Nepal and Bhutan Tour - 11 days

Namaste and welcome to Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, the Nepal Kameleon Holidays representative receives and transfers you to the hotel. After a short refreshment, we briefly explain to you the following day's itinerary. Overnight at hotel. (A)

Breakfast at the hotel. Then we set out for the sightseeing tour in Kathmandu, exploring some of the unique monumental sites that are enlisted in the World Heritage Sites UNESCO.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

The temple is located at the top of the hill in Kathmandu, which is a 5th-century religious significant site. It is regarded as a self-sprung monumental site. For the Buddhist pilgrimage trip or tour in Nepal, Swayambhunath stupa remains the first selection in the Kathmandu valley. One of the UNESCO monumental sites, Swayambhunath is also popular as the monkey temple, having uncountable monkeys. Newari Buddhism is one of the major features here, which is known as Vajrayana. The eyes of Buddha represent wisdom and compassion. Climbing the steps up the hilltop is believed to be the ladder to lead you to the state of enlightenment.

Pashupatinath Temple

The temple is one of the most sacred and popular pilgrimage destinations for the Hindu devotees around the world. It is located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River, about 5 km distance from the east of the valley. It is listed as a UNESCO site and travelers love to explore the 15th-century arts and architecture around the area of the temple. It has got wonderful pyramid-shaped temples, extensive cultural heritages, Ashrams for the old people and Sadhus along with remarkable inscriptions. It becomes very special during the Shivaratri festival and nearly one million people visit the Pashupatinath temple.

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is located about 10 km east of Kathmandu and is antique and a huge mandala. The stupa is one of the biggest among this type. The surrounding of this stupa is dominated by Tibetan refugee settlements. One of the prominent World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu valley, Boudhanath is a highly adored tour and pilgrimage destination. Buddhist monks and devotees can be seen to be doing a religious way of paying homage around different corners of the Stupa within.

In the morning, fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara (30 minutes) and start the tour right from the airport. Pokhara has many sites to see including caves, Lakes, and the view of the majestic Himalayan peaks. David Falls, Gupteshor Cave, International Mountaineering Museum, World Peace Stupa, and Phewa Lake. Then check-in at the hotel. Well, walking around the Lakeside in the evening is a different level of experience. Overnight at the hotel. 

Drive early morning to Sarangkot, which is about 30-minute drive. Sarangkot is the best viewpoint of the entire Himalayan range of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. Exploring this gigantic scenery, drive back to the hotel, have breakfast, and drive to the airport. It's another 30-minute flight to Kathmandu.

Landing at Kathmandu, drive directly to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a medieval town with an abundant number of attractions: pagoda style temples, museum, stone and wooden sculptures, ponds, pottery square, and many more. This is also a great place to have lunch. From Bhaktapur, drive back to Patan Durbar Square, which is also known as the city of arts. It has Krishna Temple, Golden temple, square, museum, olden taps, and many more attractions. After the tour, drive back to the hotel and take rest. Overnight at the hotel. 

Welcome to Pharping and Dakshinkali Tour. These are world-renowned Guru Rinpoche meditation sites close to the Kathmandu valley. You will get to know about the life of Guru Rinpoche and his journey to enlightenment along with the challenges he faced. Similarly, the story of Princess Mandarava is interesting. After the tour, drive back to the hotel. Then prepare for the Bhutan trip. Overnight at the hotel.

On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the center of Government, religion, and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With a population of about 90,000, it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

In the heart of Thimphu, a mere 5 km drive from the bustling core town, lies a sanctuary that unfolds the mystique of Bhutan's national animal—the Takin. Perched on a hilltop, overlooking the serene Thimphu valley, the Motithang Takin Preserve beckons visitors into a realm where nature and wildlife dance in harmony.

Afterwards, visit  Buddha Point (KuenselPhodrang). Located a short drive from Thimphu city center, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu Valley from Buddha Point (KuenselPhodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty JigmeDorjiWangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. 

Later visit to Trashichhoedzong: This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot and central monk body.

After breakfast at the hotel, Drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

After checking into the hotel, proceed to visit PunakhaDzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955; and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.

Later in the day excursion to ChimiLhakhang (from the hotel it is about a 15-minute drive to the motorable road and then the walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is a total of about 1½ hours walk, including both ways). The ChimiLhakhang, situated on a hillock in the center of the valley, is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and want one, if they pray at this temple, are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers

The evening can be spent exploring Punakha village located right on the bank of the river. 
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Paro along scenic highway, enroute visit SimtokhaDzong, the oldest fortress of the country built in 1627 which now houses the School for Buddhist studies. 

On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. After lunch, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons &armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Ta Dzong visit immediately followed by a short walk down the trail to visit RinpungDzong (ParoDzong), meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours walk):  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.

Evening, visit the 7th century KyichuLhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
 Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.

We will drop you at the airport for your final departure. Please note that we have Chitwan Jungle Safari, Nagarkot, Bandipur, Maratika Cave, Yarinak Cave, and many more destinations, for which you need more time. If you would like to customize, you can let us know.