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.

Our guide comes to your hotel to pick you up with transportation. As soon as you take your breakfast, you a Day Sightseeing begins, you will be visiting four major landmarks in Kathmandu including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swoyambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Our Guide will give you perfect idea which place would be the best to initiate. Basically, the trip begins with a tour to Swoyambhunath also known as the Monkey Temple – a 2500 years old landmark; it is said to be, the Radiant Lotus of the Valley-Mythology, established when the water was drained by Manjushree, the God of the Wisdom. This Temple is famous pilgrimage site for Buddhists, is located on a beautiful hill inside Kathmandu valley. It is situated on top of the hill that could be observed from almost every part of the Kathmandu Valley. The tourists call this Stupa as ‘Monkey Temple’ as there are many monkey monkeys living around the Places. After the Sightseeing around Monkey Temple, we drive to another landmark, Boudhanath Stupa. This Stupa has been renovated after the Earthquake 2015 as this was also impacted. The Boudhanath Stupa is the world’s biggest Stupa and represents Tibetan Buddhists Culture in Nepal. Antique shops around these stupa where you can buy things of your preferences concerning to Tibetan Culture and Lifestyles. After a Visit to Boudhanath, you will be transferred to the Pashupatinath Temple, which is located at the bank of Bagmati River. It is a sacred Temple for Hindus as 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. Walk around local bazaar and back to the hotel. Please click on this link to know more about Kathmandu Valley and its attractions; http://www.himalayanwindowsinc.com/index/page/about-kathmandu-valley

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, Barkhor Market. 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; this day you will arrive Kathmandu at noon, we will take you either Patan or Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Have a complete sightseeing and drive to your respective hotel. Stay overnight.

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

[Hotels in Kathmandu can be booked if you are flying back to Kathmandu.]