2026 Nepal & Bhutan Exploration

Arrive at the Kathmandu airport, where you will be greeted by a Brand g representative, who will transfer you to the Marriott Kathmandu for check-in. Kathmandu is the capital of the Nepal, and one of the world’s oldest cities. Meet your fellow guests at a welcome reception at approximately 5:30pm today. Dinner is included tonight at the hotel. (Welcome Reception, Dinner)

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Patan City, the oldest settlement in the valley. This venerable city of artists began to be built around 299 A.D., and is located on the southern bank of the Bagmati River five kilometers south-east of Kathmandu City. It may contain more Buddhist and Hindu temples than Kathmandu itself. Two-thirds of the people here are Buddhists. Locals claim that the bronze and wooden gateways and windows, statues of deities, wood carving and metal works demonstrate Patan’s superiority in craftsmanship and stone architecture. This could be true when one visits the small but exquisite Golden Temple, tucked away in a small by-way, and the Krishna Temple in the Patan Durbar Square.

Following lunch at a local restaurant, we proceed to visit Bhaktpur. Literally meaning “City of Devotees”, calling it the “living Museum” is more apt. Founded in 889 AD, with the Khasa Khusung and Hanumante Rivers on either side, Bhaktapur boasts an immense palace complex in the center, surrounded by numerous other temples which reflect the supreme craftsmanship of the city’s artisans. In the middle of the Durbar Square stands the magnificent “pachpan jhyaley mahal” (Palace of 55 Windows), residence of the former kings. Other must-see’s are the Big Bell, the stunningly exquisite Golden Gate, the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple, the Bhairab Temple, and the wood carving and metal work museums in Dattaraya Square. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Following breakfast, visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where one sees the old residence of Nepalese royalty, Hanuman Dhoka (The Monkey God’s Gate) Palace, which also houses a museum. Hanuman Dhoka is surrounded by a plethora of temples dedicated to Shiva the Destroyer, Vishnu the Preserver, Kali the Avenging Consort of Shiva, Indra the God of Rain, and the magnificent four-storied Temple of Goddess Taleju, Protectors of the Valley. This temple is only opened to the public on one day of the year, during Nepal’s most important festival, Dashain. Here, you’ll also find the temple of the Kumari, the Virgin Living Goddess who, several times a day, will gracefully deign to come to her ornate first floor window to give audience to visitors.

After, we visit Swayambhunath, situated at a hill overlooking Kathmandu city. Said to be over two thousand years old, it’s one the oldest Buddhist stupas in the world. Beneath the high spire and gilt copper pinnacle and on all four sides, the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha gaze out at the world. The temple also represents the hybrid religion of Buddhism Hinduism practiced by many inhabitants of the valley. Inside and outside the Temple area are many superbly crafted images of the Buddha, and other entities loosely linked to Buddhism. Visitors have dubbed Swayambhunath the “Monkey Temple” as a large group of monkeys resides in the vicinity. (Breakfast/Dinner)

Optional 1-hr Mountain Flight (subject to weather conditions):
This bucket list flight is all about the view of various mountains in Nepal, from Langtang Range to Kanchanjunga range; but the main focus is to view MOUNT EVEREST. 5:30 am pick-up from the hotel. Mountain Flight will depart at 6:30 am. Every guest has a window seat to ensure maximum visibility. The duration of flight will be one hour. (Additional cost of $320 per person)

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Pasupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple and pilgrimage destination. Afternoon is at leisure. (Breakfast)

Optional – cooking demonstration of a Momo followed by Tibetan Gyakok dinner. (Additional cost $55 per person)

This morning, we’ll take a late morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Paro. On arrival at Paro airport, we’ll drive approximately 4 hours to Punakha. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until the 1960’s, and still retains the serene atmosphere of a place with a regal past. After we check into the Dhensa Resort, the remainder of the day is free to relax before dinner tonight at the hotel. (Breakfast/Dinner)

Today, following breakfast, we drive to the little village of Nezigang, which is the starting point for a hike through cultivated fields and small villages, with a gradual climb to the Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten, a shrine recently built by the royal family. It is an amazingly elaborate structure with a rainbow of Guru Rimpoche images and superb views of the Punakha Valley. After our hike down, we take a short ride to a special picnic lunch arranged near the riverside.

In the afternoon, we will see the longest suspension bridge over the Pochu (male) river, and drive to visit Nobgang village and then visit the Shechen Lhendup Dorji Lakhang (nunnery), which was built as a Buddhist college and meditation center for nuns, and currently houses about 120 nuns.

Tonight we have dinner at the hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Wake up to another delicious breakfast at the hotel before we set out to visit the Punakha Dzong (fortress). Majestically standing on an island between the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, the city’s dzong is one of the most photogenic of all Bhutan’s ancient fortresses. The dzong is joined to the mainland by an arched wooden bridge, and contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reigned the kingdom from this valley. The dzong serves as the winter home of the monastic body.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. (approx. 3 hrs) crossing over the Dochu-La Pass (3100m). Weather permitting, enjoy the beautiful views of the mountains from the pass. Visit the 108 memorial stupas known as Druk Wangyal Chortens, which were built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest Queen Mother. We descend into Punakha Valley and visit the Chimi-Lakhang, the fertility temple dedicated to famous Buddhist Lama Drukpa Kunley.

Upon arrival to Thimphu, we’ll settle into the Le Meridien Hotel, and later enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.  (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Today, after breakfast, enjoy sightseeing of the majors places of the city. In the morning, visit an Arts & Crafts School, and the Folk Heritage Museum, a traditional house that showcases rural life. Exhibits and cultural shows are held in the museum compound.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we will drive to the Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Native to Bhutan, India, and China, the Takin are docile creatures whose unique appearance attracts special attention. Local legends attribute the creation of these animals in Bhutan by a 15th century saint name Drukpa Kunley, popularly known as the Divine Madman. The giant Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, sitting on top of Kuensel Phodrang hill, is a 51.5m bronze statue of the founder of Buddhism. The site also offers unobstructed views over the Thimphu Valley – especially stunning at sunset – and the Takin Preservation Center.

After, we return to the hotel for dinner. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Following breakfast, we drive approximately 1 hour to Paro. Paro is a historic town, with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area. The Paro Valley is wide and verdant and is recognized as one of the most beautiful in all of Bhutan. This afternoon, we’ll visit the National Museum (Ta dzong), which has a fascinating collection of arts relics, religious Thangkha paintings and a national history collection; and the Paro Dzong Rinpung Dzong, the “fortress of the heap of Jewels”, which was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal on a hill above the township.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll walk over the old Cantilever bridge and enjoy some free time in Paro town before checking into the Le Meridien Paro Hotel.

Later, we gather in the hotel restaurant for dinner. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Following breakfast, enjoy a hike to the striking monastic retreat of Paro Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest” (10,240 ft above sea level), built into a sheer cliff face above the forested Paro Valley. This is the most famous temple in Bhutan and one of the venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world. Padmasambhava, the great 8th century Buddhist saint and teacher, is thought to have landed at this spot after flying over the mountains from Tibet on the back of a tigress, thus bringing the teachings of Buddhism to Bhutan. The primary temple was built around Padmasambhava’s meditation cave in 1684. After, enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some time to relax before our farewell dinner.

Those who don’t wish to do the Taktsang Monastery hike can drive to see the Drukgyal Dzong (Fortress of the Victories Drukpa). This dzong was burnt down and rebuilt to its former glory. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit viewpoints of the Tigers Nest to get your photos. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

After breakfast at the hotel, you are transferred to the airport for your journey home or onward to a new destination. Or, you may choose to join our Thailand Discovery program. Contact us for details. (Breakfast)