Luxury circuit, mythical kingdom

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Kathmandu

  Your arrival in Nepal, welcome by a representative of Maharajah Driver and transfer to your hotel. Start of visits with Durbar Square, the heart of the old city and the most spectacular architectural heritage of the capital. The complex includes the former royal palace, the house of the living goddess Kumari Bahal, pagodas, temples, and the old districts with their characteristic houses. Discovery of the great stupa of Swayambunath, perched on a hill in Kathmandu, which is one of the most popular symbols of Nepal. It offers a superb view of Kathmandu and the valley, particularly beautiful in the early evening, when the city lights up.

• day 2

  Kathmandu

  Departure to reach the village of Bungamati, perched on a spur overlooking the Bagmati, whose Rato Machhendranath temple houses the deity for six months of the year. Then, you will head to Bhaktapur, the "city of believers," former capital of the Malla kings and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can admire pagoda and shikara style temples, caravanserais, as well as the Nyatapola temple, made up of 5 pagoda-shaped roofs, the tallest temple in Nepal. The potters' quarter makes it a charming and truly authentic place. In the afternoon, visit Bodhnath, a Buddhist holy site with Tibetan monasteries, which has one of the largest stupas in the world. The village is the religious center of the large population of Tibetan exiles. Continue to the Pashupatinath temple, one of the most sacred places in the country, a pilgrimage site bordered by the Bagmati river. Then, at the end of the afternoon, visit the Budhanilkantha temple, famous for its impressive statue of Vishnu lying on the primordial serpent.

• day 3

  Kathmandu - Paro – Thimphu

  Early morning transfer to the airport. Flight to Paro. Upon your arrival, you will be taken care of by your driver and you will head to Thimphu. The journey will take about an hour and a half. In the afternoon, you will have the choice between several visits: the National Memorial Chorten, the National Textile Museum, or the National Library.

• day 4

  Thimphu

  In the morning, you will head towards the northern end of the valley in order to discover the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, which is the seat of the government of Bhutan. You will also see the royal offices and visit Pangri Zampa. These are two 16th-century buildings, which nowadays are the seat of a monastic training school for astrologers. Once back in town, you can also visit some of the capital's handicraft industries, which range from paper to traditional handmade production, up to rolled incense.

• day 5

  Punakha

  Free morning. Departure after lunch for Punakha, the former capital. On the way, visit the oldest Dzong in Bhutan, the "Simtoka Dzong", a tall white building in traditional style, built in 1627 and covered with shingles. From Simtoka, the road winds through pine forests for 20 km and rises up to the "Dochula pass" at 3,116 m. It is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Bhutan, before descending into the lowest valley of central Bhutan, famous for its temperate climate, where fruit trees blossom with the high snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas as a backdrop.

• day 6

  Punakha

  Visit its dzong, beautifully located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. This stage is ideal for walking, discovering villages and small temples.

• day 7

  Tongsa – Jakar

  Pursuit through forests of giant rhododendrons and conifers, and crossing of the Pele-La pass (3,350 m). Following the Mangde Chu river, the road descends towards Tongsa, dominated by its spectacular dzong backed against the mountain. Walk through the streets of the town and continue towards Bhumtang, one of the most spectacular valleys in the country and the cradle of Buddhist culture. Crossing of the Yutong pass (3,400 m) and stop at the village of Zugne, famous for its brightly colored wool weavings.

• day 8

  Jakar

  Bumthang is the region most imbued with spirituality; many monasteries are located there. Visit the dzong of the “White Bird,” where the district administration is based. Walk to the Jampey monastery, built in the 7th century, and continue to Kurjey, one of the most sacred in Bhutan, as Guru Rimpoche is said to have meditated there (when the queen mother is staying at this monastery, it is closed to visitors. The exterior view remains very interesting nonetheless). Walk down to the village. Visit the Tamshing Lhakang monastery, which contains magnificent paintings (a flashlight is essential). Continue to the Swiss farm, which produces apple juice, cider, and cheese (closed on weekends).

• day 9

  Gangtey

  Road to the beautiful Phobjika valley, where the Gantey monastery is located, recently restored in the purest traditional style. In this valley, hundreds of rare black-necked cranes settle at the beginning of December to spend the winter, fleeing the cold of the Tibetan highlands. From the monastery, a lovely walk to your hotel through forests and pastures.

• day 10

  Paro

  Road to Paro, considered one of the first valleys in Bhutan to have received the Buddhist imprint, as evidenced by the Kichu temple founded in the 7th century. You will discover many sculptures of bodhisattvas and paintings depicting the previous lives of Buddha.

• day 11

  Paro

  Visit of the Rinpung dzong, one of the most beautiful examples of Bhutanese architecture. Visit of the Ta dzong, former watchtower transformed into a national museum. The collections of handicrafts, paintings, costumes, weapons, and textiles are remarkable. Continue to the ruins of the Drukgyel fortress, which you reach after a pleasant walk through forest and typical village. Discovery of the Kyichu temple, dating from the 7th century, one of the country's very holy places. Free time in the city's main shopping street and its many stalls.

• day 12

  Paro

  Excursion to the Taksang Monastery, nicknamed the Tiger's Nest, perched at over 3,000 m. It is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites in the Himalayan world. A walk of about three hours round trip through pine forests on a steep path. Possibility to do part of the ascent on horseback (to be paid on site). Visit of Ta Dzong, former watchtower converted into a national museum (closed on Sundays and Mondays).

• day 13

  Paro - Delhi

  Transfer to the airport and flight to Delhi. Welcome by a representative of Maharajah Driver and transfer to your hotel. Your driver will be at your full disposal to accompany you to visit Humayun's Tomb, the Qutb Minar or the Lotus Temple.

• day 14

  Delhi

  This morning, a walk through the lively alleys of Old Delhi, formerly known as Shahjahanabad. Visit the imposing Red Fort and the bustling streets of Chandni Chowk market, the Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), ending with the colorful spice market – a sensory experience. In the afternoon, via the majestic boulevards of New Delhi, you will go to see India Gate. Transfer to the airport and end of our services.