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Best of Nepal and Bhutan 14 days
Bhutan is one of the worlds most enigmatic destinations, they limit tourism to the "high" end, and measure their progress each year on the happiness scale, how cool is that. The accomodation we have chosen on this trip is comfortable, and we have planned the trip to have 2 nights at most hotels to enjoy a more leisurely pace. Yes it is an adventure trip, and you will need average fitness, but there is comfort, wherever we can provide it. On this trip we will get to see the very best of Nepal and Bhutan. Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu /day at leisure/hotel. (D) You can arrive any time today. We will be waiting to greet you at our arrival hotel and will provide easy instructions on how to get there from the airport.. Free time before this evening when we will meet for a traditional Nepali welcome and dinner. Our guide for the trip will brief us on our day to day itinerary during our "welcome" dinner this evening. (2 night stay) Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing. (B) After breakfast, embark on a tour of Kathmandu, Patan Dubar Square, Krishna Temple, and Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, a Buddhist monastery. Next is Pashupatinath, the temple of Lord Shiva. This is probably the most famous temple for Hindu in Indian Sub-continent. There is a crematorium beside the temple where family members are cremated. Then to Boudhanath, which is possibly the largest stupa in the world and the center for Tibetan Buddhism. It is a full but very rewarding day. Day 3: Fly to Paro / Drive to Thimphu. (B, L, D) After breakfast, we have a transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Paro, drive to our hotel, and enjoy a Bhutanese lunch. In the afternoon we, will take a cultural tour of the capital City of Thimphu. (2 night stay) Day 4: Sightseeing in Thimphu. (B, L, D) After breakfast, we will drive to Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic statue of Buddha that sits at the Buddha View Point overlooking the stunning panoramic views of the city. Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without any traffic lights. There will be some free time to walk around and enjoy the city before we visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest monastery in the valley. Day 5: Thimphu to Punakha (B L, D) Drive to Punakha over Dochula Pass (10,200 ft / 3100m) with visit of royal temple Druk Wangyal Lhakhang. In clear weather, we have a good chance of panoramic views of the Gangkhar Puensum (24,840ft / 8790m), the highest mountain of Bhutan, before descending into the tropical valley of Punatsang Chhu River. After a visit to a local village, we get some chill time. (2 night stay) Day 6: Punakha (B, L, D) Early morning, a short trek to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten with wonderful views of the valley and its terraced paddy fields. See the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan stretching the length of 350m over Pho Chhu River. Visit the Punakha Dzong, which counts as the most intricately decorated monastery in the Kingdom of Bhutan. If time permits, we’ll visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery with Bhutanese and Nepali style stupa, overlooking the valley from the high hill. Late afternoon at leisure. A very special day! Day 7: Punakha to Paro (B, L, D) After breakfast drive to Paro through the same road we took 2 days before with great view of himalaya and landscape. Here we visit the National Museum Ta Dzong, and the Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), the monastery where the Bernardo Bertolucci’s Little Buddha movie was filmed. The Paro Valley is breathtakingly beautiful. (2 night stay) Day 8: Paro (B, L, D) Today is the highlight of our trip of Bhutan a walking tour of Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest. While the trek is challenging, it is definitely worth the effort. If you do not wish to climb all the way to the monastery, you can climb halfway to the cafeteria, which has great views of Taktsang. Come back to hotel, have a rest or go for spa. Day 9: Fly to Kathmandu, day at leisure After breakfast, we will drive to the Paro International Airport for our flight back to Kathmandu. Enjoy the breathtaking view of Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan mountains during our flight. Upon arrival on Kathmandu, you will have a day at leisure. Day 10: Drive to Chitwan National Park. (B, D) Today after breakfast, we will take the scenic drive to Chitwan National Park, Nepal’s most famous national park and a UNESCO Heritage Site. Our hotel overlooks the lush forested valley and the Rapti River. We will stay for two nights with full board in clean and comfortable rooms, a real opportunity to experience and savor the peaceful surroundings. We will visit a local Tharu village to learn how local people live in a sustainable manner in harmony with their spectacularly beautiful surroundings. After dinner, we will have a cultural program from the local Tharu people at their community center. (2 nights) Day 10: Chitwan National Park, River Canoe Ride (B, L, D) Viewing wildlife in its natural habitat is undoubtedly a great experience. We will get up early with the sunrise, and have our breakfast. This morning, we get to enjoy a Jeep safari. Our naturalist guide will help you spot rhino, sloth bears, wild boar, and if you’re very lucky, a Royal Bengal tiger. There will be an opportunity to watch the elephants bathing in the river. After lunch, we have the option of a trip by dugout canoe to see crocodile, birds and others animals and return on foot along the riverbank. There is a really nice swimming pool at this hotel for our enjoyment. Day 11: Drive to Pokhara. Fish Tail Lodge. (B) After breakfast, we drive north (4-5hr) towards the small town of Pokhara in Western Nepal. The environment here is clean with lots of fresh air and staggering beautiful, surrounded as it is by some of the world’s highest mountains. Boat rides are available here on Fewa Lake (optional). It is a nice ride where you can watch reflections of dazzling White Mountain peaks sparkle in the mirror-like water and listen to the soothing sound of silence. This is probably one of the finest mountain panoramas in the world. (2 nights) Day 12: Pokhara: Sunrise at Sarangkot, Tibetan Refugee Camp, Davis Falls, and the World Peace Pagoda. (B) This morning, we will have a sunrise tour to Sarangkot, and then back to lodge for breakfast. Then tour the Tibetan refugee camp and the Davis Falls. After lunch, we will climb up to the World Peace Pagoda for incredible views. Day 13: Fly to Bhaktapur . (B) After breakfast, we take a scenic flight to Kathmandu and drive to Bhaktapur. Explore the medieval town with Richard. Day 14: Depart for home From Bhaktapur its a short 40min to the airport and we can book taxis at anytime today to get you to your departing flight easily. 
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November 2023 with final dates to be finalised.
Starting and finishing in Kathmandu (KTM) For you international flights you will need to fly into and out of Kathmandu (KTM). Singapore airlines has great connections from NZ and OZ What's Included:-
What's Not Included:
Cost estimate: $3990 USD per person (Twin share). Single supplement $680 USD per person Singles we will try and match you up with a buddy, but if we cannot then the supplement has to be paid. This years trip is hosted by Richard OTS founder Due to the nature of adventure travel and the prices of the resources on which it depends, the published price of any trip is subject to change at any time, before or after booking confirmation, up to 60 days before the departure. Options and methods of payment. 
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