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Nepal and Tibet from 7 to 23 September 2024
Nepal and Bhutan from 23 to 30 September 2024
Nepal from September 30 to October 05, 2024
Summary Itinerary
Clicking on the days of travel in the summary itinerary will take you to the detailed itinerary for that day and vice versa clicking on the day in the detailed itinerary will return you to the summary itinerary. In the detailed itinerary, in addition to the images and description of the days, we also have the day of the month and the week
Nepal and Tibet
Nepal and Bhutan
Nepal
Detailed Itinerary
Nepal and Tibet
Flights
After all the preparations have been well taken care of over the last few months, it's time to go to the airport for the flights to Nepal!
Regarding times and days, flights normally leave Guarulhos SP (GRU) early in the morning, around 1 or 2am that night. Therefore, anyone traveling to São Paulo from other states must make their domestic flight the day before. And anyone going to GRU by car must go to the airport the night before. Guilherme will certainly contact you before you go to the airport and will be available when you arrive at the airport to see if you need any help, making sure you are arriving with complete peace of mind. Have a great flight and see you soon!
Arrival
Boudhnath
Welcome to Nepal! From the airport runway, weather permitting, it is now possible to see the mountains surrounding the valley. All details about your arrival, here on the website Chörten Traveller: Arrival in Kathamndu (here). With your visa and suitcase in hand, the group will be received by Guilherme at the airport. Anyone arriving before or after the group's flight will be greeted by our local representative who will be waiting for you with a Chörten sign. In this case, our representative will accompany you to the hotel and then wherever Guilherme is with the group so we can enjoy this afternoon in the Tibetan neighborhood of our hotel.
Around the great stupa (Tib: chörten) of Boudhanath, full of monasteries, you will find nuns, monks and lay Tibetans, sometimes great masters, doing their koras (circummbulations). Spinning the famous prayer wheels with millions of Om Mani Padma Hungs, reciting mantras and making lamp offerings mainly in the late afternoon and early in the morning. We will take advantage of one of the cafes or restaurants around the stupa to observe and assimilate a little of this ancient culture.
Swayambunath
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Thamel
Boudhnath
After a well-deserved rest from the trip to Nepal, breakfast to start our day in the Kathmandu Valley!
Today will be a day when we will be lining up some important points about our trip to Tibet, as we visit and enjoy Kathmandu.
We will begin our visits with a short walk in the region of the second largest stupa in the valley, Swayambunath (translation: self-arisen). Legend has it that the hill where the stupa is located was where the bodhisattva Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom, picked a lotus flower after emptying the lake in what is now the Kathmandu Valley. Weather permitting, we will have a view of the entire city. We will make our koras around the stupa and visit its small monasteries.
From Swayambu we will head to Kathmandu's Durbar Square (Palace Square) where a small living goddess lives, the Kumari. The durbar squares of the Kathmandu Valley were built by kings who were heirs of the Malla dynasty, in the 17th century. XII to XVIII, which, in this case luckily for us, competed in architectural beauty. There are numerous temples of different Hindu gods around the palace. We will then walk to the travellers' neighborhood in Kathmandu, Thamel, with countless good restaurants, mountaineering shops, Nepali handicrafts, bookstores, for a good meal and, if anyone needs it, to buy some clothes for the days in Bhutan.
Monasteries
Patan
This morning, we will have the opportunity to visit some of the main monasteries in the Kathmandu Valley. All of them with connections and origins in the regions we will visit in Tibet, both Kham and the Lhasa region. We will have good opportunities to learn a little about the traditions and methods of these great masters. Of the possibilities that we will decide on the day how we will do it, one of them is Kopan. It is an important study center for Sherpas, often from the Everest region, and foreigners from around the world.
Near our hotel, we can also visit Dudjom Rinpoche's monastery, called Dudjom Gompa. Dudjom Rinpoche was a great master, master of many masters. There are many very special books with teachings from him, from his lineage. Guilherme will select some texts that we can take a look at depending on the interest of each Traveller. His body (shrunken) is in the stupa in this monastery. If anyone is interested, we can sit there for a moment.
