Himalayan Kingdoms

Tucked in the high eastern Himalaya lie Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. Explorers like Csoma de Koros, Sven Hedin, and George Mallory each managed to land in one of these far-off places, but none could claim all three. This unusual 16-day journey offers the chance to do just that—with a level of style and comfort completely foreign to those early adventurers.

We rendezvous in Beijing before soaring over the stunning Tibetan Plateau to Lhasa. Here we’re dazzled by ancient holy sites and riveted by the well-worn lanes of the colorful Barkhor. Then we strike out across the Tibetan frontier to make the marvelous ascent over 15,700-foot Khamba La, passing cobalt lakes and ice peaks. Our visual feast continues at Gyantse’s architectural masterpiece, the Kumbum, and at Shigatse’s grand, gilded Tashilunpo Monastery. We fly on to Nepal to explore the medieval and modern treasures of the Kathmandu Valley. Another breathtaking flight whisks us to the hidden Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan for five wonderful days, during which we climb to the incomparable Tiger’s Nest, get to know artisans, and soak up masterfully built dzongs. After experiencing these three mystical Himalayan kingdoms, we’ll appreciate anew why hero-explorers dreamed of reaching them all.