Cultural Tour and Trekking (Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan)

After an early breakfast, you are ready to do a sightseeing tour in 4 major places in Kathmandu - Swoyambhunath (Monkey temple), Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Kathmandu durbar squire. We begin today's sightseeing tour with a visit to Swoyambhunath a 2500-year old site where, it is believed, the Radiant Lotus of the valley-mythology, settled when the water was drained by Manjushri, the god of Wisdom. The 5 Dhyani Buddha's attended by their consorts are enshrined at the base of the stupa. (Non-Hindus are not allowed inside Swayambhunath temple) then continues to tour into Boudhanath it is the world,s largest stupa and of Tibetan Buddhist Culture in Nepal. Antique shops where you can buy things of your interest relating to Buddhist surrounded the monastery. After Boudhanath, your next spot is The Pashupatinath temple stands along the side of Bagmati River. It is the holiest Temple for Hindus. Many people from different

Today we drive to Pokhara (200km), approximately seven hours away by tourist bus (a flight is available at an additional charge and takes around 40 minutes). We will be arriving late afternoon at Pokhara, an enchanting Himalayan Valley of remarkable beauty. We can explore its scenic land on a bicycle or on foot as well as taking a boat out on Phewa Lake while the Annapurna Mountains gaze down at us. O/N Pokhara Hotel

After breakfast, we drive to Nayapul (48 km.) 1.5 hours by a vehicle over hilly ridges of Lumle/Kande and walk about 20 minutes to Birethanti, a large and prosperous town. Beyond a pasture used by pony caravans, the trail reaches Sudami where we have Lunch. After lunch climbs steadily up the side of the valley, reaching Hile at 1495m near Tikhe Dhunga. Along the way, various hamlets offer ample camping possibilities but if Ghorepani is the objective for the next day it is better to push on to Tikhe Dhunga. O/N at Tikhe Dhunga.

Breakfast served in the morning around 7 am. From Tikhe Dhunga the trail crosses a stream (Bhurungdi Khola) on a suspension bridge to start the long steep climb to the large Magar village Uleri at 2070m. Above the village, the trail climbs gently through pastures and cultivated fields. There are magnificent rhododendrons and oak forests and we lunch in Nangethanti. Thanti is a Nepali word meaning “rest house”. In the winter, the trail can be covered with a show. From Nangethanti about one hour walks to Ghorepani at 2848m. Arrive at the top of the Ghorepani pass and camp there. O/N in Ghorepani.

we will visit the popular viewpoint of the region, Poon Hill (3210 meters). You will wake up early in the morning at about 5 am and get ready to go. It takes about 50 minutes to reach the small flat top. You will see the sun gradually rise in the mountains and the views are breathtaking. The mountain peaks you will see are Annapurna I, Annapurna South, Tukuche, Nilgiri, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri I, and glaciers. Afterward, we begin walking from here on the long trail from Ghorepani to Tadapani. The trail continues through Ghorepani pass, known as Deurali and it finally emerges on a grassy knoll that offers good mountain views, including a view of Macchapucchre. Keep climbing along the ridge in pine and rhododendron forests to a crest at 3,030 meters. Descend to the second pass, also called Deurali. Ghandrung trail descends, passing through the village of Banthanti and finally reaches the village of Tadapani. Walking takes approximately about 5 hours to reach this village.

Ghandrung is a huge Gurung village considered to be the second-largest village in Nepal. The trek from Tadapani to Ghandrung is beautiful going through mixed-forest regions. The trails are sometimes very high, and you can see the valley down for about 400 meters. Mainly Gurung people inhabit the area and many of them are ex-British Gurkha soldiers. The village is beautiful and has frontal views of Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli.

After breakfast head down the trail descends steeply to the village of Phedi from where you will take a coach to Pokhara, which is about a 30-minute drive. This is the end of ours. O/N Pokhara Hotel

After a normal drive of seven hours, we reach Kathmandu. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, we head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin, and Kurintar where Nepal's first Cable Car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple.

Pick you up from Lhasa airport or Train station – Full rest for acclimatization – O/N at Hotel.

Two Full Days Sightseeing Tour In Lhasa Visit Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple & Barkhor Bazaar, Drepung Monastery, and Sera Monastery – O/N at Hotel.

Drive to Gyantse via Yamadroke Lake and high passes: Kora LA (5,010m) & Kamba La (4,794m) & Sight-seeing in Gyantse including Pholkor & Kumbum Monastery. Scenic drive to Xigatse (1.5hrs) through the typical Tibetan Countryside- Hotel.

AM: Visit Panchen Lama’s Tashilhumpu Monastery. Then Drive to Xegar crossing over Gyatchula (a pass of 5,200m) and drive further to Ronbuk 90 Km, this is a kind of rough road and takes about 3-4 hours. O/N at Guest House.

Rent a horse cart or walk to the Everest BC and explore around – back to Rongbuk – Drive back to Tingri and further to Nyalam/Kerung by over-crossing the high pass of lulang La (5,050m) from where one can enjoy the magnificent view of the Mt. Xishapagma (8,212m) & Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m). Overnight at Guesthouse.

After necessary border formalities continue scenic drive to Kathmandu through the green lush countryside- transfer to your Hotel. Our representative will be waiting for you at the border Nepal side. Continue to drive to Kathmandu.

During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake Peaks in Bhutan. On arrival, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. If time permit in the afternoon you can visit the following places: -Kyichu Lhakhang -Paro Dzong

There are a good many things to see in the capital which has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small having a population of approximately 45,000 people and the streets are wide and tree-lined. You will almost certainly visit the Late King's Memorial Chorten, the National Library, Drubthob Nunnery, Folk Heritage Museum, the handmade paper factory, the school of arts and crafts where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts (Zo Rig Chusum – the thirteen crafts), Gold and the Silver Smiths workshop, Zangtopelri Lhakhang, and the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centers to see the weavers at work and also varieties of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewelry, etc. Stay overnight. Afternoon you can also visit Thimpu Dzong which is the administrative headquarter of Bhutan. Late afternoon drive to Paro for an overnight stay.

After breakfast 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 of the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch, you can visit other important sites which you could not complete in previous days. After lunch, a tour of Bhutan's national museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armor to textiles and thangka paintings. Then, we drive to the head of the valley and visit Drukgyel Dzong built in a location that was chosen for its control over the route to Tibet. A spectacular view of Mount. Jumolhari (23,996ft /7314m) can be seen from here. Also, visit Rinpung Dzong and a typical Bhutanese farmhouse.