Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
After meeting at Kathmandu airport, you'll head to your hotel and settle in. There's a welcome meeting at 6pm with your leader and group, so if you have time before then, check out the Taragaon Museum to see how the city's architecture developed over time. Once the meeting wraps up, you'll walk through the lively Thamel and Jyatha neighborhoods for dinner at an authentic Nepali restaurant with your new group.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at authentic Nepali restaurant featuring dishes such as Woh (pancake made from freshly ground black lentils) and Kukhurako Masu (chicken cooked Nepali style))
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at authentic Nepali restaurant with leader and group
Optional Activities
- Visit Taragaon Museum
Landmarks Taragaon Museum 
- Day 2
Kathmandu
After breakfast, a guided tour takes you through Kathmandu's main sights. You'll start at Durbar Square, the historic royal center, then move on to Bodhnath Stupa, one of the world's largest Buddhist shrines where monks gather for prayer. Next is a stop at a Thangka painting studio to see how this sacred Buddhist art form is created. Pashupatinath comes next, Nepal's most famous Hindu temple where you can watch holy men meditating and pilgrims bathing. Your afternoon is free to wander around at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with leader
- Visit to Durbar Square
- Visit to Bodhnath Stupa and monastery
- Thangka painting studio visit
- Visit to Pashupatinath Temple
Landmarks Durbar Square Bodhnath Stupa Pashupatinath Temple - Day 3
Bhaktapur - Nagarkot
This morning starts with a cooking class taught by local Nepali women. You'll learn traditional recipes from the Kathmandu Valley and cook traditional dishes, then have lunch with the group. After lunch, you'll travel to Nagarkot via Bhaktapur, an ancient city that's been well preserved. You'll walk through three important squares there: Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, and Pottery Square. Later, you'll head to Club Himalaya in Nagarkot and finish the day with sunset cocktails while looking out over Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and the surrounding landscape.
- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch with cooking class instructors featuring dishes prepared during the class)
Included Activities
- Authentic cooking class with local Nepali women
- Lunch with cooking class instructors
- Bhaktapur leader-led walking tour
- Sunset local cocktail at Club Himalaya (one drink included)
Landmarks Bhaktapur Durbar Square Taumadhi Square Pottery Square - Day 4
Pokhara
You'll wake early in Nagarkot to catch the sunrise, then travel by coach to Kathmandu airport for a flight to Pokhara. If the weather cooperates, you might see the Himalayan mountain chain from the plane. After landing, you'll take a boat ride across Phewa Tal, Nepal's second-largest lake, then visit Peace Pagoda for views of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare's distinctive fishtail peak. The afternoon is relaxed, with time to wander through colorful streets, walk along the scenic lake, or watch the brightly painted paddle boats. Your leader can point you toward good local restaurants for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat ride across Phewa Tal lake
- Visit to Peace Pagoda
Landmarks Phewa Tal Peace Pagoda Machhapuchhare 
- Day 5
Pokhara
Start early at Sarangkot Viewpoint to watch sunrise over the snowcapped Himalayan peaks, including the Annapurna Range and Fishtail Mountain. Your leader will help identify what you're looking at. Later, you'll visit the International Mountain Museum to explore climbing expedition stories and the International Mountain Museum to read about past successes and tragedies. Then you'll head to a Tibetan community to hear their journey from Tibet to Nepal and learn about their local life. There's a traditional momo-making demonstration, and you'll eat the momos you prepared for lunch. Your evening is free to explore Pokhara on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch with Tibetan community featuring momos (steamed dumplings) prepared during traditional cooking demonstration)
Included Activities
- Sarangkot Viewpoint sunrise visit
- International Mountain Museum visit
- Tibetan community visit with momo cooking demonstration and lunch
Landmarks Sarangkot Viewpoint International Mountain Museum - Day 6
Chitwan
After breakfast, you'll drive to Chitwan and check in at Barahi Jungle Lodge, where you'll stay for two nights. The lodge sits on the banks of the Rapti River right across from Chitwan National Park. Depending on the season and wildlife movements, afternoon activities can vary. Later, you'll head down to the Rapti River for a cool drink and snacks while watching the sunset and birds return home. Back at the lodge, there's a group dinner with the sound of crickets in the background and fellow travelers sharing stories.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Private bush dinner at hotel grounds)
