Nepal Bhutan Tour

Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you will be met by your guide and driver and escorted to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day exploring Durbar Square in the central part of Kathmandu where you could the the living goddess Kumari, temple, palaces and old narrow streets of local market.

After breakfast, you will begin your day by exploring Pashupatinath, one of the most revered Hindu temples on earth and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Each day Hindu devotees come to this temple, located along the Bagmati River. Afterwards, you will go to Boudhanath, home to the largest Buddhist stupa in the Himalaya. This "little Tibet" area has a couple of small Buddhist monasteries to go through as well as many great shops to wander in.

This day you will explore another UNESCO World Heritage site at Swayambhunath Temple, also known as the "Monkey Temple". The temple rises high above Kathmandu and is one of the memorable experiences you will have in Nepal. Local people come to the temple each day to walk and pray around the main stupa (pagoda). From Swayambhunath, you will then explore Durbar Square. This is where the kings of old used to be crowned and ruled from. This fascinating area is filled with beautiful traditional architecture and is the heart of the Kathmandu Old Town.

This day, you will make the short drive across the Kathmandu Valley to Bhaktapur, Nepal's most well preserved ancient city. Bhaktapur is a great place to just wander around and experience traditional Newari life. The Newari people are the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur's cobble-stone streets combined with its stunning traditional architecture, temples and statues make for a very fun day! You will stay the night at the centrally located guesthouse near the old town.

The fifth day of your journey will take you 200 kilometers west of Kathmandu to the beautiful lakeside town of Pokhara. Pokhara is Nepal's second largest city and lies beside Phewa Lake. During clear weather, the views from the lake offer a stunning view of the snow-covered Himalayas. For many, Pokhara is the main highlight of a journey to Nepal.

In the very early morning, you will drive up to Sarangkot to watch the sunrise on the nearby Himalayas. During clear weather, the view is spectacular! Later in the day, you will explore the lakeside of Pokhara and then go to the World Peace Pagoda to watch the sunset.

After breakfast, you will return to Kathmandu along the scenic Prithvi Highway. In Kathamndu, you will have time to wander around the tourist district of Thamel, which is a good place to pick up some souvenirs.

In the afternoon, you will fly from Kathmandu to Paro and begin the Bhutan portion of your Himalaya Journey. After checking into your hotel in Paro, you will explore the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, which was built in 1649. From near the Dzong, the 7314 meter mountain of Jhomolhari can be seen in clear weather. Afterwards, you will explore Kyichu Lhakang, one of Bhutan's most beautiful temples. It was built in the year 659.

This day, you will start early by exploring Taktsang Monastery, Bhutan's most iconic building. This beautiful monastery is perched on a sheer rock cliff that drops some 900 meters below. The main temple is reached by a pleasant 2 hour scenic hike. Next, you will explore the impressive Paro Dzong, built in the 15th century. In the late afternoon, you will make the short drive to Thimphu.

You will spend this day exploring Thimphu, the capital and largest city in Bhutan. You will visit the National Museum as well as the serene Trashi Chhoe Dzong. This dzong serves as the seat of the national government. In the afternoon, you will go to the National Memorial Stupa, which was built in 1974 as a memorial to Bhutan's 3rd king. Each day, local people go to the stupa to spin Buddhist prayer wheels and for daily devotions.

After breakfast, you will drive up to the Dochula Pass, elevation 3140 meters. From the pass during the clear weather, you can see Mt. Gangkhar Puensum, which rises to 7570 meters as well as a sweeping view of the eastern Himalaya. At the pass there are also 108 stupas (pagodas) along with the Druk Wangyal Temple. Your next destination is Punakha Dzong, which was finished being built in 1638. This dzong (fortress) served as the administrative center of Bhutan until 1955. It is the second largest dzong in all of Bhutan and is regarded as one of the most majestic buildings in the country.

This day you will visit Gangtey Monastery. The monastery is located on a forested hill overlooking the Phobjikha Valley below. The monastery complex was founded in 1613. The Phobjikha Valley lies at 2900 meters (9500 feet) and is one of the most scenic places in Bhutan. This valley offers excellent day hiking through picturesque villages

Your last full day in Bhutan will take you to the Folk Heritage Museum in Thimphu where you can learn more about rural Bhutanese life. The next destination is the 15th century monastery of Cheri, located 15 kilometers outside of Thimphu. In the evening, you will drive to Paro, where the international airport is located.

After breakfast you will fly from Paro back to Kathmandu, Nepal. You will arrive in the afternoon with enough time to stroll through the interesting markets of Kathmandu one last time.

In the morning you will be transferred to the Kathmandu Airport.