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Experience the mysterious mountain kingdom of Bhutan and the diversity of destinations in Nepal
This adventure encompasses much of what makes Nepal so beloved by travellers. Whether you’re exploring the exotic capital of Kathmandu, discovering Pokhara, beneath awe-inspiring snow-capped peaks, or exploring the rural beauty around the hilltop village of Tansen, finding spirituality in Lumbini - the birth place of Buddha or exploring Chitwan National Park in search of big game. Undoubtedly the amazing flight to view Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) up-close will take your breath away. Nepal is incredible. You’ll be left with no doubt why so many return to the country time and time again.
Bhutan is perhaps the most mysterious and diverse of all the Himalayan kingdoms, where for centuries a traditional Buddhist culture has thrived in isolation from the rest of the world. It is a country that puts its people and environment first – a place where progress is measured in gross national happiness not GDP, and that’s not just carbon neutral, but carbon negative. It’s a place of lush forested valleys, fortified monasteries, sacred mountains, and art and architecture unique to the region. This journey begins in Paro and heads straight to Thimphu, where there are two days to discover the history and heritage of this charming and serene capital. Walk in the countryside and back in time with visits to the beautiful Punakha and Haa Valleys. Here the rural lifestyle and architecture of Bhutan is explored before returning to Paro. Finish with a true highlight – the spectacular Taktsang (the Tiger’s Nest), a small monastery clinging to a rocky cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. A journey through the astonishing beauty of the people, landscape and culture of Bhutan will have your happiness levels off the scale.
- Code
- PHNJC
- Physical rating
- Trip rating
- 1 review
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1, Max 12
Why you'll love this trip
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Beginning in Kathmandu, there's ample time to discover the capital's staggeringly rich cultural and artistic heritage
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Whether it's flying, hiking, driving or canoeing, you'll experience Nepal's stunning natural beauty from all angles
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A breathtaking Everest flight gives you the chance to witness some truly world-class mountain scenery
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The beautiful Chitwan National Park, brimming with exotic bird life and game, offers a vast array of activities. Enjoy a jeep safari and a jungle walk with an expert resident naturalist
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Bhutan is perhaps the most mysterious and diverse of all the Himalayan kingdoms, where for centuries a traditional Buddhist culture has thrived in isolation from the rest of the world.
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It is a land of contrast - with lush forested valleys, fortified monasteries, sacred mountains, art and architecture unique to the region.
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The capital Thimphu is charming and serene, a delight to explore.
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The opportunity to explore the rural lifestyle and architecture of Bhutan via the beautiful Punakha and Haa Valleys
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Visiting Taktsang (the Tiger's Nest) - a small monastery clinging to a rocky cliff 900 metres above the valley floor in Paro is truly a highlight.
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Unique 'features stays' in each country, one with breathtaking views from your river front cottage in Chitwan National Park, the other boasting elaborate hand-carved wooden cornices, masterful stonework, and modern amenities in a Heritage Lodge and Spa.
Is this trip right for you?
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Embracing the slow pace and meditative atmosphere will go a long way toward your enjoyment of these beautiful countries.
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There are some beautiful, but windy drives in both countries. If you are prone to motion sickness, please bring medication with you.
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In Bhutan short distances can take much longer to travel due to small, narrow roads and mountain passes.
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Exploring Chitwan National Park's beautiful trails on foot requires a reasonable level fitness, and the hike to Tiger’s nest can be strenuous. The altitude is up to 3120 metres and can take around 5 hours return.
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Please be aware of altitude when you arrive in Bhutan. Paro is at 2250 metres. As a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and Health Information’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
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The hotel in Tansen is in an unbeatable location with breathtaking panoramic views, though not quite of the same standard as the other accommodation on this trip.
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All meals are included while in Bhutan, due to the nature of tourism in this beautiful country. This means there may be limited choices on some days.
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Itinerary
Accommodation
- Hotel Shangri-La or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.The arrival transfer is only valid if arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through us. Please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.
