Bhutan & Nepal
Energetic pace with more physically demanding activity. Longer walking/hiking tours (more than 3 hours), over uneven and possibly rugged terrain. Expect some longer days. Varying altitudes with some steep ascents/descents. Capable of standing for extended periods of time. Some days may include 5–13 km of walking over the course of the day.
Depart for Dubai.
Change planes in Dubai and fly to Kathmandu.
Fly to the subtropical Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to Royal Bengal tigers, rhinos, elephants, and crocodiles. Enjoy a Tharu Stick Dance show in the evening.
A full day at Chitwan with a naturalist guide offering various activities: an elephant safari, bird watching, jungle walk, canoeing and a village walk.
Fly to Pokhara, a natural beauty haven with a tropical feel and expansive Himalayan views. Enjoy a boat ride on the serene Phewa Lake, admiring its mountain reflections and island temple. Then, visit Davi’s Waterfall and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave.
Drive to Lumle with breathtaking views of the Annapurna mountains. Take a walking tour among scenic Gurang and Chandrakot villages enroute to your mountain lodge
Return to Kathmandu and visit the ancient Pashupatinath Temple, set in a beautifully lush environment. Explore Boudhanath Monument, a unique 36-metre-high stupa with four pairs of eyes believed to be watching for righteous behaviour. Tonight, we witness the glorious Aarti, an elaborate Hindu lighting ritual performed by a Hindu priest.
Fly to Paro, enjoying breathtaking Himalayan views, including Mt. Everest, and an exhilarating descent into Bhutan. On arrival, drive to the capital, Thimphu, to visit Kuensel Phodrang, home to the country’s largest Buddha statue and stunning views of the Thimphu Valley. We drive to Panfri Zampa, a 16th-century monastery for studies in astrology and Buddhist Philosophy. We then visit the Tashichho Dzong “ Fortress of the glorious religion” and government centre. Later, explore Thimphu’s main street and market area.
Drive into the mountains for stunning views of Dochula Pass, adorned with stupas and prayer flags. On clear days, see Bhutan’s tallest peaks, including “table mountain,” its highest. Journey to Gangtey, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and unspoiled areas. In the evening, enjoy a stroll in the idyllic Phobjikha Valley.
Attend the Black-necked Crane Festival, celebrating the arrival of these endangered birds revered as deities’ reincarnations. Enjoy folk songs, mask dances, and crane-themed performances alongside locals. Later, visit the Gangtey Goemba Monastery overlooking the valley.
First, visit Wangduephodrang Dzong, a monastery on a high ridge offering stunning valley views, once Bhutan’s second capital. After, enjoy a scenic mountain drive to Punakha.
Visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness”, featuring a gold-domed tower and religious statues. Experience Bhutanese rural life as you walk through farms and rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple.
Visit Simtokha Dzong, Bhutan’s oldest fortress built in 1627, now a Buddhist Studies school. Proceed to Paro, a wonderfully scenic area with ancient temples and monasteries. Explore Ta Dzong (National Museum) for its antique paintings, weapons, and artifacts, then visit the “Fortress of the Heap of Jewels”
Visit Paro Taktsang, “Tiger’s Nest”, a cliffside monastery and true architectural wonder.
Fly to Kathmandu and drive to the medieval city of Bhaktapur for exploration. Visit Patan, featuring a magnificent square with graceful pagoda temples, metal statues and many ancient temples.
Tour Durbar Square’s many temples and ancient palaces of the Nepali Royals. We then proceed to Swoyambhunath Stupa, a spectacular stupa that overlooks the magnificent Kathmandu Valley. End at Boudhanath Stupa, a World Heritage Site and home for Nepal’s Tibetan exiles.
A day at leisure to explore this fascinating city before transferring to the airport for departure.
Change planes in Dubai and fly home to Canada.
You may cancel your tour up to 60 days prior to departure (90 days prior for tours requiring a visa, cruises or rail journeys) for any reason, and receive a full refund of your deposit / payment (less the $75 administration fee).
Cancellation & trip interruption insurance included!
Included in the cost of your tour is our Cancellation Insurance Policy, which provides coverage in case of emergency injury or illness (including Covid), right up to your date of departure (terms and conditions apply).
Our Manulife Out-of-Country Health Insurance Plan covers expenses related to Trip Interruption in case of emergency injury or illness. For tours within Canada, Senior Discovery Tours will cover such expenses (terms and conditions apply to all policies).
