This trip generally involves an average of 4 – 5 hours slow but steady walk in a day. This rating is for less than 7 days walk below 3500 meters.
Nepal will captivate you with its range of travel options and spectacular scenery. From luxury tours to challenging mountain trail treks and summit expeditions. Nepal is famous for its high mountains, natural beauty, vast flora and fauna and its long history and unique culture. Nepal offers such a variety of experience that visiting Nepal just once will never be enough
Tibet sits north of the Himalaya Mountains on the high Tibetan Plains. So much to explore, see, do and learn for the adventurous traveller. Tibet with its long tradition and history with Nepal provided a similar but yet a unique culture and environment to the plate. Tibet has a rich buddhist culture and history which can be seem in the design of their monuments such as the Potala palace, which is a magnificiant palace and fully deserves the appreciation. So pack your bags and head towards the himalayas of Tibet
Bhutan offers unique travel and spiritual experiences for travellers who seek more from their journey. It is a nation full of history and culture. Even though the country is very small, it is managed very well and provide such a beautiful and peaceful environment environment that many people refer to Bhutan as Shangri-la. The beauty of Bhutan lies in their Geography and thier people and culture.
Our representative will greet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. When you are ready you will be collected from your hotel lobby and driven to our Thamel office where you will be formally introduced to your guide. Overnight in Kathmandu
After breakfast leave for full day sightseeing in Kathmandu valley includes Monkey Temple the Shyambhunath (2000 years old temple) ,drive to Matatirtha for Cable car to Chandragiri hill which is very popular for spectaculars view of high mountains. After noon Visit of Kathmandu Durbar square , the habitat of leaving goodness Kumari. Overnight in Kathmandu.
( Office in Kathmandu will obtain the Tibet visa )
A spectacular mountain flight brings you to Lhasa. Upon arrival in Gongkhar airport, you are met by our Guide & Driver and driven to Lhasa city, which takes little over one hour. Free afternoon for a complete rest, to acclimatize to the altitude (Appox 3500m/11450ft) Overnight and dinner at your hotel.
Overnight in Lhasa
Visit the giant Potala Palace in the morning. In the afternoon visit Sera Monastery, one of the largest monasteries of Tibet, noted for their debate. Later visit ancient Jorkhang temple, considered by most Tibetan as the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. Located in Barkhor square, close to your hotel, it was founded in 7th century.Stroll through the Barkhor square. Dinner with a cultural performance at a local restaurant.
Overnight in Lhasa.
Visit Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery of Tibet. At the height of its glory, Drepung is said to have housed over 10,000 monks. In the afternoon, visit Norbulingka, a park and palace built in 1755 by 7th Dalai Lama, which served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. Free evening.Overnight in Lhasa.
After breakfast, embark on the ride of a lifetime along the Lhasa-Gyanste highway. After half an hour from Lhasa, you will drive across the Yarlung Tsangpo river, and gradually the road snakes up to Kamba La pass (4800m) ) from where you will have the first view of brilliant turquoise blue Yamdrok Tso Lake below and views of several massif peaks surrounding it. The road follows the shores of this holy lake for many miles, passing few villages, yaks and sheep pastures, then climbing to Kharola pass (5010). From the pass, we get a great view of the glaciers, as they seem to stop just above the road. After a long descend, we arrive in the historical town of Gyantse, which still retains the charm of ancient Tibet. This afternoon, we plan on visiting Kumbum Chorten and Pelkhor monastery and stroll around the town. than drive to Shigatse Around 352km/8-9hr drive.
Overnight in hotel (Altitude 3900m)
Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. Here we visit the giant Buddha statues inside Tashilhunpo monastery and time permitting, join pilgrims in circumambulation path around the monastery. In the afternoon, drive to along the Yarlung valley north for about 4-5hrs to Lhasa. In the evening, you can stroll around Barkhor.
Overnight in Lhasa.
