Compare Medieval Murder Mysteries and Their Settings by Road Scholar vs Bhutan The Last Shangri La Tour by Himalayan Glacier Adventure
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| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 829 | $ 2,440 |
| Price Per Day | $ 118 | $ 349 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Countries Visited | N/A | |
| Cities and Attractions | N/A |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Description | Study the historical setting and literary art of detective fiction set in Medieval Times by Ellis Peters, Paul Doherty, Alys Clare and others. |
Bhutan The Last Shangri-La Tour is our effort to introduce you to the rich cultural heritage of this tiny Himalayan kingdom also known as the last Shangri-La. Our week-long tour in Bhutan begins with sightseeing in the country’s capital, Thimphu, where we visit the Memorial Chhorten, mini- zoo, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, folk heritage museum and the majestic Tashichho Dzong (fortress). Next, we travel to Punakha via Dochu La pass (3,100m) and tour the Chimi Lhakhang temple on the way. We also visit the Punakha Dzong and explore the amazing Gangtey village before heading to Paro. In the beautiful Paro valley, we visit Rinpung Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang temple. Our tour ends with a hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery which is a perfect way to end one’s journey in the last Shangri-La. |
Day
1
Orientation
Jerome, ID D Monastery of the Ascension
Dinner: After the monks finish vespers, there is a social; hors d'ouevres, soft drinks, wine and beer are served. This is followed by a dinner.
Evening: 7:30 PM Orientation and get-acquainted meeting. The meeting is held in the conference room. There will be introductions, an orientation to the teachers, the amenities and layout of the building and the classes for the week.
Day
2
The Norman Conquest, Bayeux Tapestry, & More
Jerome, ID B,L,D Monastery of the Ascension
Breakfast: 7:30. Opportunity to walk for those who wish exercise and fresh air. 8:00 AM. Breakfast. Hot dish; cereals; fruit; milk and yogirt. bread and condiments, served buffet style, prepared by a professional chef. Wherever practical, she uses local ingredients.
Morning: 9:00 - 11:30: Presentation: William the Conqueror; the Bayeux Tapestry. Mysteries: Howard of Warwick; Alys Clare (Aelf Fen) (Joanne Draper) 11:30 - 11:55 Optional movement exercises.
Lunch: Lunch is served in the dining room at 12:10. Buffet style. Special dietary needs are gladly accommodated.
Afternoon: 1:00-3:45 PM Presentations: William Rufus through end of civil war (ca. 1150): Ellis Peters, Br. Cadfael; Powerpoint on Cadfael-sites (Fr. Hugh)
Dinner: 6:00 PM Dinner is served in the dining room.
Evening: 7:15: A Br. Cadfael movie. The snack bar remains open 24 hours a day.
Day
3
Study Period Mysteries
Jerome, ID B,L,D Monastery of the Ascension
Breakfast: 7:30 opportunity to walk outside and gets some fresh air. Breakfast is served in the dining room from 8:00 - 8:40.
Morning: 9:00-11:30 Presentation: Henry II and His Sons, notably Richard the Lionhearted and John. Mysteries set in the period. (Sara Parkin) 11:30 - 11:55 Movement exercises.
Lunch: 12:10 Lunch is served in the dining room after the monks finish noon prayer.
Afternoon: 1:00-3:45 Presentation: Henry II and his Sons; Sharon Kay Penman; Ariana Franklin; Bernard Knight: Crowner John; Maureen Ash: Templar Knight Mysteries.
Dinner: Dinner is served in the dining room from 6:00-6:40.
Evening: 7:15 Becket Movie
Day
4
Henry III & Edward I, Field Trip & Picnic, Snake River
Jerome, ID B,L,D Monastery of the Ascension
Activity note: The afternoon and evening is a long stretch, but one does not need to walk very far (longest is the walk to the boat which is perhaps 75 yards, mostly flat),
Breakfast: 7:30 optional walk outdoors. 8:00 AM Dining room.
Morning: 9:00-11:30 Henry III: Jason Vail: Ian Morson. Edward I: Paul Doherty, Hugh Corbet (Fr. Hugh)
Lunch: 12:10 Dining room
Afternoon: This afternoon we will have chartered bus to tour the Hagerman Fossil Beds headquarters, Oregon Trail overlooks and other local attractions as time allows. We will have a picnic supper and then go on a boat ride on the Snake River. Of course, those who don't want to join us for this outing are welcome to stay at the monastery or explore the area on their own.
