24 Days Nepal Tibet Bhutan Best Highlights Tour

When you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our tour guide will meet you at the exit and then transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is for you to have a good rest or take in some local sights.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

After tasty breakfast in hotel, let’s enjoy the spiritual odyssey in a number of must-visit medieval heritage sites. As one of the iconic buildings of Nepal, Kathmandu’s Durbar Square would be our first stop. Durbar literally means palace, where the former kings ascend the throne and rule the country. You can stroll along the three main parts of Durbar Square and sit on the terraced platform to feel the vibe of Nepali city.

Then we will visit Kumari Temple, the house of the virgin goddess. Later, we’ll  head to the renowned “Monkey Temple” - Swayambhunath. With lovely monkeys jumping around on the gilded spire of the temple, you can see the iconic Buddha’s eye on the stupa. The pious religious worshippers doing kora around the stupa and burning butter lamps and smell of incense draw you back to the similar experience in Tibet.

Afternoon we are about to visit Patan City, 15 minutes’ drive from Kathmandu. In fact, Durbar Square is not exclusive to Kathmandu. Ancient temples literally is packed in Patan City. Patan Durbar Square, Golden Temple and Taleju Temple, etc. are some of the best places to take photos. You will learn more of the legends of Nepali deities and kings.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, we will first enjoy a half day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu Valley. You will visit the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temple in Nepal; Bodhanath, the largest stupa in Nepal; and the Bhaktapur's Dubar Square, which features the Victorian illustrations style with temples and temples complex.

After that, you will head to Nagarkot to enjoy a refreshing night stay in this charming resort.

Stay overnight in Nagarkot.

Getting up early, you’re likely to capture the amazing sunrise over the Himalayas. After breakfast, we will drive from Nagarkot to Chitwan. Chitwan is famous for its Chitwan National Park (CNP), the first national park in Nepal, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After arriving in Chitwan, you can either take a jungle safari or natural walks depending on the time of arrival. During the safari, you will go deep into the jungle to see one horned Rhino and many more endangered animals. If you are lucky enough, you will see the elusive royal Bengal tigers. If you do the natural walk, you will see a wide variety of flora and fauna and spend some time bird watching.

Stay overnight in Chitwan.

Today, we will enjoy a full-day sightseeing in Chitwan National Park. We will first ride on the elephant for a jungle safari through dense grasslands. Then we will visit the elephant stables and even enjoy bathing the elephants.

In the afternoon, you can drive through the jungles and then enjoy a canoe ride down the Rapti River. During canoeing, you may get a close look at the Gharial, Mugger crocodiles, fresh water dolphins, and some other water birds. Or, you can choose to take a natural walk with bird watching for the afternoon instead.

Stay overnight in Chitwan.

After breakfast, we will drive from Chitwan to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. As a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Lumbini is revered as the place of holy pilgrimage. Upon arrival, we will walk through the scared Lumbini Garden, the Buddha's birthplace, and visit the Maya Devi Temple, one of the important sites in the Lumbini Garden with many historians and archaeologists referring to it as the place of birth of Lord Buddha.

Stay overnight in Lumbini.

In the morning, we will head to the popular destination of Pokhara to enjoy a full day tour there. You will enjoy the boating on Phewa Lake. Nowhere else can better exemplify Pokhara’s beauty than the stunning image of Annapurna reflected in crystal-clear Phewa Lake.

Stay overnight in Pokhara.

Today, we will start a three-day trek to Australian Camp from Pokhara. Australian Camp Trek is one of the short popular trekking routes in Annapurna region. It provides a huge opportunity to explore the glorious Himalayan view, country villages and experience the cultural life of people living in the region. The elevation of the route does not reach over 2000 meter therefore it is not a strenuous trek.

You will first drive to Phedi, where you will start climbing up hill to Dhumpus (1770m). It is a large Gurung village. There are several tea houses and lodge accommodations in this village. Then one the second day, you will trek to Australian Camp via Pothana (1890m), and stay overnight in the Australian camp lodge. On the last day, you will trek to Sarankot (1592m) and descend to Pokhara. Sarankot is a popular viewpoint for tourist and local to see the surrounding view and the Himalaya.

