Sierra Club LA/OC Trips and Travel

O: Nepal Wildlife and Cultural Adventure

Join us for a 14 day non-traditional adventure to see the wildlife & culture of Nepal. This takes the best of our previous trips and we have added a lot more sights. The 14 day trip encompasses observing wildlife in Nepals premier national park, seeing the highest Mountains in the world, experience the culture and history of Nepal and the wildlife visiting many UNESCO World Heritage Sites or nominated Sites. You will also learn about the religion and culture of the Nepalese. The tour includes sightseeing in old Kathmandu visiting the Durbar, temples, markets, and other places in the capital which are UNESCO world Heritage sites. This includes visiting the famous Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath temples, all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We will visit the old city of Bhaktapur, a UNESCO site,, seeing the Durbar, temples, markets, and other interesting sights. We will visit the third royal city of Kathmandu Valley, Patan, another UNESCO site, including visiting the Durbar, temples, and streets of the old historic part of the city. We will also visit some small historic villages and towns near Kathmandu. These include the towns and villages of Kirtipur, Bungamati, and Khokana. These are old Newari villages and towns, where we will visit some of the temples and other historic areas built in medieval times. We will also visit Bandipur who one travel blogger has described as the crown jewel of Nepal. The Newari town of Bandipur is one of central Nepal's hidden gems. It combines traditional village architecture, epic Himalayan views, lovely countryside walks where will explore for a day. We will spend five days in Chitwan National Park looking for wildlife. Chitwan is a UNESCO world heritage site where you may see elephants, rhinos, gaur, deer, various types of monkeys, possibly a tiger, as well as numerous bird species. There are 543 recorded bird species sighted in Chitwan. We stay in lodges for this trip.Cost includes bus, Nepal plane flights & land transportation, hotels/lodges, most meals, park and admission fees, most hikes & walks, airport transfers.

For Complete information go to: https://angeles.sierraclub.org/
CHECK OUT THE TRAVEL ADVENTURES PAGE

O: BHUTAN CULTURAL & FESTIVAL TOUR
Join us for a 11 day, 10 night tour of the mysterious Kingdom of Bhutan with an additional 3 nights and in Kathmandu. This is a more extensive tour visiting new places from our previous tours. You will get an in depth tour learning about the culture, meeting some Bhutanese families, seeing beautiful and historic buildings and religious temples, beautiful mountain and countryside scenery on this small tour of Bhutan. A visit to Bhutan is like stepping back in time. We are limiting the tour to 16 participants!!! We are traveling in November which is one of the best times for photography and viewing the dramatic scenery. You will see two different festivals, Jambey Lhakhang Drup Festival & Prakhar Duchhoed Festival, have traditional dance, song, and music in Bhutan in two different areas. You will see lots of Bhutanese in traditional costume and playing traditional instruments. The Jambay Lhakhang Festival is held in honor of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) and to commemorate his visit to Bhutan in the 8th century. One of the unique aspects of the Jambay Lhakhang Festival is the Mewang or Fire Blessing. Participants walk over a large fire as a form of spiritual purification, symbolizing the dispelling of obstacles and impurities. The Prakhar Duchhoed Festival is celebrated to honor Lama Thukse Dawa, one of the sons of the 15th century Buddhist master, Terton Pema Lingpa. You will see many of Bhutans UNESCO nominated world heritage sites. You will also learn about the religion and culture of the Bhutanese. We will have family visits with a couple of Bhutanese families including at least one farm family visit. You will travel between numerous sites in and around Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Trashigang, Tongsa, Bumthang, and other areas. You will see the famous Buddhist Tigers Nest Monastery that is dramatically perched on the side of a mountain. Numerous Dzongs and castles which are Buddhist monastery and fortress that houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices including the ones in Paro, Rinpung, Punakha, Tongsa, Jakar, Trashigang, and Mongar. Four of the Dzongs are UNESCO nominated world heritage sites. Many beautiful temples, monasteries, and other Buddhist religious sites including Druck Choeding, Chhoeten Lhakhang, Chimi Lhakhang, Kuri Zampa Chorten, Mani Lhakor prayer wheel, Jambey Lhakhang, one of the oldest, Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings & Wangdicholing Palace. You will get dramatic views of the Bhutanese Himalayas and other mountain areas including a trip up the highest road pass in Bhutan at over 12,600 ft. You will also learn about such Bhutanese arts as weaving, painting, sculpting, carving, and more in our visits to the Fine Arts School. You will see some of the craftspeople make the beautiful Buddhist religious paintings (thangkas) and their fine weaving at our visits. We will be visiting crafts and weaving villages in Eastern Bhutan. Cost includes bus, land transportation, hotels/lodges, most meals, park and admission fees, most hikes & walks, airport transfers. Internal airfare in Bhutan & roundtrip airfare from Nepal to Bhutan is an additional expected $800.

For Complete information go to: http://angeles.sierraclub.org
LOOK FOR TRAVEL ADVENTURES