Three Himalayan Kingdoms-Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet 14 days

Day 01: Arrive at Paro; Transfer to Thimphu (1hrs- Altitude 7136ft)

Upon arrival at Paro airport, meet your guide and driver outside the terminal. After the brief introduction, you will drive to a neat tourist standard restaurant for welcome tea and then discuss briefly the programs for the trip. Next to the National Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang (temple), which is one of the 108 temples that King Songsten Gampo of Tibet miraculously built in a single night in the 7th century. 

Later visit the Karma Lekshey Jugney Nursery and meet the students. Activities here include Teaching basic nursery rhymes and student’s interactions. Enjoy a warm cup of tea with the students and Ani (nun) Kencho and other volunteer teachers. Most of the students here are 4-12yrs old and come from a poor family background and some without parents. This is private schools, therefore, receive very less support from the governments as a result during your visit a small contribution will build a brighter future for this underprivileged students. 

(Note: when you visit a family or any schools, it is customary to give some presents such as school supplies for school, groceries for the hostel or anything handy that is useful for the student education). Evening drive to the capital city, Thimphu (1hrs, 44miles, En-route, stop to walk the ancient Iron Bridge at Tamchog  Lakhang maintained by his descendants.  Check in Hotel. Late evening, you will visit the impressive Trasichoe Dzong. This fortress of the glorious religion is the administrative and religious center of Bhutan. The fortress houses the Royal Throne, National Assembly, and the seat of the Chief Abbot of the central monastic body.

Overnight in Thimphu. (D)

Day 02: In Thimpu

After morning breakfast, visit the Weekends Market (Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday), is probably the largest domestic market in the country. Next to the market is the Changlimithang Archery Stadium, on government holidays or weekends you will normally find people playing archery as leisure among friends or even tournaments as well. Takin Preservation Centre (closed on Monday), at Motithang followed by Zilukha Nunnery, which is a residence of 40-65 nuns. The main shrine at the Nunnery is dedicated to the famous saint, Drubthob Thang Thong Gyalpo, popularly known as the Leonardo da Vinci of the Great Himalayas. The Painting School a.k.a Zorig Choesum operates four- to six-year courses that provide instruction in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialize in painting (furniture, thangkas – painted religious pictures, usually on canvas), woodcarving (masks, statues, and bowls), embroidery (hangings, boots, clothes) or statue making (clay). The craft demonstrations are a photographers' dream and it's hard not to be impressed with the skill and discipline of the young students. The showroom sells good-value pieces made by students. Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory etc. You may or may not visit all the attractions depending on your interest and the available time today.  Afternoon visits the King’s Memorial Chorten that was dedicated to the third king of Bhutan. This is an impressive shrine, with shining gold spires, tinkling bells, and an endless procession of devotees around it. Next drive to Buddha Dodenma at Kuensel Phodrang overlooking Thimphu valley sits a 61m tall statue probably the largest statue of its kind in the world.

Overnight in Thimphu (BLD) 

Day 03: Drive to Punakha/ Sightseeing (Altitude 1850m/5925ft, 76km/51miles, 3hrs drive)

Following breakfast, we begin a scenic drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. As we leave Thimphu behind, the road gradually winds up through villages and pine forests to Dochula Pass (3100m/10168ft), marked by 108 Buddhist Chortens (Stupa), surrounded by the East-west highway. On a clear day, the pass offers a superb panorama of the snow-capped mountains and the valleys. The descend after the pass is very interesting as you can see the road drops slowly through the changing vegetation to the sub-tropical lowlands of the Punakha and Wangdue Valleys. After lunch, we visit the stunning Punakha Dzong, probably the most impressive of all the Dzong (fortress) architectures of Bhutan. Today it serves as the winter residence of the Central monk bodies led by the chief abbot moves there from the capital.  Next, we proceed for a pleasant hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten – about 45minutes up, but only 30 minutes down. The Chorten (stupa) shaped temple is situated atop a beautiful hillock overlooking the valley dipped into beautiful rice paddy fields. Built by the Queen Mother, and is an example of Bhutan's finest traditional architecture.

