Nepal and Bhutan Tour

In the morning, our tour guide will come by your hotel to meet all the participants of our Nepal and Bhutan Tour. After a brief introduction, he will walk you through the itinerary of our Nepal and Bhutan tour, and share details about each part of the adventure we have organized for you.

For today, we have put together a program for Kathmandu travel where you alternate between driving and walking to get closer to the city and its people.

We will drive to Nepal’s most important Hindu temple, Pashupatinath. The entire area is located on the banks of the Bagmati River. This is where Hindus cremate the dead as their sins are washed away in the holy Bagmati River.

We will then drive on to the Boudhanath Stupa- the extraordinarily beautiful stupa lies behind an entire district. It is Nepal’s largest (36 meters high) and most principal Buddhist stupa and a large area with lots of monasteries and temples. It is built like a mandala, which is a religious image of the world and an aid to meditation. The base is three steps surrounded by a wall.

Then our journey will continue on to the Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple. Climbing over the stone stairs of 365 steps, we will reach to the hilltop where the stupa rests. Facing all the four directions, its Eyes see to the peace and justice over the world.

Next, our Kathmandu tour will take us to its old part- the Durbar Square or Basantapur. It appears as one of the primary areas for the fantastic Newar architecture. Among other things, Durbar Square’s largest Hindu temple, Taleju, and Kumari, the house of the living goddess are more fascinating.

Through streets, farms, and alleys, we will now slowly walk back to the hotel after a great tour of Nepal’s living capital.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

Our destination for today is the Nagarkot: a hilly resort just 30 km away on the edge of the capital full of surprises. But first, our drive will pass by the medieval town of Bhaktapur where we will stop of course to experience its ancient air.

Called by the locals as Bhadgaun or Khwopa in the Newari dialect, it is a small jewel with three squares occupied (Durbar Square) by imposing and wonderful temples that boast the most extraordinary sacred architecture in Nepal.

You will be speechless when admiring the eighteenth-century Nyatapola Temple (dedicated to Siddhi Lakshmi, a bloody manifestation of the goddess Durga), but also the Bhairabnath temple (dedicated to Bhairab, the ferocious reincarnation of Shiva ).

There is also the royal palace, the golden door, and countless surprising monuments and statues that are splendid. Bhaktapur is also famous for handicrafts, from clay artifacts (Potter’s Square) to wooden inlays.

We will then resume our travel to Nagarkot, famous for the wonderful view of the Himalayan chain and Mount Everest which light up at sunset and dawn.

Activity & Duration

2 to 3 hours

Highest Altitude

2175m.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

With an early wake-up call, we will set off towards the remarkable Observation Deck of Nagarkot where in slow motion, the frozen snowy walls of Everest, Langtang, Manaslu, Gaurishankar, Ganesh emerge before our eyes.

After enjoying these grandest spectacles with a cup of tea, we will head back to our lodging for breakfast. Then, for a taste of hiking, we will walk to the temple of Changu Narayan.

The trail gradually goes down through numerous Tamang hamlets giving us a cultural encounter. Later, the landscape is enhanced between peaks bordered by the forests.

The hike is simple with a slow simple descent and fairly flat tracks. It will take around 4 hours to reach Changu Narayan, the oldest pagoda-style Hindu temple in Nepal.

After visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Location and having lunch, we will drive back to our lodging in Kathmandu and eagerly await for the Bhutan flight tomorrow morning.

Activity & Duration

4 hours / 2 to 3 hours

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

We will say goodbye to Nepal and drive to the Kathmandu Airport to take a plane to Paro in Bhutan. As we soar above the Nepali sky, we will fly over the highest Kanchenjunga, Annapurna, and Everest. Then, as Bhutan comes closer, we will be soaring over the majestic Bhutan Peaks of Jichu Drake and Jumolhari.

The territory of Druk Yul (the thunder dragon) welcomes you to Paro Airport. Bhutan is the only nation in the world that has Tibetan Buddhism as its state religion.

At the Paro Airport, the invitation and Visa will be ready for us and here, our guide will assist us with the customs formalities and take us to our accommodation.

We will have nearly a full day to discover Paro Valley- perhaps the most enchanting place in this magical land. It is also home to the country’s main airport and the National Museum.

After rest, we will journey to Paro Dzong (full name Rinpung Dzong, fortress of many jewels), a true architectural marvel. It is one of the outstanding examples of Bhutanese architecture, a complex of several shrines located on a slope above the river and overlooking much of the city from an impressive viewpoint.

Above Paro Dzong, perched on a hill, stands a six-story watchtower, Ta Dzong, six floors of which today house the National Museum. The museum’s collection includes collections of weapons, Bhutanese textiles, sacred masks, costumes, and world-famous thangkas.

