6 Days Nepal Bhutan Tour: Kathmandu Paro Thimpu - Gateway to the Himalayas

Namaste! Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal! Upon your arrival at the airport in Nepal, the tour guide and driver will meet you at the exit and then escort you to the hotel in downtown Kathmandu. You can have a good rest in your hotel and get ready to explore Kathmandu Valley with your guide the next day.

Kathmandu is the largest city in Nepal, located in the Kathmandu Valley, which is surrounded by the majestic Himalayan mountain range. The city boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage, with numerous ancient temples, palaces, and monuments. Its architecture beautifully blends traditional Newari style with modern designs. Kathmandu is renowned for its vibrant street life and bustling markets, such as the Asan Bazaar and the Thamel district (street), offering a wide range of goods and services. The city's rich festival culture, stunning architecture, and friendly people make it a popular destination for travelers from around the world.

Arrival Ideas: Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) serves as the main gateway to the city, accommodating both domestic and international flights. You can fly directly to Kathmandu from major cities such as Hong Kong (5.5 hours), Chengdu (2.5 to 3.5 hours), Beijing (3.5 to 4.5 hours), Shanghai (4 to 5 hours), and Guangzhou (5 hours 15 minutes) in China. Other cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore in India, as well as Bangkok (Thailand), Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), London (UK), Paris (France), Frankfurt (Germany), Istanbul, New York, Los Angeles, and Toronto also offer flights to Kathmandu. The availability of direct flights to Kathmandu can also vary depending on the season and airline. So, checking with flight booking websites or our travel consultants for the latest information and options is always a good idea.

Today, you will explore 3 World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu and Patan. Begin by visiting Kathmandu Durbar Square (World Heritage), one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley. You won't miss the Hanuman Dhoka, an iconic red palace adorned with intricate wooden carvings, which served as the residence of Malla Kings for centuries. Most of our guests arm to visit Kumari Ghar (House of the Living Goddess) and Taleju Temple (closely linked to the tradition of the Kumari). Through the Kumari Chowk, you may have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Kumari (a young girl worshiped as the living goddess Durga), who is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists in Nepal. The Kumari is selected from a Buddhist family through traditional tests and is believed to be the incarnation of the Goddess Taleju (Durga) until she reaches menstruation age. Dashain Festival (October; a 15-day festival) and Tihar Festival (November; Festival of Lights) offer the best chances of seeing the Kumari in public processions. The Bhairav Statue is also one of the best spots to experience Hindu culture, where you can witness local people worshipping the fearsome god Bhairav, the protector of the city.

Then, move on to Swayambhunath Temple (Stupa), also known as the Monkey Temple due to the swarms of monkeys that inhabit the area. Located on a hilltop on the western edge of Kathmandu, Swayambhunath Stupa (World Heritage) is visible from a distance. You can climb the steep stairs to reach the top of the hill, where you can enjoy panoramic views of Kathmandu Valley and even the Himalayas on clear days. As a must-visit destination in Kathmandu, the stupa is believed to have been built over 2,500 years ago, making it one of the oldest Buddhist sites in the world. The base of the stupa is surrounded by colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, carrying prayers and blessings to the heavens. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, signifying the coexistence of diverse beliefs in Nepal while showcasing Newari artistic heritage. Take your time to indulge in the temple's serene and spiritual ambiance, basking in its captivating architecture and embracing its natural beauty.

After that, head to visit Patan Durbar Square (World Heritage), which is 5km away, about a 0.5-hour drive. Located in Patan (Lalitpur), this square is renowned for its ancient architectural masterpieces, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, pagodas, stone, and wood carvings. Like Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square served as the Royal Palace of the Malla Kings before Prithivi Narayan Shah conquered the Three Malla Kingdoms of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur in 1769 and consolidated them to found the modern state of Nepal. He also established the capital of Nepal in Kathmandu. Patan is believed to have been established around 2,300 years ago and is the oldest of the three cities that make up the Kathmandu valley. It is a dazzling display of Newari architecture such as Krishna Mandir (21 golden spires and exquisite stonework), Golden Gate (ornate golden doorway), Sundari Chowk (enchanting courtyard).