Overnight in Punakha (BLD)

Day 04: Drive to Paro (4 hrs)

Early morning, visit the Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility and we drive back to Paro across Dochula Pass, providing one more opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. In Paro, we visit the National Museum, housed at Ta Dzong-the former Watch Tower. The museum has a wide variety of collections; from fine arts, handcrafts, arms & armors, bamboo crafts, stuffed animals, stamp collections, bronze statues and also a fine chapel. From here, we visit Paro Rinpung Dzong-which means the fortress on a heap of Jewels. It was built during the reign of Shabdrung in 1646. The Dzong, which houses the Paro Monastic School and office of the civil administration, is rich in architecture. The famous Paro Tsechu is held here in the courtyard of this Dzong every year in spring.

Overnight in Paro (B/L/D)

Day 05: Tigers Nest Hike (4hrs hike)

Breakfast at 7 am, start hike 0730am to the famous Taktsang Monastery, a.k.a the Tiger's Nest. The Monastery is theatrically perched on the edge at 10000 ft high cliff above the valley floor, creating an impressive sight. Tiger's Nest, undoubtedly is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan and a must visit the place during your trip to Bhutan. The total trip up and down will take about 4 hours. It’s also possible to take pony ride about half the journey up but for the balance of the trail and return trip down, pony ride is not advisable.

OPTIONAL: Traditional Herbal Bath: With advance notice, you can experience a traditional Hot Stone Bath in a farmhouse. Hot stone bath is purely a Bhutanese traditional method of curing arthritis, skin ailments, joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorders, arthritis, and many other minor diseases. Even you don’t have any of these issues, after a laborious hike of the day, you will feel relaxation from the hot stone bath. It costs around US$ 30 per person and an advance notice is required. 

Overnight in Paro (BLD)

Day 06 Flight from Paro to Kathmandu (Nepal) and Drive to Nagarkot 1.5 hrs

After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport for flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. It’s a beautiful 50-minute flight over the Himalaya – including Mount Everest on a clear weather day! You can apply for a Nepal visa upon arrival if you don't have one yet. Bring one passport-size photo and prepare US$25 cash for the visa fee. After clearing immigration and customs, you’ll be greeted outside the airport by your Nepali guide and driver and drive to Nagarkot. En route visit  Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is the best preserved of the three medieval principalities of Kathmandu Valley. We visit the Durbar Square that constitutes the former palace and a number of temples with intricate woodcarving and beautiful stone sculpture. The Golden Gate-the main entrance of the palace is the masterpiece metal work of Nepal. We will visit the palace museum, the courtyard and the Royal Bath Tank of the palace complex. We walk on the cobbled street of and visit the impressive 5 storied Nyatapola Temple, Duttratraya Temple, and Pujarimath Complex. The peacock window of Pujarimath Complex is the masterpiece wood carving in Nepal. We will stop to visit the pottery square where we will learn the traditional method of pottery making. We continue to drive to Nagarkot. Enjoy the Sunset in Nagarkot.

Overnight in Nagarkot (B)

Day 07: Drive to Telkot and hike to Changu Narayan (2-3 hrs)

We wake up early morning to enjoy the sunrise and panoramic views of the snow capped mountains! On a clear weather day, Nagarkot offers 180-degree views of the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. After breakfast in the hotel we drive to Telkot and hike 2-3 hrs to Changu Narayan claims to be the oldest functioning Hindu Temple in Nepal and its also listed by UNESCO world heritage site.  The first part of the trail goes through the sparse forest. Walking is easy with fairly level paths and we will enjoy the mountain views from most part of the trail. The last earthquake damaged the temple a bit but restoration work is in progress and still the temple and the vicinity is worth visiting. 

Overnight in Kathmandu (B)

Day 08: Visit the temples, monasteries, and palaces of Kathmandu and Patan.

After breakfast, off to Patan, one of the three medieval principalities of the Kathmandu Valley, along with Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Patan is called the "City of Arts and Crafts." We begin from the cobblestone streets of Durbar Square, with former Royal Palace and an array of ancient and medieval temples – Golden Temple, Kumbheshwar Temple, Mahaboudha Temple, and Macchindranath Temple.  Now, we drive to the traditional Bungamati Village of Newari, untouched by modern influences. We walk in the narrow alleys and visit the Machhindranath Temple in the center of the village. On the way to Bungamati, we may stop at Tibetan Self Help Center where Tibetan refugees produce famous Tibetan hand-woven rugs.

