Nepal22 days
Nepal, Tibet & Bhutan: Himalayan Kingdoms — 22 Days
Bhutan's Paro Valley, Tibet's Lhasa plateau, and Nepal's Chitwan and Pokhara — overland and by air across three nations in 22 days
This 22-day circuit links three politically distinct Himalayan nations — Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet — in a single continuous journey. The routing moves from Bhutan's western valleys (Thimphu, Punakha, Paro) to Nepal's Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, and Chitwan National Park, then northeast to Tibet's capital Lhasa and onward overland across the Tibetan Plateau to the Nepal border. The Bhutan portion covers the country's primary dzong architecture at Thimphu and Punakha, the Dochula Pass at 3,150 meters, and the cliff-face Taktsang Monastery above Paro Valley. Nepal brings together UNESCO World Heritage monuments — Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square — alongside a Trisuli River rafting section and two nights at Chitwan National Park for elephant safari, canoe rides on the Rapti River, and wildlife tracking of rhinoceros, deer, and the Royal Bengal Tiger. A mountain flight from Kathmandu, and the Druk Air approach into Paro, both offer aerial views of the Himalayan range including Everest. The Tibet leg opens in Lhasa at 3,650 meters, with two sightseeing days covering the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung and Sera monasteries, and Norbulingka. A day excursion reaches Namtso Lake, the world's highest large saltwater lake. The overland drive west passes Yamdrok Tso Lake, the Karo La glacier at 7,252 meters, Gyantse's Kumbum Stupa and Dzong, Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse (founded 1447), and the high-altitude settlement of Tingri near Everest's north face, before descending through the Lalung La Pass and crossing the Nepal-Tibet border at Kodari. Accommodation is three-star category throughout Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan. Full board is included in Bhutan; daily breakfast is included in Nepal and Tibet. Tibet travel permits and Bhutan visa fees are covered. Private transportation and English-speaking guides operate throughout.
Highlights
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest), Paro Valley, Bhutan — a sacred temple set into a rock face on the hillside above the valley.
- Dochula Pass (3,150m) with views of Bhutan's northern peaks and the 108-chorten memorial
- Punakha Dzong, situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, with Bhutan's longest suspension bridge nearby
- Aerial views of the Himalayan range including Mt. Everest on Druk Air flights between Paro and Kathmandu
- Potala Palace, Lhasa — the 13-storey former seat of the Dalai Lamas, dominating the city at 3,650m
- Jokhang Temple, Lhasa — Tibet's most significant Buddhist pilgrimage site, with Barkhor Street circumambulation route
- Drepung Monastery, Lhasa — once Tibet's largest monastery, housing up to 10,000 monks in the 17th century
- Namtso Lake day excursion — the world's highest large saltwater lake, with Zhaxi Temple on its shore
- Overland drive through Yamdrok Tso Lake and past Nazin Kang Sang glacier (7,252m) en route to Gyantse
- Gyantse Kumbum Stupa and Gyantse Dzong (fortress), among the best-preserved dzong structures in Tibet
- Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse — founded 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, at Tibet's second-largest city
- Everest north face views from Tingri at 4,300m on the Tibetan Plateau
- Elephant safari and canoe ride on the Rapti River, Chitwan National Park, with rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, and rare Gharial crocodile
- Sunrise views over the Himalayan range including Everest from Nagarkot (2,195m)
- Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Valley — among South Asia's oldest surviving Buddhist monuments
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square — UNESCO World Heritage Site with palace architecture dating to the 12th–15th centuries
- Whitewater rafting on the Trisuli River between Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Mountain views and lake boating at Phewa Tal, Pokhara, with a visit to the International Mountain Museum
Day by day
1Arrival in Paro & Transfer to Thimphu (65 km / 2,350m)Paro International Airport · Buddha Dordenma Statue · Thimphu Dzong (Tashichho Dzong) · Bhutan Postal Museum · Paro to Thimphu
On arrival at Paro International Airport, a tour representative meets the group and transfers passengers by road to Thimphu, the national capital, approximately 65 kilometers and one and a half hours away at an elevation of 2,350 meters. After hotel check-in and a brief rest, the afternoon itinerary covers the Buddha Dordenma Statue, Thimphu Dzong (Tashichho Dzong), and the Bhutan Postal Museum.
2Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass (77 km / 1,310m)Dochula Pass · Punakha Dzong · suspension bridge near Punakha
The drive east to Punakha, 77 kilometers and roughly three hours, passes over Dochula Pass at 3,150 meters — one of Bhutan's most frequently visited mountain crossings, marked by 108 memorial chortens and offering broad views of the Himalayan range when weather allows. In Punakha, the primary sight is Punakha Dzong, a 17th-century administrative and religious fortress built at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, notable for its Bhutanese architectural detail and Buddhist collections. The nearby suspension bridge — among the longest in Bhutan — is also included in the afternoon's route.
3Punakha to Paro via Paro Dzong & Kyichu Lhakhang (140 km / 2,250m)Punakha to Paro · Kyichu Lhakhang · Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) · a local farmhouse
The return drive west to Paro covers 140 kilometers in three to four hours. Sightseeing in Paro includes Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a 17th-century fortress that also functions as the district's religious and administrative center, and Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest temples. A visit to a local farmhouse provides context for traditional Bhutanese domestic life.
4Paro Valley: Taktsang Monastery Hike & Drukgyel DzongTaktsang Monastery · Drukgyel Dzong
The day centers on the hike to Taktsang Monastery — locally known as Tiger's Nest — a sacred temple complex hanging on a big rock at the hillside of Paro. Horse riding is available for a portion of the ascent. Views of the valley are available from the monastery site. The afternoon includes a visit to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress at the northern end of the valley.
5Paro to Kathmandu by Air & Transfer to Nagarkot (2,195m)Kathmandu · Nagarkot · Paro Airport · Himalayan range
After breakfast, the group transfers to Paro Airport for the Druk Air flight to Kathmandu. The approach and departure over the Himalayan range, including views of Everest and neighboring peaks, is a well-documented feature of this route. On arrival in Kathmandu, a Touch Kailash representative transfers the group to Nagarkot, at an altitude of 2,195 meters, for an overnight stay. Lunch and dinner in Nagarkot are at own expense.
6Nagarkot Sunrise, Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Boudhanath, KathmanduNagarkot · Bhaktapur Durbar Square · Boudhanath Stupa
Nagarkot's elevation of 2,195 meters positions it as one of the closer viewpoints to the eastern Himalayan range accessible by road from Kathmandu, with Everest visible on clear mornings. After breakfast, the group drives to Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing palace and temple structures dating to the 12th through 15th centuries, before continuing into Kathmandu with an en-route stop at Boudhanath Stupa — one of the largest spherical stupas in the world and a functioning Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage site. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are at own expense.
7Kathmandu Valley: Mountain Flight, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath & Farewell DinnerKathmandu Valley · Tribhuvan International Airport's domestic terminal · Pashupatinath Temple · Swayambhunath Stupa · a Nepali restaurant
A one-hour mountain flight, departing and arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport's domestic terminal, provides close aerial views of the Himalayan range. Ground sightseeing covers Pashupatinath Temple — one of the subcontinent's most significant Hindu temple complexes, situated on the Bagmati River — and Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), set on a hill west of Kathmandu with a stupa dating back over two millennia. The afternoon is available for shopping. The evening concludes with a farewell dinner at a Nepali restaurant featuring traditional cultural dance.
8Kathmandu to Pokhara via Trisuli River RaftingKathmandu to Pokhara · Pokhara · Trisuli River
After breakfast, the drive west takes approximately three hours to reach the Trisuli River rafting launch point. The rafting section runs for roughly three hours on a grade suitable for participants without prior whitewater experience. The drive continues to Pokhara following the rafting. Lunch is provided at the river; dinner in Pokhara is at own expense.
9Pokhara: Sarangkot Sunrise, Museum, Caves & Phewa Lake BoatingPhewa Lake · Sarangkot hill station · International Mountain Museum · Davis Falls · Mahendra Cave
An early drive to Sarangkot hill station provides one of Pokhara's best-placed viewpoints for sunrise and close-range views of the Annapurna range, weather permitting. The morning continues with visits to the International Mountain Museum, Davis Falls, and Mahendra Cave. The afternoon includes boating on Phewa Lake, Pokhara's largest lake, situated below the Annapurna massif.
10Pokhara to Chitwan National Park: Tharu Village, Visitor Center & Rapti River SunsetChitwan National Park · Rapti River · Tharu ethnic village · National Park Visitor Center · lodge
The four-hour drive south reaches Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South Asia's premier wildlife conservation areas. After lunch, activities begin with a guided walk to a nearby Tharu ethnic village, where the group is introduced to the history and daily practices of the Tharu people — the indigenous community of the Terai lowlands. A visit to the National Park Visitor Center covers the park's wildlife inventory and conservation history. The evening closes with a sunset viewing from the bank of the Rapti River, followed by a Tharu cultural dance presentation at the lodge.
11Chitwan: Canoe Ride, Jungle Walk & Elephant SafariRapti River · the lodge · Chitwan National Park
The morning opens with a canoe ride along the Rapti River, a recommended route for observing waterbirds and two crocodile species found in Chitwan: the Marsh Mugger and the fish-eating Gharial. A guided jungle walk follows, with the option to observe elephant bathing on the return. After lunch, an elephant safari enters the park's grassland and forest habitats, offering the possibility of sightings of one-horned rhinoceros, four species of deer, wild boar, sloth bear, leopard, and — less frequently — the Royal Bengal Tiger. The evening features either a Tharu cultural dance presentation or a wildlife slide show at the lodge. All meals are included at the lodge.
12Chitwan: Elephant Breeding Center & Flight to KathmanduGovernment Elephant Breeding Center · domestic airstrip to Kathmandu · hotel in Kathmandu
A morning visit to the Government Elephant Breeding Center precedes breakfast at the lodge and the transfer to the domestic airstrip for the 30-minute flight to Kathmandu. The afternoon at the hotel includes a briefing on the Tibet tour segment ahead. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu are at own expense.
13Kathmandu to Lhasa by Air & Acclimatization (3,650m)Tribhuvan International Airport · Lhasa's Gonggar Airport · Lhasa city
The group transfers to Tribhuvan International Airport for the flight to Lhasa's Gonggar Airport, a journey of approximately 55 minutes. A tour representative meets the group on arrival and transfers them to Lhasa city. The remainder of the day is reserved for rest and altitude acclimatization at 3,650 meters.
14Lhasa: Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor StreetPotala Palace · Jokhang Temple · Barkhor Street
The first full day of sightseeing in Lhasa covers the city's three most historically significant sites. The Potala Palace, the former ceremonial and administrative seat of the Dalai Lamas, rises 13 stories above Marpo Ri hill and contains a complex of chapels, audience halls, and tomb shrines accumulated over several centuries. In the afternoon, the Jokhang Temple — the holiest of Tibet's temples — is one of Lhasa's most active pilgrimage destinations, with continuous bustle, butter lamps, and incense throughout the day. The visit concludes on Barkhor Street, the traditional circumambulation route encircling the Jokhang, lined with market stalls and prayer-wheel stations.
15Lhasa: Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery & Norbulingka PalaceDrepung Monastery · Sera Monastery · Norbulingka
The morning begins at Drepung Monastery on the western outskirts of Lhasa, once Tibet's largest monastic institution with four colleges and a population of approximately 10,000 monks at its 17th-century peak. Its white buildings set against Mt. Gambo Utse also provide elevated views back over Lhasa. The afternoon moves to Sera Monastery, historically associated with its Dob-Dob warrior monks and still active as a debating monastery. The final stop is Norbulingka, the former summer palace complex of the Dalai Lamas, which encompasses multiple palace buildings, chapels, and landscaped grounds.
16Lhasa Day Excursion: Namtso Lake & Zhaxi TempleLhasa · Namtso Lake · Zhaxi Island Temple
A full-day excursion from Lhasa reaches Namtso Lake — the world's highest large saltwater lake, fed by rainfall and melted snow flowing from high mountains. Namtso holds status as one of Tibet's three sacred lakes; Zhaxi Island Temple, situated on its shore, remains an active pilgrimage site. The group returns to Lhasa for the overnight.
17Lhasa to Gyantse via Yamdrok Tso, Karo La Glacier & High Passes (262 km / 3,950m)Lhasa to Gyantse · Gyantse · Yamdrok Tso Lake · Kumbum Stupa · Pelkor Chöde Monastery · Gyantse Dzong
The overland drive southwest to Gyantse (262 kilometers, five to six hours) crosses Khamba La Pass at 4,794 meters and Karo La Pass at 5,045 meters. En route, Yamdrok Tso Lake — one of Tibet's three largest sacred lakes — and the adjacent Nazin Kang Sang glacier (7,252 meters) are among the most photographed features of this corridor. In Gyantse, sightseeing covers the Kumbum Stupa, Pelkor Chöde Monastery, and Gyantse Dzong, a hilltop fortress considered among the best-preserved of its kind in Tibet. Overnight in Gyantse.
18Gyantse to Shigatse: Tashilhunpo Monastery (94 km / 3,900m)Gyantse to Shigatse · Tashilhunpo Monastery · Shigatse city center
The short drive northwest to Shigatse — Tibet's second-largest city at 3,900 meters — takes approximately three hours. The primary visit is Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas, set prominently on the hillside above the city. The afternoon allows time to walk through the city center before returning to the hotel.
19Shigatse to Tingri via Gyatso La Pass (237 km / 4,300m)Shigatse to Tingri · Tingri · Gyatso La Pass
The drive west from Shigatse to Tingri covers 237 kilometers in approximately six hours, crossing the Gyatso La Pass at 5,200 meters. The route passes traditional Tibetan settlements. Tingri, at 4,300 meters, sits on the approach road to Everest Base Camp and offers clear views of Everest's north face in favorable conditions. Accommodation is in a simple guesthouse.
20Tingri to Kathmandu via Lalung La Pass & Kodari Border Crossing (331 km / 1,350m)Tingri to Kathmandu · Lalung La Pass · Nyalam · Nepal-Tibet border at Kodari
The longest driving day of the tour covers 331 kilometers and approximately eight hours, descending from the Tibetan Plateau at 4,300 meters to Kathmandu at 1,350 meters. The route crosses Lalung La Pass, where Everest and a broad section of the central Himalayan range come into view. The drive passes through the small Tibetan town of Nyalam before reaching the Nepal-Tibet border at Kodari. After completing immigration formalities and transferring to Nepali transportation, the group continues to Kathmandu with a local guide. The contrast in terrain and vegetation between the plateau and the lower Himalayan foothills is pronounced on this descent.
21Kathmandu: Rest Day & Optional Final Shopping
A full unscheduled day in Kathmandu follows the extended overland journey from Tibet. Time is available for rest or a final round of shopping in the city's markets.
22Departure from Kathmandu: Transfer to Tribhuvan International AirportTribhuvan International Airport
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for onward flights.
Where you go
- 1Kathmandu
- 2Pashupatinath Temple
- 3Swayambhunath Stupa
- 4Pokhara
- 5Mahendra cave
- 6Tribhuvan International Airport
Included
- Included
- All arrival and Departure arrangement
- Accommodation in 3-star category hotels in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan
- Every morning breakfast in Nepal and in Tibet
- Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) in Bhutan
- Sightseeing as per itinerary and its entrance fees
- Visa of Bhutan and Tibet travel permit
- Private comfirtable transportation as per group size
- English speaking friendly guides
Not included
- Excluded
- Lunch and Dinner in Nepal and in Tibet
- Extra activities, Hotel upgrading, Tipping to staffs
- Personal expenses, Equipment, Insurance, and medical expenses
- Emergency evacuation
- Any other expenses rise from immediately problem happened which is out of our control