Best of the Three Kingdoms

This is the day of your arrival in Kathmandu airport (TIA). At the airport, your tour guide welcomes you and then transfers you to your hotel.

Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Situated in the heart of the city, Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the attractive monuments you visit during your trip in Nepal. This complex of temples and old royal palace (Durbar) of the city represents Nepalese art and architecture linking the old with the new ones. This site has played central role in political, cultural and artistic life of the country. The oldest monument dates back to 12th century where Durbar square flourished in the 17th – 19th century during the reign if Malla and Shah Monarchs. In this tour in Nepal, you will get an opportunity to see Kumari, the living goddess. ‘Kumari Chhen’, a building with beautifully carved doors and windows, houses a little girl whom people worship as living goddess of power. People consider that will bring good luck if they get chance to look at her. Get ‘Darshan’ (glimpse) of her and be blessed for your onward trip in Nepal.

Swayambhunath Stupa the Monkey Temple:

Swayambhunath (the self-existent) is a widely known Buddhist monument on a hillock, to west of central Kathmandu. The shrine is approximately 2600 years old and is still a glorious and eye-catchy for the visitors. Because of the presence of holy and tricky monkeys in the premises of the monument, the stupa is also known as the Monkey Temple. Due to the visit to this site by the famous Indian emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BC, this monument is a historical pilgrimage since ancient time. A common temple for both Hindus and Buddhists in the complex of stupa symbolizes religious tolerance in Nepal.

Patan Durbar Square:

Located in 7 KM southeast of Kathmandu and founded in the 3rd century AD, Patan is the oldest among the 3 cities in the valley. Patan, historically known as Lalitpur  (city of fine arts), has fascinating Hindu and Buddhist monuments with finest craft since time immemorial. The royal palace square, surrounding shrines and courtyards are praiseworthy monuments during your trip in Nepal. The palace, a number of pagodas,  Shikhara style Krishna temple made of stone, classic craftsmanship, nearby five– storied Kumbheshwar temple and the golden temple are some of the main highlights of Patan. Though we can see ancient temples, Stupas and monasteries in the city, Durbar square consists of monuments from 16th and 17th century in general.

Kathmandu temples sightseeing Pashupatinath Temple:

Being a Mecca for Hindus of the world, the temple seemed to have its origin away back to the early Kirant period. However, the present structure dates back to early 18th century. The main Shiva temple is most noted for its gold-painted roof and silver coated doors in each four directions. This holy site is also famous for open public crematorium. See the devotion of people to Pashupatinath, dedicated Sadhus- the holy men, post death rituals and the strange monkeys in the premises of the shrine.

Boudhanath Stupa:

Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, is set in the octagonal Mandala design. It is the must visit site for the Tibetan Buddhists since the legend of the Stupa is related to the Tibetans. It’s almost Tibetan settlement area with dozens of monasteries in its surroundings. This ancient Stupa has 108 images of deities and 147 insets of prayer wheels adorning the base of the huge dome.

Overnight in hotel (B)

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

This Square is an open museum holding exciting palace, courtyards, royal bath, sculptures, pagodas, Shikhara style temples and Buddhist monastery along with exclusive architecture. In other words, this is the most beautiful Durbar you visit in your Nepal tours. Though 1934 earthquake brought bad luck to its structure, still the remaining monuments are the finest examples of the medieval excellence. Just near the square, you will visit the traditional painting School, the dying art of Nepal which is the best souvenir from Nepal.  Besides palace complex, five storied temple with most appreciated architecture, the Pottery Square, Dattatreya Square and Peacock window are some other things to see in Bhaktapur.

Nagarkot : Nagarkot tour offers countryside drive after your couple of days in Nepal. Nagarkot, literally known as ‘the fort of the town’, was army training centre in the past. In the recent years, it is developed as resort village. Located 15 Km far from the Bhaktapur main city and 30 Km east of Kathmandu, it is an ideal place to enjoy hide and seek with the sun. Besides sunrise and sunset view, this is also one of the best places to enjoy the glimpse of mountain range if the weather is clear.

