Adventure Himalayan Travels and Treks welcoming to Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan tour. You will explore more of what these places have to offer you, then our 18-day Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan Sightseeing Tour will do just that. It covers almost everything that you wish to experience when travelling to this part of the world. Your journey begins in Kathmandu with visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city followed by sunset and sunrise views of the Himalayas. Next, drive to Pokhara and visit several natural and cultural heritage sites in this beautiful lake city. Take a flight to Lhasa, Tibet, a place that conjures up images of mystique and myth to any foreigner. In Tibet we tour Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Rongbuk and Zhangme and visit several prominent landmarks of the area including the base camp of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest. We drive to Kathmandu and fly to Paro, Bhutan the next day. On the 14th day we begin our tour of Bhutan with Thimphu. While there we visit the kingdom’s mighty dzongs(fortresses), countless temples and of course, hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery.
Itinerary
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Welcome to Nepal! You will be welcomed by our representatives at the airport and then be transferred to the hotel. After reaching the hotel, we will give briefing about your trip itinerary. If you have any questions or doubts about your trip, they will clarified at this time. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu
After breakfast, we start an interesting tour around Kathmandu city. Escorting by an English speaking guide try to give you a full taste of our culture, heritage and local people. Kathmandu Valley includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Pashupatinath (famous Hindu temple and cremation ground) Boudhanath (massive Buddhist stupa). We can also visit Swyambhunath, known as Monkey Temple, which was built roughly 2000 years ago. Finally, we can visit Patan, city of fine arts. Overnight stay at the hotel.
We will have breakfast early morning today. We drive to Chitwan (200km) from Kathmandu, departing at 7:00 AM, approximately six hours away by private vehicle. En route, we can also visit Manakamana temple by cable car. The temple is located at 1,302 meters of altitude. The deity is one of the manifestations of Hindu Goddess Bhagawati who is believed to have the power to fulfill wishes. After performing worship at Manakamana, we continue the drive to Chitwan. Upon arrival, you can refresh and then visit surroundings like the Sauraha and the Tharu villages nearby. In the evening, we will see a Tharu culture dance show. Overnight stay at hotel.
After having breakfast in the morning, we go for an Elephant-back safari to explore the landscape and wildlife, which includes the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger, among many other wild lives. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours. Our guides will help you identify some species of birds, plants and other wildlife which you may encounter during Jungle Safari. Overnight at hotel in Chitwan
In the morning, we move to Pokhara, a tourist's paradise full of natural beauty such as the lakes, caves, temples, and stupas, along with the panoramic views of the mountains like Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and others. Overnight stay at Pokhara.
Early in the morning, you will drive to Sarangkot to view the sunrise. Sarangkot is one of the best places in Nepal where you can see sunrise and panoramic mountain views. Afterwards, you will drive back to hotel and take breakfast before proceeding to Pokhara City sightseeing tour:
Bindawasini Temple: Bindawasini is one of the most popular temples in Pokhara. The temple is dedicated to goddess Bhagwati, another manifestation of Shakti. Bindawasini is the mother goddess who fulfills the wishes of her devotees. Davi's Fall: Locally known as the Patale Chhango, Davi's Fall (also known as Devin's and David's) is a lovely waterfall lying about two km south-west of the Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway.
Gupteswar Cave: Another cave famous for it's religious importance located in the southern end of the city, Chorepatan. This cave is a sacred and natural cave where there is temple of Lord Shiva. Seti Gorge: Another of Pokhara's natural wonders that unfailingly interests visitors is the Seti River. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond imagination over 20 meters. Mountains Museum: Mountains and Mountaineering have a history of their own. Without preserving it, It will not be long before all the records and evidences will be lost forever. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), established on 1Nov 1973, initiated the establishment of international Mountain Museum(IMM) in Pokhara. The basic objective for its establishment was made to record, document and chronicle the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world in general and to preserve the saga of the momentous feats in the history of mountaineering in the Himalayan peaks in particular. In evening leisure, overnight stay at Hotel.
