Start in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, exploring temples and old city streets before heading into the mountains. In Bhutan, travel over high passes, visit dzongs and monasteries, and hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest. You’ll also spend time in the quieter valleys of Haa and Phobjikha, where traditional life continues as it has for centuries. Back in Nepal, relax in the peaceful lakeside town of Pokhara, then finish in Chitwan National Park with jungle activities and the chance to spot rhinos.
Day 1 – Arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal
When you arrive in Kathmandu, your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. We’ve selected a small scale property with a warm welcome and an authentic local vibe. Once you’ve settled in head out for a stroll to get your first feel for the city and find somewhere to eat. We would recommend one of the many rooftop restaurants in Thamel, where you can try your first Nepalese thali.
Day 2 – City tour of Kathmandu
Today, you’ll explore Kathmandu with a local guide. First stopping at Swayambunath, the oldest Buddhist temple in the Kathmandu Valley. At the foot of a long stairway into the valley, you’ll the famous stupa painted with the eyes of Buddha, covered in rainbow prayer flags and curious monkeys. Next, you’ll continue to Bouddhanath temple, one of the largest stupas in the world, perched in the heart of ‘Little Tibet’. After lunch, you’ll head for Pashupatinath, the most sacred site in the city. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple complex, however if you cross the Bagmati River and take a seat on the stairs, you’ll have an extraordinary view of the ghats, as well as the ritual bathing and cremation pyres. The final stop is Durbar Square. Nestled in the thick of downtown Kathmandu, it’s crammed with temples and ancient palaces just waiting to be explored.
Day 3 – Discover Bhaktapur & Patan
Today, you’ll visit the Kathmandu Valley with your guide and driver. First, you’ll set off for Bhaktapur, a medieval city that feels like one large open air museum. As large parts of Bhaktapur are pedestrian only, you can wander between the temples in peace. By late morning you’ll arrive in Patan, where you can grab lunch. Patan is known for its many ancient squares, where rice is laid out to dry and children run around with rustling paper kites. Seemingly untouched by time, it’s like stepping into a medieval time-warp. In the late afternoon return to Kathmandu.
If you prefer, instead of returning to Kathmandu we can arrange for you to stay overnight in a boutique hotel in Bhaktapur. Rooms are simple and comfortable, and the rooftop terrace offers views over the city’s temples and squares. Just ask your Travel Specialist to include this in your Travel Plan.
Day 4 – Fly to Bhutan & travel to Thimphu
This morning you’ll begin the next leg of your journey, travelling from Nepal to Bhutan. You’ll be collected from your hotel in Kathmandu and transferred to the airport for your flight with Druk Air to the Land of the Thunder Dragon. The flight takes around an hour, with Himalayan views on clear days.
On arrival in Paro, you’ll meet your driver and guide, who will accompany you throughout your time in Bhutan. From here, it’s a scenic 45-minute drive to the laid-back capital, Thimphu. After checking into your hotel, head up to the impressive Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest seated Buddhas in the world. From its hilltop setting, you’ll have sweeping views across the valley and surrounding forested hills. Continue to the Traditional Medicine Institute, where age-old remedies are still prepared using local herbs, before visiting the peaceful Zilukha Nunnery, where the sound of chanting often drifts through the air. If time allows, end the day with a relaxed stroll through Thimphu’s market area for a glimpse into everyday life.
Day 5 – Thimphu to Punakha, via the Dochula Pass
After breakfast, set off on the scenic three-hour drive to Punakha. You’ll make a stop at Dochula Pass (3,050m) where you’ll find 108 white chortens (Buddhist stupas) arranged in rows on the hillside. If the skies are clear, you can enjoy spectacular Himalayan views before descending into the Punakha Valley.
This afternoon, you’ll visit the stunning Punakha Dzong which is widely considered to be the most beautiful and photogenic dzong in the country. Then enjoy a gentle hike through rice paddies and pine forest to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a temple built to promote peace and harmony, and cross Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge.
Day 6 – Explore the Punakha Valley
Today you’ll explore the Punakha Valley with your guide. A highlight is the impressive Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful in the country, with colourful towers and whitewashed walls set between green rice fields and two rivers. Depending on your interests, you could visit the Temple of the Divine Madman, built in honour of a Tibetan monk known for his unconventional way of teaching Buddhism – expect a rather unusual blessing involving a wooden phallus. Another option is the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, built to bring peace and harmony, with wide views across the valley.
If you would like to experience rural Bhutanese life, we can arrange an overnight stay in a local homestay in Punakha. Ask your Travel Specialist for more details.