We will continue to Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche's monastery, called Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling. One of the oldest if not the oldest in Boudha, built by Tulky Urgyen Rinpoche and his eldest sons, at the request of HH the XVI Karmapa. Known as the white monastery, it has a college for both monks (10 years) and Westerners (www.ryi.org) with bachelor's, master's and shorter courses. The Rangjung Yeshe institute library is worth visiting. We will also visit the monastery of Matthieu Ricard, Rabjam Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, called Shechen (which we will visit in Kham too). We'll see if Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche's room is open. Another very special place for us to read a small excerpt from his books and, if interested, sit for a moment.
Having visited the main monasteries in Kathmandu this morning, we will be ready to discover the monasteries of Tibet, understanding their contexts, meanings and histories. Those who prefer can return to them at another point in the trip to participate in the pujas (monks' ceremonies) where we can sit for as long as we wish, and use their libraries and bookstores.
We will then head to Patan's friendly Durbar Square, very famous for its artists and beautiful temples. We will take a walk through the old part of the city. We will visit a small, very well designed and very educational museum of Hindu and Buddhist art. We will also visit the small and beautiful Golden Temple, used to this day by Nepali Buddhists from the same clan as Buddha Shakyamuni himself. Patan is an excellent place to walk along these medieval streets with so many temples.
Now it's time to pack our bags for Tibet!
Flight
After breakfast we head to Kathmandu airport for our international flight to Chengdu.
Arriving early at the airport to get window seats, if the weather is clear, we will literally pass by 5 of only 14 mountains in the world over 8000 m / 26000 ft in altitude. Guilherme will show you what they are.
Arriving in Chengdu, we go to our hotel in the city, which is approx. 1h from the airport. Dinner suggestion, typical Chengdu food, which is vegetable skewers, etc., which we dip into a pan on the fire in the center of the table with the seasonings of the region's cuisine.
Flight Air China CA438 Kathmandu 12:05 Chengdu 17:25
Pandas
Siguniangshan Mountain
We will begin our road trip into Tibet! It was a very interesting experience to start our trip in the capital of one of the most traditional regions of China, Sichuan, and little by little we entered this little-visited region of eastern Tibet, called Kham in Tibetan.
From a low altitude in Chengdu at 500 m / 1600 feet, we will climb to approx. 3000 m / 11000 ft. On the way we will try to visit a panda bear center. We will have very beautiful views until we see Siguniang mountain (6250 m / 20000 feet). Tomorrow morning we will walk towards it.
Check-in at our hotel for a light walk, while we acclimatize, to eat at one of the restaurants in the small town.
Walk
Visits on the way
This morning we will take a very light walk, along a very well-groomed path, which will be a light exercise, in a very beautiful valley (first images above), with clean air, a good help for our acclimatization.
After our walk, it's time to head to Bamei. On the way we will always have beautiful views, opportunities to see some yaks and probably meet the first famous khampas (Tibetans from Kham). They are known to be the cowboys of Tibet. We may encounter some nomads too. Among different monasteries typical of the region, we will visit 2 or more according to our pace. We will travel by car during our days in Kham, as when traveling in other regions of Tibet, for an average of 5 hours per day at altitudes between 3 and 4000 m / 10 and 13000 feet.
At the end of that day with beautiful photos (for example of the mountain in the fourth image above) and good conversations, check-in at our hotel and then walk to our restaurant in the small town.
Gathar Chodestery Huiyuan Gompa
Drango Gompa
Spontaneous visits along the way
We will start our day with a visit near our hotel, the first very beautiful monastery of our trip in Tibet, called Gathar Chodestery or Huiyuan Gompa. Gompa means monastery. One of its monks will introduce us to the main lakhang (main hall), tell us about its statues and the history of the monastery with the help of our local guide. Topics that will certainly lead to good conversations during our trip regarding the meanings of what we are seeing, the relationship with modern studies on emotional intelligence and neuroscience. There is a lot to talk about that is very special and interesting that regions with so much ancient knowledge like Tibet offer us.
