Tours to Nepal Bhutan

Arrival at Kathmandu International airport. Meet Himalayan Smile Treks representative and transfer to Kathmandu hotel. Orientation program. Overnight at Kathmandu in Hotel.

Kathmandu Valley sightseeing. Visit Swayambhunath Stupa, it is also renowned as money temple which is a 2500 years old stupa situated on a hillock about 500 feet above the sea level of the valley. Also, visit another Buddhist site Boudhanath. It is a place where a stupa is built and it is believed that the stupa is said to entomb the remains of Kassapa Buddha. Both places are most sacred among Buddhist pilgrimage and believe Buddhist ritual things. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.

As your Druk Air flight weaves through the valley, arrival in Bhutan is like no other. As you touch down, keep your camera at the ready, as we have noticed how passengers slowly disembark and then stand on the tarmac totally bewildered. Then move through to immigration where you will present your Visa Approval letter and Passport for the official stamp. As you clear the Immigration check, please make your way to the baggage delivery area and here you will meet your Guide for the first time. The transfer to Thimphu is approximately 2 hours and upon arrival and after settling in; you will have the choice of the National Memorial Chorten, Weaving center, Changangkha Monastery and perhaps time to stroll the Main Street for some interesting Himalayan artifacts or textiles.

This morning you will head to the north end of the Thimphu valley, should you wish to stretch your legs; a short hike will take you to Cheri Goemba, the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the Kingdom. After crossing a bridge, the main trail to Chari zigzags upwards to a Chorten. Remember to pass the Chorten in clock-wise direction as a sign of respect. Shortly after passing a few buildings, you will see the temple on your left. Sometimes you might spot goral (Mountain goat) jumping around the cliffs nearby. It is an important seat of religious teachings that attract monks from around the country who come for refresher courses and spiritual retreat. We will drive back for Lunch, after lunch, you will visit the Buddha Statue at Kuensel Phodrang, one of the tallest Buddha in the world. Late evening we will visit Tashicho Dzong, the “fortress of glorious religion,” and seat of the national government. Its majestic architecture in finely balanced proportions is complemented by artistic decorations and paintings. Drive back to your hotel and leisure in evening.

We go out for an early departure for a dramatic drive over the high mountain pass of Dochu La and on to the Punakha Valley. Sights on the way include one of Bhutan’s first fortress monasteries; the 17th century Simtokha Dzong, The journey continues over the 3,050m mountain pass where on a clear day, towering Himalayan peaks are clearly visible. The descent down thru the Punakha Valley along the Kingdom’s only east-west highway will loop you through the Valley of Wangdi and perhaps the local town temple next door. Time will be afforded to walk this small village and explore its row of intimate shops before heading back into Punakha Valley. This afternoon you will have a choice to visit the village of Lobesa where a short walk ends at Chimi Lhakhang, the auspicious fertility monastery. Drive to your hotel and leisure in the evening.

The day in Punakha Valley begins with a beautiful hike to Khamsum Yuelle Namgyal, from the hotel 30 minute drive along the Mo Chhu thru terraces of rice, chilies and cabbage, takes to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a monument recently built by the four queens of Bhutan. Following the hike, you will drive back up the valley towards Khuruthang passing Punthsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the royal family before reaching the impressive Punakha Dzong. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s head and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. A picnic lunch is served on the banks of the Punak Chu. After lunch you will drive to the Nalanda Buddhist Institute, also known locally as Daley Goenpa is a Buddhist monastic School. One hour’s drive through the forest of several Rhodendron and worth to visit the sacred monastery, visit the monastery and you will get an opportunity to interact with monks and know the way of monk’s life. Drive to your hotel and evening at leisure.

Today’s journey to Gangtey continues on through the scenic village of Wangdi. Carrying on the highway follows the scenic Dang Chhu before climbing through forests of bamboo and oak, and just before crossing the Pele La pass, a small side road splinters off to the hidden Phobjika Valley. On arrival you will have time to visit the striking Gangtey Goemba, sitting at the head of the valley, and perhaps strolling thru the quaint Gangtey village. You will take a gradual hike through Gangtey Nature Trail this pleasurable walk will give you a nice feeling for Phobjikha valley. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, you head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley. After passing a Chorten and Khewa Lhakhang, the trail ends at the local community school. Drive to your hotel and evening at leisure

Today it will be a long journey on the road driving from Phobjikha to Paro. We will depart our hotel to Wangdue district, over to Dochula pass. After lunch, you will drive about 3 hours to Paro. On arrival, you will visit Paro Dzong, built to defend Paro from the Tibetan invasion, is also known as Rinpung Dzong which means „the fortress of a heap of jewels’. This fine example of Bhutanese architecture now serves as a central monastic and administrative seat of the Paro district and visit to the revered Kyichu Lhakhang, which pins down the left foot of a treacherous Ogress, are a great finish to this day of cultural immersion. Drive to your hotel and evening at leisure. Dinner and Overnight: Hotel

Today will be an auspicious pilgrimage up to one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments, the Taktshang Goemba, more commonly referred to as the “Tiger’s Nest”. The four to five-hour trek offers spectacular views of this sacred monastery perched on a cliff face 900m above the valley floor. you can light butter Lamp represents the dispelling of the darkness of ignorance. The lighting of butter lamps is an offering of light to the deities and is one of the most common means of increasing one’s merit. It also helps to focus the mind and aid meditation. In the late afternoon, you will get to know the national sport of this small country. In the past, the hunting bows were made of long single bamboo sticks and held together with leather. Meanwhile, the bows are replaced by modern versions and are only used for sporting purposes today. In some local archery contests, the Bhutanese still use the original bows. You get the chance to discover the popular sport with these traditional bows! Late evening your Bhutan journey is rounded off by the performance of traditional folk songs and mask dances. Admire the welcome and goodbye dances. For Bhutanese people, even watching the dances is a spiritual experience – we hope that you feel the same way!

Depart from Paro airport to Kathmandu International airport. Transfer to hotel Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

After breakfast fly to Bhairahawa which is the nearest airport to Lumbini. Meet Himalayan Smile Treks representative and transfer to hotel Lumbini by private car or bus. Rest of the day you will walk to Theravada monastic zone where you will find various monasteries along with Lumbini museum and other holy places. Overnight at Lumbini in hotel.

Drive to Tilaurakot. Tilaurakot is the place where Lord Buddha spent his 29 years of his princely life. This place is 27 km away from the Lumbini and not disturbed by residence of a crowd. You can still observe the basement of the palace and other historical believed which was 2500 years old material. After the lunch, you will move to the Gotihawa which is the accurate birth place of Lord Buddha. Brick structure of stupa and monasteries can be seen in the area outside the modern Gaotihawa village. At the center of the main mound the remains of broken Ashokan Pillar which symbol as birth place of Lord Buddha. Overnight at hotel in Lumbini.

Morning fly back to Kathmandu. Rest of the day you will enjoy the meditation course with lama (spiritual teacher).The meditation course is started with short introduction to Tibetan Buddhism, and single point meditation retreat. Course will lead by spiritual teacher where you learn about uncontrolled emotions, dissatisfaction, and skills to address these problems as well as make your life more fulfilling and meaningful. Overnight at Kathmandu hotel.

Leisure / Walk around nearby places. Preparation for departure. Transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for final Departure.