Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour - 12 days
Duration
12
Days
Trip Facts
  • Activities: Culture and City Tour
  • Min. Age: 12
Accommodation
  • 7 nights 3* hotel In Nepal
  • 4 nights 3* hotel In Bhutan
Meals
  • 11 Breakfasts
  • 5 Lunches
  • 8 Dinners
100%
Based on 6 reviews

Trip Introduction

Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Tour lets you visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha and important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal and Bhutan. Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour takes you to the sacred places blessed by the presence of Sakyamuni Buddha and Guru Rinpoche. For devout Buddhists this trip is a spiritual tour. Travel to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, feel the positive vibes of  Asura Cave, marvel at the sheer beauty of Tiger's Nest Monastery and get close to nature with a hike to Bumdra Monastery. Nepal and Bhutan are two important destinations with a long history of Buddhist spiritualism. Step inside spaces blessed by the holy presence of Lord Buddha and Guru Rinpoche (known as the second Buddha in the Himalayas). Explore ancient Buddhist monasteries and walk around sacred shrines and stupas, chanting the mantra ‘Om mani padme hum’ (Hail the jewel in the lotus).

In Nepal, you visit Lumbini, Lord Buddha’s birthplace; Boudhanath and Swoyambhunath– two ancient Buddhist shrines which are also UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. YourNepal Bhutan Buddhist Tour itinerary also includes visits to Asura Cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and Kopan Monastery, an important Tibetan Buddhist monastery.  Stroll around Patan – a medieval kingdom designed in the shape of a Buddhist ‘Dharma Chakra’ and home to ancient Buddhist viharas. This Nepal Bhutan Buddhist Tour package also includes a thrilling wildlife safari at Chitwan National Park.

Journey to Bhutan and explore the ancient lakhangs (Buddhist temples), dzongs and monasteries at Paro, Thimphu and Bumdra. Visit the meditation caves of Padmasambhava and other Buddhist saints. Interact with the monks and nuns living at the monasteries and seek blessings from the learned lamas(Buddhist monks) during your Bhutan Buddhist Tour. Take a hike to Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery) and Bumdra monastery and enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Bhutanese countryside and the Himalayan mountains. Throughout your Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Tour you will be guided by our experienced local guides.

If you want to to tour more of Bhutan and nepal, these trips might interest you -  Nepal and Bhutan Tour - 9 days, Nepal and Bhutan Trek - 14 days and Nepal trek and Bhutan Cultural Tour - 12 days. 


Trip Highlights

  • Visit Lumbini – the birthplace of Lord Buddha and a UNESCO World Heritage Site during your Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Tour 
  • Circle the holy stupa of Boudhanath, together with the pilgrims
  • Climb the steps to the hilltop shrine of Swoyambhunath built by Boddhisattva Manjushri
  • Visit ‘Asura Cave’, where Padmasambhava meditated attained ‘mahamudra’
  • In Bhutan, step inside sacred monasteries and lakhangs (Buddhist Temples)
  • Trek to the holy Bumdra Monastery and the iconic Taktsang Monastery(Tiger’s Nest)

 Is this trip suitable for you?

  • Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Tour that takes you to some of the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Bhutan and Nepal. 
  • As the itinerary includes hikes to some hilltop monasteries, you should be able to walk on gravel trails and climb hills. No technical climbing involved. 
  • You will be accompanied by experienced local guides throughout your Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Tour 
  • Seamless cross country travel arrangements. You will be greeted by our representatives at both the international airports (Paro and Kathmandu) upon your arrival.  All ground transfers by comfortable private vehicles. 
  • In addition to pilgrimages to sacred Buddhist sites, you get to enjoy wildlife safari (elephant ride, canoe ride, jeep safari etc.) at Chitwan National Park. 
  •  Accommodation at tourist standard hotels with comfortable and clean rooms. In Bumdra, you will be staying at a luxury tented camp. 

