Namaste and welcome to Nepal. Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our local representatives. After a brief introduction about Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, we will take you to the hotel. On the way to the hotel, you can have a glimpse of Nepal’s architecture, crafts, and life.

Meals：None

Accommodation：Kathmandu

Today we will start our exploration trip in Kathmandu Valley with Ason Tole Vegetable & Spice Market which is full of vendors selling everything of daily use while offering a glimpse of local life. Then we will go to Kathmandu Durbar Square, visiting Kumari Temple, the house of the virgin goddess; visiting Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), a stupa on the top of the hill; visiting Patan Durbar Square, the second largest town in the valley, with Krishna Mandir, Golden Temple, etc.

Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square) is the most visited landmark of the capital. Listed as a world heritage site since 1979, it is an important site for Buddhist and Hindu rituals, holy ceremonies, royal events, and coronations. The popular things to see are Kumari Ghar (temple of the Living Goddess), Taleju Temple (Kumari is the stand-in of the goddess Taleju), Kal Bhairav (dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Lord of Time and Death), Kastha Mandap, Maru Ganesh, Mahadev Temple, Shiva Parvati Temple, Bhagwati Temple, Old palace, Saraswoti temple, Krishna Octangular Temple, Big drums, Jagannath Temple, etc. It is known as the place for various festivals, cultural activities, and traditions including Indrajatra, Dashain, Gaaijatra, Machchhindra-Nath Jatra, etc.

Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), located on a small hillock named Swayambhunath (literally means "self-existent one"), is a famous landmark northwest of the Kathmandu Valley. Before sunrise, you can find thousands of pilgrims walking up the 365 steps to the top of the hill (take a 15-minute climb). Be prepared to meet some naughty monkey friends for this climb. The hill suggests fabulous views of Kathmandu valley, Mt Langtang (7,245m), Mt Ganesh Himal (7,429m), and Mt Dorje Lakpa (6,988m). The major attractions you should not miss in Swayambhunath include the Shantipur, Harati Devi Temple, Pratapur and Anantapur, Shree Karma Raj Mahavihar, and Vajra. Also, it is great to visit here during the three main festivals celebrated at Swayambhunath: Gunla (around Agu.), Buddha Jayanti (April or May), and Lhosar(the Buddhist New Year, around Feb).

Patan Durbar Square is located in the ancient city of Patan which is 5km southeast of Kathmandu. Patan, known as Lalitpur (the city of beauty) and Yala among the Newars, is renowned as the City of Art and Architecture. With Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley. As a world heritage site, it is the ancient royal palace (built in 1667) where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided. Patan Durbar Square represents ancient structures, temples, shrines, and statues, and is a marvel of Newari architecture. There are around 600 stupas, 136 courtyards, and 55 important temples around the square. The major attraction you should not miss in Patan Darbar Square includes Patan Museum, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, Golden Window, Mahabouddha Temple, Golden Temple, Krishna Temple, etc.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Kathmandu

In the morning, we will visit the famous Pashupatinath Temple, then go for a walk to see the huge stupa of Buddha, also known as Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal. Afterward taking a ride to Bhaktapur, a fascinating town, visit Changu Narayan Temple and Bhaktapur's Durbar Square featuring the Victorian illustrations style with temples and temples complex.

Pashupatinath Temple is a world cultural heritage site, dedicated to the god Shiva, it is also one of the most sacred Hindu temples of Nepal. Located on both banks of the holy Bagmati River on the eastern outskirts of Kathmandu, each year hundreds of elderly followers of Hinduists come here to find shelter for the last several weeks of their lives, to meet death, and be cremated on the banks of the river. Usually, tourists have the chance to see at least one open-air cremation here. Another culturally shocking thing in Pashupatinath is watching local women washing clothes downstream of the river. Besides meeting sadhus, it is common to see monkeys, cattle, and deer in Pashupatinath.

