Compare Birding the Lowcountry by Road Scholar vs Bhutan The Last Shangri La Tour by Himalayan Glacier Adventure
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 6 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 1,349 | $ 2,440 |
| Price Per Day | $ 225 | $ 349 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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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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| Meals Included |
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| Description | With its salt marshes, abundant forests, coastal estuaries and diverse wildlife refuges, South Carolina’s Lowcountry is an ideal destination for both birds and birders alike. |
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
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Ridgeland, SC D LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity note: Activity Notes Check in, settle in, and meet the scholars sharing your cottage or lodge. An orientation to the week's activities will follow dinner.
Afternoon: Arrive at Palm Key between 4:00-5:30 p.m. to check in and pick up program materials. Once you are settled into your room, meet the others who are sharing your cottage and enjoy a chat on the back porch. At 5:30 p.m., meet and greet other participants at a little party before dinner. Please note that Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances including weather and seasonal hunting restrictions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: You are probably hungry after traveling, so enjoy the first of our sumptuous lowcountry dinners, served at 6:00 p.m. Join other scholars to compare notes about previous programs and follow up on earlier conversations. Don't miss the dessert buffet!
Evening: After dinner, join us for a short orientation as the instructors share specific plans for the week and answer any questions you have about the program and facilities. We'll also talk about some of the birds you might expect to see this week and have a preview of the places we'll visit. But we know you're tired from traveling, so we'll be sure you get to bed at a reasonable hour!
Day
2
Birding at Savan
nah National Wildlife Refuge & More
Ridgeland, SC B,L,D LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity note: What a great day! Put on your walking shoes, grab your binoculars, Sibley's Guide, and sunscreen, and plan to see some really neat birds.
Breakfast: Breakfast served at 8:00 a.m. Fuel up on our sumptuous low country breakfast--you'll have an active day! Will it be grits and eggs? Or is it an oatmeal day? Come dressed for birding.
Morning: OK, breakfast over, it's time to get down to the business of birding. Appropriately dressed, well equipped with binoculars, bird ID book, and your water bottle, you're ready to visit several wildlife refuges. Be prepared to spend some quality time in the van discussing the birds we see. In addition, instructors will highlight the day's likely sightings: Grebes, Coots, Green Herons, and Bitterns, await you. Alligators and turtles, though not on your bird list, are still exciting to see!
Lunch: Lunch is a picnic, prepared by us from the delicious lunch buffet at breakfast. Did you make a sandwich out of whole-grain bread? Or choose trail mix, nuts, and fruit? Or both? Whatever you fixed, you'll enjoy it while we talk about what we've seen and what we hope to see.
Afternoon: Enjoy the beauty of the refuges as we bird from one place to another. Everyone's eager, but we're being polite and letting everyone take a look through our spotting scopes. Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge is a former plantation made up of a wide variety of land types: salt marsh, forestland, brushland, fallow field and freshwater ponds. These habitats support a diversity of bird and plant life. On Pinckney, we have the opportunity to see waterfowl, shorebirds, wading birds, raptors, neo-tropical migrants, white-tailed deer, and alligators. The area is rich in white ibis, herons, and egrets. If you want help extra help with bird ID, just let our instructors know--they are always happy to help and share their knowledge!
Dinner: Back on site, showered, and relaxed, it's time to enjoy a leisurely lowcountry dinner. Will it be rosemary chicken and brown rice? Or long-simmered roast beef with salad? Or savory southern barbecue? Whatever the menu, you'll surely enjoy it!
Evening: After dinner, join us for one of our popular evening programs. We always try to offer you the opportunity to use your brain cells after supper--as well as relax, have some fun, and learn more about the lowcountry.
Day
3
Birding at Bear Island Wildlife Management Area & More
Ridgeland, SC B,L,D LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity note: We'll take the van to more wonderful birding sites today--these complementary sites will give you a chance to hone your bird-identifying skills.
Breakfast: Start the morning out right with a delicious low country breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Is today the day you'll try grits? Or is fruit and toast more your style? Be sure to fill your plate: you'll need energy for today's outing! And don't forget, you'll want to pack your lunch before making your final preparations for the morning's birding extravaganza.
Morning: We're visiting some gems today: Bear Island is recognized as one of the best birding areas of the state. Besides a wide variety of year-round common and migratory species who are regularly here, Bear Island and Bennett’s Point have been known to host a number of rare birds: Roseate Spoonbill, Black Rail, American Avocet, Hudsonian Godwit, etc. Who knows what birds we might see?
