Nepal Bhutan Tibet Tour – 15 Nights & 16 Days

Begin the day with a filling breakfast. Later, go sightseeing in Kathmandu. Begin your sightseeing excursion at UNESCO World Heritage Site Hanuman Dhoka (Durbar Square). Built between the 12th and 18th centuries as the former residence of Kathmandu's ancient Malla monarchs, it is a complex of palaces, courtyards, and temples that exemplifies religious and cultural variety. The 17th century stone inscription set into the palace wall with writings in 15 languages, Taleju Temple, Kal Bhairav, Nautalle Darbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue of King Pratap Malla, the big bell, big drum, the Jagannath Temple, and three museums including the numismatic museum and the Tribhuvan Museum are among the most interesting sights.

Then, continue to Swayambhunath Stupa. This world heritage site in Nepal is one of the world's most spectacular Buddhist sites. From a 77-meter-high hillside, the stupa commands a commanding view of the Kathmandu Valley. On the spires are painted the all-seeing eyes of Lord Swayambhu, the self-existent one.

Finally, make a stop at Patan for sightseeing. Lalitpur, which translates to "City of Beauty" in Sanskrit, is another name for the UNESCO World Heritage site. The city's Durbar Square is the centre of visitor activity. Explore historical sites, temples, and shrines known for their magnificent carvings. The Patan Museum, which specialises in bronze statues and religious artefacts, the 17th century Krishna Mandir, and the Tibetan Refugee Camp, where you can buy for stunning carpets and handicrafts, are among the highlights. Overnight stay in a hotel.

Begin the day with breakfast before departing for sightseeing.

Begin with a visit to the Pashupatinath Temple, which is located on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. It honours Lord Shiva in the shape of Pashupatinath. The architecture is noteworthy, with a two-tiered golden ceiling and silver doors. On the day of Maha Shivratri, it is a very popular pilgrimage destination.

Pay a visit to Boudhanath next. It is one of the largest stupas in South Asia and a major attraction for Tibetan Buddhists in Nepal. The stupa is supposed to be located on an ancient trade route to Tibet, and travellers have stopped here for generations to relax and pray. The stupa's immediate surroundings are now known as Nepal's "Little Tibet." Monks in maroon robes wander around holding prayer wheels, while colourful thangkas, Tibetan jewelry, hand-woven carpets, masks, and khukuri knives are peddled in the surrounding stalls. Other Gompa monasteries, curio shops, and eateries are also nearby.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the day's final sightseeing destination. One of the Valley's most exquisite architectural showpieces, here you can marvel at golden effigies of prior kings, wood carvings, tympanums, doorways, windows, and so on, like a well-orchestrated symphony. The Lion Gate, The Golden Gate, The Palace with Fifty-five Windows, The Art Gallery, and The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla are the prominent tourist attractions.

Return to the hotel for the night.

Leave for Tibet today. Arrive at Lhasa's Gonggar Airport, the capital of China's Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhasa, Tibet's political, economic, cultural, and transportation center, has a history dating back more than 1,300 years. You will be taken to the hotel from the airport. Take in the breathtaking view of blue skies and incomparable beauty. The day is free of obligations, allowing for acclimatisation to the great altitude. It is recommended that you drink enough of water and get plenty of rest.

The day is set aside for sightseeing. First and foremost, pay a visit to Potala Palace. This architectural marvel is Lhasa's primary landmark. During the time of King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century, the structure was built. The Potala complex, the world's highest and largest castle, is composed of wood and clay and has been meticulously preserved. Explore the tomb halls, shrines, prayer rooms, monks' dormitories, and courtyards where the relics of the greatest lamas are kept.

Later, make your way to Jokhang Temple. The temple, which is spread across three storeys, has been in existence since the 7th century but was extensively restored during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century. The open ceiling is crammed with chapels and apartments dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The venerated monument of Jowo Sakyamuni attracts Tibetan Buddhists of all sects as well as devotees of Bon-Po, Tibet's indigenous religion. For blessings, walk around the statue.

After that, go to old Lhasa. Barkhor is Lhasa's oldest street. It is a gathering point for Tibetan culture, economy, religion, and arts that you should not miss.

Begin the day with a filling breakfast. After dinner, check out and head to Gyantse. Visit the Drolma Lhakang Temple on the way. After about an hour of travelling from Lhasa, you will arrive at the foothills of Kampa la. Enjoy the greatest view of Yamdrok Lake from the vantage point. The scorpion-shaped lake is a sight of blue beauty that freezes solid in winter.

When you arrive in Gyantse, check into your hotel for the night. Take a break and eat dinner.

Check out and drive to Shigatse after breakfast. En route, stop at Kumbum and Pelku Chode, two important Gyantse tourist attractions.

Kumbum, founded in 1427 by a Gyantse ruler, has 9 storeys that rise over 35 metres (115 feet). Kumbum is a word that signifies "10,000 images." The golden dome construction resembles a 108-sided mandala. It has 77 chapels that line its walls. Many of the statues have been demolished and replaced with clay replicas.