After a special visit to Gathar Chodestery Gompa, we will continue our journey to Garze. A slightly larger city in Kham. Very beautiful views on the way, whenever the opportunity arises to have contact with the nomads on the way, we will stop. On that day we can walk a little through a very beautiful meadow, with a large statue of Guru Rinpoche next to it and a beautiful monastery ahead. There are monasteries on the way and in Garze that we will visit at our own pace. Have a good rest at the end of the day in our very good hotel (by the standards of the region).
Note: Gom can mean meditation as well as familiarization. The exact purpose of meditation is to become familiar with our already present qualities. Nothing that we need to achieve, acquire, but to identify and become familiar with what we already have within us. Pa can mean local and so this is one of the meanings of gompa.
Dzogchen Monastery
Shechen Monastery
Today we will visit two of the most important monasteries in Tibet. Both being part of the Six Mother Monasteries of the Nyingma lineage (the oldest) of Buddhism in Tibet. Their stories, masters who lived and taught in them, are fundamental parts of Tibetan culture, thought and philosophy.
Dzogchen Monastery was founded in the 17th century by Dzogchen Rinpoche and became famous for its university (shedra). Among the great masters who lived and taught here, Patrul Rinpoche and Mipham Rinpoche are very important in Buddhist studies to this day. Of the most studied books in Buddhism, Words from My Perfect Teacher was written by Patrul Rinpoche in a cave just above the monastery. The region is very beautiful, with mountains and a glacier in the background, a small lake, a beautiful stupa (chörten), lakhangs (temples or ceremony halls), monks' houses, universities and a cafe in addition to small restaurants in the village near the monastery.
The Shechen Monastery, also from the 17th century. XVII, also very important in Tibet to this day. From the great masters who lived there, such as Mipham Rinpoche and Chogyam Trungpa, there are incredible texts and books by Trungpa Rinpoche that we can read in Portuguese and English. With each region we visit, the direction we follow through Kham, we have new opportunities for beautiful landscapes, walking a little, having more contact with its people, local culture in the places we will visit and along the way. What we saw and what happens spontaneously along the way are usually some of the most beautiful memories we have on our travels.
It is common to find pilgrims, Tibetans traveling throughout Tibet, visiting the most sacred places. Tibetans, traditionally nomads, are travellers by nature. They camp, walk a lot and love a picnic with friends!
We will continue to Dege where we will spend the night for the next two days.
Katok Region and Monastery
Staying at the same hotel in Dege, today we will have the opportunity to visit another region of Kham, the Katok region. There is the oldest of the Six Mother Monasteries, with more than 800 years of history. We will also be able to visit the Palpung Monastery, very important in the culture and history of Tibet, where Jamgon Kongtrul and the 16th Karmapa lived.
Traditional Dege Printing House
Yilhun LaTso Lake
We will calmly visit what we can consider the heart of Kham culture, which is Dege. We will see pilgrims making koras (circummbulations) around the traditional Dege print shop and we will learn about the work of volunteers who are dedicated to preserving Tibetan texts in this traditional and ancient way. Really beautiful work and art.
On the way to Garze, we will visit the beautiful sacred lake Yilhun LaTso, with its manis stones, which are stones with carved mantras. We can take a walk around part of Yilhun LaTso.
Flight
As it is always good to be careful when flying in mountainous regions, we will fly calmly this morning to Chengdu (the only flight of the day), from where we can fly to Lhasa tomorrow calmly and safely in case of unforeseen events. Because in case there are unforeseen events, we have ready-made plans up our sleeves to ensure that we continue our trip as smoothly and in the best way possible.
