11-Day Nepal & Bhutan Highlights

Tour Style: Tailor-made tour

Tour route: Nepal: Kathmandu - Patan - Bhaktapur - Pokhara, Bhutan: Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Paro

Tour code: ODY-SA-007B

Highlights:

Take flight to see Mt. Everest and Himalaya mountains
Tour Kathmandu Valley heritage: Durbar Suqares, Boudhanath Stupa…
Pokhara: Experience paraglider, ride a bike around Phewa Lake, hike to World Peace Pagoda…
Catch the stunning sunrise at Sarangkot
Take delight in Thimphu sightseeing and pay a visit to Punakha Dzong
View Bhutan's cultural icon - Tiger's Nest, hanging in the cliff

Any part of this itinerary can be tailor-made to fit your needs, e.g. tour length, activities, destinations, hotels.

Travellers rating: 5/5

5 of 5 stars

Based on 6 reviews

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Itinerary

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Day 1

Arrival, Kathmandu

Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival, you are greeted by our representative. Transferred to hotel where your tour guide helps you check in and briefs you about the following tours. Relax and recover from jetlag at hotel.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Day 2

Kathmandu - Patan (Lalitpur) - Kathmandu

Optional: If weather is nice, you could take an optional flight trip to see Mt. Everest & Himalaya up-close in the morning, which takes about one hour and all seats are window guaranteed. 1 hour schedule Flight USD200 per person.
City tour starts with an exploration of Kathmandu Valley from Ason Tole Vegetable & Spice Market which offers vivid local life of Nepali people. Continue your visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square where you will see Kumari Temple which houses the living Goddess and have an external view of Taleju Temple and Kala Bhairav. Afternoon, proceed to Patan city (about 15min driving) to visit the Panta Durbar Square - one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley.Later at dusk visit Swayambhunath, a stupa on the top of hill, offering the panorama of Kathmandu city.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3

Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Kathmandu

After breakfast visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where you can observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. Followed by a visit to Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country.
Afternoon you are escorted to Bhaktapur city where you will discover Bhaktapur Durbar Square, one of the seven UNESCO's World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. Later continue to the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, Changu Narayan Temple which boasts a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. Drive back to Kathmandu.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast
Day 4

Kathmandu - Pokhara

Today is a trip on the road. After breakfast, you will be picked up and transferred by private vehicle to Pokhara (approx 4.5 hrs) directly. En-route visit Bandipur - a hilltop settlement in Tanahu District as well as a living museum of Newari culture. After arrival Pokhara, you can explore around Pokhara Bazaar on your own.
Overnight: Pokhara
Meal: Breakfast
Day 5

Pokhara Discovery

Today you will have a full day private tour of the second largest city in Nepal - Pokhara. Laid out alongside a lake and encircled by the spectacular mountain scenery of the Annapurna Rangethe, Pokhara is the paradise of adventure and leisure.
Morning take a private boat ride to experience the charm and serenity of Phewa Lake. Then ascend to World Peace Pagoda, a perfect viewpoint which provides a panoramic view of Phokara and Phewa Lake. Followed by the visit to Devi's Fall, Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, and International Mountain Museum.
Overnight: Pokhara
Meal: Breakfast
Day 6

Pokhara - Kathmandu

Today starts a bit earlier for your journey to Sarangkot viewpoint to for the unforgettable sunrise over the mountain peaks.
Then we fly back to Kathmandu, afternoon take a leisure walk around Thamel district – a heaven for tourists visiting the city including its fascinating streets.
Optional: In the evening, unwind with a cultural feast of Nepali traditional dinner and dancing.
Overnight: Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast
Day 7

Kathmandu - Paro - Thimphu

In the morning, Odyssey representative will escort you to the airport for your flight to Bhutan. Upon arrival in Paro airport, be greeted by your local travel guide and transferred to the capital Thimphu. En route pass by Tamchog Lhakhang iron-bridge. After hotel check-in, have lunch at local restaurant. Then visit National Memorial Chorten, gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue and Takin Sanctuary. Ends today in Thimphu Dzong(Trashichho Dzong), the largest religious building in Thimphu as well as the seat of the central government.
Overnight: Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8

Thimphu - Punakha

Today leave Thimphu behind and head for Punakha. Stop at Dochula Pass to have a coffee break and admire the grand 108 Stupas. And take in the enchanting views of Mt. Himalaya when in good weather. Continue to drive to Punakha and have lunch at a local restaurant en route before a 1.5-hour walking tour to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the Devine Madman and a sacred place where people pray for children. The 1.5 hours walk offers beautiful views of paddy fields and countryside life. Next embrace the highlight - Punakha Dzong, a very beautiful Bhutanese architecture armed by the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, with rich Buddhist collections. You will also visit the Suspension Bridge nearby, the longest bridge in Bhutan, which offers different angle to see the elegant Punakha Dzong.
Overnight: Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9

Punakha - Paro

Drive back to Paro (driving time 4 hours) and start today's tour with Paro Dzong, perhaps the finest example of Bhutanese architecture as well as a local religious administrative centre. Later visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower housing the National Museum, with abundant culture relics. Next go to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan and ends at a local farm house, where you can chat with local people, see how they live and may taste some homemade wine.
Overnight: Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10

Highlights of Paro

This morning, hike to visit Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), be amazed by the view of this sacred temple hanging on the rocky cliff, and take in the beauty of Paro valley. After that, move to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, built to commemorate Bhutan's victory over the Tibetan invaders. If in good weather, you'll see a great distant view of Mt. Chomolhari.
Overnight: Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11

Paro, Departure

Say goodbye to Bhutan. After breakfast, we will escort you to the airport for your onward flight.
Meal: Breakfast

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Reviews about This Tour

This tour rating 5 out of 5 based on 6 reviews.

