Incredible Nepal Bhutan Tour - 10 days

Incredible Nepal Bhutan Tour - 10 days


Nepal Bhutan Tour 10 days give you an opportunity to explore two countries rich in culture and natural beauty alike. Enrich your travel experience by touring two Himalayan countries together. Nepal is famous for its high mountains and trekking but its rich culture and tradition cannot be overlooked. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley are the pride of the country. Moreover, visit the unique country Bhutan which coined the theory of Gross National Happiness and emphasized its importance over Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

There is a long history of Buddhism in both Nepal and Bhutan but you will find similarities and differences in its practice. Explore ancient monasteries and tread around holy stupas and shrines. Experience the warm local hospitality and get an insight into their fascinating culture and traditions. Make your Bhutan and Nepal travel memorable by making Third Rock Adventures your travel companion.

How Much Does This Trip Cost?

The trip's price depends on the type of services chosen by our clients and the group size. The cost of each trip we organize is different because we see travelers as individuals having their own particular needs and preferences.

Get ready for an incredible journey tailored to your interests and preferences, whether you're looking for a budget-friendly adventure or a luxurious getaway. Leave the planning to us as we take care of all the details, ensuring your dream trip becomes a reality. You can relax and focus on creating unforgettable memories that will stay with you forever.

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Trip Highlights

  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu Valley and marvel at the aesthetic beauty and know the religious and cultural importance. You will be visiting Boudhanath, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath and Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
  • Pokhara is blessed with natural beauty and you will be exploring the lakes, caves and waterfall of the touristy city.
  • Get an insight into the early mountaineering gears with a visit to International Mountain Museum.
  • Take a scenic flight from Kathmandu, Nepal to Paro, Bhutan during which you get the chance to see some of the highest mountains in the world.
  • You will be hiking to the iconic Tiger’s Nest which is of religious importance for Buddhists in Bhutan.
  • Visit significant Bhutan places like Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lhakhang, Buddha Dordema, Chimi Lakhang and others.
  • Visit the most scenic mountain pass of Bhutan, Dorchula Pass (3,100m) overlooking the Himalayan vista.
  • You will be visiting the ancient fortress of Bhutan called dzongs which are architectural delights. In this Incredible Nepal and Bhutan Tour, you will be visiting Paro Dzong, Punakha Dzong, Tashichho Dzong.
  • You will be hiking in the Phobjikha Village and exploring Gangtey Goempa. The Goempa is an important monastery for the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism.
  • Visit ‘The Crane Center’ and learn more about the endangered Black-necked Cranes that migrate to Bhutan from Tibet every year.

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights
Day 1 Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft) - Transfer to Hotel and sigtseeing
Day 2 Drive to Pokhara and explore Lakeside - 6 to 7 hours (200km) drive
Day 3 Sunrise from Sarangkot and Pokhara Sightseeing
Day 4 Flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara and Bhaktapur Sightseeing - 25 minute flight
Day 5 Flight from Kathmandu to Paro and drive to Thimphu and Thimphu sightseeing - 1 hour flight and 1:30 hours (55km) drive
Day 6 Drive to Punakha and Punakha Sightseeing - 2 to 3 hours (85km) drive
Day 7 Drive to Phobjikha Valley and Phobjikha village tour - 2 to 3 hours (81km) drive
Day 8 Drive to Paro and Paro Sightseeing - 5 to 6 (176km) drive
Day 9 Hike to Tiger’s Nest and visit Kyichu Lakhang - 5 to 6 hours hike
Day 10 Final Departure

Trip Overview

Your 10 days Incredible Nepal Bhutan Tour begins with a flight to Kathmandu, Nepal and ends with a flight from Paro, Bhutan. You will be sightseeing in Kathmandu for a day and visiting Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath Stupa. On the following day, you will be driving to the popular city, Pokhara.

Start the first day in Pokhara with a magical sunrise over the Himalayas from Sarangkot. During Pokhara sightseeing, you will be boating in Lake Phewa and visiting the island temple. You will also visit popular places in the city like Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and International Mountain Museum. Further, you will fly back to Kathmandu and explore the Bhaktapur Durbar Square of medieval times. On the following day, you will be leaving for the only Buddhist Kingdom, Bhutan.

