Nepal Tibet Bhutan tour

Overview

Explore Nepal’s capital city of Kathmandu, an unforgettable melting pot of Hindu and Buddhist cultures.  In the local markets and bazaars explore the wealth of Hindu and Buddhist sites as well as charming valley towns such as Bhaktapur, with its well preserved 15th century architecture.

In Lhasa, Tibet’s long forbidden capital city which is 12,000 feet high, you will tour the major monuments, including the legendary gold roofed thousand room Potala Palace.  Then walk pilgrim trails, hike up to ancient ridge-top monasteries, meet a colorful array of people, from nomads to lamas, and delight in some of the most majestic scenery on earth.  Come take a step back in time and join us on this enriching journey for an eye opening look into traditions and cultures far removed from those in the West.

Another spectacular flight brings you to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan where you will fee time has stood still.  Explore the pastoral back roads of Bhutan, a true bastion of tradition in an uncertain world.  You will visit the Shangri-La setting of the Paro Valley, the central Bhutanese town of Punakha, with its huge, spectacular monastery set by the river, and the capital city of Thimpu.

Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour use expert local guides, private vehicles and convenient and authentic hotels.  We try our best to make your visit as comfortable as possible.  Local ceremonies are happening everywhere.  If you choose to travel during the festival season, please let us know.  We will provide you with a list of festivals and our guides and drivers are happy to oblige.  Our festivals are based on the lunar calendar.

How to start Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan Tour?  There are many flights from the Middle East, China, India, Bangkok, Singapore and Malaysia.  Plan in advance.  A minimum of two months in advance is suggested, and many of our travelers book at least six months prior.

Detailed Itinerary

• Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel
  Upon arrival at the Kathmandu airport, you will obtain your Nepal visa. You will need $40 cash and 2 passport size photos per person.  After claiming your baggage you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel.  Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 02: Kathmandu Tours (B)
  Your Tibet visa will be processed today.  Explore the Kathmandu Valley including the Pashupatinath Temple--- the holistic Hindu temple, the Boudhanath Stupa—one of the largest stupas in the world, and Bhaktapur-the 9th century city.  You will also visit a traditional painting school where you will discover the underlying meaning of the dying Nepalese art.  Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 03: Kathmandu sightseeing (B)
  Explore ancient Patan city, one of the three main cities of the valley which is renowned as a city of arts and crafts.  The main highlight of Patan are Durbar Square, ancient temples, the Tibetan refugee camp and the Patan industrial area.  Enjoy the afternoon shopping for souvenirs or visit more sights with your guide. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 04: Fly to Lhasa, Tibet (B)
  Upon arrival at Lhasa’s Gongar airport, you will be met and welcomed by your Tibetan guide and taken to your hotel.   Walk around Lhasa, a city with an altitude of 3,550 meters (12,000 feet) located at the foot of Mount Gephel.  Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibetan plateau.  This ancient city is best known as the home of the Dalai Lama’s Potala Palace.  In the early 7th century King Srongtsen Gompo unified the many local tribes.  After unification he moved the capital from Yarlung to Lhasa and constructed Potala Palace.  Visit centuries old Buddhist monasteries, palaces and busy Barkhor Street, the famous local market area.  Approximately 300,000 people live in the Lhasa area.  Lhasa means “Place of the Gods”.  Here, the major religion is Tibetan Buddhism.  Locals call it by another name, “Sunlit City.”  Bring warm clothing as a cold wind runs through the city.  The annual average temperature is 7 degrees Celsius. Overnight in Lhasa.

