ARRIVE KATHMANDU (800M)

Arrival transfer to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Hotel: 4★+ Crowne Plaza Kathmandu-Soaltee or similar (3 nights)

KATHMANDU (B)

Spend the day visiting the oldest city in the valley, Patan City, also known as Lalitpur or the City of Fine Arts and Architecture, with 136 bahals (courtyards) and 55 major temples. Continue to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, known as the “City of Devotees” and home to beautifully preserved medieval art and architecture, and Changu Narayan, the oldest Hindu temple in the valley.

Optional: See amazing views of the Himalayan peaks, glaciers, and lakes on a 50-minute Everest Mountain Flight

KATHMANDU (B)

A full-day sightseeing tour takes you to Boudhanath Stupa, a place of worship for Buddhists, and Pashupatinath Temple, considered one of the holiest sites dedicated to Lord Shiva.

FLY FROM KATHMANDU TO PARO THEN DRIVE TO THIMPHU (B/L/D)

Fly to Paro, Bhutan. Upon arrival, you will be met and driven to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Drive up to Kuensel Phodrang to visit one of the largest sitting Buddha statues in the world, measuring 51.5 metres. In the late afternoon, visit Tashicho Dzong—this fortress has been the seat of the government since 1952, and presently half of the Dzong belongs to the monk body while the other half houses the throne room and the offices of the King, the secretariat, and the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance.

Hotel: 3★ Namgay Heritage or similar (2 nights)

THIMPHU (2350M) (B/L/D)

Your full-day sightseeing highlights Bhutan Post Office, The National Library (a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts), Folk Heritage Museum, a replica of a medieval farmhouse patronized by HM Queen Sangay Choden Wangchuck, Traditional Paper Factory, Memorial Chorten (a large Tibetan-style chorten built in 1974 in memory of Bhutan’s third King), and Trashichhoedzong, a medieval fortress-monastery that houses most government offices and the King’s Throne Room.

THIMPHU TO PUNAKHA (1350M) (B/L/D)

After breakfast, visit Changangkha Temple, Drubthob Monastery, which houses the Zilukha Nunnery (female monks), the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, and the View Point for spectacular views of Thimphu town. Drive to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. Stops are made at Hongtsho Monastery, founded by the 14th Drukpa Hierarch of Tibet in 1525, and Dochu-La Pass (3,088m/10,130ft), surrounded by prayer flags and little chortens (stupas). Visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang, overlooking the unique 108 spiral of Khangzang Wangyal Chortens. Continue your drive to Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers in 1637 to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. If time permits, you will also visit Chime Lhakhang Temple.

Hotel: 3★ Drubchhu Resort or similar (1 night)

PUNAKHA TO TRONGSA (B/L/D)

Drive to Trongsa (central Bhutan) with an en route stop at Wangduephodrang Dzong, built in 1638. Continue on to Trongsa across Pele-La Pass (3,300m/10,830ft).

Hotel: 3★ Yangkhil Resort or similar (1 night)

TRONGSA TO BUMTHANG (B/L/D)

This morning’s tour highlights Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1647. Climb up a steep path to visit the Ta Dzong (Watchtower), dedicated to the epic hero, King Gesar of Ling. Continue your drive to Bumthang over the Yutong La Pass (3,400m/11,155ft). Bumthang is the heartland of Buddhism and home to many ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Hotel: 3★ Mountain Resort or similar (2 nights)

BUMTHANG (2700M) (B/L/D)

Your day begins with visits to Jambey Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo when Buddhism was first introduced to Bhutan. The rest of the day’s highlights include a visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, which houses old and interesting religious paintings; Kurje Lhakhang, where the saint’s body is imprinted on a rock; and Konchogsum Lhakhang, founded in the 8th century and known as the Temple of the Three Jewels.

FLY FROM BUMTHANG TO PARO (B/L/D)

Fly to Paro and check in to your hotel. Visit Dumtse Lhakhang and Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Hotel: 3★ Tenzinling Resort or similar (2 nights)

PARO (2280M) (B/L/D)

This morning, embark on a hike (3–4 hours) or ride on horseback to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery), perched on a cliff more than 2,000 feet above the Paro Valley. The monastery is considered sacred by pilgrims of all walks of Mahayana Buddhism. Continue your tour with visits to Drukgyel Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom, dating back to the 7th century and marking the advent of Buddhism in the country.

PARO DEPARTURE

Transfer to the airport.