A flight from Kathmandu, Nepal to Paro, Bhutan is one of the most scenic flights over the tall mountains. You will be visiting the iconic Bhutan cities like Paro, Thimphu the capital of Bhutan and Punakha. Visit the ancient fortress called dzongs including Paro Dzong, Thimphu Dzong and Punakha Dzong. A wonderful hike through paddy fields to the old temple of Chimi Lakhang will be memorable. You will get to see the rural life of Bhutan while exploring Phobhikha Valley. No Bhutan travel is complete without hiking to Taktsang Monastery perched on a cliff. It is one of the holy places for Bhutanese where Guru Rinpoche flew to meditate on a tigress back from Tibet.

Detailed Itinerary

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

Activities: Visit Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath Stupa
Pashupathnath Temple, Kathmandu Pashupatinath Temple- The Biggest holy place for Hindu people and one of the four most important religious sites in Asia

A long chain of mountains will welcome you as you approach Kathmandu and you will be landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport. One of the representatives from Third Rock Adventures will come to pick you up at in Kathmandu. Check into your hotel and after resting for a while you will be touring the must-visit places in Kathmandu.

You will be visiting UNESCO World Heritage Site listed cultural heritages including Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath Stupa. Boudhanath is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and is the center of Tibetan Buddhism. You will see people or devotes circumambulating the stupa, lighting butter lamps and chanting prayers as well.

Your next stop is Pashupatinath, the revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple lies in the bank of the holy river Bagmati and the Hindu cremation takes place along the river bank. You can observe the open fire cremation from the eastern bank of the river. Visit the hilltop Stupa of Swayambhunath from where you can enjoy the view of Kathmandu Valley. The stupa of Swayambhunath is also popular as Monkey Temple due to the monkeys present in the area. It’s best to stay away from the notorious monkeys. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 2
Drive to Pokhara and explore Lakeside - 6 to 7 hours (200km) drive

Activities: Exploring Lakeside in Pokhara

Today you will be driving to Pokhara from Kathmandu via Prithivi Highway which takes around 6 to 7 hours. On the scenic drive, you will be riding past rural towns and small villages. Verdant hills and perfectly carved terraced farmlands look amazing. It will be a long journey so it’s a good idea to keep some snacks handy and download some of your favorite movies or shows.

Upon reaching Pokhara you will check into your hotel and freshen up and later you will be strolling around the beautiful Lakeside, Pokhara. Moreover, Lakeside is a good place to eat with a stunning view. Food connoisseurs will get to choose from various cuisines including Nepalese, Thai, Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Burmese and others. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 3
Sunrise from Sarangkot and Pokhara Sightseeing

Activities: Sunrise tour from Sarangkot, Visit Lake Phewa, Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, International Mountain Museum and Bindhyabasini Temple
Sunrise from Sarangkot Sunrise View from Sarangkot - Best spot for sunrise and sunset Near Pokhara Photo: ehodgesphoto/flickr

 On this day you will be driving to Sarangkot to watch a magical Himalayan sunrise. It takes around 30 minutes to reach Sarangkot Hill. Savor the stunning view of snowcapped mountains including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri and Lamjung from the viewpoint. Watch the rays of the sun paint the sky from a purple-pink and finally turn the peaks golden.

Further, you will be visiting famous places of Pokhara including Lake Phewa, Davis Fall, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, International Mountain Museum and Bindhyabasini Temple. Go boating in the beautiful Lake Phewa overlooking Annapurna Range and visit the holy temple, Barahi Mandir located on a small island.

Davis Fall is a popular waterfall. The waterfall disappears in the underground and flows through a tunnel and reappears at the edge of Gupteshowor Mahadev Cave. Moreover, Gupteshowor Mahadev Cave is believed as the longest cave in Nepal (2950 meters) and has a big stalagmite Shiva lingam.

Take a look at International Mountain Museum which features early equipment used for trekking and climbing. The museum also exhibits a variety of Himalayan flora and fauna. Bindhyabasini Temple is one of the oldest temples of Pokhara dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati. The hilltop temple overlooks the stunning Annapurna range and you can easily spot Machhapuchhre or Fish Tail peak. Overnight in Pokhara.

