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, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion;
Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as Painting School) where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan;
Textile and Folk Heritage Museum: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life.
National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King "the Father of modern Bhutan" and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
Trashichhodzong: 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.
Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. It also carries a small collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 07: Thimphu - Trongsa ( 200 Km, 6 hours drive): After early breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/ 10,130 ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): 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.
Then continue onwards, reaching Wangduephodrang town in time for lunch. From Dochu-la pass, it is a long, winding descent into the Wangduephodrang valley, which is about 1,700m below the pass. Take lunch at Wangduephodrang town, then continue on to Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft), the traditional boundary between east and west. The pass is marked by a large white chorten prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo.
Stop en route at Chendbji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandu's Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes panted at four cardinal points. It was built in the 18th century by Lama Shida from Tibet, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Arrive at Trongsa late afternoon and check into the lodge for the night.
Day 08: Trongsa - Bumthang (68 Km, 3 hours drive): After breakfast, visit Trongsa Dzong. Built in 1648 it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four Kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop "governer" prior to ascending the throne, and the present Crown Prince now holds the post. The Dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built.
Then drive to Bumthang, 68 km from Trongsa, a journey of about 3 hours, over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft). The road winds steeply up to the pass, 28 km from Trongsa, then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley known as the Chumey valley. On arrival in Bumthang, check in at your lodge.
Day 09: Bumthang: Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys - Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries.
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 Lhakhang (housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan) and Jakar Dzong (administrative center of the region). Stroll in the village, visit the little handicrafts shop at the entrance to the town, and perhaps take refreshments at a local restaurant. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 10: Bumthang - Gangtey - Phobjikha (190 km, 7 hours drive): After breakfast drive to Gangtey / Phobjikha. In the mountains east of Wangduephodrang lies the beautiful Phobjikha valley, on the slopes of which is ituated the great monastery of Gangtey, established in the 17th century. The village of Phobjikha lies a few km, down from the monastery, on the valley floor. This quite, remote valley is the winter home of black necked cranes, which migrate from the arid plains of Tibet in the north, to pass the winter months in a milder climate. Explore Gangtey village and Phobjikha valley. Overnight at the lodge in Gangtey / Phobjikha.
Day 11: Gangtey - Phobjikha - Punakha (70 km, 3 hours drive): After breakfast drive to Punakha.
Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan's capital until 1955, and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan's first King, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood several damages from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damages to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue. Also visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, the newly built stupa. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangduephodrang.
Day 12: Punakha - Paro (125 km, 4.1/2 hours drive): After breakfast, drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong. This dzong, built in 1627 is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies.
Afternoon visit to Ta Dzong, which in the past served as watchtower for Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) and now houses the National Museum. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 13: 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 14:After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for onward flight.
Cost Per Person USD .
Cost Included:
- Arrival and Departure Transport.
- Accommodation in Kathmandu BB and Bhutan BLD.
- Sightseeing tour with entrance fee (Nepal & Bhutan).
- 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