16 Days Nepal Bhutan Tibet Package Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive at Kathmandu Airport, where our representative will greet you. Get assistance for transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Check-in and relax. The evening is free for your leisure. Stroll around the charming capital of Nepal. The sights, sounds, and aromas are fascinating. Return to your hotel for dinner and enjoy an overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Day 2: Kathmandu
Start the day with a hearty breakfast. Later, go exploring Kathmandu City. Start your sightseeing tour with Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Next, you will cover Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairav, Nautalle Darbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the big bell, big drum, the Jagannath Temple and three museums, including the numismatic museum and the Tribhuvan Museum. Next, proceed towards Swayambhunath Stupa, listed as a world heritage site. Lastly, stop for sightseeing in Patan. Get back to your hotel for a delicious dinner and overnight stay in Kathmandu.
Day 3: Kathmandu
Begin the day with breakfast, after which you leave for sightseeing. Start with a visit to the Pashupatinath Temple on the sacred Bagmati River bank. Next, pay a visit to Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in South Asia. The last stop of the day sightseeing is Bhaktapur Durbar Square. One of the most charming architectural showpieces of the Valley. Here you can marvel at golden effigies of the former kings, wood carvings, tympanums, gateways, windows, etc., a well-orchestrated symphony. The top tourist attractions are The Lion Gate, The Golden Gate, The Palace of Fifty-five Windows, The Art Gallery, and The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla. After this fun-filled day, you will return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Day 4: Kathmandu / Lhasa CA 408
Today leave for Tibet. Arrive at Gonggar Airport at Lhasa- the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Tibet, Lhasa's political, economic, cultural, and transport center, has more than 1,300 years of history. From the airport, you will be transferred to the hotel. Take in the view of blue skies and unrivaled beauty. The day is free of schedules, kept for acclimatization to the high altitude. It is advisable to drink plenty of water and have a good sleep.
Day 5: Lhasa sightseeing
The day is planned for sightseeing. Firstly, pay a visit to Potala Palace. This architectural wonder is Lhasa' cardinal landmark. The 7th-century structure was built during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. The world's highest and largest castle, the Potala complex, is made of wood and clay and carefully preserved. Walk through the tomb halls where the relics of the supreme lamas are preserved, shrines, prayer rooms, monks' dormitories, and courtyards.
Later, proceed towards Jokhang Temple. Spread over three floors, the temple has existed since the 7th century buy extensively reconstructed during the 17th-century reign of the fifth Dalai Lama. The open roof is filled with chapels and chambers from the 18th and 19th centuries. The revered statue of Jowo Sakyamuni attracts adherents of all the sects of Tibetan Buddhism as well as followers of Bon-Po, Tibet's indigenous religion. Circumambulate the statue for blessings. Later, pay a visit to old Lhasa. Barkhor is the oldest street in Lhasa. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion, and arts assemble, which you take advantage of.
Day 6: Lhasa / Gyantse
Start the day with a hearty breakfast. Post meal, check out and drive to Gyantse. Enroute visit the Drolma Lhakhang Temple. After an hour or so of driving from Lhasa, you will reach the foothill of Kampa la. From this viewpoint, enjoy the best view of Yamdrok Lake. The scorpion shaped lake is a beautiful blue color, which gets frozen solid in winter.
On arrival in Gyantse, check in to the hotel for overnight stay. Take a rest and have dinner.
Day 7: Gyantse – Shigatse (90 km / 1 ½ Hr.)
After breakfast, check out and proceed toward Shigatse. En route, visit Kumbum and Pelku Chode, essential sightseeing spots of Gyantse.
Founded in 1427 by a Gyantse prince, Kumbum has nine levels rising over 35 meters (115 ft) high. Kumbum means 10,000 images. The golden dome structure is in the shape of a 108-sided mandala. It contains 77 chapels that line its walls. Many of the statues have been destroyed and replaced by clay images.
Pelaku Chode, known as the Phalkor Monastery founded in 1418, and designed by Newari architects from Nepal, is located in the same compound as Kumbum. It has a unique influence over Buddhism owing to its unity of Gelugpa, Sakyapa, and Bhuton sects.
Afternoon drive to Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet and the capital of the traditional Tibetan province of Tsang. Check into the hotel. Later, leave for a visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery. Built by the first Dalai Lama in 1447, Tashilhunpo is one of the few monasteries in Tibet that weathered the stormy seas of the Cultural Revolution. The Maitreya Buddha statue weighing 275kg and made of gold, and 26 meters in height, is the highlight of the monastery. Take a look at the massive Thangka wall, displaying enormous Thangkas.
