14 Days Best of the Himalaya Tour from Nepal to Bhutan and India

Highlight: Meet your warm guide and get prepared for the wonderful journey.

When you arrive at the Airport in Kathmandu, you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel to rest from your flight. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring the area around the hotel.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Highlight: Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar Square.

In the morning, you will start your tour of the spiritual and historic sites of the Kathmandu Valley, several of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The morning tour includes the sites of the ancient Durbar Royal Square, in the city itself, which is the site of the Royal Palace and is surrounded by a number of ancient buildings that date back to around the 16th century.

In the afternoon, you will travel outside the city proper to visit the stunning Swayambhunath Pagoda, known as the Monkey Temple. One of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal, this gilded stupa is festooned with prayer flags and sits on a hill that overlooks the city. You will also travel to the beautiful Patan City, the second largest city in the Kathmandu Valley. The location of one of the most ancient Buddhist temples in Nepal, the Patan Durbar Square allures visitors with its cultural and historical sets carved with beautiful art and architecture.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Swayambhunath Stupa

Highlight: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur's Durbar Square.

Today you will travel a little further afield, and head out to the ancient Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. One of the most famous UNESCO Sites in Nepal, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated on the shores of the Bagmati River, where river burials regularly take place. We will also stop off to visit the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest of its kind in Asia. The ancient stupa is one of the major focal points for Buddhism in Nepal, and is a beautiful example of ancient Tibetan architecture. Located on an ancient trade route from Tibet to Nepal, the stupa was originally one of the main centers for trade in ancient times, and a place for Tibetan traders to worship away from home.

Later in the day, after a local lunch, you will take a trip to visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The Royal Square of the city, the pagodas and shikhara temples are strewn randomly around the square, with the focus being on the famous Royal Palace. As one of the oldest Durbar Squares in Nepal, this square highlights the ancient construction skills of the Newari people of the Kathmandu Valley in its unique architecture.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Visiting Bhaktapur's Durbar Square

Highlight: Take the flight to Paro and visit Tschogang Lhakhang in Paro and Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.

In the morning, your guide will pick you up from your hotel in a private car and take you to the airport for your flight to Bhutan from Nepal. During the flight, if the weather is clear, you can have a breathtaking view of the Himalaya Mountains. 

On your arrival in Bhutan, you will be met at the airport by your tour guide and driver, who will then take you to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, around 54 kilometers away from Paro.

En route to Thimphu we will stop at the beautiful Tschogang Lhakhang, known as the “Temple of the Excellent Horse”, as well as the confluence of the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu rivers, where stupas in the styles of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan can be seen.

After checking into your hotel in Thimphu, you will take the afternoon for a visit to the famous Tashichho Dzong, one of the most eminent fortresses in Bhutan, which houses the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, two of the three governing sectors of Bhutan. The Dzong is also the summer residence of the Je Khenpo, the Head Abbot of Buddhism in Bhutan. After visiting the Dzong, we will head out a little way to visit the famed National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King) of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The Chorten was commissioned by the mother of the king, Ashi Phuntsho Choden, in 1974.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlights: Cross the Dochula Pass to Punakha and visit the famous Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.

Today you will take the long drive along the Lateral Highway to Punakha, which takes around three hours. The route takes you along the main highway that traverses central Bhutan, and gives you some of the most amazing views of the mighty Himalayas to the north. En route, the road passes over the Dochu La Pass, at 3,140 meters, which is the site of the renowned 108 chortens. Known as the Druk Wangyal Chortens, or Chortens of Victory, they were built in memory of the soldiers who died during the Assamese insurgency into Bhutan in 2003.

After arriving at Punakha, you will first head for the outstanding Punakha Dzong, standing at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers. One of the most impressive and important Dzongs in Bhutan, this ancient fortress is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the kingdom, and is a treasury that holds many of the numerous Buddhist relics and historic artifacts.

After stopping to visit the Dzong, you will then continue on to visit the Chimi Lhakhang, a stunningly beautiful monastery located on a small round hillock near the village of Lobesa, just outside Punakha town. An ancient monastery, it was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa, Ngawang Choegyel.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Standing at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers visit Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Back to Paro to visit the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong in Paro.

In the morning, you will take the long drive back to Paro, which takes around 4 hours 30 minutes, and passes by the Simtokha Dzong.

On arriving in Paro, you will first visit the Ta Dzong, which houses the Bhutan National Museum. Home to a huge number of valuable relics, national treasures, and collections from the kingdom’s long history, this is a great place to expand your understanding of the Kingdom of Bhutan and its devout people.

Then you will head to the Rinpung Dzong, also known as the Paro Dzong. Built to repel invaders from the north in the 15th century, this amazing fortress now houses an administration center for monastic studies and a school for young monks. After the fortress, you will drive to the north of Paro to visit the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong, which was destroyed in a fire. Built in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, known as the unifier of Bhutan, the ruins have been left as they are as a reminder of the great victories of the father of a united Bhutan.

