Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan Cultural Tour (Cross Country)

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. Stay overnight.

After an early breakfast, you are ready to do 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 Buddha’s attended by their consorts are enshrined at the base of the stupa. (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside Swayambhunath temple) then continues tour into Boudhanath it 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 Buddhist surrounded the monastery. After Boudhanath your next spot is The Pashupatinath temple stands along the side of Bagmati River. It is the holiest Temple for Hindus. Many people from different part 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 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 the sea level.

After having sunrise view from Nagarkot, take a 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. Dhullikhel is a small town of 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.

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 a home of unique culture and finest display of craftsmanship. It is said that Bhaktapur is only place in Nepal which is remained untouched by Western Culture. Golden Gate, Lion Gate, Art Gallery, Nyatapola Temple, Stature of King Bhupindra and fifty-five windowed Malla Palace are the prides of Bhaktapur.

After the 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 handicraft centre in Patan.

After the sightseeing, drive to the hotel. As soon as you reach to the hotel, the paper works including Tibet Group Visa (TGV) will be ready and our manger will explain about 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 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 hotel in Lhasa. Stay overnight.

After breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing of 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 hotel. Stay overnight.

After breakfast, full day sightseeing of Sera Monastery, Drepung Monastery. Sera Monastery, 5 Kms 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 own activities. Stay overnight.

Transfer to airport to connect the flight to Kathmandu. We will have free day in Kathmandu. Walk and shop around. Our representative will brief you about Bhutan tour.

Overnight at the hotel

During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya 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 permit in the afternoon you can visit the these places:
–Kyichu Lhakhang
–Paro Dzong

There are 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, Folk Heritage Museum, the handmade paper factory, 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, jewellery etc. Stay overnight.

Afternoon you can also visit Thimpu Dzhong which is the administrative headquarter of Bhutan. Late afternoon drive to Paro for 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 to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch you can visit other important site which you could not complete previous days.

After lunch, 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 armour to textiles and thangkha 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 farm house.

After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport to connect flight for onward destination. You can fly from Paro to Kathamndu, Delhi, Kolkotta, Bangkok, Dhaka, Singapore and etc.