Included Activities
- Sunset snacks by Rapti River
- Private bush dinner at hotel grounds
Landmarks Rapti River Chitwan National Park 
- Day 7
Chitwan
After breakfast, you'll go on an early morning dugout canoe ride on the Rapti River. Your tour leader helps you spot marsh mugger crocodiles and different bird species along the banks. Tigers live in the park but sightings are rare. You'll head back to land, then set out on a late afternoon safari to see the park's varied wildlife and plants. Evening brings dinner with your group and time at the bar to discuss the day's sightings or listen to the jungle sounds.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Canoe safari on Rapti River
- Jeep safari tour
Landmarks Chitwan National Park - Day 8
Kathmandu
After breakfast at the resort, you'll drive back to Kathmandu. Your afternoon is free to explore as you like, perhaps picking up some shopping or visiting the Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum to see more than 650 unique instruments and learn about Nepal's cultural heritage. This evening, you can join your leader and group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant, giving you a final taste of Nepal's traditional food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Shopping
- Visit to Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum
- Farewell dinner with leader and group at local restaurant
Landmarks Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum - Day 9
Thimphu
You'll fly unescorted to Bhutan and arrive at Paro airport, where you'll be picked up and transferred to Thimphu (2400 m/7875 ft), Bhutan's capital. After checking in at your hotel, there's a second welcome meeting to meet your new group and tour leader. If time allows, you'll take an orientation walk along Thimphu's main street and visit the National Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in honor of Bhutan's third king. Your welcome dinner that evening features Bhutanese cuisine, including the country's signature red rice with spicy chili cheese.
- Meals
- Dinner (Welcome dinner at local restaurant featuring traditional Bhutanese feast including seasonal vegetables, red rice with chili cheese, and optional Bhutanese peach wine or Ara (national spirit))
Included Activities
- Welcome dinner at local restaurant
- National Memorial Chorten visit
Optional Activities
- Orientation walk in Thimphu
Landmarks National Memorial Chorten 
- Day 10
Thimphu
After breakfast, you'll explore Thimphu with your leader. Starting at Buddha Point (Buddha Dordenma) for panoramic city views, you'll hike through pine trees where your leader helps spot takin, Bhutan's national animal—a unique goat-antelope creature. You'll pass by Zilukha Nunnery and the impressive fortress and monastery of Tashichho Dzong on the Thimphu Chhu river banks. After lunch, you'll visit the National Textile Museum and Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum, where you can try archery, Bhutan's national sport. The Voluntary Artists School is also on the itinerary, where young people study traditional painting, sculpture, and woodcarving. Thimphu has excellent local handicrafts including woven cloth, wooden masks, thangkas, silverware, jewelry, and bamboo crafts.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Buddha Dordenma visit
- Takin Conservation Park visit
- Zilukha Nunnery visit
- Tashichho Dzong visit
- National Textile Museum visit
- Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum visit
- Voluntary Artists School visit
Optional Activities
- Archery at Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum
- Shopping for handicrafts in Thimphu
Landmarks Buddha Dordenma Takin Conservation Park Zilukha Nunnery Tashichho Dzong National Textile Museum Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum Voluntary Artists School - Day 11
Dochula Pass - Punakha
This morning you'll visit Desho Paper Factory to watch traditional hand-made paper being created. Then you'll travel to Simtokha Dzong, a castle-monastery built to guard against a demon believed to have escaped into nearby rock. You'll drive the winding Dochula Pass (3100 m/10,170 ft), marked by over a hundred chortens built in memory of Bhutanese soldiers. Continuing to Punakha, you'll stop at the village of Sopsokha for a short walk to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility). Your leader will explain how visitors seek blessings from Drukpa Kuenley, the 'Divine Madman', known for teaching that sexual freedom was central to Truth. You'll notice phallic symbols painted on village walls as symbols of fertility and protection from evil. You'll arrive at your resort with fabulous valley views.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Desho Paper Factory visit
- Simtokha Dzong visit
- Dochula Pass and Druk Wangyal Chortens visit
- Chimi Lhakhang temple walk
Landmarks Desho Paper Factory Simtokha Dzong Dochula Pass Druk Wangyal Chortens Chimi Lhakhang - Day 12
