Nepal and Bhutan Holiday

Detail Itinerary

Day 01:Arrival in Kathmandu.

Transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to Swayambhunath Stupa and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Swayambhunath Stupa, dedicated to Buddhism is situated in a hillock 80 m above the ground level and is claimed to be 2000 years old. There are numerous Buddhist monasteries (Gumba) around. The view of the valley is spectacular from here. Kathmandu Durbar Square, one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley is worth visiting. It was the center of ancient and medieval Kathmandu. You will visit the Hanumandhoka Palace of Malla Kings. You would also like to have an audience of Kumari, the living goddess of Nepal, Kasthmandap Temple that is said to have been built of a single tree trunk. Besides, there are much more to see. Overnight hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02:Full day sightseeing tours in Kathmandu Valley.B

You will visit Pashupati Nath Temple, the holiest Hindu Temple that draws devotees from all over Nepal and India. This temple is situated on the bank of Bagmati River, which is considered as holy as Ganges. Cremation goes throughout the days and nights on the bank of Bagmati River. Then, you will drive to Boudha Nath Stupa, the biggest stupa in the world. This is one of the World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley. From here, you will drive to Bhaktapur, one of the three principalities of medieval Kathmandu. Bhaktapur, the youngest city in the valley has preserved its ancient look and originality. You would love to see the Golden Gate of the Palace of 55 Windows. There are temples with intricate woodcarving, houses with different kinds of windows and balconies, stone sculptured water tanks, monastic complexes etc. From here, you will go to Patan, another medieval Malla principality near to Kathmandu. Here, you will visit the main courtyard of Malla palace, which is adorned with intricate woodcarvings. In front of the palace stands famous Krishna Temple of 17th century, replica of Viswanath Temple, Jagan Narayan Temple etc. You will also visit Hiranyavarna Mahavihar (Golden Temple), a 14th century Buddhist Monastery that is the center of rites and rituals of Newari Buddhist of Patan. In the evening, you will drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight hotel.

Day 03:Kathmandu-Chitwan B/L/D

After breakfast, you will take a scenic drive 4-5 hrs, along Trishuli River to Chitwan National Park, in lowland of Nepal. After lunch in jungle camp, you will be escorted for a short walk tour to the village and Park Information Center. In the evening, you would like to walk along the riverbank and enjoy the romantic sunset view. There will be slides presentation or briefing on wildlife by expert naturalist. Dinner and overnight in bungalow.

Day 04: Today, you will be kept busy on jungle safari activities. B/L/D

After breakfast, you will go for a cannoe trip to explore the aquatic life of Chitwan National Park. You will have opportunity to see some rare aquatic bird life of the park. After conclusion of the canoe ride, you will be picked by the riverside and transferred to hotel or you can go to search wildlife on foot in the forest of Park. This is quite adventurous trip. You will walk back to camp for lunch. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the Elephant Back Safari. The elephant takes you inside the dense forest and grassland in search of Great Asian One-horned Rhinoceros, Leopard, Sloth Beer, deer, monkeys, wild boar and 460 different species of birds. Royal Bengal Tiger, being territorial and nocturnal in behavior, will normally not appear during the day, but sometime your luck can do wonders and you can have an unforgettable sight of the king of the forest. After a ride of more than one hour, you will come back to the camp. In the evening, there will be Tharu Tribal Dance performed. Dinner and overnight bungalow.

Day 05:Chitwan- Pokhara B

In the morning, you will go for a refreshing morning walk in the neighboring forest with binoculars in order to view some birds of the park. After breakfast, you will drive to Pokhara. Pokhara valley is the second largest tourist attraction after Kathmandu and regarded as one of the most beautiful place in Nepal. Polution free and less crowded, Pokhra has a lot to offer to the visitors. In the afternoon, you will stroll along the lakeside and enjoy boating in Phewa Lake. The reflection of Fishtail on the tranquil surface of Phewa Lake is an unforgettable sight. Overnighth hotel in Pokhara.

