Day 1: Kathmandu
Kathmandu, capital and largest city of Nepal, is located in the heart of the country. Long considered as the fabulous and inaccessible Shangri-La, Kathmandu is today a holiday destination in development and on all budgets.
According to legend, Kathmandu Valley was once a turquoise lake on which a lotus flower floated. Manjushree (Padmasambav), a Chinese holy patriarch would have cut the wall of the valley with his sword of flamboyant wisdom in Chovar in order to let the dry land appear. The lotus flower would have remained on the ground where Manjushree made build the great stupa of Swayambhunath.
The Kathmandu Valley includes the three ancient royal cities: Patan, Bhaktapur and Kathmandu, each with their own Palaces and all protected by UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In this Palace, you will be able to see alleys adorned with magnificent cobblestones, a fascinating labyrinth or temples and sanctuaries and markets full of life. One of our representatives will be there to greet you at the airport and you will be transferred directly to your hotel.
The rest of the day is free.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Kathmandu-Paro-Thimphu (2350m) (65kms / 1h30 )
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport to catch a flight to Paro.
Paro, which is a good introduction to the discovery of this charming kingdom, is situated in a beautiful valley, one of the most fertile of the kingdom, regularly producing a large quantity of the famous red rice on terraced fields. Your guide will welcome you and take you along the valley of the Paro and Timphu rivers to reach Thimphu, the Butte modern’s capital, which is 2300m above sea level in a valley crossed by Wang-chu (Thimphu River)
Later, you visit the Chorten Memorial (temple) built in memory of the 3rd and last King. You visit ChangangkhaLhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley which offers a magnificent view. You also visit the zoo where you can see the national animals before taking the road to discover the largest and recent statue of Buddha offering you an impressive panorama over the whole valley. You then discover the fort of the city, TashichhoDzong, where the King's throne is located.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: Thimphu (2350m)
Today, after breakfast, you are going to visit the School of Art and Craft where students can learn 13 different arts mainly used in Bhutan. You then walk to the Folk Heritage Museum, located near the school before continuing with the visit of the National Library.
In the afternoon, you will visit Taschichoodzong, a secretary's building where the king's throne room is, his summer residence, the Buddhist art school, the national library, which holds an extensive collection ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the indigenous hospital, where arts dating back several centuries are still practiced.
Later, you make a city tour to soak up the magical atmosphere of this beautiful capital with its lively shops and bazaars and its inhabitants in traditional clothes.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Thimphu-Punakha (1300m) (77kms / 3h)
After breakfast, you take the road towards Punakha via Dochula, located at 3150m above sea level. If weather permits, you can admire the splendid view of Bhutan’s highest mountain offered by a 180 degreesparonama.
You stroll around the 108 stupas and enjoy the view and the fresh air. You continue your way through the Punakha Valley and visit PunakhaDzong which is on the junction of two rivers: Pochu on the right (the male river) and Mochu on the left (the female river) where their waters merge.
Later, you can rest in the hotel and enjoy the view of the resplendent nature. You can also go for a 1-hour walk to discover KhamsumYuleyLakhangtemple or ChimiLakhang temple, a temple of fertility associated with the religious art of Phallus.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Punakha-paro (2250m) (143kms / 5h)
In the morning, after breakfast, you return to Paro city.
Later in the day you will visit DzongParo (RimpungDzong) by walk and continue through the still used wooden bridge. Then, you make with a tour around the old town to look furtively at the various local craft shops and will have the opportunity to attend the traditional game, as an archery match will be in progress.
After that, you visit Ta Dzong (the clock tower), which now houses the national museum. Built on top of the hill above RinpungDzong, it was once used to defend RinpungDzong and the Paro Valley during wartime. Its circular abnormal construction has the shape of a conch shell and now contains a magnificent collection of Bhutanese crafts - costumes, religious paintings, weapons, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutanese stamps.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Paro-Taksang-Paro (2250m)
After breakfast, you go on excursion to discoverTaktsangmonestary.
Also known as the "Tiger's Nest", Guru Rimpoche, the founding father of Mahayana Buddhism Bhutanese form, would have arrived on the back of a tiger and meditated in this monastery. However, in 1998, Taktsang was severely destroyed by fire and was finally rebuilt and sacrificed in 2005.
