Nepal Bhutan Cultural Tour
9 Days
Per Person
Overview
This dual package to the Himalayan countries Nepal & Bhutan is a perfect package to explore the mysterious land, several heritage sites, and Bhutan being the unspoiled kingdom of thunder dragon.
The rewards you get to experience this trek is exploring the unique culture and traditions, typical lifestyles of people of these countries inclusive of the beautiful surrounding views of the Himalayas. This is an easy journey applicable to every individual and can be done with family members, children, and even the elderly people having sound health.
Nepal is one of the best destination to observe several mystical heritage sites. The Pashupatinath temple is one of the sacred sites for Hindus. Another heritage site is the Swayambhunath temple (also known as monkey temple both worshiped by Hindus and Buddhists).
The next is the Boudhanath stupa. It is the hotspot for travelers and is one of the biggest stupas in South Asia. The Kathmandu Durbar Square is an ancient palace where the early rulers used for ruling the country. We will be also be visiting Patan Durbar Square which is one of the ancient square beautifully constructed with prehistoric arts, architecture and sideways, visit few temples. Next will explore another ancient city – Bhaktapur. From here, we drive to hill station Nagarkot to relish the sunrise and sunset views with several Himalayan mountains.
As in Bhutan, you get the stunning views of the sacred peaks like Mount Chomolhari and Jichu Drake during your flight. As we reach Paro, we will explore Paro city by visiting several monasteries like Kichulhankhang (the oldest temple constructed in 1646) and then visit Dzongs (fortresses) and hike to the famous monastery known as Taktsang monastery. It is also known as Tiger Nest Monastery located at the edge of a high cliff at 900 meters. And from here, we hike to Wangditse Gompa and then head to Thimpu (capital of Bhutan). Here we will be visiting several temples, nunnery temples, museums, and then head to explore Punakha. Then we retrace back to Paro and explore Paro city.
Finally, we fly back to Kathmandu to continue exploring Kathmandu city. This combo package can be done in every season but the preferable time would be in spring and fall as the weather will be perfect. The itinerary is designed for 9 days to cover this Himalayan country in a singular package. For further details, please feel free to contact or email us.
Here we list our detailed itinerary for Nepal Bhutan Cultural Tour:
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu international airport, an Accent Himalaya Company representative will greet you and take us to the hotel. Reaching at the hotel you can take rest or you can also visit the Accent Himalaya office which is close to Thamel area where you can stroll around the Thamel area. In evening the Accent Himalaya Company will be hosting a welcome dinner in the excellent Nepali restaurants which serves you lip –smacking Nepali cuisine which will be the first introduction of the typical Nepali food culture. We will spend our night in Kathmandu.
- Meal: Welcome Dinner
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath and Bauddhanath
On the second day after the breakfast we will start sightseeing Kathmandu city by exploring some of the landmarks of city by visiting several UNESCO world heritage sites. We began firstly with the ancient palaces named Kathmandu Durbar square which showcases ancient arts and architecture. The palace and surrounding the square with temples are slightly been destructed by the massive earthquake occur in 25th April 2015 and slowly this square has been renovating. Next we will exploring is Swambhunath temple which is famous for the tourist known as monkey temple. Next will be Pashuapatinath temple which is the most known sacred Hindu temple also where far away from the Indian devotees comes to worship this Hindu temple. Next will be Boudhanath stupa which is the leading and the largest stupa in the whole world.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 03: Fly to Paro (2,250m/7,382ft): 1 hour flight, city sightseeing
