Nepal & Bhutan
Every place has a version that is entirely yours.
Which one is calling you?
From Day #01 to Day #15
Day 1 | September 18
Arrival | Kathmandu to Nagarkot | Nepal
You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. From the airport, the drive to Nagarkot winds upward through the Kathmandu Valley and into the Himalayan foothills, with the city gradually giving way to terraced farms, village tea shops, and the first cool air of altitude. Nagarkot sits quietly above it all, Next an orientation walk through the village as the sky changes color over the peaks.
Day 1 | September 18
Arrival | Kathmandu to Nagarkot | Nepal
You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. From the airport, the drive to Nagarkot winds upward through the Kathmandu Valley and into the Himalayan foothills, with the city gradually giving way to terraced farms, village tea shops, and the first cool air of altitude. Nagarkot sits quietly above it all, Next an orientation walk through the village as the sky changes color over the peaks.
Day 2 | September 19
Changu Narayan & Bhaktapur | Nagarkot
A downhill heritage walk winds through terraced fields and rural settlements to Changu Narayan Temple, one of Nepal's oldest living Hindu temples, with carved woodwork that's extraordinary. From there, it's on to Bhaktapur, a medieval city so well preserved it feels like the 15th century simply continued. Don't miss the pottery square, where clay is still shaped and fired using traditional methods, or Juju Dhau, the thick, creamy "King Curd" for which Bhaktapur is famous. The day winds down in Bhaktapur Durbar Square before heading back to Nagarkot.
Day 2 | September 19
Changu Narayan & Bhaktapur | Nagarkot
A downhill heritage walk winds through terraced fields and rural settlements to Changu Narayan Temple, one of Nepal's oldest living Hindu temples, with carved woodwork that's extraordinary. From there, it's on to Bhaktapur, a medieval city so well preserved it feels like the 15th century simply continued. Don't miss the pottery square, where clay is still shaped and fired using traditional methods, or Juju Dhau, the thick, creamy "King Curd" for which Bhaktapur is famous. The day winds down in Bhaktapur Durbar Square before heading back to Nagarkot.
Day 3 | September 20
Kathmandu to Lumbini Birthplace of the Buddha
A morning transfer to Kathmandu airport and a short domestic flight to Bhairahawa, followed by a drive to Lumbini, the exact spot where Siddhartha Gautama was born in the 5th century BC. This is the most sacred site in Buddhism. The Mayadevi Temple marks the precise location, while the Sacred Garden around it holds the Ashoka Pillar, ancient monastic ruins, and the eternal flame.
The international monastic zone is unlike anything else: a peaceful, walkable kilometer where Buddhist communities from Japan, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and dozens of other countries have built their own monastery, each one a different interpretation of the same faith.
Day 3 | September 20
Kathmandu to Lumbini Birthplace of the Buddha
A morning transfer to Kathmandu airport and a short domestic flight to Bhairahawa, followed by a drive to Lumbini, the exact spot where Siddhartha Gautama was born in the 5th century BC. This is the most sacred site in Buddhism. The Mayadevi Temple marks the precise location, while the Sacred Garden around it holds the Ashoka Pillar, ancient monastic ruins, and the eternal flame.
The international monastic zone is unlike anything else: a peaceful, walkable kilometer where Buddhist communities from Japan, Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and dozens of other countries have built their own monastery, each one a different interpretation of the same faith.
Day 4 | September 21
Lumbini to Chitwan Tharu Heartland
The drive from Lumbini into Chitwan cuts through the Terai, Nepal's flat lowland belt, with rice paddies stretching to the horizon and the Himalayas still visible behind you as you descend. On arrival, a village walk and visit.
Day 4 | September 21
Lumbini to Chitwan Tharu Heartland
The drive from Lumbini into Chitwan cuts through the Terai, Nepal's flat lowland belt, with rice paddies stretching to the horizon and the Himalayas still visible behind you as you descend. On arrival, a village walk and visit.
Day 5 | September 22
Chitwan National Park Full Day in the Wild | Chitwan
A morning jeep safari heads through Chitwan's grasslands and Sal forests. As the vehicle moves through the park, we may see one-horned rhinos, deer, birdlife and maybe an elephant depending on our luck. The afternoon is left at leisure, and then another safari.
