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October 27 - November 10, 2007 with Lincoln Hollister, Professor of Geosciences. An optional post-tour extension to the temples at Angkor, Cambodia, will be available through our tour operator.

Isolated from the outside world for centuries, closed off to visitors until three decades ago, the Kingdom of Bhutan in the eastern Himalayan Mountains is anachronistic yet visionary. Ruled by a series of highly educated kings, it has consciously cultivated both a fiercely-guarded traditional culture and the world's most pristine environment. To safeguard both of these national treasures of environment and culture, the kingdom has consciously adopted a controlled tourism policy. Visitors to Bhutan must be either guests of the government or tourists on a group program. Independent travel is not permitted. Join Princeton October 28 - November 10, 2007, for a look inside this hidden kingdom.

Arrive in Bhutan, by way of Bangkok, Thailand, and investigate Thimphu, the charming capital nestled in the Himalayas. Thimphu's emergence as a capital city only occurred in 1952. Unlike many modern cities, Thimphu has kept a strong national character in its architecture. Spend the next few days exploring the interior reaches of the kingdom, traversing the Dochula Pass (10,300 ft.) and the Pele La Pass (11,300 ft.), which divides western Bhutan from the central and eastern part of the country. The villages and monasteries in central Bhutan were reachable only by foot or by mule until the 1970s. The journey concludes with a stay in Paro. Visit the National Museum and join other pilgrims to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the most sacred temples in Bhutan.

About the Study Leader
Lincoln Hollister, Professor of Geosciences and Princeton faculty member since 1968 (and a study leader most recently on the 2006 Princeton Journeys family program to Alaska), has spent most of his career studying the origins of mountains. He is particularly interested in the geology of the Coast Mountains of British Columbia and Alaska, and on the Himalayas of Bhutan. After a visit to Bhutan in 1987, Professor Hollister achieved unprecedented access to the Kingdom and led multinational geological expeditions there in 1993, 1996, and 1998. A major result is the recognition of ductile extrusion in a compressional regime. Funding is from the Tectonics Program of the National Science Foundation.

He will also tell stories taken from his years of experiences in the Kingdom, including interactions with several ministers and with the rural Bhutanese people.

To make reservations, fill out the form in the brochure or contact Princeton Journeys at (609) 258-8686 or journeys@princeton.edu.