Nepal & Bhutan Highlights

Itinerary

• 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.

  • Kathmandu

• Day 2: Kathmandu - Patan (Lalitpur) - Kathmandu

  City tour starts with an exploration of Kathmandu Valley from Ason Tole Vegetable & Spice Market which offers the vivid local life of Nepali people. Continue your visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square where you will see the 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 Patan Durbar Square - one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley. Later at dusk visit Swayambhunath, a stupa on the top of a hill, offering the panorama of Kathmandu city. 

  Optional: If the 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 windows guaranteed. 1-hour schedule flight USD200 per person.

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  • Kathmandu

• Day 3: Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Kathmandu

  After breakfast, visit the 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.

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  • Kathmandu

• 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.

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  • Pokhara

• 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 Range, 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.

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  • Pokhara

• 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.

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  • Kathmandu

• Day 7: Kathmandu - Paro - Thimphu

  In the morning, our 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 a 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.

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  • Thimphu

• 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.

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  • Punakha

• 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.

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  • Paro

• 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.

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  • Paro

• Day 11: Paro, Departure

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

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