15 Days Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour

Trip Summary

Geography

Hills/Himalaya/Trans-Himalaya

Location

Nepal/Tibet/Bhutan

Level Of Difficulty

Easy

Duration

15 Days

Max Aaltitude

Buddhism/Hinduism

Religion

Nepali and Tibetan

15 Days Nepal Tibet Bhutan Tour highlights

Explore the rich Buddhist history and culture of Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan

Trace the history of Vajrayana Buddhism and Tibetan-Buddhism

Enjoy the majestic panorama of pristine Himalayan peaks including Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Mt. Chomolhari

Visit some of the popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu

This 15 days Nepal Tibet Bhutan tour will lead you to 3 of the most revered and mysterious countries in Asia. This journey of 15 days goes across the Himalayan landscape and teach you a thing or two about life in the Buddhist region. Learn the meaning of culture and religion in the isolated hills of eastern Asia. This tour will take you to the Swayambhunath temple, the majestic Potala Palace in Lhasa, and the Paro Taktsang in Paro. This journey caters to the need of those who are in search of wisdom and culture.

The 15-Days tour commences at Kathmandu and embarks on an insightful tour around the city exploring some of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath. The tour movies 512km east towards Paro, Bhutan. A small Buddhist nation, Bhutan lies at the eastern end of Himalayas.

The tour takes you on the popular pilgrimage route passing through Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, and Gangtey back to Paro. You’ll get to witness some of the most popular cultural heritage of Bhutan including Taktsang Monastery, Tashichho Dzong, and Lungchutse Monastery.

While at Bhutan, you’ll get to witness the amazing abode of black cranes and you’ll get to witness the place where the great Tibetan guru Rinpoche once meditated. After saying goodbye to Bhutan, the final leg of the tour advances towards the ‘Forbidden Kingdom’ or Lhasa City where you can experience the rich history, culture, and traditions of Tibet.

Lying on the other side of Himalaya, Lhasa lies in the Trans-Himalayan region of Tibetan Plateau. The region was restricted for travelers for ages. At Lhasa, you can visit the historic Potala Palace (Winter Palace), Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Market, Norbulingka (Summer Palace), and numerous Buddhist monasteries. The tour culminates in a cultural tour of three different regions in Asia. You can trace the history of Buddhism through the intricate art, rich architecture, endemic culture, and unique lifestyle.

Nepal Alibaba Treks has been specializing in custom tours Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan since (year). We organize full-board holiday packages for private, group, and family tours at a reasonable cost. Our all-inclusive tour package covers entire transportation, quality meal and hotels, an experienced guide, permits, and the entire logistics.

Day Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu

Welcome to Kathmandu! Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, one of our representatives will warmly receive you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After checking-in, you will meet your tour guide and discuss the itinerary in detail. Your guide will assess your documents for the cross-country permits. In the evening, you can choose to go out to explore the nearest market to shop for gears, accessories, goodies, or snacks. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day Day 2: Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu comprising of Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple and Swayambhunath Temple

After early breakfast at the hotel, you’ll embark on an insightful journey of Kathmandu city. You’ll tour through few of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu namely Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Boudhanath. First, you’ll drive to Swayambhunath, a Buddhist stupa situated atop the hill. You’ll climb the 365 stone-steps reaching all the way to the stupa. Next, you’ll drive to Pashupatinath, the largest Hindu temple in Nepal. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath remains the most revered Hindu site in Kathmandu. The final leg of the tour takes you towards Boudhanath. Located amidst the densely populated Boudha, Boudhanath is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. You can witness many pilgrims performing Kora at the site. The tour concedes upon your return to the hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day Day 3: Arrival at Bhutan, Paro International Airport and sightseeing in the afternoon (2250m)

After early breakfast at the hotel, you’ll drive towards the airport and embark on a beautiful trans-Himalayan flight to Paro, Bhutan. Located almost 404km east of Nepal, it may take over 1hr to reach Bhutan. You can catch the beautiful sights of Chomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks en route to Paro. After lunch at Paro, you’ll embark on a visit to some of the tourist sites around the valley. You will visit Rinpung Dzong ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’ and later pay a visit to Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest Buddhists temples in Bhutan. Overnight in Paro.

Day Day 4: Excursion to the Tigers Nest (3190m) and Drive to Thimphu (2 hours/54km) in the afternoon (2350m)

Paro valley remains popular for the Buddhist monastery called “Paro Taktsang” that is situated on a cliff at an altitude of 3180 meters. Also known as Tiger’s Nest, you’ll need to hike 4-5hr uphill to reach the site. The monastery was built in 1692 around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where the renowned Buddhist Padmasambhava Guru Rinpoche meditated for exactly three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours. A local legend suggests that Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where the monastery stands today. After having lunch, you’ll get down from the monastery and embark on a scenic drive towards Thimpu, the capital of Bhutan. Overnight in Thimpu.

Day Day 5: Full day sightseeing of Thimphu

Thimpu is the capital city of Bhutan and also the most populated city in the country. After early breakfast, you’ll embark on a day tour of Thimpu. You’ll drive to the nearby BBS Tower and hike to Wangdi Tse Gompa (Monastery). You can catch beautiful sights of Tashichho Dzong en route. Tashichho Dzong is a popular Buddhist monastery and fortress located on the northern edge of Thimpu. Afterward, you will visit Samtenling Palace that is home to the fourth King and Dorje Drak meditation retreat. Once back at the city, you can choose to visit the mini Zoo to witness the national animal of Bhutan, Takin. Overnight in Thimpu.