In the afternoon, we visit the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most revered Hindu Temple in South Asia. The temple is situated on the bank of holy Bagmati River that provides the cremation sites for deceased Hindus as well. The main temple courtyard is reserved for Hindu worships only and so non-Hindus are not allowed inside. The final stop of the day will be at Boudhanath Stupa, the largest stupa in Nepal and one of the most revered Buddhist shrine outside Tibet. The area is predominately Tibetan and reminds people of Barkhor Street of Lhasa, Tibet.

Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 09: Kathmandu

Morning visit 2,000-year-old Swayambhunath Stupa atop an 80-meter-high hillock in the western part of the city, a shrine to the evolution of Kathmandu Valley and its civilization.  From here we drive to visit the old Kathmandu,

visit Kathmandu Durbar Squares that comprise the former Royal Palace and a cluster of ancient and medieval temples with rich stone and wood works. Kumari House - the temple of living Goddess of Nepal. We walk through the narrow streets of Indrachowk and Assan - the traditional markets of Kathmandu and enter the tourist district of Thamel with all economy accommodations, restaurants, and curio shops.  We end up the day in a typical Nepali restaurant where we join in the farewell dinner. The restaurant entertains their customers with Nepali folklore dances. 

Overnight in Kathmandu. (B)

Day 10: Fly to Lhasa

Transfer to airport for flight to Lhasa. Upon arrival at Lhasa airport, Tibetan guide meets you and drive to Lhasa city (1hr). Check in hotel and take rest for acclimatization. You will experience some mild symptoms of altitude sickness that includes light-headedness, disorientation, headache etc. Drink plenty of water and take enough rest. 

Overnight in Lhasa (B)

Day 11: At Lhasa

Today, you will visit Drepung Monastery, Jokhang Temple, and the Barkhor Street, all deeply associated with Tibetan people, their religion and culture. Drepung Monastery, situated to the west of Lhasa city, was the largest and the richest of the three major Yellow Sect monasteries of Lhasa. From here, we will drive to the center of Old Lhasa to visit The Jokhang Temple which was originally built in 647 AD by the queen of King Songtsan Gampo, the Tang Princess Wen Cheng, hiring craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal. The Barkhor, which means a pilgrim’s inner circuit, is situated in the heart of Lhasa and circles the Jokhang Temple. 

Overnight in Lhasa (B)

Day 12: At Lhasa

The morning we will visit the Potala Palace and in the afternoon, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka Palace. The world famous Potala Palace of the Dalai Lama is located on "Red Hill", to the west of old Lhasa and it dominates the Lhasa skyline. This architectural wonder of the world used to be the administrative and political center of Tibet and even today, it draws the greatest fascination of the visitors and pilgrims. From here, visit Norbulinka the summer palaces of the Dalai Lamas, which is situated 2.5 miles west of Potala Palace. In the afternoon, we visit Sera Monastery, the last of the three principal Yellow Sect monasteries to be built in Lhasa. Sera means”Hailstone” in Tibet, and legend tells that it hailed during the foundation of this famous monastery. We will visit the meditation room, the reception room, and the throne room and also have an opportunity to see the debating session of the monks.

Overnight in Lhasa (B)

Day 13: Excursion to Yamdrok Tsho Lake

Embark on the ride of a lifetime along the Lhasa-Kathmandu Southern Highway that runs parallel to the Himalayas. After half an hour from the city, you will drive across the Yarlungdzangbo River and the road gradually climbs to Kamba La (4797m / 15,820ft) from where you will have the first view of brilliant turquoise blue Yamdrok Tso Lake that lies several feet below the road. This is one of the four holiest lakes of Tibet and the home to wrathful deities. Along with the lake, the view in the distance massif of Mt. Nojin Kangtsang (7191m) can be seen. We visit the lake and return to Lhasa by late afternoon.

Overnight in Lhasa (B)

Day 14: Depart-Lhasa

Transfer to airport for flight to home – service ends. (B)

• Bhutan Royalties, Tourist, Visa & Tourism Development Fund Fees
• Accommodation in twin sharing / double bedroom
• All meals in Bhutan
• All transfers & sightseeing with entrance Fees
• English speaking local tour guide
• Bottled water in vehicle​

• International flights
• Bangkok-Paro-Kathmandu - $800 Per Person
  Kathmandu-Lhasa-Chengdu- $710 Per Person 
• Travel/Medical Insurance (recommended)
• Tibet Visa fees ($175)
• Use of bar and beverages in the hotels
• Tips & gratuities to the guides and drivers
• All personal gears
• Other personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, shopping, etc