Accommodation
- Annapurna Hotel or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Kathmandu - Everest Scenic Flight
- Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple
- Kathmandu - Bodhnath Stupa
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Please note that the Everest scenic flight is completely weather dependent. In cases of bad weather, the scenic flight will be attempted at the end of the trip.Accommodation
- Club Himalaya or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
- Bhaktapur - Changu Narayan Temple
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Shangri-La Village or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Shangri-La Village or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Shrinagar or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
Though our accommodation in Shrinagar will have all amenities required and private bathrooms, our hotel for this night will be a little more basic when compared to other accommodation on this trip. Accommodation options in this region are limited, but this is the best Hotel in the area.Accommodation
- Hotel Hokke or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Hotel Hokke or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Lumbini - Heritage Park
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Kasara Resort (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chitwan NP - Village tour
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Kasara Resort (Feature Stay) or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Chitwan - Canoe safari, bird watching walk or jeep safari
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Hotel Shangri-La or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Accommodation
- Ramada Valley or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Dinner
Special Information
Travel in Bhutan is strictly controlled and to do any independent travel outside of a group tour is extremely difficult and expensive to arrange. We provide a group visa for travellers on our tours in Bhutan, which stipulates that all travellers must arrive and depart on the same days that our tour program starts and finishes. Travel outside the tour dates on independent visas is not permitted, and additional nights of accommodation cannot be booked.Accommodation
- Ramada Valley or similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Thimpu - Folk & Heritage Museum
- Thimpu - National Library
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Please note we are not permitted to visit the Dzong before 5 pm Monday–Friday; during holidays and weekends visits are permitted between 9 am–5 pm.Accommodation
- Punakha Zhingkham Resort or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Punakha Valley - Chimi Lhakhang
- Punakha - Punakha Dzong
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Total driving time today is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.Accommodation
- Punakha Zhingkham Resort or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Risum Resort or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Risum Resort or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Tashi Namgay Resort (Feature Stay) or Similar (1 night)
Included Activities
- Paro - Tadzong Museum & Trongsa Dzong
- Paro - Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery hike
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Accommodation
- Tashi Namgay Resort (Feature Stay) or Similar (1 night)
Meals Included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Special Information
Todays hike is quite challenging and good quality, comfortable shoes/sneakers are required. Please remember to drink lots of water and wear layers as it gets quite cold. Don't forget a sunhat. Remember you are at 3120 metres above sea level so take your time.In total it will take approximately 5–6 hours to return to the car park, including all stops, if you choose to walk the full way.
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer
Meals Included
- Breakfast
Special Information
In order to confirm your Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer, please provide your flight details at the time of booking, or at a minimum 14 days prior to travel, as we may not be able to confirm a request made within 14 days of travel.Meals
18 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinnersTransport
Bus, MinibusAccommodation
Comfortable Hotel (15 nights), Jungle Lodge Feature Stay (2 nights), Paro Heritage Lodge Feature Stay (2 nights)Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Kathmandu - Everest Scenic Flight
- Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple
- Kathmandu - Bodhnath Stupa
- Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
- Bhaktapur - Changu Narayan Temple
- Lumbini - Heritage Park
- Chitwan NP - Village tour
- Chitwan - Canoe safari, bird watching walk or jeep safari
- Thimpu - Folk & Heritage Museum
- Thimpu - National Library
- Punakha Valley - Chimi Lhakhang
- Punakha - Punakha Dzong
- Paro - Tadzong Museum & Trongsa Dzong
- Paro - Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery hike
- Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
3. Entry to Bhutan is very strict and travellers can only enter Bhutan on a group visa as part of a tour. All travellers must arrive on Day 12 and depart on Day 20 to be eligible for a group visa. At time of booking, please provide your booking agent with a clear uncut scanned colour copy of the two pages of the personal details section of your passport. Bhutan Immigration is extremely strict. If one passport scan fails to meet their requirements the whole group’s visa will be rejected, thus delaying the process significantly.
4. Please be aware that Bhutan's airlines are renowned for last minute changes to flight timetables into and out of Bhutan. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours transit time before and after your flights into and out of Bhutan. Timetables are available on the Druk Airlines and Air Bhutan websites.
5. This trip includes domestic and international flights as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance for domestic flights is 15kg for check in luggage and 5kg for carry on. The international flight between Nepal and Bhutan has a luggage allowance of 20kg for check in luggage and 5kg for carry on. While in Nepal, you can store excess luggage at the Kathmandu hotel.

Essential trip information
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
View Essential Trip Information