Day to Day Itinerary

Arrival on: Kathmandu, Nepal | Departure from: Kathmandu, Nepal

DAY 1:

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - Transfer to Hotel expand

Endless rows of mountains surrounding the valley of Kathmandu greet you as you fly into Kathmandu. Our representative will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel. After checking in, take some rest. Late in the afternoon or evening our travel consultant will brief you on your trip’s itinerary. Later attend a welcome dinner (complimentary) at an authentic Nepali restaurant . Overnight in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Oasis Kathmandu Hotel or Thamel Boutique Hotel
  • Meal Included :
  • Dinner

DAY 2:

Sightseeing in Kathmandu expand

Activities: Visit Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and Kopan Monastery

Your sacred Buddhist Tour begins with a visit to Swoyambhunath, one of the oldest shrines in Kathmandu. Believed to have been built by Boddhisattva Manjushri the stupa is sacred to both Buddhists and Hindus. Located on a hill overlooking the whole of Kathmandu Valley, the origin of this temple is closely linked to the creation of Kathmandu Valley. According to a Buddhist legend, Kathmandu Valley was once a lake and it was drained by Boddhisattva Manjushri as he wanted to meditate at the spot where the Swoyambhunath stupa now stands.

Your next stop is Boudhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal and an important centre of Tibetan Buddhism. The large white dome of the stupa stands on a giant mandala. It is believed that the remains of the Kasyapa Buddha (previous incarnation of Lord Buddha) are buried beneath the stupa. Monasteries, restaurants, souvenir shops surround this magnificent stupa. Complete a kora around this sacred stupa turning the prayer wheels with the other pilgrims. Light a butter lamp and offer prayers to the Buddhist deities.

End the day’s tour with a visit to the beautiful Kopan Monastery. Located on the northern rim of the city, this is an important Tibetan Buddhist monastery. The meditation courses offered by the monastery are quite popular among tourists. Overnight in Kathmandu. 

Accommodation: Oasis Kathmandu Hotel or Thamel Boutique Hotel
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast

DAY 3:

Drive to Lumbini - 7 to 8 hours (250km) drive expand

Activities: Visit Buddhist Monasteries

Wake up early and take a drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Located south-west of Kathmandu Valley, it takes roughly around eight hours drive to reach the sacred town of Lumbini from the capital. After leaving Kathmandu, follow a zigzag road down to Trishuli River. Enjoy mesmerizing sights of mountains, terraced fields and traditional villages. Once you reach Lumbini, head to your hotel and take rest. If you feel up to it, you can do some sightseeing in the late afternoon. Several Buddhist monasteries and decorative stupas built by Buddhist countries dot Lumbini’s sacred grounds. You can visit these monasteries and spend some quiet time meditating. Overnight in Lumbini.

Accommodation: Buddha Maya Gardens Resort
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast

DAY 4:

Drive to Chitwan - 4 to 5 hours (109km) drive expand

Activities: Morning: Lumbini sightseeing, Afternoon: Drive to Chitwan

Wake up early and visit Maya Devi Temple, the actual site where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to the infant Gautama Buddha. After offering prayers head to another holy site, the Puskarini Pond. It is believed that Lord Buddha was given his ritual bath after his birth at this pond. Other significant sights include the Ashoka Pillar(a sandstone pillar erected by the Indian Emperor Ashoka to commemorate his visit to Lumbini in 249 BCE and mark the birthplace of Lord Buddha) and the Sacred Garden. Later on depart Lumbini and drive to Chitwan for wildlife safari. From Lumbini it takes a little over four hours by vehicle to reach Chitwan. Overnight in Chitwan.

Accommodation: Green Park Chitwan
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

DAY 5:

Jungle Activities at Chitwan National Park expand

Activities: Jungle safari, elephant ride, canoe ride, visit Elephant Breeding Centre, explore Tharu Village, Tharu cultural show

Follow your guide to Chitwan National Park. Take a jeep safari and explore the national park. Later on enjoy elephant ride, canoe ride and visit the Elephant Breeding Centre. The park is home to several endangered species, like the one-horned rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger, Black stork etc. Late in the afternoon take a stroll around a traditional Tharu Village and observe the Tharu tribals’ lifestyle. In the evening you will be entertained by a Tharu cultural troupe. There will be traditional singing and dancing followed by dinner. Overnight in Chitwan. 

