Ultimate Guide to Plan a Nepal Bhutan Tour

The two last true kingdoms of the Himalayas, Nepal and Bhutan are two amazing destinations that encompass a wealth of religious and cultural attractions that make them the ideal destinations for an exploring vacation. With similar climates, amazing high mountains, and being two of the most outstanding trekking destinations in the world, a combined trip to Nepal and Bhutan is the journey of a lifetime.

Where are Nepal and Bhutan?

Lying sandwiched between China and India, Nepal is a landlocked country that lies in the western range of the Himalayas in Southeast Asia. The Tibet Autonomous Region of China lies along its northern border, separated by the main peaks of the western Himalayas, while the Indian states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim lies around its other three borders.

Located around 100km to the east of Nepal, Bhutan is a similarly landlocked country, also stuck between China and India. To the north, Tibet lies along the short ragged border on the other side of the southern Himalayas, with the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal and Assam to the west and south, and the disputed area of Arunachal Pradesh to the east.

Travel from Nepal to Bhutan or Bhutan to Nepal

Nepal to Bhutan, the most popular route

Most travelers to Nepal and Bhutan end to start in Nepal, touring around the trekking capital of Asia first, and exploring the exotic city of Kathmandu, before traveling to Bhutan. Nepal is one of only five countries in the world that has direct flights to Bhutan and makes for an ideal primary destination for a combined tour of Nepal and Bhutan. The Kathmandu to Paro flight is also the cheapest flight to Bhutan.

Bhutan to Nepal for those from the countries having direct flights to Paro

For those traveling to Bhutan from one of the other four countries with direct flights, it is sometimes easier to travel direct from to Bhutan first and then tour around the sights of Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha before heading back to Paro for the flight to Nepal for the second leg of the tour.

How many days for a Nepal Bhutan Tour

On average, a 10-12 days trip is normally enough to see the main highlights of the two kingdoms, although if you are planning on doing some trekking in either country, much more time would be needed. Three days is normally enough to visit the main sights of the Kathmandu Valley, including the famous temples and pagodas. More is required if you are planning on traveling to Pokhara, Lumbini, or other places, as travel in Nepal can be somewhat slow by road.

For Bhutan, most short tours average around 5-6 days, to allow you time to travel between the major cities of Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha and get to see the main sites of interest, including the Dzongs and Lhakhangs. While the Kathmandu Valley has most of its major attractions close together, the major cities of Bhutan require time to travel between. 5-6 days is normally enough for a good short tour of the kingdom, unless you want to try out some of this exclusive destination’s amazing trekking trails.

How much does it cost to visit Nepal and Bhutan Together?

The cost of a Nepal Bhutan tour much depends on the cost of the trip in Bhutan, because you have to pay for the stable minimum tariff for your stays in Bhutan. However, there are still some ways to cut down the cost of your trip to Nepal and Bhutan. Also, for luxury tours, there are many high-level services to choose from.

The Minimum Tariff for Bhutan Tour

When traveling to Bhutan, the cost is determined by how long you are staying in the kingdom and what type of hotel accommodation you prefer. Bhutan’s tourism policy requires all travelers to the country to be on an organized tour with a registered travel agency.

There is also a Minimum Daily Package for tourists to Bhutan of USD 250 per day in the peak season and USD 200 per day in the low season. However, while this may appear to be costly, the package deal does include everything you need for the tour, from your hotel and meals to the guide, driver, private vehicle, and all other costs. The only thing you need to pay for is your visa and any personal expenses in Bhutan.

To cut down the price, how to plan a budget tour in Nepal and Bhutan

If you are traveling on a budget, then there are ways to cut down the cost of a tour in Bhutan and Nepal.

For both Nepal and Bhutan, it is better to travel in the low season, as prices are cheaper, as well as the cost of flights. In Nepal, you can arrange cheaper accommodation, find local dishes for food, and take local transport between destinations to cut down on the cost. In Bhutan, the main way to cut down on the cost is to travel in the low seasons, as the Minimum Daily Package applies throughout the year. However, in the low seasons, it is 50 dollars per day less than in the peak seasons. And traveling with a friend or two for a Bhutan group tour can reduce the cost too, as there are supplements to pay for groups of less than three.

There are also high-level luxury tours to enjoy in both Nepal and Bhutan

If you are not a budget traveler and prefer some of the luxuries of life on your vacation, then there are a wide variety of luxury tours of Nepal and Bhutan that can cater to your needs.

Kathmandu has a wealth of four and five-star hotels that have luxury facilities, including pools, spas, and wellness centers, and there are a huge number of tours that can cater to your requirements, providing guided tours of the different regions of the country, as well as providing luxury cars for travel.

In Bhutan, there are also high-level tours that you can book, which can provide you with luxury hotels, high-end restaurants for meals, and a luxury vehicle for your travel needs within the kingdom. The cost of any upgrade to luxury hotels and requirements in Bhutan is added to the Minimum Daily Package amount.

Visa and Permit for a Nepal Bhutan Tour

Nepal Visa on arrival

Getting a visa for Nepal is easy, and can be done when you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. All you need is a valid passport, a passport-sized photo, the completed application form (which can be completed online or at the kiosks in the airport), and the relevant fee. Processing normally only takes an hour.

Bhutan Visa

Getting the Bhutan Visa requires you to be on a pre-arranged tour of the kingdom with a registered travel agency, who will be the ones applying for the visa on your behalf once you have booked and paid for the tour. Once approved, a visa invitation letter is sent to the travel agency, who will forward it to you to book your flights to Paro. When you arrive in Paro, just show the letter to the immigration desk, who will then issue the visa stamp into your passport.

