Upon arrival in Kathmandu, received by our representative and transfer to
the hotel. Later introductory talk about tour followed by day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in
Kathmandu.
Day 02
: Kathmandu
After breakfast, Kathmnadu
sightseeing. Visit to Swayambhunath, perhaps the most glorious stupa in the
world and one of the holiest Buddhist sties in Nepal. Its establishment is
linked to the creation of Kathmandu valley out of a primordial lake. The
whole area around the stupa is an array to small chaityas and monsteries.
Then sightseeing of Kathmandu
city, known as Kantipur; the capital of King of Nepal. Visit here the
temples of living Goddess who acknowledge the greetings of devotees from the
balcony of her temple residence. Kasthamandap; the source of the word
Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and
Durbar Square, the area holding the array of temples overlooked by Hanuman,
Dhoka Palace, the ancient palace of Nepalese Royalty.
Overnight at the hotel in
Kathmandu.
Day 03 : Kathmandu – Pokhra
After breakfast drive to Pokhra,
a very scenic drive lasting for above six hours through the beautiful
riverbanks and gorges.
Pokhra, the enchanting city
nestled in a tranquil valley is starting point for many of Nepal’s most
popular trekking and rafting trips. Here the serenity of Pehwa lake and the
magnificent Mt. Fishtail rising behind it, creates and ambience of peace and
magic. The valley surrounding Pokhra is home to thick forests, gushing
rivers and emerald lakes and world famous view of the Himalayas. The major
attractions of Pokhra are; Pehwa Lake, Barahi Temple, Devid’s fall,
Bindabasini Temple and Seti Gorge.
Overnight at the hotel in Pokhra.
Day 04 : Pokhra – Chitwan
National Park
After breakfast, enjoy a
pleasant boat ride in Pehwa Lake reflecting the panormic view of Mt.
Fishtail on its backdrop. Then drive to Chitwan.
Day 05 : Chitwan National
Park
Whole day jungle activities
including jungle walk, elephant ride and also visit to villages. Chitwan
National Park is most famous n Nepal which offers 450 species of birds
including four species of deer, leopard, sloth bear, wild boar and many
other faunal species. The park is well known of one horned Rhinoceros and it
also offers shelter to Royal Bengal Tiger.
Day 06 : Chitwan – Kathmandu
After breakfast drive to
Kathmandu (6 hours) passing through beautiful valleys. Evening free.
Overnight at the hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 07 : Kathmandu
Today’s sightseeing in Kathmandu
includes, visit to;
Boudhnath; this stupa stands
with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch of
righteous behavior and human prosperity. It was built by King Man Deva on
advice of Goddess Mani Jogini. Situated on the octagonal base inset with
prayer wheels, this shrine is ringed by houses
of Lamas or Buddhist priests.
Pashupatinath Temple; one of the
holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst lush green
natural settings on the bank of the sacred Bagmati river, the temple built
in Pagoda style has gilted roof and richly carved silver door.
Bhaktapur City; also known as
Bhadgaon, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. Bhaktapur
was founded in the 9th century and is shaped like a conch shell.
Visit Durbar square with range to temples overlooking the palace of 55
window built by King Bhupindra Malla and Nyatapola Temple.
Overnight at the hotel in
Kathmandu.
Day 08 : Kathmandu – Paro
(Bhutan) by Druk Air
Druk Air
flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One
can see Mount. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such
as Chomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tsrm Khang. The first gift from Bhutan will
be cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the aircraft.
On arrival at Paro airport,
immigration and custom formalities and then received by our representative
and transfer to the hotel.
Evening take a stroll around
town’s main street. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 09 : Paro
Morning take an excursion to
Taktshang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru
Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived
here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktshang was
severely damaged by fire in 1998 and at present its restoration work is in
progress. But tourists are still able to visit the look-out point.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, the
National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and
artifacts, weapons and country’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down
the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking
Paro valley. This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of
all affairs of the valley.
Evening visit a traditional farm
house to get an idea on lifestyle of local people.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 10 : Paro – Punakha (125
km, 4.1/2 hours)
After breakfast drive to ruins
of Drukgyel Dzong, about 18 km from the town. From this fortress, Bhutanese
repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.
Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of the
Kingdom, reflecting the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
After that drive to Punakha
across Dochula pass (3,050m) which hearlds the most enchanting views of
Bhutan.
