Luxury Nepal and Bhutan tour
Duration
12 DaysStart
KathmanduEnd
KathmanduItinerary
Expand AllArrival Kathmandu
We will come to receive you at the airport. Check in to hotel, briefing and free day – stay at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu. Rest.
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Sightseeing Kathmandu and drive to Nagarkot
After breakfast leave for full day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley includes The Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (a UNESCO world heritage sites) & the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath. Also visit Monkey Temple the Shyambhunath (2000 years old temple) and drive to Nagarkot (7, 200ft) – a beautiful hill station, which provides magnificent Mountain panorama, from Everest in the east to Annapurna in the west, eight of the world’s tallest Mountain in a peaceful rural settings. B, D – stay at Mystic Mountain hotel
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Drive back to Kathmandu via Bhaktapur
Early Morning sunrise and Mountain View from Nagarkot and drive back to Kathmandu, via Bhaktapur a historical town. Stay in Kathmandu, prepare for Bhutan trip. stay at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu.
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Kathmandu, Nepal to Paro - Thimphu, Bhutan (B,L,D)
Today your flight into Paro is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of the country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro Valley. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control be met by your guide and depart to Paro town for lunch. After lunch visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rinpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds – archery is the national sport of Bhutan. In the late afternoon depart to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1.5 hours. Thimphu has a population of about 98,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Overnight: Thimphu – Le Méridien hotel Thimphu
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Thimphu Valley and Punakha Valley (B,L,D)
Today enjoy a sightseeing tour of Thimphu which includes a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, the National Library which is stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts and also explore the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households. Visit the Handicrafts Emporium which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. After lunch depart to Punakha. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. We will visit marvelous Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu.
Overnight: Punakha – Como Uma Resort, Punakha, Valley View room
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Punakha - Enjoy picturesque valley and rafting (B,L,D)
Today after breakfast we hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten , it is a picturesque walk. It is moderate in nature and not too tiring. We drive about 40 minute and park and after crossing a wooden bridge across the Mo Chhu river one has to walk through lush paddy fields and as one climbs higher the view and the trek gets increasingly enchanting ,breath taking and tranquil. Once at the Chorten ( 3 storey structure) a series of stairs lead to the terrace where a 360 degree view of the beautiful valley is possibleWe then back to Farm house for Lunch and after that join exciting river rafting in Bhutan.
The most popular rafting in Punakha Bhutan is Pho Chhu (male river) it is 16 km long with 15 rapids of class 2 – 4. Pho Chhu river is one of the most popular rafting spots amongst tourists. You’ll pass through stunning landscapes of Punakha valley and see rare exotic birds such as White-Bellied Herons and Kingfishers. Rafting will meander along the upper Pho Chhu with a series of Class IV rapids immediately below the village of Wangthangkha. Further downstream, experienced rafters will enjoy the Class III rapids as the fast-flowing river eases and slows. The rafting takes about 2 hours to complete. Then back to Hotel and rest.
Overnight: Punakha – Como Uma Resort, Punakha, Valley View room
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Punakha to Paro (B,L,D)
After breakfast drive to visit The Temple of the Divine Madman : Located on a round hillock on the edge of the Punakha Valley, Chimi Lhakhang was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by ‘the Divine Madman’ the maverick saint, Drukpa Kunley. Famously known as the temple of fertility, the lhakhang draws local people, from near and far, to receive blessings from the lama (monk). The local people also bring their new-borns to be named here. The lhakhang is truly a revered and blessed space for many. Many childless couples make a devout pilgrimage to the lhakhang in the hope that they will be honoured with a wang, or a blessing from the lama. Woman entering the temple, who are hoping to conceive, are made to carry a wooden phallus around the temple three times. The lhakhang is about a 30-minute walk through fields from Sopsokha on the main road to Punakha.
We will visit Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan. Stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong , the Dzong was dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers and then continue your way back to Paro for the night about 3 hours ride.
Overnight : Paro, Como Uma Resort Paro, Forest room
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Paro Valley Sightseeing and Tiger’s Nest Hike (B,L,D)
In the morning drive towards the north of the Paro Valley to visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jomolhari (7,326m)
Drive to Satsam Chorten to hike to Paro Taktsang. You can hike up (or you can ride a horse for approx. $15 USD) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s Nest). The hike to the cafeteria will take around 2 hours, while the horse ride will take around 1.5 hours. At the viewpoint enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. Then walk back down (no horse option) on the way visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Overnight: Paro – Como Uma Resort Paro, Forest room
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Paro, Bhutan - Kathmandu, Nepal (B)
After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight back to Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel and free day. Overnight: Kathmandu. stay at Dwarika’s heritage hotel – Junior suite room. relax, perhaps massage ?
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Fly to Chitwan national Park
Fly to Chitwan national Park for Jungle Safari Activities, stay overnight there. Stay at Barahi Jungle lodge. B, L, D
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Sightseeing around National Park, and fly back to Kathmandu at evening
Fly to Chitwan national Park for Jungle Safari Activities, stay overnight there. Stay at Barahi Jungle lodge. B, L, D
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Final Departure
Cost Includes
- All accommodation in Bhutan on full board basis and in Nepal (except where not mentioned)
- Van for sightseeing with guide
- Airport pick up and transfers, 1 night dinner and cultural show in Nepal
- Airfare KTM – Paro – KTM and Kathmandu – Chitwan – Kathmandu both way
- Sightseeing, hotels and all airports transfer in Bhutan by private transport, with English speaking guide
- Bhutan Special TDF fee, travel permit, Bhutan visa fees and other major monasteries entrance fees (except photography fees)
- Chitwan Jungle safari activities in Nepal
Cost Excludes
- All accommodation in Bhutan on full board basis and in Nepal (except where not mentioned)
- Van for sightseeing with guide
- Airport pick up and transfers, 1 night dinner and cultural show in Nepal
- Airfare KTM – Paro – KTM and Kathmandu – Chitwan – Kathmandu both way
- Sightseeing, hotels and all airports transfer in Bhutan by private transport, with English speaking guide
- Bhutan Special TDF fee, travel permit, Bhutan visa fees and other major monasteries entrance fees (except photography fees)
- Chitwan Jungle safari activities in Nepal