During your flight near Bhutan you will be savoring astonishing view of the Himalayas as well as sacred peak Jomolhari and the Jichu Drake peak. Reaching at the airport our representative will welcome us and take us to the hotel. After having the lunch we will be visiting the Ringpung Dzong which means the – Fortress of heap of Jewels after that we will be visiting Kichu Lhangkhang temple ancient temple of Bhutan. After that we will head to Bhutan victory fort named Drugyal Dzong which was constructed in 1646 and if the weather is clear we will get to perceive the second highest mountain Chomolhari which is at 7314 meter. We will spend our night in Paro.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 04: Paro to Thimphu (2,320m/7,610ft): 54 km, 1 hour drive: Hike to Taktsang Monastery
Today after breakfast we will be hiking to the eminent monastery of Bhutan named Taktsang monastery which is located at 3180 meter. The spiritual Buddhism master Guru RImpoche had flown on the back of the tiger back to meditate into the cave which now stands as Taktsang monastery also called as tiger nest monastery. As our lunch will be served at the restaurants which is located at the halfway up to the mountain. After exploring monastery in depth we will then retrace back to valley of Paro and then we take a drive to Thimpu. We will spend our night in Thimpu.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 05: Hike to WangditseGompa followed by sightseeing in Thimphu
Today morning we take a drive to BBS tower and from here we will be hiking at least 1 hour to reach at Wangditse Gompa through a smooth plain trail with the striking view of Tashicho Dzong and even the Samtenling palace can be seen from this Gompa and this palace was the abode of fourth king. After exploring gompa we will retrace back to Thimpu by visiting some of the sites on the way. Firstly we will stop to visit the mini zoo and then we will have our lunch and after that we will be visiting memorial chorten, national library, nunnery temple, traditional medicine institute, textile museum, paper factory and Tashi cho Dzong. In the evening we will stroll in stets of Thimpu and observe the local people and their lifestyles. We will spend our night in Thimpu.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 06: Thimphu to Punakha (1,250m/4,100ft): 76 km, 2 - 3 hours’ drive: Hike to Lungchutse Monastery
Today after the breakfast we will drive to Dochula pass which is at 3100 meter and if the weather is flawless we will get outstanding view of the Himalayas. After that we will be hiking for 2 hours to Lungchutse monastery as our trials we will be passing dense rhododendron forests with colorful Buddhist flags hanging over the trees plus we will get unbelievable view of valley. After that we continue our hike retracing back to Dochu La pass and after the lunch we will drive downhill via rhododendron, hemlock and fir forests. Then we will stop at Metshina village and we will be walking for a while to rice fields and then we will stop at Chimi Lhangkhang and explore this Lhangkhang means temple. We will spend our night in Punakha.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 07: Punakha to Paro: 130 km, 4 hours’ drive: Hike to KhamsumYulleyNamgyalChorten
Today at beginning we will drive to Punakha and start our hike for 2 hours to Khamsum Yulley namgyal chorten this chorten is situated at the exquisite hillock named Ngezergang which elaborate exclusive paintings and continue our hike to Punakha and on the way we will be visiting Punakha Dzong the second ancient and the second largest Dzong of Bhutan which was constructed in 1637. Afternoon we will drive to Paro and we will be spending our night in Paro.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 08: Fly to Kathmandu, sightseeing in Patan and Bhaktapur and sunset views from Nagarkot (2195m/7,201ft), 35 minutes’ drive from Bhaktapur
Today we take a flight to Kathmandu enjoying great view of the Himalayas and at the airport our representative of the Accent Himalaya will drive you to the hotel. Then you can freshen up and later we will sightseeing some of the UNESCO world heritage sites which are Patan Durbar Square which displays ancient arts and architectures. Next we will be visiting Bhaktapur city by exploring several sites like Nyata pola temple, water spouts, golden gate and 5 window palace. Next we take a drive to Nagarkot a small village well-known for sunrise and sunset view and here we will be enjoying sunset view with the Himalayas. We will spend our night in Nagarkot.
- Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 09: Final departure
Today our journey to Nepal and Bhutan tour finally comes to an end and today you can visit some of the souvenir shops and do some shopping to your loved ones. Our representative of the Accent Himalaya will be dropping you at the airport three hours earlier than your flight schedule.
- Meal: Breakfast