Until 1955, Punakha served as
the capital of Bhutan and still it is the winter seat of Je Khenpo. Visit
Punakha Dzong built in 17th century at the junction of Pho Chhu
and Mo Chhu rivers. It has been destroyed by four fires and an earthquake in
1897 and has frequently been devasted by flood water coming from the great
northern glaciers. The Dzong has now been fully restored to its original
splendour.
Evening visit to local market.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 11 : Punakha –
Wangduephodrang - Thimphu (90 km, 3 hours)
After breakfast, drive to
Wangduephodrang. The last town in the west before arriving at the central
region of Bhutan, Wangdue is typical small Bhutanese town. The town’s
formidable Dzong is its most visible feature. In the 17th century
Wangdue played a crticial role in unifying the western, central and southern
Bhutanese districts.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu,
small charming city sandwiched in the heart of Himalayas. Thimphu’s charm is
not only embedded in its wealth of museums or places of historic interest
but visitors must wander along the main street and into shops, all of which
are decorated in traditional style. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel in
Thimphu.
Day 12 : Thimphu
Morning visit, Trashichhodzong,
situated on the banks of Wang Chhu. It is home of the National Assembly and
the summer residence of capital’s venerated monastic community. The Dzong is
the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure
sanctioned by the Third King, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, when he moved
Bhutan’s permanent capital to Thimphu.
Bhutan’s National Library is
located close to the Thangkha painting school and contains arguably the best
collection of religious and historic literature in the Himalayas. The
country has its own brand of Himalayan medicines and this can be seen at the
Indigenous Hospital. The Memorial Chhorten, a pious landmark for Thimphu’s
residents, was erected in 1974 by the mother of Third King, in memory of her
son. Visit Handicrafts Emporium which displays wide assortment of
beautifully handwoven and crafted products.
Overnight at the hotel in
Thimphu.
Day 13 : Thimphu – Phuentsholing (179 km, 6 hours)
After breakfast, drive to
Phuentsholing enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the
Kingdom built in 1629, which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
Thimphu / Phuentsholing road was built in 1962 by Dantak, the Indian Border
road organization. The drive on this route is very pleasant with numerous
scenic spots enroute.
Just before, arriving
Phuentsholing, visit Kharbandi Goemba, the monastery built in 1967. It
houses the large and fascianting statues of Sakyamuni, Shabdrung Ngawang
Namgyal and Guru Rinpoche.
Overnight at the hotel in
Phuentsholing.
Day 14 : Phuentsholing –
Siliguri (160 km, 4 hours)
After breakfast drive to
Siliguri passing through lush green tea gardens enroute.
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After breakfast, Kathmnadu
sightseeing. Visit to Swayambhunath, perhaps the most glorious stupa in the
world and one of the holiest Buddhist sties in Nepal. Its establishment is
linked to the creation of Kathmandu valley out of a primordial lake. The
whole area around the stupa is an array to small chaityas and monsteries.
After breakfast, enjoy a
pleasant boat ride in Pehwa Lake reflecting the panormic view of Mt.
Fishtail on its backdrop. Then drive to Chitwan.
of Lamas or Buddhist priests.
Morning take an excursion to
Taktshang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru
Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived
here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktshang was
severely damaged by fire in 1998 and at present its restoration work is in
progress. But tourists are still able to visit the look-out point.
After breakfast drive to ruins
of Drukgyel Dzong, about 18 km from the town. From this fortress, Bhutanese
repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century.
Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of the
Kingdom, reflecting the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
After breakfast, drive to
Wangduephodrang. The last town in the west before arriving at the central
region of Bhutan, Wangdue is typical small Bhutanese town. The town’s
formidable Dzong is its most visible feature. In the 17th century
Wangdue played a crticial role in unifying the western, central and southern
Bhutanese districts.
Morning visit, Trashichhodzong,
situated on the banks of Wang Chhu. It is home of the National Assembly and
the summer residence of capital’s venerated monastic community. The Dzong is
the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure
sanctioned by the Third King, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, when he moved
Bhutan’s permanent capital to Thimphu.
After breakfast, drive to
Phuentsholing enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the
Kingdom built in 1629, which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
Thimphu / Phuentsholing road was built in 1962 by Dantak, the Indian Border
road organization. The drive on this route is very pleasant with numerous
scenic spots enroute.