Accommodation: Green Park Chitwan
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

DAY 6:

Drive to Kathmandu - 5 to 6 hours (150km) drive expand

Drive overland from Chitwan to Kathmandu. The ride back to the capital city is filled with delightful sights of lush jungles, verdant hills, glacial rivers and picturesque villages. After arriving in Kathmandu head back to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Take rest or stroll around Thamel or the local market (Ason). Have an early night as you will be flying to Bhutan tomorrow. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Oasis Kathmandu Hotel or Thamel Boutique Hotel
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast

DAY 7:

Fly to Paro(2,280m/7480ft) and Paro sightseeing - 1 hour flight expand

Activities; Visit Rinpung Dzong, Kichu Lakhang

Today you will be flying to Bhutan, the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’. Watch the snow-covered spires of the Himalayan range unfold from your seat during the flight to Paro from Kathmandu. Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your guide who will drive to your hotel and help you check in. After lunch, you begin your spiritual tour with a visit to the ancient Paro or Rinpung Dzong (Fortress of the Heap of Jewels). The traditional fortress houses many religious relics including priceless paintings depicting Buddhist stories.

Afterwards walk downhill and cross the wooden bridge till you reach the road. Board the vehicle which will be waiting for you and head to Kichu Lakhang, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. According to local lore the temple was built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo to subdue a demoness who was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in this corner of the Himalayas. It is said that the temple was constructed overnight. Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche is believed to have visited this temple during the eighth century. After exploring the temple head back to your hotel and take rest. Overnight in Paro.  

Accommodation: Tashi Namgyal Resort
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

DAY 8:

Hike to Bumdra Monastery (3800m/12,467ft) expand

Activities; Hike from the trailhead to Bumdra Monastery

After breakfast drive to the trailhead located at Sang Choekor Buddhist University. After the day’s supplies have been loaded on the ponies, you take the uphill trail to Bumdra Monastery. Walk past a forested ridge to a meadow filled with colourful prayer flags. From here you can enjoy amazing views of Paro and Do Chhu valley. Walk another hour or two to reach the sacred temple of Chhoe Tse Lakhang. From here, an arduous hike past ancient ruins, prayer flags and verdant forest brings you to an open meadow which is your campsite. Located at an elevation of 3800 meters, you can savour awe-inspiring views of the Himalayan mountains and surrounding valleys from the campsite. The campsite lies below Bumdra Monastery. Overnight in Bumdra.

Accommodation: Luxury Tented Camp
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

DAY 9:

Hike to Tiger’s Nest and drive back to the city expand

Activities; Hike Bumdra to Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery)

Wake up early to catch the sunrise. It is indeed a heavenly sight as the first rays of the sun touch the mountains and the hillsides tinting them in hues of golden, yellow, orange and red. Visit the monastery (Cave of a Thousand Prayers) and offer prayers. Head down and follow the trail to Taktsang Monastery. Walk past a dense forest filled with pine and rhododendron trees till you spy the golden roofs of Taktsang Monastery. Descend down and visit the monastery. One of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Bhutan, Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest hangs precariously on a steep rock face. It is believed that Padmasambhava flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to meditate at the spot where the monastery now stands. After offering prayers, hike down to the highway. Board the vehicle that will be waiting for you and head to your hotel. Overnight in Paro. 

