Nepal Bhutan Short Tour - 8 Days

Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, a Himalayan Trekkers representative will greet you and escort you to your hotel. After checking into the hotel, you can relax and rest to make yourself tired less. You can take a stroll around the neighborhood or meet us at our office depending on your arrival time for a short briefing about this trip. 

Depending upon your arrival time, we can head to one or two of the major landmarks of the valley, i.e Boudhanath Stupa, and Pashupatinath Temple. First, we will drive to Boudhanath Stupa which is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site in the country. It is also the biggest stupa in Nepal representing Mahayana (Tibetan) Buddhism). 

After making one or three koras (circumambulation) of the white giant stupa and spending a peaceful time there, we will drive from there to Pashupatinath Temple to observe the evening aarti ceremony. The temple is located at the bank of the holy Bagmati River which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is also one of the four prominent Hindi sites in the world. 

After exploring these holy sites, we return to Thamel and take a stroll around its streets.

The day begins with a nice warm breakfast at the hotel. Today, you'll go on a guided tour of a few of the valley's UNESCO-listed Cultural Heritage Sites. We will visit the hilltop stupa/temple named Swayambhunath and all three Durbar Squares of the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. 

Swayambhunath Stupa is both a Buddhist and Hindu site located at a hilltop overlooking the Kathmandu Valley surrounded by beautiful hills. It is one of the oldest pilgrim sites in the country that is related to the birth of the Kathmandu Valley. It is also known as ‘Monkey Temple’ because the number of monkeys here is enormous.

After breakfast, we go to the airport to take your wonderful flight to Paro. Beautiful aerial views of mountains and landscapes are available during the journey. Our Bhutanese guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your guesthouse after you have completed your visa formalities.

Following a quick rest and lunch, we will proceed to the Ta Dzong, Bhutan's National Museum. Then we'll visit Kyichu Lhakhang, Bhutan's oldest temple. We'll also make a visit to Paro Rinpung Dzong later. It was created to safeguard Paro Valley in the 17th century.

You will have a delightful breakfast and move to your first sightseeing place for today, Drugyal Dzong, built in the 17th century. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari (7,320m) can be seen towering over the Dzong. We will also visit the School of Traditional Painting of Arts and observe the methods and process of traditional learning. 

After exploring and a brief rest, we drive to the capital of Bhutan, Thimpu.

After breakfast, you will have a full day of exploring the city, including visits to the Memorial Chorten (stupa), Bhutan's most impressive stupa, which was built in 1974 by Grand Queen Mother Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of the Third King of Bhutan; the National Library, which houses a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts, and modern academic books; and Handicrafts Emporiums, which showcase a wide range of beautiful handicrafts. Painting School, famed for traditional Thangka paintings, which you can buy if you like them; Institute of Traditional Medicine, where Tashichho Dzong prepares the kingdom's rich herbal medicines.

Then we'll drive to Wangdue Phodrang, passing through the Dochula La Pass (3,100m), from which you can see Mount Gangar Punsum (7,520m) in clear weather. When you get in town, take a look at the Dzong from the exterior and the market area.

After breakfast, we drive to Punakha (40 minutes), Bhutan's former capital, to visit the iconic Punakha Dzong, which is known for its stunning medieval architecture. This incredible castle is situated between two rivers (the Pho Chu and the Mo Chu) and has withstood numerous glacial floods and fires.

Then we drive to Thimpu for lunch before heading to Paro through the Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan's oldest structure. It is now used as a Buddhist college. You are completely independent in Paro.

Fly back to Kathmandu after saying your goodbyes to Bhutan.

You will be guided for a half-day Kathmandu trip after a little break. The Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old Malla royal palace, and the Shah kings of Nepal will be visited. The Kasthamandap, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, and Kumari residence will all be explored. Then we'll take a stroll around the streets of Ason and Indrachowk ancient markets.

Himalayan Trekkers will organize a farewell meal at an authentic Nepali restaurant with a cultural program in the evening to celebrate your successful trip completion.

Our company representative will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to Kathmandu International Airport three hours before your flight time. We say bye with the hope to see you again in the future for another adventure tour.