Highlights of Tibet Nepal Bhutan Tour By Flight

Upon your arrival in Lhasa, our friendly tour guide will greet you with a warm welcome and the traditional Tibetan phrase, “Tashi Delek”, meaning ‘wish you all the best’. From there, you will be transferred by a private car to your hotel to rest and acclimate to the high altitude.

As Lhasa is located on the Tibetan plateau, which is over 12,000 feet above sea level, it is important to allow your body time to adjust to the altitude. You can spend the rest of the day relaxing at your hotel or taking a short walk to explore the local area.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious dinner of authentic Tibetan cuisine, where you can sample local delicacies such as momos (dumplings), Thukpa (noodle soup), and butter tea.

Stay overnight in Lhasa to prepare for the exciting days ahead.

After breakfast at your hotel, your first stop for the day will be the iconic Potala Palace, the winter palace of the Dalai Lama. Situated on Moburi (Red Hill) and towering over the town of Lhasa at a height of 3,750 meters, the palace is an impressive sight to behold. The palace dates back to the 7th century and is adorned with artifacts and works of art from throughout Tibetan history. Inside the palace, you will find the gilded burial stupas of the past Dalai Lamas, and below ground lies the ancient meditation cave of the 33rd King of Tibet.

After visiting the palace, enjoy a delicious lunch before heading downtown to Jokhang Temple. This temple is the primary seat of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was built by the 33rd King of Tibet in 647 AD. It is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest temple in Tibetan Buddhism. Inside the temple, you will find the most precious object, a life-sized statue of Buddha Sakyamuni when he was just 12 years old. This gilded statue is adorned with many precious gems and is the most sacred object in Tibet.

Next, explore Barkhor Street, a famous route of the holy kora, or religious circumambulation, around the temple. The street is also a bustling market where you can buy authentic souvenirs from across the region. You can join the pilgrims on their clockwise walk around the temple or browse the shops for unique Tibetan treasures.

In the evening, enjoy a leisurely stroll around Lhasa and experience the vibrant local culture. Stay overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will start your day with a trip to Drepung Monastery, one of the Great Three monasteries of the Gelugpa sect, located 5 kilometers outside Lhasa. Founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choge, one of the disciples of Tsong Khapa, the monastery is situated at the foot of Gambo Utse. The Ganden Potrang, located in the southwest corner of the monastery, was once the residence of the Dalai Lama before the move to the Potala Palace.

In the afternoon, head back across the city to the northern suburbs to visit Sera Monastery, another of the Great Three monasteries. The name “Sera” means “wild rose” in Tibetan, named after the roses that were in bloom on the hill behind it when it was built in 1419. The main attraction of the monastery is the lively and colorful debating of the monks, held under the trees in the debating field every afternoon. Even if you don’t understand what is being said, it is an incredible sight to watch.

After a full day of exploration, return to your hotel in Lhasa for a comfortable overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Gonggar International Airport in Lhasa for your direct flight to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. On arrival, our guide will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure, exploring the vibrant city of Kathmandu, or just relaxing in your comfortable hotel room.

Start your day with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Royal Palace square in the heart of the city. The square is surrounded by ancient buildings from the 16th century, showcasing exquisite Newari architecture and intricate woodcarvings. Explore the Kumari Chowk, a palace courtyard where the living goddess Kumari resides, and admire the intricately decorated Taleju Temple.

Next, visit Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist sites in Nepal. The hilltop stupa offers panoramic views of the city and is adorned with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Take a moment to spin the prayer wheels and soak in the spiritual atmosphere.

After lunch, head to Patan City, the second largest city in the Kathmandu Valley area. Visit the Patan Durbar Square, which features ancient palaces, temples, and shrines dating back to the 12th century. Explore the Patan Museum, which showcases traditional Nepali art and artifacts, and visit the Golden Temple, a sacred Buddhist monastery renowned for its intricate metalwork.

Return to your hotel in Kathmandu for a relaxing evening. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today’s tour takes you to some of the most important cultural and religious sites in Nepal. You will begin with a visit to Pashupatinath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world. Located on the banks of the Baghmati River, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its elaborate architecture and stunning surroundings. You may witness some of the religious rituals being performed by the devotees.

Next, you will head to Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in Asia and a significant center for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Surrounded by vibrant prayer flags, the stupa is believed to contain the remains of Kassapa Buddha and is a place of meditation for locals and tourists alike.

After lunch, you will visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a beautiful ancient palace complex that was once the capital of Nepal. The square features intricate architecture, including pagoda and shikhara temples, and offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history and culture. Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

After taking the direct flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our Bhutan guide and driver. Enjoy the stunning views of the Himalayas, including the majestic Mt. Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks during your flight from Kathmandu.

Our first stop will be at Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest and most beautiful temple in Bhutan. Surrounded by fields, flowers, and hills, Kyichu Lhakhang is home to an eight-year-old Buddha statue of Sakyamuni, historic relics, elaborate paintings, and numerous Buddhist scriptures.

Next, we will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, a fortress built in the 17th century to protect Paro valley. It offers picturesque scenery and a sense of inner peace.

Later in the day, we will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Stay overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast, we will begin our sightseeing tour of Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan. Thimpu is known for its picturesque Bhutanese dzongs, fresh air and friendly local people. Our first stop will be at the Late King’s Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in honor of the third king of Bhutan. We will then visit the National Library, Folk Heritage Museum and Hand-made Paper Factory, and the School of Arts and Crafts, where we will learn about Bhutanese history, textile and handicraft making in the traditional way.

The highlight of our Thimpu tour will be a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, the most beautiful Bhutanese dzong and the headquarters of the Bhutanese government. After the tour, we will head northeast to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. En route, we will stop at the scenic Dochu La Pass (3,100m) for a refreshing cup of tea and to enjoy the unobstructed views of the Great Himalayas.

After lunch at Wangduephodrang (1,350m), we will continue driving to Punakha. We will arrive at Punakha in the afternoon and check into our hotel. You will have the rest of the day free to explore the town on your own. Overnight stay in Punakha.

Begin your day with a visit to the magnificent Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu Rivers, considered as the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. If you happen to be in Bhutan in mid-February, do not miss the Punakha festival.

After exploring Punakha, drive back to Paro. In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Bhutan, housed in a round watchtower, and learn about the ancient history, culture, wildlife, and local arts of Bhutan. Later, visit Drukgyel Dzong and enjoy the scenic village views at its foot. Stay overnight in Paro.

Today, we will embark on a trek to Taktshang Goemba, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is located on a cliff in Paro Valley and is the holiest temple in Bhutan. According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Guru Rinpoche, flew here on the back of a tigress and meditated in the caves on the cliffside for three months. The trek is a challenging but rewarding experience, and it offers breathtaking views of the valley.

After the trek, we will have lunch and then you may choose to relax with a traditional stone bath or explore the nearby area on your own. Stay overnight in Paro.

We hope you had a wonderful time exploring Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet with us. Our team Himalayan 360 would like to express our gratitude for choosing us as your travel partner and for trusting us to show you the beauty of Bhutan, Nepal, and Tibet.

As your tour comes to an end, we hope you take with you memories that will last a lifetime. We also hope that our services and hospitality have exceeded your expectations.

We would appreciate it if you could take a moment to provide us with any feedback or suggestions for improvement.

Thank you once again for choosing Himalayan 360, and we look forward to serving you again in the future.