Optional Morning Activity:
Mountain Scenic Flight: Take a scenic mountain flight at 6:30 AM from Tribhuvan International Airport to see the fantastic Himalayan peaks (Mount Everest is 20 miles from your window), lakes and glaciers. The flight lasting around one hour. After your flight, we would take you back to the hotel for breakfast.

In the early morning, you will be taken to the airport for the flight from Kathmandu to Paro, which is regarded as one of the most beautiful air route in the world. As you take off from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, prepare to be mesmerized by the unparalleled views of the majestic Himalayas, including glimpses of the world-renowned Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, weather permitting.

Kuzuzangpo la! Welcome to Bhutan, the Last Shangri La in Pristine Himalayan Kingdom. Take a deep breath and enjoy the refreshing breeze in the happy country where 71% of the land is covered with forests. Your guide and driver in Paro will greet you at Paro International Airport, Bhutan's only international airport. As complimentary value-added services, Asia Odyssey Travel will provide you with Bhutan's National Dress (Gho or Kira) experience.

Then, we will head to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, which is approximately 50km away and takes about 1.5 hours to reach. Unlike many capital cities dominated by skyscrapers and heavy traffic, Thimphu doesn't have traffic lights or a railway system. Surrounded by rolling mountains, Thimphu is known for its picturesque scenery, Bhutanese dzong, Buddhist monuments, and traditional arts and crafts. Thimphu is committed to preserving its cultural heritage and natural environment while slowly embracing modernity. Once in Thimphu (2,340m), you can enjoy your exploration in Thimphu, including visiting the Buddha Dordenma Statue (Bhutan Point), the National Memorial Chorten, and Tashichho Dzong.

You will visit the iconic landmark of Thimphu city - the Buddha Point first. It is the largest sitting Shakyamuni statue in the world that completed in 2015. The statue embodies an ancient prophecy of radiating happiness and peace throughout the world. In addition to admiring its impressive height of 51.5 meters, constructed of bronze and gilded in gold, you will also be able to see 125,000 smaller Buddha statues placed within it. Moreover, from this vantage point, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Thimphu Valley.

The National Memorial Chorten is the most visited landmark in Thimphu. Constructed in 1974 in memory of the Third King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (known as the Father of Modern Bhutan), by his mother, it reflects the late king's vision of promoting world peace and prosperity. The Chorten follows a Tibetan-style architecture and is adorned with remarkable paintings and intricate sculptures. You can observe the traditional stupa design, featuring a pyramidal pillar topped with a crescent moon and sun.

Then, you should not miss the visit to Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong), which has served as the seat of the government since 1952. This magnificent fortress-like structure is located on the western bank of the Wang Chu River. It seamlessly integrates with the entire valley and stands as the ultimate center of power in Bhutan. It houses the offices of the current reigning monarch, the Fifth King (Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck), as well as the ministries of internal affairs and finance. Additionally, it serves as the residence of the spiritual leader of Bhutan, the Je Khenpo, and hosts the central religious institutions of the country. During the summer season, the Je Khenpo resides in the Thimphu Dzong, while in the winter season, they relocate to Punakha Dzong. Walking around the Dzong, you will discover that it is an impressively large structure surrounded by well-kept lawns and beautiful gardens. Tashichho Dzong has two main entrances. One entrance leads to the administrative section in the south, while the other, situated in the north, grants access to the monastic quarter where the Thimphu Tshechu Festival and masked dances are performed. Note: The tourist opening hours of Thimphu Dzong are from 5 PM to 6:30 on weekdays and from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends. It is required to have a tour guide accompany you for a visit to the Dzongs. Before entering for a visit, security checks are conducted.

