Nepal and Bhutan Tour

The flight towards the Himalayan kingdom, Nepal reveals stunning views of the great peaks Mount Dorje Lakpa, Mt Ganesha, Mt Purbi Chhyachu, Mt Langtang, etc., (weather permitting).

You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. After customs, immigration procedures and baggage claim, upon leaving the arrivals terminal, a representative of Sampurna Adventure will greet and welcoming you then transferring you to your hotel (Check-in: 1400 hours).

The Kathmandu Valley, the capital and heart of the country, essentially symbolizes everything that is Nepal. Having lived through the rule of several dynasties, the culture and society of Kathmandu has evolved over time to give it a more than unique characteristic. Today it is an urban city that has its ancient myths and at the same time is a testimony to the greatness of people who have lived there for centuries, a melting pot of everything that is Nepali.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure for personal activities following your program briefing or you may familiarize yourself by exploring the narrow lively, and endless streets filled with shops, good restaurants, ATMs and exchange money, full of typical Nepali handicrafts, fine jewelry, clothing, and trekking gear stores, etc.

(Optional: Early morning an optional Mount Everest flight tour – The Highest Mountain on Earth).

Visit Kathmandu Durbar square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the most important monuments of the Nepalese capital in the open-air museum filled with the temples, courtyards and palace of the Malla Kings, who ruled over the city. Other impressive sights include a giant statue of Kal Bhairab, the God 

Swoyambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is probably the most sacred ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the fascinating, chaotic jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography, ancient carvings, the smell of incense and butter lamps, the mystical atmosphere is heightened by devotees who make a ritual circumambulation of the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels set into its base. This famous stupa is surrounded by typical houses of priests, Chaityas and monasteries.

We will visit the Patan Durbar Square (World Heritage Site), the city of fine arts & craft in metal, stone, terracotta,

and one of the largest cities of Nepal, it is famous for its rich cultural heritage, where you will see in its ancient palace with golden gate and window, temples of Krishna, Shiva, Golden temple (Hiranya Barna Mahabihar) as well as monasteries & beautiful courtyard. 

Bhaktapur, UNESCO World Heritage site & the medieval capital city, visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, surrounded by spectacular architecture and vividly showcases the skills of the Newari artists and craftsmen over several centuries, an exemplary of exquisite woodworks in the Palace of 55 windows with its golden gate, the beautiful Dattatreya, Nyatapola with Bhairab Temple and ceramics Square,

Pashupatinath, "UNESCO World Heritage site", the sacred Hindu Shiva temple, it serves as the seat of the national deity, this "extensive Hindu temple ground" offers an "extensive collection of temples, ashrams, sculptures” etc. for centuries along the banks of the sacred river Bagamati, considered Varanasi for Hindus, where we could witness their final rituals of cremation.

Boudhanath, "UNESCO World Heritage site", its massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical Stupa in the world, where many Tibetan refugees residing since 1960, in its premises have built more than 50 Buddhist monasteries. The Stupa is said to have buried the remains of Kassyapa Buddha.

Transfer to the airport in the morning at the scheduled time to catch a flight to Bhutan, on arrival you will receive at Paro Airport (7,000ft) and then transfer to Thimphu, drive through the beautiful valleys of Paro and Thimphu to the capital of Bhutan - Thimphu. 

In the afternoon if time permit, visit the famous King's memorial Chorten built in the memory of Lt. His Majesty the King by Royal Queen Mother, where one could see the devotion of the local layman spinning prayer wheels and murmuring mantras, while circumambulating the Chorten, 

Visit Tashichodzong, situated on the banks of Wang Chhu. It is home of the National Assembly and the summer residence of capital's venerated monastic community. The Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Visit to Kuensel Phodrang – the largest Buddha statue of 51.5 meter, a 'Vajra Throne' Buddha, "to bestow blessings, peace and happiness on the whole world", its viewpoint offers the magnificent view of Thimphu valley,

the statue will house over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues;

Visit Takin preserve center to see the National animal “Takin”, on the way back visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Changangkha Temple is one of the oldest temples in the Thimphu valley, founded by Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, founder of the Drukpa Lineage in Bhutan, and extended by his son Nyima in the 13th century. The temple houses a statue of Thousand-armed Avalokiteshvara as well as very large prayer wheels and unusually large size sacred scriptures,

Later if time permit, we visit National Library to see the large collection of traditional books, also on display here are a model of the Punakha Dzong and the Chorten architecture,

Folk Heritage Museum where you can see the typical Bhutanese house and their way of lifestyle, the School of Arts and craft Painting and local handicraft center, later in the afternoon an hour drive back to Paro,

Morning transfer to Taktsang Monastery base point, later we hike to Taktsang Palphug Monastery (known as Tiger's Nest), a prominent most sacred site located in the Cliffside of the upper Paro valley. Built in 1692, the Taktsang cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Padma Sambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country where most people visit in their lifetime.

Visit to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong. This Dzong is of historical importance, from whose ramparts the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day one can view the sacred Mount Chomolhari, Mountain of Goddess (24,000 ft.). Walk to the traditional wooden bridge and visit Kyichhu Lhakhang / Jowo Temple of Kyichhu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. 

It is considered to be one of the four (4) border taming temples he built. Ever since then the annual rites of great accomplishment for the deities Vajrasattva, Palchen Heruka, and Vajrakilaya have been held in this temple for the wellbeing of the country under the patronage of Kesang Choden Wangchuck.

Later we will cross the traditional wooden bridge and visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (monastery/fortress Built in 1645 A.D), On the hill above the Dzong stands an ancient watchtower called Ta Dzong which since 1967, has been the National Museum of Bhutan, a fascinating place housed in an old museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armor to textiles and Thangka paintings.

At the scheduled time, transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Kathmandu, after immigration formality on arrival you will be greeted and welcome by Sampurna Adventure personal & transferred to your Hotel, rest of the day free for personal activities.

Breakfast, in the morning free for personal activities, later at the arranged time, transfer to the airport for final departure to connect onward flight. We wish you have a safe flight and hope to serve you back in near future.

End of Service.