Visiting: Katmandú, Paro, Thimpu, Paro, Katmandú

Upon arrival, you will be given a traditional welcome and transfer to the hotel.

Room from 1400 hours. Kathmandu (1400 meters), the capital of Nepal is one of the oldest cities in the world. The old part of the city, with narrow medieval streets and beautiful small temples, is centered on Durbar Square. One can find distinctive pagoda-roofed temples, stone sculptures, ancient monasteries and historical monuments in Durbar Square.

The three cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur are of historical importance and have the monuments of great artistic and cultural value.

Overnight at Hotel.

Breakfast.

Morning visit Patan, located on the southern banks of the Bagmati River and is one of the three main cities in the Kathmandu Valley. Patan is famous for its impressive collection of fantastically carved temples, palace courtyards, water fountains, public baths and houses with their equally elaborate wood, stone and metal carvings under the patronages of the kings of Kirat, Lichivi and Malla.

Afternoon visit Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa and the city. Durbar Square was the main square of ancient Kathmandu with the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, built Pratap Malla, one of the great art lovers who have ruled Kathmandu, as the residence of the royal families in the past.

While the royal palace compound covers a large area, numerous temples of various Hindu gods and goddesses surround the palace and are preserved, as they were built hundreds of years ago. We will pass through the "Freak Street", where hippies used to relax, to visit the House-Temple of the Kumari, the child-goddess, a living goddess. About 2000 years old, Swayambhunath stands on a hill in the south-western corner of Kathmandu.

The stupa, a dome 20 meters in diameter and 32 meters high, is made of brick and earth mounted by a conical spire topped by a golden copper pinnacle.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast.

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Paro, Bhutan.

Upon arrival in historic Paro (2225 meters), you will be met and transferred to the hotel. Room from 1400hrs noon. After lunch included at local restaurant, visit Ta Dzong, the national museum showcasing Bhutan's rich cultural heritage dating from at least 2000BC to the present day. Built in 1648 as a watchtower, the cylindrical museum houses a fine collection of Bhutanese art and artifacts.

Then walk along the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning ("fortress of the heap of jewels"), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries that line the inner courtyard are beautiful wall paintings illustrating Buddhist tradition, such as four friends, the long-lived elder, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mt. Sumeru and other cosmic mandalas.

Later, a walk through the interesting city center of Paro.

Dinner included and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Morning departure by road to Thimphu (2400 meters) 1h30mins one way, the capital of the Himalayan country and the largest city. The road to Thimphu first follows the Pa-chu (river) to the confluence where the Thimphu joins. Upon arrival, we will visit the Chorten Memorial (Stupa) built in the memory of the late King.

Then visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) which has one of the largest Buddha statues in the country of 169ft (51.5m), made of bronze and gilded in gold. Visitors can also get a good overview of the Thimphu Valley from this point. Then continue north of Thimphu town to the beautiful mountain valley of Kabesa, to visit the Choki Traditional Art School is the only private institute that provides free education to underprivileged youth who have a keen interest in learning traditional arts and crafts.

After an included lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit Simply Bhutan, an interactive 'living' museum that provides a quick introduction to various aspects of traditional Bhutanese life. Visitors are greeted with a shot of local arra (rice liquor), before being guided through simulated village scenes.

Conclude the day's tour with a visit to Trashichhoe Dzong, or "the fortress of glorious religion". This is one of the most impressive buildings located along the right flank of the Thimphu River, built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, who unified Bhutan and then rebuilt in 1962 by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. This impressive fortress/monastery houses the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King and several government offices.

Return to Paro. Dinner included and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Morning excursion to Taktsang Monastery and from here climb up to the view point of the sacred Taktsang Monastery, which is approx. 610 meters above the Paro Valley. This is a sacred place for Bhutanese and all Bhutanese from faraway places try to visit this place at least once in their lifetime. There is an option either by walking or pony ride (pay direct for pony).

Lunch included in local restaurant. Later visit the Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought against Tibetan invaders centuries ago. In early 1954, the Drukgyel Dzong was completely destroyed by fire and today only the ruins remain. The snow-capped dome of the sacred Chomolhari, "mountain of the goddess", can be seen in all its splendor from the access road to the Dzong.

Return to the hotel, on the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. The construction of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Dinner included and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast.

In the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, visit the Boudhanath Stupa. With a base of 82 meters in diameter, Boudhanath is the largest Buddhist stupa in the world.

Then departure by road to Bhaktapur, a medieval town, where the Newars, the main inhabitants still follow the traditions and customs of old age. This houses some of the finest examples of Nepal's craftsmanship in wood and stone, such as the 55-window palace built in 1697, the five-story Nyatapola Temple, the Kashi Biswanath Temple, the Dattatreya Temple among many others.

Considered as a living museum, one can witness ancient traditions still carried out today as they were centuries ago in many areas of the city, such as in Potters Square, where local potters use ancient techniques to craft clay utensils.

Return to Kathmandu. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast.

Room available until 1200hrs noon.

At convenient time transfer to the airport for your international flight (you must be at the airport 3 hours before departure time).