Nepal8 days
Nepal & Bhutan: Dzongs, Temples & the Kathmandu Valley — 8 Days
Paro to Kathmandu via Thimphu, Punakha, and Nagarkot — Buddhist monasteries, UNESCO heritage sites, and a Himalayan flight crossing
This eight-day itinerary combines the primary cultural circuits of western Bhutan and the Kathmandu Valley, moving between two countries by a single internal flight over the Himalayas. The Bhutan portion covers Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro — the three districts that concentrate the country's most significant dzong architecture, royal history, and Buddhist religious sites — before a Druk Air flight delivers travellers to Nepal. The Nepal leg is anchored at Nagarkot (2,195m), positioned for morning views of the eastern Himalayan range, then works through the Kathmandu Valley's UNESCO-listed monuments: Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, and Swayambhunath Stupa. The centrepiece of the Bhutan section is the climb to Taktsang Monastery — the so-called Tiger's Nest — a sacred temple set into a rock face on the hillside above the Paro Valley. Accommodation throughout is in three-star hotels on a twin-sharing basis; guiding is provided in English for the full duration.
Highlights
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), Paro — a sacred cliff-face temple complex above the Paro Valley
- Punakha Dzong — a fortress-monastery at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, holding rich Buddhist collections (1,310m)
- Dochula Pass (3,150m) — a high mountain crossing with 108 memorial chortens and panoramic views of the Bhutan Himalaya
- Druk Air Himalayan flight from Paro to Kathmandu — overflying the high-altitude peaks of the Bhutan and Nepal ranges
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former royal palace complex in the Kathmandu Valley
- Boudhanath Stupa — one of the largest spherical stupas in Asia, located on the eastern edge of Kathmandu
- Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu — one of the subcontinent's most significant Hindu pilgrimage sites, on the banks of the Bagmati River
- Sunrise and Himalayan panorama from Nagarkot (2,195m), with views extending to the eastern Nepal peaks including Mount Everest on clear days
- Kyichu Lhakhang, Paro — among the oldest temples in Bhutan
Day by day
1Arrival at Paro Airport & Transfer to Thimphu (65 km / 2,350m)Paro International Airport · Buddha Dordenma Statue · Thimphu Dzong · Bhutan Postal Museum · Paro to Thimphu · hotel in Thimphu
On arrival at Paro International Airport, a tour representative meets the group and transfers them by road to Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital, approximately 65 kilometres away — a journey of around one and a half hours at 2,350 metres elevation. After hotel check-in and a short rest, the afternoon covers three central Thimphu sites: the Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimphu Dzong (the seat of Bhutan's government and monastic body), and the Bhutan Postal Museum. Overnight in Thimphu.
2Thimphu to Punakha: Dochula Pass and Punakha Dzong (77 km / 1,310m)Dochula Pass · Punakha Dzong · Mo Chu River
The drive west to Punakha, 77 kilometres over approximately three hours, crosses Dochula Pass at 3,150 metres — a high ridge marked by 108 memorial chortens and, on clear days, a wide panorama of the Bhutanese Himalaya. Descending to the Punakha Valley at 1,310 metres, the day's main stop is Punakha Dzong, a fortress-monastery at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers and still holding important Buddhist collections. Nearby, the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan crosses the Mo Chu River. Overnight in Punakha.
3Punakha to Paro: Paro Dzong and Kyichu Lhakhang (140 km / 2,250m)Punakha to Paro · Paro Dzong · Kyichu Lhakhang · a local farmhouse
A longer road transfer — 140 kilometres over three to four hours — returns the itinerary eastward to Paro at 2,250 metres. Sightseeing in Paro includes Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong), a well-preserved example of traditional Bhutanese dzong architecture that serves as both a religious site and district administrative centre. The afternoon adds Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples, and a visit to a local farmhouse illustrating the domestic architecture and daily routines typical of the Paro Valley. Overnight in Paro.
4Paro Valley: Taktsang Monastery and Drukgyel DzongTaktsang Monastery · Drukgyel Dzong
After breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), the sacred temple perched on a cliff above Paro Valley—horse riding is available as an alternative. The monastery offers sweeping views across the valley. In the afternoon, visit Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress at the valley's northern end. Return to hotel for overnight.
5Paro to Kathmandu by Air, Transfer to Nagarkot (2,195m)Nagarkot · Paro International Airport · Bhutan-Nepal border · Kathmandu to Nagarkot (2,195m)
After breakfast, the group transfers to Paro International Airport for the Druk Air flight to Kathmandu. The routing overflies the high Himalayan peaks along the Bhutan-Nepal border, offering clear aerial views of the range on favourable weather days. On arrival in Kathmandu, a tour representative transfers the group by road to Nagarkot (2,195m), where the remainder of the day is unstructured. Lunch and dinner in Nagarkot are at independent expense. Overnight in Nagarkot.
6Nagarkot Sunrise, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Boudhanath StupaNagarkot · Bhaktapur Durbar Square · Boudhanath Stupa · Kathmandu
Nagarkot's elevation of 2,195 metres positions it for early morning views of the eastern Himalayan range; on clear days, the panorama extends to the peaks above the Khumbu region, including Mount Everest. After breakfast, the group drives down to Bhaktapur — a medieval city in the Kathmandu Valley and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — for a walking tour of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the former royal palace precinct containing some of the valley's most intact Newari architecture. En route to Kathmandu, the itinerary stops at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in Asia and a significant centre for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Transfer to the Kathmandu hotel follows. Lunch and dinner are at independent expense. Overnight in Kathmandu.
7Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, and Optional Mountain FlightKathmandu's domestic terminal · Pashupatinath Temple · Swayambhunath Stupa · Kathmandu market area · a Nepali restaurant
The morning offers an optional one-hour mountain flight departing and landing at Kathmandu's domestic terminal, providing aerial views of the Nepal Himalaya. The main sightseeing circuit visits Pashupatinath Temple — described as the biggest Hindu temple in South Asia — followed by Swayambhunath Stupa, widely known as the Monkey Temple, on a hillside in the Kathmandu Valley. The afternoon allows time for shopping in the Kathmandu market area. The day concludes with a farewell dinner at a Nepali restaurant featuring traditional cultural performances. Overnight in Kathmandu.
8Kathmandu: Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for DepartureTribhuvan International Airport · Kathmandu hotel
A tour representative transfers the group from the Kathmandu hotel to Tribhuvan International Airport for onward international departures.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
- 2Pashupatinath Temple
- 3Swayambhunath Stupa
- 4Tribhuvan International Airport
Included
- Included
- Arrival and Departure arrangements
- Accommodation in 3 star hotel on twin sharing room
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in Bhutan tour
- Breakafst in Nepal tour
- International flight of Paro - Kathmandu
- Sightseeing in main monuments as per itinerary and its entrace fees
- An english speaking profesional guide
- comfirtable private transportation in entire trip
Not included
- Excluded
- International air ticket from your home till Bhutan and to your home from Nepal
- Personal expenses, Insurance, personal equipment, immergency evacuation
- Lunch and Dinner in Nepal
- Extra activities, Tipping