Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You arrive in Kathmandu today and your tour operator meets you at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. After you settle in, the rest of the day is free to relax and recover from your flight. If you feel like getting out, head to one of the many cafes and bars in the Thamel district, which is right near where you're staying.
Optional Activities
- Explore cafes and bars in Thamel district
- Day 2
Kathmandu
Your Nepal tour kicks off with a rickshaw ride through Thamel's backstreets heading to Durbar Square. You'll pass through small streets packed with tiny shops, workshops, temples, and stupas before reaching the square to check out its wooden and stone carved temples and palaces. After lunch at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the square, you head to the Swayambunath Stupa sitting on a hilltop above the city, where you can watch monkeys hanging around the temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rickshaw ride through Thamel backstreets
- Visit Durbar Square with guided exploration of wooden and stone carved temples and palaces
- Visit Swayambunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)
Optional Activities
- Everest Mountain Flight
Landmarks Durbar Square Swayambunath Stupa Thamel - Day 3
Kathmandu to Paro
You're transferred to Kathmandu airport this morning for a flight over the Himalayas to Bhutan. During the flight you'll complete immigration and customs paperwork and keep your forms for when you leave. After settling in Paro, you start at the Ta Dzong, a 17th-century watchtower that's now the National Museum of Bhutan. You'll see ancient artifacts, religious scroll paintings, and bronze statues. Next comes the Paro Dzong fortress-monastery and its hidden temples. Later you visit the Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory to watch artisans blend sacred herbs and hand-roll incense sticks.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Ta Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan)
- Visit Paro Dzong fortress-monastery
- Visit Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory
Optional Activities
- Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu flights
Landmarks Ta Dzong (National Museum of Bhutan) Paro Dzong Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory 
- Day 4
Paro to Punakha
You ascend the Dochu La Pass this morning, a winding mountain road through forest to 3,050 meters (10,007 feet). At the summit you'll see 108 chortens (stupas) that memorialize Bhutanese soldiers from a 2003 battle. Coming down into the Punakha Valley, you hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, a pilgrimage site linked to the 15th-century Buddhist master Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as the 'Divine Madman'.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascend Dochu La Pass with mountain views and 108 chortens
- Hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple
Landmarks Dochu La Pass Chimi Lhakhang Temple 
- Day 5
Punakha Valley
Lace up your boots for a morning walk along the Mo Chhu River trail, passing through terraced fields of colorful chilies and vegetables. Watch for monkeys and vibrant birds as you go. You'll reach the hilltop Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten overlooking the Punakha Valley. After that you explore the Punakha Dzong fortress at the confluence of two rivers. From there you have lunch and then drive through lush landscapes to Phobjikha Valley where you settle into a traditional village homestay for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Morning walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten
- Visit Punakha Dzong fortress-monastery
- Scenic drive to Phobjikha Valley with stop at Gangtey village
Landmarks Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten Punakha Dzong Phobjikha Valley Mo Chhu River - Day 6
Phobjikha Valley
You spend the day in Phobjikha Valley starting with a nature walk through the landscape and keeping watch for black-necked cranes (October to March after migration). Visit the Gangtey Monastery perched on a hilltop overlooking the valley with its intricate architecture and sacred relics dating back to the 17th century. Spend time with your host family learning about traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, agricultural practices, and customs over butter tea and conversation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Nature walk through Phobjikha Valley
- Visit Gangtey Monastery
- Cultural immersion with host family
Landmarks Phobjikha Valley Gangtey Monastery - Day 7
Phobjikha Valley to Thimphu
You head back across Dochu La Pass towards Thimphu, Bhutan's capital. En route you stop at Rinchengang Village, known for its traditional stonework and traditional houses on a hillock that overlooks the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. You continue through forests and scenic valleys before arriving in Thimphu, where you can explore the bustling markets, monuments, and the heart of the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Stop at Rinchengang Village with traditional stonework
- Scenic drive to Thimphu
Landmarks Rinchengang Village Wangdue Phodrang Dzong Dochu La Pass - Day 8
Thimphu
You start at the Memorial Chorten, a revered monument tied to Bhutanese spirituality. Next is the Folk Heritage Museum to see traditional lifestyles and artifacts. Then you tour the School of Arts and Crafts to watch students master 13 traditional arts. You'll see artisans creating Thangka paintings, woven textiles, or basket weaving depending on what's happening that day. Later you visit the Takin Research Centre to learn about Bhutan's unique national animal, then the Thangthong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery to understand female Buddhist practitioners. Finish at the vibrant weekend market for handicrafts. If timing works, catch an archery tournament at the national stadium.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Memorial Chorten
- Visit Folk Heritage Museum
- Visit School of Arts & Crafts (National Institute for Zorig Chusum)
- Observe traditional artisans creating handicrafts
- Visit Takin Research Centre
- Visit Thangthong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery
- Visit weekend market
Optional Activities
- Watch archery tournament at national stadium (if timing permits)
Landmarks Memorial Chorten Folk Heritage Museum School of Arts & Crafts (National Institute for Zorig Chusum) Takin Research Centre Thangthong Dewachen Dupthop Nunnery Thimphu Weekend Market - Day 9
Paro
You rise early for a pilgrimage to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), Bhutan's most iconic landmark. Prepare for a 2 to 3 hour hike through pine forests up a steep mountain path to where the monastery sits dramatically on a sheer cliff face 800 meters above the valley. You explore intricate temples and shrines with vibrant colors. In the afternoon you visit the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, a historic fortress that protected the valley. Then comes the serene Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples from the 7th century. You finish with a traditional hot stone bath to soothe tired muscles and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local farmhouse with authentic Bhutanese cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) - approximately 2-3 hours
- Visit Drukgyel Dzong ruins
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang temple
- Traditional hot stone bath
- Farewell dinner at local farmhouse
Landmarks Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) Drukgyel Dzong Kyichu Lhakhang - Day 10
Paro to Nagarkot
You leave Paro this morning and drive back towards Kathmandu. You skirt the city and head into the hills surrounding the valley to spend the night in Nagarkot, a village perched on a ridge that's known for having some of the best views in the Kathmandu Valley.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Drive from Paro to Nagarkot
Optional Activities
- Upgrade to an internal flight from Kurintar to Kathmandu (available on request)
Landmarks Nagarkot - Day 11
Nagarkot to Kathmandu
Hopefully you catch spectacular sunrise views from Nagarkot before driving down to Bhaktapur, one of the other ancient cities in the valley. The center is a World Heritage Site with the best preserved ancient buildings and temples showing traditional wooden architecture and centuries of valley life. You'll see traditional crafts happening, including pottery making where you'll participate in a pottery class. After lunch you head back to Kathmandu to visit two contrasting religious sites: Pasupatinath temple (Hindu) and Boudhanath stupa (Buddhist). The evening is free to explore Kathmandu and Thamel one last time and enjoy a farewell meal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Watch sunrise from Nagarkot
- Visit Bhaktapur ancient city
- Included pottery class in Bhaktapur
- Visit Pasupatinath temple
- Visit Boudhanath stupa
Landmarks Bhaktapur Pasupatinath Temple Boudhanath Stupa - Day 12
Kathmandu
Your time is free today until you're transferred to the airport for your flight home. Optional extensions are available if you want to stay longer in Nepal.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- White water rafting on the Bhote Khosi river (one of the best one-day rafting trips)
- Hikes and tours in the Kathmandu valley
- Extensive rafting or trekking tours
- Visits to Chitwan and Bardia National Parks in the Terai region
