Power Places Of The Himalayas – 13 Days

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, our representative will warmly welcome you and escort you to your hotel in Thimphu, the vibrant capital city of Bhutan. Your journey begins with a picturesque drive along the winding road that follows the beautiful Paro River.

Experience the grandeur of Tashichho Dzong, also known as ‘The Fortress of the Dharma Raja.’ It has traditionally been the seat of the Druk Desi, the head of Bhutan’s civil government.

Note: Tashichho Dzong is open during weekdays after office hours (5pm onwards) and from 9am to 5pm on weekends.

On the second day, experience the heart of Bhutanese culture and tradition as you explore these remarkable sites in Thimphu. Visit the Memorial Chorten (Buddhist funeral monument) and enjoy panoramic city views from Changangkha Lhakhang Temple. Explore the Motithang Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s unique national animal.

Discover ancient texts at the National Library of Bhutan and witness traditional crafts at the School of Art and Handicraft, renowned for its Thangka paintings and mud statues. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Bhutan’s capital city.

After breakfast at the hotel drive to Punakha. En route visit Dochula Pass. Also visit Chimi Lakhang and Punakha Dzong in Punakha. Later drive back to Thimphu.

On the way to Punakha from Thimphu, the Dochula Pass offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range, especially on clear winter days.

Further, drive to Punakha.

Chimi Lhakhang flanked with hundreds of prayer flags sits on a round hillock near Punakha. Also visit the majestic Punakha Dzong, or ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’, the second largest dzong in Bhutan.

Drive back to Thimphu after the sightseeing.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast drive to Paro en route visit Simtokha Dzong. Later visit Paro Dzong in Paro.

According to a legend, Simtokha Dzong was constructed to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing the people in the region and guard the place. Hence, Simtokha translates as ‘Atop a Demon’.

Once you are in Paro, visit the Paro Dzong.

Paro Dzong, also known as Ringpung Dzong means ‘Fortress on a heap of jewels.’ This impressive dzong is the finest example of Bhutanese architecture and is one of the most popular and well known dzongs in Bhutan.

Transfer to the hotel after the sightseeing. Rest of the day will be at leisure.

Perched on the side of a vertical cliff at 3000 m altitude north of Paro, Taktsang Monastery creates an impressive sight, and is the unofficial symbol of Bhutan. Keeping the spirituality aside, the journey up to Taktsang Monastery is a Hiker’s delight. An hour hike up to a small wooden teahouse called Cafeteria provides close view of the monastery.  A further and a rather challenging hike leads you to the glorious Taktsang Monastery. Pony ride for kids can be arranged while hiking uphill till the Cafeteria. Please note that because of the steep trails, ponies are not available for downhill.

Later visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

Located close to the Paro Airport, the Kyichu Lhakhang is an important Himalayan Buddhist Temple. Built in the 7th century, this is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites.

Transfer back to the hotel after the sightseeing.

Transfer to airport and fly to Kathmandu. Our representative will receive and escort you to the hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure

This early morning, you have an option of taking the exhilarating helicopter ride to Everest or the scenic mountain flight.

After breakfast start your day with a visit to Kathmandu, the largest city of Nepal and the political as well as the cultural capital of the country.

Visit Swayambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO WORLD Heritage Site. This ancient stupa is the most sacred Buddhist shrine of Nepal. Later drive to Patan and visit its architectural interior.

Patan also known as Lalitpur is the city of artisans and a paradise of fine arts. It is home to Kathmandu Valley’s finest craftsmen who have preserved such ancient techniques and lost wax process used to produce exquisite sculptures.

Drive back to Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.

Today you will visit different sites in Kathmandu and around.

Visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the most imposing landmarks of Kathmandu which is a center of Tibetan Buddhism. The stupa is built on a massive three level mandala style platform and is 36 meters (118 feet) in height.

Next visit Pashupatinath Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set on the banks of the holy River Bagmati, it is dedicated to the Hindu God of destruction, Lord Shiva, and is one of the holiest Hindu shrines in Nepal. It is also a renowned Hindu cremation site.

Later transfer to the medieval city of Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon translates as the ‘City of Devotees’. You can also experience pottery in Bhaktapur.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the extraordinary Bhaktapur Durbar Square has monuments that reflect the glory days of the Malla Dynasty when art and architecture thrived in the three cities of the Kathmandu valley.

Transfer to your hotel after the sightseeing.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of day will be at leisure to acclimatize to the high altitude.

Lhasa, which means ‘the land of the gods’ is the heart and soul of Tibet. It is a city of wonders, the capital of the Tibet autonomous region of China.

After breakfast visit Drepung which is about 8km to the west of central Lhasa. Drepung is one of the “great three” Gelukpa university monasteries of Tibet.

Visit one of the orphanages in Lhasa. This is a unique opportunity to interact with the less fortunate children.

Later visit Sera Monastery: 5km North of Lhasa, the Sera Monastery’s setting is one of the prettiest in Lhasa, hugging the ridge that forms the Northern wall of the Kyi Chu Valley. Founded in 1419, Sera Monastery is one of the “great three” Gelukpa university monasteries in Tibet.

After breakfast at the hotel, set out to explore Lhasa.

Potala Palace, the chief residence of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century, has been the focus of travelers for centuries. The Potala Palace is one of Tibet’s most impressive and enduring monuments that were protected by the Chinese Army of Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution.

Norbulingka: Built 100 years after the Potala palace, Norbulingka means ‘Treasure Park’ in Tibetan and is situated in the western suburb of Lhasa City, on the bank of the Kyichu River, about one kilometer southwest of the Potala Palace. It is the biggest man-made garden in Tibet.

Jokhang meaning ‘House of the Lord’ in Tibetan is located at the center of old Lhasa and is the oldest and the most revered religious structure in Tibet. It was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal and thus features an intriguing mix of architectural styles.

Barkhor Street is the oldest street in Lhasa and runs through the center of the old city. It is a circular street where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble. The word Barkhor refers to the middle of the three concentric holy circuits around the Jokhang.

Transfer to the hotel after the sightseeing.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu. Upon your arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day will be free for leisure.

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey.