A Joyous Journey through Bhutan & Nepal

The trip doesn't start until Sunday, October 26th, but if you'd like to spend more time in beautiful Nepal, join our 3-Day Pre-Trip Extension. 

Fly into Kathmandu, where your adventure begins with a warm welcome from Tribhuvan International Airport. Your private guide will escort you to the luxurious Dwarika’s Hotel, a five-star oasis combining rich heritage and modern luxury. 

Relax and unwind in this stunning setting. You have enough time to enjoy the hotel's spa (an optional jet lag treatment is available at an additional cost) or bask in the serene atmosphere. Let our concierge know if you would like to book a spa treatment. 

In the evening, we'll gather for a celebratory welcome dinner at the hotel’s Toran Restaurant, where the flavors of Nepal come alive, setting the tone for the unforgettable days ahead.

After a delicious breakfast, you have free time to rejuvenate. Why not book a spa treatment or relax in the hotel’s lush surroundings? 

Later in the morning, we visit a local home for an immersive cooking class. Learn the secrets of Nepali cuisine and prepare a traditional meal with fresh, local ingredients. Once your culinary creations are ready, we’ll feast on our delicious spread together.

Stroll through vibrant markets in the afternoon and shop for unique handicrafts and souvenirs.

Afterward, we return to the hotel to rest before meeting again for a delicious dinner at Mako’s Japanese Restaurant, blending the best local and international flavors.

We'll start the day with an early morning helicopter flight to Syangboche, a remote village with jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas (elevation ~13,000 feet). From the air, we’ll see towering peaks, including Everest, Ama Dablam, and Thamserku, as well as picturesque villages, serene lakes, and ancient monasteries. We’ll enjoy a memorable breakfast at the Everest View Hotel, one of the highest hotels in the world, returning to Kathmandu when we've completed this once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Later, we'll explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Bhaktapur, Durbar Square, and the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, and savor lunch at a local restaurant.

As the day winds down, we’ll return to the hotel to freshen up before gathering for a special welcome dinner to kick off the core trip. This dinner marks the beginning of your exciting journey through Bhutan and Nepal, filled with new friendships, unforgettable experiences, and stunning destinations!

The core trip officially starts today. If you haven't joined the Pre-Trip Extension, fly into Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport), where our representative will welcome you and take you to Dwarika’s Hotel. 

Check into the hotel and enjoy a refreshing welcome drink. Relax and recuperate from your travels for the rest of the day. The hotel spa can arrange a jet lag treatment for you at extra cost. 

Later this evening, we will meet for our welcome dinner at the hotel's Krisharpan Restaurant and discuss our plans for the next ten days. 

Today, we awaken refreshed and ready to begin our adventure. After breakfast, we'll head to the airport for our flight to Paro, Bhutan. The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the Himalayas.

A guide will welcome us at the Paro airport, and we'll transfer to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. 

Before reaching Chuzom, we'll see Tachogang Lhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse.” This private temple was built in the 15th century after the legendary Thangtong Gyalpo, the temple's builder, had a vision of Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha. 

We’ll stop at Chuzom, the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three styles of stupas, Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese, adorn this confluence. 

We'll check into the 5-star hotel, the Le Meridien Thimphu. Thimphu is the capital town of Bhutan and the center of government, religion, and commerce. It is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development and ancient traditions. With a population of about 90,000, it is perhaps the world’s only capital city without a traffic light. 

We'll explore Thimphu Main Street and the market area in the evening. We'll also visit the local crafts bazaar to see examples of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here, you can buy hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other interesting items made from local materials. 

We'll return to the hotel to enjoy our first dinner in Thimphu together. 

After breakfast, we'll go sightseeing in Thimphu Valley. We'll visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, and the Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as the Painting School, where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. 

Later, we'll visit the Textile Museum, which provides insight into one of Bhutan’s most distinct art forms. We'll also visit Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio encapsulating the cultural heritage of the Bhutanese people.

After lunch, we'll drive to Pangri Zampa, a 16th-century monastery just north of Thimphu. It is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan and a monastic school where Buddhist student monks learn Lamaism and astrology based on Buddhist philosophy.

We'll visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang), a short drive from Thimphu. We'll have a great view of the valley, pay homage, and enjoy the serenity around the largest Buddha statue in the country.

Later, we'll visit Trashichhoedzong, an impressive fortress and monastery that houses the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and the central monk body.

We'll enjoy dinner at the hotel, sharing our favorite parts of the trip so far as we indulge in Bhutanese cuisine. 

After breakfast, we'll check out of the hotel and drive to Paro along a scenic highway. En route, we'll visit Simtokha Dzong, the country's oldest fortress, built in 1627, which now houses the School for Buddhist Studies.   

