Example Itinerary

Nepal and Bhutan Mountaintop Explorer

Duration
19 days / 18 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Sports, Amazing Landscapes
Destinations
Nepal, Bhutan

Experience beautiful landscapes unrivaled the world over when you begin your Nepal and Bhutan Mountaintop Explorer adventure. This 19-day itinerary begins by taking you through Kathmandu, Chitwan, Pokhara, and the Kathmandu Valley in mystical Nepal. The second-half of your adventure travels through Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey and Paro in undiscovered Bhutan. Get ready to raft, hike, bike, learn about rare cultures, spot exotic wildlife and more!

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Rhinos, Tigers, and Deer: Chitwan National Park deserves its reputation as one of the best wildlife safaris in Asia, where visitors can go trekking for tigers and spot rhinos from a 4WD.
  • Pokhara: Enjoy sunrise over the Annapurna Himalayas as you visit Pokhara, where you can relax and take horseback treks, or, for the more adventurous, paraglide, zipline, or go whitewater rafting.
  • Tiger’s Nest Monastery: No trip to the Land of the Thunder Dragon is complete without a visit to Paro Taktsang, a 17th-century marvel and one of the most photogenic sights in all of Bhutan.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Kathmandu

Arrive in Nepal - a country home to eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains. Kathmandu is the first stop on your journey. Kathmandu is Nepal’s ancient capital, and sits at the base of four of the country’s major mountains. Check into the comfortable, historically-preserved Newari-style Dwarika’s Hotel.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu, one of Kathmandu, Nepal’s most stunning pieces of architecture, sits within walking distance of the famous Pashupatinath temple, while also being just a short drive away from the airport.

History: The hotel hosts an impressive array of artifacts dating back as far back as the 13th century. The area itself is also teeming with ancient culture, with an impressive history that spans two millennia.

Service: Guests will love the warmth of traditional Nepalese hospitality for which this hotel is widely-praised.

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Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu Preferred Hotel

Day 2

Kathmandu

Enjoy a complete tour of Kathmandu. Wander along the narrow streets of the Old Quarter and shop the colorful, tiny stalls selling local crafts and goods. Visit Monkey Temple - a temple named after the large wild population of monkeys that inhabit the temple. Other highlights include a stroll through Durbar square, sharing tea with the locals. You even have the option to tour Everest by helicopter. Return to the Dwarika to relax that evening.

Kathmandu
Kathmandu

Day 3

Chitwan National Park

Travel to the beautiful, natural Chitwan National Park, an area dense with rivers, trees and different animal species. Spend the day walking alongside an elephant friend at a safari, or walking along the river to spot one of the 700 different species. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Set on the banks of the Rapti River, the Taj Meghauli Serai offers beautiful, dramatic landscapes and some of the best wildlife-viewing opportunities in the world, making it a highly sought-after destination.

Service: Taj Safaris is renowned for offering their guests unique wildlife experiences coupled with outstanding personalized service, creating the feeling of living in nature’s lap.

History: Established back in 1973, Chitwan National Park was Nepal’s first national park and - thanks to its rich array of flora and fauna and the opportunity to see rare animals - it was granted the status of World Heritage Site 11 years later.

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Taj Meghauli Serai Preferred Hotel

Day 4

Chitwan National Park

Spend the day exploring the park. The Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center is the perfect place to get to know the Tharu people’s history, culture and customs. There’s plenty of scenic hiking with hundreds of species to be seen throughout the area. Relax back at your lodge after an active day.

Day 5

Pokhara

Journey to the second-largest city in Nepal - Pokhara. Pokhara sits 24,246 feet above sea-level in a lush green valley with snowcapped mountains looming in the distance. Spend the afternoon exploring the area. Check into your lodge and enjoy stunning views as you sleep in the utmost comfort.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Located on top of a majestic mountain in one of Nepal’s most stunning regions, with the Himalayas as a backdrop, this area offers views of a lifetime in a setting that is the stuff of dreams.

History: The area was only accessible by foot until the first road was built in 1968 when a highway was constructed, tourism grew rapidly shortly after the opening. The region is homed to three out of ten of the worlds tallest mountains meaning its is a haven for mountain trekkers and adventures alike.

Service: If guests are looking for a little bit of an extra special touch perhaps they will look to some dining within the comforts of their lodge, as you wait on server brings the finest nepalese dishes to your veranda simply relax and take in the natural beauty of Nepal.

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Tiger Mountain Lodge Preferred Hotel
Pokhara
Pokhara

Day 6

Pokhara

For the adventurous travelers, you have the option to rise with the sun and embark on a sunrise paragliding excursion. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the area’s activities. The Annapurna Circuit is famous for its 21-23 day walk, but offers incredible shorter hikes easily conquered in a few hours. There are also horse-trekking options available. Cycling among the area’s small villages is a fantastic way to get exercise as well as tour the area. Return to your lodge to relax this evening.

