Overview
This journey takes you deep into the heart of the Himalayas, combining the best of Nepal and Bhutan for an unforgettable experience. You’ll explore the bustling streets of Kathmandu, get a taste of trekking in the Himalaya and soak up the culture in Pokhara. From wildlife safaris in Chitwan National Park to the spiritual wonders of ancient temples, Nepal offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Then, it’s off to Bhutan, where you’ll dive into the country’s rich cultural heritage and this unique place. Explore the majestic fortresses of Punakha and Paro, hike to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery and drive through breathtaking landscapes dotted with monasteries and quaint villages. This trip is a blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion and spiritual exploration, offering a glimpse into two of the Himalayas’ most fascinating countries. Known as the happiest country in the world for a reason.
What's Included?
- Airport Transfers & Private Local Transport
- Expert Local Guide
- 12 Nights in a Hotel in Kathmandu
- 1 Night in Local Teahouses
- Flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara
- Return Flights from Kathmandu to Paro
- 16 Breakfasts, 1 Lunches & 1 Dinners
- Park Fees & Permits, Bhutan Visa Fees
- Sightseeing in Nepal & Bhutan
- Safari in Chitwan National Park
- International Flights to Nepal
- Travel Insurance
- Soft Drinks, Alcohol or Drinking Water
- Tips for Guides & Porters
- Personal Equipment & Clothing
- Souvenirs
Trip Highlights
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery: A breathtaking hike to Bhutan’s most famous site, this cliffside monastery is a spiritual and physical challenge that rewards you with unbeatable views and rich history.
- Bhaktapur: Dive into medieval Nepal with a bike ride through Bhaktapur’s ancient squares and temples. The pottery, the architecture and the rich culture will leave you in awe of this living museum.
- Chitwan National Park: Swap the mountains for the jungle as you head on a safari in Nepal’s Chitwan National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for rhinos, elephants, and – if you’re lucky – the elusive Bengal tiger!
- Peace Pagoda, Pokhara: Take in the serene beauty of the Annapurna range with a visit to Pokhara’s Peace Pagoda. Whether you arrive by boat across the lake or hike up, the panoramic views will take your breath away.
Daily Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal! Upon landing in Kathmandu, our team will be waiting at the airport to greet you and transfer you to your hotel. As you drive through the city, you'll get your first taste of Nepal's vibrant streets. After checking in, you’ll have some time to rest. In the evening, we’ll meet for a welcome dinner where you can sample traditional Nepali dishes. Meals Included: Dinner
Today, after breakfast, we’ll dive into the cultural wonders of Kathmandu with visits to some of its most famous sites, including Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Pashupatinath Temple. We'll spend some time at Durbar Square, soaking in its history and culture. The afternoon is yours to explore: perhaps wander through the lively streets of Thamel, visit a rooftop bar, or relax at a spa. Meals Included: Breakfast
More sightseeing today as we dive into Nepal's colourful scenery and long history. After breakfast, we’ll take a guided tour of Bhaktapur, a medieval city brimming with temples, statues, and traditional Newari architecture. Wander through Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, and Pottery Square before heading to Nagarkot, where we'll enjoy spectacular views of the valley. If the weather is clear, you can expect an amazing sunset as we settle into our hotel for the night. Meals Included: Breakfast
You'll be happy to hear the alarm clock go off this morning as we wake up early for a beautiful sunrise over the Himalayas at Nagarkot. After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Kathmandu for a short flight to Pokhara. Once we arrive, we’ll take a boat ride on the serene Phewa Lake, followed by a visit to the Peace Pagoda. Spend the evening at leisure, exploring Pokhara's laid-back atmosphere, or ask your guide for restaurant recommendations. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is all about exploring Pokhara. We'll start with a peaceful boat ride on Phewa Lake, then visit the International Mountain Museum, Gupteshwor Cave, and Davis Fall. We'll also stop by a Tibetan Refugee Camp to learn more about their history and culture. In the evening, you’re free to enjoy the lakeside area, packed with shops, cafes, and lively restaurants. Meals Included: Breakfast
Get ready for a day of hiking up to Australian Camp, with stunning panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, followed by a relaxing descent back to Pokhara. This is a great way to get a feel for some of the longer multi-day hikes that Nepal's famous for. It'll almost certainly make you want to come back! It's around 2-3 hours of hiking up to Australia Camp which sits at just over 2,000m. Weather dependent, you'll catch sight of Annapurna South (7,219m) and other prominent peaks. It's about 2 hours back down to Kande where your driver will be waiting. Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll leave Pokhara behind and make the drive to Chitwan, where Nepal’s first national park awaits. On arrival, you’ll settle into your lodge before heading out on a village tour to meet the local Tharu community. Afterward, take the evening to relax or enjoy the natural surroundings. Meals Included: Breakfast
