Itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu
You'll land in Nepal and connect with your tour representatives at the airport. After handling immigration paperwork, they'll drive you to your hotel where you'll get a welcome drink and hear about what's coming up over the next couple weeks.
- Day 2
Kathmandu
Start your day at Swayambhunath, one of the world's oldest Buddhist temples sitting high on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. From there, head to Kathmandu Durbar Square to see the Royal Palace and if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of the living Goddess Kumari in her window. After grabbing lunch, make your way to Pashupatinath Temple along the Bagmati River, then continue to Bodhnath stupa where you can walk around and soak in the Tibetan atmosphere. By evening, settle in at a local restaurant for traditional Nepali food and cultural dances.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Authentic Nepali meal with cultural dance performance depicting various religions of Nepal)
Included Activities
- Guided sightseeing of Swayambhunath Temple
- Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (Royal Palace complex)
- Visit Pashupatinath Temple
- Visit Bodhnath stupa
- Authentic Nepali meal with cultural dance performance
Optional Activities
- Visit the living Goddess Kumari at Kathmandu Durbar Square
Landmarks Swayambhunath Temple Kathmandu Durbar Square Pashupatinath Temple Bodhnath stupa 
- Day 3
Kathmandu to Paro
Fly from Kathmandu to Paro and check into your hotel. Once settled, head out to see Paro Dzong, which shows off traditional Bhutanese architecture up close. Cross the wooden Nyamai Zampa bridge to reach the town temple and look at its ancient wall paintings. Later in the day, visit Kichu Lhakhang temple, a sacred site that dates back to the 7th century. Finish your evening with a walk down the town's main street to get a feel for Paro.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Flight from Kathmandu to Paro
- Guided visit to Paro Dzong
- Cross Nyamai Zampa traditional cantilever bridge
- Visit town temple (built 1525) with ancient wall paintings
- Visit Kichu Lhakhang temple
Landmarks Paro Dzong Nyamai Zampa Paro Town Temple Kichu Lhakhang 
- Day 4
Paro to Thimphu
After breakfast, you'll drive about 1.5 hours to Thimphu. The day includes visiting Kuensel Phodrang with its views and Bhutan's largest Buddha statue, the National Memorial Chorten, Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre where they make ceremonial textiles, Zilukha Nunnery, and Tashichho Dzong. The afternoon is yours to wander through Thimphu's market and get a feel for the city at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Visit to Kuensel Phodrang with panoramic views and Bhutan's largest Buddha statue
- Visit to National Memorial Chorten
- Visit to Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre
- Visit to Zilukha Nunnery
- Visit to Tashichho Dzong
Optional Activities
- Exploration of Thimphu market (free time available in afternoon)
Landmarks Kuensel Phodrang National Memorial Chorten Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre Zilukha Nunnery Tashichho Dzong 
- Day 5
Thimphu to Punakha
Drive from Thimphu to Punakha, which takes around 2.5 hours. Along the way, you'll pass through Docho La mountain pass where you can see views of the Bhutanese Himalayas (depending on weather). Stop at Chimi Lhakhang, a sacred fertility monastery built back in 1499. After lunch at your hotel, spend the afternoon at Punakha Dzong, the striking winter home of the monastic order's leader and regional administrative center.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive over Docho la mountain pass
- Guided visit to Chimi Lhakhang (fertility monastery)
- Guided visit to Punakha Dzong
Landmarks Docho la Chimi Lhakhang Punakha Dzong 
- Day 6
Punakha to Paro
You'll hike through rice fields along the Mo Chu River for about an hour to reach Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, built by the Queens and finished in 1999, with views across the valley and river. Later, you'll drive back toward Paro, crossing Dochola Pass again (roughly 4 hours). Upon arrival, check out the National Museum to see artifacts that tell you about Bhutanese culture and heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten
- Visit to National Museum
Landmarks Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten Dochula Pass Paro National Museum 
- Day 7
Paro
Following breakfast, hike up to Taktshang Goemba, also called Tiger's Nest, which sits dramatically on a cliff 900 meters above the valley. It's one of Bhutan's most important religious sites. Later that evening, visit a Bhutanese farmhouse where you'll have traditional butter tea with a local family and get to know how they live.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Traditional butter tea with Bhutanese family)
Included Activities
- Hike to Taktshang Goemba (Tiger's Nest) monastery
- Traditional butter tea with Bhutanese family in farmhouse
Landmarks Taktshang Goemba - Days 8 - 9
Paro to Kathmandu
Fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel where you have the rest of the day free to walk around the city on your own. Next, you'll take a guided tour of Bhaktapur's Durbar Square, the ancient Royal Palace, and the local town with its traditional, cultural character and narrow streets.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square
- Visit to ancient Royal Palace in Bhaktapur
- Exploration of Bhaktapur town
Landmarks Bhaktapur Durbar Square 
- Day 10
Kathmandu
Your tour ends this morning after breakfast with a included transfer to Kathmandu Airport for your flight home. If you'd like, you can extend your time and book a scenic flight over Everest and the Himalayan peaks instead of heading out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Scenic flight over Everest and the Himalayas (available at extra cost)
