Splendours of Himalayas: Nepal and Bhutan
Nepal and Bhutan sound like dream formulas for hidden kingdoms of the Himalayas for many adventurers. Both have lot of familiarities. Both are Himalayan countries, land locked landlocked between two of the world’s most populous countries – India and China. Both are small, beautiful and rich in cultural heritage. Both are developing economies where tourism plays a key role. Both are natural beauties with breathtaking landscapes. Considering the similarities, what happens when you combine the both. The result is one magical tour. From the brightly colored fluttering prayer flags of Nepal to the elaborate traditional dress of the Bhutanese, these captivating lands will surely enchant even hardcore of travelers.
Brief description of cities
Kathmandu: Capital and largest municipality of Nepal. Located at a height of 1,400 m. Surrounded by four major hills: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri. Hub of country’s economy.
Nagarkot: Village located about 35 Kms from Kathmandu. Famous for Himalayan views. It lies at an elevation of 2,195 m. Most scenic spot in Bhaktapur district.
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
Punakha and Wangdue: Punakha and Wangdue is located in the same valley. These two places are located within a distance of 13 km. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955 - The valley is fed by the Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu rivers - It is one of very few places in Bhutan which offers Rafting facilities - It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monk body at present.
- Visit Nepal & Bhutan in the same itinerary.
- Temples and Stupas of the Kathmandu valley.
- Visit Tashichhodzong and Punakha Dzong – two of the most impressive dzongs (fortresses)
- First hand experience of Bhutanese way of life and traditional rural villages.
- Untouched Nature and unique Art & Architecture
- Untouched Buddhist Culture.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”
- Beautiful landscapes and spectacular Himalayan scenery.
- The must visit Dochula Pass and the Druk Wangyal Chhortens
Day 1. Arrival in Kathmandu:
After the completion of immigration formalities at the Kathmandu Airport exit door, you will be received by your Nepalese guide. You would be transferred to hotel in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Valley is the political and cultural heart of the Kingdom. The urban sprawl that makes up modern Kathmandu is in fact two cities, Patan and Kathmandu. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals – Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 2. Kathmandu Sightseeing:
Altitude: 1,400 m
After the breakfast, you would be taken on a guided tour of key sightseeing points and visit following places:
- Pashupatinath, place where holy sadhus pray. The Pashupatinath Temple is a famous, sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Pashupatinath and is located on the banks of the Baghmati River 5 Kms North-East of Kathmandu Valley in the eastern city of Kathmandu. This temple is considered one of the most sacred temples for Hindus. The temple serves as the seat of the national deity, Lord Pashupatinath. This temple complex has been on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites's list Since 1979.
- Boudhanath, with its large stupa, is the place where all devout Buddhists come for a pilgrimage.
- Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu Temple), statue of the Hindu god Vishnu, located approximately 10 kilometers from the center of Kathmandu at the base of the Shivapuri Hill, is the largest and most beautiful stone carving in all of Nepal. It is also the most enigmatic. Carved from a single block of black basalt stone of unknown origin, the Budhanilkantha statue is 5 meters in length and it lies in a reclining position inside a recessed tank of water (representing the cosmic sea) that is 13 meters in length.
During the sightseeing you would be taken for lunch in a local restaurant. After the completion of the sightseeing you are driven back to the hotel. Evening free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 3. Kathmandu Sightseeing :
This morning after breakfast you would visit
- Patan (Also known as Lalitpur) the city of beauty is separated from Kathmandu only by the Baghmati River and is the second largest town in the valley. Lalitpur is fragmented from other cities due to its substantive architectural ancient masterpieces. Patan's central Durbar Square is absolutely packed with temples: It’s an architectural center point with a far greater concentration of temples per sq. meter than in Kathmandu or Bhaktapur. Within the city also lies the Tibetan refugee center, home to most of the valley's Tibetan population. While technically refugees, the Tibetans are some of the wealthiest people in the valley because of the carpet industry they operate. For those looking to bring home a fine Tibetan carpet, this is the place to shop. You will then go to
- Swayambhunath the golden spire of the 5th-century. Swayambhu stupa is adorned with a colorful fluttering of prayer flags. It crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu. Swayambhunath is one of the most recognizable symbols in Nepal and the painted eyes of Buddha watch all who ascend the worn stone steps.