Day 4
Flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara and Bhaktapur Sightseeing - 25 minute flight

Activities: Exploring Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Golden gate Bhaktapur Golden Gate - attraction at Bhaktapur Durbar Square and perfect wood carving Bhaktapur

Take a short but scenic flight of around half an hour from Pokhara to Kathmandu. You will get a chance to enjoy the view of the snowy mountain range from your window during the flight (recommended to seat on the left side of the plane for the good mountain view). After reaching Kathmandu you will be exploring Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The Durbar Square boasts fine craftsmanship of medieval times.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square features centuries-old temples, palaces and edifices which are examples of the fine craftsmanship of medieval times. 55 widows palace, Nyatapol Temple, Golden Gate are few must-visit palaces of the durbar square. The city of Bhaktapur is one of the well preserved ancient cities of Nepal. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 5
Flight from Kathmandu to Paro and drive to Thimphu and Thimphu sightseeing - 1 hour flight and 1:30 hours (55km) drive

Activities: Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lhakhang, Buddha Dordema, Tashichho Dzong, Weekend market
Tashichho dzong Thimphu Tashichho Dzong - one of the prime places to visit in Thimphu

Today you will be taking a flight to Paro from Kathmandu. The flight from Kathmandu to Paro is scenic. You can enjoy the view of many tall mountains in the world from your window. Upon landing you will meet your guide and you will get the details of your trip schedules. Further, you will be driving from Paro to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.

Visit the King’s Memorial Chorten dedicated to world peace and prosperity. The architecture is a display of the fine craftsmanship and architecture of Bhutan. Pay a visit to Changangkha Lhakhang which is a Bhutanese temple situated on a ridge. Couples with newborns visit the temple to seek blessings from the protector deity called Tamarin. Your next stop is Buddha Dordenma which dominates the skyline of Thimphu and is one of the biggest statues of Buddha in the world.

Tashichho Dzong located on the banks of River Wang Chu is large and beautiful. It was a fortress before and now operates as a government office. Thimphu Tshechu, a popular festival of Bhutan is also held here. If you wish to do some souvenir shopping the weekend market is a good place where you will get a wide range of artifacts.  Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 6
Drive to Punakha and Punakha Sightseeing - 2 to 3 hours (85km) drive

Activities: Visit Dochula Pass, Chimi Lakhang, Punakha Dzong, Khamsum Yuley Lakhang
Traditional Village in Punakha Traditional village in Punakha Bhutan

Today you will be driving from the capital city to Punakha. En route, you will be crossing Dochula Pass (3,200m) which overlooks the scenic view of snowy mountains and verdant forests. The pass features 108 chortens built in the memory of soldiers who lost their lives in the war of 2003 against Indian insurgents.

Pay a visit to the holy Chimi Lakhang also known as the Fertility Temple. Many couples visit the temple wishing for a child while couples with new babies visit to receive blessings from a local lama. Visit the second largest dzong of Bhutan built in the 17th century called, Punakha Dzong. The beauty of Punakha dzong, situated in the confluence of two rivers Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu, is known to mesmerize its onlookers.

You will be visiting Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten which overlooks the Punakha Valley. It was built in 2004 by following the traditional Bhutanese teachings. Khamsum Yulley Namgyal is special as it was built with a view to bringing peace and harmony to all living beings of the world. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 7
Drive to Phobjikha Valley and Phobjikha village tour - 2 to 3 hours (81km) drive

Activities: Hiking up to Gangtey Goempa and The Crane Center

After having breakfast, you will be driving to Pobhjikha and exploring the picturesque village. You will be hiking on a wonderful trail for around 2.5 hours on your way up to the hilltop Gangtey Goempa or Gangtey Monastery. It is an important monastery for the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Also, the monastery offers an amazing view of Phobjikha Valley.

Black-necked cranes migrate to Bhutan from Tibet and a festival is celebrated in its honor. As per Bhutanese folklore, these birds loop over the monastery three full times when they arrive and depart. This peculiar behavior is believed as their way of paying reverence to the three sacred jewels of Buddhism and asking for their protection throughout their stay in Bhutan. Mask dances along with local songs, dramas and mask dances are performed in the courtyard of the Gangtey Monastery. Visit The Crane Center which exhibits information on cranes, their environment and awareness programs on the endangered bird. Overnight in Phobjikha.