Overnight in resort (B)

This morning, you will enjoy sunrise view from your hotel at Nagarkot.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Airport and fly to Bhadrapur airport for one hour flight and transfer to Darjeeling.

To enter to India you need your Indian visa from home. Overnight in Darjeeling

Tiger Hills, Darjeeling sunrise tour.

Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (8364 Ft / 2550 Mts at around 4 AM) to view sunrise over Kanchendzonga Peak (subject to clear weather).

On way back visit Ghoom Monastery and Batasia Loop.

After breakfast go for a half-day sightseeing of Japanese Temple, Peace pagoda, Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park & Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (Closed on Thursday),

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute

Darjeeling Ropeway Ride (Ticket cost not included & will be approx INR 180.00 per person), Tenzing & Gombu Rock, Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Center (Closed on Sunday) and panoramic view of Tea Estate.

Darjeeling Tea Estate

Overnight at Hotel.

Drive  to Gangtok (5500 Ft /1677 Mts, 130 Kms / 04 to 05 Hrs). Check in and overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast go out for sightseeing covering Rumtek Monastery, Droul Chorthen, Research Institute of Tibetology, Directorate of Handicraft & Handloom (Closed on Sunday), and Flower Show & Enchey Monastery. Evening free to explore Gangtok. Overnight at Hotel.

Rumtek Monastery

Droul Chorthen

Research Institute of Tibetology,

Enchey Monastery.

Transfer to Phuntsoling Evening free to explore the town. Overnight at Hotel

Thimphu memorial chorten monastery, tours nepal and bhutan

After breakfast drive north climbing uphill through ever changing forests with views of the cascading water falls, mountains and valleys as you pass several villages and towns. En-route stop at Rinchending temple and other places for photos and lunch stop. It takes about 6 hours to cover the distance of approximately 180km. Upon arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel River View or similar. In the evening, you will be taken for short sightseeing or stroll around the town or visit the weekend market (held from evening of Friday till Sunday). Overnight in Thimphu

Thimphu sightseeing includes - visit to National Library, the priceless collection of Buddhist manuscripts and few English version books; Folk and Heritage Museum, which displays day to day livelihood of typical Bhutanese farmers in medieval period and their accessories; Late King’s Memorial Stupa, built for the world peace and Traditional Handmade Paper Factory; Painting School, which preserves our traditional paintings, sculpturing and wood carving; Majestic Tashichhodzong, which houses office for the king and the ministers and National Handicraft Emporium, the best place to look for souvenir from Bhutan. Evening free walk in Thimphu City.

Overnight in Thimphu

After breakfast proceeds to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,100m).  The pass offers the most spectacular view over the greater eastern Himalayas including highest peak of Bhutan.  Enroute make short excursion about an hour to the temple of divine madman, also well known as the temple of fertility. It is fascinating to walk through villages and the rice fields. Arrive Punakha the capital city of Bhutan till 1955 and still the Je Khenpo, the Chief of Abbot resides there during the winter season.  After lunch visit Punakha Dzong built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1638 and situated at the junction of Pho Chu and Mo Chu Rivers.

Evening drive back to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu

Bhutan tours, tiger nest.

Drive to Paro and Transfer to trailhead and begin your trek to Taktsang (Tiger’s Lair) monastery, Bhutan's most famous sight. Your guide can arrange pony/horse for ride uphill till the Cafeteria, but one must be able to walk after that. A proper trekking boot or good walking shoes is necessary for this hike those who choose not to hike can stay back with the driver and tour around Paro.

Overnight in Paro

Taktshang - Tiger's Nest:

Taktshang or 'Tiger's Nest' as it is often referred to for Taktsang Pelphung monastery, is one of the most venerated and famous of Bhutan's monasteries. It is located on the face of a 900m sheer cliff. An impressive and un-missable site, but accessible only by walk or to ride mules/pony. Taktshang was rebuilt by population of Tsento village. Again in April of 1998, a major fire destroyed the main structure of the building and its contents (some believe it to be arson). Reconstruction began in 2000 and was completed and consecrated after extensive efforts and financial support of Governments as well as donors.

Final Departure