Bhutan & Nepal: Heart of the Himalaya

11 days
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Small Group Tour
Discover Bhutan and Nepal, two Himalayan countries little touched by the passage of time, and view stunning Tiger's Nest Monastery, stroll through Kathmandu's bazaar and attend a spirited debate between Buddhist nuns.

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Luxury - 5 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Discover the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Bhutan and Nepal on this journey through the heart of the Himalaya
    • Feel the spirit of Bhutan on a pilgrimage hike to the revered Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched high on a sheer rock face
    • Learn about the traditions and age-old methods of local farmers on a visit to a farmhouse
    • Enjoy a lesson in Nepalese cuisine during a Chef's Table event in the home of a local resident
    • Witness a debate among nuns at the Kopan Nunnery, an unforgettable, age-old tradition
    • Ride Like a Local when you travel by rickshaw to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Teleju Temple

What's this trip about?

    Discover Bhutan and Nepal, two Himalayan countries little touched by the passage of time, and view stunning Tiger's Nest Monastery, stroll through Kathmandu's bazaar and attend a spirited debate between Buddhist nuns.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range10 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBangkok
End CityBangkok

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Family Friendly

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Bhutan
  • Nepal

Attractions

  • Durbar Square
  • Kathmandu
  • Thimpu
  • Tiger's Nest Monastery

Activities

  • Canoeing
  • Cooking
  • Culture
  • Educational/ learning
  • Hiking
  • Historic sightseeing
  • History
  • Nature
  • Safari
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Meals
    • Accommodation

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok, Thailand

Accommodation: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

Arrive in Bangkok, where you are met and transferred to your airport hotel.

Day 2: Paro, Bhutan/Thimphu | Welcome to Bhutan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Taj Tashi

Fly to Paro and receive a tashi khadda (traditional welcome). Transfer to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten. Later, see the Tashichhodzong Fortress, a 13th-century Buddhist monastery and fort, and then gather for your welcome dinner.

Day 3: Thimphu | Fine Weavers at Work

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Taj Tashi

Visit the Folk Heritage and National Textile museums and view Buddhist literature at the National Library.

Day 4: Punakha | The Divine Madman

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Taj Tashi

Drive over the Dochula Pass, seeing the colorful prayer flags en route to Punakha. Stop at Punakha Dzong, continuing to the Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of the Divine Madman). Return to Thimphu for dinner.

Day 5: Paro | Monasteries, Rivers & Relics

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Zhiwa Ling Hotel

Journey overland to Paro, stopping en route in Chuzom. Continue to Paro and view the religious thankga (scroll) paintings and the natural history collection at the National Museum. Contin...

Day 6: Paro | Ascent to the Tiger’s Nest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Zhiwa Ling Hotel

This morning, you may choose to attempt the climb to Taktsang Monastery (“Tiger’s Nest”). This hike is intentionally difficult, intended as an arduous pilgrimage for Buddhist devotees. Later, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred shrines.

Day 7: Kathmandu, Nepal | Historic Durbar Square

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

Fly to Kathmandu. Ride by rickshaw to Kathmandu Durbar Square and Teleju Temple, see the House of the Living Goddess (Kumari) and stroll through the bazaar and old city. Enjoy a lecture by a Mount Everest summiter in the evening.

Day 8: Kathmandu | Lesson in Nepalese Cuisine

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

This morning, travel to Kirtipur and visit the temple of Adinath, the Chilamcho Stupa and the temple of Bagh Bhairav. Attend a Nepalese cooking class in a local home. Then, visit Patan City, the Golden Temple and Krishna Mandir. In the evening, visit Kopan Nunnery to witness a spirited debate among nuns.

Day 9: Kathmandu | Hindu Temples & Buddhist Stupas

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

This morning, proceed to Bhaktapur, a ninth-century town in the Kathmandu Valley. Then, visit Pashupatinath Temple, a cremation site for the Hindus. Continue to Boudhanath, home...

Days 10-11: Depart Bangkok

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

On Day 10, either fly to Lhasa to begin your post-tour extension or fly to Bangkok, where you enjoy the use of a superior room, available through Day 11, when you depart on your international flight home.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,295
Price per day$663
Single supplement (single occupancy)$1,248
Last Updated: 8/2/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Abercrombie & Kent.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • International Flights
    • Passport and Visa Charges
    • Personal Expenses
Cancellation policy

Cancellation fees per person

Luxury Small Group Journeys, Marco Polo Journeys, Connections Land Journeys, and related Group Pre- and Post-Tour Extensions

  • If 91 days prior to departure or more cancellation fee is $500
  • Is 90-61 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 20% of program price
  • If 60-31 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 50% of program price
  • If 30 days prior to departure or less cancellation fee is 100% of the program price
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

10 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches and 6 Dinners

Age Requirements
10 years and up
Additional Information
Extend Your Journey | Enhance your journey with a post-tour extension to Lhasa (4 days, from $1,895). Post-Tour Extension: Lhasa, Days: 4 | From: $1,895 Internal Air from: $380 Internal Air Routing: Kathmandu/Lhasa Available to add to select departure dates. Day 1 Meals: Lunch Accommodation: St. Regis Lhasa Resort Fly to Lhasa. Day 2 Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Accommodation: St. Regis Lhasa Resort Explore Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lama. Visit the Jokhang Temple to join monks as they circumambulate the temple. Day 3 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: St. Regis Lhasa Resort Spend the day at two of Tibet’s great monasteries, Drepung and Sera. Day 4 Meals: Breakfast Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Nepal Information | A&K's local experts have visited Nepal since the 2015 earthquake to personally assess the services and sites. We are confident you will have an outstanding experience on this journey. Take This Journey Private | This itinerary is also available as an independent journey, Signature Bhutan & Nepal, with A&K local guides.
Trip ID
abercr-BhuNepAbe

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