12 Days Nepal Tibet and Bhutan Exclusive Tour is a good introduction tour over three Himalayan countries. It actually offers the finest Himalayan scenery, and cultural exploration and let you study the different lifestyle of different ethnic people.
Tribhuvan International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
All hotels will be in 3 star provided in twin sharing basis. Single sharing will be charged extra.
The activity involved in this tour will be visit to Fortress, Ancient temoles, Hiking, cultural exploration.
When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, your tour guide will await you outside the arrival area. Then you will be transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. (Our local office staff will meet you to collect your passport to apply for a Chinese Visa for you, Visa fee is not included in the price quotation and you will need to pay an extra service charge of 20 USD/person).
Notice: Chinese embassy requires 3 working days to issue the Visa, we advise you could arrive in Nepal 3 working days in advance before going to Tibet.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu’s Durbar Square is one of three durbars (royal palace) squares in the Kathmandu Valley. It is the site of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Complex, which was the royal Nepalese residence until the 19th century and where important ceremonies took place. Swayambhunath the golden spire of the 5th-century Swayambhu stupa is adorned with a colorful fluttering of prayer flags; it crowns a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley and offers fantastic views over the city of Kathmandu.
The last site we visited today is Patan City which is the second largest town in Kathmandu valley. Patan’s central Durbar Square is entitled in a World Heritage Site and absolutely packed with temples, the Golden Temple which is the unique Buddhist Monastery that was founded in the 12th century is a large rectangular building that has three roofs and a copper gilded facade with images of Buddha and Avalokitesvara where there are Buddha images and illustrations on the walls.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Pashupatinath the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, the old buildings on the site were destroyed by Moslem invaders in the 14th century, its stone linga smashed to dust, but it rose again behind their retreating backs. Succeeding monarchs reinstated the temple and the images. Bouddhanath is among the largest stupas in South Asia, and it has become the focal point of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The white mound looms thirty-six meters overhead. The stupa is located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, and Tibetan merchants rested and offered prayers here for many centuries.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a conglomeration of pagoda and shikhara-style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The square is one of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley as it highlights the ancient arts of Nepal.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
Fly to Lhasa in the morning. The air journey is just around 2 hours. You will be shocked by the amazing Himalayan mountain range, the mountains which are over 8000m just moving across you, and you cannot see the side of the snow-capped mountains. Arrive at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, tour guide will await you outside the arrival area. Transfer for your stay at Lhasa. In the afternoon, you need to stay at the hotel to acclimatize to the high altitude.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
The tour will begin from the UNESCO World Heritage site – Potala Palace, which is also the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. It’s situated at 12,139 feet above sea level. It’s a 13-story high building that contains over 1,000 rooms, various statues, stupas, murals, and artifacts. Then continue to Jokhang Temple, another UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s a spiritual center for Buddhists in Tibet. Next to the temple, there is Barkhor Street, filled with pilgrims and street vendors, selling traditional Tibetan items such as prayer wheels and jewelry
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
In the morning, tourists are going to visit the Drepung monastery which was one of the “three greet” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1416. Ganden palace is used as Dalai Lama’s palace in the Drepung before moving to the Potala palace. In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery, which was one of the “three great” Gelug monasteries of Tibet and was founded in 1419. The highlight is the Monks debate at around 3 – 5 in the afternoon.
Stay overnight in Lhasa.
In the morning, you will take the flight from Gonggar International Airport, in Lhasa to Tribhuvan International Airport, in Kathmandu. On arrival, your guide will collect you from the airport and take you to your hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day relaxing or take in the local sights.
Stay overnight in Kathmandu.
During your flight to Paro, you will experience breathtaking views of the Himalayan Peaks including sacred Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by our guide. Then drive for 1 hr 30 min to Thimphu.
In the afternoon, we will head to visit the landmarks in Thimphu, including the Kyichu Lhakhang and Paro Rinpung Dzong. Kyichu Lhakhang is also known as Kyerchu Temple and is the oldest and most beautiful temple in Bhutan. Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century as a fortress to protect Paro valley, offers you picturesque scenery and a sense of inner peace.
Stay overnight in Thimphu.
In the morning, we will continue sightseeing in Thimphu. You will pay a visit to National Library which houses the world’s largest book and many ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, Painting School which is famous for traditional Thangkha paintings, Traditional Medicine Institute where the centuries-old herbal medicine is still practiced, and the folk heritage museum. And the highlight comes as you tour the Tashichho Dzong, the most beautiful Bhutan dzong as well as the headquarters of the Bhutan government.
After lunch, we will drive from Thimphu to Punakha crossing Dochula pass at 3100mtrs where you can see the 108 beautiful chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. From this pass, on a clear day, you can have a superb view of the highest peaks in Bhutan.
Stay overnight in Punakha
Punakha is a low-lying sub-tropical valley, it served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still it is home to Chief Abbot in the winter months. Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal has played a prominent role in the civil and religious life of the Kingdom. Destroyed four times by fire and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong has been now fully restored to its original splendor.
After touring Punakha, we will drive back to Paro. In the afternoon, we will enjoy sightseeing in Paro. First head to visit Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined Fort, which once defended this valley from the Tibetan invasion. This fortress, now a burned shell, was once strategic in Bhutan’s defense against the Tibetan invasion. Then visit Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watch tower for Paro Dzong. This Dzong was later converted into the National Museum in 1967 and is filled with antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons, and armor. Also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. It is now used as an administrative center and home of the monastic community.
Stay overnight in Paro
Today, we will enjoy the wonderful trek to Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger’s Nest. Perched on the cliff of Paro Valley, Taktshang Goemba (3120 meters) is the landmark of Paro as well as the holiest temple in Bhutan. It’s said that Guru Rinpoche had flown here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. From here, you can catch a panoramic view of Paro Valley.
In the afternoon, you may opt for a stone bath or enjoy free exploration nearby.
Stay overnight in Paro
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel and send you to the airport so that you can board the flight back home after this pleasant tour. Tour service end.
