Nepal and Bhutan
10 Days
HIGHLIGHTS:
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Sightseeing of Old city of Bhaktapur.
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Visit Old palaces.
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Visit the palace of Goddess Kumari - the living Goddess of Nepal.
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Visit Patan Durbar Square.
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Flight to Pokhara with excellent views of the Himalayan peaks, including Mt Everest.
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Boat ride in Phewa Lake in Pokhara.
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Fly to Paro, Bhutan.
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Visit Buddha Point / Kuensel Phodrang - the largest statue of Buddha in the country..
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Sightseeing of the charming Thimpu valley..
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Visit National Institute of traditional medicine where Bhutan's famous traditional medicines are compounded and dispersed.
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Visit Punakha Dzong, which is built at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu - Male and Female rivers.
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Visit typical 300 years old Bhutanese house.
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Taste Bhutanese local drink - wine made of rice.
Route Map
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Varanasi / Kathmandu / Dhuli Khel
Transfer to the airport for flight to Kathmandu. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 2 - Dhuli Khel / Bhaktapur / Kathmandu / Dhuli Khel
After breakfast, we visit Bhaktapur, the city of Malla Dynasty. Here we visit old Palace, the temple of five storied Pagoda dedicated to Goddess Laxmi with the beautiful wood carving built around 17th century which never got collapsed in several earth quakes of different magnitude. Thereafter, we visit Swayambhu Nath Stupa. We then drive to the old city of Hanuman Dhoka. Visit the Old Palace of the Malla King and the Palace of Kumari – the living Goddess. In the afternoon, we visit Patan City. It is another city of the Malla Dynasty around 5 km from Kathmandu. Here we visit the Old Palace of the Malla and Krishna Mandir built in 16 century. We also visit Golden Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples built in 12th century and Kumbeshwar Temple. Overnight in hotel.
Day 3 - Dhuli Khel / Kathmandu Airport / Pokhara
Transfer to airport for a short flight to Pokhara. While in the flight, on a clear weather day, the view of the Himalayan peaks is marvelous, including that of Mt Everest. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Later, we go for a boat ride at Phewa Lake for one hour. After the boat ride we walk around the Lakeside and back to hotel for overnight.
Day 4 - Pokhara
Early morning drive to Sarangkot for sunrise. View of Annapurna peaks is awesome; hence it is worth getting out of the bed early morning. Back to hotel for breakfast. Thereafter, half day sightseeing of Pokhara town. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight in hotel.
Day 5 - Pokhara / Kathmandu
After breakfast, we drive 5 hours to Kathmandu. While driving down we still enjoy view of the Himalayan peaks, gurgling river, valleys and Himalayan hamlets. Overnight in hotel.
Day 6 - Kathmandu / Paro / Thimpu
Transfer to airport for flight to Paro. On arrival, drive to Thimphu, the capital city and check in the hotel. Evening visit Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Memorial Chorten- built in the year 1974 in the memory of our third king of Bhutan, His Majesty the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and then visit Buddha Point/ Kuensel Phodrang, which has the largest Buddha statue in the country, from there you can get a good over view of the Thimphu valley. Overnight in hotel.
Day 7 - Thimpu
It's a full day sightseeing tour of Thimpu Valley. It's a small but charming city with lot of culture and traditions. The development is strictly monitored by the Government. Buildings are in designed in anything but the traditional Bhutanese style. We find people dressed in gho or kira (a wrap-around robe). After breakfast visit -National institute of Traditional Medicine - is where Bhutan’s famous traditional medicine are compounded and dispensed. Folk Heritage Museum - the house replicates a traditional farmhouse and is furnished as it would have been about a century ago. The National Library – holds vast collection of Buddhist texts and manuscripts. The National Textile Museum – showcases a range of beautiful Bhutanese textiles. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 - Thimpu / Punakha & Wangdue
Drive to Punakha – approximately 3-hour drive through picturesque valleys and mountain slopes dotted with typical Bhutanese villages. From the Dochu La pass, at over 10,000ft, vast panoramic views of the high snowcapped peaks of the Bhutanese Himalaya can be enjoyed on a clear day. Continue drive down into the Punakha valley. Visit Punakha Dzong which is built at the confluence of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Drive to Wangdue Phodorang to visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. We will come back to Punakha for overnight in Hotel.
Day 9 - Punakha / Paro
After Breakfast drive to Paro. Visit Rinpung Dzong which houses the monastic school and the office of the civil administration and Taa Dzong, the museum which holds old fascinating collections of art, relic and religious things. Then, visit kyichu lhakhang. We’ll also visit a typically Bhutanese house which is 300 years old and taste rice wine (Bhutanese local drink). Also see old style of Bhutanese stone bath. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 10 - Paro / Delhi / Departure
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free for shopping or independent activities. Later, we transfer you to the International airport for your journey back home.