Nepal & Bhutan: Journey to the Dragon Kingdom

Fly to Kathmandu

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Kathmandu. (N) 

Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the Hotel Himalaya (or similar) for 2 nights. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. (N)  

Kathmandu

Today you tour the highlights of Kathmandu, beginning in Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to historic temples, courtyards and palaces. Visit Kumari Chowk, the temple residence of Kumari – a girl worshipped as a goddess by locals – as well as the Itumbahal, an old Newari settlement known for its herbal and medicinal trade. Continue to Indra Chowk, one of Kathmandu's most colourful markets, then finish with a walk to Ason Chowk and the Annapurna Temple, dedicated to the goddess of grains. This afternoon, you visit lively Pashupatinath, considered one of the Indian Subcontinent’s most important temples dedicated to Shiva. While non-Hindus are not permitted in the main temple, it’s possible to visit a vantage point for good views of the temple and the ghats (waterfront steps). Finish at Bodhnath, the country’s largest stupa and the religious centre for Nepal's considerable population of Tibetans. (B)  

Fly to Paro | Arrive Thimphu

After a morning flight to Paro, transfer by road to Thimphu. This afternoon, visit the School of Arts and Crafts, the Institute of Traditional Medicine, a traditional papermaking factory, the Textile Museum, the Museum of Folk Heritage, and the National Library. All visits are subject to opening times. Stay 2 nights at the City Hotel Thimphu (or similar). (B, L, D) 

Thimphu

Enjoy a morning of sightseeing in Thimphu, including the National Memorial Chorten – conceived by Bhutan's third king and featuring fine wall paintings and statues that provide insight into Buddhist philosophy. Next, visit Tashichho Dzong, first erected in 1641 and rebuilt in the 1960s. The dzong (fortified monastery) houses a number of ministries, His Majesty's Secretariat, and the central monk body. Finish your tour by visiting handicraft shops where colourful handwoven textiles are available. This evening, dine with a Bhutanese family who will prepare local delicacies and share insights into their culture. (B, L, D)  

Punakha

Travel to Punakha via the mountainous Dochula Pass, a scenic journey of approximately 3.5 hours. Upon arrival, visit a Bhutanese farmhouse to see its traditional design, which features delicate decoration and a mud-and-stone construction. Stay 2 nights at the Zhingkham Resort (or similar). (B, L, D)  

Punakha

Punakha Dzong – also known as the 'Palace of Happiness' – was commissioned in 1637, and sits just upstream from the confluence of the Pho and Mo rivers. Damaged over the centuries by fires, floods and earthquakes, the dzong has been fully restored and is particularly inviting in spring, when the surrounding jacaranda trees blossom. It houses the sacred remains of Bhutan’s founding father, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and a Tibetan Buddhist saint, Terton Pema Lingpa. Following your visit, meet Buddhist monks at the Nalanda Buddhist Institute, surrounded by spectacular mountains. (B, L, D)  

Paro

Drive to Paro – a journey of about 5 hours – and stay 2 nights at the Village Lodge (or similar). In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong, a renovated watchtower that is now the national museum. It houses more than 3,000 works of art covering more than 1,500 years of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. The seven-storey structure is carefully divided into several galleries, which visitors navigate in a specific clockwise route. Later, enjoy a cooking class in spicy Bhutanese cuisine, preparing local delicacies such as the fiery national dish, ema datshi. Your class is held in a local restaurant with a team of chefs offering their expertise. (B, L, D)  

Paro

Embark on a five-hour, round-trip trek to Taktsang (‘Tiger’s Nest’), a monastery built in 1684 and perched dramatically on a rocky ledge. En route, you’re given excellent views of the monastery, where legend says the eighth-century guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger. A good level of fitness is needed for this excursion, but walking sticks and a rest stop at a teahouse are included.  

This afternoon, visit Rinpung Dzong. Its position on a riverside knoll offers you a commanding view of the Paro Valley. This was once an impregnable fortress that repulsed successive invasions from Tibet and survived the 1897 earthquake. Today, it houses the Paro monastic body and local government offices. Your guided walk around the quarters and chambers provides insight into the past and present of this impressive building. Later, try your hand at Bhutan’s national sport: archery.  (B, L, D)  

Fly to Kathmandu

Fly to Kathmandu this morning and stay overnight at the Hotel Himalaya (or similar). Your adventure is rounded off by a farewell dinner. (B, D)  

Fly to London

Your day is at leisure before you fly from Kathmandu to London. (B)  

Arrive London

Arrive in London. (N)