Day 5 | September 22
Chitwan National Park Full Day in the Wild | Chitwan
A morning jeep safari heads through Chitwan's grasslands and Sal forests. As the vehicle moves through the park, we may see one-horned rhinos, deer, birdlife and maybe an elephant depending on our luck. The afternoon is left at leisure, and then another safari.
Day 6 | September 23
Chitwan to Pokhara Lakeside
The drive from Chitwan to Pokhara climbs gradually from the Terai into the hills, with the Annapurna range coming into view as you arrive. Pokhara is Nepal's most relaxed city, a lakeside town with the world's most dramatic backdrop. The evening serves as an introduction: a walk along Phewa Lake as the mountains catch the last light, with plenty of café options and mountain reflections on the water.
Day 6 | September 23
Chitwan to Pokhara Lakeside
The drive from Chitwan to Pokhara climbs gradually from the Terai into the hills, with the Annapurna range coming into view as you arrive. Pokhara is Nepal's most relaxed city, a lakeside town with the world's most dramatic backdrop. The evening serves as an introduction: a walk along Phewa Lake as the mountains catch the last light, with plenty of café options and mountain reflections on the water.
Day 7 | September 24
Sarangkot Sunrise & World Peace Pagoda | Pokhara
An early drive to Sarangkot, a viewpoint above Pokhara, sets you up for sunrise over the Annapurna range. Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain), Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri: on a clear September morning, this is one of the great views on earth. From there, a hike leads to the World Peace Pagoda, a Japanese-built stupa perched above Phewa Lake, with an optional forest walk on the descent, followed by a boat crossing of Phewa Lake back into town.
In the evening, you'll visit a women-led cooperative, producing ethical crafts and textiles work that's beautiful, with proceeds going directly to the makers.
Day 7 | September 24
Sarangkot Sunrise & World Peace Pagoda | Pokhara
An early drive to Sarangkot, a viewpoint above Pokhara, sets you up for sunrise over the Annapurna range. Machapuchare (Fishtail Mountain), Annapurna I, Dhaulagiri: on a clear September morning, this is one of the great views on earth. From there, a hike leads to the World Peace Pagoda, a Japanese-built stupa perched above Phewa Lake, with an optional forest walk on the descent, followed by a boat crossing of Phewa Lake back into town.
In the evening, you'll visit a women-led cooperative, producing ethical crafts and textiles work that's beautiful, with proceeds going directly to the makers.
Day 8 | September 25
Begnas Lake & Royal Trek Countryside | Pokhara
A morning walk through the farmland and small villages, followed by a lakeside lunch of local Nepali cuisine. For those who want to dig deeper into the geography, culture, and climbing history of the Himalayas, the International Mountain Museum is an option in the afternoon.
Day 8 | September 25
Begnas Lake & Royal Trek Countryside | Pokhara
A morning walk through the farmland and small villages, followed by a lakeside lunch of local Nepali cuisine. For those who want to dig deeper into the geography, culture, and climbing history of the Himalayas, the International Mountain Museum is an option in the afternoon.
Day 9 | September 26
Pokhara to Kathmandu - Pashupatinath & Durbar Square
Back to Kathmandu, then a visit to two of the city's most significant sites. Pashupatinath Temple sits on the banks of the Bagmati River, one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world, with active cremation ghats where funeral pyres burn through the day.
From there, it's on to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal plaza, its pagodas and palaces built across centuries, still alive with street vendors, pigeons, and the energy of a city that's existed for a very long time.
Day 9 | September 26
Pokhara to Kathmandu - Pashupatinath & Durbar Square
Back to Kathmandu, then a visit to two of the city's most significant sites. Pashupatinath Temple sits on the banks of the Bagmati River, one of the holiest Hindu temples in the world, with active cremation ghats where funeral pyres burn through the day.
From there, it's on to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal plaza, its pagodas and palaces built across centuries, still alive with street vendors, pigeons, and the energy of a city that's existed for a very long time.
Day 10 | September 27
Boudhanath, Patan & Cooking | Kathmandu
An optional mountain flight over Everest departs at dawn, weather permitting, a 1-hour fixed-wing flight that gets you close enough to see the summit pyramid and the surrounding Himalayan giants. Back on the ground, the day continues at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, where monks circle clockwise, butter lamps burn, and prayer flags fill the air.
