NEPAL & BHUTAN TOUR

Day 01 – Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu (Nepal). Meet our representative upon arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel.

Rest of the day is at your leisure. Walking along the street you will see many interesting places. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 – Kathmandu
This morning we have arranged a walking tour visiting the bazaar and the Durbar Square area, the centre of old Kathmandu. Much of the day to day life of Kathmandu takes place in the bazaar: a fascinating mixture of people selling fruit, vegetables and spices; potters spinning their wheels to produce small household bowls and containers for temple offerings; devotees visiting their favourite gods at temples and small shrines dotted along the sides of alleyways; rickshaw wallahs honking their horns and the ever present sacred cow wandering amongst it all.

In the afternoon we plan to visit the Temple of Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, the holiest Hindu shrine in Nepal and also Bodnath, the largest stupa in the country and a destination for Buddhist pilgrims from all over Nepal. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 – Kathmandu – Dhulikhel
Morning proceed for a full day excursion to Bhatgoan (also called Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees) and Patan, “City of Grace and Fine Arts”, it is a center of medieval art and architecture. The legendary city of Bhatgaon was founded by King Ananda Deva in 889 AD and is shaped like a conch-shell. Pottery and weaving are its traditional industries. In Patan you will be able to see Patan’s interesting and beautiful pieces of art and architecture, also visit the Tibetan Refugee Craft Center.

Afternoon drive to Dhulikhel (approx. 30Kms/ 01 hour). Dhulikhel is the best place for stunning Himalayan views, beautiful landscape, green jungle, rural areas with stunning Himalayan views of three different range ( Ganesh Himal, Langtang & Rolwaling Himalayan range) . Dhulikhel which has been an important trading center on the ancient commercial route linking Nepal to Tibet. Since time immemorial, people of Nepal travel to Tibet to bring home salt and gold. In the present days Dhulikhel is the administrative center of Kavrepalanchok District. Dhulikhel is 2nd best view center nearby Kathmandu where you will enjoy with different Hindu temple and pure local Newari culture and beautiful Himalayan scenery of Gaurishankar 7145m, Dorje Lakpa 6988m, Langtang Lirung 7246m, Ganesh Himal 7604m, Rolwaling Himalayan region.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and evening is at your leisure. Walking along the street you will see many interesting places. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 – Dhulikhel – Chitwan National Park
You will be woken up early in the morning to view nature at its finest. You will spend some time exploring the natural surroundings of Dhulikhel and after late breakfast you will drive to Chitwan National Park (approx. 190Kms / 05 hours) which is famous for the Rhinos and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Situated in the foothills of Churia ranges is the first national park of Nepal. About 56 species of mammals are found in here including the one-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger, rhesus monkey, langur, deer, leopard, gaur, wild boar and wild cat and about 49 species of amphibians and reptiles are found in Chitwan national park including the endangered long snouted gharial, marsh mugger crocodile and python.

The Chitwan National Park is also very rich in avian life and about 539 species of birds have been recorded here. Some of these are the summer migrant birds like paradise flycatcher, Indian pitta and parakeets etc. and winter birds include waterfowl, Brahminy ducks, pintails and migratory birds from Siberia etc.

Upon arrival check-in at the resort and evening is free for relaxation. Overnight at the resort.

Day 05 – Chitwan National Park
Today we will enjoy our full day wildlife activities in National park. During our Jungle activities in Chitwan we will be enjoying Jeep safaris, Elephant safaris and boat ride which provide an excellent opportunities for birding and a great chance to see deer, rhinoceros, monkeys, sloth bear, gaur and many other smaller mammals.
In the evening enjoy the tribal dance with bonfire offered by the resort. Overnight at the resort.

Day 06 – Chitwan National Park – Pokhara
Morning after breakfast drive to Pokhara (approx. 160Kms / 04-05 hours). The way to Pokhara is filled with greenery, rivers and tranquility. It’s a popular launching pad for trekking trips. Nestled by a large lake and backed by the soaring Annapurna range, this lively little town boasts plenty of attractions in itself.

Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Afternoon take a boat ride across the lake for superb views of snow-capped peaks. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 – Pokhara
Early in the morning you will drive to Sarangkot hill for sunrise and view the Himalayan ranges. Visit Bindabasini Temple dedicated to goddess Durga on the way back to hotel.