Accommodation: Tashi Namgyal Resort
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

DAY 10:

Drive to Thimphu expand

Activities: Visit King’s Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, Changangha Lakhang and Buddha Dordenma

You drive to Thimphu after an early breakfast. Upon reaching the capital commence your tour with a visit to King’s Memorial Chorten which was built for world peace and prosperity. Next head to Tashichho Dzong. This magnificent traditional fortress houses a monastery and government offices. Also visit Changangkha Lakhang, an ancient Buddhist Temple located on a ridge top. The temple is frequented by new parents with their infants with the hope of receiving auspicious names for their newly born babies from the monks residing at the lakhang. Changangkha Lakhang was built in the 12th century at a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo who arrived from Tibet to spread the Drukpa Kagyu teachings of Buddhism in Bhutan. Later head to the hilltop shrine of Buddha Dordenma at Kuenselpodrang. The Buddha Dordenma is a giant metal statue that stands at a height of 51 metres. At the base of the statue is a chapel. 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha are placed inside the statue. From here one can enjoy a 360 degree of Thimphu valley. Overnight in Thimphu.

Accommodation: Namgay Heritage Hotel
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

DAY 11:

Drive to Paro, fly to Kathmandu and visit Patan Durbar Square and Pharping expand

Activities: Visit Patan Durbar Square & Pharping (Asura Cave)

From Thimphu you will be transferred to Paro International Airport well on time to catch your flight to Kathmandu. You will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After checking in and getting refreshed meet your guide. Together you head to Patan, one of the three medieval kingdoms in the valley. The kingdom was designed in the shape of a Buddhist ‘Dharma Chakra’ in the olden days. Also known as Lalitpur or the ‘City of Artisans’, Patan has a large Buddhist population. Viharas and ancient Buddhist shrines dot this ancient city.

Your guide will take you to Patan Durbar Square, a palace square built by the Malla Kings which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The square is filled with palaces, Buddhist shrines and Hindu temples. Hiranya Varna Mahavihar or Golden Temple (one of the most ancient Buddhist shrines in Nepal), Mahaboudha Temple. Mahaboudha Temple which dates back to the 16th century, is a miniature representation of the Mahabouddha Temple in Bodhgaya (the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment). The temple is built using tiles engraved with the images of Buddha.

After Patan tour, you take a drive to Pharping, a small town that lies south on the outskirts Kathmandu valley. Follow your guide to one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Kathmandu, the ‘Asura Cave’. It is here that Guru Rinpoche or Padmasambhava meditated and achieved the state of ‘Mahamudra’.  Later drive back to your hotel. Celebrate the completion of your tour with a complimentary farewell dinner. Head to an authentic Nepali restaurant and enjoy a traditional feast and a cultural show. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Oasis Kathmandu Hotel or Thamel Boutique Hotel
  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner

DAY 12:

Depart Kathmandu expand

You will be driven to the international airport three hours before your flight’s scheduled departure. If you want to visit more places in the Himalayas, do let us know. We have a range of interesting itineraries.

  • Meal Included :
  • Breakfast


Tailor Your Holiday

You can change this itinerary, services, accommodation, duration of this trip etc.to suit your needs and budget. The choice is yours. Let us help you tailor your perfect holiday.


What's Included

  • Airport pick up & drop off service in a private vehicle
  • 3-star accommodation in Nepal with breakfast
  • Bhutan Government's Sustainable Development Fee USD 200 per night per person
  • Government-approved 3-star accommodation in Bhutan
  • All ground transportation by comfortable private vehicle as per the itinerary

  • All jungle activities included in Chitwan (Bird watching, visit Elephant breeding center, Tharu cultural program, Canoe ride, Elephant bathing, Elephant safari or Jeep safari)
  • Welcome and Farewell dinners
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in Bhutan
  • Guided sightseeing tour as mentioned in the itinerary
  • Professional English-speaking, government licensed local tour guide for sightseeing
  • Monument entry fees during Sightseeing tour

  • Bhutan visa fee and special permit
  • All Local and Government taxes, administrative charges

What's not Included

  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival or late departure
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Lumbini
  • Nepal Visa fee
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • International flights (Kathmandu-Paro-Kathmandu)
  • Personal expenses (laundry, bar bills, snacks, phone calls, internet etc.)
  • Tips for guide and driver (tipping is expected)
  • Any unseen expenses due to circumstances beyond our control

Accommodation

Nepal: In Kathmandu stay at Oasis Kathmandu Hotel or Thamel Boutique Hotel, a 3 star hotel located in the heart of the city. It lies close to the tourist hub of Thamel and international embassies. Restaurants, shops and local markets lie close to the hotel.