Upon arrival in Paro, we'll check into the Riverfront Le Meridien. After lunch, we will tour Ta Dzong, originally constructed as a watchtower and now home to the National Museum. The extensive collection inside includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects, and a rich assortment of natural and historical artifacts. 

We'll take a short walk along the trail to explore Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), which translates to “fortress of the heap of jewels." Rinpung Dzong boasts a rich and captivating history. Fine wall paintings depicting Buddhist lore, including the four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, and scenes from the life of Milarepa, as well as Mount Sumeru and other cosmic mandalas, hang in wooden galleries that line the inner courtyard. 

Dinner will be in Le Meridien's restaurant tonight, a gorgeous, modern eatery overlooking the river. 

After breakfast, we'll visit Taktshang Monastery, or Tiger’s Nest, which takes about a 5-hour walk to access. It is one of Bhutan’s most famous monasteries, located 900 meters above the Paro Valley. Legend says Guru Rinpoche arrived on a tigress and meditated at ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This sacred site is now a must-visit for all Bhutanese. In 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure, but this Bhutanese jewel has since been restored to its original splendor.

After lunch, we'll take an afternoon drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. From the access road to the Dzong, we can see the snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, the "mountain of goddess." 

To round out the evening, we'll visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. This temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. 

We'll savor international cuisine at our hotel again tonight, offering a well-deserved meal after a long day of exploration. 

Enjoy breakfast and prepare to check out. Today, we are flying back to Kathmandu. First, we'll head to Paro International Airport for a beautiful 40-minute flight to Kathmandu. After that, we will catch a 30-minute flight from the domestic terminal to Pokhara, Nepal. 

Once in Pokhara, we'll check into the Sarangkot Mountain Lodge, a stunning hotel in the mountains with a breathtaking infinity pool overlooking the Annapurna mountain range. We'll enjoy a refreshing welcome drink and program brief before having lunch at the hotel. 

We'll meet our guide for a half-day city tour in the afternoon. The tour will take us to Devi's Falls, Gupteshwor Cave, and the Tibetan Camp. We'll end the day with a boat ride on Phewa Lake, what a treat.

Dinner tonight is at the lodge's elegant multi-cuisine restaurant.

Wake up early to enjoy one of the best sunrises from the hotel or the viewing tower. On a clear day, you'll see the Annapurna Range. After watching the sunrise, go back to the hotel for breakfast and prepare to explore Pokhara City.

We're excited to tour Sarangkot Village together, giving you a chance to experience the local lifestyle firsthand. After that, we'll take a delightful trip to the Pokhara International Museum and the serene World Peace Stupa. And if you're in the mood for some shopping, we can enjoy some time around the lakeside to pick up souvenirs you’ll cherish. 

Later in the evening, we'll have the wonderful opportunity to witness the Evening Aarati, a beautiful ritual dedicated to the Gods and Goddesses, right at the banks of Tal Barahi. This is a special moment where you can see the heartfelt devotion of Hindus as they worship their deities. 

Enjoy a relaxing dinner at the hotel after today's activities. 

After breakfast, we will pack up and check out. We're off to Pokhara International Airport for a 25-minute flight to Bharatpur, Chitwan. 

We'll be staying at the Barahi Jungle Lodge in Chitwan. After we check in, we'll take some time to relax and then explore the beautiful resort. 

In the afternoon, we'll take a village walk to explore the area and discover the Tharu people and their vibrant culture. The community will present its traditions, culture, and cuisine, offering a truly unique and enriching experience. 

Dinner tonight is at the lodge, where we can savor Nepali and Indian cuisines from a curated à la carte menu. 

After an early resort breakfast, we'll depart for jungle activities, including a canoe ride, a short nature walk, and an Elephant Safari. 

We'll also visit the Elephant Breeding Center to learn about these majestic creatures. This center serves as an oasis for elephants rescued from unfavorable conditions, providing them with a safe and natural habitat where they can thrive. We'll have the opportunity to see these gentle giants up close as they eat, bathe, and go about their daily lives. 

After a long day in the wild, we'll head back to our gorgeous accommodation to relax and unwind before dining at the resort tonight. 

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll check out and transfer to Bharatpur Domestic Airport for our flight back to Kathmandu. Once we touchdown, our driver will be there to whisk us away on today's adventures.

On our way to the hotel, we'll stop to visit a local school and DOCS Foundation Nepal, an orphanage run by Liladhar Bhandari, who helped us organize this tour. 

During the day, we will explore Kathmandu's significant attractions, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swyambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa.

After the tour, we'll return to the Dwarika’s Hotel to rest and refresh before meeting later for a farewell dinner at Babarmahal Revisited Restaurant, a typical Nepali restaurant that serves authentic Nepali cuisine.

After breakfast, we'll check out and transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for our onward flights.

Until we meet again.