Signature Nepal & Bhutan

Probably the most famous building here is the Kumari Bahal, a building richly decorated with beautiful woodcarvings, which is home to the Royal Kumari, the Living Goddess, a manifestation of the great goddess Durga, who acknowledges the greetings of the devotees from the balcony of her temple residence. Kasthamandap-the source of the name Kathmandu supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and the durbar square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka palace. Swayambhunath: the most ancient and enigmatic of the valley’s holy shrines the golden spired stupa of Swayambhunath tops a wooded hillock. Records of its history date as far as the 5th century, but its origins are believed to be older. It is the Kathmandu valley’s most sacred buddhist shrine and whilst its worshippers include the vajrayana buddhists of northern Nepal and Tibet, newari buddhists are the most fervent devotees.

In the evening head to the bustling streets of THAMEL and discover Kathmandu like a local as you explore the city on an evening rickshaw ride. Start the tour from Kathmandu Durbar Square and pass bustling bazaars and market squares as you head to the colorful tourist hub of Thamel, where you’ll spend time (2 hours) exploring the different angles of Nepalese lifestyle, shopping for handicrafts and artifacts and much more. Stay for dinner and visit KAISER CAFÉ to see locals and tourists having good time over good food and music.

Accommodations: Soaltee Kathmandu

Pashupatinath is Nepal’s most sacred Hindu shrine and one of the subcontinent’s great Shiva sites. The supreme holiness of the site stems from the Shiva lingam enshrined in its main temple and its location. It expresses the very essence of Hinduism as pilgrims, priests, devotes, temples, ashrams, images, inscriptions and cremation ghats intermingle with the rituals of daily life, all sprawled along the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. The temple’s origins are obscure, an inscription dates from 477, but a shrine may have stood here for 1000 years before that.
Boudnath stupa is one of Nepal’s most distinctive monuments and one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal and, with a diameter of over 100 meters, amongst the largest in the world. There are a number of legends accounting for the stupa’s construction, but it is generally believed to date from the 5th century. All stupas contain holy relics and Bouddha is said to contain the remains of the past Buddha Kasyapa. Bouddha is a particular focus for Kathmandu’s Tibetan community and throughout the day there is a constant stream of people circling the stupa spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. Surrounding the stupa are six major monasteries and a host of smaller ones as well as cafes, restaurants and shops selling Tibetan carpets and Newari silversmiths.
Enjoy a  Nepalese dinner today at a local restaurant, Bhojan Griha.

Accommodations: Soaltee Kathmandu

Mountain flight is daily sightseeing flight to the Everest, which is popularly known in Nepal. It is a 55-minute flight by fixed wing aircraft and it is a lifetime experience. All the spectacular glaciers, snowcapped peaks, and gorges glide below as one flies toward Mt. Everest to circle around Amadablam Mountain bringing as close as 10 nautical miles to Mt. Everest. At the end of the trip, airlines provide the passengers with a certificate signed by the flight captain that they had flown with Everest view flight. Incase if the mountains are not visible due to the weather condition, passengers are given a choice of full refund or flying next day. In other word, this is sightseeing by flight with guaranteed satisfaction.

Return to the hotel and join rest of the group members. Post breakfast, Take a scenic drive to Pokhara, a beautiful lakeside city that offers breath taking views of the Himalayan Mountains. En-route try your hand at River Rafting on Trishuli River. Switch back to your coach for rest of the journey.

Late afternoon visit the famous Phewa Lake and enjoy a walk around it, followed by a visit to the nearby Peace Pagoda.  We will stop at Busy Bean Cafe for a beverage and bite, before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Accommodations: Tiger Mountain

Later in the day you will enjoy a sightseeing tour covering International Mountain Museum & The Old Bazaar, known for its Temple and interesting shops selling curios.

International Mountain Museum is located 1.5 kilometres south of the Pokhara airport. Rightly so the museums location offers a view of the three 8000+ meter peaks of the area. The museum’s focus is on those who travel to this country for mountaineering. On display are also different mountain cultures and their ways of life, world mountain systems, ecology, as well as an exhibition of the world mountaineering history International Mountain Museum & Gurkha Museum. Pokhara’s traditional Old Bazaar is colourful and so are its ethnically diverse traders. In its
temples and monuments can be seen ties to the old Newar architecture of the Kathmandu valley. This area is strewn with shops selling commodities ranging from edibles to and cloth to cosmetics and gold is a pleasant and shady spot to stroll around. The old Bazaar is also home to one of Pokhara’s most important shrines. Locally called the Bindyabasini Mandir, this white dome- like structure dominates a spacious stone – paved courtyard built atop a shady hillock. It is dedicated to Goddess Bhagwati, yet another manifestation of Shakti. The park – like grounds offers a fine picnic area, and on Saturdays, and Tuesdays when devotees flock there to offer sacrifices, it takes on a festive flavour.
Dine at Moondance, a popular restaurant with a beautiful outdoor seating area and a delicious selection of international and local cuisine.