You will be accommodated at Green Park Chitwan Resort, a 3 star resort in Chitwan. Surrounded by lush greenery, the hotel is only a stone’s throw away from Chitwan National Park.

In Lumbini your address is the grand Buddha Maya Garden Hotel. It lies inside the Lumbini Heritage Site, a few minutes’ walk from the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and monasteries.

All these establishments offer air-conditioned rooms with attached bathrooms, running hot and cold water, free wi-fi etc. Other amenities include restaurant, bar, coffee shop, swimming pool and a travel desk.

Bhutan: During your Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Tour, you stay at the splendid Tashi Namgyal Resort overlooking the Pa Chu River in Paro. The resort offers comfortable deluxe rooms, cottages and executive sites with attached bathrooms.  Your address in Thimphu is the beautiful Namgay Heritage Hotel. This hotel offers luxurious deluxe rooms and premium suites. Amenities at both these establishments include free Wi-Fi, multi cuisine restaurant, bar, spa, fitness centre etc.

In Bumdra you will be staying at a luxury tented camp. The camp is equipped with heaters, toilet tent, spacious dining tent and tents with comfortable sleeping arrangement (soft mattress, blankets, pillows).

Meals

Nepal: In Kathmandu enjoy breakfast, welcome and farewll dinners.

You are responsible for your other meals. There are high-end as well as mid-range and budget restaurants and eateries in Kathmandu. In Thamel itself, you will find a wide variety of specialty and multi-cuisine restaurants and eateries.

Full board (accommodation with meals- breakfast, lunch, dinner) at Chitwan and Lumbini.

Bhutan: In Bhutan, you will discover restaurants and eateries serving continental, Indian and Bhutanese fare. Bhutanese use a lot of chilies, cheese, meat, mushrooms, red rice and buck wheat in their dishes. All meals are included in the trip price.




Note on Includes and Excludestimes

Lunch and Dinner in Kathmandu, Lumbin not included in Package Cost Full Board Meal provided in Chitwan and Bhutan

Dates and Prices

We only organize Private and Tailor-Made Trips.

Choose your own travel dates and book your trip online through our safe and secure online booking portal. Once you have booked and paid, it's 100% confirmed that your trip will run on schedule.

We have more than 23 years of experience in planning adventure holidays in the Himalayas. Our trips are fully-supported and we offer personalized service to our clients. The care and attention that we put in your trip ensures that your holiday is more enriching, satisfying and successful. When you travel at your personal timeframe with your own group it's guaranteed that you will have the trip of a lifetime.

No of traveller
USD 3890
1
Total: USD 3890

Why Travel with Us?

Safety, Our No. 1 Priority
Private & Tailor-Made Trips
Travel with Locals. Support Locals
24/7 International Support
All Inclusive Price
Lifetime Deposit
Secure Online Payment, No Credit Card Fee

Photos And Videos


Best Time To Travel

Best seasons for this Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Tour are Spring, Autumn and early Winter. Daytime temperatures remain pleasant; neither too hot nor too hot; during these seasons. Though it may turn a bit chilly in the early hours and late evenings in Autumn and early Winter.


Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour FAQs

Yes, you can purchase local SIM cards for your cell phone at both these countries. You may have to fill up a form and submit a passport photograph and a photocopy of your passport. The price for these SIM cards is nominal and may cost about a dollar (US). It will be easier for you to connect with your family and friends and access internet using these SIMs. 

Yes, you are allowed to take pictures of the places. However, taking photographs in certain areas need permission and you can consult your tour guide for that matter. Please do seek permission of people before taking their pictures.

Most of the tour focuses on the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the old cities of Patan and Bhaktapur.

