Itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu: Arrive Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Welcome and assistance on arrival at Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Hotel check in. Over night stay at Hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu Sighseeing: Breakfast at Hotel. Full day sightseeing including AM: Visit 2000 years old Buddhist shrine Swyambhunath, situated on the top of the hill west of the city the most popular and instantly recognizable symbols of Nepal. The temple is colloquially known as the "Monkey Temple". There are many small buildings and shrines down the hillside behind Swayambhunath. Explore the colorful Kathmandu Durbar Square - The Old Royal Palace of Kathmandu, Temple of living goddess Kumari, the Jagannath temple, 17th century temple known for colorfully painted erotic carvings, Kasthmandap temple a three story temple built from a single tree in 12th century. Afternoon Sightseeing tour around Patan is often referred to as Lalitpur, which means "city of beauty". Patan has a long Buddhist History and the four corners of the city are marked by Stupas erected by the great Buddhist emperor Ashoka around 250 BC.
Visit Patan City second largest city of valley including Royal Palace, Bhimsen temple, Manga Hiti, King Yogaendra Malla's Statue, Krishna temple, Taleju temple 15th century Golden Temple and Mahaboudha Temple known as temple of 10,000 Buddha, Kumbeshwar Temple. Bishwakarma Temple, Uma Maheshwar Temple. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Nagarkot: AM: Breakfast at Hotel. Visit Pashupatinath temple one of the most sacred Hindu shrine in the World. The holy river Bagmati and the burning ghats and also visit one of the oldest and biggest stupa of Boudhanath. Lunch: 1300hrs- 1400hrsPM: After lunch transfer to Nagarkot that lies 35 km east of the Kathmandu city located at the elevation of 7200 ft., which offers 200 miles panorama of the Himalayas of Mt. Everest in the east to Dhaulagiri in the west, Arrive Nagarkot, Hotel Check in. Watch the Sunset and Himalayan views. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 04: Nagarkot - Kathmandu: Morning wake up call for sunrise and Himalayan views in Nagarkot. After Breakfast transfer to Kathmandu on the way back to Kathmandu visit Bhaktapur also known as city of Devotees and center of medieval art and architecture founded by King Anand Dev in 889 AD visit Nyatapola temple, the most beautiful temple of Nepal, the 15th century palace of 55 windows, Golden gate and other place of Interest. Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 05: Fly to paro and drive to Thimpu: On arrival at the airport received by our representative and transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Thimphu: Today's full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes, visit to ;National Library; it holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.Painting School; famous for traditional thangkha paintings.Traditional Medicine Institute; the rich herbal medicines abundant in Kingdom is prepared here. The institute also imparts the art of herbal medicines to would be practitioners. Textile and Folk Heritage Museum; the fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.Memorial Chorten; the beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Trashichhodzong; the beautiful fortress/monastery which houses Secretariat building, King's Throne room and other government's offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot. Handicrafts Emporium; it displays wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 07: Thimphu - Trongsa (200 Km, 6 Hours ): After early breakfast, drive to Dochula pass (3,050m). If the weather permits, you can see a range of high Himalayan peaks towards the north east. Following peaks can be seen from this pass, on a clear day ; Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Further drive onwards arriving Wangduephodrang town for lunch. The descent from Dochula into Wangduephodrang valley is quite long as the altitude difference is 1700 meters.
Proceed to Tongsa across Pelela pass (3,300 m ), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large prayer flag and the ground is covered with high altitude dwarf bamboo. Stop enroute at Chendbji Chorten, which was built in 18th century by a Lama named Shida, it is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Arrive Trongsa and check into the lodge.
Day 08: Trongsa - Bumthang (68 Km, 3 Hours): After breakfast walk by Trongsa Dzong built by Shabdrung in 1647 and visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower), dedicated to Buddhist epic hero, King Gesar of ling.
Then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours. 29 km from Trongsa road reaches the Yutong La pass (3,400m). Further 13 km ahead, the road enters into a wide open cultivated valley known as Chumey valley.
On arrival in Bumthang, check into the lodge. After lunch, visit to Kurje Lhakhang where the saint Padmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock., the Jambey Lhakhang (7th century temple), Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic school), the Jakar Dzong (administrative centre of the region) and Swiss Farm House. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 09: Bumthang - Punakha (205 Km, 6 Hours): After breakfast explore fascinating valley of Bumthang. Then proceed to Trongsa where lunch would be served in local restaurant, famous for its traditional cuisine.
Before arriving Punakha visit Wangduephodrang Dzong and town enroute. Evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 10: Punakha / Wangduephodrang / Paro ( 150 Km, 5 Hours): After breakfast visit to Punakha Dzong, the 17th century fortress which has played important role in building up of modern Bhutan followed by visit to local market. Also visit here, Khamsum Yu;;y Namgyal Chorten, the newly built stupa.
Then drive to Wangdiphodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangdiphodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.
After lunch drive to Paro with a short stop at Dochula pass. Later enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 11: Sight Seeing in Paro: Morning take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been restored in its original grandeur. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons and country's exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley. This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley.Evening visit a traditional farm house to get an idea on lifestyle of local people. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Paro - Kathmandu: After breakfast at Hotel transfer to the airport to fly back to Kathmandu.
Day 13: In Kathmandu free day
Day 14:After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for onward flight.
Cost Per Person USD 4,426.
Cost Included:
- Arrival and Departure Transport.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu BB and Bhutan BLD.
- Sightseeing tour with entrance fee (Nepal & Bhutan).
- Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu flights with airport Tax.
- Bhutan Visa.
- Tourism Development Service charge in Bhutan (TDS).
- English speaking Guide.
- All Government taxes.
- Office services charge.
Cost Excluded:
- International Airfare.
- Expenses of personal nature (like tipping, laundry, Telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees etc).
- Lunch and Dinners in Nepal .
- Your Travel Insurance.
- Nepal Visa fee.
- Tips for Guide and Drivers.
For more information please email us at: adventuretreksnepal@gmail.com