Nepal and Bhutan Tour

breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you will transfer to Nagarkot by car. En route, you can pay a visit to Bhaktapur Town. In ancient Bhaktapur, you can admire the medieval Nepalese art and architecture anywhere. The exquisite religious architecture, ancient palace courtyards, narrow alleys and vibrant squares are the highlights.

After checking in at Nagarkot, the rest of the day is free at leisure. In the evening, you will enjoy the splendid panoramic view of eastern Himalaya with sunset. The views are clearly visible from your hotel.

Overnight in Nagarko

Durbar Square

breakfast

Wake up in early morning to witness beautiful sunrise over Himalaya. Nagarkot is famous as the best viewing point of Himalaya, here you will catch the remarkable view of towering Himalayas.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport and take a flight to Paro, Bhutan. Upon arrival at Paro Airport, our guide will be waiting for you at the exit and welcome you with traditional scarfs. Then you will transfer to hotel and check in. The rest of day is free at leisure, you can relax or explore the surroundings by your own.

Overnight in Paro.

Nagarkot

breakfast and lunch and dinner

After breakfast at hotel, you will start your tour to Paro Taktsang. Taktsang Lhakhang, known as Tiger’s Nest, is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. It is also one of the most prestigious holy places of Guru Padmasambhava in Bhutan. Your trip in Bhutan would be incomplete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.

It miraculously clings to a sheer cliff nearly 1,000 meters above the Paro Valley. You need to follow a steep trail to reach the temple for around 2 hours. It could make you exhausted but the spectacular view along the way definitely well-worth your try. You may come across many locals who are exhausted but full of strength and pious expression.

There is a viewpoint halfway to the Tigers Nest. On the way up, you can stop for a coffee break and on the way down have lunch at the same cafeteria. After the hike, it is the best choice to enjoy the unique traditional hot water bath to wash away your tiredness.

Overnight in Paro.

Taktsang Lhakhan

breakfast and lunch and dinner

Begin your day by visiting the National Museum. It was once the watch tower built to defend Rinpung fortress below during inter-valley wars of the 17th century. Since 1967, Ta Dzong is served as the National Museum of the country. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and exquisite postage stamps.

Then you will visit Paro Fortress. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong and the beautiful scenery around. It is also the venue of Paro Festival, held once a year in the spring.

Your next destination is Kyichu Temple, one of the most important pilgrimage temples in Bhutan. It is also the oldest temples of the Kingdom dating back to 7th century. The temple complex is composed of two temples. The first temple was built by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and in 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in original pattern.

Later, you can explore Paro town with your guide and spend some time visiting the little cafes and shops.

Overnight in Paro.

Rinpung Dzong

breakfast and lunch and dinner

Today we will drive to Punakha valley via Dochula Pass(3 hours). Dochula Pass(3150m) offers splendid views of the distant Himalayas in clear day. You can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountains while sipping your tea or coffee at the cafeteria where we will stop.

At the same time, you can also admire the 108 stupas located here. It is called the "Chukwangye Monument" and was established in 2005 by the Bhutanese government to honor the victory of the war. The stupas are surrounded by colorful prayer flags floating in the wind.

Upon arrival at Punakha, we will visit the Chimi Lhakhang situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley. It is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as "Divine Madman", who lived in the late 15th century. He was the representative of strong fecundity. Chimi Lhakhang impresses tourists more with the phallus belief which can be easily seen in every corner of the temple and the surrounding villages. Now the Temple is known to be a sacred place to pray for having a baby.

And we will also visit the Punakha Dzong (The Palace of Great Happiness). The most beautiful fortress in Bhutan was strategically built at the confluence of two rivers Pho Chu (Father River) and Mo Chu (Mother River) in 1637. You will marvel at the majestic architecture and the wonderful murals, as well as its numerous precious relics. The ancient Dzong, clear river and beautiful purple-blue flowers compose a peaceful and romantic picture.

In nearby, you can take a walk in the magnificent suspension bridge connecting local villages. You may meet the locals or the students heading home after school.

Overnight in Punakha.

breakfast and lunch and dinner

In the morning, we will drive to Phobjikha Valley. Along the way you can visit the quaint Rinchengang Village. It consists of beautiful adobe houses with little clusters all attached to each other.

It will take 2.5 hours to get to beautiful Phobjikha Valley, a paradise of nature. It is a breathtaking valley and the home of the endangered black necked crane during the winter months. When you walk into the hinterland of the Phobjikha valley, you will surely immerse yourself in the beauty of transquility and harmony. Take a trek follow your guide through jungles, streams, hills, and swamps, and you will get the best views of Phobjikha valley. Dinner will be prepared for you at a farmhouse with the family.

Overnight in Phobjikha Valley.

Phobjikha Valley

lunch and dinner

Wake up in the morning to embrace the beautiful landscape. We will visit the Gangtey Monastery. Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of Bhutan. As a magnificent Buddhist architectures, Gangtey Monastery not only offers a stunning view of the surrounding sceneries, but collect a large number of wonderful thangkas, Buddhist statues and Buddhist scriptures, etc.

Then, we will drive about 4 hours towards Thimphu. Upon arrival, you can relax in hotel or explore the surroundings by your own.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Dochula Pass

breakfast and lunch and dinner

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel. You will first visit the Memorial Chorten. This beautiful Tibetan style chorten was built in 1974 in memory of the Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is the center of daily worship for Bhutanese.

We then visit the Changangkha Temple built in the 12th century. It is a fortress and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. From the temple courtyard, you can catch the fascinating views of Thimphu valley.

After lunch, you will head to the Thimphu Takin Zoo, a sanctuary for Takins, to see the National Animal of Bhutan. Here you can take an easy walk in the wonderful nature.

continue to visit National Institute of Zorig Chusum. This institute, also known as 'the painting school', operates four- to six-year courses of Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialize in each skill, such as painting, sculpturing, wood carving, embroidery, weaving, etc. The showroom sells good-value pieces made by students.

In the late afternoon, pay a visit to the Tashichhodzong Dzong, also known as "fortress of the glorious religion". It is initially built in 1641 and now is the office of Majesty the king and the government. This magnificent architecture is adorned with many traditional delicate patterns. It is at its most splendid and elegant appearance from outside when the lights come on at dusk. After the tour, return to hotel.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Tashichhoe Dzong

breakfast and lunch and dinner

In the morning, take an excursion to the Buddha Dordenma statue. Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, it is the largest statue in the country with 51.5 meters high. You can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang).

Afterwards, we will visit Bhutan Post Office to personalize your own Bhutan stamps. Nowadays, Barehutan is still the world leader in stamp design, printing and material diversity. You can use your own images to customize your Bhutan stamps and send it with postcards and letters to your friends and family.

The rest of day, you can take a wander along Thimphu’s main street, which owns good shops, city bars and the craft bazaar.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Giant Buddha Statue

breakfast

About 3 hours before your scheduled flight, your guide will pick you up to the airport for your departure flight.