Next, we will make our way to Kyichu Lhakhang- among the oldest and most visually captivating temples in Bhutan. There is a five-meter statue of Guru Rinpoche and Kurukulla holding a bow and arrow made of flowers.

To the right of the statue is a chorten containing the ashes of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a revered Buddhist master and spiritual teacher.

The inner main hall contains the original 7th-century Jowo Shakyamuni statue, which was supposedly cast together with the famous Lhasa sculpture.

The upper left niche contains the ashes of King Songtsen Gampo, with Dilgo Khyentse’s couch and throne in the corner. The main door is covered in magnificent gold leaf.

Activity & Duration

1 hour 10 minutes

Highest Altitude

2200m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

We will experience Bhutan’s most famous monastery, the Taktsang monastery – the Tiger’s Nest today. Taktsang is like another eagle’s nest at an altitude of just over 3,000 m.

The location itself is staggering – high up on a steep cliffside of just over 700 meters with a direct view over the Paro Valley. From Paro, we will drive for about 15 minutes to the starting point for today’s beautiful hike.

The trip takes 1.5 – 2 hours up to the small cafe, better known as View Point, and half the time down. The journey can also be taken on horseback- price excluded).

This monastery is a meditation center founded by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who according to Bhutanese legend is known as a great mystic, magician, and tantric who came flying here on the back of his tiger and planted Buddhism in Bhutan, thus giving the name.

The exquisite architectural appearance of the monastery is made in the best traditions of Buddhism. It consists of 4 main temples and several residential buildings. All the buildings are connected to each other by stairs with steps cut into the rock.

The main shrine of the monastery is a prayer wheel, located in the courtyard of the temple. Every morning at 4 o’clock it turns towards the monks to mark the beginning of a new day.

After our exquisite experience in the monastery, we will get ready to take a beautiful trip drive to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu- the country’s largest city.

Along the way, we may stop at Simtokha Dzong from 1629, which is located on a beautiful mountain ridge. It is Bhutan’s oldest monastic dzong and today houses the School of Buddhist Studies.

Activity & Duration

2 to 3 hrs hike / 1 hour drive

Highest Altitude

3120m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

We will spend the entire day touring the major attractions of one of the most unusual capitals of the world. Its main attraction is the royal residence Tashicho Dzong (Fortress of the Blessed Religion).

It houses government offices, and once housed the country’s largest monastery for 2,000 monks, which was damaged by fire and restored in 1961.

It is also worth seeing the memorial stupa of the third king of Bhutan, not forgetting to pay tribute to the father of the current ruler according to the local form.

Then, we will also visit the oldest temple in the Thimphu Valley, Changanga Lhakhang, dedicated to Avaloketeshvara, the Buddhist emanation of mercy, and see the 51-meter statue of Buddha Shakyamuni.

Another worthy visiting landmark is the National Library which houses valuable Buddhist manuscripts. The Thangka School not only teaches how to create religious paintings but also introduces the history and traditions of religious painting.

It is definitely worth visiting the most interesting museums in Thimphu: the National Heritage Museum, the Royal Textile Academy, the Alaya Galleries, and the Water Dragon.

Of course, we can’t ignore the shopping in Bhutan. The Bhutanese government supports folk crafts, so the range of souvenir shops is really high-quality and diverse.

Then, we will get to know the local cuisine. Just don’t forget to warn the waiter about the mild spiciness of the treats when ordering – chili is added to almost every first course here.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

We will begin our day with a short walk to Druk Wangditse Lhakhang before we depart from Thimphu. This landmark became a focal point for tourists after the fourth birth anniversary of Gyalsey Jigme Namgyal, the Royal Prince of Bhutan.

There are multiple ways to reach Druk Wangditse Lhakhang, but we will choose the most accessible path through Sangaygang, aka BBS Tower. Built in 1715, it served as the seat of the 8th Druk Desi and is one of the oldest temples in Thimphu, now recognized as a significant national heritage site.

The area provides phenomenal views of the Tashichhoedzong, Samteling Palace, the residence of the fourth King, and the entire Thimphu Valley.

Now, we will again take a beautiful drive to Paro Valley, where the valley and the city are experienced. In the evening, we will walk by the local lanes with the local residents and wander in the city lights and serene air.

Activity & Duration

2 hours

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

Farewell to the unique Kingdom of Bhutan. A very delightful Nepal and Bhutan tour ends today, as we drive to Paro Airport for our departure to yet another exquisite Kingdom of Nepal by plane.

Back in Kathmandu lodging, we will have free time for yet another beautiful walk and exploration in the capital. Garden of Dreams in Thamel can be an exceptional pastime for you.

Meals

Breakfast

Accommodation

3-star Hotel

Our correspondent will be in assistance for you for your transfer to TIA in time for boarding operations on the return flight to your home. See you again in our next remarkable tour and trek in Nepal.

Meals

Breakfast