Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet Cultural Tour – 18 days

Half Day City Tour in the morning from 8 am to 11 am. Kathmandu Durbar Square ( Malla and Shah dynasty Palace, Kumari temple, Shiva Parbati Temple, Taleju Bhawani) and Swayambhunath (Buddhist monastery, which is located on the top of the hill in Kathmandu valley from where you can enjoy with some nice view of mountain and beautiful scene of Kathmandu Valley with other buddhist related stupas and temples)

In the afternoon Half Day Tour from 1 pm to 4:30 pm: Visit Patan durbar Square which city is famous for fine arts of Nepal. You can experience about the Nepali metal work, Temple made by a stone, Water spouts, word carving and stone sculptor and Tibetan Carpet weaving center.

This morning we depart Kathmandu by surface on a scenic drive to Kodari (Nepal-Tibet border), through the beautiful Nepalese countryside. We leave our vehicle here and start a short walk of about one hour 30 minutes uphill with porters to Zhangmu Immigration – known to Nepalese as Khasa, hangs on a cliff face, its boom town architecture having a temporary look; even the monastery roofs are sheathed in corrugated iron sheets and is situated at a height of 2,500 m. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Today we drive uphill to the highest plateau of the world with the typical view of Tibetan landscape, crossing over Nyalam Pass (3,800 m) and Lalung-La (Pass) at 5,050m, with views of beautiful Himalayan Ranges panorama including the Mt. Everest (8,848 m) to Zhangmu (244 Kms).
Also called “new tingri”, is surrounded by mountains, Zhangmu is another town that lies in the shadow of a great fortress. Even in ruins it is majestic. Seeming to grow out of the craggy brown rock, its sinous wall bristles with watchtowers like stegosaurus spines. Isolated in 1855 by Nepalese in search of booty, the Gurkhas cut off the Dzong’s water supply and settled in for a long siege. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

We continue on our drive to Lhatse (T-cross to Mt. Everest), and crossing over the Gyatsola Pass at 5,220 m, which is the highest enroute to Xigatse (240 Kms). Xigatse is the second largest town in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, lying 354 Kms. west of Lhasa at an altitude of 3,810 m. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

This morning we will visit the Panchen Lama’s Tashilhumpu Moanastery, and continue on our drive to gyantse (90 Kms) – is a pastoral town between Lhasa and xigatse. It is 264 Kms. southwest of Lhasa, and still retains the charm of a traditional Tibetan town untouched by modern expansion. As a crossroad on the principle trade route to India, it used to be renowned for the excellence of its carpets. The compound, encircled by on impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries, presided over by the still intact fortress perched atop a nearby mountain.

Later in the day visit the Kumbum Stupa and Phalkor Monastery. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

We continue on a full day picturesque drive crossing over Karola Pass at 5,010m, Kambala Pass at 4,794 m. and a colourful Yamdrok Lake, sometimes along the Tibetan lifeline river Brahmaputra also known as yarlung Tsangpo, to the capital town Lhasa (264 Kms).

Today we will visit the Jokhang Temple, situated in the heart of Old Lhasa, it houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift bythe Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor Market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa.

Later in the day visit the Potala Palace, this legendary palace built atop a single hill is synonymous with Tibet by the first foremost king Songtsen Gompa. It was expanded to its present structure during the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. This 13 story 1000 room citadel served as the headquarters of the former “church-state” of Tibet and was home to successive Dalai Lamas, who from the latter half of the 18th century used it as their Winter palace. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

This day, you are free for self visit and preparation for next day flgiht.

Early this morning you will be picked up from you respective hotel to be transferred in time to Gongar airport to connect your flight to Kathmandu.

Today, Our tour guide will take you Bhaktapur traditional city which relates with Newar community and wide area of Bhaktpaur Durbar Square and afternoon head to Nagarkot hill station for nice views of great Himalayas and Sunset Tour., then back to Kathmandu.

After arriving Paro, our representative will pick you at airport and drive to Hotel.

After breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest, about 4-5hrs walk up and down). Lunch at Taktsang cafeteria. Overnight stay in the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Drukgyel Dzong (fortress) and Kyichu Lhakhang (Monastery). Catch towering view of Mount Jhomolhari from the base of Drukgyel Dzong. Afternoon, visit Ta Dzong (now National Museum) and then Paro Dzong. Then drive to Thimphu (about 1 hr 30 m drive). On arrival, transfer to hotel for overnight halt.

Morning, visit National Library, Institute of Traditional Arts, Folk Heritage Museum and National Institute of Traditional Medicine. After lunch, visit Tashichhoedzong, Textile Musuem and Handicrafts Emporium. Evening drive back to Paro. Overnight halt in the hotel.

Today, we will pick you up at airport and transfer to Hotel, If your flight is in the morning, you will have a time to self visit some places in Kathmandu.

Today, our tour guide will take you Bungamati and Khokana, pure native people lifestyle and tradition with culture tour, this gives you real pictures of hundreds year before, what people life were. Then Kirtipur city, there are some temples and different people life and culture.

We will see you off at Hotel and transfer to Airport onward destination