Our hotel is at the airport itself. We walked for 5 minutes inside the airport to our hotel. For those who want to rest, I believe it will be a very good opportunity for us to visit Lhasa with quality. Last year I took the subway and went to the city (it's far / approx. 1h). We can think about this possibility too!
Flight
Mindrolling
From our hotel we can now walk to check-in for our flight to Lhasa. Lhasa Airport is located between Lhasa City and Tsedang City. Today we will go to Tsedang, approx. 2h, to visit the oldest monasteries, very important in the history of Tibet.
On the way we will visit the important Mindroling monastery. After the visit, arriving in Tsedang, check-in at our hotel and walk around the city.
Yungbulakang
Samye
Tibetan mythology says that the Tibetan people emerged in Tsedang. Also linked to the history and origin of Tibetan culture, we will visit Yungbulakang, which was first a palace of King Songtsen Gampo in the 0th century. VII, became a temple and then a monastery a thousand years later. In the same small town, we will visit the very ancient Tradruk temple. Its origins occur after or just before Jokhang, in Lhasa, also in the XNUMXth century. VII.
We will then continue for approx. 2h, to the first and very important monastery built in all of Tibet, Samye. At the request of King Trisong Detsen and the Indian master Shantarakshita, in the shape of a mandala, Samye was built in the 2th century. VIII, after Guru Rinpoche was asked to pacify local demons. The stage for important philosophical debates in the history of Buddhism, Samye is an important pilgrimage site. We will then continue for approx. XNUMXh to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
End of the day free to walk in the old part of the city together with pilgrims from all over Tibet around the temple with the most sacred statue for them, Jokhang.
Potala
Sera
Drepung
Day to visit the Potala Palace, where HH the Dalai Lama lived in many of his lives along with many other monks. There are countless temples and sacred stupas of great masters for us to discover. We will also visit the important monastic universities Sera, where, in addition to their temples, we can attend a debate between the monks, and Drepung. Together they constitute two of the largest centers of Buddhist studies in Tibet.
Bharkhor
Jokhang
Norbulingka
Today we will walk through the streets of Bharkhor, a traditional Tibetan neighborhood in Lhasa, where we will visit the Jokhang monastery, which houses the most sacred statue in all of Tibet, Jowo Rinpoche. We will also walk through the pleasant and beautiful gardens of the Dalai Lamas' summer palace, Norbulingkha. It is possible that we will alternate the order of visits in the Lhasa Valley a little, according to our rhythm, with time to enjoy the old part of the city.
Flight
In the morning, return to Lhasa airport for another incredible flight that will cross the highest mountain range in the world. In good weather, it is possible to see six of the only fourteen mountains in the world that are more than eight thousand meters high. Back in Nepal, exceptionally on this trip, we will finish the main program earlier than the original itinerary, with each Traveller following a personalized program.
Flight Himalaya Airlines H9775 Lhasa 12:15 Kathmandu 11:35
Nepal and Bhutan
Arrival
Transfer
Free afternoon in Boudhnath
We will all arrive back in Nepal together after our trip in Tibet. From our arrival at the airport in Kathmandu, each traveller will follow their personalized program. Morgani and João will be transferred back to our hotel in Boudnath to continue to Bhutan tomorrow!
Free afternoon in Boudhnath to rest, eat well, maybe take a trip to Thamel, and repack your suitcase!
Flight
Fx Market
Today we say goodbye to Nepal for a few days for a flight that will follow the highest mountains on our planet, the Himalayas, towards Paro airport, in Bhutan. Weather permitting, we will see some of the few mountains taller than 8 thousand meters of altitude across the planet, including Everest.
Stepping onto Bhutanese soil is already an experience… we need to get there to find out. We will continue with our vehicle to the capital, Thimphu, for approx. 1:30 am. On the way, we will stop to see the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers, where there are 3 stupas of different styles: Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese. We will be able to walk at the end of the day and visit the city market.