Ell***e March 2018

I can’t speak highly enough of Debora Wei. She has booked a private tour of Kathmandu and Bhutan for me and I can’t wait to head off on my trip. She was very prompt, professional and friendly and I would definitely recommend My Odyssey Tours and Debora, if you’re looking for an agent to help you book your next adventure.

ram***g May 2017

We had a wonderful time in Kathmandu and Bhutan. We had a lady tour guide 'Anita' , she has full experience of the history of the city Kathmandu. Very clearly to explain every single scenic spot.

Bhutan, a mystery beauty country, we have a very gentle tour guide Mr. 'Kinley'. Very polite young man. He also have full story of every single temples and scenic spot. We all
Infatuated to his introduction. And the the driver Mr. Shangay also speak good English.
This trip is extraordinarily wonderful.

Thank you very much for the Odyssey's wonderful organization and must thank you Ms. Laura Lee for well prepared this unforgettable journey.

We also look forward to our next trip with Odyssey.

joh***6 August 2016

We visited Nepal for 11 days and approx 4 of the days were spent in Katmandu. Lots to see and the people are great. The tour organized for us by Odyssey was really excellent. The guides and drivers were top class and their attention to detail was just great. We loved it and can highly recommend both Nepal and also Odyssey for the tour to get the best out of the trip.

eng***e November 2015

I found India Odyssey Tours by googling randomly to try and find a tour company that could cater to our needs and our time window. Usually we book backpacking tours with set schedules and try to rough things out.

We feel extremely lucky to have had Cindy Tang as our tour coordinator. She answered our numerous questions and adjusted our itinerary after we switched some of our travel plans (we were originally planning for Sri Lanka, but switched to Nepal.. we wanted to add certain things to our itinerary that weren't in some of their set packages, etc.) She was always quick to respond (take note that she based out of a completely different time zone, of course, so she was as reasonable as possible.)

In the months leading up to our tour, she sent information when relevant (i.e. calmed our fears about the post-earthquake damage in Nepal, provided updates on our tour guides, visa information, etc.) During our trip, she called out tour guides to make sure that things were running smoothly.

When we landed in Kathmandu, Kshitij (good luck trying to pronounce that without knowing!) was there waiting for us and provided us with a temporary cell phone to use, in case we had anything we needed from him. He gave us plenty of good advice every day on what to expect, what we can do, and adjusted the itinerary if we had any additional needs. When we departed from Kathmandu to other parts of Nepal, he checked in on our occasionally to make sure things were running smoothly. He was extremely knowledgeable about everything that we saw, and was patient with all of our questions.

Our driver Suresh (not sure if I spelled that correctly) was with us for our entire trip and was extremely pleasant and professional. He did a fantastic job of keeping our tour van in top shape every morning when we stepped onto the van. He provided as much information of the locations when we drove by.

(FYI, we also used them to plan our trip to Bhutan, which was just as amazing.... but since this is a review for the Kathmandu trip, you should know that you are in good hands with Odyssey Tours no matter which country you are in.)

Sha***n April 2015

Don Li was our representative from Odyssey and made the trip planning seamless....his support and knowledge of India, Nepal and Bhutan was important, it made our two week experience a memorable one. We requested a few minor deviations along the way while we were traveling from country to country - he was prompt in his response time and the changes were implemented. There was never a time I worried about the organization and our itinerary. All the drivers, guides and airport staff members were professional and always helpful. Cheers to you Don and the entire staff at Odyssey Tours.Many thanks!

How Private Tour Works

Accommodation
Enjoy comfortable stay at competitive rates and with insider bonus of our partnership with international hotel chains and local ones. Most of the options are recommended based on our field inspection to ensure quality. Kindly note that hospitality service in remote area can hardly maintain the same standard as those in the city.

Meals
Meals provided will be clearly outlined in the confirmed itinerary. In most cases, breakfast is served in hotel. To make the trip go smooth, lunch is recommended to be included for set menu or a la carte, local flavor or western style, depending on your liking. Restaurants are selected according to positive feedback with your diet requirements in mind. Dinner is the time when you are free to explore the destination's hidden delights, but we are always happy to give recommendation or offer assistance. In remote area, meals are likely to be arranged in tourist restaurant or a local family due to limited options.

Tour Guide & Transfer
Every tour comes with English-speaking guides (or other languages on request) and private transfer in each city. The licensed, professional tour guides are from local and will be a friendly, knowledgeable company to travel with. When it comes to your personal driver or chauffeur guide, they are experienced and service-minded, all driving well-maintained, air-conditioned vehicles.