From there, it's on to the Patan Museum, considered one of the finest museums in Asia, with a collection of Newari religious art and metalwork that's genuinely extraordinary. In the evening, you'll join a community cooking experience with a local Kathmandu family.
Day 10 | September 27
Boudhanath, Patan & Cooking | Kathmandu
An optional mountain flight over Everest departs at dawn, weather permitting, a 1-hour fixed-wing flight that gets you close enough to see the summit pyramid and the surrounding Himalayan giants. Back on the ground, the day continues at Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, where monks circle clockwise, butter lamps burn, and prayer flags fill the air.
From there, it's on to the Patan Museum, considered one of the finest museums in Asia, with a collection of Newari religious art and metalwork that's genuinely extraordinary. In the evening, you'll join a community cooking experience with a local Kathmandu family.
Day 11 | September 28
Kathmandu to Paro - Entering Bhutan
The flight into Paro is one of the most dramatic landings in commercial aviation, with the aircraft weaving between Himalayan peaks before dropping into the narrow Paro Valley.
On landing, we start with a drive to Thimphu, the capital, for the afternoon. Followed by a town walk and time to acclimatize, we end with a free evening to enjoy Bhutan’s pace.
Day 11 | September 28
Kathmandu to Paro - Entering Bhutan
The flight into Paro is one of the most dramatic landings in commercial aviation, with the aircraft weaving between Himalayan peaks before dropping into the narrow Paro Valley.
On landing, we start with a drive to Thimphu, the capital, for the afternoon. Followed by a town walk and time to acclimatize, we end with a free evening to enjoy Bhutan’s pace.
Day 12 | September 29
Thimphu - The Capital of Gross National Happiness | Thimphu
Thimphu is the only national capital in the world without traffic lights!
The highlights in Thimphu include the Buddha Dordenma: a 51-metre bronze and gilt Buddha overlooking the valley. It is one of the largest in the world. This is followed by the King's Memorial Chorten, where elderly Bhutanese circumambulate in quiet daily devotion. Then it's on to Trashichho Dzong, the fortress-monastery that serves as both the seat of Bhutan's government and the summer residence of the Central Monastic Body, its architecture is immaculate and its interior is still very active.
Day 12 | September 29
Thimphu - The Capital of Gross National Happiness | Thimphu
Thimphu is the only national capital in the world without traffic lights!
The highlights in Thimphu include the Buddha Dordenma: a 51-metre bronze and gilt Buddha overlooking the valley. It is one of the largest in the world. This is followed by the King's Memorial Chorten, where elderly Bhutanese circumambulate in quiet daily devotion. Then it's on to Trashichho Dzong, the fortress-monastery that serves as both the seat of Bhutan's government and the summer residence of the Central Monastic Body, its architecture is immaculate and its interior is still very active.
Day 13 | September 30
Tiger's Nest Monastery | Paro
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) clings to a sheer cliff face, that is 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The hike to reach it takes 2–3 hours; it is upward, steady and steep in sections, with prayer flags becoming more numerous as you climb.
At the top a monastery was built in 1692, on the site where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three years. The views back down the valley are unlike anything you will see on this trip, or possibly any other.
Day 13 | September 30
Tiger's Nest Monastery | Paro
Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) clings to a sheer cliff face, that is 900 meters above the Paro Valley. The hike to reach it takes 2–3 hours; it is upward, steady and steep in sections, with prayer flags becoming more numerous as you climb.
At the top a monastery was built in 1692, on the site where Guru Rinpoche meditated for three years. The views back down the valley are unlike anything you will see on this trip, or possibly any other.
Day 14 | October 1
Paro to Kathmandu - Transfer & Rest | Fly
Fly back to Kathmandu. Most of the day is free to rest, absorb, shop and prepare for departure.
Day 14 | October 1
Paro to Kathmandu - Transfer & Rest | Fly
Fly back to Kathmandu. Most of the day is free to rest, absorb, shop and prepare for departure.
Day 15 | October 2
Departure from Kathmandu | Tour Ends
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure. There are no activities scheduled today.
Day 15 | October 2
Departure from Kathmandu | Tour Ends
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your international departure. There are no activities scheduled today.