- Kathmandu Durbar Square in front of the old royal palace of the former Kathmandu Kingdom is one of three Durbar (royal palace) Squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Several buildings in the Square collapsed due to a major earthquake on 25 April 2015.
- Dakshinkali Temple, one of the most famous and popular Hindu shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali, "The Black One". Scowling and emaciated, with protruding tongue and red eyes, decked with a necklace of skulls, Kali is another form of great goddess Durga. Kali is believed to be extremely powerful and accomplished.
During the sightseeing you would be taken for lunch. After the completion of the sightseeing you are driven back to the hotel. Evening free for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 4. Kathmandu – Nagarkot:
Driving Distance: 35 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs., Altitude of Nagarkot: 2,175 mtrs.
After breakfast drive to Nagarkot. The panoramic view of the major peaks including Mt. Everest can be seen from here. This place is also famous for viewing sunrise and sunset. On the way to Nagarkot at 17 kms stop for
- Bhaktapur, perhaps the least changed of all the cities in the Kathmandu Valley, with a distinct medieval feel. Pottery and weaving are still traditional industries here. Architectural wonders abound, including the Palace of Fifty-Five Windows, Golden Gate and the magnificent five-storied pagoda-style Nyatapola Temple.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Nagarkot.
Day 5. Nagarkot – Kathmandu Airport – Paro – Thimphu:
Nepal - Driving Distance: 35 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 hrs.
Bhutan - Driving Distance: 65 Kms, Driving time: 1.50 – 2 hrs., Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mtrs.
Today after breakfast, you drive straight to the Airport for your onwards journey to Bhutan. Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”. Afterwards drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu (River). Check-In to the hotel and have your first experience with Bhutanese Cuisine. Rest of the day is at leisure. You can explore the Thimphu valley and town or shop till your heart’s content.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 6. Thimphu Sightseeing:
Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu covering key places of interest. After breakfast you would visit
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. - You may choose to light butter lamps and also circumbulate around the Chorten.
Zorig Chusom, Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”.
Folk Heritage, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households
Thereafter, you would be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon you would be taken to
- Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.
- Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
On the completion of sightseeing, you are driven back to your hotel. After relaxing for sometime you shall be served with dinner.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 7. Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue:
Driving Distance: 76 Kms, Driving time: 2.50 – 3 hrs., Altitude of Punakha: 1310 mtrs.
After breakfast you are driven to Punakha/Wangdue, for your second leg of the tour. On the way, after roughly an hour’s drive, you would stop at
- Dochula Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,150 m and is a great place to view the higher Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.
You would drive through curvy, mountainous road, patches of which are being repaired. Owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. The drive from Thimphu to Punakha over Dochula leads from cool heights of Thimphu to balmy, lush landscapes of Punakha. After arrival at Punakha, check in to the hotel. Post lunch, you would visit
- Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. It is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan)
- Chhimi Lhakhang, a famous Temple, which is also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.
Later you are driven back to the Hotel. Evening free for leisure activities.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 8. Punakha/Wangdue – Paro:
Driving Distance: 135 Kms, Driving time: 4.50 – 5 hrs., Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mtrs.
After breakfast, you would check out of the hotel to proceed to Paro for the final leg of the tour. On the way stop at
- Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi, also known as the Rhododendron Garden. It is the first Botanical Garden of Bhutan. It is famous for 46 species of rhododendrons.
Till you reach Thimphu, you would drive through the same route which you took which driving to Punakha. Again owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. Post lunch, you would be taken around to visit
- Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646
- Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
Later you are driven back to the Hotel. Evening is free for leisure activities and shopping around the Paro Town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 9. Paro Sightseeing & Hike to Taktsang:
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic lunch among the woods. Post lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
Later in the day, you would then drive to village house to witness the traditional rural life in a Bhutanese village. Also you have an option of experiencing a Traditional Hot Stone bath in the village house. You can also choose to have your dinner in the house with the Family or also spend your overnight in the village house (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or be driven back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 10. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.