Nepal Bhutan Tour

Day 1: Arrive in Nepal: Kathmandu Airport – Your hotel in Thamel!

00.00pm: Arrive at Kathmandu Airport.

00.00pm: Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel.

00.00pm: Check in. Rest & Relax. Free & easy after check in.

Day 2: Nepal to Bhutan to Thimphu - International Flight from Nepal to Bhutan using Drukair!

Highlights: Arrive in Bhutan. Evening visit to Big Buddha Point

00.00am: Check out hotel. Pick up from your hotel in Kathmandu, and transfer to airport to catch your flight to Bhutan. NOTE: We will use Druk Airways for the flight from Nepal to Bhutan. The Druk Airways flight to Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in the world. You will experience breathtaking views of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari, and other Himalayan peaks. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from the southeast, each flight is a mesmerizing aeronautical feat and offers an exciting descent into the Kingdom.

00.00am: Check in airport.

00.00am: Catch your flight to Bhutan.

00.00am: Arrive in Bhutan Airport.

00.00am: Pick up and transfer to hotel in Thimphu (1.5 hours drive)

00.00pm: Check into your hotel. After lunch and refreshment, we will visit Big Buddha in the evening.

1. Kuenselphodrang (commonly known as Big Buddha Point) where the largest Buddha statue in the country is perched on the hillock overlooking the Thimphu Valley. You can also enjoy a 20-30 minutes nature hike through Kuensel Phodrang Nature park and enjoy the magnificent view of Thimphu Valley and mountain peaks.

06.30pm Back at hotel. Dinner at hotel. Tour ends.

Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing Tour!

Highlights: Thimphu Sightseeing Tours!

08.00am: Breakfast at hotel.

09.00am: After breakfast, daily tour begins. Visit:

1. National Textile Museum – a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition. This museum has a fine collection of old textiles which are rich in colours and designs. You will also see weavers creating their wares with intricate designs.
2. Bhutan Post Office Headquarters to get personalized Bhutanese postage stamps with your photo on them. You can bring along your favourite photo to put on the stamps and put these stamps on your postcard to send to your family and friends.
3. School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
4. Tashichho Dzong – a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into its present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.
5. Craft Bazaar – A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft products. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. 
6. National Textile Museum – a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition. This museum has a fine collection of old textiles which are rich in colours and designs. You will also see weavers creating their wares with intricate designs.
7. Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originating in the 8th century of Bhutanese history. The handmade paper constitutes a valuable National heritage of the Bhutanese cultural identity, and is preserved through all the ages. The traditional paper is recognised and held in high esteem by both locals and the outside world. Jungshi Paper Factory was established in November 1990 as an undertaking of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The unit now touts being a major and sole dealer in handmade paper and its products.
8. Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts are sold at the market, which runs from Friday afternoon till Sunday evening. A visit to the market provides great photo opportunities, as well as the chance to mingle with local people.
9. Archery Match (National Game of Bhutan) at Changlimithang National Stadium.
10. Takin, National Animal of Bhutan Preservation Center
11. Memorial Stupa – This large Tibetan-style chorten is one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese it is the focus of their daily worship. It was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–72). It is especially tranquil in the early morning, as elderly people shuffle in and spruced-up kids on their way to school whiz in and out to pay homage.

NOTE: Thimphu sightseeing points will depend on your interests and please seek the advise of your tour guide. We will not be able to visit all of the attractions listed above.

06.00pm: Back to hotel. Dinner at hotel. Free & Easy.

Day 4: Thimphu to Punakha

Highlights: Dochula Pass (3100m) + Punakha Dzong

06.30am: Breakfast at hotel.

07.30am: Check out from the hotel and drive to Punakha.

11.00am: Arrive in Punakha via Dochula Pass (3100m). Check in hotel.

Description: The Dochula Pass is a mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas within Bhutan on the road from Thimpu to Punakha. It has 108 memorial chortens or stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens” that were built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. Apart from the chortens there is a monastery called the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo (head of the state of Bhutan), Jigme Singye Wangchuck; the open grounds in its front yard is a venue for the annual Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival. The pass with 108 memorial chortens is adjacent to the country’s first Royal Botanical Park.

12.00pm: Start your daily sightseeing. NOTE: Lunch en route. Dinner will depend upon your sight seeing time. We will visit: 

• Punakha Dzong – The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong (meaning very awesome dzong) “the palace of great happiness or bliss”, is the administrative centre of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. Constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, 1st Zhabdrung Rinpoche, in 1637–38, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. The dzong houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the terton Pema Lingpa.

07.00pm: Back to hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Note: Dinner can be had outside, it will depend upon your sightseeing time. Rest and Relax after dinner.

Day 5: Punakha : Sightseeing at Punakha

Highlights: Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten + Punakha Town

08.00am: Breakfast at hotel. Today we will visit:

• Beautiful nunnery built on the hill top of Walakha. Join the nuns for morning prayers and later on drive further north of Punakha to visit one of the beautiful Stupa or Temple built on ridge near the Punakha river known as Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. It will take approximately 30 minutes to reach from town. The nunnery was built in honour for the then Crown Prince Jigme Kheser Namgyel Wangchuk in the 1990s, and took a period of nearly 10 years to complete. From the parking, there will be a 45-minute uphill hike to reach the crossing through a rice suspension bridge and rice field. The return hike will take only about 30 minutes. After lunch, take a walk in Punakha Town and visit some of the local shops to check out the local products of Punakha valley.

06.00pm: Back at hotel. Dinner at hotel. Lunch en route.

Day 6: Punakha to Paro

07.00am: Breakfast at hotel.

08.00am: Check out hotel. We will drive to Paro. The journey will take approximately 4.5 hours.

01.00pm: Arrive in Paro. Check in hotel. Lunch at hotel or en route.

02.00pm: After lunch, rest for awhile. Thereafter we will visit:

1. Drukyal Dzong – Drukgyal Dzong was a fortress and Buddhist monastery, now in ruins, located in the upper part of the Paro District, Bhutan.
2. Ta Dzong – the National Museum The Museum is located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It is open daily from 9 am to 4pm except for Mondays and selected national holidays.
3. Kyichu Lakhang – Kyichu temple is one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas, and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Kyichu Temple is one of the 108 temples.
4. Rinpung Dzong – Built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders, the Rinpung Dzong is now being used as an administration centre and school for monks. From the Dzong you will walk down to Rimpung Bridge (Traditonal Cantilever Bridge), the oldest bridge in Bhutan.

Day 7: Paro Sightseeing Tour

Highlights: Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery)

07.30am: Breakfast at hotel.

08.30am: After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’.

The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take another 1 ½ hour.

It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by a fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.

After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road and stop partway for lunch at the view point cafeteria before continuing down the road.

04.00pm: Travel back to your hotel. Rest & relax. In the evening, you may wish to relax in the traditional hot stone bath. NOTE: At your own expense.

06.00pm: Dinner in hotel with cultural show performances. After dinner it is free & easy.

Day 8: Bhutan to Nepal - International Flight from Nepal to Bhutan using Drukair!

00.00am: Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, transfer to airport and catch a flight to Nepal.

NOTE: From Nepal, you can catch a flight to your own country or you can continue your holiday in Nepal.