Boudhanath Stupa (Khasti Mahachaitya) is one of the most sacred sites in Tibetan Buddhism outside of Tibet and was enlisted as a world cultural heritage site in 1979. It was built around 600 AD when Song Tsen Gampo, the Tibetan king, converted to Buddhism. Also, this huge meditative monument is said to have been created just after the passing of the Buddha. With many kilograms of gold for decoration, the giant Boudhanath Stupa is a gateway to heaven serving as a horizon between the earth and sky. You can join the locals in the morning and evening for Kora, a circular walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction. There are various fast food cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, and many other souvenir shops inside the Boudhanath complex for you to explore.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was one of the three kingdoms of Nepal. Located 15km away from Kathmandu, it was once home to the royal family of Bhaktapur dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The entire square is a massive display of traditional Newari architecture and there are four different areas in the palace complex i.e., Durbar area, Taumadhi area, Dattatreya area, and Pottery area. It is far bigger than Patan Durbar Square – not just in terms of its spread but also in its imposing monuments. The major attraction you should not miss in Bhaktapur Darbar Square includes 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate, Lion's Gate, Mini Pashupati Temple, Vatsala Temple, Nyatapola Temple, Bhairava Nath Temple, etc.

Changu Narayan Temple is the oldest temple in Nepal whose history dates back nearly 3,000 years. It was built in the 4th century under the Lichhavi dynasty by King Mandev. As an ancient Hindu temple and world cultural heritage, it was surrounded by champak tree forest and a small village known as Changu. This temple is dedicated to lord Visnu and is an epic specimen of art and architecture from the Lichhavi period. Although it has a collection of statues and sculptures, Changu Narayan is also famous for its beautiful crafts in wood, stone, and metal. Everything in and around the temple is a genuine work of art.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Kathmandu

Today we will pick you up from your hotel to the Tribhuvan airport for your flight to Chitwan. Get ready to explore Chitwan National Park.

Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP), the oldest national park in Nepal, where will spend 3 days and 2 nights exploring this national treasure. This park was established in 1973 and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. RCNP is home to at least 45 species of amphibians and reptiles, 450 species of birds, and at least 43 species of mammals including monkeys, tigers, and langurs. We will have the opportunity for a boat excursion today to better explore the park.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Citwan

Today we will spend an exciting day exploring Chitwan National Park with our expert local guides. The exact activities will depend on the weather and the season, but typical excursions include village walks, boating, nature walks, and jeep safaris looking for rhinos, leopards, wild elephants, monkeys, and crocodiles. We will also see a presentation on the Nepal Tiger Trust, a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the preservation of tigers in Nepal.

A local tiger expert will join us on a jeep safari through tiger habitat so that we can learn about how tigers are tracked, protected, and monitored with the help of the local communities. And if we are very lucky, we may be able to spot one of these beautiful creatures in the wild. After a full day of exploring the park, we will return to the lodge for a Tharu cultural dance program presented by the local villagers.

Notes:

1. The jeep safaris are often prohibited from running during the monsoon season by park authorities. The monsoon season runs from June to September and it can sometimes last until October. If the park is inaccessible, we can still explore the unfenced surrounding forest where it is just as likely to see wild animals.

2. Boat trips are also subject to water levels and local conditions on the Rapti River.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Chitwan

We will depart Chitwan National Park this morning, and take a flight to Pokhara. After our travel and a bit of time exploring the city, we will check into our local accommodations for the night.

Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal which lies on the once vibrant trade route between India and Tibet. Even today, mule trains can be observed bringing goods from remote regions of the Himalayas. Pokhara has several beautiful lakes and offers fantastic panoramic views of three of the ten highest mountain peaks in the world. There are also numerous Buddhist and Hindu temples throughout the area, some of which are combined temples where devoted members of the different religions worship together in peace.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Pokhara

Early this morning we will hike up to the village of Sarangkot for a spectacular sunrise over the sweeping Himalayan mountain peaks. Then sightseeing to Bindebashini Temple, Seti Gorge, Davi’s falls, Gupteswor Mahadev Cave, and International Mountain Museum according to the time and your interests.

Later, we will hike to the World Peace Pagoda, a beautiful monument built by Buddhist monks from Japan. We can also visit a Tibetan refugee settlement camp to learn more about this refugee community by viewing their photo gallery and enjoying a Tibetan-style lunch. In the afternoon, you will have the option to try paragliding or enjoy a boat ride on Phewa Lake.

World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) was built as a symbol of peace and Nichidatsu Fujii laid the foundation stone along with relics of the Buddha on 12 September 1973. It is a stunning monument located on the Anadu Hill(1,100m) overlooking the mesmerizing Phewa Lake, the charming Annapurna Mountain range, and Pokhara valley. The hilltop also provides a splendid view of sunrise and sunset. A hike to the world peace pagoda can be an enjoyable experience.

Phewa Lake (Phewa Tal, Fewa Lake, Baidam Tal) is a freshwater lake located in the south of the Pokhara Valley. As the second largest lake in Nepal, it is also famous for the reflection of Mt. Machhapuchhre and other mountain peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Boating in the Phewa Lake from one side to the other with the breeze from the lake makes your heart flutter. The Tal Barahi Temple (dedicated to Vishnu, a Hindu god), situated within the lake, is the most important religious monument of Pokhara. Besides, this place is famous for migratory birds and resident birds which makes it popular among bird lovers.

Notes:

1. The hike up to the World Peace Pagoda is fairly strenuous so if you are not feeling up to it, please let your guide know and you may find something else to do instead.

2. The Lake water runs deep, to as much as 79 feet. It is, therefore, advisable to wear life jackets while boating.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Pokhara

If you like we can take another take drive to Sarangkot for a spectacular sunrise. After that, we will drive to the Pokhara airport for the short one-hour flight back to Kathmandu.

You will have the rest of the day free for exploring Kathmandu, so you may want to visit Pashupatinath or return to Swayambhunath to see some places you may have missed before. There is no shortage of interesting places to visit in the “City of Temples”, so you may just want to wander around the fascinating city to see what you may find. It is also a good idea to explore the Thamel district.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Kathmandu

Tashi Delek and welcome to Bhutan. Our local representative will greet you at the only international airport in Bhutan that is located in Paro(2262m), Western Bhutan. Then check in at your sweet hotel for a good rest while getting used to the time difference.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Paro

Today we will drive from Paro city to the start point of the hiking route of the Tiger's Nest Monastery. It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Tiger's Nest by foot (5 hours for a round trip), and you can have a rest at the view terrace which is located at the halfway point of the hiking road. Also, you can choose to ride a horse(self-paying) from the camp base to the Taktsang Cafeteria (lunch spot). We will enjoy Bhutan’s traditional Hot Stone Bath in the late afternoon.

Tiger's Nest Monastery (Taktsang Goemba, Takhtsang Lakhang, Paro Taktshang), first built in 1692, is the iconic landmark of Bhutan. As a world cultural heritage, it is sited on the side of a cliff at a height of 900m above the Paro Valley. It is said that Guru Rinpoche (a Buddhist saint) rode a tigress to the current site of the monastery and meditated in a cave for 3 years 3 months and 3 days. Now it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bhutan and a sacred religious site for Bhutanese to pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime.

Option activity:Bhutan Traditional Hot Stone Bath. A visit to Bhutan without enjoying the health benefits hot stone bath would be incomplete. After the hiking, a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath is perfect to relax in the water heated by hot river stones roasted on the fire.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Paro

This morning we will drive to Haa Valley which is known as the "Hidden-Land Rice Valley", after the sightseeing with Chele La Pass, Dzongdrakha Goempa, Lhakhang Nagpo, Lhakhang Kharpo, and Wangchuck Lo Dzong, we will be back to Paro (round trip of 130km, about 4.5h). Enjoy the welcome dinner with the Bhutan culture dance show.

Chele La Pass (3988m) is the highest motorable road pass in Bhutan and can be reached by a two hours drive from Paro. As the spot with incredible views of the high Himalayan Mountains, you may get the chance to see Mount Jomolhari(6706m), the most sacred peak of Bhutan, Jichu Drake, as well as the majestic sights of the Tsherimgang Mountains. Also, Chele La Pass is the best site to discover the rare White Poppy native to this region.

Dzongdrakha Goempa (Mini Tiger's Nest, Dzongdrakha Monastery) is a cliff-side temple complex on the western side of the Paro Valley. Built in the 16th century by the first local king, Chogay Dragpa, it is said that when Guru Rinpoche visited Bhutan, first landed at Drakarpo, and then Dzongdrakha before arriving at Paro Taktshang (Tiger's Nest). Dzongdrakha Monastery is often referred to as the second Taktshang (Tiger's Nest) mainly due to its location which is perfect to get a good view of Paro Bondey valley. Don't forget to visit the cave where Drubthog Gyonpo Dorji, the founder of the Lhakhang has meditated.