Chitwan National Park. One of the highlights of any trip to Nepal. We’ll head out on a jeep safari or jungle walk in search of wildlife, including rhinos, elephants, and maybe even a tiger. After lunch, we’ll take a canoe ride on the Rapti River which gives an entirely different perspective of the flora and fauna. We'll finish the day with a traditional Tharu cultural performance over dinner. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today, we drive back to Kathmandu. It's a long old drive (sorry but it can't be helped!) but we should have you back in time in the afternoon to shop for souvenirs or further explore the city. This is a great opportunity to visit some last-minute sights or enjoy a leisurely stroll through the streets of Thamel. We've got a couple of recommendations too so feel free to ask! Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll catch a flight to Paro, Bhutan. It's an unbelievable flight through the valleys but nervous flyers, beware! Your Bhutanese guide will greet you. Welcome to the kingdom where happiness is measured (Gross National Happiness) and deemed more important than GDP. Who are we to argue! We'll dive straight in. After lunch (where you might first sample some chili cheese), we'll explore the impressive Rinpung Dzong and visit the ancient Kichu Lhakhang temple, one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites. Take the rest of the evening to relax at your hotel in Paro. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. On the way, we’ll stop to visit some of Thimphu’s highlights, including Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lakhang, and Simtokha Dzong. In the evening, you can wander through the Crafts Bazaar (keep an eye out for some unusual carvings...) and enjoy the peaceful city streets. Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll head out early for a scenic drive to Gangtey, known for its Black-Necked Cranes in winter. We're not serial twitchers but they're an impressive sight. After a stop at Dochula Pass for panoramic views of the Himalayas, we’ll continue to Gangtey, where you’ll enjoy a leisurely village tour and time to explore this peaceful valley. Picture terraced farms, scattered hourses and stunning views of a glacial valley. Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we’ll visit Gangtey Monastery, a 17th-century gem perched on a hilltop. Even for the non-spiritual, there's something special about seeing young monks going about their business. We'll then drive down to Punakha. Once there, we’ll explore Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful fortresses in Bhutan, and visit Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, before settling into our hotel for the night. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today we’ll enjoy some more sightseeing in Punakha. This is a brilliant day as we'll visit the Punakha Dzong which is one of Bhutan's most picturesque sights. Set at the confluence of two rivers we'll cross the wooden cantilever bridge and head inside. Once we arrive back in Paro, you’ll have the evening free to relax or explore more of the cultural sites and markets. Meals Included: Breakfast
We’ll spend the day hiking to the iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched on a cliffside 900 meters above Paro Valley. It's tough in parts but we've got plenty of time and it's well worth the effort. The sacred Buddhist site is where the Second Buddha meditated. Legend has it he flew here on a tigress, thus the name. After the hike, we’ll return to Paro. Meals Included: Breakfast
Today, we’ll catch a flight back to Kathmandu. Once we arrive, you’ll have some free time to explore the city on your own or relax at the hotel. Meals Included: Breakfast
Your adventure sadly comes to an end today. After breakfast, we’ll transfer you to the airport for your onward journey. Safe travels and we hope to see you again soon! Meals Included: Breakfast
Where We'll Stay
We’ve taken on the tough task of staying at some of the best hotels and guest houses around the world to hand pick those that we think you’ll love. They’ll always be locally-owned where possible. Below are some examples of where you’ll be staying on your trip, although please note, we don’t guarantee which hotels or guesthouses we use. On this trip, most of the time we’ll be staying in locally-owned guesthouses and hotels. They’ll always be clean, well-located, provide great hospitality, have breathtaking views and be a welcome place to get some rest after long days exploring!
Like the sound of this trip, have a question or want to check something before you book? Maybe even have a great idea to customise this itinerary? Get in touch and start your adventure!
Interactive Route Map
Check out the interactive map of this trip below. You can simply zoom in and have a look at the route.
Or, if you’re wanting to get a feel for the route or to dive into the daily details then click on any of the steps and you’ll be redirected to our Polarsteps page.
What is Polarsteps?
We’ve loaded all of our itineraries onto Polarsteps. It’s an app that can help you plan, track and relive your travels. We’ve used it to display our trips in all their glory but anyone can easily create on-the-go mementos of their adventures.
Carbon Emissions
This trip emits approximately 810 kg of carbon per person. This includes emissions from transport, accommodation, food, activities, and the operations behind the scenes to run the trip.
What does this mean?
This is roughly the same as driving a typical petrol car about 2,550 miles.
It’s equivalent to the carbon emissions from heating an average UK home with a gas boiler for about 34 days during winter.
Our Approach
We recognise the significant carbon emissions from international travel, but we believe that the positive impact on the countries and communities we visit outweighs these challenges. We provide this estimate to help you make informed decisions about your carbon footprint and consider any offsets you may wish to support.
More Information
What's the fitness level required for this trip?
We grade all of our trips to try and make it easy to understand the fitness levels required. These are broad guidelines however so you’re welcome to chat to us about any specific concerns you might have.
You’ll find more information about these levels here and you can find the difficulty rating for this specific trip at the top of the page.
What if someone under the minimum age wants to travel?
It might not be an issue. Some destinations such as Rwanda have firm rules in place about how old people should be in order to visit the gorillas. In other destinations it’s more of a guideline.
Please do contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
Can I customise this trip in any way?
- adding in extra days or cutting out a day here or there;
- squeezing in other destinations or removing them;
- starting or finishing the trip in a different place;
- staying in a hotel or guesthouse that we don’t list as an option.
How do visas work for Bhutan?
There’s a special process for visa applications for Bhutan which need to go through a Bhutanese agency. We’ll sort all that out for you so you will just need to submit your passport details to us and we’ll do the rest.
Which airport do I need to fly into and out of for my trip to Nepal?
Your trip starts and ends in Kathmandu. You will need to book flights to arrive and depart from Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). This is around a 20-30 minute drive to the hotel you’ll be staying at.
How do I find out which hotels, meals and activities are included?
Unfortunately we can’t provide an exhaustive list of everything included in the ‘What’s Included’ section of this page as we include a whole bunch of stuff on our trips!
If it’s in the itinerary and we’ve not explicitly said that it’s an optional activity, then yes – it’s almost certainly included. If you’re not sure, please ask.
The meals that are included are all listed on the daily itinerary.
For the accommodation, we’ve got a shortlist of properties that we use. You can get a sense of the types of accommodation we use higher up the page in the ‘Where We’ll Stay’ section. We cannot guarantee any specific properties for your trip as it’s based on availability. If you are wanting to specifically request a property then please get in touch as we’re able to customise our trips.
How much should I tip in Bhutan?
Tips are not included in any of our trips. They are entirely discretionary but in most cases are expected by the teams that will be looking after you. We know it can be daunting to work out exactly what to give so whilst this guideline hopefully helps, please remember that it’s a completely personal choice and you should feel free to tip more or less based on the quality of service that you receive.
Guide: $10-20 USD per day
Porters or Support Staff: $5-10 USD per day
Drivers: $5-10 USD per day
Again, tipping is not compulsory and please only do so if the service you’ve received warrants it. It’s hugely appreciated and a way for the teams looking after you to supplement their income.
How much should I tip in Nepal?
Tips are not included in any of our trips. They are entirely discretionary but in most cases are expected by the teams that will be looking after you. We know it can be daunting to work out exactly what to give so whilst this guideline hopefully helps, please remember that it’s a completely personal choice and you should feel free to tip more or less based on the quality of service that you receive.
Trekking Guide: $10-$20 USD per day
Porters: $5-10 USD per day
Drivers: $5-10 USD for short trips; $10-15 USD for full-day services.
Again, tipping is not compulsory and please only do so if the service you’ve received warrants it. It’s hugely appreciated and a way for the teams looking after you to supplement their income.
Is travel insurance mandatory?
Yes, it is. We run adventurous trips and it’s mandatory that you have suitable travel insurance in place to cover overseas medical treatment as well as evacuation or repatriation.
We can’t recommend which provider you use but the main things we’d encourage you to look out for is that you’re fully covered for the activities you’re taking part in (i.e., covers you up to the altitude you’ll be trekking at) and that it covers cancellation in the event that illness or other circumstances prevent you from travelling.
What information will I receive after I book?
After you book, we’ll get to work confirming that the dates you’ve selected are completely available.
There are extremely rare circumstances that may mean we’re unable to confirm your booking. These circumstances are limited to events beyond our control or not being able to secure the services that you wanted to book.
In the extremely rare event that we’re unable to confirm your booking you will be offered an alternative itinerary or a full refund without any fees. Please do not book any non-changeable travel plans until you receive the confirmation from us. This will be within 72 hours.
A detailed Trip Dossier will then be sent to you after you make your booking. It’ll contain all the information you might need to help you pack and get prepared for your trip, including information on visas, vaccinations, packing and training.
We encourage you to refer to the UK Government’s official travel advisory service when planning your trips. You can find the FCDO advice here.
And when you travel, we work closely with local experts to put together the best itineraries. We’ve worked with them exhaustively to provide safe adventures at great value. They know their destination better than we ever could so you’ll be in good hands! You can read a bit more about why we will only ever have locally-led trips here.
Book Now
Whether you’d like more information about this itinerary or to customise it to exactly what you want to do, drop us a line and let us know your plans!
