Himalayas Cost per person twin-share $6116.00 Single Supplement $1890.00 High Season surcharge $ 190.00 Dec 09 - Jan 15 ­ Jun 01 - Aug 31 * Based on a minimum of 2 pax traveling TUE : DAY 01 / LOS ANGELES / BANGKOK Your exciting journey begins as you board your Singapore Airlines 747 wide-bodied jet for the flight across the Pacific to the Orient. Delicious meals are served in-flight. WED : DAY 02 / BANGKOK ARRIVAL Bangkok, the capital of the fabled Kingdom of Siam (modern day Thailand). A culture more than 1300 years old, its temples and palaces are a fantasy in store, a land with natural beauty and a people whose ingenious friendliness is a legend. Upon your arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. THU : DAY 03 / BANGKOK Float along the Klong's to Bangkok's colorful morning market where boat vendors sell vegetables and flowers to customers living in houses rising above the water. Visit Grand Palace, gem of the entire city. Its sacred Emerald Buddha has played a major role historically, glimpse the throne room of the present day dynasty. FRI : DAY 04 / BANGKOK This morning you will see the Golden Buddha made of five and a half ton of solid gold, the colossal reclining Buddha, the exquisite White Marble Temple of the Kings. This evening you will be served a savory Thai Dinner accompanied with classical dances and music featuring exquisite costumes and the elegant movements unique to this style of dance. SAT : DAY 05 / BANGKOK/PARO-THIMPU Today we fly to Paro and drive on to Bhutan's capital, Thimpu. The scenery is among the world's most breathtaking as we travel through valley's ringed by towering Himalayan Peaks rising up to 24,000 feet. Balance of the day is at leisure. SUN : DAY 06 / PATAN / BHADGAON A full day excursion today brings us to Bhutan's former capital, Punakha, which today is the religious seat of Bhutan. The Punakha Valley enjoys a temperate climate and produces rich crops of fruits, including oranges, bananas and mangoes. Slightly south of Punakha we visit the impressive Wangdiphodrang Dzong, perched high on top of the ridge between the Sankosh and Tangchu rivers, before returning to Thimpbu. MON : DAY 07 / THIMPO / PARO A tour of Thimpu includes a stop at the National Library, the Handicraft Center and the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late king. The paintings and statues inside the memorial provide a rare insight into Buddhist philosophy. Other outstanding attractions in Thimpbu include the Changgankha Monastery and the impressive Tashichhodzong or "Fortress of the Glorious Religion" which houses most of the national ministries, the office of the King and the throne room. We also enjoy a performance of the masked dancers from the Royal Bhutanese Dance Academy. Afterwards, we depart Thimpu for a scenic drive through Bhutan's "Dragon Kingdom" TUE : DAY 08 / PARO Today our Paro sightseeing includes an excursion to the famed Taktsang Monastery or Tiger's Nest, a holy place of pilgrimage that clings precariously to a mountainside cliff at 9,840 feet. It is believed that Guru Rimpoche came from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress and landed on the very spot where the monastery stands today. On our drive back through the countryside we also stop at Drukgyel Dzong, an ancient ruined fortress 18 miles from Paro. From here Chomo Lhari's 23,997 foot peak can be viewed in all its magnificence on clear days. Back in Paro we visit the National Museum and two exotic temples Kyichu Lhakhang built in 7th century and one of the holiest in Bhutan and Dungtse Lhakhang, dating back to the 14th century. WED : DAY 09 / PARO / KATHMANDU We are flown to Katmandu, ancient capital of the mountain kingdom of Nepal. In this isolated world, people live as much as they have for over 2000 years. Our tour includes exploration of Durbar Square with its pagoda-shaped temples, bazaars and the Royal Residential Palace. See the temple of the Living Goddess-a young girl worshipped as a deity by all Nepalese. We continue to Boudhnath to see the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Its mystic eyes of the Lord Buddha keenly watching devotees, it is the most celebrated Lamaist pilgrim center outside Tibet. THU : DAY 10 / PATAN / BHADGAON Patan is the oldest of the three cities of the ancient Katmandu Valley. Originally founded in the 3rd-century, the medieval city features hundreds of temples and palaces of this "City of Beauty". The art and architecture feature intricate carvings with an interesting mixture of Hindu and Buddhist influence. The Durbar Square (palace complex) includes the Temple of Lord Krishna, whose carved edifice is considered to be the best example of ancient artisan's skills. Later we enjoy a drive to the primitive city of Bhadgoan "City of Devotees", built in the shape of a conch shell--an object of religious significance to Hindus and Buddhists. FRI : DAY 11 / KATHMANDU / BENARES Benares, the holy city of India is located on the sacred Ganges River. Visit Bharat Mata Temple, the Durga Temple with its ever present monkeys, the Sacred Bull, the Wall of Knowledge, the beautiful Viswanath (Golden) Temple, the brocade and saree shops and the crowded bazaars. Drive to the buried Buddhist City of Sarnath--scene of Buddha's first sermon with its ruins, stupas and museum. Visit the new Buddhist Temple with its beautiful frescos painted by a Japanese artist. SAT : DAY 12 / BENARES / AGRA Our sightseeing tour of Agra includes the famous Taj Mahal-undisputed architectural marvel of the world. Then proceed to picturesque and historic Moghul Fort, built by Akbar the Great and view Goti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) and the Jasmin Tower. Return via Itmad-ud-Daulah, famous for its inlay work. SUN : DAY 13 / AGRA Drive to Fatehpur Sikri, a city of red stone, to commemorate the birth of Akbar's son. Today, this deserted city, still in a state of perfect preservation (350 years old), symbolizes a fusion of Indo-Moslem architecture and radiates at atmosphere of incomparable beauty and majesty. Visit the redstone mosques, courtyards and the palace where Akbar once played chess using slave girls as pawns. Evening drive to the pure white Taj Mahal by moonlight, when its delicate beauty can be appreciated most. MON : DAY 14 / AGRA / JAIPUR Leave Agra, driving through rural countryside via Bhusawat to the pink city of Jaipur. See the Maharaja's city Palace with a fine collection of Rajput and Moghul paintings. Also see the 18th century astronomical observatory and elaborate Palace of the Winds. TUE : DAY 15 / JAIPUR We are transported back in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants, up to the mountain fortress of Amber. Once the capitals of royals, the fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture--a complex of palaces, temples, exquisite marble and mirror-inlaid halls and chambers. WED : DAY 16 / JAIPUR / DELHI A brief flight brings us to Delhi, capital city of India. It was from here that the British, Hindu, Muslim and Moghul ruled. Motor along the broad avenues of the planned capital and visit the imposing Qutub Minar Tower, the Iron Pillar which dates back to the 4th century, Humayun's Tomb and a vast walled Persian garden. In Old Delhi, visit the Red Fort with its Pearl Mosque and exquisite audience halls. See minarets, Raj Ghat (where Gandi was cremated), the Ashok Pillar and the mile-long Chandi Chowk bazaars where craftsmen sell their trades. This evening enjoy a spectacular Sound and Light Show. THU : DAY 17 / DELHI DEPARTURE Transfer to the airport for your departure flight back to the states.