After breakfast, you will then drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes around five to six hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you can enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. Farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu
After Breakfast drive to kathmandu airport then process the flight to Lhasa. You are welcome the Lhasa, Tibet. Our Guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. This is one of the most spectacular flights in the world as we follow the high mountain peaks before crossing over the Himalayan chain to the high Tibetan Plateau. On arrival at Gongkar Airport we are met and driven by coach to the fabled city of Lhasa, which lies at 3650 metres above sea level.
Guided sightseeing tour of Potala, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, Jokhang, the central cathedral of Tibet, Barkhor, the bustling Lhasa market encircling the Jokhang Temple, the Tibetan Medical Center & Norbulinka Palace. Again, we spend the day learning about the many fascinating sites that Lhasa has to offer. There is never a dull moment throughout our tour. Overnight again in Lhasa.
We drive through Yamdrok, the Turquoise Lake to Gyangtse across Kampa La Pass (5050m) & Karo La (5045m) Pass. We drive a total distance of 350km today. Upon arriving at Gyangtse, we visit Kubum Stupa & Pelkor Chode Monastery
The drive to Shigatse is roughly 90km. En route, we visit Shalu Monastery. When we arrive to Shigatse, we'll visit Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of Panchen Lama who is the 2nd in the Buddhist religious hierachy. If we have more time, we wander around Shigatse Market. Overnight in Shigatse
We leave early in the morning from the hotel, branching off onto a small road that leads to Everest Base Camp. The day will be quite long (approximately six to seven hours driving), but extremely rewarding. The initial part of the journey involves climbs in a series of zigzags to the top of the Pang-la Pass (5150m), where we stop to take photos of Mount Everest before descending to the Rombuk Valley. We continue to the famous Rombuk Monastery and then on to the Base Camp itself, situated at 5150 metres above sea level. The views of Everest from here are sensational with the towering North Face dominating the horizon. This is certainly a major highlight on our incredible journey. Over night hotel
Today we travel for 225 kilometres, taking between seven to eight hours. From the hotel we pass through a check-post and continue to Tingri, where we enjoy more views of the world’s highest peaks, including the 8000-metre giants: Everest and Cho Oyu. From Tingri the road ascends to reach the Lalung-la (5050 metres), where the scenery is again fantastic. The panorama also includes the 8000-metre-high Xixapangma. From the top of the pass we descend nearly 3000 metres to the small town of kerung, As you near the border, the road is cut into the cliffs high above the valley floor. If you don’t like heights, sit on the left-hand side of the vehicle! Overnight in Kerung.
Today, after finalising departure formalities, you exit from China and enter Nepal. Descending steeply down the zigzag road, you reach the Nepalese immigration and customs at Tatopani. During the monsoon season there may be landslides, which may cause sections of the road near the border to be closed. Should this be the case, porters then carry our luggage as we walk across the border to our Nepalese vehicle. It is then a 4½-hour drive back to Kathmandu, where we return to our hotel. Celebratory dinner in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities. After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide. Overnight at your hotel in Thimph
Today’s half day of sightseeing in Thimphu and other half in Punakhara valley includes visits to:
* Folk Heritage Museum: a restored mid-19th century house which gives one insight into the average household & lifestyle in the region during that era. The house replicates a traditional farmhouse and is furnished as it would have been about a century ago.
* Takin Preservation Center: Visit Takin Preservation Center where Bhutan’s National Animal is being preserved.
* Changangkha lhakhang founded in the 13th century by one of the most revered saint of the drukpa kadgued tradition, Lama Phajo Dugom. It is a focus of daily worship for many local residents.
* Traditional paper factory for wide range of Bhutanese papers. After Lunch drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. After that drive to Punakha.
Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’ as predicted by the great Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here on 17th December 1907, Bhutan’s first king was crowned. After Lunch drive to Paro. Overnight at your hotel in paro.
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to cafeteria). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments before returning to Paro for lunch. In the afternoon drive to the ruins of the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Kyichu is built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa. Inside there is a great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni. Alternatively, day 7 could be spent on a day trip to the Haa Valley, one of the most picturesque districts in Bhutan. Reached via the beautiful Chelila Pass, Haa Valley is characterised by its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
Breakfast in the hotel and then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.
This itinerary is not suited for you? Plan your own trip.