Days: 14 / Difficulty: of 5 (difficulty)
Min Group Size: 4 /
Max Group Size: 12
Embark on an extraordinary 14-day journey through Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet, exploring the cultural and natural wonders of these three Himalayan destinations. This tour offers a unique blend of spiritual experiences, stunning landscapes, and rich history, providing travelers with an unforgettable adventure.
This comprehensive multi-country tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the enchanting cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and spiritual depth of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Whether you are seeking adventure, cultural immersion, or spiritual enlightenment, this journey promises to be a transformative experience.
Itinerary for Nepal Part:
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu 1338m
Meet our company’s representative at the Airport. Our Airport representative will transfer you to Hotel by private car. Welcome drink and short briefing about Tour in Hotel.
Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Full Day Guided Sightseeing Tour in Heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley
Drive to Swayambhunath Stupa which is very close form the centre of Kathmandu. It takes some minutes to be there. This Temple is also known as Monkey Temple which is considered to be self made Stupa. Kathmandu Durbar Square: a huge museum, Living Goddess Kumari, number of temples and medieval largest palace are the major attractions. All those monuments represent medieval, history, culture and architecture. Finally Visit to Boudhanath Stupa: the biggest stupa in Nepal and one of the bigger stupa in the world. You can basically experience Tibetan Buddhism, culture and way of life in Boudhanath Area. Boudhanath area is the authentic place to buy Tibetan stuffs.
Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot via Changunarayan
In the morning after having breakfast, drive to Changunarayan Temple with a private car. We visit the oldest pagoda style temple which was listed by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It has been constructed in 4th century. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his incarnation as Narayan. From there we walk to Telkot which takes about 2 hour. From here, we again drive to nagarkot which takes about half an hour. Nagarkot is usually considered to be the best vantage point for viewing Langtang Range, Ganesh Himal, Ghaurisankar, Jugal Himal and other snow capped High Himalaya as well as Sunrise and Sunset View over the Himalayas. In the evening we will enjoy with unobstructed Sunset view over the High Mountains.
Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Nagarkot.
Day 4: Drive from Nagarkot to Kathmandu via guided sightseeing tour in Bhaktapur and Patan City
In this day, it is best to view the mountains in the early morning because it is more likely to be clear. There is a viewing tower where you get good views of High Himalayan Ranges. We will enjoy with Breathtaking Sunrise View as well as 360º view of the scenery from the Lookout Tower which is an hour walk from the our Hotel. Nagarkot has become famous as one of the best spots to view Mount Everest as well as other snow-topped peaks of the Himalayan range of eastern Nepal. It also offers an excellent view of the Indrawati river valley to the east. Nagarkot also offers a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley and is described by visitors as a place whose beauty endures year round. Our tour guide leads you again other world heritage sites like Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square by private car. These two squares will give the chance of visiting two other adjacent cities of Bhaktapur and Patan where you will be observing mediaeval architecture along with live history and culture.
Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Itinerary for Bhutan Part:
Day 5: FLY FROM KATHMANDU TO PARO AND TRANSFER TO THIMPHU (55 KMS / 1½ HRS DRIVE)
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift, as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with enroute stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence. Shortly before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left TschogangLhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha.
On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of Government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.
After lunch, visit to Bhutan Post Office, the Postal Service in Bhutan was first launched on 10th October 1962 with the opening of a post office in Phuentsholing. In the same year, post offices also opened in Paro and Thimphu.
Evening, visit Trashichhoedzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body.
Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and market area. Also visit the Local Crafts Bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery, interesting items made from local materials.
Overnight at a 3* Hotel in Thimphu (Altitude 2400m).
Day 6: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (75 KMS / 03 HRS DRIVE)
Afterwards visit to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (KuenselPhodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.
King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
Drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.
Visit Chimi Lhakhang The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers
After checking into hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.
Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village located right on the bank of river.
Overnight at a 3* Hotel in Punakha.
Day 7: PUNAKHA – PARO (120 KMS / 4½ HRS DRIVE APPROX)
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Paro along scenic highway, enroute visit SimtokhaDzong, the oldest fortress of the country built in 1627 which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
Taa Dzong (National Museum)
Rinpung Dzong (ParoDzong), meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
Overnight at a 3* Hotel in Paro.
Day 8: IN PARO - HIKE TO TAKTSHANG MONASTERY (TIGER'S NEST)
After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours walk): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.
Evening, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Overnight at a 3* Hotel in Paro.
Day 9: FLY FROM PARO TO KATHMANDU
After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight back to Kathmandu. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell. We will pick you up at the Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kathmandu.
Itinerary for Tibet Part:
Day 10: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa (3650m)
Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our Tibetan guide will be greeting you at airport or train station with auspicious white Hada. Then you will be transferred to hotels in Lhasa. The guide will briefly introduce the itineraries and remind you about other dos and dont's for newcomers. To quickly get acclimatized to Tibetan plateau, it’s better to have a good rest in the hotel.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 11: Lhasa Tour - Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street
Our first stop is to visit the Potala Palace,the UNESCO world heritage site and the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Walking slowly along the long stone steps to the White and Red Palaces,you can explore the former residence of Dalai Lama and his meeting room and religious chamber. You can see the gilded burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas and the meditation cave of the 33rd great king of Tibet. A bird's-eye view of Lhasa city and Lhasa valley from the top of Potala Palace will take your breath away. After we have lunch and then we will head to holy Jokhang Temple. It's the most sacred Buddhist site in Tibet. Outside the temple,you will witness pious Tibetan pilgrims,young and old, prostrating themselves in front of Jokhang and long lines of Tibetans following the Barkhor circuit. Inside, traveling in dim butter light, you can see the statue of Buddha Sakyamuni at the age of twelve, perhaps the single most venerated object in Tibet Buddhism. You may reach the top of Jokhang Temple to enjoy the panorama of old Lhasa city and great vista of Potala Palace. Then we may do the kora by circling the Barkhor Street with pilgrims and locals and buy some souvenirs. Never miss the chance to enjoy the tasty sweet tea in local tea house and visit Tromzikhang, the famous farm produce market.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 12: Lhasa Tour - Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery
In the morning,you are going to visit Drepung Monastery which was one of the “Great Three” Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge,one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala Palace. In the afternoon, you will visit Sera Monastery which is another one of the “Great Three” Gelug Monasteries of Tibet and founded in 1419 by Jamchen Chojey, one of the Tsongkhapa’s main disciples. The highlight is the monks’ debate at around 3 - 5 in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 13: Lhasa to Ganden Monastery
Today we will drive to the Ganden Monastery, about 60 kilometers east of Lhasa and is one of the “Great Three” Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibet, founded by the Great Tsongkhapa in 1409. On the way you can enjoy the beautiful view of Kyichu River and as we drive up to Ganden along winding mountain road,tourists can see the far view of splendid monastery complex on the top of the mountain. Later we will visit chapels of Genden Monastery and the tomb of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelupa sect. After touring Ganden Monastery, we will head to visit Tibetan farmer's village nearby.
Optional: If physical condition is fine and weather allows, hike with guide around the Gaden Kora, enjoy the view of wide Kychi valley.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: 3* Hotel
Day 14: Departure from Lhasa to your next destination or by train to Mainland China
This is the last day of our tour and we have to get up very early for our transfer to Gonggar airport or train-station for your next destination in Mainland China.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A
