Namaskar and welcome to Nepal. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), you’ll be met by a tour representative and transferred to your accommodation – the magnificent Dwarika’s Hotel, which offers old Nepalese elegance in abundance. Check-in and savour the hotel’s serene courtyards, heritage Newari architecture and striking ancient woodwork, steeped in spiritualism and folklore.
The afternoon is at your leisure – seek out the onsite Pancha Kosha Himalayan Spa for wellness treatments drawing on traditional rituals (including yoga, ayurvedic medicine and Vedic astrology) to reinvigorate the body and soothe the soul, or get out and explore the city’s streets, steeped in ancient mystery and jam-packed full of vivid sights and sounds.
Salute the rising sun with an exclusive guided meditation session at Kopan Monastery, built upon the hill of the same name that rises magnificently out of the valley’s terraced fields. One of the monastery’s 360 seekers – including monks, nuns and the rare lama – will guide you through this extraordinary experience. Stick around a while afterwards and soak up the monastery’s tremendous views of the surrounding Kathmandu Valley.
After lunch, ride like a local by rickshaw to Durbar Square, famous for its exquisite architecture and once home to kings, before heading to Taleju Temple, built in honour of a royal goddess. It’s here that Teleju’s newest incarnation dwells in the body of a Living Goddess – or Kumari Devi: a young girl, usually younger than five, from a gold- or silversmith caste, who remains in worship until adulthood. It’s a magical glimpse of Kathmandu’s old ways, still alive and practised today by thousands.
Take a scenic stroll through the old city and bazaars, before ending the day with a lecture given by a noteworthy Mount Everest summiteer.
After breakfast, head to the city’s sprawling Pashupatinath Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in the city, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and lavishly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Continue to Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas (circular burial sepulchres most commonly found in Buddhism) in the world and a significant pilgrimage site.
Here you’ll have the opportunity to meet a local artisan for an overview of Buddhist Thangka paintings, said to operate as intermediaries between the divine and mortal worlds. These paintings often feature images of the Wheel of Life, the Buddha and serene mandalas.
Finish with a scenic sundowner cocktail as you watch the sun set beneath the Himalayas.
Welcome to the mountain kingdom of Bhutan. On touchdown at Paro International Airport (PBH), you will be met and transferred to your luxury hotel located in the heart of Thimphu. The modern capital of Bhutan is flanked by dense, ancient forestry on the banks of the Wang Chhu River. The centre of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development fused with ancient traditions, famously still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.
Check-in to Pemako Thimphu, a luxury hotel in the heart of the city whose imposing design mimics the nation’s grand fortresses. Offering just 66 suites and rooms, it’s the perfect boutique base from which to explore Thimphu’s spellbinding charms. While you’re here, don’t miss the opportunity to try suja, a local salted-butter tea, at the hotel’s teahouse.
Later visit Thimphu’s National Memorial Chorten, built to represent the mind of the Buddha, before exploring the city further.
After an early breakfast, enjoy the dramatic drive (three hours including scenic stops) over the high mountain pass of Dochula to Punakha, passing through dense forests of oak and rhododendron trees.
The journey continues over the 3,080-metre mountain pass where, on a clear day, the towering Himalayan peaks are visible on the horizon. The highway follows the scenic Dang Chhu before climbing through forests where you'll stop briefly at Dochula Pass to take in the grand vista of the Eastern Himalayas.
On arrival in Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, take a short hike to the Temple of the Divine Madman, named when the site was blessed by Drukpa Kunley – renegade monk, fertility symbol and rascal of the highest order – in the 16th century. Continue to Punakha Dzong, the ancient administrative centre of the province and a powerful ancient fortress in its own right, before returning to Thimphu in the evening.
Today, you can choose your adventure with a Design Your Day activity. Enjoy one excursion of your choice and get hands-on with Bhutan’s vibrant capital.
- Hike Wagditse Nature Trail, travelling approximately two hours through scenic fields to Wangtse Monastery, considered one of the country’s most spectacular points. Admire the views before your descent and return.
- Offer butter lamps at a monastery in Thimpu. The lamps are said to help focus the mind and aid meditation; the sacred instruments traditionally burn yak butter or ghee. Complement your visit to the monastery with a visit to the Bhutan Textile Museum, a wonderful celebration of the nation’s rich folk heritage and accomplishments in textile production.
- Ascend to Buddha Point to view the massive, gilded Great Buddha Dordenma statue, before visiting an extraordinary sanctuary established for the takin, or great gnu goat.
After your adventure, return to the glorious Pemako Tashi for a delicious dinner with your travelling companions.
Continue on your journey toward Paro, a picturesque riverside town and gateway to the legendary Tiger’s Nest. The journey will take approximately five hours, descending through Dochula and following the road back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys. En route, stop by a local farmhouse for lunch, before reaching the beautiful valley of Paro. Encapsulating Bhutan’s rich culture, scenic beauty and centuries of myths and legends, the town is home to many of the country’s oldest temples and monasteries. After time to rest, visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower, which now houses the National Museum of Bhutan.
The extensive collection includes antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artefacts. Following your visit, take a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which directly translates to 'Fortress of the Heap of Jewels.' Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore, such as the old man of long life and scenes from the life of Milarepa.
Continue to the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibet's King Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism to Bhutan.
Tonight’s stay is at the extraordinary Zhiwa Ling Heritage, handcrafted by local artisans and effortlessly blending tradition and nature to create a stay that’s unmistakably Bhutanese.
Today, you can choose to wake early and make the difficult climb to the world-famous Tiger’s Nest. On arrival at the trailhead point, begin the steep climb to Taktsang Monastery – one of the most famous Bhutanese monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900 metres above the Paro Valley floor.
It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence the name ‘Tiger’s Nest.' This site has been recognised as a most sacred place, visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and the destination of a pilgrimage by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
On your return, celebrate the trek with a champagne toast and specially arranged picnic breakfast, before enjoying an afternoon of traditional archery, Bhutan’s national sport.
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Bhutan’s airport to return to Kathmandu and Nepal. Depart immediately to Bhaktapur, once the ancient capital of the valley and the gateway to trade with Tibet. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage-listed living museum of medieval art and architecture – stand in wonder at Bhaktapur Durbar Square, once the Royal Palace, and wander in the shadows of massive pagodas and storied temples.
If you get a chance, don’t miss out on trying juju dhau, a local delicacy – fat-filled buffalo milk is boiled, stored in a warm clay pot, fermented and infused with local spices (cardamom is a common ingredient). This ‘King of Yoghurt’ is rich, sweet and quintessentially Nepalese.
You’ll also visit Nyatapola, the region’s famous five-storied pagoda, before returning to exquisite luxury at Dwarika’s Hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, strike out to Patan-Lalitpur, where you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a delicious Chef’s Table cooking class at a local family’s home. It’s the perfect chance to enjoy an authentic glimpse of Nepalese life – and learn about local cuisine along the way. Afterwards, visit Swayambhunath, a stupa adorned with colourful prayer flags and home to a large clan of monkeys that locals now consider holy, before savouring a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Enjoy one final breakfast in Kathmandu before your transfer to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) for the next leg of your journey.