Day 7 – Punakha to the Phobjikha Valley
Time to head further east into central Bhutan. It’s a three-hour drive today to Phobjikha Valley. This wide glacial valley is famously the winter home of the rare, black-necked cranes (November–March). After checking into your characterful hotel, visit the atmospheric Gangtey Goemba Monastery, that overlooks the whole valley. Then explore the valley on foot on a gentle hike passing farmhouses and meadows. If you wish, in the evening, you can visit a local farmhouse where you can try churning butter, making puffed rice, or helping with dinner preparations. It’s a fun way to spend an evening with a local family.
Day 8 – To Haa: a hidden Shangri-La
It’s a full day of travelling today, but it’s one of the most scenic drives in Bhutan. Your destination is the untouched Haa Valley. You’ll drive over the Chelela Pass (3,899m), Bhutan’s highest motorable pass, where on a clear day you’ll enjoy views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Stretch your legs with a gentle hike down to Kila Nunnery, a cliffside retreat that’s home to a small community of nuns.
By late afternoon, you’ll arrive in Haa: a region of untouched nature, traditional villages and scenic valleys. Farmers tend rice paddies and herd yaks beneath towering Himalayan peaks, and in summer, rare blue poppies bloom across the valley. Most tourists only visit here as a day trip. However, we’ll arrange for you to stay overnight in a locally-owned guest house so that you can really immerse yourself in rural life.
Day 9 – Haa to Paro
Start the day with visits to Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nakpo (Black Temple), two of Haa’s most important monasteries. Then retrace your journey over the Chele La Pass (3,899m) into the charming town of Paro and check in to your accommodation. After lunch, it’s time to stretch your legs on a short but rewarding hike offering views of Paro Dzong and the valley.
Day 10 – Hike to Tiger’s Nest
No trip to Bhutan is complete without a visit to Taktsang Monastery, better known as Tiger’s Nest. This iconic monastery perches dramatically on a cliff edge high above Paro Valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, founder of Buddhism in Bhutan, flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave at this site. Today you’ll trek up to the monastery. The trail takes around two hours, with colourful prayer flags lining the path and misty views at every turn. There’s a halfway café where you can enjoy a cuppa and amazing views. Once at the monastery, take your time to explore its ornate shrines and meditation caves, and soak up the sense of serenity before making your way back down.
Day 11 – Fly back to Nepal & travel to Pokhara
It’s time to wave goodbye to Bhutan as you’ll be taken to the airport to catch your Druk Air flight back to Kathmandu. On arrival you’ll be met by your driver and transferred to Pokhara (approx 6 hours drive). As you approach Pokhara, you’ll see the Annapurna Mountains appear on the horizon, including the most striking landmark, Machapucchre, and Fishtail Mountain. You’ll stay in a comfortable hotel near the centre, within walking distance of Phewa Lake. Here, you’ll find everything from small bistros to colourful restaurants, serving local cuisine and some of the best Western food in Nepal.
In the early evening, your driver will collect you from your hotel and take you up to Sarangkot viewpoint (1,600m), about a 30-minute drive above Pokhara. Sarangkot offers some of the best panoramic views in the region, and as the sun begins to set, the views open up to the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, with the distinctive peak of Machhapuchhre rising sharply between them.
Day 12 – Free time in Pokhara
Today is free for you to explore Pokhara at your own pace. Take a walk down the main street, lined with a colourful jumble of shops and stalls selling everything from prayer flags to trekking gear. You’ll find waterfalls, caves and Tibetan villages scattered across the nearby hills. Fancy more of a thrill? Try paragliding from the Sarangkot viewpoint, with glorious views over the Himalayan peaks and shimmering lake.
Day 13 – Pokhara to Chitwan National Park
After breakfast, travel with your driver to Chitwan National Park (a journey of approx 5 hours). Located in the Terai – the subtropical lowlands of Nepal – Chitwan is home to several deer species, mugger crocodiles, wild elephants and over 500 species of bird. It is also one of the best places to spot the elusive Asian rhino in the wild.
You’ll stay in a lodge on the edge of the park, run in collaboration with the local Tharu population. When you arrive, we’ll arrange an orientation walk through Tharu farmland and tall elephant grass. Meet a local family for tea, enjoy sunset views over the jungle, and return to the lodge for dinner. In the evening, there’s a Tharu cultural performance of traditional music and dance.
Day 14 – Wildlife spotting in Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park is incredible at dawn when the early morning light sweeps across the plains and shimmers on the rivers. At sunrise, you’ll set off on a canoe trip and guided walk through the jungle, gliding down the Rapti river in a wooden canoe. With any luck, you’ll see crocodiles sunning themselves on the shore as the sun rises. Back on dry land you’ll begin a jungle walk, hiking along narrow paths through the forest and crossing plains carpeted in tall grass. Be sure to listen for rustling in the leaves – you never know when a rhino might appear!
Days 15 & 16 – Return to Kathmandu & depart
Have a leisurely breakfast before being transferred by private car back to Kathmandu. You’ll spend a final night in Kathmandu before being transferred to the airport the following day for your international flight home.
Accommodation
