DAY
1: Arrive Kathmandu, NEPAL
You are met upon arrival and taken to your hotel. This afternoon
tour Kathmandu City, the capital of Nepal. Visit the temple of the
Living Goddess, Durbar Square, with its array of temples, and
Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient palace of the Nepalese Royalty.
Travel to Swayambhunath, a 2000-year-old Buddhist Stupa, with a
lofty conical spire that is topped with a pinnacle of copper gilt. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel
Dwarika, Kathmandu
DAY 2: Kathmandu, NEPAL
Today you travel south to the typical Newar village of Bungmati.
Founded in 7th century AD, Bungmati is revered as the home of
Matsyendranath, the God of rain and compassion, worshipped equally
by Hindus and Buddhists. Your next stop is to visit Khokana, a small
7th century Newar village that keeps itself aloof from all modern
civilization. Exploring Bungmati and Khokana will give you an
intimate picture of the primitive way of life that still exists in
Nepal today. Next, drive up 5,500-feet to explore Dhulikhel, for its
famous views of the Himalayan ranges. Tonight enjoy a Nepalese
folkloric show followed by a traditional dinner. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel
Dwarika, Kathmandu
DAY 3: Pokhara City, NEPAL
This morning fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara City, in the picturesque
Pokhara Valley, and transfer to your hotel. This afternoon enjoy a
tour of the city with its snow fed lakes and views of the snow-clad
Great Himalayas. See the Bindhyavasani Temple and take a one-hour
boat cruise on deep-blue Phewa Lake. ►Suggested hotel:
Shangri-La Village
Resort, Nepal
DAY 4: Sarangkot, NEPAL
Today enjoy a full day hike to the Sarangkot Hill (5220-feet.). From
the hilltop tower enjoy the view of the Annapurna range and the
Machapuchhre peak, as well as Phewa Lake and the entire Pokhara
valley. ►Suggested hotel:
Shangri-La Village
Resort, Nepal
DAY 5: Chitwan National Park, NEPAL
Drive to Chitwan National Park to board a 4WD jeep to continue into
the heart of the jungle. Drive through the forest, deep inside the
jungle to look for tiger, the great one-horned rhinoceros, leopard,
bear, as well as deer, monkeys, birds and more. Arrive at “Tiger
Tops”, one of the finest wildlife reserves in Asia, for your 2-night
stay. This afternoon visit the Elephant Stable to learn about the
Asian elephant, before taking an Elephant Safari- a memorable guided
trek through the jungle. Stay the next two nights at Nepal’s most
renowned pioneer wildlife safari lodge. ►Suggested hotel:
Tiger Tops Jungle
Lodge, Nepal
DAY 6: Chitwan National Park, NEPAL
Start your day with an early morning Jungle or Nature walk with an
experienced naturalist to teach you about Chitwan’s flora and fauna.
Next, take an open-air Jeep Safari for more amazing wildlife
viewing. The afternoon is free to relax or take another Elephant
back safari. ►Suggested hotel: Tiger Tops Jungle
Lodge, Nepal
DAY 7: Chitwan National Park, Kathmandu, NEPAL & Patan City,
BHUTAN
Enjoy another morning Nature walk or elephant safari before driving
to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. This afternoon tour
Patan City, built in 3rd century AD by Emperor Ashoka, and enclosed
within four stupas. Known as the city of fine arts, see Patan’s
Durbar Square, the bronze collection in Patan Durbar, the Krishna
temple built by King Siddhi Narsingh Malla, and see Mahaboudha
Temple. Next, visit Later you have the privilege of visiting a
Nepalese Home. ►Suggested hotel: Hotel Dwarika, Bhutan - (Hotel link not available at this time.)
DAY 8: Thimphu, BHUTAN
Start today with a breathtaking flight over the great peaks of the
majestic Himalayas into the Dragon Kingdom of Bhutan. Arrive at Paro
airport, then drive through spectacular mountain scenery and serene
countryside to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Sandwiched in the heart of
the Himalayas, Thimphu is a small, charming capital city. All the
buildings are constructed and painted in the traditional Bhutanese
style. Visit the Memorial Chorten, built in the loving memory of
their late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, it has a multi-storied Stupa
and will provide you with rare insight into Buddhist philosophy. ►Some suggested Thimphu hotels (in alphabetical order): Amankora (V) Hotel Taj Tashi, Bhutan ►Together, we will find the best choice for you!
DAY 9: Thimphu, BHUTAN
This morning take a hike to either Tango or Cheri Goemba. Later
drive to the BBS Tower viewpoint in Sangaygang. Visit the Mini Zoo
to see a takin, the national animal of Bhutan, the National Library,
with its vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts; and the
Arts and Crafts School to see young children learning the ancient
craft of painting. ►Suggested hotel:
Hotel Taj Tashi, Bhutan
DAY 10: Thimphu to Punakha, BHUTAN
Today drive to Punakha, en route stopping at Dochula Pass (10,500
ft.) for of one of Bhutan’s most breathtaking views – a plethora of
colorful rhododendron blossoms and soft green wild herbs and forest
trees dot a canvas of alpine snow. Visit the newly built “Druk
Wangyal Khangzang Chortens”, a unique cluster of 108 Namgyel
Khangzang Chortens that spiral up to a main monument Chorten. These
chortens (the Tibetan term for stupas), are a new landmark for
travelers as they cross Dochula into the interior of the country.
Descend into Punakha, nestled in a fertile valley, it was once
Bhutan’s winter capital because of its more temperate climate. ►Suggested hotel: Zangtopelri Hotel, Bhutan - (Hotel link not available at this time.)
DAY 11: Punakha to Paro, BHUTAN
Enroute to Paro, visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 as both the
religious and the administrative center of the country. Next,
explore the sacred Chimi Lhakhang Monastery, built by Lama Drukpa
Kuenley, the “Divine Madman.” It is believed that childless women
who visit the temple will conceive after receiving “wang”(blessing).
Next drive through the Wangdue Valley and pass by Simtokha Dzong,
built in 1629 as a fortress, today it is a theological university. ►Suggested hotel:
Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Bhutan
DAY 12: Paro, BHUTAN
This morning take a day hike to the enchanting "Tiger's Nest”, the
Taktsang Monastery viewpoint. Built around a cave where the Guru
Rimpoche meditated, this monastery seems to cling impossibly to a
cliff of rock at 3,000 feet above the valley floor. The hike is
challenging but thrilling and mystical. And although the main
building was destroyed by fire in 1998, it was reconstructed in
2000. Later drive to see the old ruined fortress of Drukgyel Dzong,
see Kyichu Lhakhang (built in 659) and Satsam Chorten. Visit Ta
Dzong’s National Museum with its collection of ancient Thangkha
paintings, textiles and weapons; and explore Rinpung Dzong, the
Fortress of the Heap of Jewels, one of the most celebrated Dzongs in
Bhutan. ►Suggested hotel: Zhiwa Ling Hotel, Bhutan
DAY 13: Depart Paro, BHUTAN
Today you are transferred to the airport for your flight home or on
to your next destination.