Day 8
Drive to Paro and Paro Sightseeing - 5 to 6 (176km) drive

Activities: Visit Paro Dzong and explore Paro Town
Ringung Dzong, Paro Rinpung Dzong - Also known as Paro Dzong means 'Fortress on a Heap of Jewels'

You will be leaving for Paro after breakfast and will be exploring Paro. Visit Paro Dzong which is a reflection of fine Bhutanese architecture and craftsmanship. The beautiful dzong is also called Rinpung Dzong which means Heap of Jewels Fort. The dzong or fortress houses the monastic body as well as the government offices of Bhutan.

Explore the old Paro Town which is lined with two-storied traditional Bhutanese houses. The street is filled with many shops with handicrafts and different cafes. Walk leisurely and check out a collection of contemporary and antiques here and you can pick something as a souvenir. Archery is known as Dha and is the national game of Bhutan. It is a popular game among Bhutanese and taken as a sport for socializing. Moreover, your chances of witnessing a local game are high. Overnight in Paro.

Day 9
Hike to Tiger’s Nest and visit Kyichu Lakhang - 5 to 6 hours hike

Activities: Hike up to Taktsang Monastery and visit Kyichu Lakhang
Taktsang Monastery Bhutan Bhutan's cliff-top Tiger's Nest monastery- Located in upper Paro valley in Bhutan and also called Taktsang Palphug Monaste

Pay a visit to the iconic Taktsang Monastery popular as Tiger’s Nest perched on a cliff. It is one of the holy places of Bhutan and as per legends Guru Rimpoche flew on a back of a tigress to meditate here. It is a wonderful hike where you will be trekking in a trail lined with pine trees with scenic views.

Moreover, you will be visiting the majestic temple Kichu Lakhang. The holy temple dates back to the 7th century and the statue of Jowo Sakyamuni remains its pride. The temple features beautiful paintings and meticulously designed statues of Buddhist Gurus. Overnight in Paro.

Day 10
Final Departure

Today you will be flying out of Paro with beautiful memories of the tour of two Himalayan countries. A representative from Third Rock Adventures will come to see you off at the airport. If you wish you can extend your trip to countries including Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet and India.



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Latest Trip Reviews

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

Arnau Frutos
flagsSpain
Dec 12, 2019

Enjoyed the tour to Bhutan and Nepal

Third Rock Adventures hosted us as their real guest of home. Enjoyed the excursion in Nepal and Bhutan equally. Nepal resembled us like the kingdom of Hinduism, many temples around. The Pokhara city was really beautiful, natural. We enjoyed the sunrise view from Sarangkot hill. The lakes and greenery of this city are inspiring. In Bhutan we had a Wonderful experience, the team of Third Rock Adventures took really good care of us and adapted to everything we requested. They also provided for some very good alternatives which proved definitively better than what we have initially planned for. The Company delivered highly satisfactorily and above our expectations. Gracias.
Cillian Liang
flagsSingapore
Nov 17, 2019

Trip to Nepal and Bhutan at a time

This was honestly the best guided tour I've ever had - what a great experience! Nepal is really awesome country and so is equally beautiful Bhutan, both the country were soul-refreshing, fascinating country. Our guides in Nepal and Bhutan were so warm, welcoming, professional and knowledgeable. We felt secure, comfortable and informed with them. During my short stay in Nepal and Bhutan, I felt that I really got to know the wonderful culture and trip experience. Thank you Third Rock Adventures for assuring our satisfaction. Namaste.
Peter Martinez
flagsUnited States of America
Oct 06, 2019

Tour to beautiful Nepal and Bhutan

We started our trip to Nepal and Bhutan from Kathmandu. The representative of Third Rock Adventures was there in the airport to receive us. The traditional and historical sites in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and the city of Pokhara were amazing. In Bhutan, I can still visualize the last Dzong we visited on our trip and it was still impressive, even though the art and architecture become redundant after about the 5th temple. The covered bridge over the fast-moving river and the abundance of flowers and landscaping made this a very picturesque stop on our tour. We had already been to the tiger's nest so this seemed somewhat anti-climatic. Overall experience in a village was good in Bhutan. We were taken care of by the team of Third Rock Adventures both in Nepal and Bhutan very well. Thank you.
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