Dinner: 5:45 PM Picnic at Centennial Park in Twin Falls (or dinner at the monastery for those who prefer that).
Evening: 6:30 Optional outing on Snake River - a local outfitter will take our group on an outing in the Snake River Canyon to look at the scenery and listen to stories about local history. The ride is very safe and smooth.
Day
5
Edward II & III, Robb, Swinfen, Star, Doherty, Richard II
Jerome, ID B,L,D Monastery of the Ascension
Breakfast: 7:30 opportunity to walk for those who want fresh air and exercise. 8:00 AM In dining room.
Morning: 9:00-11:30 Presentations: Edward II: Paul Doherty, Mechtilde of Westminster (Hugh) Edward III: 11:30 - 11:55 Movement exercises.
Lunch: 12:10 In dining room.
Afternoon: 1:00 -3:45 Presentations: Candace Robb (Sara). Ann Swinfen (hf). Mel Star (Joanne). Paul Doherty, Sorrowful Mysteries of Br. Athelstan and The Great Revolution (hf).. Richard II (Sara).
Dinner: 6:00 PM In dining room. This meal will feature local foodstuffs: Idaho raised fish, potatoes, etc.
Evening: 7:00 Richard II: BBC production (2012) in the series The Hollow Crown.
Day
6
Henry IV, V, VI, Dame Frevisse, Edward IV
Jerome, ID B,L,D Monastery of the Ascension
Breakfast: 8:30 opportunity to walk for those who would like exercise and fresh air. Breakfast at 9:00 am.
Morning: 10:00-11:30 Presentations: Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI For Henry VI: Dame Frevisse novels (Sara). Movement exercises 11:30-1155.
Lunch: 12:10 In dining room.
Afternoon: 1:00-2:00: Henry VI, cont. 2:15-4:15: Edward IV: Kate Sedley: Roger the Chapman: Paul Doherty: Kathryn Swinbrooke mysteries
Dinner: 5:50 Social; 6:15 Supper. As on the opening night.
Evening: A segment on one of the later medieval kings (Henry IV--Edward IV) from the BBC series The Hollow Crown (2012).
Day
7
Program Concludes
Jerome, ID B
Breakfast: Breakfast available from 6 AM for those who wish to leave early. Breakfast will be served at 7:40 am.
Day 1: Arrival in Paro then transfer to Thimphu
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Travel Distance: 54 km Driving: 1 hour
Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft
As your flight nears Bhutan, you can enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas including the sacred Chomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks. At the airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Glacier who will take you to your hotel in Thimphu for a good night’s sleep. However, if your flight arrives early and you want to visit a few places in Thimphu then it can be arranged too. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft
In the morning, we visit Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), nunnery temple, mini zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Today, we also visit other landmarks of Thimphu including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Bhutanese traditional painting school, folk heritage museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong and the traditional paper factory. However, some of the landmarks are closed in the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekends, we explore the Weekend Market instead. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Kichu Resort)
Travel Distance: 76 km Driving: 2-3 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 1,250m/4,101ft
After breakfast, we drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3,100m), where on a clear day we get spectacular views of the Himalayas. Next, we drive downhill through rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. On the way, we visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. After reaching Punakha, we also visit Punakha Dzong which was built between 1637-1638 and is the second oldest and the second largest dzong in Bhutan. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 4: Excursion to Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Kichu Resort)
Travel Distance: 164 km Driving: 5-6 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 2,900m/9,515ft
In the morning, we explore Wangduephodrang. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. We then drive through dense oak and rhododendron forests to Gangtey, a beautiful village surrounded by amazing snow-capped mountains. From here, we enjoy views of the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Gangtey Monastery is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. We explore Phobjikha villages before driving back to Punakha for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Punakha to Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Travel Distance: 130 km Driving: 4 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft
After breakfast, we begin our drive to the Paro valley. In Paro, we visit Rinpung Dzong which means “fortress made from a heap of jewels.”We will also visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country and Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. Overnight in Paro.
Day 6: Hike to Tigers Nest Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Hiking: 4-5 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 3,180m/10,434ft
After breakfast, we hike for 4 to 5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where the Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley floor. Overnight in Paro.
Day 7: Final Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Today we bid farewell to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom and her friendly people. Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Therefore, after breakfast, we will be taken to the airport in the morning for final departure.