Stay overnight at best available teahouses.

In the early morning, we’ll drive to Sarangkot, where you can enjoy the stunning sunrise over the majestic Himalayas if weather permits. After breakfast, we’ll tour around Pokhara City, the second most popular destination in Nepal, just next to Kathmandu. Strolling along the bank of Phewa Lake, you can see the imposing Fish Tail's Peak reflecting on the peaceful surface of the water with the Annapurna in the backdrop.

Then, we will continue to visit the Seti River Gorge, where you will have a chance to see the limestone cave of Mahendra Gufa, used to be well-known for its stalactites.

In the evening, you can walk around the Lakeside Market.

Stay overnight at Pokhara.

Today, we will drive back to Kathmandu from Pokhara. Upon arrival, your guide will take you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your own leisure.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

In the morning, you will take the flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. Upon your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport in Lhasa, our tour guide will hold a board with your name on it at the exit to welcome you. A private car will take you to the reserved hotel. You may view the Yarlung Tsangpo River/Bhamaputra River (the longest and largest river in Tibet) and Lhasa River on your way to Lhasa.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

On the next day in Lhasa, you’ll pay a visit to the famous Potala Palace, the world culture heritage. You can explore its audience halls, the jeweled and golden burial chortens (stupa tombs) of past Dalai Lamas, and tremendous number of Buddhist frescoes, thangkas, combinations of mandala, etc.

Then tourists will head to the holiest temple in Tibet, the Jokhang Temple, built during Srongtsen Gampo's reign by princess Wencheng of Tang dynasty, 647 A.D. Here you can observe sincere pilgrims making prostration in front of Jokhang Temple. While entering inside the temple, you can see the holiest statue of Buddha. Around the monastery is the famous Barkhor Street, where you can do the kora with pilgrims and locals. And then we’ll go to explore the old market and you may have chance to see the traditional jewelry trading between people from different parts of Tibet.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

Today, you will visit two important monasteries in Lhasa, the Drepung and the Sera. Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet, was founded by Jamyang Choje in 1416. Situated at the foot of Gebeiwoze Mountain, it was once home to more than 10000 monks. Here you can see the biggest monastery kitchen inside and then pay a visit to the Buddhist Sculpture Carving near Drepung.

After having lunch, you’ll continue to visit the Sera Monastery, which was founded in 1419 by Tsongkapa's disciple Jamchen Choje. The most interesting thing is to see monks debating in the courtyard at around 3-5 in the afternoon. Besides, you can also see the colorful Rock Painting of Buddha and the three sand Mandalas and then visit the Tibetan religious text printing house.

Stay overnight in Lhasa.

In the morning, we will drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via Gyantse. On the way, we’ll drive over the Gangbala Pass (4790 m) to view Yamdrok Lake and Mt. Naiqinkangsang. Besides, you can also appreciate Karola Glacier on the roadside. At Manak Dam Lake, tourists can hang prayer flags at Simila Mountain Pass.

Then we’ll go to the heritage town Gyantse and explore its old street, Pelkor Monastery and Kumbum Stupa. Here you can catch the far view of Gyantse Fortress.

Later, we’ll arrive at Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet. And tourists can visit traditional Barley Mill and view the landscape of Barley Field (in summer).

Stay Overnight in Shigatse.

In the morning, we will first visit the home of Panchan Lama - Tashilhunpo Monastery. It is largest monastery of the Gelug Sect in Rear Tibet, and the main stage where generations of Panchen Lamas carried out religious and political activities. After getting your Alien’s travel permit, we will leave Shigatse and then drive to Lhatse for lunch.

After that, we’ll drive over Tsola Pass (4600M), and Gyatsola Pass (5248M). At Gawula Pass (5180m), tourists can view the panorama of Himalaya. Then we’ll drive along the new zigzag road to Everest Base Camp and get closer to Mt. Everest peak. You are lucky enough to catch the sunset of golden Everest peak if time and weather permits at the lodging area.

Stay overnight at Rongbuk Guest House.

Do get up early in the morning to capture the incredible sunrise over the summit of Everest (as long as there is a good weather). Then, we will trek from the lodging area to visit Rongbuk Monastery - the world’s highest monastery in the world, where nuns and monks living separately in the same religious compound. While gazing at the lofty mountain, never miss the chance to pose for a nice shot at the foot of Mount Everest.