Pelku Chode, also known as the Phalkor Monastery, was founded in 1418 and was created by Nepalese Newari architects. It is located in the same compound as Kumbum. Because of the unity of the Gelugpa, Sakyapa, and Bhuton sects, it has a distinctive influence on Buddhism.

Drive to Shigatse in the afternoon, Tibet's second largest city and the capital of the old Tibetan region of Tsang. Check in to your hotel. After that, proceed to Tashilunpo Monastery. Tashilunpo, founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, is one of the few monasteries in Tibet to have survived the Cultural Revolution. The centrepiece of the monastery is the 275kg gold Maitreya Buddha statue, which stands 26 metres tall and weighs 275kg. Take a look at the big Thangka wall, which is covered in massive Thangkas.

Shigatse is where you will spend the night.

Drive to Lhatse after breakfast today. Visit the Sakya Monastery on the way, which was built in 1073 as the home of the Sakyapa school of Tibetan Buddhism. Mongolian architecture is highly distinctive. It has some of Tibet's most exquisite remaining artwork. When you get in Lhatse, check into a hotel for the night.

Today you'll drive to Dza Romgbuk Monastery, passing across Pang La (5120m/16,794 feet). On the journey, take in the breathtaking views of Makalu, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, and Mount Everest. Stop for an hour to hike to Everest Base Camp (5200m/17,333ft) for an unimpeded view of the world's highest summit, Mount Everest.

Today, I'm going to drive to the Kyirong border. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you cross the vast Tibetan Plateau and approach the Higher Himalayan Ranges. Stay the night at Kyirong Border Town.

Get up early for breakfast. After that, check out and drive to the Rasuwagadhi border. Complete all formalities after crossing China Emigration, where our Nepalese counterpart awaits for assistance for the remaining 6-7 hour journey to Kathmandu.

Begin the day with an early breakfast. Pack your belongings and check out of the motel later. Drive to Tribhuvan International Airport, where you will join your trip to Bhutan. Throughout the journey, take in the breathtaking panorama of the world's tallest snow-capped peaks, the Himalayas.

When the plane lands in the Paro valley, you can see the silvery Pa Chu (Paro River), the majestic Paro Dzong (fortress), and Ta Dzong. (watch tower).

Our team will meet you at the airport in Paro. Get help driving to Thimpu (55 km/ 1 hour). Visit Simtokha Dzong, the Kingdom's oldest fortification, on the route. In the evening, pay a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, a monument to global peace and prosperity. The murals and statues inside the monument offer a detailed look into Buddhist doctrine. The National Library, the nunnery at Zilukha, the school of fine arts Zo Rig Chusum, Zangtopelri Lhakhang, the Handicraft Emporium, and the local handicraft centres are key attractions to see the variety of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewelry, and so on.

Stay at a hotel for the night.

Drive to Punakha (3 hours), the old winter capital, in the morning. The scenic route climbs through a series of zigzags to the Dochu La Pass, which stands at 10,000 feet/3,048 metres. On a clear day, panoramic vistas of Bhutan's tallest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, at 24,770ft/7,550m, will greet you.

Hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the divine mad monk's shrine, after arriving in the verdant Punakha Valley. It's a great walk through a charming village. Visit the Punakha Dzong's courtyard as well.

Stay in Punakha for the night.

Begin the day with an early breakfast, followed by a trip back to Paro via Thimpu. Check into the hotel upon arrival.

In the afternoon, go on a city tour. The first visit of the day is Ta Dzong, which houses a fascinating collection of art, antiques, religious thangkha paintings, and Bhutan's magnificent postal stamps. After that, take a hillside trail down to Rinpung Dzong. Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Bhutan's first spiritual and worldly king, built it in 1646. The Dzong houses Paro's monastic body, the Dzongda's (district administrative head's) office, and the Thrimpon. (judge). Approach the Dzong via Nemi Zam, a traditional covered bridge.

Stay at a hotel in Paro for the night.

Today, depart for a day trip to Tiger's Nest, also known as the Taktshang Pelphung monastery. It is one of Bhutan's most well-known monasteries. According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, who disseminated Buddhism throughout the Himalayas, arrived at this monastery from Tibet on the back of a Tigress.

It is an extraordinary location, located on the edge of a 900m vertical cliff, and is only accessible by walking or riding mules/ponies. Take a rest in the Cafeteria (2940m) and admire Taktshang up close. The monastery is amazing from this vantage point, nearly close enough to touch. It is located on the side of a huge canyon, where you must down cliff-hanging steps while crossing a lovely waterfall. Once inside the monastery, there are various shrines or temples, each with a few monks.

Next, visit Kichu Lhakhang. It is one of Bhutan's earliest temples, constructed in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.

Stay in a hotel in Paro for the night.

Drive to Paro airport after an early breakfast at the accommodation. The flight takes off spectacularly, going across the magnificent Himalayas and past Chomolhari, Bhutan's second highest peak.

When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, catch the connecting flight home with happy memories of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet.