Nepal Bhutan Cultural Heritage and Nature Experiences Tour-13 Days

After breakfast, we start an interesting tour around Kathmandu city. Escorting by an English speaking guide try to give you a full taste of our culture, heritage and local people. Kathmandu Valley includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Pashupatinath (famous Hindu temple and cremation ground) Boudhanath (massive Buddhist stupa). We can also visit Swyambhunath, known as Monkey Temple, which was built roughly 2000 years ago. Finally, we can visit Patan, city of fine arts. Overnight stay at the hotel

We will have breakfast early morning today. We drive to Chitwan (200km) from Kathmandu, departing at 7:00 AM, approximately six hours away by private vehicle. En route, we can also visit Manakamana temple by cable car. The temple is located at 1,302 meters of altitude. The deity is one of the manifestations of Hindu Goddess Bhagawati who is believed to have the power to fulfill wishes. After performing worship at Manakamana, we continue the drive to Chitwan. Upon arrival, you can refresh and then visit surroundings like the Sauraha and the Tharu villages nearby. In the evening, we will see a Tharu culture dance show. Overnight stay at hotel.

After having breakfast in the morning, we go for an Elephant-back safari to explore the landscape and wildlife, which includes the one-horned rhinoceros, several types of deer, monkeys, wild boar, bison, sloth bear, leopard and, if lucky, the Royal Bengal tiger, among many other wild lives. This exciting ride lasts for 2-3 hours. Our guides will help you identify some species of birds, plants and other wildlife which you may encounter during Jungle Safari. Overnight at hotel in Chitwan

In the morning, we move to Pokhara, a tourist's paradise full of natural beauty such as the lakes, caves, temples, and stupas, along with the panoramic views of the mountains like Mt. Annapurna and Dhaulagiri and others. Overnight stay at Pokhara

Early in the morning, you will drive to Sarangkot to view the sunrise. Sarangkot is one of the best places in Nepal where you can see sunrise and panoramic mountain views. Afterwards, you will drive back to hotel and take breakfast before proceeding to Pokhara City sightseeing tour: 

Bindawasini Temple: Bindawasini is one of the most popular temples in Pokhara. The temple is dedicated to goddess Bhagwati, another manifestation of Shakti. Bindawasini is the mother goddess who fulfills the wishes of her devotees.  Davi's Fall: Locally known as the Patale Chhango, Davi's Fall (also known as Devin's and David's) is a lovely waterfall lying about two km south-west of the Pokhara Airport on the Siddhartha Highway.

Gupteswar Cave: Another cave famous for it's religious importance located in the southern end of the city, Chorepatan. This cave is a sacred and natural cave where there is temple of Lord Shiva. Seti Gorge: Another of Pokhara's natural wonders that unfailingly interests visitors is the Seti River. Amazingly, at certain points the river appears hardly two meters wide. But its depth is quite beyond imagination over 20 meters. 

Mountains Museum: Mountains and Mountaineering have a history of their own. Without preserving it, It will not be long before all the records and evidences will be lost forever. Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), established on 1Nov 1973, initiated the establishment of international Mountain Museum(IMM) in Pokhara. The basic objective for its establishment was made to record, document and chronicle the past and present development of mountaineering activities in the world in general and to preserve the saga of the momentous feats in the history of mountaineering in the Himalayan peaks in particular. In evening leisure, overnight stay at Hotel. 

After breakfast, you will then drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes around five to six hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you can enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. Farewell dinner in the evening. Overnight in Kathmandu

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our  representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu

Once a rustic village sitting in a broad, fertile river valley, Thimphu is today the nation’s bustling capital. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernisation, and as a monument to world peace.  Continue on to 12th century Changangkha Temple and Drubthob monastery housing the Zilukha Nunnery.

Other sites to visit include: the School for Arts and Crafts where students are taught the 13 types of Bhutanese art,,the Traditional Paper Factory displaying the Bhutanese paper making process, and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’ Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu

Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan Kingdom. 

Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. 

After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha/ Wangduephodrang.

In the morning drive to Yabesa village and hike to through ricefields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions.

Drive back to Thimphu where you will have an opportunity to visit handicraft and souvenir stores. Afterwards proceed to Paro, visiting Semtokha Dzong en route. The Dzong, built in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture studies. On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

The day starts with an hike up to view one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktshang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The four-hour trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on a cliff face 900m above the valley floor. In the evening, there is an opportunity for a quick stroll to the nearby ruins, a visit to some of the valley’s oldest and holiest religious monuments or a ramble down Paro’s main street. Overnight in Paro.

Breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination