Compare Christmas in Cardiff by Titan Travel vs Bhutan Tour with day hikes by Himalayan Glacier Adventure
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4.5 | Great
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 5 days | 6 days |
| Price From | $ 1,074 | $ 2,060 |
| Price Per Day | $ 215 | $ 343 |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities | N/A |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
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| Description | Enjoy a Christmas break in Wales’ ancient capital, where days spent visiting the fascinating Royal Mint and touring Cardiff’s sights are completed with delicious meals at our Victorian hotel. Staying right in the centre of Cardiff, you are surrounded by historical attractions and festivities that are bound to get you into the spirit of Christmas. |
Bhutan Tour with Day Hikes combines the cultural and natural grandeur of Bhutan in the shortest possible time. The tour begins in the scenic Paro Valley with a hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) monastery. After visiting Thimphu, a unique capital city that has a blend of traditional and modern touch, we drive across the picturesque Dochu La Pass into the subtropical valleys of Punakha. Our Bhutan tour also includes three more hikes: to Wangditse Gompa, Lungchutse Monastery and to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten. During the day hikes, we get to experience breath-taking view of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks including the sacred Jumolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan. |
Day 2 Christmas Eve - The Royal Mint Experience.
After breakfast we visit The Royal Mint for a guided tour behind the scenes of the world’s leading export mint. Learn how our coins, and those of over 50 other countries, are designed and struck in the factory, 24-hours a day. Discover how the Royal Mint has evolved over the last 1,100 years and how the designs of our ‘small change’ provides a glimpse into the history of our country, and others. We take a light lunch here, before returning to the hotel early this afternoon. Maybe take a stroll around the Welsh capital for some last-minute shopping, or the hotel is ideally located to visit Cardiff Castle. This attractive heritage site began as a Roman fort, and was passed through the hands of many noble families, going through several revivals before John Bute, reputedly the world’s richest man in the 1860s, commissioned the lavish transformation you can see today. This evening, further entertainment will be offered after dinner. For those wishing to attend Midnight Mass tonight, there are several churches within walking distance of our hotel, and mulled wine and mince pies will be served on your return.
Day 3 Christmas
Day - Cardiff
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at your leisure this morning, with plenty of time to relax or attend a church service before a traditional Christmas lunch is served with all the trimmings and festive cheer. After the Queen’s Speech, tea and Christmas cake will be offered and then later this evening, a buffet will ensure you don’t go hungry. Light entertainment will complete Christmas
Day.
Day 4 Boxing
Day - Cardiff
This morning we board a coach for a guided orientation tour of Cardiff as we take in the sights. With a history spanning over two millennia, you can see the diverse range of influences which turned the Roman settlement into a successful industrial city and the thriving capital it is today. Cardiff Bay is a particularly recent success story, with a stylish regeneration that includes the bold National Assembly building, a symbol of a turning point in Welsh politics. We return to our hotel, where a light lunch is available. With the rest of the day at leisure, maybe continue the Christmas spirit with a visit to Winter Wonderland, where the Alpine Village serves delicious treats such as German sausages, crepes and Glühwein. A dinner and dance is planned at the hotel this evening, with a smart dress code.
Day 5 Cardiff
This morning we have time for breakfast, before bidding farewell. You will be collected at 10am by your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.
Day 1: Arrival and sightseeing in Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft
As our flight nears Bhutan, we can enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks. At the airport, we will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Glacier who will take us to our hotel. Today, we will visit Rinpung Dzong which was built in 1646 and now houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. 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 2: Paro to Thimphu, Hike to Taktsang Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Hiking: 4-5 hrs Travel Distance: 54 km Driving: 1 hour
Maximum Altitude: 3,180m/10,434ft
After breakfast, we hike for around 4 -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 Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley floor and leave for Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: Hike to Wangditse Gompa followed by sightseeing in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft
In the morning, we drive to BBS Tower and then hike for 1 hour to Wangditse Gompa on leveled trail with great view of Tashichho Dzong. From here, we also get an amazing view of the Samtenling Palace, home to the fourth King and Dorje Drak meditation retreat on the hillside above. After touring the Gompa, we return to Thimphu. On the way, visit the mini Zoo to see the Takin, national animal of Bhutan. After lunch, we visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts) and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. We may also visit the Textile Museum, the Handicraft Emporium, the traditional paper factory and the majestic Tashichho Dzong. In the evening, we enjoy strolling in the streets of Thimphu and observe the local lifestyle. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha, Hike to Lungchutse Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Kichu Resort)
Hiking: 2 hrs Travel Distance: 76 km Driving: 2-3 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 3,100m/10,171ft
After breakfast, we drive to Dochula pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day we can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. We will begin 2 hours hike to Lungchutse Monastery from 108 chortens. The trail passes through rhododendron forests. Walking along the high ridges dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags offers us stunning views of Himalayas, plus incredible vistas into the valleys below the pass. Hike back to Dochu La Pass. After lunch, drive downhill through the rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. On the way, we stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 5: Punakha to Paro, Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Hiking: 2 hrs Travel Distance: 130 km Driving: 4 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft
At dawn, we drive 12 km north of Punakha and begin our 2-hour hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It is located on a beautiful hillock called Ngezergang and contains elaborate paintings dedicated to the old sect of Buddhism. We hike further towards Punakha. On the way back, we visit the Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637. It is also the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. In the afternoon, we drive to Paro and spend the night there.
Day 6: 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.