For dinner, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a welcome dinner with a Bhutan Culture Dance Show. Afterward, you can check in at your cozy hotel in Thimphu, where you can rest and adjust to any time difference.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Today, you will embark on a half-day tour of Thimphu. Afterward, you will drive to Paro for sightseeing. (50km, approximately 1.5 hours)

This morning, you can pay a visit to the Bhutan Post Office Headquarters (General Post Office) first for fully functional stamp printed with a self-portrait. This post office is known for housing the world's largest photo book and an intriguing collection of Bhutanese stamps. It is the only place where you can obtain personalized stamps featuring your own face. (Open hours for the post office: Weekdays: 9AM - 5PM; Saturdays: 9 AM - 1 PM; Closed on Sundays).

Then, you can visit School for Arts and Crafts, also known as the Thimphu National Institute for Zorig Chusum, and delight in the abundance of Bhutan's traditional arts and skills. This institution showcases the mastery of the country's 13 arts and crafts, offering a captivating experience of Bhutan's rich artistic heritage. Students here undergo rigorous training for 4-6 years, mastering the techniques and artistic nuances of their chosen craft. The 13 art forms are Traditional Painting, Sculpturing, Wood Carving, Calligraphy, Papermaking, Bronze Casting, Embroidery, Weaving, Carpentry, Masonry, Bamboo and cane weaving, Gold/Silver Smithy, and Black smithy.

Next you can further expplore to the Simply Bhutan Museum. Simply Bhutan Museum is a "live" museum that allows you to view various aspects of the traditional life of Bhutan. You can touch and take pictures while witnessing the culture of Bhutan through household tools and other items of Bhutanese origin. Just follow the museum docent, who dresses up in traditional clothes, to try local rice wine, observe the traditional way of building houses out of rammed earth, sip local milk tea while enjoying Bhutanese songs and folk dances, and try archery, which is Bhutan's national sport. During your visit, you will have the opportunity to meet Pema Tshering, a talented craftsman. Despite being born with cerebral palsy and congenital deformities in his spinal column, he skillfully carves wood using his feet. The museum also features souvenir stalls and a restaurant that serves Bhutanese set meals.

After lunch, you will drive back to Paro. In Paro, you will pay a visit to Paro Dzong and Bhutan National Museum.

Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) is a magnificent fortress stands tall and proud, serving as a beacon of history and culture in Bhutan. Rinpung Dzong was constructed in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (1594-1651), a pivotal figure in Bhutanese history who is revered as the founder of the modern Bhutanese state and a national hero. His enduring legacy continues to shape the country's identity and cultural landscape. Located near the pristine Paro Chu River, Paro Dzong can be accessed via a traditional wooden cantilever bridge, providing you breathtaking panoramic views of the enchanting Paro Valley.

If you hike a little further, you will reach the Bhutan National Museum (Ta Dzong), which holds the distinction of being Bhutan's tallest building. Originally constructed in 1649 as a watchtower overlooking the Paro Dzong, it was later transformed into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968. At the museum, you can immerse yourself in a rich collection of ancient artifacts such as pottery, armor, thangkas, masks, stamps, photographs, statues, costumes, relics, stone axes, and religious paintings.

Stay overnight in Paro.

This morning, you will enjoy the exciting hiking tour to Tiger's Nest, the landmark of Bhutan and the most famous holy monastery in the country. It is about a 12km drive (over 0.5 hours) from Paro City to the start point of the Tiger's Nest hike route.

Usually, it may take about 2.5 hours to reach Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang) on foot. The entire Tiger's Nest Hike takes around 5 to 6 hours, with about 2.6km of uphill trekking and about 2.6km of downhill walking. You have the option to rent a horse at the designated place if you prefer. Riding a horse (self-payment required) takes about 1.5 hours to reach the halfway point on the mountainside. From there, you need to say goodbye to your horse and hike for another 1.5 hours to reach the Tiger's Nest Monastery. At the halfway point, there is a Taktsang Cafeteria where you can have a buffet lunch and enjoy coffee and tea. What is more, it is the first viewpoint where you can look up Tiger's Nest Monastery, the incredible religious site of Buddhists. As the viewing position ascends, the outline of Tiger's Nest Monastery becomes increasingly clear. On the journey ahead, you can enjoy the hike in Bhutan’s forest and will see more and more prayer flags and prayer wheels, left behind by the Bhutanese people who come here to worship. You will also have a panoramic view of the beautiful Paro Valley below. If you visit in April, you will have the opportunity to see the high-altitude rhododendrons blooming, creating a stunning display of red clouds amidst the mountains.

Then, you will stand right opposite the Taktsang Goemba (Tiger's Nest Monastery) and admire Bhutan's most iconic cultural landmark, which is renowned as one of the world's top ten super monasteries. The Tiger's Nest (3,120m) is situated on the side of a cliff at a height of 900m above the Paro Valley (2,270m). According to legend, the Indian sage Guru Padmasambhava (Guru Rimpoche, the founder of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism and the builder of the first monastery in Tibet - Samye Monastery) arrived at the location of Tiger's Nest Monastery in the 8th century. It is said that he rode a tigress and subdued demons before spending 3 months meditating in the mountain caves here. This eventually led to the formation of the present-day Tiger's Nest Monastery. Throughout history, this place has been considered a sacred site by Buddhist luminaries. However, it wasn't until 1692 that the current structure of Tiger's Nest Monastery took shape. In 1998, a devastating fire caused significant damage, but it was reconstructed in 2005, closely resembling the original architectural design. If you are interested you can hike into the monastery to explore more (no photo inside). Today, Tiger's Nest Monastery, one of the most visited tourist attractions in Bhutan, is revered as the holiest pilgrimage site for Bhutanese people to visit at least once in a lifetime.

Then, it is time to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, also known as the Temple of the Thousand-armed and Thousand-eyed Avalokiteshvara. It is one of the 108 Buddhist temples built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century (around 659 AD), and it is believed to have been constructed to subdue the left leg of the Tibetan witch. Kyichu Lhakhang is also one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist temples in Bhutan and serves as a venue for important celebrations of the Bhutanese royal family. In the main hall of Kyichu Lhakhang, you can see the revered statue of an eight-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha, believed to have been created during the same period as the Jowo statue in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet. It is considered a national treasure of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Apart from housing many precious historical artifacts and Buddhist scriptures, the temple also enshrines the relic stupa of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991), a renowned master of the Nyingma tradition. Additionally, there is a piece of iron chain forged by Tangtong Gyalpo, who was the former head of the four major Tibetan Buddhist schools and is known as the Iron Bridge Living Buddha and the father of Tibetan opera.

Optional Bhutan Paro Experiences:
1. Bhutan Traditional Hot Stone Bath (1 hour)
2. Lighting butter lamps for blessings at Kyichu Lhakhang (108 lamps).

Kind Reminds:
1. The best time to visit Tiger's Nest is from March to May and from October to December. After noon, the monastery willbe hidden in the shadow of the cliffs, so it's recommended to depart early if you want to capture good photos.
2. Tiger's Nest offers horse riding services to go uphill, but the horse ride is only available up to a designatedpoint. From there, you still need to hike to reach the monastery. When descending, you must walk the entire way as horseriding services are not provided.
3. Mobile phones and backpacks are not allowed inside Tiger's Nest Monastery. Personal belongings can be stored at theentrance. If you wish to light butter lamps, make sure to have some cash ready before storing your belongings
4. Along the way, you may encounter stray dogs. Please be mindful, give them space, and avoid disturbing them.

Time to say goodbye to Bhutan, the beautiful Himalayan country. It is time to end your 6-day Nepal Bhutan Tour. Your guide will say goodbye to you and you will continue on your next destination.

Thank you for choosing Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT) for your Asia Tour, and we are always here working for you and hope to see you again for your next trip to China/Asia. Safe journey!

Note: Please be advised that certain sites on the itinerary may be subject to change due to seasonal changes, weather conditions, national holidays, and special events. We reserve the right to modify the itinerary in order to enhance your tour experience in Nepal and Bhutan. Any changes made to the itinerary will be done with your best interests in mind.