Nepal & Bhutan Journey

18 Days | Discover the colourful world of Nepal and captivating Bhutan

5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
Explorer
From
USD $5,990
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Journey into the heart of Nepal and experience the colourful sights of this enchanting region. Mingle with local villagers and craftspeople, visit temples and sacred Buddhist sites, travel the cobbled streets of tiny mountain towns and search for unique wildlife. From the whirlwind of Kathmandu to the lush jungle of Chitwan National Park, and with plenty of delightful hidden gems in between, you'll take an unforgettable tour of Nepal then turn your sights to Bhutan, known for its breathtaking natural scenery, quiet towns and few tourist numbers. This 18-day trip offers scenic delights, an insight into the local culture and plenty of adventure.

Trip overview

Map of Nepal & Bhutan Journey including Bhutan and Nepal
Start
Kathmandu, Nepal
Finish
Paro, Bhutan
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
Nepal, Bhutan
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
HNKBC
This trip generates 36.55 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Take a jeep safari with a local guide in Chitwan National Park – a beauty brimming with exotic wildlife – and you may be lucky enough to spot rhinos or elusive leopards and tigers.
  • Visit a Tibetan refugee camp and get to know the community before taking on a cooking demonstration to learn how to create traditional momos (steamed dumplings).
  • Hike to Taktsang, commonly known as the Tiger's Nest, the small monastery clinging to a rocky cliff 900 metres above the valley floor, and soak in its magnificence.
  • Discover the 15th-century fertility temple of Chimi Lhakhang, and visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, an ancient fortress and religious centre that sits at the confluence of two rivers.
  • Experience Bhutanese hospitality in the Paro Valley when you enjoy a homecooked meal at a rustic farmhouse and opt to take a soak in a traditional hot stone bath.
  • By travelling on this trip, you'll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Forget Me Not. Donations help them provide job training, work experience and employment opportunities for young people who've grown up in institutionalised Nepalese orphanages.

Is this trip right for you?
  • While on a map we aren't travelling particularly far, the reality of road travel in Nepal and Bhutan is that things always take longer than you expect. Some roads will be bumpy, dusty, or even unexpectedly blocked requiring reroutes and plenty of patience. We fly the farthest distances to make the most of our time together.
  • Bhutan is a high-altitude destination, so taking it easy for a day or two makes for a much more comfortable trip. Drinking tea and water and avoiding strenuous exercise will help you acclimatise after arriving.
  • The trek to Tiger's Nest is quite vigorous but well worth the climb. Please ensure you bring sturdy walking shoes and comfortable clothes. To make the most of this hike, it's best if you have at least a moderate level of fitness.
  • Hotels in some destinations may vary in standard and facilities, and on occasion, hot water may be limited. There will be times when the location of our accommodation will mean it is practical to eat at the hotel restaurant rather than heading out for meals.
  • You will see tour operators offering elephant riding activities and many tourists taking part in them during your time in Chitwan. Intrepid Travel has a strong elephant welfare policy and as such we discourage travellers from riding elephants in Nepal or anywhere around the world. Please refer to the ‘Responsible Travel’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 April 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 March 2024

Map of Nepal & Bhutan Journey including Bhutan and Nepal

Inclusions

Meals

17 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, Plane

Accommodation

Hotel (12 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Activities
  • Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple
  • Kathmandu - Boudhanath Stupa
  • Kathmandu - Durbar Square
  • Kathmandu - Swayambhunath Temple
  • Pokhara - Phewa Tal Lake boat trip
  • Pokhara - Peace Pagoda
  • Pokhara - Tibetan community visit with momo lunch
  • Pokhara - International Mountain Museum
  • Pokhara - Sunrise from Sarangkot Hill
  • Bandipur Day Trip
  • Village Tour, Sunset view & Tipical Tharu Stick Dance(Cultural Show Around 30 Minute)
  • Canoe Ride & Jeep Safari at The Chitwan National Park
  • Chitwan NP - Bird watching tour
  • Bhaktapur - Leader-led walking tour
  • Thimphu - Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Centre
  • Thimphu - Nado Poizokhang Incense Factory
  • Thimphu - National Memorial Chorten
  • Thimphu - Village walk to Cheri Dorji Dhen
  • Thimphu - National Textile Museum
  • Thimphu - Buddha Dordenma
  • Thimpu - Simply Bhutan Heritage Museum
  • Punakha Valley - Chimi Lhakhang
  • Punakha - Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike
  • Punakha - Punakha Dzong view & photo stop
  • Punakha - Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery
  • Paro - Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery hike
  • Paro - Home-cooked dinner
  • Paro - Farmhouse hot stone bath
  • Complimentary Airport Departure Transfer
Add on activities
  • Kathmandu - Everest scenic flight from - USD215

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. Complimentary airport arrival and departure transfers are included. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 5,6,9 (Guesthouse) and Days 7,8 (Lodge) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Entry to Bhutan is very strict and travellers can only enter Bhutan on a group visa as part of a tour. All travellers must arrive on Day 12 and depart on Day 18 to be eligible for a group visa. At time of booking, please provide your booking agent with a scanned colour copy of your passport, a scanned colour passport photo, proof of travel insurance that includes your name on the certificate.
4. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport). Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 60 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
5. Bhutan's airlines are renowned for last minute changes to flight timetables into and out of Bhutan. Please allow a minimum of 24 hours transit time before and after your flights into and out of Bhutan. Timetables are available on the Druk Airlines and Air Bhutan websites.
6. This trip includes international flights as indicated on the trip map. This flight has a luggage allowance of 20kg for check in luggage and 5kg for carry on.
7. The Sustainable Development Fee, charged by the government of Bhutan, is included in your trip price. It only applies to the days you will spend in Bhutan.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 2 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Margaret · Traveled October 2023
This trip was fabulous, we did so many different things! It encompassed ancient cities; rare wildlife; fabulous scenery and insights into ancient customs and traditions. The tour leaders Rita and Sangay were fantastic. The driving was calm and safe, everything was punctual. Great standard of hotels. Nepal had amazing old city squares and traditions, and Bhutan seemed like an unspoilt jewel, with kind and caring people. Highly recommend.
Review submitted 25 Oct 2023

Maria Del Rocio · Traveled September 2023
Bhutan has to be one of my best trips ever. I discovered a little known country, a country with a very different culture, full of spirituality and kindness. The Tiger's Nest monastery in Paro was the cherry on the cake. The hike is not easy, but so worth of every step.
Review submitted 07 Oct 2023
Nepal & Bhutan Journey
From
USD $5,990