Flight KB401 Kathmandu 09:10 Stop 10:30
Memorial Chorten
Buddha Point
School of Art
Tashichho Dzong
We will enjoy our entire day in Thimphu. After breakfast, we will make some koras with the Bhutanese around the King's Memorial Chörten (stupa in languages of Tibetan origin), designed by the country's third king, the 'father of modern Bhutan', in the name of world peace and prosperity. Continuing our tour, we will visit the large Kunsel Phodrang statue, or Buddha Point, from where we will have a view of the Thimphu valley. We will then visit Zorig Chusum, Bhutan's traditional painting, weaving and woodworking school, where students study art on a 6-year course. In the late afternoon we will visit Trashichhoedzong, the 'fortress of glorious religion', which is the country's governmental and religious headquarters, built in 1641.
Dochula pass
Chimi Lhakhang
Nunnery
Today we will continue our journey from Thimphu to Punakha, through the Dochula Pass, with its 3080m altitude. Dochula Pass, where there are many stupas and prayer flags, offers a beautiful view of the mountains on clear days. After crossing the pass and having lunch, on the way, we will walk approx. 1 hour between rice plantations and villages to Chimi Lhakhang, monastery of a great master of crazy wisdom, known as the Temple of Fertility. Locals say that to get pregnant, just pray at this temple! We will be able to read some of his texts.
Just before arriving in Punakha, visit the nunnery Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang, full of beautiful statues of Avalokiteshvara, Guru Rinpoche, Buddha, 21 Taras, among others. The nunnery, in addition to being a high-quality Dharma teaching institution, also offers classes in weaving, thangkha (painting) and statue making.
Arrival at the hotel for dinner and rest.
Khamsum Chorten
Rafting (optional extra)
Punakha Dzong
We have another very special day. In the morning, a walk through the pepper and rice plantations, next to the Mo Chhu River, to the special chörten Khamsum. Built to remove negative forces, promote peace, stability and harmony in this impermanent world. At the top of this hill, we will have a very beautiful view of the entire Punakha valley, with its Female and Male rivers, as their names are in Dzongkha, the language of Bhutan.
As an optional (extra) tour, we can take a very pleasant rafting trip along the calm waters of the river that runs alongside the city's Dzong.
In the afternoon, we will visit Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness. Built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637, it was the seat of government and religion in the past. Return to the hotel for a good dinner.
National museum
Rinpung Dzong
Time to return to Paro, the city where we landed in Bhutan, to first visit the very interesting National Museum, where we can learn a little more about Bhutanese culture, its history, flora and rich fauna. From the museum we then went to Paro Dzong, with beautiful panels and views of the city. We continue to the city where we can enjoy the market, including buying dried fruits, chocolate, flags and incense for our special walk tomorrow!
Walk
Taktshang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)
Gkyichu Lhakhang
Today is the big day of the beautiful and special walk to the Taktshang Monastery, the most famous in Bhutan encrusted in a rock, where Guru Rinpoche arrived there on the back of a tigress and meditated for a while. We will be able to visit and sit for a few moments in front of the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated. That's why it's called the Tiger's Nest, the most sacred temple in Bhutan. At least once a year the Bhutanese visit it. Walk will be up to approx. 4 hours, with a stop for a few minutes' rest at a café halfway. The return is calmer.
On the way back to the city, we will visit the very important Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 monasteries from the XNUMXth century, built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The construction of this temple marks the beginning of Buddhism in Bhutan. It will be a very special way to end our days in Bhutan. A good meal and preparations for the flight tomorrow.
Flight
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and farewell to the driver and guide who accompanied us all day in Bhutan.
Both flights will depart at practically the same time. Morgani back to Kathmandu and João will go to Dhaka. Have a great trip, João! I hope you enjoyed it a lot! I'm already sending a program in Kathmandu, Morgani!
Morgani Flight KB400 Stop 07:10 Kathmandu 08:10
Flight João KB300 Stop 07:00 Dhaka 08:30
Nepal
Bhaktapur
Flying very early in the morning today, back to Kathmandu!
Arriving in Kathmandu, heading towards Namo Buddha, we will visit the third Durbar Square in the valley, the beautiful Bhaktapur (bhakt: devotion/devotees and pur: Hindu city). A listed city, with limited vehicle flow, walking through its alleys, palace, temples, such as the potters' square, is like getting to know a little about the daily life of medieval times in Nepal. Bhaktapur is the place where, for example, the film Little Buddha was filmed.
We can, for example, have lunch in Bhaktapur and then head to Namo Buddha. Depending on our rhythm that day, we can rest, enjoy the region and visit Namo Buddha tomorrow.
Flight KB400 Stop 07:10 Kathmandu 08:10
Free day and visits with walk to Namo Buddha
This day is always very welcome after a few days traveling across the Tibetan plateau, at altitude. Free day to enjoy the region, our pleasant small hotel, with organic food.
In a previous life, Buddha Shakyamuni, when he was still a bodhisattva, encountered a hungry tigress with nothing to feed her cubs. Buddha, due to his level of achievement, offered his own body where there is today a Thrangu Rinpoche monastery. Just below, after a pleasant walk, there is a stupa where the Buddha's brothers, in that life, kept his relics.
Suggestion for this day: at some point during the day, between enjoying the tranquility of the region, walk to the monastery, stupa and then back to our small hotel. Depending on the pace, from 30 minutes to 1 hour each way. We highly suggest using a local guide, from the region, instead of having a guide coming from Kathmandu. The hotel can help us organize approx. 25 USD, direct payment to the guide.
Pashupatinath
On the way back to the city of Kathmandu, we will visit the Pashupatinath temple complex, which is located around the Bagmati River, sacred to Hindus. In addition to the main temple, dedicated to the most peaceful manifestation of Shiva, Pashupati, there are dozens of small temples also dedicated to the Hindu god of destruction and reconstruction. It is also the place where Nepalis who are able will be cremated to ensure a good passage or release (moksha). We have some options for this afternoon. We can use it to go to Thamel, if anyone still needs some more clothes or equipment for our days in Bhutan. We can also take advantage of our Tibetan neighborhood, doing our circumambulations, walking through the monasteries, doing our meditation practice, taking advantage of one of the cafes and the stupa to write, read or photograph some more. We also have the option of visiting another square in the palace, Kathmandu's Durbar Square, where a small living goddess, Kumari, lives.
See what time you would like to return to Kathmandu.
Back in our well-known Tibetan neighborhood, free afternoon to enjoy the region at your leisure, choose one of our favorite restaurants, maybe take a trip to Thamel, however you prefer to spend this afternoon.
Walk
Nagi Gompa
The suggestion for today is a very special walk. From our hotel, we will head to the foot of one of the mountains surrounding the valley, called Shivapuri. Before starting our climb, still with our vehicle, we will visit a Hindu temple that is quite different from all the others. It is called Budhanilkantha, where there is a large statue of Lord Vishnu lying down.
Time to climb up the mountain for a few minutes to the entrance to the national park, where we'll leave our vehicle and hike to an important women's monastery called Nagi Gompa. A combination of characteristics make this hike a very special opportunity in Kathmandu: the view of the valley is very beautiful, along with the peace of walking on the mountain, the legacy of a great master, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, having lived here for many years and all the environment created by the daily studies and practices of the nuns who live here. The walk will be approx. 1h, a little less or a little more, depending on the road conditions.
Free day
Flights
After a day of walking, a day that is always highly requested and used to enjoy this region where we will already feel at home. Various possibilities depending on how our previous days were. We'll talk!
Night transfer for international flights back to Brazil. I hope you enjoyed it a lot, Morgani! Very good trip! We'll talk until it's time to go to the airport.
Flights
5OUT Emirates EK2154 Kathmandu 01:15 Dubai 04:20
5OUT Emirates EK261 Dubai 09:05 São Paulo 17:35