nepal & bhutan - 12 days

Bhutan hotel trip - Bhutan Breakaway 7 days Tour Information
Starts: Kathmandu
Ends: Kathmandu
Prices and Departure: Click Here
Breakfast: 8, Lunch: 5 Dinner: 6
Hotel rating: 3 Kathmandu, basic 2 - 3 Bhutan
Tour leader: Yes
Flights: Includes return flight Kathmandu – Bhutan
Entrance fees Included: Yes

Day 1: Kathmandu
Welcome to Nepal and the start of your holiday! Pick up and complete a landing card on the plane or in the airport before you go through customs. Upon arrival you will be met by an On The Go/Sherpa Society representative and transferred to your hotel where you will receive a welcome drink and a briefing about your trip. Overnight – Kathmandu

Day 2: Pashupatinath temple
Kathmandu – breakfast. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in the Kathmandu Valley. Our first port of call is Swayambhunath - believed to be 25 centuries old it is one of the world’s oldest Buddhist Chaityas and a World Heritage site. It is a sacred shrine and worshipped by all the Buddhists around the world - The panoramic view of Kathmandu valley from the hill top is very interesting – From Swayambhunath we drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square - the Royal Palace complex built during the 17th century. The Square consists of ancient palaces, temples shrines and statues noted for their exquisite carving. We may also visit the special living Goddess “Kumari”. Many local festivals take place in this area, you may be lucky enough to witness one! After lunch drive to Pashupatinath, on the banks of The Bagmati River. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines and is also a World Heritage site. See the richly ornamental pagoda houses and the sacred linga, or phallic symbol, of Lord Shiva here. Chronicles indicate the temple’s existed prior to 400 AD. Devotees can be seen taking ritual dips in the holy Bagmati River flowing beside the temple, and you may see a Hindu cremation by the river. After exploring the area drive northeast to Bodhnath stupa, another World Heritage site. You can see many artistic monasteries here which provide an excellent insight into Tibetan culture. In the evening, Buddhists walk around the stupa with prayer wheels, praying, or prostrating as they pray to Buddha. Many butter lamps provide a unique feeling of Nirvana. We drive back to the hotel to freshen up. In the evening enjoy an authentic Nepali meal with unique cultural dances depicting the various religions of Nepal at a typical Nepali restaurant. Dinner & overnight – Kathmandu

Day 3: Paro
Kathmandu – Paro - breakfast. This morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Bhutan. Upon arrival at Bhutan/Paro airport you will be met by our local representative and transfered to your hotel. Check in to the hotel and freshen up. After lunch, enjoy a visit to the Paro Rinpung Dzong “the Fort of the heap of Jewels” which houses the Paro Monastic body, Paro District Civil Administration and the Paro District Court. A smaller Dzong was first built sometime in the 15th century and rebuilt by the Shabdrung in 1645. It caught fire in 1905 but was immediately rebuilt to its original splendor by the Paro Penlop Dawa Penjor. On way back to the hotel visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 638 AD under the order of the Tibetan King Songtsengampo, it is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Paro

Day 4: Thimphu
Paro - Thimphu - breakfast. After an early breakfast, drive for approx 1.5 hours to Thimphu, capital of Bhutan. Thimphu is one of the fastest growing cities in the world, located in a narrower valley than Paro and more crowded. It is a modern city but still preserves traditional architecture and traditions. Check into your hotel where you can freshen up and have lunch. This afternoon visit the Memorial Chorten built in memory of Late His Majesty, the 3rd King of Bhutan. Also visit a handmade paper unit. Bhutan boasts of some of the best handmade papers in the world. The Handicrafts Emporium is yet another interesting place to visit, where you will fine an excellent variety of well woven Bhutanese textiles. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the Thimphu market. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Thimphu

