Highlights of Nepal Bhutan Tour

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Programma del soggiorno

• giorno 1

  Arrival & Sightseeing Tour

  

  You will arrive at Kathmandu Airport on a morning flight. Upon arrival, meet your airport officer, who will be holding a placard (signboard) with your name outside the Arrival Hall at the International Airport. You will be transferred to your hotel, located in the city center. Hotel check-in time starts at 1200 noon. Later, meet your guide and commence the Patan city sightseeing tour. Patan is known as the “City of Beauty,” and a visit to Patan Durbar Square offers an excellent opportunity to see local Newari people, ancient royal complexes, and architecture from the medieval era. Stroll through the narrow lanes of Patan, visiting Patan Durbar Square, Krishna Temple, Mahaboudhi Stupa, and the Golden Temple. Patan is also famous for metalwork and wood carvings. (We can adjust this sightseeing tour to Day 02, Day 04, or the day you fly back from Bhutan, depending on your flight time. Please let me know if you are arriving on an afternoon or late flight so we can shift this sightseeing accordingly.) Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.

• giorno 2

  Fly Pokhara & Relax

  

  Morning transfer to Kathmandu airport in time to board a flight to Pokhara. Pokhara is famous for wonderful views of the Himalayas and its snow-fed lakes. The reflection of Mt. Fishtail and the Annapurna range on Lake Phewa is breathtaking. Pokhara is also a base camp for trekking in the Annapurna region, with other day-hike tours around the valley rim. You will have a free day in Pokhara, so you can relax at the hotel or explore the local area on your own, at your own pace. Breakfast & Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara

• giorno 3

  Sarangkot sunrise, Pokhara tour & Peace Stupa hike with boat ride

  

  Early morning, take an excursion to Sarangkot to see the sunrise over Mt. Annapurna, the Dhaulagiri massif, and Mt. Fishtail. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, commence a Pokhara city tour, which includes Bindavashini Temple, Seti Gorge, Devi’s Fall, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. In the afternoon, proceed to the Lakeside area. Cross Phewa Lake by boat. Reach the other side of the lake and start your walk to the Peace Stupa. The Peace Stupa is also known as the White Pagoda and is located on the hilltop of the Pokhara Valley rim. The views from this stupa include a combined view of the Pokhara Valley floor with Phewa Lake, as well as beautiful views of Himalayan ranges such as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Fishtail dominating the skyline. This 3.5 hours total hike, with both uphill and downhill walking, provides the best experience of walking in the Himalayas at the Annapurna foothills. Walk down, cross the lake, and walk to your hotel. Breakfast & Overnight at Hotel in Pokhara

• giorno 4

  Fly Kathmandu

  

  Transfer to Pokhara Airport in time to board your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Breakfast & Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

• giorno 5

  Fly to Paro. Drive to Thimphu

  

  Transfer to Kathmandu and connect your flight to Paro. The flight offers you beautiful views of mountains and landscapes. On arrival, and after visa formalities, you will be received by our representative and transferred to Thimphu (54 kms, 1 & 1/2 hrs). Later, visit Tashichodzong, the Buddha statue, and Thimphu local town. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu.

• giorno 6

  Thimphu sightseeing & drive to Punakha, visiting Punakha Dzong

  

  Morning: Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Painting School, National Library, Royal Goldsmith Workshop, and handicraft centers. Afternoon: Drive to Punakha. In Punakha, visit the Punakha Dzong, which served as the former capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fires. Every year, during the month of February, a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at a hotel in Punakha

• giorno 7

  Drive to Paro & sightseeing tour

  

  Morning: Drive back to Paro. Check in at the hotel. Later, visit the fortress of Drugyel Dzong, which attracts visitors due to its strategic location. The fort defended the Paro Valley from Tibetan invasion from the north in the early 17th century. In clear weather, Mount Chomolhari (7320 meters) can be seen towering over the dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watchtower, locally known as Ta Dzong. It was converted into the National Museum in the 1960s by the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The seven-floor museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. Take a short walk downhill to Rinpung Dzong, which serves as the administrative center and a school for monks. Walk further down, crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Paro

• giorno 8

  Takshang Monastery Hike (Tiger Nest Monastery)

  

  Morning: Hike to Takshang Monastery, also known as “Tiger Nest”. The hike is all uphill and takes about 3/4 hours through pine forests (total walk: 4/5 hours). The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters above the Paro Valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism were subdued, and the Paro Valley was converted to Buddhism. At the end of the 17th century, a monastery was built on the spot where the saint meditated, and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their lifetime. On return, visit Kichu Lakhang. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Paro.

• giorno 9

  Fly to Kathmandu & Sightseeing Tour

  

  Morning transfer to Paro Airport in time to board your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. Later, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple, located on the bank of the Bagmati River. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is often known as the “abode of Shiva”. Only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple complex for worship; however, others can go to the other side of the temple to observe Hindu rituals and morning activities. You will also witness rare funeral ceremonies, as per Hindu traditions, at the cremation ghats on the bank of the holy Bagmati River. After your visit to Pashupatinath Temple, proceed to Boudhnath Stupa, located 3 kilometers away from the temple. Boudhnath Stupa is also known as “Mini Tibet” and is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in Nepal. This stupa is surrounded by Tibetan settlements and monasteries. You will witness Buddhist rituals and traditions in the Boudhnath area, which is encircled by Buddhist prayer flags and mani. Breakfast & Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu

• giorno 10

  Departure transfer

  

  Breakfast and transfer to Kathmandu Airport in time to board your flight back home (check-out time at the hotel is 1200 Hrs). END OF THE SERVICES!