12 Days Nepal & Bhutan Discovery Tour

Drive / Flight: Airport transfer – approx. 6 km / 20–30 min | Overnight: Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Meals: –

Welcome to Nepal! On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and completion of visa formalities (visa on arrival available for most nationalities), our representative meets you outside the terminal with a Pigeon Travel placard and a traditional marigold garland, then transfers you to your hotel.

After check-in, a short briefing covers the program, permits and practical matters. The rest of the day is free to rest or stroll through Thamel, Kathmandu's lively travellers' quarter of narrow lanes, handicraft shops, bookshops and rooftop cafés. In the evening enjoy a welcome drink with our team.

Today's highlights:

• Afternoon/evening: trip briefing and welcome drink
• Optional: walk to Garden of Dreams, a restored neo-classical garden near Thamel

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 35 km city driving | Overnight: Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Meals: B

After breakfast, a full day of guided sightseeing to four of the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO World Heritage Sites with a licensed English-speaking city guide.

Start at Swayambhunath, the 2,000-year-old 'Monkey Temple' on a hilltop west of the city, whose painted Buddha eyes look out over the whole valley. Continue to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal palace complex with its pagoda temples, the Kumari Ghar – home of the Living Goddess – and Kasthamandap.

After lunch (own expense), visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's holiest Hindu temple on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, where you can watch cremation rites at the ghats from the eastern bank (non-Hindus may not enter the main temple). End the day at Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Tibetan Buddhist culture in Nepal – join pilgrims walking the kora clockwise around the dome at dusk as butter lamps are lit.

Today's highlights:

• Swayambhunath Stupa
• Kathmandu Durbar Square
• Pashupatinath Temple
• Boudhanath Stupa

Drive / Flight: Flight – approx. 25 min (approx. 200 km by road) | Overnight: Pokhara (822 m) | Meals: B

Transfer to the domestic terminal for the scenic 25-minute flight to Pokhara – sit on the right-hand side for views of Manaslu, Himalchuli and the Annapurna range. Pokhara, Nepal's lake city, sits beside Phewa Lake beneath the 6,993 m fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre.

After check-in, visit Davis Falls, where the outflow of Phewa Lake plunges underground, and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave opposite with its Shiva shrine. Later, take a rowing boat across Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi, the two-storey pagoda temple on an island, and enjoy the evening along Lakeside.

Today's highlights:

• Davis Falls & Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
• Boating on Phewa Lake to Tal Barahi Temple
• Evening stroll on Lakeside

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 40 km | Overnight: Pokhara (822 m) | Meals: B

Early-morning drive (about 30 minutes) up to Sarangkot (1,600 m) to watch sunrise light up Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Annapurna I, Machhapuchhre and Lamjung Himal in a 180° panorama. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Later visit the International Mountain Museum, devoted to the Himalaya, its climbers and mountain peoples; Bindhyabasini Temple in the old bazaar; and Mahendra Cave and the Bat Cave north of the city. In the late afternoon drive or hike up to the World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) on the ridge above Phewa Lake for sunset views of the lake and mountains.

Optional (own expense): paragliding from Sarangkot, ultralight flight or a short hike.

Today's highlights:

• Sunrise over the Annapurna range from Sarangkot
• International Mountain Museum
• Mahendra Cave & Bat Cave
• World Peace Pagoda at sunset

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 150 km / 5 hrs | Overnight: Chitwan (150 m) | Meals: B, L, D

Drive from Pokhara to Sauraha on the edge of Chitwan National Park, Nepal's first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 952 sq km of sal forest, grassland and river. Check in to the resort and enjoy lunch.

In the afternoon take a guided walk through a Tharu village to learn about the indigenous people of the Terai, followed by sunset at the Rapti River bank. In the evening watch the Tharu stick dance performed by local villagers.

Today's highlights:

• Tharu village walk
• Sunset by the Rapti River
• Tharu cultural dance

Drive / Flight: Jungle activities inside the park | Overnight: Chitwan (150 m) | Meals: B, L, D

An early start for a dugout canoe ride on the Rapti or Budhi Rapti River – drift silently past marsh mugger crocodiles, the rare fish-eating gharial and kingfishers, herons and storks – followed by a guided jungle walk with naturalists and a visit to the Elephant Breeding Centre.