Day 5: Punakha
Thimphu - Punakha - breakfast. After breakfast walk around Thimphu city and then drive on to Punakha. Stop for lunch at Docho la, where if the weather permits you’ll be treated to an incredible panoramic view of the Bhutanese Himalayas. Punakha is a 2.5 hour drive from Thimphu. After crossing Docho la the vegetation changes from predominantly Blue Pine forest to a greater variety of plants and trees. In spring, it is colorful with all the Rhododendrons and Magnolias in bloom. Upon arrival in Punakha check into hotel, refresh and then drive up the valley to visit the Dzong in all its splendor. Punakha Dzong was built by the Shabdrung (1616- 1651) with extensions added later by Desis and Je Khempos. The Dzong was destroyed several times by fire and floods and restored immediately there after. The most recent restoration being by His Majesty the 4th King of Bhutan, is the biggest of them all, it is a work of admiration and wonder. This evening if time permits, there is the option to visit the Khamsum Yueley Lhakhang built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Punakha

Day 6: Chimi Lhakhang
Punakha - Chimi Lhakhang - Paro - breakfast. After an early breakfast visit Wangde Dzong en route to Chimi Lhakhang. A beautiful temple standing all alone on a small hill overlooking the Puna Tshangchu river belt, Chimi Lhakhang is the Holy place of Lama Drukpa Kuenley, also known as Divine Mad man. The temple is very sacred for the Bhutanese and thousands of people who visit Chimi Lhakhang do so to pray for children - either people with no children seeking fertility or those who have children, seek protection for them. There are many people in Bhutan, and indeed in other parts of the world, who will vouch that their prayers have been answered! Return to your hotel for lunch before driving back to Paro. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Paro

Day 7: Paro
Paro – breakfast. After breakfast, tour Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built between 1656-1667 and now houses the National Museum. The Museum is considered one of the best of its kind in Asia. It boasts an exhaustive collection of Bhutanese Textiles, Armoury, Earth & Stone Wares, Buddhist Scriptures and Manuscripts. After lunch visit a local farm house and Paro market. Enjoy evening tea with a Bhutanese family in the farm house. Lunch, dinner and overnight - Paro

Day 8 & 9: Kathmandu
Paro - Kathmandu – breakfast (2). On day 8 fly back to Kathmandu where you will be transfered to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day and day 9 at leisure, exploring the city. Everest Scenic Flight Bolt on - there is an option to take a breathtaking hour long scenic flight over the majestic Himalayan mountains in Nepal on day 9 or 11. Reaching some 5500m to 8850m in height, no other country can rival Nepal’s concentration of towering peaks. On the hour long flight soak up the views of a seeming endless chain of snow capped peaks, as you fly above the clouds, over glaciers and lakes, rivers, gorges and enjoy spectacular views of Everest - the world’s highest mountain. For further details of the Everest Scenic Flight Bolt-On visit our website or contact us. Overnight (2) - Kathmandu

Day 10: Bhaktapur
Kathmandu – breakfast. Today visit Bhaktapur and enjoy a guided tour of the Durbar square, ancient Royal Palace and the local town, which is very cultural and traditional. Overnight - Kathmandu

Day 11 & 12: Kathmandu
Kathmandu – breakfast. Spend day 11 at leisure, it’s perfect time for some last minute souvenir shopping! On day 12 check out of your hotel after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home.

The snow-capped mountains, time-worn temples and the Buddhist stupas of Nepal and Tibet never fail to inspire and fire the imagination. For hundreds of years the Tibetan plateau was isolated from the rest of the world and shrouded in mystery, now it is open to visitors and ripe for exploration! Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan are enchanting and spiritual destinations, draped along the spine of the majestic Himalayas, which boast eight of the ten highest mountains in the world, providing some of the best trekking on earth and scenery so breathtaking it’s unrivalled. We offer group based trekking trips and hotel tours to Nepal, Himalayas and Bhutan. We also offer tailor-made holidays to Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan - either on a private group basis or as individual holidays.