Lunch: Today we enjoy a bag lunch--did you bring a boiled egg and craisins or a turkey and cheese sandwich? We hope you picked up a homemade cookie at the buffet this morning!
Afternoon: This afternoon is a continuation of the morning--birding by foot, by eye, by ear. Keep a snack out of your lunch to enjoy during the mid-afternoon--you'll be glad you did!
Dinner: At 6:00 p.m., we'll enjoy another lovely lowcountry meal--maybe fish tonight, with black-eyed pea salad! Swap stories about the day's adventures with your table-mates, and don't forget the dessert!
Evening: This evening, join us for a program on South Carolina's lowcountry and its history and culture. The LifeTides Institute is known for its engaging presenters and interesting programs. Whatever it is, you don't want to miss it.
Day
4
Savannah NWR, Tupelo Trail and More!
Ridgeland, SC B,L,D LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity note: We've all been seeing some great birds--and today will be no exception! What new birds will make their way to our group list today?
Breakfast: As always, be sure to fuel up with a delicious lowcountry breakfast. Don't forget to prepare your bagged lunch for later!
Morning: Load up the van! It's time to head out to the Savannah NWR. We will stop at the visitor center for an orientation as well as drive the Tupelo Trail, stopping along the 4 mile loop to bird along the way. Listen up when the instructors review what birds we're keeping an eye out for today.
Lunch: We'll have a healthy picnic lunch on our outing. Was it turkey today? Or organic peanut butter? Soy nuts or craisins? There's something for everyone.
Afternoon: After lunch we'll continue our field trip at the Savannah NWR, exploring the Tupelo Trail and other access points at the Refuge.
Dinner: This evening, we'll meet for another lovely lowcountry meal--maybe shrimp and grits, or barbeque ribs and the fixings. You will have worked up an appetite today!
Evening: This evening, join us for a program on South Carolina's lowcountry and its history and culture. The LifeTides Institute is known for its engaging presenters and interesting programs.
Day
5
Webb Wildlife Center & More
Ridgeland, SC B,L,D LifeTides Institute's Community of Cottages
Activity note: Webb Wildlife Center is the home of the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, which nests in the Longleaf Pines there
Breakfast: What will it be this morning? Ham and eggs? Homemade bread? Or maybe a bowl of fruit? But don't be late: we have a busy day ahead! (Don't forget to pack your lunch.)
Morning: After breakfast we all load up in the van and travel to Webb Wildlife Center. Why would we want to go there? Well, Webb Wildlife Center contains longleaf pine forest, the preferred habitat of the Red Cockaded Woodpecker, a jewel in this program’s crown. This morning, Scholars will bird in hardwood forest, blackwater swamp, and the aforesaid longleaf pine forest.
Lunch: Once again, we'll picnic on our outing--what did you choose today? Whatever it is, it's sure to be healthy and delicious.
Afternoon: We continue the fun into the mid afternoon. This is a full and active day, but it's not over yet.
Dinner: Dinner begins early tonight with an old-timey Oyster Roast! Come join us at 5:00 p.m. as we steam fresh, local oysters over an open fire. Don't know how to open oysters? You can learn by doing--and eating. And then--it's time for another lowcountry dinner!
Evening: After dinner, you won’t want to miss the wrap-up party. This is our last evening, and we can’t let it go by without doing it up special. Everyone will find something to enjoy as we share highlights from the week over dessert (if you still have room). You don’t want to miss this--but to tell you more right now would be to spoil it! If you brought one with you, do bring your musical instrument to our gathering spot.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Ridgeland, SC B
Activity note: Our final breakfast together--if you haven't tried grits yet, this is the day! Make plans to come back to see us. Please return your name tags and lanyards so that we can reuse them.
Breakfast: Breakfast at 8:00 a.m., and your last chance for grits! If you haven’t tried them yet, you just have to have some today. You’ll want to eat hardily, as today you will be packing up and leaving us for wherever your road takes you. (Please return your name tags and lanyards before you leave us.)
Morning: This morning, after telling parting stories, asking questions, issuing invitations, or listening to one more joke from you-know-who, it’s off to pack up and prepare for departure. We hope you’ll stay in the area and do some more exploring—and/or birding--ask the staff for recommendations and directions. We’d love to share more of South Carolina and the lowcountry with you!
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.