Tourists have the opportunity to do a trek to reach the opposite point of the monastery.
After the walk, you take the road to discover DrukgvelDzong ruins. Built as a symbol of victory for the Bhutanese against north invaders, it was once a historical monument before eventually becoming ruins.
In 1914, the famous National Geographic magazine published an article about the glory of DrukgyelDzong and appearing in Western newspapers was the very first time for the country. This article probably gave the idea to the Texas University: El Paso, built in Bhutanese style.
You stroll in the city of Paro
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Paro-Khatmandu
In the morning you are transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Kathmandu. Once you arrive, you are directly transferred to your hotel.
Your day is devoted to the visit of Kathmandu Square, Swoyambhunath Stupa and Patan Durbar Square.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is located in the core of kathmandu’s old town and the founding of Durbar (Royal Palace) dates back to Licchavi times. Thanks to considerable renovations undertaken by Malla rules and later by the Ranas, the construction was gradually completed over several centuries. There are no fewer than 50 temples in the vincity.
You visit the 17th century Durbar Complex, Hanuman Dhoka, The Paravati Temple, Great Bell and Drum, Bhairav, Taleju Temple and other temples that encircle it. A little further on is the living goddess temple, where you will probably take a picture of the Kumari from one of the open windows overlooking the inner courtyard. In the surroundings you will have the opportunity to admire the splendor of the historical monuments in the lively market place. Sellers of vegetables, flute trees, sellers and their wares, vendors of street souvenirs, and street shops selling imported goods. Nestled in a quiet corner, you will find the sparkling pearls market to buy customized pearl necklaces.
At the top of a green hill to the west of Kathmandu stands the great stupa of Swoyambhunath, a site of more than 2500 years marking the point where the legendary Patriarch Manjushree discovered the lotus of the ancient Valley’s lake. Swoyambhunath offers a splendid view of Kathmandu city. This huge stupa is one of the most sacred sites of Buddhists in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of Kathmandu. Patan, also known as Lalitpur or the "City of Fine Arts" is the oldest town in the valley and was founded by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. JC.
Patan, the cradle of art and architecture of the valley, is both a great center of the Newari Buddhist religion and traditional arts and crafts which number no less than 136 bahals and 55 major temples of which the best known are the Krishna MandirAndHiranya Varna Mahavihar (The Golden Temple).
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8: Kathmandu
After breakfast, you visit Pashupatinath temple, Boudhanath Stupa &Bhaktapur Durbar Square.
The Pashupatinath Temple is considered as one of the holiest places of all Hindu temples in the world, while the Shiva Temple, Pashupatinath, with its golden roof and silver doors is known for its superb architecture. The entrance to the temple is reserved for Hindus but you can see it from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River overlooking the cremation sites.
These two magnificent golden temples with four silver doors is a unique example of the Nepalese temple architecture. It is one of the largest Hindu temples in South Asia containing hundreds of Shiva Lingons, sanctuaries enclosing icons of multiple Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Boudhanath, the largest Stupa in Nepal, is encircled by vast houses and monasteries, or Rinpoches resides.
Also known as "Little Tibet" by its unique atmosphere from the old market square of Barkhor in Lhasa, it is a place that many Tibetans visit as it is a place of pilgrimage and commerce. You have the opportunity to visit the surrounding monasteries and spend some time with the monks and be blessed.
Bhaktapur, also known as Bhadgaon, home of medieval art and architecture and recognized for pottery and weaving. It is the most charming and best preserved village in the valley of the three cities. You will visit the ancient gateway, Durbar Square, the Royal Residential Quarter of BhupatindraMalla, Batsala temple, Bhairavnath temple, Duttatraya, Pujari Math and a palace with 55 windows. You will walk to the famous Nyatapole temple, the five-storey temple built in pagoda style, the largest temple in the country guarded by a series of mythical animals and divinities as well as the Bhairav ??temple dedicated to the Deity of Bhairav.
Night at the hotel.
Day 9: (Kathmandu-departure)
You are free until you leave.
You are then transferred to the airport for your international flight.