Lhakhang Nagpo (The Black Temple) is about 10 mins walk away from the Lhakhang Karpo. It's said that around the 7th century Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo released a white and black pigeon preparing to build temples wherever the pigeons landed. This Lhakhang was built where the black pigeon landed. The walls are painted in black, with horizontal stripes of red and white that symbolize the tantric practices of the valley in ancient times.

Lhakhang Karpo (The White Temple), one of the oldest temples around, is located in the foothills of the Meri Puensum mountains, and its walls adorned with exquisite murals and paintings, embody the values of kindness and Dharma. According to the legend, it was King Songtsen Gampo who built this temple at the place the white pigeon landed.

Wangchuck Lo Dzong , built in 1915 to replace the smaller Dumcho Dzong that burned to the ground in 1913, is an administrative center for the Bhutan Royal Family. According to a local legend, this Dzong was also constructed to protect the people and their livestock from the evil influences of the 108 serpent deities that live around this area. Since the 1950s, this Dzong is the headquarters of the Indian Military Forces and their training ground which also functions as a military school. We can admire the Dzong from afar with its exquisite modern construction on a gentle slope that leads to the pristine Haa Chhu River.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Paro

In the morning, we will head to Bhutan’s capital city Thimphu (72km, about 2.5h) via a visit to Tamchog Lhakhang on the way. After sightseeing in Thimphu (2360m) with Buddha Dordenma Statue, National Memorial Chorten, Motithang Takin Preserve, and Tashichho Dzong, we will have dinner in the Folk Heritage Museum. Then have a good rest in your hotel.

Tamchog Lhakhang (Tachog Lhakhang) is located by the Paro river on the way to Thimphu from Paro. To get to the temple we must walk across a unique iron chain bridge with colorful fluttering prayer flags. Both the Lhakhang and the iron bridge are built by the saint Thangthong Gyalpo (1385-1464, Tibetan polymath). As the "King of the Empty Plain", Thangthong Gyalpo is now commonly known as the "Iron Bridge Maker". Enjoy his pioneering old-aged buildings left till today.

Buddha Dordenma Statue (Kuenselphodrang, Buddha Point) is a landmark of Thimphu city and you can have a great view of the Thimphu Valley there. With 51.5m in height, built of bronze and gilded in gold, the statue is famed as the largest sitting Shakyamuni statue in the world and there are 125,000 smaller Buddha statues placed within it. The statue was finished in 2015(built for 9years) to fulfill an ancient prophecy to emanate an aura of happiness and peace all over the world.

National Memorial Chorten is the most visited landmark of Thimphu which was built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk(the Father of Modern Bhutan) by his mother. Due to the idea of Jigme Dorji, this stupa is dedicated to world peace and prosperity. It is a Tibetan-style chorten with amazing paintings and brilliant sculptures, you can see the classical stupa pattern like the pyramidal pillar crowned by a crescent moon and sun. It is also a good place to meet local Bhutanese people circumambulating the Chorten throughout the day in a clockwise direction for praying.

Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong) is located on the right side of the Wangchu River in the northern part of Thimphu city. As the "Fortress of the glorious religion", it houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, government offices, and the central monk body. Thimphu Dzong was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. There are two main entrances in the Tashichho Dzong. One leads to the administrative section to the south and the other one (at the north) leads to the monastic quarter where festivals and dances are performed.

Motithang Takin Preserve (Takin Zoo) is a wildlife reserve for Takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. Drukpa Kunley (Divine Madman), the famous Tibetan saint, is said to be responsible for the creation of Takin which has the head of a goat and the body of a cow.

Folk Heritage Museum (Phelchey Toenkhyim) was established on July 28th, 2001 with the initiative of Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan). It is set inside a three-storied, 19th-century traditional house and provides visitors with a glimpse of the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, artifacts from rural households, collection of typical household objects, tools, and equipment. The museum also organizes regular demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits, and customs as well as hosts educational programs for children.

Meals：Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Accommodation：Thimphu

Time to say goodbye to Bhutan, the beautiful Himalayan country. Our local representative will meet you at your hotel and send you to the Paro International Airport(50km,1.5h). Happiness is a place, wish you had to get the happiness and great memories from the Bhutantrip with us. We look forward to seeing you again, Tashi Delek!

Note: Please note that some of the sites in the itinerary may change due to season, weather, national holidays, and special events. We maintain the right to alter the itinerary. The changes in itinerary will mainly base on improving your tour experience in Bhutan and Nepal.

Meals：Breakfast     

Accommodation：/