Day 06:Pokahra B

In the morning, you will go for a sunrise tour to Sarangkot from where you will have splendid view of Annapurna massif, Machhpuhhre, Dhulagiri and other mountains. You will drive back or walk down to Pokhara. After lunch, you will visit Mahendra Cave, a unique geographical creation, Davis Fall, Bindhevasini Temple etc. Overnight hotel.

Day 07:Drive to Kathmandu. B

Afternoon free for shopping. Overnight hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 08:Kathmandu-Paro-Thimpu

Transfer to Airport for fly to Paro. The first thing you will notice as you disembark is the transparent purity of air and the absence of noise. The Paro valley has kept its bucolic nature inspite of the airport and the existence of development projects. Fields, brown or green depending on the season, cover most of the valley floor, while hamlets and isolated farms dot the countryside. The houses of Paro valley are considered to be among the most beautiful in the country. Paro is believed to be one of the first valleys to have received the imprint of Buddhism. Afternoon: Visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guardhouses, to the Dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D. Check in at Hotel Overnight:Thimphu.

Day 09: Thimphu Sightseeing

Thimphu lies in a wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside on the West Bank of the Thimphu Chhu (Chhu means River). Thimphu is unlike any other world capital. Small and secluded the city is quiet and there are never the traffic jams familiar in other Asian Capitals. It is often said that Thimphu is the only world capital without traffic lights. Thimphu’s main shopping street is a delight not so much for what you can buy there, but for the picturesqueness of the architecture and national costume. Beautiful weaves in wool, silk and cotton, basketwork, silver jewellery, thangkas and other traditional crafts of the Kingdom are available in various Handicraft Emporiums. Morning: Visit the Memorial Chorten, a huge stupa built in memory of the third King who reigned from 1952-1972. Visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. Visit the Painting School where traditional art is still preserved. Artists are taught to paint Thankas here (sacred Buddhist scroll).Visit the Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Visit the Weekend market where vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain till Sunday. Here you will find indigenous goods, handicrafts, locally produced goods, etc.Visit Semtokha Dzong. This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic schools in the country. Visit Tashichho Dzong- the main secretariat building. It is from here that the King and other prominent civil servants run the country. The Head Abbot and the central monastic body also reside here during the summer. Visit Pangri Zampa Monastery,situated just beyond Dechencholing Palace (5 km. from Thimphu). This temple was the first residence of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal when he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 A.D. Ngawang Chogyel, the great ancestor of the Shabdrung, built it during the first quarter of the 16th century. Evening:Dinner/Reception. Overnight: Thimphu.

Day 10:Thimphu – Punakha- Wangdue Phodrang

After breakfast transfer to Punakha/Wangdue. En-route stop at Dochula Pass (3150 m), 30 km from Thimphu, for tea and biscuits and enjoy a view of the Eastern Himalayan Mountains. From Dochula to Wangdue, its another two hours drive. Wangdue Phodrang Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of 02 rivers. The position of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands an impressive view over both the north- south and east-west roads. The main road climbs the length of the spur and on the left, across the river, comes the first glimpse of the picturesque village of Rinchengang whose inhabitants are celebrated stonemasons. After lunch in Lobesa, visit the Punakha Dzong. This is the winter residence of Bhutans spiritual leader, the Head Abbot, and the Central Monastic Body. The Dzong is built between two rivers known as Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River). Evening: return to Thimphu Overnight: Thimphu.

Day 11:Thimphu-Paro-Excursion to Taktsang Monastery

Transfer to Paro for 03 hrs hike to the Taktsang Monastery. Taktsang is the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of the wind, and water and the chanting of the monks. The name Taktsang means Tigers Nest; the Guru is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to the site of the monastery where he meditated in a cave for three months. The monastery itself is closed to tourists except by special permit. However the one-hour walk to the viewpoint, where there is a small wooden teahouse provides a close-up view of the monastery. Its also a good warm-up hike if you are going trekking. In the evening visit a farmhouse for traditional hot stone bath and local hospitality. Overnight:Paro.

Day12:Paro-Kathmandu-Departure

Transfer to Paro Airport for fly to Kathmandu. Then connect to onward flight.