Flight: QR646 Doha - Kathmandu 08.35 - 15.55

Private transfer: Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be welcomed to Nepal by your local guide and transferred to the Hotel Tibet in a chauffeur driven car for a two-night stay.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Tibet (Deluxe Room)

Guided tour of Kathmandu: After breakfast you will set out to explore this famous city which is situated at 1336m above sea level and covers an area of 218 square miles. Start your tour with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple, located on the western banks of the Bagmati River on the city’s northeastern side. This temple is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage centres in the world and a sacred place for cremations. Afterwards visit the Boudhanath Stupa which claims to be the largest stupa in the world. Round off the morning with an introduction to Nepalese cuisine at the Kaiser Café at lunchtime (payable locally). In the afternoon head towards Swayambhunath one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Nepal and which is associated with the birth of the Kathmandu Valley civilization. Later you will see Kathmandhu Durbar Square which was built in the 17th Century and which serves as the main square of ancient Kathmandu with Hanuman Dhoka Palace, and numerous other temples dedicated to various Hindu gods and goddesses that surround the palace.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Tibet (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer: After breakfast, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Kathmandu Airport for your Druk Air Flight to Paro International Airport.

Flight: KB205 Kathmandu - Paro 09.10 - 10.25

Private transfer to Thimphu with sightseeing: Paro is situated in a beautiful valley at a height of 2,280 metres and is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide and driver will meet you and take you on a short one hour drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys to Thimphu which is Bhutan’s capital. On the way you can make a stop to take in the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. On arrival in Thimphu you will check into your hotel and lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Guided tour of Thimphu: This afternoon, there will be time to walk around the town and soak up the atmosphere of this magical capital with its busy shops and bazaars and photogenic citizens in national dress. Afterwards return to your hotel for dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Pedling (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided sightseeing in and around Thimphu: This morning visit the weekly market, the revered Memorial Chorten, the National Library and the School of Traditional Arts. You may also like to visit the newly opened postal museum, detailing the history of Bhutan’s postal system and showcasing Bhutan’s rich assortment of interesting stamps. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you will visit Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, dating from 1629 AD) just outside the town and afterwards Tashicho (Trashi Chhoe) Dzong, built in 1641, which housed the original National Assembly and is now home to Government offices, the throne room & offices of the King. This afternoon is also a good time to visit the local handicraft shops and purchase some souvenirs. Please let your guide if there is anything in particular that takes your interest.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Pedling (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private road journey to Punakha with sightseeing: In the morning, drive approximately 3 hours to the old capital of Punakha, via Dochu La pass at 3,050 metres, where you will stop for a hot drink to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges. At this altitude you will notice a change of climate and vegetation as you approach the lower lying Punakha which sits at 1,250 metres above sea level. On arrival in Punakha you will check into your hotel and lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

Afternoon at leisure: This afternoon you have some time to explore locally.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Meri Puensum Resort (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Punakha: This morning visit the imposing Punakha Dzong also known as “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers: the Po Chu and the Mo Chu. You may be interested to view an exhibition of traditional Bhutanese cantilever bridges (known as bazams) in the tower of the Puna Mo Chu Bazam. Lunch will be taken in a local restaurant. Afterwards take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across terraced fields to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley). Afterwards you can visit a local farmhouse for tea, allowing you to experience traditional Bhutanese village life, and then return to your hotel in time for dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Meri Puensum Resort (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning hike in Punakha: In the morning, hike an hour or so up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, which sits high on the hill across the other side of the valley. Here you will get some good views of Punakha and the surrounding countryside. After the walk you will have an early lunch.

Private road journey to Paro: After the sightseeing, you will set off on the 4 hour drive to Paro which will take you over the Dochu La Pass again and if the weather was not clear on the way out, hopefully you will get to see the amazing views on the way back. After checking into your hotel there will be time for a quick orientation tour around this small town.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Olathang (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Guided tour of Paro and surrounds: This morning you will visit the impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. You can also visit the National Museum which is housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower) built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro Valley during times of war, in an unusual circular construction resembling a conch shell. Unfortunately an earthquake in September 2011 damaged the Ta Dzong and the contents of the museum were moved to a neighbouring building for some time. However they are back in place now and you can see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artefacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon you can visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong (fortress of victory), constructed to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644 and destroyed by a butter lamp fire in 1951. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan. After the sightseeing return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Olathang (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Morning’s climb to Tiger’s Nest Monastery: This morning you will hike up to the ‘Tiger's Nest’, the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock face 900 metres above the valley floor and is one of the most famous images of Bhutan. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here for three months. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. The walk up will take around 2 hours and you can go at your own pace. Alternatively you can hire the services of a horse to take you most of the way up. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery before descending to meet up with your driver.

Optional afternoon activities: This afternoon, on the way back to Paro, you will visit Dumtse Lhakhang, a temple built by Thangtong Gyalpo, the iron bridge builder. There will also be time to hunt for souvenirs in Paro's handicraft shops. Alternatively you may wish to visit a local farmhouse to take tea with the farmer and his family, allowing you to experience traditional Bhutanese village life. Perhaps take the opportunity to try the restorative properties of a hot stone bath laid on for you by your hosts.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Hotel Olathang (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Private transfer: At the appropriate time today you will be met by your guide and transferred to Paro International Airport for your Druk Air Flight to Kathmandu Airport.

Flight: KB204 Paro - Kathmandu 11.50 - 12.35

Road journey from Kathmandu to Nagarkot: Drive from Kathmandu to Nagarkot, a journey of around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Club Himalaya Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today is free to explore the Nagarkot area independently and relax at your hotel. If you would like to pre-book either hiking or mountain biking please let us know in advance.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Club Himalaya Resort (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast