Day 1 Kathmandu.
Your Escorted Journey begins on Day1. Please make sure your flights arrive on or before this day. (Ask about our great deals). On arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel. At 17:00, join your Travelling Concierge and fellow guests for a Welcome Dinner in the bustling Thamel region, and head back to your hotel by rickshaw.(Dinner with Wine)

Day 2 Kathmandu Sightseeing.
The beating heart of Kathmandu is Durbar Square and ancient Royal Palace complex, laced with myriad temples and home of the ‘Living Goddess'. Visit the holy shrine of Swayambhunath then head on to Patan's temple of Teleju, the Statue of Yogendra Malla and the Tibetan Handicraft Centre, before enjoying lunch. This evening, meet a local who has summitted Everest, to hear a personal account of the Sherpa people and their role in Everest expeditions.(Buffet Breakfast / Lunch)

Day 3 Kathmandu – Paro – Thimphu.
Transfer to the airport for your flight over the Himalayas. You are welcomed on arrival in Paro and transferred to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. In the evening, join your Travelling Concierge for a walk through the centre of town to experience your first taste of Bhutan life up-close.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 4 Thimphu.
Head to Thimphu, the centre of government, religion and commerce for this small mountain kingdom. Home to civil servants and the monk body, Thimphu is an eclectic mix of tradition and modernity. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a monument to world peace, and Tashichho Dzong, the 'fortress of the glorious religion'. Later, visit the bustling weekend market, full of photo opportunities and the chance to mingle with locals. In the evening, you join a local family to share a home-cooked meal.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 5 Punakha sightseeing.
Sightseeing continues with a visit to the National Library to see a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts and the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. You'll also visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum - the School for the Arts - to see students learning the 13 traditional arts of Bhutan. Travel on to Punakha Dzong, the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still the winter residence of the monk body. This afternoon is at leisure, why not enjoy the spa facilities at the Boutique Resort?(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 6 Chimi Lhakhang.
In the morning, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, a sacred destination for Buddhists. The temple was built in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley, who travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet using outrageous antics to provoke people to discard their preconceptions. The views from the temple are spectacular and are worth the walk! The afternoon is at leisure.(Buffet Breakfast)

Day 7 Punakha to Paro.
In the morning, head to Paro and explore Ta Dzong, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during the 17th century. It now serves as Bhutan's National Museum. Later, walk down a hillside trail to see Rinpung Dzong, ‘fortress of the heap of jewels' and visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the kingdom. You also visit Drukgyel Dzong, built to commemorate the 1646 victory over the Tibetan invaders. Travel on to Dochula Pass and stop for Afternoon Tea at this pleasant spot, situated in the Himalayas. Continue to Paro where tonight you will dine in a fantastic local restaurant.(Buffet Breakfast / Afternoon Tea / Dinner with Wine)

Day 8 Paro and Tiger’s Nest Hike.
Embark on a hike to the Taktshang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. The monastery clings to a cliff face 3,120 metres above sea level, however the elevation of the walk is done at a gentle pace over approximately 500 metres from start to finish, with plenty of time to rest and take in the experience. In the evening, join a local chef for a cooking demonstration of how local Bhutanese delicacies are prepared. Try your hand at the preparation and taste Buthan's national dish. After dinner, enjoy a private traditional mask dance and cultural show, the leading way Bhutanese transmit social values.(Buffet Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner with Wine)

Day 9 Kathmandu Sightseeing
After an early morning flight to Kathmandu, spend the day sightseeing in this fantastic capital. See one of the holiest Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath Temple, on the banks of the Bagmati. Visit Bodhnath, a colossal stupa, and Nepal’s most important Buddhist site. Continue on to visit the ancient capital of Bhadgaon. Learn about the traditional pottery making process and try your hand at a pottery making class, with a local craftsman. In the evening, toast your newfound friends at a Celebration Dinner at a local restaurant.(Buffet Breakfast / Dinner with Wine)

Day 10 Depart Kathmandu.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flights.(Buffet Breakfast)

With its ancient culture and the Himalayas as a backdrop, mountainous Nepal is a wealth of centuries-old stupas and temples. Bhutan, with the happiest citizens on earth, is an oasis of tranquillity. On this trip you will enjoy VIP treatment at a traditional mask dance and cultural show, explore the bustling streets of Thamel by rickshaw and flex your culinary skills preparing some Bhutanese delicacies! See how you travel like a VIP with Luxury Gold

Exceptional Dining

• Kathmandu: Join your Travelling Concierge and mingle with your fellow guests during your Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant.
• Paro: Try your hand at cooking some local Bhutanese delicacies in our cooking demonstration with a local chef. See if you can handle the hot red chillies or perhaps the local Bhutanese cheese would be more to your taste?
• Kathmandu: During your Celebration Dinner indulge in delicious Nepalese cuisine.
• Dining Summary: 9 Buffet Breakfasts (BB), 2 Lunches (L), 1 Afternoon Tea (AT) and 5 Dinners with Wine (DW).

Signature and Highlight Hotels

• Punakha: The Dhensa Boutique Resort sits in lush Punakha Valley and offers spectacular views.

VIP Experiences

• Paro: Have VIP treatment at a special traditional mask dance and cultural show. A key way that Bhutanese people pass on their social values to the next generation, this show includes a spectrum of entertainment bringing elements of folk, song, music all in ornate costumes and masks.
• Kathmandu: Meet a local who has summited Everest and learn about the role played by Sherpa people in Everest expeditions.

• Kathmandu sightseeing: See Durbar Square and the ancient Royal Palace complex
• Visit the holy shrine of Swayambhunath and Patan's temple of Teleju, the Statue of Yogendra Malla and a Tibetan Handicraft Centre. Thimphu: Orientation tour through the city centre. Punakha: Visit Punakha Dzong. Punakha: Walk to Chimi Lhakhang temple see magnificent views over the Losesa valley. Paro: Visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the Kingdomand Drugyel Dzong, built to commemorate the 1646 victory over the Tibetan invaders.

Journey Highlights

• Kathmandu: Ride by rickshaw through the bustling streets of the Thamel district.
• Kathmandu: During sightseeing with your Travelling Concierge see Durbar Square and the ancient Royal Palace complex.
• Kathmandu: Visit the holy shrine of Swayambhunath and Patan's temple of Teleju, the Statue of Yogendra Malla and a Tibetan Handicraft Centre.
• Fly to Paro: Experience the top of the world as you fly through the Himalayas to reach Paro.
• Thimphu: Enjoy an evening orientation through the city centre with your Travelling Concierge.
• Thimphu: Sightseeing with a Local Expert includes the National Library and the Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. At the School for the Arts, Zorig Chusum, you'll see students learning the 13 traditional arts of Bhutan.
• Punakha: Visit the winter residence of the monk body that is also the capital of Bhutan - Punakha Dzong.
• Punakha: Walk to Chimi Lhakhang temple and admire the magnificent views over the Losesa Valley.
• Ta Dzong: Visit Bhutan's National Museum to see the impressive collection of art and relics.
• Thimphu: Visit the National Memorial Chorten, dedicated to world peace, along with Tasichho Dzong, known as the fortress of the glorious religion. You will also visit the bustling market, an opportunity to mix with the locals.
• Paro: Visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in the Kingdomand Drugyel Dzong, built to commemorate the 1646 victory over the Tibetan invaders.
• Paro: Join a hike to Taktshang Monastery known as the Tiger's Nest. The hike is a round-trip of about five hours, so it's a good idea to bring comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear.
• Fly to Kathmandu: Fly through the Himalayas once again to return to Kathmandu.
• Kathmandu: See the holiest of Hindu shrines, Pashupatinath Temple.
• Kathmandu: Visit Nepal's most important Buddhist site, Bodhnath. It is also the ancient capital of Bhadgaon.
• Kathmandu: Meet a local pottery craftsman who will explain the traditions and processes of their works, before guiding you as you try for yourself.

Kathmandu: Dwarika's Hotel
Thimphu: Taj Tashi
Punakha: Dhensa Boutique Resort
Paro: Zhiwa Ling
Kathmandu: Dwarika's Hotel

• Please ask your Vacations To Go travel counselor for more information.

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* The prices shown are U.S. dollars per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability. Prices quoted for land/cruise arrangements are subject to increase without notice. Once we have received your deposit, land/cruise prices are guaranteed. Air prices quoted via phone or email are subject to increase and are guaranteed only from the time that full payment is received. Also, air prices or air promotions mentioned on this site or on the phone do not include baggage fees imposed by airlines.