Punakha
You'll drive a short distance to the base of a hill where a ridge-top monastery sits. The hike starts at a suspension bridge crossing the Mo Chu river, passes through paddy fields, and climbs a moderately inclined trail to Khamsum Yulley Temple. Built by the Queen Mother, this temple shows Bhutan's fine architectural and artistic traditions. From the top, you'll enjoy sweeping valley views. After lunch, you'll visit Punakha Dzong, the white-walled, red-roofed administrative and religious center where His Holiness, Je Khenpo (Bhutan's chief abbot), spends winter. The Dzong features intricately carved woodwork, prayer halls, and beautiful religious paintings. You'll end the day at Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Temple and nunnery, arriving in time for evening prayers.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike
- Punakha Dzong visit
- Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery visit
Landmarks Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten Punakha Dzong Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Temple and Nunnery - Day 13
Phobjikha
This scenic drive takes you through lush forests and luxuriant vegetation to Phobjikha valley, a spectacular valley rich with wildlife. Keep an eye out for serows, mystical goat-like animals, and muntjacs (barking deer). In the afternoon, you'll visit Gangte Goemba, an expansive monastery with magnificent valley views. This hilltop complex is one of Bhutan's two main centers of the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Your guide will share a local perspective on Buddhism and happiness, the two most important pillars of Bhutanese culture. Bhutan's government uniquely measures national wellbeing using a Gross National Happiness index, emphasizing non-economic factors like sustainability, culture, and community vitality.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Gangtoe Goemba visit
Landmarks Phobjikha Valley Gangte Goemba 
- Day 14
Phobjikha
Start the day at the Black Necked Crane Information Centre to learn about the vulnerable black-necked cranes that fly to Bhutan each winter. Phobjikha Valley receives more of these visitors than any other Bhutanese region. The RSPN (Royal Society for Protection of Nature) has taken special measures to protect the cranes and 13 other vulnerable species. You'll review informative displays and use the center's spotting-scopes to search for cranes in the valley. Wild cranes are visible only in winter, but you may see rehabilitating cranes year-round. In the afternoon, you'll join your leader on a gentle two-hour hike around the valley starting from a hilltop overlooking Gangte Goemba, walking through flower meadows and beautiful forests, passing a chorten, the village of Semchubara, and Khewa Lhakhang temple.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Black Necked Crane Information Center visit
- Phobjikha valley hiking
Landmarks Black Necked Crane Information Centre Gangte Goemba Khewa Lhakhang - Day 15
Paro
This morning you'll begin the journey to Paro. Upon arrival, you'll visit Ta Dzong, a 17th-century watchtower that now houses the National Museum. You'll have some free time to wander through Paro town before checking into your Feature Stay, a hotel in the heart of Paro Town that blends classical Bhutanese architecture with modern comforts and offers surrounding valley views. In the afternoon, you'll visit Kaja Throm, a local farmers market, before enjoying dinner with your group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ta Dzong (National Museum) visit
- Kaja Throm Market visit
Landmarks Ta Dzong Kaja Throm Market - Day 16
Paro
After breakfast, you'll hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), a beautiful monastery perched 900 meters above the valley floor and Bhutan's most recognized building. You'll pass through plentiful pine forests beneath thousands of brightly colored prayer flags. Your leader will guide you up into the mountains, sharing the temple's history and legend. You'll stop at a small teahouse for lunch and refreshments while taking in the views. Those interested can hike another hour each way to reach the temple itself, while others can relax at the teahouse. Back in Paro, you'll experience traditional Bhutanese culture with a home-cooked final dinner at a local farmhouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch and refreshments at teahouse near Tiger's Nest), Dinner (Home-cooked final dinner at farmhouse)
Included Activities
- Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery hike
- Home-cooked final dinner at farmhouse
Optional Activities
- Extended hike to reach Tiger's Nest temple (additional 1 hour each way)
Landmarks Taktsang Monastery - Day 17
Paro
After breakfast, your driver will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. Check with your tour leader about the exact departure time from the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