If you want to add extra activities and sites to your itinerary it can be done. Our Travel Consultant will help you customize your trip. Just let us know which places you want to visit and what you want to do and we will add these in your itinerary.

We usually provide private comfortable vehicles to individual tourists. For groups we provide comfortable luxury buses for pick up and drop-offs.

We would recommend all our clients to purchase travel insurance before booking any of our treks. Trust us you will have a pleasant holiday knowing that you have a good insurance cover. In the event of any sickness or injury while trekking in the mountains, the cost of emergency treatment and evacuation will be considerable. Therefore, traveling with an insurance cover is strongly recommended for everyone who signs up for any of our trips. But be careful while choosing a policy as some policies make special exceptions for adventure travel.

Do read the fine print. Before buying insurance make sure your insurance company is aware of your travel itinerary and is agreeable to cover all activities being undertaken during the trip. Such as if you are planning to trek or climb (mountaineering expedition) in the Himalayas, your insurance must cover emergency air ambulance/helicopter rescue including medical expenses. For a group tour in an urban area, insurance cover of air ambulance or helicopter rescue is not mandatory. While booking a trip with us you need to send us a copy of your insurance policy (e.g. your insurance certificate) or carry it with you while you come for the trip.

No, you cannot get insurance in Nepal. Please also note that Third Rock Adventures does not arrange or sell insurance.

Yes, for a first time traveller to Nepal and Bhutan, the Jewels of Nepal and Bhutan itinerary is the perfect one. This tour introduces you to the main highlights of both these countries. While you get to explore World heritage Sites at one of Nepal’s oldest cities Kathmandu, in Bhutan  you get to visit three major cities in Bhutan – Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. The exploration walks are easy and doable. The places and sites that have been incorporated in this itinerary are  an integral part of these countries cultural heritage. By visiting these sites with our knowledgeable guide you will get an insight of these Himalayan nations unique cultures and traditions. 

No, this is not possible. The government of Bhutan has made it mandatory for tourists (except Indian nationals) to book a tour with a registered travel agency. In order to get a tourist visa in Bhutan, you need to book a tour with an agency. Your guide is selected by the agency with whom you book your tour.

Most of our tour guides speak English, which is a common communication medium. They are also trained, experienced and know the areas very well.



Price From
Instant Booking
USD2380 per person

SAVE USD 60 IN YOUR NEXT BOOKING
No. of People Price per person
1 - 1   USD 3890
2 - 4   USD 3010
5 - 8   USD 2570
9 +   USD 2380
No of traveller
USD 3890
1
Total: USD 3890