You will also visit the famous Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most beautiful temples in the kingdom. This ancient 7th century temple is a popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists in Bhutan, and it is common to see many pilgrims making their way around the temple’s kora route in a clockwise circumambulation.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong

Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Today is one of the most stunning days of the tour, as you will take the hard hike up the cliffs above the Paro Valley to visit the Taktshang Monastery. We will make an early start, as it takes around 5-6 hours to get to the monastery and back. The hike up the cliff to the monastery takes around three hours for most people, and you can rest at the café halfway up. There are also horses that can take you as far as the café if you are not feeling too energetic.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Highlight: Take the flight from Paro to Delhi

Today, you will take the flight from Paro to Delhi, Indian.

After you arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, your local guide will collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing or take in the local sights.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Highlight: Explore Old and New Delhi by visiting Jama Mosque, Raj Ghat, India Gate and Qutub Minar.

In the morning, you will leave your hotel to take a tour of New and Old Delhi, with your first stop being at the famous Jama Mosque, renowned as one of the largest mosques of its kind in India. With some of the most spectacular architecture in India, you can join the crowds of locals and tourists praying inside the mosque, before heading out to enjoy a rickshaw ride. The rickshaw will take you through the old Chandni Chowk Bazaar, one of the largest spice markets in Asia, as you head off to visit Old Delhi.

After the tour of the bazaar in Old Delhi, you will head next for Raj Ghat, the memorial of the Indian sage, Mahatma Gandhi, known as the “Father of the Nation”. The monument is set in enchanting and peaceful gardens, which you can explore in tranquility.

Later, you will move on to New Delhi, the area of the city that was built during the British colonial era. Entering New Delhi, you will pass by the official offices and residence of India’s President, before heading to visit the India Gate, the iconic memorial to the patriotic Indian soldiers that died during World War I. In the late afternoon, you will visit the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Visit Taj Mahal

Highlight: Take a 5-6 hours’ drive from Delhi to Jaipur, and visit the Hindu Temple of Galta Ji.

In the morning, you will move north to the famous Pink City of Jaipur, in the State of Rajasthan in Northern India. The drive to the Pink City takes around 5-6 hours, and you will pass through small local villages and idyllic landscapes as you cross over the beautiful area of the Aravalli Hills.

When you arrive in the Pink City, you will head straight for the hotel, where you can settle in and the rest of the day is yours. Alternatively, you can opt to take a tour of the local Hindu temple of Galta Ji. Famous for having some of the most unique architecture in Jaipur, the temple is now overrun by monkeys.

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

Visit the Hindu Temple of Galta Ji

Highlight: Visit Amber Fort, Jaipur City Palace, and Jantar Mantar.

After a decent breakfast and a good night’s sleep, you will leave your hotel to travel to the famous Amber Fort, one of the most popular UNESCO sites in Jaipur. The steep stairs to enter the fort are open to the public, and you can climb up to enjoy the view from the top. You can also enjoy an elephant ride tour around the site. The fort was once the home of the Belgian glassworks, which was responsible for making the glass for the windows of the Taj Mahal. Known as the Sheesh Mahal, the site is filled with exquisite artworks carved into the stones by the local masons.

After lunch, you will head for the Jaipur City Palace, an exquisite palace that was built in the 18th century by the Maharaja of Amber, Jai Singh II, who ruled the Kingdom of Amber (Jaipur State) from the age of 11. The palace has some of the most sublime architecture in Northern India, and contains one of the largest collections of textiles, weapons, costumes, and jewels in the world.

Your final stop for the day is at Jantar Mantar, the scientific center of the Kingdom of Amber. There, you can see the amazing scientific instruments that were built by Jai Singh II himself.

Stay overnight in Jaipur.

Visit Amber Fort

Highlight: Drive from Jaipur to Agra and visit the 9th Century step-well of Abhaneri.

Today’s long drive will take us from Jaipur to Agra, one of the major tourist cities in India. On the way, we will make a brief visit to the 9th Century step-well of Abhaneri. More than 3,000 crisscrossing steps arranged in a geometric architectural design will leave you in awe. Then we will move on to the Ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. You can stroll around the imperial complex of pavilions and palaces spread amongst a large abandoned 'city' that is peppered with Mughal masterpieces.

Finally, you will arrive in your hotel in Agra.

Stay overnight in Agra.

Visit Agra

Highlight: Visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and drive back to Delhi.

You will have an early start today to enjoy the sunrise at the world-famous Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. You can enjoy the spectacular architecture, take some brilliant pictures, and walk through the history of India.

Later, you will get back to the hotel for breakfast and check out from the hotel. After loading into the car, you will explore Agra fort, the awesome military fort situated down river from Taj Mahal.

Then, you will finish your journey back to Delhi. You can spend the evening relaxing or head out to do some shopping and enjoy your last night in India.

Stay overnight in Delhi.

Explore Agra fort

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour service end.