Overnight stay in Shigatse.
Day 8: Shigatse – Xegar (Approx 245 km / 6 hrs.)
Today after breakfast, drive to Lhatse. En route, visit the Sakya Monastery, the seat of the Sakyapa School of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in 1073. Mongolian architecture is unique. It has some of the most magnificent surviving artwork in all of Tibet. On arrival in Lhatse, check in for an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 9: Xegar – Everest Base Camp (EBC) (370 km / 6 hrs.)
Today you will drive to Dza Rongbuk Monastery, crossing Pang La (5120m/16,794 ft) on the way, enjoying picturesque views of Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest. Stop for an hour trek to the Everest Base Camp (5200m/17,333ft) to enjoy an unobstructed view of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest.
Later, return to Xegar for an overnight stay.
Day 10: Xegar – Kyirong (250 km / 6 hrs.)
Today begin a drive to the Kyirong Border. Enjoy the beautiful views while crossing the Vast Tibetan Plateau and entering the Higher Himalayan Ranges. Overnight stay at Kyirong Border Town.
Day 11: Kyirong – Rasuwagadhi – Kathmandu (150 km / 6 to 7 hrs.)
Wake up to an early breakfast. Later, check out and drive towards Rasuwagadhi Border. Complete all formalities after crossing China Emigration, where our Nepalese counterpart awaits assistance for the further journey to Kathmandu, which takes around 6-7 Hours.
Day 12: Kathmandu – Paro – drive to Thimphu
Start the day with an early breakfast. Later, pack your bags and check out of the hotel. Drive to Tribhuvan International Airport to board the flight to Bhutan. Throughout the flight, enjoy the scintillating scenery of the world's highest snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas.
When the flight reaches the Paro Valley, you can spot the picturesque view of the silvery Pa Chu (Paro River), the mighty Paro Dzong (fortress), and Ta Dzong (watch tower).
On arrival in Paro, you will be received by our representative. Get assistance driving to Thimpu (55 km/ 01 Hr). On the way, pay a visit to Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom. In the evening, visit National Memorial Chorten, the monument to world peace and prosperity. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. The essential attractions- are the National Library, the nunnery at Zilukha, the School of fine arts Zo Rig Chusum, Zangto Pelri Lhakhang, the Handicraft Emporium, and the local handicraft centers to see the varieties of textiles, thangka paintings, masks, jewelry, etc.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 13: Thimphu – Punakha (Approx. 03 Hrs Drive)
In the morning, drive to Punakha (3 hrs. drive), the old winter capital. The beautiful road climbs via a series of zig zags over the DochuLa Pass, 10,000ft/3,048m. On a clear day, you will be greeted with panoramic views of Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, at 24,770ft/7,550m. On arrival to the lush Punakha Valley, hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the divine mad monk's temple. It is a beautiful walk through a lovely village. Also, visit the courtyard of Punakha Dzong.
Overnight stay in Punakha.
Day 14: Punakha – Paro (Approx. 04 Hrs Drive)
Start the day with an early breakfast, after which your drive back to Paro via Thimpu. Upon arrival, check in at the Hotel. Afternoon leave for a city tour. The day's first stop is Ta Dzong 'Bhutan's National Museum,' which holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangka paintings, and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. Afterward, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. It was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Bhutan's first spiritual and temporal ruler. The Dzong houses Paro's monastic body, the Dzongda's office (district administrative head), and Thrimpon (judge). Approach the Dzong through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Paro.
Day 15: Paro
Today leave for a day excursion to Tiger's Nest, often called the Taktsang Pelphung monastery. It is one of the most famous of Bhutan's monasteries. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who spread Buddhism across the entire Himalayas, came to this monastery from Tibet on the back of a Tigress.
Located on the face of a 900m sheer cliff, it is an impressive site, accessible only by walking or riding mules/ponies. Take a break at the Cafeteria (2940m), and enjoy a close-up view of Taktshang. From this vantage point, the monastery looks spectacular and seems almost close enough to touch. It is settled at a side of a deep chasm, where you have to descend cliff-hanging steps while crossing a beautiful waterfall. Once inside the monastery, several shrines or temples have few monks. Next, explore Kichu Lhakhang. It is one of Bhutan's oldest temples, built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. Overnight stay in Paro Hotel.
Day 16: Drive to Paro Airport for Kathmandu flight
After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Paro airport. The fight has a sensational take-off passing through the scenic Himalayas, past Chomolhari, Bhutan's second-highest peak.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu takes connecting departure flight with fond memories of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.
