Nepal Bhutan Tibet Tour

Detail Itinerary

Day 01Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1335 m/4379ft) - Pick up from the airport and transfer to the HotelThe tour guide ( myself) and/ or our airport representative holding AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES sign-board and group name-list will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and transfer you to the Hotel on our private vehicle which takes about 20 minutes from airport. After check-in and refreshment, we go for an interesting evening stroll around the buzzing streets of Thamel and to the traditional welcome dinner.

Day 02Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath Temple and Boudhnath StupaToday, we will visit three spots in Kathmandu valley of historical, cultural and religious importance which are also the UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Sites. In the evening, after the sightseeing, we will explore the buzzing streets of Thamel before going for dinner at a lovely Traditional Restaurant with cultural program. During our visit to the Kathmandu Durbar Square, we visit Kumari Ghar (The house of living goddess) and have a quick audience with the Living Goddess of Nepal, explore the historical Palace Museum and magnificent Taleju Temple then have a look at the fearsome Statues of Kal Bhairav and Swet Bhairav, fierce manifestation of Hindu Lord Shiva. Swoyambhunath is an ancient religious complex atop a hill about 5 KM west of Thamel. It is famous as Monkey Temple as there are hundreds of holy monkeys living in the forest near-by and often coming around the temples to amuse the visitors. This place is believed to have self-existed and it’s hill top location provide great view down the city and also the Himalaya in a clear day. Boudhnath stupa is the biggest stupa of Nepal which is believed to be built in 5th century with a Kasyapa Buddha bone buried in it. Walking around the stupa clock-wise and turning the prayer wheels around it add merit to good Karma and bring good luck and prosperity. There are a few interesting monasteries which we can visit while circling the Stupa.

Day 03Drive to the airport to fly to Paro, then drive to Thimpu After breakfast, proceed to airport for flight to Bhutan – Paro. The flight offers fascinating views of the eastern Himalayan range, including Mt. Everest. Arrival Paro, enjoy the Bhutan local lunch. After lunch, visit one of the oldest landmarks in Bhutan. The 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gembo. It is revered as one of the most holy shrines in Bhutan and embodies the arrival of Buddhism here. Visit to Rimpung Dzong or the 'fortress of the heap of jewels' which is the seat of the district administration and the residence of the monastic school. The dzong is famous for its wall murals depicting Buddhist parables, symbols and the lives of prominent saints. After finish, drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The road meanders alongside the Paro Chu (river) and terraced fields until the confluence of two rivers at Chuzom. Here, one can see three stupas, representing the different styles of the different sects.

Day 04Thimphu to Wangdue Phodrang After breakfast, visit Tashicho Dzong, the center of government and the monastic order. After that, continue to visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa conceptualized by the Third King to ward off negative influences. It was later built in his memory by the present King and the Queen Mother. After that, visit the National Post Office, where you can spend only USD 3, to have your own photo for a set of stamps. Visit to the National School of Traditional Arts, where young monks learn the art of Buddhist thangkha painting; the workshops for mask making and fine metal craft, weaving, ceramics and paper. Visit another place from where you can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley is from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). It is again a short drive from the town. You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley. Drive to Wangdue Phodrang.

Day 05Wangdue Phodrang to Punakha then back to Paro After breakfast, visit the Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. The first King, Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in 1907. Drive to Wangdue, visit Chimi lhakhang, a temple built by Lam Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman and renowned for blessing barren women with fertility. Back to Paro, with a short stop at Dochula pass (3,050m) where if the weather is good, enjoy spectacular view of mountains.

Day 06Paro/ Day trip to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery After breakfast, drive to the foot of the Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest cliff before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face. Taktshang means 'Tiger's Nest' as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. The trip to and fro takes 4 hours for which riding ponies can be arranged (USD 15/per pax). After dinner, if you have special needs, we can arrange for you to experience the Bhutanese Traditional Hot Stone Bath After breakfast, drive to the foot of the Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest cliff before walking uphill for 2 hours to reach this monastery, giddily perched on a sheer 800m rock face. Taktshang means 'Tiger's Nest' as legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava flew to this spot on the back of a tigress in the eight century. He meditated here making this temple a sacred pilgrimage destination for Buddhists. The trip to and fro takes 4 hours for which riding ponies can be arranged. After dinner, if you have special needs, we can arrange for you to experience the Bhutanese Traditional Hot Stone Bath to ease past few days journey fatigue. to ease past few days journey fatigue.

Day 07Drive to Paro airport to fly back to Kathmandu Early morning drive to airport and fly to Kathmandu Paro – Kathmandu/ Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1335 m The tour guide ( myself) and/ or our airport representative holding AUTHENTIC ADVENTURES sign-board and group name-list will greet you at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and transfer you to the Hotel on our private vehicle which takes about 20 minutes from airport. After check-in and refreshment, we go for lunch and then to some more sightseeings in Kathmandu valley.

Day 08Fly from Kathmandu (1335m/4379ft) to Lhasa (3650m/11972ft)Drive to Tribhuban International Airport in Kathmandu and Trans – Himalayan flight to Tibet (Gongaar airport) (1 hr) Drive to Lhasa (1 hr) – Full rest for acclimatization

Day 09Full Days Sightseeing Tour In LhasaVisit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Bazaar

Day 10Full Days Sightseeing Tour In Lhasa Visit Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery and explore Lhasa

Day 11Lhasa to Gyantse (3950m/12956ft) and Shigatse (3900m/12792ft)Drive to Gyantse via Yamadroke Lake and high passes of Kora La (5010m/16433ft) & Kamba La (4794m/15724ft) – Sight-seeing in Gyantse including Pholkor & Kumbum Monastery and scenic drive to Shigatse(1 hr and 30 minutes) through the typical Tibetan Countryside

Day 12Shigatse to Ronbuk (4980m/16334ft) 334kmVisit Panchen Lama’s Tashilhumpu Monastery and then Drive to Xegar crossing over Gyatchu La (5200m/17056ft) – Scenic drive to Ronbuk through the beautiful Tibetan countryside. Explore Ronbuk Monastery so far the highest monastery in the world.

Day 13Ronbuk to Everest BC then back to Shigatse (3900m/12792ft) Hike up to Everest BC and explore around and back to Ronbuk then drive to Shigatse.

Day 14Shigatse to Lhasa (3650m/11972ft) 351kmDrive back to Lhasa through scenic Tibetan countryside road.

Day 15Fly back from Lhasa to Kathmandu Drive to Gonggar airport to fly back to Kathmandu.

Day 16Drive to the Kathmandu airport for final Departure & FarewellThe last day of the trip – we keep it very relaxed and no any particular sightseeing. We need to proceed to the airport before 3 hours of scheduled outbound flight.