19 Day Ultimate Bhutan and Nepal Luxury Journey

Flying into Bhutan will leave you speechless. It will be one of the most incredible flights of your life. The aircraft glides between the Himalayan mountains and lands at Paro International Airport.

Our Bhutanese representatives will welcome you at the airport. The city's crisp air, mountain river mist, and pine scent will become your core memory.

After a small meet and greet, you will travel to Thimphu. Our team will accompany you. We provide a private, luxury vehicle for the ride.

On the way, you will see beautiful landscapes and pass by traditional Bhutanese farmhouses and fluttering prayer flags. You will arrive in Thimphu in around one hour and fifteen minutes' drive.

Freshen up in your hotel and later meet us for a welcome dinner. It will be a peaceful evening with delicious food and the rejuvenating rhythm of Himalayan life.

Thimphu is a very special city. Even though it is the capital of Bhutan, the city uniquely embraces Bhutanese cultural depths and nature with modern technologies.

After breakfast, you will meet with your guide at your hotel lobby. He will be there with your private luxury car and a skilled driver for the tour.

With your tour guide, visit historical sites around Thimphu and get to know the Bhutanese culture, traditions, way of life, and delicacies.

During the Thimphu tour, you may visit:

➤ Buddha Dordenma: It is a massive golden Buddha statue overlooking the entire Thimphu Valley. Buddha Dordenma is one of the largest sitting statues of Buddha in the world.

➤ Tashichho Dzong: Tashichho Dzong is a fortress-monastery. It houses the throne room of the king of Bhutan and government offices. This dzong is also one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture.

➤ Memorial Chorten: Memorial Chorten was made in memory of the third king of Bhutan. It is a beautiful whitewashed stupa. You can see locals circumambulating around the stupa, while spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras.

➤ National Institute of Zorig Chusum: It is also known as the School of 13 Traditional Arts. This institute preserves and practices ancient Bhutanese painting, wood carving, embroidery, and sculpture.

➤ Folk Heritage Museum: The Folk Heritage Museum is a great place to understand rural Bhutanese life. The museum exhibits farming tools, old household items, and local customs.

➤ Centenary Farmers Market: The Centenary Farmers Market is one of the best local markets in Bhutan. Here, you can explore fresh produce, cheese, spices, and handicrafts.

The tour will end by late afternoon. You can spend the evening relaxing and exploring the local bustling markets around your hotel.

Thimphu to Phobjikha Valley is one of the most scenic routes in Bhutan. It takes you from the bustling capital to a peaceful, high-altitude glacial valley.

Phobjikha Valley is also known as the valley of black-necked cranes. The drive will be around 5-6 hours long. From Thimphu, you will drive west and gradually climb the Dochula Pass (3,100 m).

You will stop at the pass to see the 108 chortens and panoramic mountain vistas. Then continue driving from here into the Phobjikha Valley, enjoying remote, serene landscapes.

Settle in your premium mountain lodge. Later in the evening, enjoy a peaceful walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail and explore the local market.

Begin the day early with a delicious breakfast. After that, your guide will pick you from the lodge and take you to tourists sites such as:

Gangtey Monastery: The monastery is located on a hill and offers a stunning view of the valley. The monastery belongs to the Nyingma school of Buddhism.

Black Necked Crane Information Centre: Between late October and February, black necked cranes migrate to Phobjikha Valley to spend the winter. Learn about these exotic birds at the information centre.

Khewang Lhakhang: Khewang Lhakhang is an ancient temple but less known among tourists. It is an ideal place to experience the authentic religious and spiritual side of Bhutan.

Gangtey Village: Gangtey Village is a lovely Bhutanese village where you can see mountain lifestyle, traditional houses, and beautiful farmhouses.

Leaving Phobjikha Valley, you will travel to Punakha. It will be around 2.5 to 3.5 hours scenic dirve. The road gradually ascends out of the wide glacial valley and passes through forests and small villages.

You will join the main road near Wangdue Phodrang and descend into warmer, subtropical landscapes. The road is quite good, so you will have a smooth ride.

As you get close to Punakha, the climate becomes milder. You will see terraced rice fields, rivers, and lush greenery. Settle in a luxury hotel and spend the evening exploring the local market.

Punakha Valley is famous for its warm climate, rivers, rice fields, and iconic landmarks. Here, you may visit:

Punakha Dzong: Punakha Dzong is one of the prettiest Bhutanese architectural masterpieces. The dzong sits at the confluence of Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu rivers. This dzong is home to many monks and holds significant religious importance to the locals.

Punakha Suspension Bridge: Punakha Suspension Bridge is a great place to enjoy a thrill and a stunning view of the surrounding valley.