Next, we will head to Gyirong Border from EBC. On the way, you can enjoy the great vista of Mt. Shishapangma and the Pekutso Lake. Shortly after we pass the Ghungtang Lhamo (5236M), you’ll arrive in Gyirong in late afternoon.

Stay overnight in the guest house in Gyirong.

Our Tibetan guide will help you exit China and see you off at Gyirong Border. Then, you need to walk across the border bridge, which is 50m long. Then check in at Nepal side. You can get the Nepal visa upon arrival with 30USD, please prepare one photo at passport size to get Nepal Visa.

The next step, the Nepal tour guide will be expecting you on the other side of the Sino-Nepal border and greet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Though pretty bumpy and dusty, the road to Kathmandu (around 160km) is filled with deep gorges, rivers all through the way. The drive takes a whole day.

Stay overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, you will take the flight from Kathmandu, Nepal to Paro, Bhutan. On the way, you will have a chance to see the stunning peak view of the Himalayas from the plane, including two of the holy mountains in Bhutan: Mt. Jumolhari known as the “bridge of Kanchenjunga” and its companion mountain, Mt. Jichu Drake.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, our Bhutan tour guide and driver will pick you on time. Then we’ll pay a visit to Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of the oldest and holiest temples in Bhutan and houses the eight-year-old Buddha statue of Sakyamuni in the Lhakhang (temple) inner sanctum. There is an orange tree in the courtyard that bears fruits all the year round. Later, we’ll travel to Rinpung Dzong, housing administrative offices and the Monastic center of Paro. It sits at a very good location where you can get a beautiful view of Paro Valley.

Finally, we’ll go to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Today, we’ll tour around Thimphu City. First, we’ll visit Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten). In memory of the third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, it's a neat, clean three-story memorial, where you can see many locals turning the prayer wheel and chatting with the monks. Later, we’ll travel to National Library and Archives of Bhutan, National Folk Heritage Museum, Hand-made Paper Factory, and the School of Arts and Crafts, where you’ll gain a panoramic view of Bhutan history, handicraft making, and art.

Then, we’ll travel to Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), which combines the huge Buddhist monastery, a complex of government offices and the modest palace of the reigning king.

After roaming around the peaceful courtyard, we’ll head to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way, we’ll make a stop at scenic Dochu La Pass (3,100m), where you’ll be amazed by the colorful prayer flags and a huge collection of 108 chortens.

After lunch at Wangduephodrang (1,350m), we keep driving to Punakha.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Today, we’ll pay a visit to Punakha Dzong. Located at the confluence of the two rivers - the Mo Chu (mother river) and the Pho Chu (father river), it’s reputed as the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan. The scenery reaches its best when the thriving jacaranda trees are loaded with purple flowers in spring. And if time allows, you can also time your trip with Punakha festival around mid-Feb.

After that, we’ll head back to Paro and visit National Museum, where you can get an idea of Bhutan on all aspects in a nutshell, including Bhutan wild lives and local culture and arts, etc. Later, we’ll move to Drukgyel Dzong, a fortress and Buddhist monastery. It is listed as a tentative site in Bhutan's Tentative List for UNESCO inclusion. Here you can visit the majestic ruins with snow-clad mountains in the backdrop.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Today, you will trek from Paro Valley to Taktsang Monastery, which is commonly known as Tiger's Nest. Standing 3000 meters high on the cliff, it is one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan. It is said that the Guru Rinpoche once flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress.

The trekking to Taktsang is a challenging one and you can choose to reach there by walking or horseback. Starting with a gentle forest climb, you will pass a creek and some prayer wheels, as the trail gets steeper and steeper. On the way, there is a nice teahouse where you have a short rest and have a great view of the monastery. As you continue your trek, you will climb to the viewing point which is the best place to take photos of Taktsang. After that, the trail goes down until you make it to the entrance.

Then, you can choose to enjoy a stone bath or free exploration nearby.

Stay overnight in Paro.

The driver will pick you up and take you to the airport, then you can take your flight home or your next destination.