After lunch, set off on a 3–4 hour jeep safari deep into the park looking for the one-horned rhinoceros, spotted, sambar and barking deer, wild boar, sloth bear, monkeys and, with luck, the elusive Royal Bengal tiger or leopard. Some 540 bird species have been recorded in Chitwan – keep binoculars ready.

Evening at leisure; dinner at the resort.

Today's highlights:

• Canoe ride on the Rapti River
• Guided jungle walk & Elephant Breeding Centre
• Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park

Drive / Flight: Drive to Bharatpur airport 15 km; flight approx. 25 min | Overnight: Kathmandu (1,400 m) | Meals: B

Early-morning bird-watching walk along the river, then breakfast. Transfer to Bharatpur airport for the short flight to Kathmandu (by road: 165 km / 5–6 hrs).

In the afternoon visit Bhaktapur – Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square with the Nyatapola Temple and Pottery Square – and taste the famous juju dhau yoghurt.

Today's highlights:

• Morning bird walk in Chitwan
• Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Drive / Flight: Flight – approx. 1 hr; drive Paro–Thimphu 55 km / approx. 1½ hrs | Overnight: Thimphu (2,320 m) | Meals: B, L, D

Morning flight from Kathmandu to Paro with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines. On a clear day this is one of the world's most spectacular flights, passing Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and the Bhutanese peaks before a dramatic descent into the Paro valley. Your Bhutanese guide and driver meet you at the airport (guests wear a traditional kata scarf of welcome).

Drive along the Paro and Wang Chhu rivers to the confluence at Chuzom, with its three stupas in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepali style, and on to Thimphu, the world's only capital without traffic lights.

In the afternoon visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of the Third King, where elderly residents circle and spin prayer wheels all day, and Buddha Dordenma, a 51 m gilded Buddha statue overlooking the valley. In the evening see Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government and the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (chief abbot), as it is lit up (outer courtyard visit after office hours).

Today's highlights:

• National Memorial Chorten
• Buddha Dordenma
• Tashichho Dzong

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 75 km / 3 hrs | Overnight: Punakha (1,250 m) | Meals: B, L, D

Drive over Dochula Pass (3,100 m), crowned by the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens. On a clear day (most likely October to February) there is a sweeping view of the eastern Himalaya including Gangkar Puensum (7,570 m), the world's highest unclimbed mountain.

Descend into the warm Punakha valley. Walk 20 minutes through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple of the 'Divine Madman' Drukpa Kunley. In the afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most beautiful fortress, built in 1637 at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) rivers – the venue of royal weddings and the winter home of the monk body. Finish with a walk across the Punakha suspension bridge, one of the longest in Bhutan.

Today's highlights:

• Dochula Pass & 108 chortens
• Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple
• Punakha Dzong
• Punakha suspension bridge

Drive / Flight: Private vehicle – approx. 125 km / 4–5 hrs | Overnight: Paro (2,200 m) | Meals: B, L, D

After breakfast, an optional 1-hour hike up through rice terraces and pine forest to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a beautifully crafted temple with views up the Mo Chhu valley. Then drive back over Dochula Pass to Paro, stopping for tea and a last look at the Himalaya.

In the afternoon visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), the 'fortress on a heap of jewels', reached across the traditional covered wooden bridge of Nyamai Zam, and the National Museum housed in the old watchtower (Ta Dzong). Evening stroll along Paro's main street with its painted wooden shopfronts.

Today's highlights:

• Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten (optional hike)
• Rinpung Dzong & Nyamai Zam bridge
• National Museum of Bhutan

Drive / Flight: Hike – approx. 5–6 hrs round trip (ascent approx. 900 m) | Overnight: Paro (2,200 m) | Meals: B, L, D

The highlight of any Bhutan journey. Drive 20 minutes to the trailhead and hike through blue pine forest hung with prayer flags to the cafeteria viewpoint (about 1½ hrs), then on to the monastery itself, clinging to a sheer cliff 900 m above the Paro valley. Legend says Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress in the 8th century to meditate in a cave. Ponies are available for the first half of the ascent (own expense).

On the way back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan (7th century), and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. In the evening enjoy a farewell dinner with an optional traditional hot-stone bath in a farmhouse (own expense).

Today's highlights:

• Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) Monastery hike
• Kyichu Lhakhang
• Optional farmhouse hot-stone bath

Drive / Flight: Airport transfer – approx. 15 min; flight to your onward destination | Meals: B

After breakfast, transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight to your onward destination. Your guide bids you farewell – Tashi Delek! (End of services.)