Chimi Lhakhang: The Chimi Lhakhang is known as the Fertility Temple. Couples from around the world visit here to seek blessings for fertility.

Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten is a stunning chorten located on a hilltop. You have to hike through rice fields and forests to reach the top.

Talo Village: Talo Village is a great place to enjoy peaceful, clean surroundings and strong Bhutanese traditions.

You will leave Punakha after breakfast. Enjoy a peaceful, smooth ride. Follow winding mountain curves and forested ridges. During the drive, you can see snowy peaks in the distance and excellent landscapes.

Check in at the hotel and spend the evening relaxing and exploring the local market.

Today, you will explore Paro. Get ready and have a big breakfast. You will go on a short hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang). From the starting point, it will take you around two hours to hike to the top of the hill where the monastery is situated.

*A horse ride is also available for travelers who cannot hike. However, it will cost a few extra bucks.

The Tiger's Nest Monastery is one of the marvelous buildings in Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche meditated in this monastery in the 8th century. After the Tiger's Nest Monastery hike, you can take a short break to freshen up and have some food. Then visit a few other tourist sites such as:

Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong): Paro Dzong is an excellent example of Bhutanese architecture. It was built in the 17th century and serves as both a monastery and an administrative center.

National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong): The National Museum of Bhutan houses an incredible collection of ancient weapons, thangka paintings, religious artifacts, and traditional costumes. It is also a circular watchtower.

Kyichu Lhakhang: Kyichu Lhakhang is the oldest and most sacred temple in Bhutan. It dates back to the 7th century. This temple has very intriguing stories that showcase demons and goddesses.

Drukgyel Dzong: Drukgyel Dzong is a historic fortress that once defended Bhutan against Tibetan invasions. Although it is a ruin, you can see a stunning view of Mount Jomolhari (7,326 m) on clear days from here.

Today, you will leave Bhutan and fly to Nepal. Our team will pick you up from the airport and drop you off at the Paro International Airport. You will fly, enjoying breathtaking Himalayan mountain views and land in Kathmandu, the City of Temples.

Our Nepalese representatives will pick you up from the Kathmandu Airport and escort you to the hotel in the city center. Check in at your hotel and rest for a bit.

Later, meet our Nepali team and get ready to visit some tourist sites. If you are tired, you can just rest and spend the evening exploring the bustling streets of Thamel.

Start the day with a delicious breakfast and go on a guided tour of ancient historical sites in Kathmandu. Our expert tour guide will accompany you to the following sites:

*During the tour, we will take you on a visit to exclusive museums and galleries.

Kathmandu Durbar Square: It is one of the three durbar squares in Kathmandu. Kathmandu Durbar Square used to be a royal residence. Now, it is an open museum. Here, you will visit the Kumari Ghar, where you can see the living goddess, Kumari.

Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple): Monkey Temple is one of the most famous tourist sites in Kathmandu. It is located at the top of a hill, overlooking Kathmandu Valley. The main stupa has a white dome and a golden spire with the eyes of Buddha.

Pashupatinath Temple: The Pashupatinath Temple is a pilgrimage site, located on the holy bank of the Bagmati River. It is one of the significant temples of Lord Shiva. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the main temple. The Pashupatinath Temple presents the unique philosophy of life, death, and rebirth.

Bouddha Stupa: Bouddha Stupa is the largest stupa in Nepal and also a center of Tibetan Buddhism. Around the stupa, there are many monasteries, cafes, restaurants, hotels, and shops.

Patan Durbar Square: Patan Durbar Square also used to be a royal residence and now serves as an open museum. Here, you can see the finest examples of Newari craftsmanship. Likewise, learn about Nepalese art, religion, and architecture.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square: This is the third and last royal residence of Kathmandu Valley. You will explore traditional houses, artisans practicing pottery and wood carving, ancient temples, and courtyards.

Garden of Dreams: Garden of Dreams is a beautiful garden inspired by European design. It is a hidden gem in Thamel. The garden is based on the principle of six seasons. It features pavilions, fountains, and manicured lawns.

You will travel to Pokhara. Take a short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Check in at your hotel upon landing in the city. Freshen up and get ready to visit tourist sites with your guide.

You may visit the following places in Pokhara:

Phewa Lake: Situated in the heart of Pokhara city, Phewa Lake offers a tranquil retreat from the noise of the city. Here, you can see the Annapurna Range and Mt. Fishtail. Kayaking and boating are quite famous on this lake.

World Peace Pagoda: The World Peace Pagoda is situated across Phewa Lake. From here, you can see a panoramic view of Pokhara.

Davis Falls: Davis Falls is a beautiful waterfall that disappears into an underground tunnel. The waterfall becomes very powerful during the monsoon season.

Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave: Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is located just across Davis Falls. The cave houses a Shiva lingam and extends deep underground.

International Mountain Museum: The International Mountain Museum showcases famous Himalayan expeditions and the culture of mountain communities.

Begnas Lake: Begnas Lake offers a peaceful alternative to Phewa Lake. It is also a beautiful lake surrounded by lush hills and farmland.

Bindhyabasini Temple: The Bindhyabasini Temple is one of the oldest temples in Pokhara. It is situated on a hilltop. You can see locals performing rituals and praying.

Mahendra Cave: Mahendra Cave is a large limestone cave. It is thrilling and adventurous to explore, and very popular among locals.

Today is a very exciting day. You will go on a private Annapurna Base Camp helicopter tour early in the morning. It will be a thrilling flight. You will see breathtaking aerial views of the mountains and glaciers.

The most amazing part of this helicopter tour is that you get to land at Annapurna Base Camp for one hour. During the landing, explore the base camp and walk to a nearby lodge for a cup of tea or coffee. Breakfast is also available.

From here, you will fly to the beautiful Mustang region. You can see a drastic shift in the scenery as you fly from Annapurna to the Mustang region. Land at a private helipad of Shinta Mani, a luxurious hotel in Kagbeni.

Begin your day with a delicious breakfast made from locally sourced organic ingredients. After that, get ready to go on a tour around the hotel. Walk through whitewashed houses and narrow alleys.

Descend to Marpha village, where you can explore beautiful apple orchards and the traditional Nepali mountain lifestyle.

Then visit Dhumba Lake, crossing the Kali Gandaki River. Here, you can also explore an ancient monastery called Khutsab Terenga. On the way to the lake, you will pass by the deepest gorge in the world, Kali Gandaki Gorge.

The stunning views of the Dhaulagiri range and arid landscapes will follow you throughout the day.

Today, you will go on a short trek to Jomsom village. We can customize the hikes as per your interest. The trail gradually descends to Jomsom, offering captivating arid landscapes and unique large rocks along the way.

Jomsom is a big village with a small airport and many modern services. Here, you can explore a bustling local market and interact with the Thakali community.

After the hike, return to Shinta Mani to spend the night. If you are tired, get a spa or one of their wellness programs.

On this day, you will drive to different villages and visit one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in Nepal, Muktinath Temple.

Jharkot: Jharkot is a traditional village perched on a ridge near Muktinath Temple. Here you can see ancient Tibetan-style architecture, narrow alleys, and prayer flags fluttering in the wind. The Jharkot Monastery is the main highlight of this village visit.

Jhong: Jhong is a small, less famous village near Jharkot. This village presents a raw, untouched glimpse into life in Mustang. Here, you will visit an old monastery and explore traditional houses.

Kagbeni: Kagbeni is one of the most famous villages in lower Mustang. It is the gateway to Upper Mustang. The village is known for its ancient mud-brick houses, narrow, dining alleys, and fortified buildings.

Muktinath Temple: The Muktinath Temple is situated at 3,760 meters above sea level. It is a pilgrimage site that is linked to liberation (moksha). The Muktinath Temple holds importance for both Hindus and Buddhists. Here, you will explore 108 water sprouts, the eternal flame, and an ancient monastery.

Lubra is an 800-year-old settlement tucked away in a quiet corner of the valley near Jomsom. It is one of the least visited villages. In Lubra, you will explore the ancient Bon religion, which predates Buddhism in the Himalayas.

Lubra is like stepping into a hidden world where centuries-old beliefs and rituals are still very much alive. You will explore a Bon monastery and have memorable encounters with the locals.

After exploring the village, return to Shinta Mani to spend your last peaceful night. Enjoy their wellness treatments and spa, and have a wonderful evening.

Wake up early with a stunning mountain view and a scrumptious breakfast. After that, get ready to fly back to Kathmandu in a helicopter. First, you will fly to Pokhara.

Land at Pokhara airport and take another helicopter flight back to Kathmandu. Upon landing in the city, our team will drop you off at the hotel in Dhulikhel.

Dhulikhel is a hill station near Kathmandu. You will find yourself surrounded by greenery and peace.

Today is your last full day in Nepal. Early in the morning, you will visit the Namo Buddha monastery. It is a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site located on a peaceful hill.

The monastery is surrounded by lush forested hills and terraced farmlands. Here, you can learn about Buddhism and practice meditation.

After exploring the monastery, you will drive back to Kathmandu. Check in at your hotel and rest.

Later in the day, visit local markets and window shops in Thamel. In the late evening, gather with the team for the welcome dinner.

The Bhutan Nepal tour 19 days ends on this day. You will fly back to your home. Our team will drop you off at the international airport in Kathmandu in a private luxury vehicle.