• Day 05: Explore Lhasa (B)
  Explore Potala Palace, Sera Monastery and Jokhang Temple. Legendary Potala Place is located at the top of Red Hill with the best view of Lhasa city.  Potala has two parts: the first part is the White Place and the second is the Red.  It was originally built for mediation in the 7th century by King Srongtsen Gompo.  Years later the 5th Dalai Lama renovated it by completing the white and red wing in 1694.  Now, Potala Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and open to visitorsa.  You can visit various chapels, the gallery, the tombs of the Dalai Lamas and the official chapel of the 14th Dalai Lama until 1959. Sera Monastery is a famous historic religious site.  Built in 1419 by a student of Tsongkhapa, it is one of the three largest monasteries in Lhasa, the others being Ganden and Drepung.  It is a major center for the Gelukpa sect of Buddhism.  Sera Monastery is 2 miles from the center of Lhasa.  During the cultural revolution of 1959 the monastery was damaged and many monks were killed.  It has been rebuilt and open for visitors. The heart of Lhasa is Jokhang Temple, the spiritual center.  It was constructed by King Srongtsen Gompo, Queen Bhrikuti and Wencheng.  This mysterious temple is located in Barkhor Square and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  The monastery s a fusion of Nepalese and Tibetan art with architecture on wood and metal. Overnight in Lhasa.

• Day 06: Explore Lhasa (B)
  Today visit Drepung Monastery, Mentshikang (Tibetan medicine center) and Norbulingka Palace. The largest monastery in Tibet, Drepung Monastery lies 6 km west of Lhasa.  The construction of this Galukpa center began in 1415.  In this shelter of thousands of monks you will visit the prayer hall, meeting hall, kitchen which prepared meals for 7,000 monks and more chapels. Tibetan Medicine Center (Mentsikhang Institute) was built in 1916, but the medical history goes back to the 3rd century BC.  It is a Tibetan traditional health treatment center and the center for research for orthopedics. Surgery, pediatrics and internal medicine. The Dalai Lama’s summer home is Norbulinka Palace which was constructed in 1755 and includes an enormous park.  There is a prayer hall and beautiful paintings and art work inside the palace.  This UNESCO site is located near Potala Palace, west of Lhasa city. Overnight in Lhasa.

• Day 07: Optional excursion to Yamdok-Tsho Lake outside Lhasa (B)
  After an early breakfast, drive to Yamdok-Tsho Lake.  Enjoy the magnificent views and return to Lhasa in the evening. Yamdrok-Tsho Lake is one of the holiest lakes in Tibet.  It is located on the Friendship Highway to Kathmandu, while the road goes up to Kambala Pass (4800 meters).  You will enjoy the view from the pass and the incredible turquoise blue lake. Overnight in Lhasa.

• Day 08: Flight to Kathmandu (B)
  Take a panoramic flight over the Himalayas to Kathmandu, Nepal.  After immigration formalities, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel.  In the afternoon visit the UNESCO monuments of the Kathmandu /valley. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 09: Fly to Bhutan and drive to Thimphu (B/D)
  Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for a one hour 15 minute flight to Paro.  Your Bhutanese guide will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Thimphu.  Depending on arrival time you can do some touring or rest and have an early start the next morning. Overnight in Thimpu.

• Day 10: Thimpu sightseeing (B/L/D)
  Today you will explore the National Library, Heritage Museum, the 3rd King’s memorial stupa, a paper factory, art school, wood carving school and the largest statue of Buddha, the Takin’s zoo, a traditional medicine institute, to name a few of the stops on the agenda. Overnight in Thimpu.

• Day 11: Thimpu to Punakha excursion and back (150 kilometers) 7 hours (B/L/D)
  After an early morning breakfast, drive to the famous Dochula Pass (3,102 meters) where you will have the opportunity to enjoy a view of the Himalaya Range.  Walk around 108 stupas and take some amazing photos.  Drive to Punakha Zong and time permitting, visit the Fertility Temple via rice field terraces. Overnight in Thimpu.

• Day 12: Thimpu to Paro (B/L/D)
  After breakfast return to Paro and hike to Taktshang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest. Taktsang Monastery is the holiest monument for Mahayana Buddhists.  It is built on a steep hillside in the valley of Paro.  Originally constructed in 1692 around the Taktsang cave where Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have meditated for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours in the 8th century.  Guru Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and Tibet. Overnight in Paro.

• Day 13: Fly to Kathmandu (B)
  After a breathtaking flight over the Himalayas, arrive in Kathmandu.  Your guide will transfer you to your hotel.  Explore more of Kathmandu, if time permits. Overnight in Kathmandu.

• Day 14: Departure (B)
  Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Nepal Tibet Bhutan tour