After breakfast, transfer to Gongkhar airport in time for your flight to Kathmandu. The flight is even more spectacular than the last one, crossing the Himalayan peaks, with view of Everest and several of the world’s highest seen from your plane. Upon arrival, meet Nepalese Guide and visit to the Hindu temple complex at Pashupatinath (a UNESCO world heritage site) & the biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath than drive to hotel .Overnight in Kathmandu .
After breakfast drive to Patan which is one of the oldest city of Kathmandu valleys. Bhaktapur has the best preserved palace courtyards and old city center in Nepal, and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture, temples, and wood, metal and stone artworks. Free late afternoon. Evening Dinner with Nepali cultural program .Overnight in Kathmandu
Fly into Paro, Bhutan, yet again another spectacular flight as you fly parallel to the Himalayas. Upon arrival at Paro airport, meet your Bhutanese Guide and driver and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, we plan on visiting the National Museum. Later visit Rinphung Dzong and walk down to the small and charming township of Paro. Overnight in Paro (2200m)
After breakfast, drive for about 2hrs till Dochula pass (3,050m). Along the way, we will get the glimpse of capital Thimphu as well. At Dochula pass, we take a short break for tea and to enjoy the views of the eastern himayan peaks. Continue our drive descending about 1500m in two hours through ever changing vegetation into semi-tropical Punakha and Wangdue valley. After lunch, visit 17th century Punakha Dzong, straddling at the confluence of Pho and Mo Chu river. Then drive short distance through idyllic countryside to Khamsum Yuley temple on Nyinzergang hill, that provides good vista of the valley and paddy fields (optional).
Return to Punakha for overnight (1450m)
In Wangduephodrang, visit Richengang village, unique for cluster of houses connected with each other, followed by short walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang temple, dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (1455 – 1529), popularly known as ‘the divine madman, a folk hero and a cultural icon around whom countless yarns of facts and fiction, stories and legends have been spun. Drive back over spectacular Dochula Pass to capital Thimphu, which takes about 3hrs. Late afternoon, visit great Tashicho Dzong and the giant Buddha statue on Kuenselphodrang ridge.
Overnight in Thimphu (2400m)
Morning tour the capital of Bhutan, Visit memorial Chorten, a landmark of Thimphu. Tour Takin Preserve, Zilukha nunnery, a Viewpoint, followed by visit to traditional Art school (also called painting school) and visit Indigenous Hospital. In between, we can stop at the Post Office to send beautiful postcard home or buy the stamps. See the textile academy and museum, stroll through the Farmer’s market, peek at Changlimithang ground, where you may see the archery (national game) in progress. Stroll in the core city area, and shop for souvenirs.
Later an hour drive takes us back to Paro. Along the way we may stop to see a nunnery in Sitsina village. Paro is serene and one of the loveliest in Bhutan. Visit the Dzongdrakha cave temples with local homes. In the afternoon, tour the ruins of Drugyal Dzong located north of Paro. On the way back, stop to visit the 7th century Kichu temple, said to have been built one the same day as Jorkhang in Lhasa. Visit local village home and if time permits, we can also visit Dungtse Lhakhang temple, which contains some ancient murals. Stroll around the charming township of Paro.
Overnight in Paro.
Your journey in the Kingdom culminates in a hike to famous Taktsang (tiger’s nest) monastery (3120m/10,200ft). Visible from afar, this magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 1,000 feet above the valley floor. It is one of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan. If for some reason, some of the members wish to skip hike to Taktsang, our Guide and driver can arrange other interesting alternatives. You can also hire pony for the uphill part, till the first view point & cafeteria but you must be able to walk back downhill. While some will probably not make it all the way to the monastery, however it is worth even to try getting till the first view point. Return to Paro, where we may have more time for stroll around the town. Farewell dinner in the evening.
Overnight in the hotel in Paro valley.
While this journey is planned to fly you to Bangkok, you can also choose or destination such as Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkata or other destination that the airlines operate. If you are planning a connection flight from those cities, it is best to connect next day as the flight from Paro are subject to delays.