Accommodations: Tiger Mountain

Taking a boat on the Rapti river from the hotel, glide peacefully downstream viewing a wide variety of aquatic birds. Our knowledgeable guide will point out all the exciting wildlife as you float by. Rhinos sunning themselves on the banks or wading in the river; Gharial crocodiles soaking up sun and deer peering through the trees on the bank. The trip culminates in a delicious riverside sunset with complimentary hot snacks.
Return to the lodge in time for culture program and dinner.

Accommodations: Barahi Jungle Lodge

Post lunch there will be a walk to Tharu Village, a great insight into villagers and tribals, who live around the jungle. The Tharu are the local indigenous ethnic group in Chitwan. This is an opportunity to learn more about their fascinating culture and practices. You’ll see village life, traditional housing and go to the community run museum accompanied by a local guide and translator.

Accommodations: Barahi Jungle Lodge

As you walk in, you cannot but be overcome by a feeling of inner harmony. Such is the art and architecture and the special layout here. The Palace of 55 Windows built during the period of King Bhupatindra Malla in 1754 situated to the left as you enter through the city gate, inspires admiration. The National Art Gallery is also housed inside. The palace entrance, the Golden Gate known as Sunko Dhoka in Nepali is a masterpiece in repose art. In front of the palace, building is a medley of temples of various designs. Amongst the three Durbar Squares in the Valley, the Durbar Square in Bhaktapur is the best preserved one.
Dinner in Krishnarpan. The Krishnarpan is the signature restaurant of the Dwarika’s Hotel, offering a slow-dining Nepalese gastronomic experience. Krishnarpan treats your senses to a culinary splurge as it pays homage to Nepal’s vibrant ethnicity and its traditional food. Every menu is carefully designed and based on Dwarika’s organic farms. You can choose from menus ranging from six to twenty-two courses that take you on a fascinating voyage through Nepalese cuisines, communities, and regions.

Accommodations: Hotel Dwarika

After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative. Then drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan with a stop-off at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different styles of stupas: Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence. Shortly before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left the Tschogang Lhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in the 15th century, as a result of the visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha.
On arrival in Thimphu, check-into the hotel. Thimphu is also the centre of government, religion and commerce. It is a unique city with an unusual mix of modern and ancient traditions and culture. Although not what one expects from a capital city, Thimphu is still a metropolitan and lively place. Home to civil servants, expatriates and the monk body, Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style.
In the evening, take an exploratory walk around Thimphu’s Main Street and market area. Also visit the local Crafts Bazaar and browse through some of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery and many interesting items made from local materials.

Accommodations: Postcard Dewa

Continue and visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, which is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang. The temple was established in 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Pajodrugom Shigpo, who came from Tibet. The central statue here is Chenrezig in a manifestation with 11 heads. From temple courtyard, there is fascinating view of Thimphu valley.

After lunch, take a short drive to Pangri Zampa, 16th century one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan located just north of Thimphu. Here is a monastic school where Buddhist student monks learn Lamaism and Astrology based on Buddhist philosophy. Further visit to Bhutan Post Office, the postal service in Bhutan was first launched on 10th Oct’1962 with the opening of a post office in Phuentsholing. In the same year, post offices also opened in Paro and Thimphu. Traditional Paper making factory, which comprises of two enterprises; the unit in Thimphu produces traditional handmade paper from natural plants mainly from ‘daphne’ plant species which is insect resistant. The other unit in Jimina, 22 km from the centre of Thimphu town, recycles waster papers. The
traditional handmade papers are widely used for religious scripts, packing materials, hand-carry bags, lampshades, envelopes, calendars. The paper looks a lot like Japanese washi, and in fact a lot of Bhutanese paper is exported to japan also.
In the evening visit trashichhoedzong: this impressive fortress /monastery houses secretariat building, the throne room of his majesty, the king and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of chief abbot and central monk body.

Accommodations:  Postcard Dewa

After checking into the hotel, visit the Punakha Dzong, a majestic structure built at the junction of two rivers that flow on either side of the fortress. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.

Accommodations: Dhensa Boutique

The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they
pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.

Later visit to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang(Temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padma Sambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation centre for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.

Accommodations: Dhensa Boutique

Later in the day after checking into the hotel, visit the Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts. Bhutan’s exquisite stamps exhibited here
offer another interesting collection. Then visit Rinpung Dzong, (fortress of the heap of jewels), which has a fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as the Four Friends, the Old Man of Long Life, and the Wheel of Life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Accommodations: Tenzinling Luxury Villa Tents

It was also visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April, 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of the building. However, this iconic monastery has been restored to its original splendor. Evening, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Accommodations: Tenzinlining Luxury Villa Tents