Bhutan and Nepal Tour - Journey through the jewels of Himalaya

Arrival in Kathmandu in the afternoon and customs formalities. Meeting with the local guide and transfer to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
 

Breakfast in the hotel. The morning is dedicated to visiting Kathmandu, the capital and only urban center of the country. Located at 1337 m, it is a city full of contrasts with its urban areas enclosing an extraordinary cultural and artistic heritage. In the center of the old city, founded in the twelfth century by the Malla dynasty, lie historic Durbar Square, the Palace Square, where the city's kings were crowned. It was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1979.

The ancient royal palace with wooden balconies and windows decorated with fine carvings overlooks Durbar Square and the two neighboring squares, together with Hindu temples and monasteries dedicated to Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver, Shiva the destroyer and regenerator; beautiful buildings with courtyards, such as the Abode of the Kumari, a young girl chosen as the living goddess of the city. All around the maze of the old city streets branches off.

Continue to Swayambhunath, also called "Monkey Temple" for the large colony of monkeys that live there; the largest Buddhist complex overlooks the city, with the watchful eyes of the Buddha surveys the valley in every direction. The hill on which the temple stands was, according to the legend, an island emerged over a large lake that engulfed the entire Kathmandu valley, its historical origins date back to 460 A.C. Lunch in a local restaurant, not included.

In the afternoon visit Patan, the second city of the valley that lies south of Kathmandu, but that was partially incorporated into the capital. Historically it is known by the Sanskrit name of Laliput, "city of beauty", founded in 250 B.C., governed by local aristocrats and finally conquered by the Malla kings. Patan's Durbar Square is full of temples, palaces and buildings, which make up an extraordinary exhibition of Newari architecture. In a wing of the Royal Palace in Patan is the Museum, with an interesting collection of statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities and bronze and copper objects that show the skills of local artisans. Finally visit Jawalakhel, a field of Tibetan refugees that are also skilled carpet weavers. Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, in time transfer to the airport and flight to Paro. After customs clearance and visa requirements, meeting with the Bhutanese guide, then the journey continues to Thimpu (2294 mt), the world's only capital without traffic lights. Many years ago one was installed, but residents complained of his uselessness and so it was taken away in a few days. Despite recent development, Thimpu retains its charm and is full of colorful elaborately decorated facades that give the city a charming medieval atmosphere. Accommodation in the rooms. Full board and overnight.

Breakfast. The visits continue with the imposing Trashi Chhoe Dzong, home to the House of Ministers, the National Assembly hall, the king's throne hall and the summer home of the Abbot of Bhutan, head of the Bhutanese monks. Continue on to the National Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in 1974 and dedicated to King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, one of the most important religious buildings in the city. Afterwards you will visit a Painting School (the National Institute of Zorig Chumsum) and the craft emporium, where you can see the typical local artifacts.

In the afternoon visit Changangkha Lhakang dating back to the fifteenth century. Located above Thimpu, it's a real gem where you can often attend the ceremonies of the monks. From there you can reach the TV tower (2685 m) to see the magnificent view of the valley.

Breakfast and departure to Punakha (76 km, 3 hour trip with a stop), through the beautiful natural scenery of the Dochu La pass, located at 3140 meters. From where, weather permitting, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the eastern Himalayas. There, in a lush forest full of rhododendrons, alder, cypress, hemlock, fir, daphne (shrub used to make paper using a traditional method), thousands of colorful prayer flags surround 108 Chorten built to commemorate the recent battles that have taken place at the borders with Assam. Here there are also many small Tsa Tsa containing the ashes of the deceased, placed in large numbers around the oldest Chorten.

The descent amidst grand sceneries leads to Punakha valley, one of the most beautiful valleys of the country situated at an altitude of 1250 m with rhododendrons, cacti, orange, bamboo, magnolia trees and rice fields and where lies the most beautiful and historically most important Dzong in the country, the wonderful winter headquarters of Je Khenpo, Abbot of Bhutan. Arrival in Punakha (1300 meters), the ancient capital of Bhutan and hotel accommodation.

Later visit the Punakha Dzong, the second oldest of Bhutan, built in 1637-38, which includes various temples, such as the Machey Lhakhang where the bodies of Ngawang Namgyal and Pema Lingpa are hosted. Crossing a village you will reach the temple of fertility, Chimi Lhakhang, placed on top of a panoramic hill overlooking the river, halfway between Punakha and Wangdi. This temple was founded by the great Lama Kunley, "the enlightened madman" whose phallic emblem adorns the entrance of many houses. Infertile couples who confidently ask for the grace to have children come here. Accommodation in your hotel rooms. Full board and overnight.

Breakfast. Drive to Bumthang (205 km, a 7 hour trip with stops), which is the name given to a complex of 4 valleys: Chunmey, Choskhor, Tang and Ura. Past Yotong La pass (3425 m), you'll cross forests of fir trees which give way to pines, bamboo and crops of buckwheat, barley and potatoes as you descend into the valley of Chunmey. Along the way stop in Zugney (2750 m) where you'll see the work of weavers of yathra (cloth strips in hand-knitted wool with traditional decorative motifs) and visit Prakhar Goemba, (10 minute walk), the white monkey temple, built on a promontory at the behest of the son of Pema Lingpa and structured on three floors.

Arrival in Bumthang (Jakar) (2580 m) in Choskhor valley. Accommodation in the rooms. Full board and overnight.

Breakfast. Visit Choskhor Valley, the heart of Bumthang where lies the Jakar Dzong, the biggest Bhutanese dzong, built in 1667; Pema Sambhava Lhakhang, built in 1490 by Pema Lingpa in Guru Rinpoche's place of meditation; Tamshing Goemba, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and governed by its current incarnation, is the most important Nyingma center of the village and reveals frescoes of the sixteenth century, historically important and well preserved.

Continue on with a visit to the complex of Kurjey, considered one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan, founded in 1652 on the place full of legends where Guru Rinpoche had left on a rock the imprint of his own body (ku means rock; jey means body). At the end of the visit return to the hotel. Full board and overnight.

Breakfast. Morning departure to Wanduephodrang (1350 m, 195 km, 6 hours and a half drive) where you will visit the magnificent Dzong founded in 1638 at the meeting point of Pochu and Mochu rivers that converge in Sankosh and then in the Brahmaputra. Arrival, accommodation in the rooms. Full board and overnight.
 

Breakfast. In the morning drive to Paro (2280 m, 125 km, about 4 hours drive). Upon arrival, accommodation in the rooms. In the early afternoon you will start your tour of Paro, located at the center of a green valley which is a harmonious blend of rice fields, clearings with weeping willows and wooden houses. Far to the north, in the forested mountains, Chomolhari shines with permanent snow and the waters that descend from the glaciers form a myriad of clear streams that form the Paro Chu, the main river of the valley.

Visit Paro Dzong, which appears as a white monolith overlooking the valley and was built many centuries ago without any nails or architectural project. You'll then go up to Ta Dzong Tower, where you'll visit the National Museum (collection of costumes, national fabrics, paintings on thangka fabric, silverware, prints and armors). Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the most important and ancient sacred places in Bhutan. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel. Full board and overnight. Note: in Paro Dzong courtyard Paro Festival takes place in spring, with the procession of monks, ceremonies, concerts and the ancient traditional masked dance.

Breakfast. In the morning start visiting Paro with an excursion to Taktshang Goemba, the "Tiger's nest", the monastery built in the fourteenth century around the cave where Guru Rinpoche, who came here on the back of a tigress, meditated for three months in the eighth century. It is certainly the most famous place in Bhutan, suspended on the cliffs above the valley. To make the climb easier (about 3 hours total), you can rent a horse or a mule to reach the first refuge where you can enjoy a wonderful view. From there continue on foot for an hour and a half through a magnificent forest and visit the monastery. At the end of the visit return to the hotel. Full board and overnight.

Breakfast. Timely transfer to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu. Arrival, customs formalities, transfer to the hotel and accommodation in the rooms (for day use). In the afternoon visit Bhaktapur, the third largest urban center of the valley, situated about 30 minutes from Kathmandu, on the ancient trade route to Tibet. The city is beautiful and has preserved the traditional character of Malla era, in its Durbar Square, in temples, shrines, buildings, fountains, and the lively streets of potters, wood carvers, weavers and numerous artisans with traditions that go back in the centuries. Dinner at leisure. Return to Kathmandu and evening transfer to the airport.