Nepal & Bhutan Tour
Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
Destination Covered : Arrival Kathmandu – Nagarkot – Paro – Thimphu – Punakha – Paro
For custom tour programme, mail us at
inbound@magadhtours.com
Arrival: Welcome on arrival at Tribhuwan Airport, where a Magadh Tours executive will greet you With a traditional garland. Transfer: After meet-and-assist services, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight Stay: Relax and overnight stay at the hotel in Kathmandu.
DAY 02: KATHMANDU (B)Breakfast in the Hotel. Full day tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa. Afternoon visit Patan Durbar Square, Krishna temple, Golden temple etc.
DAY 03: KATHMANDU- NAGARKOT (B/D)Breakfast in the Hotel. Check out- continue with visit to Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Highlights are Golden Gate, 55 windows Palace, 5 storied Nyatapola temple, and Pottery Square. Proceed with driving to Nagarkot- for an hour drive. Arrive Nagarkot, check in at the pre-booked Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel.
DAY 04: NAGARKOT- KATHMANDU (B)Early morning wake up to view the sunrise over the Himalaya. Breakfast in the Hotel. Check out on time- return to Kathmandu. Visit Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath Stupa. Check in at the pre-booked Hotel in Kathmandu.
DAY 05: KATHMANDU- PARO BY DRUK AIR & TRANSFER TO THIMPHU (B/D)Breakfast in the Hotel. Transfer to the Airport for flight to Paro, Bhutan. The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu; the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan's first gift to you as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan. On arrival, in Thimphu- The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the world's only capital city without a traffic light.
Visit following places: Memorial Chorten: The stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's third King, His Late Majesty, and KingJigmeDorjiWangchuk, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Conclude the tour of the day with a visit of Trashichhoedzong, "fortress of the glorious religion". This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch's throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, ShabdrungNgawangNamgyel, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and market area (Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Thimphu). (Altitude 2,320 m)
DAY 06: THIMPHU (B/D)After breakfast, proceed for the guided tour of city's main attractions that includes: Buddha Point (KuenselPhodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (KuenselPhodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.
Textile Museum: is worth a visit to get to know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by women and men. Institute for ZorigChusum: Commonly known as Arts & Crafts School or Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit, one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.
Motithang Takin Preserve: The Motithang Takin Preserve also known as the Thimphu Zoo by many is a small natural preserve for the Takin Bhutan's national animal. It was originally a mini zoo, but it was converted in a preserve later on as the Takin. The mini zoo contained a small number of Takin but the King of Bhutan later decreed that it was improper for a Buddhist nation to keep an animal in captivity. The animals were set free and the zoo was shut down, but for some reason the Takin refused to leave the area for the forests nearby. National Library: The history of Bhutan lies imprinted in archaic texts, which are preserved at the National Library. Besides thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.
(Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Thimphu)
DAY 07: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (75 KM, 3 HRS. APPROX.) (B/D)After breakfast at hotel, visit Simtokha Dzong the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language. It is also known as Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang (Bhutanese language meaning: "Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras") is a small dzong. It was built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who unified Bhutan. It is the first of its kind built in Bhutan. An important historical monument and former Buddhist monastery, today it houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes. Then drive to Punakha across Do Chula pass (3, O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Do Chula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.Then visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyel. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative centre of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here? Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here.
(Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Punakha) Altitude: 2200m
DAY 08: PUNAKHA – PARO (125 KMS, 4HR DRIVE) (B/D)After breakfast drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and ParoChhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley.
Visit ChimiLhakhang (or walk through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1.1/2 hour walk, including both way).The ChimiLhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning 'field'. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.
Tamchog Lhakhang (between Paro and Thimphu); built in the 13th century by Thangtong Gyalpo. He is also known as the Iron bridge builder. Situated on a hill top, we have to cross an ancient style bridge to reach the temple. It is owned by the descendants of Thangtong Gyalpo.
Proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Then walk down the trail to visit RinpungDzong, meaning ("fortress of the heap of jewels"), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.
(Overnight at the hotel in Paro) (Altitude 2,195 m)
DAY 09: PARO (B/D)After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery (5hrs hike): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called 'Tiger's Nest'. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.On 19 April 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor.Evening an exploratory walk around Main Street and market area.
(Overnight at the hotel in Paro)
DAY 10: PARO – KATHMANDU (BY FLIGHT) (B)After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight Nepal on arrival meet by your guide- transfer out to visit Kirtipur town. Check in at the Hotel later in the afternoon. Evening visit Thamel Street.
DAY 11: KATHMANDU + DEPARTURE (B)Breakfast in the Hotel. Free until transfer to the airport for a flight back home.
***TOUR ENDS***
****WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY JOURNEY****