Best Time to Go

Nepal and Bhutan have somewhat similar climates, thanks to the varying altitudes of both countries. Summer in both countries is the monsoon season, and not the best time to travel, as rains can be heavy through June to September. Spring and autumn, from April to May and September to November, are the main seasons for Nepal Bhutan tours, and are when the weather is best. Skies are clear, there is little rain, and while the temperatures may not be hot, as in June and July, they are comfortable enough to make your trip enjoyable. It is possible to travel in winter, though some of the treks will not be available for those that are interested in trekking. However, the weather in lower regions is warm and pleasant, and the low season makes it more cost-effective.

Top Things to Do for a Nepal Bhutan Tour

1. Best Trekking Destinations in the world

Nepal and Bhutan have some of the best treks on the planet and are the best countries in Asia for good high-altitude trekking around the Himalayas. In Nepal, the most popular treks include the Everest Base Camp trek, the Annapurna Circuit Trek, and many others. In Bhutan, there are a wide number of interesting treks through natural forests and landscapes, including the most popular Druk Path trek. You can also try the other treks in Thimphu, head to Punakha and Bumthang for great treks, or even take on the vast 30-day Snowman Trek. The best short trek, though, is the one-day hike up to the Taktshang Monastery, famous as Tiger's Nest, perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley.

2. Buddhist Culture in Nepal and Bhutan

While Bhutan is a devoutly Buddhist country, Nepal is mainly Hindu, with a small percentage of Buddhists. Bhutan has a wealth of Buddhist temples and monasteries to visit, as well as the famous Bhutanese Dzongs, fortresses built to guard the monasteries and the country against foreign invaders from Tibet. Buddhism in Bhutan is Tibetan Buddhism and was brought to the country from Tibet by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century.

Buddhism in Nepal is one of the smaller religions of the country, with Hinduism being the main religion of the people. However, there are still plenty of Buddhist temples and monasteries to visit, and small villages, mostly in the mountains, where Buddhism is the main religion. It is also interesting to know that Hinduism in Nepal has aspects of Tibetan Buddhism entwined within the rituals and practices, in the same way that some aspects of Hinduism have found their way into the local form of Tibetan Buddhism.

3. Rich in Flora and Fauna

While Nepal may be a more commercial trekking destination, this under-developed nation has huge tracts of dense jungles, alpine forests, and wide lush meadows. Similarly, Bhutan is an environmental heaven, with protected forests covering around 70% of the total land area of the kingdom.

Both Nepal and Bhutan are also rich in wildlife, and you can find such rare animals as the clouded leopard, Takin, Himalayan wolves, and Himalayan brown bears across Bhutan. In Nepal, there are elephants, crocodiles, rhinos, and many other animals. Nepal is also one of the few places in Asia left that still has wild Bengal tiger roaming the jungles of the south.

4. Outdoor Activities

Nepal and Bhutan both have excellent landscapes which promote the adventure activities in the countries. In Bhutan, the Bumthang Dzongkhag is the best place for rafting and kayaking, and there are several places where you can try your hand at rock climbing in Paro and Thimphu. There are also hot springs to relax in, and great fishing spots filled with large trout. And for the adventurous, archery, the national sport of Bhutan, can be tried at several centers in Thimphu.

In Nepal, adventure activities are almost as popular as trekking, and for those with a sense of adventure can try their hands at white-water rafting, kayaking, and mountain biking. Nepal also has other adventure sports, including paragliding, canyoning, and zip-lining, as well as being the best destination in Asia for bungee jumping.

5. Local Handicraft

Nepal is not renowned for local handicrafts, but there are some interesting items you can find that are all made locally by artisans around the country. Basket weaving is a popular craft in Nepal, and hand-made baskets can be found in many markets across Nepal. Hand-made paper, ceramics, and block printing of Buddhist and Hindu scriptures are also popular items for tourists.

Bhutan has 13 national arts and crafts that are protected trades in the kingdom, and are promoted within tourism and trade. From painting, sculpting, and woodcarving to masonry, and woodturning, Bhutan has it all. However, the kingdom is well known for its weaving and textiles, which have historically been sought after by Chinese Emperors and rich merchants around Asia. Most textiles are still made by hand on traditional looms, and often decorated with fine silk embroidery, which makes them even more stunning in design.

6. Terrific Tshechus in Bhutan

Bhutan is a huge Buddhist country, and as such, has more than 50 festivals throughout the year. The most popular are the Tsechus, which are religious and social events held in every Dzongkhag in the kingdom once a year. Each Dzongkhag has its own Tsechu, held at a different time to the others, and every month of the year has a Tsechu. Religious rituals commemorate Guru Rinpoche, the saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, as well as being major social events for meeting friends, trade, and business.

Conclusion of Planning a Nepal Bhutan Tour

A trip to Nepal and Bhutan together incorporates the best aspects of both of these last kingdoms in the mighty Himalayas and is the trip of a lifetime. To arrange a multi-country tour to both Nepal and Bhutan, you need to apply for the visa for both Nepal and Bhutan and choose the best time to go to experience the top things to do.

Generally, a Nepal Bhutan tour takes about 10 days and the cost of the trip most depends on the days you stay in Bhutan. You can find some ways to cut down the cost of your trip in Nepal and Bhutan. Also, there are luxury options for you to enjoy.

If you need any help to arrange your lifetime Nepal Bhutan tour, please feel free to contact us, or leave your questions as below.