Flight: QR646 Doha - Kathmandu 08.15 - 15.25

Private transfer: Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be welcomed to Nepal by your guide, and transferred to your hotel in a private chauffeur driven car. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dwarika's Hotel (Heritage Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Kathmandu:  After breakfast you will set out to explore this famous city which is situated at 1336m above sea level and covers an area of 218 square miles. The rich tapestry of Nepal is synthesized in the Kathmandu Valley and your first visit will be Bhaktapur Durbar Square, in the east of the city, which was established around the 9th Century and is a medieval town where the Newars, its main inhabitants, still follow age old traditions and customs. Bhaktapur Durbar Square houses some of the best examples of Nepali craftsmanship in wood and stone such as the Palace of 55 Windows built in 1697, the five storied Nyatapola Temple, the Kashi Biswanath Temple and the Dattatreya Temple among others. Continue to the Pashupatinath Temple which is located on the western banks of the Bagmati River on the city’s northeastern side. This temple is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres in the world and a sacred place for cremations. Afterwards visit the Boudhanath Stupa which claims to be the largest stupa in the world. Round off the morning with an introduction to Nepalese cuisine at the Kaiser Café at lunchtime (payable locally). In the afternoon head towards Swayambhunath one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Nepal and which is associated with the birth of the Kathmandu Valley civilization. Later you will see Kathmandu Durbar Square which was built in the 17th Century and which serves as the main square of ancient Kathmandu with Hanuman Dhoka Palace, and numerous other temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses that surround the palace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dwarika's Hotel (Heritage Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: At the appropriate time today, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport in time to check in for your onward flight. 

Flight: KB401 Kathmandu - Paro 09.45 - 11.05 

Private transfer to Thimphu with sightseeing: Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at a height of 2,280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide and driver will meet you and take you on a short one hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu which is Bhutan’s capital. On the way you can make a stop to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. On arrival in Thimphu you will check into your hotel and lunch will be served in a local restaurant. 

Afternoon explore Thimphu: This afternoon, walk around the town and soak up the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Six Senses Thimphu (Lodge Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided sightseeing in and around Thimphu: This morning visit the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten, the National Library and the School of Traditional Arts. You may also like to visit the newly opened postal museum, detailing the history of Bhutan’s postal system and showcasing Bhutan’s rich assortment of interesting stamps. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, dating from 1629 AD) just outside the town and afterwards Tashicho (Trashi Chhoe) Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room & offices of the King. This afternoon is also a good time to visit the local handicraft shops and purchase some souvenirs. Please let your guide if there is anything in particular that takes your interest.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Six Senses Thimphu (Lodge Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Punakha with sightseeing: In the morning drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital of Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3,050 metres, where you will stop for a hot drink to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. At this altitude you will notice a change of climate and vegetation as you approach the lower lying Punakha which sits at 1,250 metres above sea level. On arrival in Punakha you will check into your hotel and lunch will be served in a local restaurant. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax and explore locally.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Amankora Punakha (Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Punakha: This morning visit the imposing Punakha Dzong also known as “Palace of Great Happiness”.  Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers: the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. You may be interested to view an exhibition of traditional Bhutanese cantilever bridges (known as bazams) in the tower of the Puna Mo Chu Bazam. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. Afterwards take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across terraced fields to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Afterwards you can visit a local farmhouse for tea, allowing you to experience traditional Bhutanese village life.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Amankora Punakha (Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning hike in Punakha: In the morning, hike an hour or so up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, which sits high on the hill across the other side of the valley. Here you will get some good views of Punakha and the surrounding countryside. After the walk you will have an early lunch. 

Private road journey to Gangtey with sightseeing: This morning, you will drive up to Gangtey, which sits at a higher altitude of 2,900 metres. On the way enjoy views of the immense and remote Phobjikha Valley and the Black Mountain range. On arrival check into your hotel and then you will have a chance to visit Gangtey Goempa which is one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and which has recently been extensively renovated.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Lodge (Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour around the Phobjikha Valley: Today you will do some sightseeing around the Phobjikha Valley.  Start by visiting the Norsang Carpet Factory and then drive on to the Black-Necked Crane Information Centre, which has lots of information on the valley and its famous migrating birds. From here you will drive to Beta Village where there is a small school which you are welcome to visit if you are interested. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant and then you will continue on to Gangtey Gompa from where you can walk for around 1½  hours along the Gangtey Nature Trail, past Semchubara village, through forests of blue pine trees covered with lichen (known as old man’s beard) and where you can hopefully see some of the local bird life. Your driver will meet you at the end of the trail and take you to Kingathang village where you can visit a temple built by the Queen Mother. After the sightseeing you will return to your hotel for some time to relax.

If you are here in November to March you may be able to see some of the famous black-necked cranes which arrive in their hundreds in November each year, after spending the summer in Tibet.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Gangtey Lodge (Suite)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Paro: Today you will drive back to Paro which will take around 5 hours and on arrival you will check into your hotel for the next few nights. After checking in a late lunch will be served in a local restaurant. 

Guided sightseeing in and around Paro: In the afternoon there will be time to have a short tour of Paro and you may also like to drive up to Chele La Pass which is at 3800m to catch a tremendous view of Mount Jomolhari to the north as well as down to the Haa Valley. 

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Uma by COMO, Paro (Valley View Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Paro: This morning you will visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture, and the nearby National Museum which was previously housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower). This was built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend the dzong, and the Paro Valley, during times of war. It was constructed in an unusual circular shape that resembles a conch shell. Unfortunately an earthquake in September 2011 damaged the Ta Dzong and the contents of the museum were moved to a neighbouring building. However you can still see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. The National Museum is due to reopen in the Ta Dzong, but the date has not yet been confirmed. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. In the afternoon there will be time to have a visit to the ruined Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), which was built to commemorate victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644, but destroyed by a butter lamp fire in 1951. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Uma by COMO, Paro (Valley View Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning’s climb to Tiger’s Nest Monastery: This morning you will hike up to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor and is one of the most famous images of Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. 

The full round-trip hike usually takes most people between 4-6 hours, and you can go at your own pace. Alternatively you can hire the services of a horse to take you part of the way up if you prefer. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery before descending to meet up with your driver.

Optional afternoon activities: This afternoon, on the way back to Paro, you will visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. There will also be time to hunt for souvenirs in Paro's handicraft shops. Alternatively you may wish to visit a local farmhouse to take tea with the farmer and his family, allowing you to experience traditional Bhutanese village life. Perhaps take the opportunity to try the restorative properties of a hot stone bath laid on for you by your hosts (there is a charge for this, payable locally).

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Uma by COMO, Paro (Valley View Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer: This morning, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check in for your international departure with Drukair. 

Flight: KB400 Paro - Kathmandu 08.15 - 09.15 

Road journey from Kathmandu to Dhulikhel: On arrival back at Kathmandu Airport, you will be met by your guide and driven to Dhulikhel, a journey of around 1.5 hours.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dwarika's Resort Dhulikhel (Junior Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: You have today free to relax in the spectacular surroundings of the Dwarika's Resort, and arrange activities through the hotel should you wish.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dwarika's Resort Dhulikhel (Junior Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Kathmandu Airport: At the appropriate time today, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Kathmandu Airport, a journey of around 1.5 hours. 

Flight: QR651 Kathmandu - Doha 20.35 - 23.45 

Meals: Breakfast