NEPAL & BHUTAN

KATHMANDU — Nights 1, 14 & 15

Introduction
Nepal’s capital sits in a wide valley ringed by hills and is the gateway to both Bhutan and the Himalaya. Its old core is a dense weave of Hindu and Buddhist shrines, palace squares and hidden courtyards, most still very much in daily use.

Places to See

• Kathmandu Durbar Square — the old royal palace complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Swayambhunath (the “Monkey Temple”) — hilltop stupa with panoramic valley views
• Boudhanath Stupa — one of the largest stupas in the world, heart of Kathmandu’s Tibetan community
• Pashupatinath Temple — Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple, on the Bagmati River
• Patan Durbar Square — across the river, known for Newari temple architecture

Activities

• Guided walking tour of the old city squares and temple courtyards
• Browsing the shops and rooftop cafés of Thamel
• Optional day trip to Nagarkot or Dhulikhel for a Himalayan sunrise/sunset panorama

Accommodation (Night 1) — Kathmandu: Option A: Hotel Shanker – Palatial Heritage Kathmandu (4-star, Lazimpat) | Option B: Hotel Tibet International (4-star, Boudha)
Accommodation (Nights 14–15) — Kathmandu: Option A: Hotel Shanker – Palatial Heritage Kathmandu | Option B: Kathmandu Guest House / Hotel Mulberry (4-star, Thamel)

THIMPHU — Nights 2–3 (Bhutan)

Introduction
Bhutan’s capital is one of the only world capitals without a traffic light. Low-rise, timber-fronted buildings and traditional dress remain the norm.

Places to See

• The Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Bhutan’s third king
• Tashichho Dzong, seat of the throne room and government offices
• Simtokha Dzong (1629), one of the oldest fortresses in the country
• The National Library, School of Traditional Arts and the Postal Museum

Activities

• Browse the weekly market for local produce and handicrafts
• Lunch at a local restaurant to sample Bhutanese cuisine
• An afternoon dzong- and temple-hopping circuit around the capital

Accommodation (Nights 2–3) — Thimphu: Option A: Lemon Tree Hotel, Thimphu (4-star, central) | Option B: Hotel Norling / Khang Residency (3-star)

PUNAKHA — Nights 4–5 (Bhutan)

Introduction
Bhutan’s former winter capital sits at a much lower, warmer altitude than Thimphu, at the confluence of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, home to what’s widely regarded as the country’s most beautiful dzong.

Places to See

• Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” (1637), at the river confluence
• Chimi Lhakhang, the 15th-century Temple of Fertility, reached by a walk across terraced fields
• Traditional cantilever bridges (bazams) along the Mo Chhu

Activities

• An hour’s countryside walk to Chimi Lhakhang
• A visit to a local farmhouse for tea and a glimpse of village life
• Optional rafting on the Mo Chhu river

Accommodation (Nights 4–5) — Punakha: Option A: Hotel Zangto Pelri (3-star, hilltop valley views) | Option B: Meri Puensum Resort (3-star, among pine trees)

GANGTEY / PHOBJIKHA VALLEY — Nights 6–7 (Bhutan)

Introduction
A wide, U-shaped glacial valley ringed by pine forest, Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s most striking landscapes and, in winter, the roosting ground of the rare black-necked crane.

Places to See

• Gangtey Goemba, the valley’s 17th-century monastery, perched above the wetlands
• The Black-Necked Crane Information Centre
• Farmhouses and open pastureland across the valley floor

Activities

• Walk all or part of the Gangtey Nature Trail through the valley
• Village visits to see traditional Bhutanese farming life

Accommodation (Nights 6–7) — Gangtey / Phobjikha: Option A: Dewachen Hotel & Spa (3-star, beside Gangtey monastery) | Option B: Kichu Resort Phobjikha (3-star)

PARO — Nights 8–9 (Bhutan)

Introduction
Home to Bhutan’s only international airport, Paro is a small, picturesque valley town and the base for the country’s most famous hike.

Places to See

• Taktsang Monastery (“Tiger’s Nest”), clinging to a cliff face 900m above the valley floor
• Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by the iron-bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo
• Rinpung Dzong and the old town centre

Activities

• Day hike to Taktsang Monastery, with lunch at the cafeteria en route
• An orientation walk around Paro town

Accommodation (Nights 8–9) — Paro: Option A: Tashi Namgay Resort (3-star, riverside) | Option B: Olathang Hotel (3-star, pine-forest setting)

CHITWAN — Nights 10–11 (Nepal)

Introduction
Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal’s lowland Terai, protects sal forest, grassland and riverine habitat sheltering one-horned rhinos, gharial crocodiles, over 500 bird species and, more elusively, Bengal tigers. Sauraha, on its edge, is the usual base.

Places to See

• Chitwan National Park’s grassland and riverine forest
• The Rapti River and its birdlife
• A local Tharu village, home to the region’s indigenous community
• The Elephant Breeding Centre

Activities

• Jeep or walking jungle safari in search of rhino and birdlife
• Canoe ride on the Rapti River
• Tharu cultural stick-dance performance in the evening

Accommodation (Nights 10–11) — Chitwan (Sauraha): Option A: Barahi Jungle Lodge (4-star) | Option B: Chitwan Village Resort (3-star, riverside)

POKHARA — Nights 12–13 (Nepal)

Introduction
Set beside the still waters of Phewa Lake with the Annapurna range rising behind it, Pokhara is Nepal’s adventure-travel hub and a far more relaxed counterpoint to Kathmandu.

Places to See

• Phewa Lake and the mid-lake Tal Barahi Temple
• The World Peace Pagoda, reached by boat and a short climb
• Davis Falls and the adjoining Gupteshwor Cave
• Sarangkot viewpoint for sunrise over the Annapurna and Machapuchare peaks

Activities

• Boating on Phewa Lake
• Early-morning drive up to Sarangkot for sunrise (optional, pre-dawn start)
• A stroll through the Lakeside restaurant and café strip

Accommodation (Nights 12–13) — Pokhara (Lakeside): Option A: Dahlia Boutique Hotel (4-star, near Phewa Lake) | Option B: Hotel Lake Shore (3-star, Lakeside)

Notes

• All Bhutan hotels are 3–4 star properties approved by the Department of Tourism of Bhutan; please confirm your preferred option (A or B) at each location, subject to availability.
• Internal flights: Kathmandu–Paro–Kathmandu on Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines, subject to seat availability and seasonal schedules; Chitwan–Pokhara–Kathmandu legs can be by road or short domestic flight.
• All Bhutan touring is on a private guide-and-driver basis under Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee; Nepal touring can be private or joined-group on request.
• A deposit is required to confirm hotel and flight bookings; the balance and final costing will depend on the hotel options selected and season of travel.