12-day travel to last Shangri La Bhutan, Nepal from China Tibet

Tour Route: Kathmandu-Lhasa-Kathmandu-Pakhara-Kathmandu Bhutan-Paro
-Thimpu-Punakha-Thimpu-Paro
Tour Code: TNT003

Summary Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 02: Kathmandu
Day 03: Kathmandu
Day 04: Kathmandu / Lhasa
Day 05: Lhasa
Day 06: Lhasa
Day 07: Lhasa / Kathmandu
Day 08: Kathmandu
Day 09:  Kathmandu - Paro – Thimpu
Day 10: Sightseeing in Thimpu and evening transfer to Paro.
Day 11: Hike to Taksang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) and afternoon sightseeing in Paro.
Day 12: Departure.

Deatailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu, you are welcomed by the hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to your hotel. O/N at Hotel

Day 02: Kathmandu
It's an experience not to be missed - wake up in the early morning to witness the beautiful sunrise outlook from the hotel before breakfast serving. The next, we head for Kathmandu and keep half day valley sightseeing’s with Kathmandu Durbar Square, the place of the Malla and then the Shah Kings of Nepal, visiting Kumari Temple, house of the virgin goddess, visiting Swoyambhunath, a stupa on the top of hill - from here you can overlook the scenery of Kathmandu Valley and another half day visit Patan City. O/N at Hotel. (B/D)

Day 03: Kathmandu
After breakfast, start the trip to visit Kathmandu Valley with its various important religious centers; Pashupatinath (Hindu Temple), nearby along the banks of the Bagmati River, where is the cremation area for the dead, Boudhanath is possibly the largest stupa in the world and the center for Tibetan school of Buddhism. Followed by driving onto Bhaktapur, the medical city of devotes and the best preserved of all the ancients cities of Kathmandu Valley. O/N at Hotel.

Day 04: Kathmandu / Lhasa
Fly to Gongar airport and Drive to Lhsasa through the Yerlung Tsangpo and The Lhasa Kyichu River. O/N at Hotel.

Day 05: Lhasa
Morning visit Potala palace, the seat of both religion and politics in Tibet. It was built in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and later renovated by the 5th Dalailama in the 17th century. Afternoon visit Sera monastery 5 kilometer north of Lhasa city, It was built in 1419 by Jamchen Choeji, a disciple of Tsongkhapa,the founder of the Gelugpa sect. Sera is one of the three major monasteries of yellow sect in Tibet. O/N at Hotel.

Day 06: Lhasa
Morning visit Drepung monastery, which is the largest Monastery of the Gelugpa sect in Lhasa, which was built in 1416 by Jamyang chojie a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Afternoon visit Jokhang Tempale and Barkhor market, this is the holiest shrine in Tibet and houses of golden statue of the Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought to Tibet by the Chinese princess Wenchen. O/N at Hotel.

Day 07: Lhasa / Kathmandu
Transfer to the airport from Lhasa city and fly back to Kathmandu. O/N at Hotel.

Day 08: Kathmandu
AM: Visit Bungamati and Khokana Village.  PM: Free. O/N Hotel

Day 09:  Kathmandu - Paro – Thimpu
Early morning sunrise view over the Himalayas, After breakfast drive to Kathmandu Airport.
Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. In Paro you will be received by your Bhutanese guide and transferred to the capital town of Thimphu (2 hrs. drive). O/N at Hotel.

Day 10: Sightseeing in Thimpu and evening transfer to Paro.
Explore the fascinatingly colorful town of Thimphu . You will visit the Arts and Crafts school, Traditional Medicine Institute, King Jigme Doreje Memorial Chorten, traditional paper factory, Botanical Garden where you can watch yak and the National animal of Bhutan-Takin. In the afternoon, you will explore downtown Thimphu on foot and will visit Handicrafts Emporium. Evening transfer to Paro for over night stay.

Day 11: Hike to Taksang (Tiger's Nest Monastery) and afternoon sightseeing in Paro.
Early morning, drive back to Paro. Hike to Taktsang (Tinger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery that makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch you can visit traditional farmhouse, Paro Rinpong Dzong etc. O/N at Hotel.

Day 12: Departure.
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport to connect flight back to Kathmandu or  Bangkok or Delhi.