Discover Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan, three Himalayan countries packed with rich culture, history, and natural beauty within two weeks. Strolling through Kathmandu’s Durbar Squares and Stupas, exploring Lhasa’s Potala Palace, hiking the stunning Tiger’s Nest Temple ‘Paro Taktsang Monastery’, experiencing exciting Himalayan flights, and enjoying the traditional local meals are the perfect recipes of this Luxury Trips Nepal Tibet Bhutan.
It is a panoramic thrill flying into Kathmandu on a clear day. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, beginning a whole chain of memorable experiences that stay with you for a long, long time. A representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The representative will help you check into your designated hotel. At the hotel, you will be briefed about your daily activities.
After an early breakfast, you are ready to do a sightseeing tour in 4 major places in Kathmandu – Swoyambhunath (Monkey temple), Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu durbar squire and drive to Nagarkot (1.5 hours driving)
We begin today’s sightseeing tour with a visit to Swoyambhunath a 2500-year-old site where, it is believed, the Radiant Lotus of the valley mythology, settled when the water was drained by Manjushri, the god of Wisdom. The 5 Dhyani Buddhas attended by their consorts are enshrined at the base of the stupa. (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside Swayambhunath temple) then continues to tour into Boudhanath which is the world’s largest Buddhist stupa and of Tibetan Buddhist Culture in Nepal. Antique shops where you can buy things of your interest relating to Buddhism surrounded the monastery. After Boudhanath, your next spot is The Pashupatinath temple stands along the side of the Bagmati River. It is the holiest Temple for Hindus. Many people from different parts of the world visit this temple every year and during the Shiva Ratri, hundreds of thousands of devotees and Sadhus come to attend. The last site of this day is Kathmandu Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient Royal residential quarter, Mahadev Parvati Temple, Temple house of Kumari (Living Goddess) around this Durbar Square.
Later in the afternoon, we take about a 35 KM drive to Nagarkot Hill Station. Enjoy the sunset view and stay overnight at the warm hotel at Chill Nagarkot.
Note: We take you to Nagarkot because it helps you to acclimatize well before you fly to Lhasa at the elevation of 3640m above sea level.
After having a sunrise view from Nagarkot, take breakfast and start hiking to Dhulikhel. A glut of cultural diversities, traditional practices, and lush vegetation. Nagarkot Dhulikhel hiking trail is well-trodden with amazing views including mountains. Dhulikhel is a small town of the Newar ethnic group with a long history, accordingly to the records it has been around for more than 500 years and the artistic skill and urban ethos of its Newari inhabitants have created a place of Charm.
If you would like to skip the hike, you will drive to Dhulikhel via Panauti.
Overnight at Dhulikhel with amazing sunset and sunrise view in the morning before we proceed to the Kathmandu valley.
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kathmandu valley including sightseeing of Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is home to a unique culture and the finest display of craftsmanship. It is said that Bhaktapur only places in Nepal which is remained untouched by Western Culture. Golden Gate, Lion Gate, Art Gallery, Nyatapola Temple, Statue of King Bhupindra, and fifty-five-windowed Malla Palace are the pride of Bhaktapur.
After Lunch, we take you to Patan Durbar Square to explore Patan Durbar, Krishna Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Golden Temple and etc. You feel like Patan has been exposed before you as an open museum presenting stunning carved windows, intrinsic roof struts, statues of gods and goddesses, temples designed in Pagoda Style with erotic carvings and metalwork faces, and many other beautiful facets. Additionally, you will also get to see the handicraft center in Patan.
After the sightseeing, drive to the hotel. As soon as you reach the hotel, the paper works including the Tibet Group Visa (TGV) will be ready and our manager will explain your trip to Lhasa, Tibet.
Morning you will fly for about an hour over the panoramic Himalayan Ranges to the capital of Tibet. “Lhasa”. Lhasa at an altitude of 3,650 Mt. is situated on the north bank of the Kyichu River. Lhasa in Tibetan means “Place of the Gods”, the residence of the Dalai Lama., on arrival you will be met by the local representative and transferred to your respective hotel. (60km/hr). Full rest in the afternoon to acclimatize. Overnight at the hotel in Lhasa.
After breakfast, proceed for a full day sightseeing of at Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. Potala Palace, this legendary palace built atop a single hill is synonymous with Tibet by the first foremost king Songtsen Gompa. Jokhang Temple, situated in the heart of Old Lhasa, it houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift by the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Barkhor Market place, which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa. After Sightseeing, you will be transferred to the hotel.
After breakfast, full-day sightseeing of Sera Monastery, and Drepung Monastery. Sera Monastery, 5 Km north of Lhasa, Sera setting is one of Lhasa’s prettiest monasteries. Once a community of more than 5,000 monks resided here and was virtually extinguished by the Chinese. Some free time for shopping or your own activities.
Transfer to the airport to connect the flight to Kathmandu. We will have a free day in Kathmandu. Walk and shop around. Our representative will brief you on the Bhutan tour.
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalayan Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake Peaks in Bhutan. On arrival, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
If time permits in the afternoon you can visit these places:
–Kyichu Lhakhang
–Paro Dzong
There are a good many things to see in the capital which has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small having a population of approximately 45,000 people and the streets are wide and tree-lined. You will almost certainly visit the Late King’s Memorial Chorten, the National Library, Drubthob Nunnery, the Folk Heritage Museum, the handmade paper factory, and the school of arts and crafts where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts (Zo Rig Chusum – the thirteen crafts), Gold and the Silver Smiths workshop, Zangtopelri Lhakhang, and the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centers to see the weavers at work and also varieties of textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, jewelry, etc. Stay overnight.
Afternoon you can also visit Thimpu Dzong which is the administrative headquarter of Bhutan. Late afternoon drive to Paro for an overnight stay.
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint of the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch, you can visit other important sites which you could not complete on previous days.
After lunch, a tour of Bhutan’s national museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armor to textiles and thangka paintings. Then, we drive to the head of the valley and visit Drukgyel Dzong built in a location that was chosen for its control over the route to Tibet. A spectacular view of Mount. Jumolhari (23,996ft /7314m) can be seen from here. Also, visit Rinpung Dzong and a typical Bhutanese farmhouse.
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport to connect the flight to the onward destination. You can fly from Paro to Kathmandu, Delhi, Kolkotta, Bangkok, Dhaka, Singapore and etc.