Essence of Nepal & Bhutan

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan National Park, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro

This private tour is the perfect introduction to the Himalayan countries of Nepal and Bhutan. Stay at the best luxury hotels, experience the rich local culture and traditions, and see incredible landscapes and wildlife. All touring is private, with your own private guides and drivers.

Begin in Kathmandu, the endlessly fascinating capital of Nepal. During private touring with your expert guide and driver, walk through the lively backstreets of Old Kathmandu to see artisans' workshops, traditional markets, and active Buddhist and Hindu temples. Explore the cultural highlights in the numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument zones around the city and in the surrounding Kathmandu Valley. Tour the beautiful courtyards, palaces and historic monuments of Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Circumambulate the mammoth white stupa at Boudhanath, the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet, with throngs of pilgrims and worshippers, and perhaps duck into one of the smaller temple buildings to light a candle or spin a giant prayer wheel among the faithful. Venture to the hilltop Swayambhunath, another important and photogenic Buddhist temple with an iconic white stupa, flapping prayer flags, and panoramic views of Kathmandu and the foothills of the Himalayas. Observe ceremonies at Pashupatinath, a sprawling Hindu temple complex that's the oldest and most revered Hindu site in Kathmandu. Other highlights include seeing Kumari Devi—a living goddess—and relaxing in the Garden of Dreams, a soothing green oasis.

In the Kathmandu Valley, tour the extensive palace districts in the former royal capitals of Patan and Bhaktapur. See beautiful traditional brick buildings with finely carved wooden windows. Visit the Patan Museum, a former palace and one of the best museums of traditional Nepalese art in the country. Peruse fine metal crafts such as singing bowls, brass tableware and gold-leafed religious icons produced in the small workshops of Patan. Browse for woodwork and ceramics created by artisans in Bhaktapur. Find the perfect shawl made of the finest Nepalese pashmina (cashmere). Learn about the iconography in Buddhist thangka paintings, and perhaps select one to take home. You will have ample time to shop for these and other typical Nepalese products, such as handmade paper and prayer wheels during your tour. Also sample local foods such as juju dhau, Bhaktapur's unique "king yogurt."

Next, fly to Chitwan National Park, a beautiful landscape of subtropical forests and grasslands filled with wildlife. Stay at a luxury lodge on the banks of the Rapti River with easy access to the best of Chitwan. During safaris through this UNESCO World Heritage-designated nature reserve, look for one-horned rhinos, which are regularly seen, and elusive Bengal tigers and sloth bears. Spot herds of deer, wild boars, gharials and other animals. Chitwan is also a birder's paradise, a biodiversity hotspot with hundreds of colorful and unusual avian species, including hornbills, darters and kingfishers. Enjoy other activities in and around Chitwan National Park according to your interests and timing, such as interacting with elephants, a walking safari, scenic boat rides on the beautiful Rapti River, visiting a village to learn about the local Tharu people and their lifestyle, and biking through local villages and farmland.

Return to Kathmandu for an overnight stay. Then, fly to Paro, Bhutan, and transfer to Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan and one of the best places to experience Bhutanese heritage. During private touring, visit important Buddhist sites, local markets, crafts workshops (Buddhist thangkas, sculptures, weavings and more) and museums to learn about Bhutanese traditions and history. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that’s the seat of the Bhutanese government, and, if desired, a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life. Depending on your interests, touring can also include privately guided hikes to temples and monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas, visiting a handmade paper factory, a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home, a visit to the takin preserve to see Bhutan’s unusual national animal, watching an archery competition and private meditation sessions with monks.

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochu La Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, banana plants and rice paddies. During private touring, visit Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple, enjoy peaceful walks through farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local Buddhist temple, tour stunning Punakha Dzong, visit a Buddhist nunnery in the hills and take a short hike to a hillside chorten with panoramic views. Depending on your interests, touring can also include hikes to mountain monasteries, blessings by monks, private river rafting, a tour of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and other top activities around Punakha.

Continue to Paro, a picture-perfect Bhutanese town in a verdant river valley and the base for visiting iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. During private touring, see Bhutanese cultural treasures in the National Museum, admire the views from Paro Dzong, and browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items in the traditional wooden storefronts on Paro’s charming main street. One day, enjoy a privately guided excursion to Tiger's Nest, a breathtaking cliffside Buddhist monastery (also known as Taktsang Goemba) that’s a highlight of Bhutan. Depending on your interests, touring can also include a biking excursion and a private Bhutanese archery lesson. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange yoga sessions and a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath—the perfect way to relax after the hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in Nepal and Bhutan, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking tours and more.

A highlight of this tour is staying at incredible luxury lodges that offer the opportunity to experience traditional Himalayan hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding nature.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal VIP airport assistance. Private arrival transfer to luxury hotel for 3 nights Day 2 Kathmandu Full-day private tour Day 3 Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley Full-day private tour of Patan and Bhaktapur Day 4 Kathmandu – Chitwan National Park Private transfer to airport for flight to Bharatpur. Private arrival transfer to luxury lodge for 2 nights. Afternoon lodge-based activities Day 5 Chitwan National Park Lodge-based activities, such as jeep safaris, boat rides, nature walks and interacting with elephants Day 6 Chitwan – Kathmandu Morning lodge-based activities. Private transfer to airport for flight to Kathmandu. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 1 night Day 7 Kathmandu – Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu Private transfer to airport for business-class flight to Paro, Bhutan. VIP arrival assistance and private transfer to Thimphu luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 8 Thimphu Full-day private cultural touring and option for hiking Day 9 Thimphu – Punakha Private transfer to Punakha luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 10 Punakha Full-day private cultural touring and customized hiking and activities Day 11 Punakha – Paro Private transfer to Paro luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 12 Paro & Tiger’s Nest Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery Day 13 Depart Bhutan Private airport transfer for business-class flight to Delhi or Bangkok

Hotels

Kathmandu: Dwarika’s Hotel Chitwan: Meghauli Serai, a Taj Safari Lodge Thimphu: Amankora Thimphu or Six Senses Thimphu Punakha: Six Senses Punakha, Amankora Punakha or Pemako Punakha Paro: Amankora Paro or COMO Uma Paro

Cost

$26,475 Per person (double occupancy)