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14 Days Culture and Religion Tour to Nepal and Bhutan
Kathmandu (2N) - Nagarkot (1N) - Chitwan (2N) - Lumbini (1N) - Pokhara (2N) - Kathmandu (1N) - Paro - Thimphu (1N) - Punakha (1N) - Paro (2N)
This 14-day Nepal and Bhutan tour is an interesting cultural discovery journey to the two ancient countries, and offers a now-or-never chance to visit the birthplace of Buddha – Lumbini. From the giant world-known Swayambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu to the holiest Taksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest) aloft Paro valley, you will visit a number of splendid temples, impressive Buddhist architectures, ancient Dzongs or fortresses etc., as you travel across the two lands from Nepal to Bhutan. While the short trip to Lumbini will be the ultimate chance to study Buddhism or take meditation. Besides, this Nepal Bhutan tour will also take you to experience colorful outdoor activities, like viewing stunning sunrise at Nagarkot, enjoying jungle safari in Chitwan, and boating on Phewa Lake.
- Suitable for All Year Round
- Leisure Sightseeing
- Private Tour for One and More
Highlights
- Explore world-heritage sites of Kathmandu valley including Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath etc.
- Experience exciting whitewater rafting on Trishuli River.
- Enjoy daily jungle safari in Royal Chitwan National Park.
- Make the pilgrimage to Buddha's birthplace – Lumbini.
- Take in breathtaking Annapurna panorama while enjoy relaxing boating on Phewa Lake.
- Visit famous Paro Rinpung Dzong, National Museum of Bhutan, Punakha Dzong.
- Admire Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum and Traditional Paper Making Factory etc.
- Hike to the holiest temple of Bhutan, 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.
Visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 6: Chitwan to Lumbini
Highlight: Visit Buddha's birthplace - Lumbini Garden and the Buddhist monasteries inside.
Today, we will move to Lumbini. You will visit the Lumbini Garden, one of the world's most important spiritual sites and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. There are over 25 Buddhist monasteries built by diverse countries from Vietnam to France in this garden. Among them, Mayadevi Temple is the most sacred site where archaeologists have identified the exact spot where Lord Buddha was born.
Stay overnight in Lumbini.
Visit Buddha's birthplace - Lumbini Garden
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Day 10: Kathmandu to Paro; Transfer to Thimphu
Highlight: Visit Paro Rinpung Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang.
Upon your arrival in Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city.
This first landmark in Paro you will visit is the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.
Then go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.
In the evening, we will head to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan and spend the night there.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Kyichu Lhakhang
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 11: Thimphu sightseeing; drive to Punakha
Highlight: Explore Thimphu’s cultural wonders like National Memorial Chorten, National Textile Museum and Traditional Paper Making Factory etc.
Today, it will be a full-day sightseeing tour in Thimphu. You will first visit the National Memorial Chorten, constructed in memorial of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1974. The King was generally regarded as the father of modern Bhutan and widely esteemed by the Bhutanese. Then head to National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms. keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms.
After lunch, you will visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, to see the productive process of Bhutan’s traditional medicine, herbs mostly, and watch the medical practitioner training. Next, go to Traditional Paper Making Factory, which originated from the old tradition in the 8th century, Bhutan papermaking has been well preserved and listed as the valuable national heritage of Bhutanese culture.
Late in the afternoon, we will drive to Punakha from Thimphu.
Stay overnight in Punakha.
Thimphu National Memorial Chorten
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 12: Punakha Sightseeing and drive back to Paro
Highlight: Visit Punakha Dzong, National Museum of Bhutan, and Drukgyel Dzong.
Get up in the morning to visit Punakha Dzong, widely believed to be the most beautiful Bhutanese Dzong, built at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers. Never miss the Punakha festival around mid-Feb if you come at the right time.
After touring Punakha, we are about to drive back to Paro. In the afternoon, we head to the National Museum of Bhutan, which looks like a round watchtower. You can trace back to the ancient Bhutan history and explore the diverse wild lives as well as splendid local culture and arts. Then we drive to visit Drukgyel Dzong, where you can enjoy the enchanting village lying at its foot.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Punakha Dzong tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 13: Trek to Taksang Lhakhang (Tiger’s Nest)
Highlight: Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest.
Today, we will leave for Paro 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.
After the trek, we will head back to Paro.
Stay overnight in Paro.
Tiger’s Nest 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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