Nepal, Bhutan and the regional state of Sikkim in India are some of the most exotic and isolated destinations on the planet. For years, these countries were off-limits to outsiders, if for no other reason than the Himalayas made travel here difficult. For the discerning international traveler, these remote countries may just be the final frontier. Their remarkable natural beauty, with a pristine and intact environment and a friendly, tradition-bound people, offer a journey into the past.

Highlights:

• Kathmandu, capital of Nepal and center of the Himalayas
• Bhaktapur, the most popular of the Kathmandu Valley villages
• Patan, city of grace and fine arts in Nepal
• Thimphu, capital of Bhutan
• Punakha, with its 17th century fortress in a picturesque setting
• Bhutanese cultural show of music and dance
• Paro and nearby Tiger’s Nest monastery
• Kalimpong in Sikkim, with its colorful monastery
• The hillside town of Gangtok in Sikkim, with its huge Buddhist monastery