After breakfast visit David’s fall, it is beautifully placed and opposite to the lake is a cave, Gupteshar and is considered sacred. This cave consists of natural forms of deities and later visit International Mountain Museum. Afternoon is free for leisure walks around the surrounding area or individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 – Pokhara – Kathmandu
Morning after breakfast drive to Kathmandu (approx. 200Kms / 05 hours). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and rest of the day is at leisure.

Walking along the street you will see many interesting places. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 – Kathmandu – Paro (By flight) & drive to Thimphu
Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Paro (Bhutan). Arrive at Paro airport, the flight into Paro takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the scintillating scenery of the world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the silvery Pa Chu (Paro River) meandering down the valley, the Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower).

On arrival in Paro you will be received by our representative and drive directly to Thimphu (approx. 55Kms/ 01 hour) en route visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for religious and cultural studies.

There are a good many things to see in the capital which has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small having a population of approximately 90,000 people and the streets are wide and tree lined.

Evening is at your leisure. Walking along the street you will see many interesting places. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 – Thimphu
In the morning you will visit the Late King’s Memorial Chorten, The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the Father of modern Bhutan”) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Later visit the National Library, the indigenous hospital specializing in herbal medicine, handmade paper factory, and the nunnery at Zilukha.

In the afternoon, tour of the school of fine arts where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts (Zo Rig Chusum – the thirteen crafts); Zangtopelri Lhakhang, the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centers to see the varieties of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc. on display. Overnight at the hotel.                                    

Day 11 – Thimphu – Punakha
After an early breakfast drive to Punakha (approx. 70Kms/ 03 hour). On the way, halt at the Dochula pass– 26kms away from Thimphu (3120m) for tea and snacks. From this pass, if the weather is clear, you will get the most spectacular view of the Entire Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges. You will also find 108 beautiful Stupas known as the “Druk Wangyel Chortens’ in the middle of the pass which reflects Bhutan’s spiritual as well as artistic traditions.

Upon arrival at Punakha, check into the hotel.

Later visit the Punakha Dzong which is strategically built between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means “Male River and Female River”, then visit the beautiful Khamsum Yule Namgyel temple (30 minutes round trip from the road). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 – Punakha – Paro
After breakfast, drive back to Paro (approx. 140Kms/ 04-05 hour). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Later visit Ta Dzong (Sunday, Monday and Government holiday closed): once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968. It holds fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. The museum circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over several floors.

Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. 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 as well as life around it. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring.

Return back to the hotel for overnight stay at the hotel.                                                      

Day 13 – Paro
Morning after breakfast, a day excursion to Tiger’s Nest

Taktshang or ‘Tiger’s Nest’ as it is often referred to for Taktshang Pelphung monastery, is one of the most venerated and famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. It is located on the face of a 900m sheer cliff. It is an impressive and unmissable site, but accessible only by walk or to ride mules/pony.

According to the legend, Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, who spread the Buddhism across the entire Himalayas is said to have flown here in the 8th century on the back of a Tigress, in order to subdue negative spiritual forces that were hostile to spread of Buddhism. In 853, one of his students, Pelgyi Senge mediated here in the main cave. The stupa inside one of the temples contains his mortal remains and therefore the cave is known as ‘Pelphung or Pelgi’s cave’. Subsequently many great spiritual masters such as Milarepa, Thangthong Gyalpo, Phajo Dugom Zhigpo, Shadrung and many others, passed periods here in profound meditation. In 1692, Tenzin Rabgye built a two storey temple around what little may have existed previously. This was expanded and refurbished many times over the period of time. Taktshang and several temples in the area were burnt down in 1951 by fire accident but much of them remained intact and most of the relics were saved. Soon after, the, Taktshang was rebuilt by population of Tsento village. Again in April of 1998, a major fire destroyed the main structure of the building and its contents (some believe it to be arson). Reconstruction began in 2000 and was completed and consecrated after extensive efforts and financial support of Governments as well as donors.

Return back to the hotel for relaxation & overnight stay at the hotel.                            

Day 14 – Depart Paro
Today after breakfast you will be transfer to Paro airport to connect your flight for onward destination.