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8 Days Essence of Nepal and Bhutan Tour
Kathmandu (3N) - Thimphu (1N) - Punakha (1N) - Paro (2N)
The 7 nights 8 days classic tour gives you a glimpse of the mysterious Himalayan countries. We will take you to Nepal for three days and the rest 5 days to Bhutan. In Nepal, you can experience the Hinduism culture and visit a variety of historical architectures with marvelous arts and hand crafts. In Bhutan, you will visit several signature monasteries and enjoy the wonderful view of the well-preserved nature and wild animals. The peaceful and joyful local culture will surely impress you, and show you the harmony between human and nature. This cultural and religious tour will give you an unforgettable experience of the heritages of Nepal and Bhutan.
- Suitable for All Year Round
- Leisure Sightseeing
- Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Visit famous Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, and Dubar Square.
- Explore the fantastic views of the Himalayan ranges, the virgin landscapes and diverse fauna and flora of Bhutan.
- Follow the most classic travel route to explore the best of western Bhutan including Paro, Thimphu and Punakha.
- Visit famous Paro Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang.
- Tour the landmarks in Thimphu, including National Memorial Chorten, National Folk Heritage Museum, Traditional Paper Making Factory etc.
- Hike to the holiest temple of the country, Taksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest).
Itinerary
Day 2: Kathmandu Full-day Sightseeing
Highlight: Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar Square.
Today, we will enjoy a full day valley sightseeing in Kathmandu. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the place of the Malla and then the Shah Kings of Nepal, visiting Kumari Temple, house of the virgin goddess, visiting Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), a stupa on the top of hill - from here you can overlook the scenery of Kathmandu, Visiting Patan Durbar Square, the second largest town in the valley, with Krishna Mandir, Golden Temple etc.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Swayambhunath Stupa
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 3: Kathmandu Full-day Sightseeing
Highlight: Visit Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur's Durbar Square.
In the morning, we will take you a glimpse of half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley. Visit the famous Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in Nepal. Then go for a walk to see the huge stupa of Buddha, also known as Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal. Afterward taking a ride to Bhaktapur, a fascinating town, visit Bhaktapur's Durbar Square featuring the Victorian illustrations style with temples and temples complex.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 4: Kathmandu to Paro; Transfer to Thimphu
Highlight: Take the flight to Paro and visit Tschogang Lhakhang in Paro and Tashichho Dzong in Thimphu.
In the early morning after breakfast, you will take the flight from Kathmandu to Paro. During the flight, if the weather is clear, you can have a breathtaking view of the Himalaya Mountains. Your Bhutan local representatives will welcome you at the arrival hall of Paro International Airport. Your local guide and driver will then drive you to your hotel in Thimphu.
On the way, you will first encounter a private temple - Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese.
After arriving at Thimphu, your guide will help you check in the hotel. And you can have a brief rest at your hotel if you need. Later, you will pay a visit to Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.
Stay overnight in Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha
Highlights: Cross the Dochula Pass to Punakha and visit the famous Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.
Today, you will drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. One the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).
After arriving at Punakha, your guide will help you check in the hotel. In the afternoon, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honorable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.
After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will have a 20-minute hike to Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. The monastery is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. It stands on a small round hillock close to the village of Lobesa and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.
Stay overnight in Punakha.
Punakha Dzong
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Punakha to Paro
Highlights: Back to Paro to visit the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong, Ta Dzong and Drukgyel Dzong in Paro.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers. On the way, you will encounter the Simtokha Dzong en route. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.
After arriving at Paro, you will visit Bhutan National Museum - Ta Dzong. The museum houses a large number of valuable collections. A visit to the National Museum will deepen your understanding of this country in a whole and broaden your eyes with numerous pieces of Bhutan treasures.
Next, you will head to explore Paro Rinpung Dzong (also named as Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. However, it now serves as an administration center and school for monks.
Later, driving to the north of Paro valley, it will bring you to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father, and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories. Nowadays, Drukgyel Dzong becomes a popular attraction in Paro, Bhutan.
In the evening, you can freely explore Paro to experience its unique lifestyle here.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Paro Rinpung Dzong
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Trek to Taksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest)
Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery
Today, you will go to enjoy the exciting trek to the Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest. Standing incredibly on the side of a sheer cliff 900m above the Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3210m) is the landmark of Bhutan and also the holiest temple of the country. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava (also known as Guru Rinpoche) had flied here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The temple has therefore become the holy site worshipped by all Bhutanese devotees, and known as one of the world’s top ten temples.
The rest of the day at leisure. You could also take a stroll around the valley to explorer more about the local lifestyle.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Trek to Taktshang Monastery
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Tour Price
Add-on Activities
The general travel itineraries in Bhutan are usually leisure and relaxing. To make the most your time in Bhutan, you can choose to have more activities as you like, such as light hiking around the town or a featured culture experience.
Here we offer you the most popular travel ideas that most of our travelers choose to experience as an add-on activity during their trips in Bhutan. For more available activities or anything you want to add on to your trip in Bhutan, just feel free to contact us.
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Bhutan Hot Stone Bath
The popular Hot Stone Bath, a traditional healing process in Bhutan, is a great experience for you to relax and refresh yourself after one-day hiking or trekking. Different from hot spring, it is a kind of hot water bath offered in a traditional way with a wooden tub and herbs in the water. You can experience it in a local farmhouse or in a resort.
Please notice that you need to pay additional fees for the hot stone bath (usually within 30 minutes).
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Sightseeing Hiking
Even you don't take the trekking tour in Bhutan, you can also experience pleasant hiking on your travel days. Especially during your trips in western and central Bhutan, like in Gangtey, Bumthang, and Trongsa, there are some easy hiking and trekking trails around the town. You can take light hiking for 1 to 2 hours after general daily sightseeing. Just feel free to tell your guide if you are interested in an extra hiking experience.
Generally, you don't need to pay extra money for the hours' hiking.
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Cultural Exploration
Bhutan is a place that rich in culture and handicraft. If you want to experience more local culture and the real life of the locals, you can ask for more activities, such as a visit to a local weekend market, a class of traditional Bhutan archery or traditional weaving in Bhutan. Just feel free to let us know want you are looking for and want to experience during your Bhutan tour, we will help you find the best options to do.
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Farmhouse Homestay
All of our tour packages cover the accommodation from 3-star hotels to 5-star hotels and resorts. But if you want to get closer to the local Bhutanese' life, it is suggested to take one night stay in a farmhouse. It will be an unforgettable experience to eat ordinary food and dishes and live in the typical Bhutanese house just like a Bhutanese does.
Since the accommodation is required to be arranged in advance, if you are keen on a homestay in Bhutan, please tell us as early as possible.
Food and Drinks
For your tour in Bhutan, all the meals are included in the package. And for your stay in Nepal, only the breakfast offered by the hotel is included in the package. This means your lunches and dinners in Nepal are not included in the quote we offer.
You can ask your guide to suggest some good local restaurants for you. If you have any requirements on food, such as vegetarian, please feel free to tell your travel consultant or your local guide. The following are the general food and drinks you can have in an ordinary Nepal Bhutan tour.
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Local Food
Most of your meals are in local restaurants, which offers typicla Nepalese food or Bhutanese food.
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Western Food
Besides the traditional dishes, you can also have western buffet or breakfast in some hotels.
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Water and Drinks
For every day trip, we offer one bottle of water for each tourist. For other soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, you need to pay by yourself.
Bhutan Tour Planning FAQs
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