Two friends of Grand Asian Journeys in front of Jichu Drake, Bhutan, on the Jhomolhari trek last month.

Two New Journeys for 2011: Bhutan

Traveling back through time: The Bhutan experience

Imagine landing at a place that feels like you've just traveled halfway across the world, through a time portal and stepped backwards a few centuries. Bhutan is that place.

Next fall, Grand Asian Journeys is planning two Bhutan escapes for people who want to journey to a place where very few travelers venture. In 2009, less than 28,000 tourists ventured to Bhutan, a country where barely 700,000 people live. Be one of the few to experience the mystery of this last Shangri-La with our own Bhutan specialist Pam Perry on one of these two exciting adventures:

A Journey Back in Time: Majestic Bhutan
October 30 - November 10, 2011
Come experience the breathtaking Himalayas, witness time-honored traditional music and dancing, learn about Buddhism and ayurveda, and savor the peace of Gross National Happiness. Attend a rich and colorful annual festival in Bumthang, see the magnificent hanging Tiger's Nest Monastery, and get lost in time in this remarkable country.

Sacred Peaks and Valleys: Jhomolhari Trek
October 17-30, 2011
Through yak farms, ancient villages and high alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers, this journey will take you deep into the heart of Bhutan's rich history and culture. Trek to Bhontela Pass at over 16,000 ft and hang prayer flags at the summit with your Buddhist trekking crew. Be prepared to be amazed while stepping back in time!

Get Inspired! Recommended reading: Nepal

Our clients often ask us for recommendations for books to read before their journey to Nepal. While we list several on our website (including the Lonely Planet's Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya) to plan your trekking journey, there are so many other good books that explore the history, culture, ecology and people of this Himalayan country that we wanted to recommend a few others that are "off the beaten path".

The Snow Leopard, Peter Matthiesen - The true account of Matthiesen's own journey through Tibetan culture and Himalayan ecology into the remote Dolpo* region of western Nepal in search of the elusive snow leopard. (*If you're inspired after you read the book, check out Grand Asian Journeys' signature Upper Dolpo Trek to Crystal Mountain!)

Shopping for Buddhas, Jeff Greenwald - Simultaneous humorous and deeply informative, Greenwald's story explores Nepali culture as a traveler might experience it - trekking, shopping, eating, communicating and learning.

The Violet Shyness of their Eyes, Barbara J. Scot - A rich account of one woman's experience in Nepal, focusing on the myriad women she encounters along the way and their individual struggles for independence, love and happiness.

The Kanshung Face of Everest in Tibet

	The majestic Mount Everest from the North side.

Join Grand Asian Journeys' own Jwalant Gurung for a remarkable opportunity to visit the remote Eastern face of Mount Everest in Tibet next June. Relatively unknown, this trek will take 12 lucky adventurers through Tibet's pristine, untouched valleys and lakes, and ultimately to the Everest North Base Camp. This region is characterized by magnificent alpine scenery and rich flora boasting the highest known forests in the world. Three of the world's highest peaks overlook the valley including Everest (8,848 mt.), Lhotse Shar (8,382 mt.) and Makalu (8,463 mt.). Because of its remote nature and lack of vehicle access, we will be hiring yaks from local nomads to trek to the Kanshung Glacier. We will sleep in tents and will be accompanied by a professional Nepali Sherpa crew. The trip will be June 5 - 29, 2011 (25 days/24 nights) and prices start at $3,645 (for 7 or more travelers). Contact Jwalant to get in on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Do you need travel insurance?

Consider these situations...

• You or a family member become ill and you can no longer travel
• You have a medical emergency in a remote location while trekking and require helicopter evacuation
• Your job is suddenly terminated or transferred
• Your residence or destination becomes uninhabitable due to a hurricane, fire or flood
• You miss a connection because of a flight delay
• You arrive at your destination but your luggage doesn't
• Your wallet, credit cards or passport are stolen

At Grand Asian Journeys, we are agents of Travelex Insurance,the best in the industry. You may find less expensive insurance, but you will not find a better policy or better value. Many other insurance companies offer secondary coverage, meaning you have to go through the hassle of billing your homeowners insurance and personal medical insurance before they will pay a claim. Travelex offers primary insurance meaning all claims are handled professionally and paid promptly. Call us for information at 888-586-7750.

Check out these best-selling trips!

The Crystal Mountain Trek: Upper Dolpo (Nepal)

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek (Nepal)

Jhomolhari Trek (Bhutan)

Ultimate Everest Trek (Nepal)

Mustang: The Kingdom of Lo Manthang (Nepal)

Mystical North India

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Book Early and Save!

Through December 31, we're offering discounts on every one of our 2011 departures! Book your trip before year's end and save $150 off of your journey. Where do you want to go? Check our website for inspiration!

Giving Back: Update on 3 Summits for Nepal

Sixteen climbers sweated their way to the tops of three different peaks to help raise $15,000 for children's education in Nepal. The majority of this year's funds will go towards the construction of the Higher Secondary Section of Bindawasini School in the remote Kavre district of Nepal. Additional funds will be distributed to a child care center in Hellok in the Kanchenjunga region, and to several orphanages in the Kathmandu valley. Since 3 Summits' founding in 2006, more than $75,000 has been raised and distributed to support children's education in Nepal. We'll be posting photos of our latest projects on Facebook in the near future. Be sure to join our FB community to stay informed.

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