Day Day 6: Drive to Punakha (1250m) 3 hours/77 km

After early breakfast at Thimpu, you’ll embark on a scenic drive to the countryside. The tour advances 83.8 km northeast towards Punakha via the Dochu La Pass (3,100m). Dochu La is a Himalayan pass that is home to 108 memorial Buddhist Chortens. You can catch the majestic sights of the Himalayas from Dochula Pass including Mt. Chomolhari. Afterward, you’ll continue towards Punakha. Punakha is the administrative center of Punakha Dzongkhag and also the former capital of Bhutan. It was the seat of government until 1955 and was ruled by two monarchs. You can enjoy the beautiful sights of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, two main rivers of Bhutan and visit the majestic building of Pungtang Dewachen Gi Phodrang. Overnight in Punakha.

Day Day 7: Drive to Gangtey (2900m) 4 hours/85 km

After breakfast, you’ll embark on a scenic journey eastward towards Gangtey. Lying almost 85km from Punakha, it may take almost 3-4hr to reach the Gangtey valley. Gangtey is also known as Phobjikha Valley and is regarded as one of the most beautiful destinations in Bhutan. This place is a winter home to a group of globally endangered black-necked cranes, Gangtey provides information of Crane population to educate visitors. It is also home to the religious site of Gangtey Gompa situated at the head of the valley. Overnight in Gangtey.

Day Day 8: Drive back to Paro.

After early breakfast, you’ll leave for Paro. The final day of the tour in Bhutan, you’ll drive along the countryside to reach Paro. It may take anywhere from 3hr to 4hr to reach Paro. The distance covered will be almost 185km. along the way, you can catch the beautiful sights of the green valleys, large rivers, and pristine mountains. Once at Paro, you can indulge in a sightseeing tour of the city. Overnight in Paro.

Day Day 9: Early morning checkout from the hotel and drive to the Airport for flight to Kathmandu.

You’ll have your breakfast and check out early from the hotel. You’ll drive to the airport and embark on a scenic trans-Himalayan flight back to Kathmandu. Spanning almost 500km, it may take 1.5hr to reach Kathmandu. You’ll fly over the scenic mountains including Kanchenjunga, Makalu, and Everest and catch the beautiful sights of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Upon arriving in Kathmandu, you can choose to do some shopping. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day Day 10: Full day sightseeing of Kathmandu covering Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square

Today, you will indulge in a sightseeing tour of other parts of the Kathmandu valley. First, you’ll drive towards the historical site of Kathmandu Durbar Square also known as Hanuman Dhoka, Durbar Square is home to an age-old Malla Palace, Kumari House dedicated to the living goddess Kumari, numerous temples dedicated to a variety of gods, and a life-size statue of Kala Bhairava. Next, you’ll drive to the neighboring city of Lalitpur and visit the historic Patan Durbar Square. It is an age-old palace built by the Malla Kings of Patan that now has been turned into a museum. The Durbar Square boasts of numerous religious sites including Krishna Temple, statues of deities, a large stone-tap, and numerous old shops. The tour concedes upon your return to the hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day Day 11: Fly from Kathmandu to Lhasa

The final leg of the tour begins with a scenic trans-Himalayan flight to Lhasa, which is known as the forbidden kingdom. Lhasa lies almost 609km northeast of Kathmandu. You’ll fly above the Himalayas overlooking the beautiful aerial sights of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Makalu. The flight may last almost 1.5hr. Also known as the “Roof of the World,” Tibet is the highest elevated region with an average altitude of 4000m. Once at Lhasa, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day Day 12: Explore Lhasa

Today is the first day of the tour in Lhasa. After early breakfast, you’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of this historic city. The international tourists were barred from entering the city for ages. It was only in recent years that the Chinese government allowed visitors to enter Tibet. Lhasa is home to 400,000 people of different ethnic groups such as Tibetan, Hui, and Han. The tour begins with a journey to the historic Potala Palace. Also known as the Winter Palace, Potala was the former residence of the Dalai Lama. The large palace now turned into a museum, is home to numerous prayer rooms, library, meeting room, and living quarters. Afterward, you’ll head to the nearest Sera Monastery that is one of the three Gelug university monasteries in Tibet. You’ll also visit the Norbulingka Palace, the summer palace, in the evening. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day Day 13: Explore Lhasa

The second day of the tour takes you to other parts of the city. The ancient city of Lhasa boasts of a history that goes back to the 6th Century. King Songtsen Gampo, along with his second consort Bhrikuti, is known to have brought Buddhism in this region. Today, you’ll visit three historical monuments in Lhasa. First, you’ll visit the Drepung Monastery, a renowned Buddhist shrine and one of the three biggest monasteries in Tibet. Afterward, you’ll walk to Jokhang Temple located inside the Barkhor Market. A Buddhist temple, Jokhang was founded during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. You will witness many pilgrims making a devotional circumambulation of the temple. Afterward, you’ll visit the adjoining Barkhor market. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day Day 14: Fly back from Lhasa to Kathmandu

You’ll leave Lhasa and then embark on a flight back to Kathmandu. You can catch some of the most exquisite aerial sights of the Potala Palace, large Tibetan plateau, and the pristine Himalayas en route to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, you’ll be escorted to your hotel. Once in Kathmandu, you can-do last-minute shopping at Thamel and even catch a quick movie at Thamel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day Day 15: Final departure.

We’ll drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport so you can catch your scheduled flight back home. Our representative will take you to the airport, approx. 2 hours early. You can share your trip experience or your next adventure with us on the way.

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