Trip Reviews

Travel experiences of our clients who recently returned from their trips.
100%

Based on 6 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Zhang Yong
flagsPeople`s Republic of China
Jun 10, 2019
Nepal Bhutan Tour
I travlled with family to Nepal and Bhutan. Trip very good. No problem. Lumbini, the birthplace of Sakyamuni was very peaceful. My children enjoyed Chitwan wildlife safari. While hiking to Bumdra we felt tires but camping at Bumdra was nice. Tiger’s Nest was the best! Third Rock Adventures guides are excellent.
Recommended by Friend,
Yes
Lumbini tour, Chitwan , Bumdra Monastery and Tiger's Nest.
Arinya Onruang
flagsThailand
May 09, 2019
Cherishing memories -Pilgrimage Tour
Being a Buddhist I always wanted to go on a pilgrimage tour of Nepal and Bhutan. Me and my mom started this tour with Swoyambhu and Bouddhanath and then went to the birth place of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini of Nepal. Lumbini overwhelmed me - experience one of a kind difficult to describe in words. We had an amazing flight to Bhutan. Sunrise and the hike to Tastang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest with chilly breeze- pure bliss. Enjoyed the visit to other iconic places like King’s Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, Tashichho Dzong and others. All in all well planned and organized trip.
I highly recommend visiting Nepal and Bhutan; I came back with a lot of beautiful memories to cherish!!!
Che-Wei Chang
flagsHong Kong, China
Apr 29, 2019
Family trip to Nepal and Bhutan
We booked the Nepal and Bhutan Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour with Third Rock Adventures and we had a great trip. This was the first time that our family (parents, wife, uncles, aunts and cousins – altogether 17 people) travelled together. As we were a large group, we were expecting some confusion or glitches on the part of the company, but to our surprise everything went as planned. Thanks to the team at Third Rock for taking care of the minute details. The visit to Lumbini, birthplace of Sakyamuni Buddha was a spiritual experience. I personally enjoyed exploring Bhutan. After living in a city that seems like a concrete jungle, the abundant greenery in Bhutan felt like a warm embrace from mother nature. Thank you Thupten (guide) and Sonam (driver) in Bhutan and Kamal (guide) in Nepal for your patience, warmth and friendliness. This is a trip all of us will remember for a lifetime!
Good Value,
Yes
Be culturally sensitive and dress appropriately while visiting religious monuments.
Chelsea Buskin
flagsNew Zealand
Feb 06, 2019
A Buddhist journey
I am a follower of Mahayana Buddhism and I have made it my mission in life to visit all the major Buddhist sites. After traveling to Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar, I headed to Nepal. Since Bhutan was next in my itinerary, my friend suggested that I book my trip with Third Rock Adventures. They had just the perfect itinerary for me. The guides were all knowledgeable and polite. They did not rush me and gave me time and space to explore the meditation caves. I spent some quite time at the Asura Cave in Pharping. I could feel the holy presence of Guru Padmasambhava. Walking through Patan was a delight. Lumbini was peaceful. I felt blessed to visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Bhutan was so pure and pristine. The mist covered forests and the hilltop monasteries and lakhangs, it felt like an enchanted place. The hotels, transportation etc. were all in line with my expectations. Thanks to the people at Third Rock Adventures for making my journey a pleasurable one. You bet I will be booking my next trip to Bhutan with this company!
Recommended by Friend,
Yes
I chose this trip because I wanted to visit Lumbini and Bhutan.
My whole trip was memorable.
You should book this trip.
Atisha Penjore
flagsAustria
Dec 07, 2018
Pilgrimage to the holy sites - Nepal Bhutan Tour
I consider it luck and blessing that i was able to embark on this spiritual journey to Nepal and Bhutan following the footsteps of Buddha. As soon as i saw the itinerary in third rock adventures website, i immediately knew that this trip was made for me. I must congratulate the team at TRA for understanding all my needs and requirements and executing everything to perfection. I really enjoyed the trip and am very thankful for the opportunity.
I like itinerary,
Yes
Sonja Pema Jenkins
flagsSweden
Sep 28, 2018
A meaningful trip to serene and sacred places
I chose this trip because number one I love travelling and Bhutan was on my bucket list of ‘must-visit’ destinations; and number two because Buddha’s teachings has left a huge impact in my life. Being a Buddhist I am naturally drawn towards Buddhist pilgrimage centres. While browsing, I came across this trip and booked it right away (online). The team at Third Rock Adventures were very helpful and friendly. They helped me purchase a local sim which I used to call up my family while I was on the road. The visit to Lumbini was special. The place is so peaceful and serene. Though this was a kind of pilgrimage tour, a side trip to Chitwan National Park infused an adventure feel to it. The hike to Bumdra monastery and Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan was amazing. This was truly an inspiring trip. Thank you and thumbs up to the whole team for making this an incredible journey!
Good Value,I like itinerary,
Yes
Because I wanted to visit Bhutan and Lumbini.
The whole trip was memorable.
If you like visiting Buddhist spiritual places this trip is for you.
Recommendation

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USA & Canada
Australia
51 Spring Street, Thomastown Vic 3074
Europe
864 route de la Marqueze, 40230 Josse
Nepal
Keshar Mahal Marg, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tibet
Sera Road/ Tashi Xintsun, Lhasa, Tibet
Bhutan
Changlam, Thimphu 11001, Bhutan