Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
On arrival you will be met at Kathmandu Airport and transferred to the Hotel Nirvana Garden where you will stay for 2 nights on a bed & breakfast basis.
Your hotel is walking distance to the Royal Palace and other highlights of Kathmandu but sits in its own tranquil garden where a waterfall, lush vegetation and flowers take you away from the bustle of the city.
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu
You’ll spend the day being shown the city by an English speaking guide, from the traditional architecture and golden idols of the Kathmandu and Patan Durbar Squares to the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa, where both monks and monkeys inhabit the most sacred of Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
Day 3: Transfer to airport for flight to Paro & transfer to Thimphu
Today you’ll be taken to the airport for your onward flight to Paro in Bhutan, before being transferred to the capital city of Thimphu. Welcome to what is considered to be the worlds happiest nation!
Your stay in Bhutan is based on 2/3* properties on a half board basis throughout.
Day 4: Sightseeing tour in Thimphu
Thimphu is the seat of the Royal Family and a city brimming with cultural and historical heritage. Explore the famous Tashichho Dzong which will take up a chunk of your morning but the Centenary Farmers Market and the Buddha Dordenma are also not to be missed, as well as experiencing Thimphu’s unique traffic system, where policemen waving directions with their hands are the alternative to traffic lights.
Day 5: Drive to Punakha
After breakfast you’ll be driven to Punakha via the Dochula Pass where you can enjoy panoramic views of the snowcapped Himalayas as well as exploring the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a cluster of 108 chortens that surround the main monument that is dedicated to the King.
You’ll also visit Chimi Lhakhang, a Buddhist temple built in 1499 after the area was blessed by Drukpa Kinley, a saint who taught Buddhism through humour and singing.
Day 6: Sightseeing in Punakha and drive to Haa Valley
Puunakha is famous for its rice farming, as it has a warmer climate than other areas of the country. Your sightseeing will include the splendid Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness) where the King was married in 2011 before driving on to the Haa Valley where countless monasteries and summer festivals fill the lush valleys.
Day 7: Drive to Paro
Today you will be driven to Paro via the Chele La Pass where you will find superb views of Mount Chomolhari before stopping at the Kila Nunnery Gompa, where around 70 nuns live in isolation with unique views over the valleys below.
Day 8: Sightseeing tour in Paro
Paro is your last stop in Bhutan and with over 150 monasteries and temples there is plenty to see here. One highlight is the Taktsang Monastery, the Tiger’s Nest which clings to the edge of the sheer cliffs, high above the pine forests below. You can learn about Bhutan’s history in the National Museum, housed in an ancient watchtower in the heart of the city.
Day 9: Return to Kathmandu
Leaving beautiful Bhutan behind you will be transferred to the airport and fly back to Kathmandu, staying another night at the Hotel Nirvana Garden.
Day 10: Onward journey home
Today you have a free morning in Kathmandu before transferring to the airport for your flight home.