Day 7

Pokhara

Rise to the gorgeous view of the lake and breakfast at your hotel. Today you have the option to take an ultra-light aircraft flight for a one hour or 30-minute aerial tour of the gorgeous town and the surrounding farms. You can also opt for a zipline tour, river-rafting or a caving adventure through the Gupteswar Mahadev Cave. 

Day 8

Kathmandu Valley

Travel to Kathmandu Valley - a valley filled with elegant temples, historical towns and magnificent royal palaces. The area has been inhabited since 300 B.C. The Kathmandu Valley is famous for its adventurous excursions and activities. Check into the Dwarika’s Hotel before you begin exploring the area.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Perched at an impressive 5,000 feet above sea level, it is a feat to reach this resort, though such remoteness guarantees an intimate experience and breathtaking views.

Zen: From a spa to morning classes to a meditation maze, this resort provides no shortage of opportunities to find physical and mental relaxation.

Activities: Never mind the natural beauty and fresh meals, with meditation sessions, arts and craft classes, and a library there are plenty of ways to fill one’s day.

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Dwarika's Resort, Dhulikhel Preferred Hotel
Kathmandu Valley
Kathmandu Valley

Day 9

Kathmandu Valley

You have the entire day to fully enjoy what the area has to offer. Take a half-day or a full day mountain bike ride to visit the different temples and towns in the valley. Tour the incredible ancient city of Patan and see Newari architecture. Go hiking in Phulchoki and see an immense collection of flora and fauna. Shivapuri National Park is a wonderful place to hike or birdwatch.

Day 10

Kathmandu

Return to Kathmandu for your final night in Nepal. You have the option of attending a farewell Nepali dinner serving up hot, delicious Nepalese cuisine while chatting with your fellow travelers or finding another dining option in the area. Check in to the Dwarika’s in Kathmandu this evening.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu, one of Kathmandu, Nepal’s most stunning pieces of architecture, sits within walking distance of the famous Pashupatinath temple, while also being just a short drive away from the airport.

History: The hotel hosts an impressive array of artifacts dating back as far back as the 13th century. The area itself is also teeming with ancient culture, with an impressive history that spans two millennia.

Service: Guests will love the warmth of traditional Nepalese hospitality for which this hotel is widely-praised.

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Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu Preferred Hotel

Day 11

Thimphu

Depart stunning Nepal and fly to Paro in the Bhutanese Himalayas. After arriving in Paro, transfer directly to Thimphu. Thimphu has been Bhutan’s capital since 1961. Check in to the charming Amankora Thimphu. The hotel sits on a hillside and is reminiscent of ancient Bhutanese temples.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Tranquility: The resort has a relaxed pace of life, residing in a pine forest in the upper Thimphu Valley away from the lively Bhutanese capital.

Location: The resort is an ideal retreat from the capital city of Thimphu, yet within easy reach to the city’s main attractions.

Library: In the evenings guests may get cozy with a hot drink or glass of wine in the on-site library which boasts a collection of literature on Bhutanese culture and art.

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Amankora Thimphu Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Secluded between apple orchards and young pine forest, Six Senses Thimphu is a "Palace in the Sky," perched 2,650 meters up in the hillside. From here, you can peer down at Thimphu Valley and across to the giant Buddha, but you're still close to all of the capital's main attractions.

Sustainability: Fitting with the other Six Senses' Bhutan properties and Bhutan's reputation as the world's only carbon-negative country, Six Senses Thimphu aims to have a low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community.

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Six Senses Thimphu Preferred Hotel
Thimphu
Thimphu

Day 12

Thimphu

Spend another full day exploring the incredible area of Thimphu. Great spots to visit include the Motithang Takin Preserve to see the national animal, the Cheri Monastery, the National Textile Museum, the National Institute for the Thirteen Arts and more. You may even have the rare opportunity to enjoy dinner with a member of the parliament.

Day 13

Punakha

Travel from Thimphu to Punakha. Punakha sits at a relatively low altitude and grows the country’s rice crops, mangoes and bananas. It’s often referred to as the “breadbasket” of Bhutan. Check in to the cozy Amankora Punakha, located across a suspension bridge along the Mo Chu River.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Exclusivity: The hotel has just eight suites making the hotel intimate, welcoming and private.

History: The hotel is housed in a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse built as a home by the Royal Bhutanese Queen to oversee the local farmland.

