Discovering Nepal and Bhutan

DAY 1: KATHMANDU
Arrival at Kathmandu airport in Nepal, meeting with the local representative and, after immigration and customs procedures, private transfer to the hotel. Accommodation for 3 nights, with breakfast.

In the late afternoon, walk through Asan Bazar, a colorful market selling Nepalese products and spices, and Indra Chowk, a historic market that houses several stalls offering aromatic spices, fabrics, and special products for traditional Nepalese weddings.

Then explore the Seto Machhendranath temples, renowned for their intricate wood carvings, and the Aakash Bhairav, guarded by lion statues.


DAY 2: KATHMANDU
After breakfast at the hotel, private full-day tour with guide in English or Spanish (subject to availability). Visit the city of Bhadgaon, also known as Bhaktapur, an ancient city rich in culture and tradition. Explore Bhaktapur's Durbar Square, with the Lion's Gate, the Golden Gate (Sundhoka), and the stone-carved statues of kings.

Then, opportunity to participate in a traditional pottery class.

In the afternoon, visit the Pashupatinath Temple, considered the oldest Hindu temple in Kathmandu, and the Boudhanath Stupa, the largest Buddhist stupa in the world. Optional activity suggestion (not included):

• Early flight over Everest, lasting approximately 50 minutes (tour subject to weather conditions).
  
  
  

DAY 3: KATHMANDU
After breakfast at the hotel, private full-day tour with guide in English or Spanish (subject to availability). Visit Patan's Durbar Square, where the imposing architecture of the temples is mixed with works of art and statues, representing the traditional wealth of the city of Patan. Then, explore the Kumari Temple, dedicated to the living goddess chosen to be the human incarnation of Goddess Taleju.

Opportunity to experience Tibetan bells, known for their mysterious therapeutic aspects.

Continuation to the Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple. It is the oldest Buddhist stupa of the sanctuaries in the valley, about 2,000 years old, and is situated on top of a hill.

In the afternoon, visit Kathmandu's Durbar Square, also known as Hanuman Dhoka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most emblematic landmarks in Nepal. The square was once the seat of Nepalese royalty and served as the city's political and cultural center.

Finally, rickshaw ride from Kathmandu's Durbar Square to Thamel, passing through the Bheda Singh and Killa Gal Bazars, local Thahity, small alleys, monasteries, temples, and markets.


DAY 4: KATHMANDU/PARO - THIMPHU
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Private transfer to Kathmandu airport to board a flight (not included) to Paro, Bhutan.

Arrival in Paro, reception by the local guide and private transfer to Thimphu, passing through the historic Tamchog Lhakhang, a temple built on a stone bridge that crosses the Paro Chu River. Opportunity to participate in a butter lamp offering ceremony at the oldest monastery in Thimphu.

Accommodation for 2 nights, with half board.

In the afternoon, private half-day city tour. Visit the National Chorten Memorial, a tribute to the third king of Bhutan: Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and the Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world.

Finally, visit the Royal Takin Preserve, a sanctuary dedicated to the preservation of Takin, Bhutan's national animal, a kind of mix between cow and goat.

Return to the hotel and dinner (without drinks).


DAY 5: THIMPHU
After breakfast at the hotel, private full-day city tour. Panoramic visit to Tango Goenpa, a 12th century monastery founded by the “Divine Madman”, Lama Drukpa Kunley. Around an hour's walk through the forest to explore where Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel meditated in 1616, a pivotal moment in Bhutan history.

Return to the city to sample local cuisine at a traditional restaurant (without drinks).

Then, visit the Zorig Chusum Institute, also known as the “School of Arts and Crafts”, a school dedicated to preserving and promoting the country's traditional arts, and the VAST (Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu).

Continue to the Weaving Center or the Textile Museum to learn about the culture of Bhutanese fabrics and, if time permits, visit the Jungshi paper mill, to observe the traditional papermaking process using the bark of the Saphne and Dhekap trees. Opportunity to create your own paper souvenir.

Finally, visit the Tashichho Dzong Monastery. Built in 1641, it serves as the seat of government and is an important religious center.

Return to the hotel and dinner (without drinks).

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Attend a traditional prayer ceremony, Tshewang, performed by monks at a local monastery.
• Astrology class at the Kingdom's Royal College of Astrology and meditation.
• Fabrique Ara (distilled beverage made from fermented grains, such as rice) and Zhaw (traditional Bhutanese beer) at the Folk Heritage Museum restaurant.
  
  
  

DAY 6: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Trip of about 2 hours to Punakha, with a pass through the Dochu La Pass, with impressive views of the Himalayan mountains. Stop to walk through the rice fields and artists' village until you arrive at Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility monastery. After lunch at a local restaurant (without drinks), visit Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness.

Finally, arrival and accommodation for 2 nights, with half board.


DAY 7: PUNAKHA - PARO
Early in the morning, a walk of about an hour and a half to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a spiritual monument that symbolizes protection for Bhutan and offers breathtaking views of the Punakha Valley. Stop for a light picnic-style snack.

Return to the hotel and breakfast.

Opportunity to go rafting down the Mo Chu or Pho Chu rivers. Your boat will pass through the junction where the Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century monasterie-fortress, stands ready at the meeting point of the rivers. After the experience, return to the hotel and free afternoon for independent activities.

In the evening, visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Convent, located on a pine ridge with panoramic views of the Punakha and Wangduegleams valleys. This sacred site houses the 14-meter-high statue of Avalokiteshvara.

Return to the hotel and dinner (without drinks).

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Private lunch on the banks of the river in Punakha.
  
  
  

DAY 8: PUNAKHA - PARO
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Travel of about 3 hours and 30 minutes to Paro. Accommodation for 2 nights, with half board.

After lunch (without drinks), visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. It has an extensive collection of ancient thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects, and a rich array of natural and historical artifacts.

Continuation to Rinpung Dzong, also known as Paro Dzong, which means “Jewel Hill Fortress”, and participation in a blessing ceremony.

Return to the hotel and dinner (without drinks).


DAY 9: PARO
Early in the morning, departure for a tour to the Taktshang Monastery, also known as the “Tiger's Nest”. This monastery is located on the edge of a cliff 900 meters above the bottom of the Paro Valley. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, thus becoming known as the “Tiger's Nest”.

Then, an opportunity to meditate on the “Tiger's Nest” with a Buddhist monk and light a vegetable oil lamp. Picnic-style lunch stop.

Finally, enjoy a bath with heated stones. The bath uses Mechu, fresh river water mixed with Artemisia leaves. The water is heated with river stones that are placed in the fire until they turn red.

Suggested optional activities (not included):

• Dinner at a farm with a local family.
  
  
  

DAY 10: PARO
Breakfast and check-out at the hotel. Private airport transfer.