Bushtracks Expeditions

Day 2

Saturday, March 22

Thimpu, Bhutan

Take a scheduled flight to Paro, then drive to the capital city of Thimpu, at 8,000 feet. En route view the Tachogang Lhakang temple.

Lodging: Taj Tashi Hotel, 2 nights (B,L,D)

Day 4

Monday, March 24

Paro

This morning visit the Painting School, where children receive an eight-year course in traditional painting, sculpture, and woodcarving, then drive to Paro (7,500 ft.). Scout out the elaborately carved houses, temples, and monasteries. Rinpung Dzong, "the fortress of the heap of jewels" and Ta Dzong's collections of ancient armor, textiles, paintings, and natural history cap off a day of fascinating cultural immersion.

Lodging: Uma Paro Hotel, 2 nights (B,L,D)

Day 6

Wednesday, March 26

Putao, Myanmar

Fly by private air this morning via Bagan to the town of Putao (1,700 ft.). In the far north of Myanmar (formerly Burma), on the borders of Tibet, this remote town was once a British outpost. It remains cut off from the outside world by millions of acres of subtropical rainforest and jagged peaks. It is one of the last great wilderness areas in the world, full of bio-diversity, where the famous Ayeryarwaddy river is born.

Lodging: Malikha Lodge, 2 nights (B,L,D)

Day 8

Friday, March 28

Bagan, Myanmar

Take a private flight to Bagan (3,800 ft.), capital of the first Burmese kingdom, and home to one of the most awe inspiring religious monuments in all of Asia. The most direct way for a monk to gain merit is to build a temple, or stupa. Bagan houses over 2,000 such temple ruins concentrated in a mere 25 square mile area. Settle in to comfortable lodgings along the riverside followed by dinner at the Si Thu Restaurant.

Lodging: Thiripyitsaya Sakura Hotel, 2 nights (B,L,D)

Day 10

Sunday, March 30

Lijiang and the Yunnan Province, China

Fly by private air to Lijiang (7,800 ft.) in Yunnan province. It is the capital of the Naxi Autonomous Prefecture and a World Heritage Site. The charming old town district is lined by cobbled streets, canals, and stone bridges dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Enjoy dinner at your intimate hotel tonight.

Lodging: Banyan Tree Lijiang, 3 nights (B,L,D)

Day 12

Tuesday, April 1

Lijiang

Walk old Lijiang, the capital of the fascinating Naxi ethnic minority known for their matriarchal society, pictographic language, and distinctive music. Visit the newly opened museum and this evening witness a performance of traditional music and dance believed to date from the Tang Dynasty.

Day 14

Thursday, April 3

Shangri-la

Zhongdian is the capital of the Dechen Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is also homeland to the tall, turbaned Kham people known for their fierce, warlike character and horsemanship. Visit the spectacular Ganden Sumsanling Monastery where more than 800 monks live and practice. Built on the instruction of the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century, the monastery is located on the top of a hill and bears a striking resemblance to Potala Palace. This afternoon explore alpine Shudu lake and wildflower meadows where yaks and horses graze. Tonight enjoy a special Tibetan dinner at Songtsan Lugu Hotel.

Day 16

Saturday, April 5

Lhasa

Begin your exploration of the "Holy City," with the immense Potala Palace. Thirteen stories high and over 1000 rooms, the Potala contains the Dalai Lama's residences, immense tombs, numerous prayer halls, and storage areas for treasure and religious articles. This afternoon visit the heart of Lhasa - the traditional market place and its most important pilgrimage site, the Jokhang Temple. The temple houses the first statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha seen in Tibet, and has a constant procession of pilgrims moving in "circumambulation."

Day 18

Monday, April 7

International Flights Home

This morning transfer to Lhasa airport for your commercial flight to Beijing and international flights home.