and Gangkhar Puensum mountain. Onwards, we explore the National Museum of Bhutan, Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, and also join locals for an archery match. In Paro, our most memorable moment is a hike to the sacred Taktsang monastery, built into vertical cliffs 900 metres above Paro Valley.
Kathmandu (Nepal), Chitwin
Fly to the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu. Explore the city’s surroundings and take in close-up views of Mt Everest on a private flight. Soak in Lhotse, Makalu and the countless other peaks. We spend time in the town of Patan, then fly to Bharatpur, gateway to Royal Chitwin National Park. Your World experiences take us deep into the area in search of wildlife, including, if we’re lucky, the leopard and Bengal tiger.
Pokhara
You won’t want to miss a second of the scenery en route to Pokhara. Admire the Nepali countryside and pretty villages perched on rolling hillsides. In Pokhara, take in breathtaking views with a selection of Your World experiences which include hang gliding, a hike to the World Peace Pagoda or an ultralight flight. We explore the Bindebasini Temple and Gupteswar Cave, before a boat ride across Fewa Lake.
Kathmandu, Lhasa (Tibet)
We return to Kathmandu by plane. Step aboard a rickshaw and ride through Thamel to the Swayambhunath Temple. At Gokarna House Restaurant, we taste beautiful Nepali food while a stage show depicts the country’s culture and traditions. Our next stop is the centre of the Tibetan Plateau, Lhasa. We arrive here after our flight from Kathmandu, then travel by road past nomadic herders and their yaks.
Depart Lhasa
We turn our attention to the Jokhang Temple, the most sacred in Tibet, as well as the Sera Monastery, one of the three most important teaching monasteries in Tibet. Potala Palace, once the residence of the Dalai Lama, is another highlight of our time here. On our final evening, we gather for a gala dinner accompanied by Tibetan music and dance. Spend our final morning in Lhasa relaxing, or take one last stroll through the city. Reflect on the magnificent parts of the world we have explored, seemingly hidden from outsiders.
Explorations
Explore the uncommon and the iconic in our explorations of the worlds most diverse regions from Africa to Asia and the Middle East to the Americas.