Bhutan, Nepal & Tibet Panorama

Fly to Paro (2200m / 7200ft) – Drive to Thimpu (2320m / 7600ft), (55 kms / 1 hour drive): Upon arrival at the International Airport in Paro, you will be greeted by Happy Feet representative or your guide and transferred to your hotel. Then drive to Thimphu, the world’s smallest capital city, to settle into your hotel. Relax, enjoy lunch and afterward explore the city. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, a monument to world peace and prosperity. The finely executed wall paintings and delicately constructed statues within the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Then visit the Tashichhodzong - the ‘Fortress of the Glorious Religion’ and home to Bhutan’s royal government.

Overnight: At Hotel in Thimpu
Meal: Dinner

Sightseeing in Thimpu: Visit Buddha Park on a hilltop to see the biggest statue of Buddha in the world. The view of Thimpu valley from the park is just amazing. Then visit the Textile museum, Painting school, Folk Heritage Museum and National Library which give you an insight of Bhutanese culture, tradition and arts.
Overnight: At Hotel in Thimpu
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Drive to Paro (2200m / 7200ft), (55 kms / 1 hours’ drive): After leisurely breakfast, drive to Paro over the same route, stop at 15 century Iron Bridge on the way. Upon arrival in Paro, visit Kyichu Lhakhang - an important Himalayan Buddhist temple dating back to the 7th century. Then visit the National Museum of Bhutan which displays the Bhutanese way of life, art, artifacts and natural history. Followed by Rinpung Dzong, a fortress-monastery overlooking the Paro valley has a long history. Built in 1644 by Ngawang Namgyal, the fortress-monastery served as an effective defense against numerous invasion attempts by the Tibetans. If time permits, visit the
Farmhouse and walk down to Downtown Paro.

Overnight: At Hotel in Paro
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

In Paro: Rise early to make the hike to the magnificent Tiger’s Nest Monastery (3120m / 10240 ft). The hike is about two miles and takes about 3 hours to reach the picturesque Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang) Monastery that clings to a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Tiger’s Nest is a sacred pilgrimage site, where the great
tantric mystic Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) is believed to have flown on the back of the tiger to bring the teachings of the Buddhist to Bhutan.

Overnight: At Hotel in Paro
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Fly to Kathmandu (1350m / 4430ft): Pick up at airport, transfer to Hotel: You will be picked up at the airport in Kathmandu by our staff and take you to your hotel. Later, you will be briefed about your program.

Overnight: At Hotel in Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast & dinner

Guided sightseeing in Kathmandu: The rich tapestry of the cultural heritage of Nepal is synthesized in Kathmandu Valley, representing elegant architecture, refined
culture, colorful bazaars and simple hospitable people. Visit the Soyambhunath stupa on a hillock overlooking Kathmandu valley. Well known as ‘Monkey Temple’ the golden spire crowning, Soyambhunath is the most ancient and mystical of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Then visit Patan - the first city of Nepal. The ancient name of Patan is Lalitpur, meaning city of beauty. The city is believed to be the first settlement in the Valley and famous for its amazing collection of fantastically carved temples and palace courtyards. Walk around the local market of Kathmandu in the late afternoon or just relax at the hotel.

Overnight: At Hotel in Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast

Fly to Chitwan National Park (150m / 490ft): A short and scenic flight will take you to Bharatpur – the flat fertile land in southern Nepal close to the Indian border. Then, drive for 1 hour to the jungle resort at the border of the Chitwan National Park. You will stay two nights at Chitwan village at the border of Chitwan National Park. This two days Chitwan package provides different jungle activities such as jungle safari, boat ride, jungle walk, bird watching, tribal dance program, visiting tribal Tharu village etc. The activities will be in a small group. Chitwan National Park is the first national park of Nepal established in 1973 to preserve a unique ecosystem significantly valuable to the whole world. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the last populations of one-horned Asiatic rhinoceros and home of the Bengal tiger.

Note: During monsoon and post monsoon (mid-June / July to mid Oct) Jeep safaris are not permitted to conduct by park authority due to slippery and muddy roads. Usually
the monsoon ends from mid-September and Jeep Safari opens from the beginning of October, but depends upon the road condition. Alternate activities are provided during this period.

Overnight: At Jungle Resort
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

In Chitwan: Jungle activities.

Overnight: At Jungle Resort
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Drive to Kathmandu: A scenic 5 hours’ drive passing through several small towns and farm lands will bring you back to Kathmandu. The entire drive is stunningly beautiful and allows stopping at different places for taking pictures, drinking and using the bathroom at highway restaurants.

Overnight: At Hotel in Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast

Fly to Lhasa Gonggar Airport (3570m / 11700ft) / drive to drive to Lhasa (3655m /12000ft) / 1 hour drive: The adventure starts with an eye-opening flight to Lhasa flying over Himalayas. You will be picked up by your Tibetan guide at Gonggar Airport. After immigration formalities, you will be driven to Lhasa, which takes around 1hour. After checking in at your hotel, you are advised to take rest and avoid exertion for acclimatization.

Overnight: At Hotel in Lhasa
Meal: Breakfast & dinner

Sightseeing in Lhasa: After breakfast, your guide will take you on a tour to Drepung Monastery, Norbulingka and Jokhang temple. At the famous Drepung Monastery, you will get an insight into the important aspects of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the biggest monastic university of Lhasa, housing 7,700 monks in its heyday. Then you will visit Norbulingka, the summer retreat of the Dalai Lama. Jokhang temple provides yet another glimpse of the rich Tibetan cultural heritage. It is the holiest shrine of Tibet situated in the heart of Lhasa.

Overnight: At Hotel in Lhasa
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Sightseeing in Lhasa: You will be escorted by your guide to the majestic Potala Palace. The imposing structure of the palace dominates the landscape of Lhasa. As you are guided through the ancient chambers of the palace, you get to see Tibetan art at its best. The Potala Palace has a vast array of intricate Tibetan murals and beautiful statues. You will also get to view the tombs of the eight Dalai Lamas. Later in the day you will visit the beautiful Sera Monastery where you can observe monks debating and performing religious discourses. After the tour, you are escorted back to your hotel.

Overnight: At Hotel in Lhasa
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Note: Since only a limited number of visitors are allowed inside the Potala palace every day, the order of sightseeing places will be decided upon by your guide.

Drive to Shigatse (3900m / 12800ft): Today you will drive on scenic Sino-Nepal Friendship Highway via beautiful Yamdrok-tso Lake and historic town Gyantse. Stop to savor majestic views of Yamdrok-tso Lake and visit the large gold-domed stupa of Kumbum that houses several chapels and Tibetan Buddhist murals. Then drive to Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet.

Overnight: At Hotel in Shigatse
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Drive to Lhasa: In the morning, visit Tashilumpu Monastery - the traditional monastic seat of the Panchen Lama, and a historically and culturally important monastery in Shigatse. Then drive to Lhasa along the legendary Yarlung Tsangpo River. After check-in at the hotel in Lhasa, you will have free time for wandering the town on your own.

Overnight: At Hotel in Lhasa
Meal: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Fly to Kathmandu: After early breakfast, you will be transferred to Gongar Airport for Kathmandu flight. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be picked up at the airport and transferred to hotel. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Boudhanath, possibly the world’s largest Buddhist stupa and a site of great veneration and Tibetan culture. Visit Tibetan monastery and painting school.

Overnight: At Hotel in Kathmandu
Meal: Breakfast

Depart from Kathmandu: Transfer to airport.

Meal: Breakfast