Spa: The resort's indulgent spa looks over rice fields and comprises a meditation room, private treatment rooms and a steam room and changing area.

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Amankora Punakha Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Set at a lower altitude and with warmer temperatures, Phunakha is a favorite winter destination for local Bhutanese. Blending seamlessly into emerald steps of crop fields, this lodge is a "flying farmhouse" providing a rustic, yet luxurious, stay.

Sustainability: All of Six Senses' Bhutan properties are focused on low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community; echoing the values of Bhutan, which is the world's only carbon-negative country.

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Six Senses Punakha Preferred Hotel

Day 14

Punakha

Spend the day exploring your beautiful surroundings. Visit the Punakha Dzong, considered to be the most beautiful dzong in the country. See a temple dedicated to the “Divine Madman” who is said to have tamed a female demon with his “thunderbolt,” at the Chimi Lhakhang. You also have the opportunity to go whitewater rafting, if you’re feeling brave.

Punakha
Punakha

Day 15

Gangtey

Travel from fertile Punakha to peaceful Gangtey. The monastery town is tucked into a glacial valley and overlooks potato fields and alpine meadows. This is one of the few places you will have the opportunity to see a rare, black-necked crane in the wild. Check in to the Amankora Gangtey, nestled in the remote Phobjikha Valley.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The hotel is situated in one of Bhutan’s most significant nature reserves, famous for endangered Black Neck Cranes.

Activities: Nature lovers will enjoy the treks and walks on the hotel’s doorstep through forests, mountains, the rural settlement of Gangtey and traditional farmlands.

Views: From the cozy suites decorated with wooden paneling and Bhutanese paintings, guests may look out onto the stunning glacial valley.

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Amankora Gangtey Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

A Birdwatcher’s Natural Paradise: The lodge’s strategic position showcases the Phobjikha Valley in all its beauty. This quaint, charming area in central Bhutan is the winter residence of the spiritual black-necked cranes that arrive from Tibet each October. Be front-and-center for their arrival, and wander the countryside on foot or with a guide to learn more about this unique natural sanctuary.

Bhutanese Hospitality and Happiness: The community- and sustainability-oriented Six Senses had a good reason to open, not just one, but five luxury accommodations in Bhutan; a nation guided by the principles of Gross National Happiness. Y

Wellness at its Best: Swedana treatments, a pyramid meditation room and breathtaking 180-degree views of the Phobjikha Valley combine with the pioneering wellness approach woven into the fabric of every Six Senses property.

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Six Senses Gangtey Preferred Hotel

Day 16

Gangtey

Begin the day with a leisurely walk through the quaint village of Gangtey and visit the town’s focal point - the Gangtey Monastery, home to around 100 monks. Take a half-day hike to the top of the 10,500-foot-high Lalawa Pass. In the evening, refuel as you learn how to cook your own authentic, not to mention delicious, Bhutanese dishes.

Day 17

Paro

Leave Gangtey and travel to the humble, hilly little village of Paro. This is a hiker’s dream with paths for all levels. Check in to the Amankora Paro and delight in marvelous views of the Paro Valley and surrounding snowcapped mountains.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Spa: The Aman spa contains private saunas, steam rooms, a yoga studio and private treatment rooms with showers and outdoor stone baths.

Accommodation: The hotel has just 24 select suites featuring traditional Bhutanese wood-burning stoves and generous terrazzo-clad baths.

Location: The resort overlooks a 17th century Drukyel Dzong and snow-capped Mt. Jumolhari.

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Amankora Paro Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: Forest-covered mountains, tiny villages and terraced crop fields, valley rivers and rich history. One of the most scenic locations in Bhutan, Six Senses Paro is perched at an altitude of 2,250 meters, putting the spotlight on its epic views.

Sustainability: Six Senses Paro is committed to low impact on the environment and wildlife, and a positive impact on the local community - befitting Bhutan, the world's only carbon-negative country.

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Six Senses Paro Preferred Hotel
Paro
Paro

Day 18

Paro

For an extensive tour of Bhutan’s artwork throughout the ages, take a stroll through the National Museum of Bhutan. Next, pay the Paro Dzong or “The Fortress of the Heap of Jewels,” a visit. Breathe in the fresh mountain air and take a half-day round trip trek up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The temple waiting for you at the top has a mystical atmosphere. You may even have the chance to take part in a Himalayan Singing Bowl Meditation. Relax at the Amankora Paro Hotel on your last night of holiday this evening.

Day 19

Departure

If you have time after breakfast this morning, take one last gander through the village or take an archery lesson, the national sport of Bhutan. Pack up your belongings and transfer to the airport for your departure flight. Enjoy one last aerial view of the stunning Himalayas as Bhutan disappears below you.

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