Day 1 | Welcome to Kathmandu: Once you’ve arrived at the airport and cleared immigration, head on out of the airport to meet your attentive guide. 

You’ll be picked up from the airport by our private car and driven to your hotel for a warm welcome. After checking in and breakfast, we’ll lead you on a tour of Kathmandu’s historic sites and neighborhoods—all while learning about their culture and history as well as local cuisine. During this time with us, feel free to ask any questions about what we’re doing today or tomorrow—we’re happy to answer them!

Outline / Sketch plan for the day (subject to international flight arrival time into Kathmandu International airport) 

• Visit the Swayambhunath Stupa (one of the two Stupas in Kathmandu) where you can view Buddhist art and artifacts from ancient times. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

• Visit a local Buddhist school (Gumba) which is right next door to the Stupa (subject to the timing of the school), and if you are lucky you might also witness chanting with drums, ancient traditions which haven’t  changed with time.

• Enjoy a welcome Nepali dinner with your hosts (included). 

Day 2 | Explore the outskirts of Kathmandu with your own personal guide so you can enjoy the flexibility of stoping anywhere, or going with the flow and flowing with your local, travel tribe host. Enjoy on foot exportations after driving out of the city of Kathmandu. Connect with the ancient cultures and witness living practices which haven’t changed for centuries in Nepal Himalayan backcountry.  

Outline / Sketch plan for the day. 

• Explore Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail (just under 7,000 ft.) and while t is about a 3 to 3.5 hour walk, rewarding you with views of the Himalayas. You can take your time walking, spend time in each location, learn about Nepal’s flora and fauna with insights into local customs as well as transitions. 
• Enjoy a late lunch in a local restaurant which is included. 
• After your hike, visit an old village where many people still make their living from farming or raising livestock. You can shop for handcrafted wares or taste local food made with ingredients from the area around Naga Khata National Park.

Day 3 | Fly to Paro Bhutan: After an early breakfast, you’ll board your short Himalayan flight to Bhutan and arrive at Paro airport. 

Outline plan for the day. 

• When you first arrive at Paro International Airport, you will be met by one of our delightful tour guides just outside the arrival hall. At 7,333 feet above sea level, the first thing you will likely notice is the effect of the high altitudes, so we will give you time to acclimate as we take a short drive to Thimphu and check into your hotel. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and the perfect location to transition from your familiar lifestyle to this unique country that is like no other place on earth.
• Here you will begin to appreciate local customs as you get your first glimpse of monks dressed in traditional red robes, men in striped ghos and women in brightly colored kiras.
• Once you settle into your hotel, we will begin to unlock the mysteries of Bhutan by touring Thimphu’s most important sites. The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) was built in 1974 to memorialize Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the third king of Bhutan (1928-1972). 

Day 4 | Explore Punakha: The journey to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, is a spectacular one. Today we travel along the narrow, winding Dochula Pass, which provides stunning 360-degree views of the Himalayas.

Outline plan for the day. 

• The peak offers an impressive panorama that includes the Dochula Pass and Punakha Dzong. The dzong was built in 1637 and is considered one of the most beautiful sites in Bhutan. It sits at the fork of two rivers, and it’s considered a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture. Inside the fortress, there are three large courtyards that house bodies preserved as mummies from previous rulers.
• Punakha Dzong is a stunningly beautiful dzong, which was built between 1649-1652 by the Drukpa Kagyupa order. The building style is distinctly Tibetan, with its tall walls and dark color palette. It is one of the largest dzongs in Bhutan and is home to several important Buddhist shrines.
• The Punakha Dzong was built as a monastery for the Drukpa Kagyupa order. It was originally called Pungthang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang, which means “Drukpa Kagyupa Monastery at the top of the mountain.” This monastery served as a retreat center for the order’s members who lived in the Himalayas.
• Today Punakha Dzong is an active monastery that houses hundreds of monks and nuns from all parts of Bhutan. It is also open to visitors who wish to explore its beautiful grounds and historic architecture during their stay.

Day 5 | Journey to Paro: When you drive into Paro, the first thing you’ll notice is the mountain. Mount Jomolhari (7,300m/ 23622 ft) is at the northern end of the valley. Its glacier water forms the Pa Chhu flowing through the valley.

Outline plan for the day. 

• Kyichu Lhakhang – Also known as Kyerchu temple or Lho Kyerchu, it is the oldest temple in Bhutan. Just like Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue and pin down an ogress that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. According to legend, all 108 temples were built in a single night. Go back in time and history and visit the seventh century Kyichu temple.

Day 6 | Trek up to Tiger’s Nest (optional): On our final day in Bhutan, we trek to Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger’s Nest), one of the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level.

Outline plan for the day. 

• Accessible only by foot, we follow a steep trail decorated with colorful prayer flags along the way to protect travelers from evil spirits. Built over the caves where Guru Padmasambhava meditated, this eighth-century father of Bhutan Buddhism is said to have been brought there on the back of a tigress.
• One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan, it offers breathtaking views to those energetic enough to make it to the top. On our way up, we stop for lunch at a traditional house or cottage where we enjoy traditional dishes and interact with local people who share their story about why they chose this place as their home. Overnight at Paro Hotel.

Day 7 | Fly back to Kathmandu: Upon arrival back in Kathmandu, meet up with your guide at the airport and be chauffeured to your hotel for a afternoon of relaxation and reflection before heaving over for an evening’s cooking class. 

• Outline plan for the day. 

  • You will learn how to prepare an authentic Nepali meal with your own hands, while learning the history behind it. You will be guided by our chef and chef’s assistant who will give you all the knowledge you need to make this recipe come alive. You will be chauffeured a bit out of the city for this activity. 

Day 8 | Explore the Kathmandu area. Take the day to witness Kathmandu’s rich history and culture after breakfast at your hotel. 

Outline / Sketch plan for the day. 

• A visit to Patan Durbar Square, which is one of the best-preserved historic sites in Nepal

• You’ll also see Pashupatinath Temple (dedicated to Shiva), where people come for prayer and offerings. 

• Our guides are open to sharing with you any other parts of Kathmandu’s culture, history and culinary experience you might be interested in. 

Day 9 | Explore the ancient city of Bhaktapur with your attentive guide after breakfast. 

Outline / Sketch plan for the day. 

• Spend the day enjoying a privately guided tour of Nepal’s ancient town of Bhaktapur which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing some of the oldest temples in Nepal. You will see many different temples and shrines as you wander through this ancient city which is certainly worth a visit, especially with a good guide. 
• Your guide will take you on a walking tour through Bhaktapur, pointing out landmarks as you go. Enjoy souvenir shopping for transitional handicrafts and even rare artisans. 
• Lunch at Bhaktapur is also included. 

Day 10 | Fly back home: We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay in Nepal!

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the hotel for final departure and a quick check-in before we head home. Your flight will be departing from Tribhuvan International Airport at noon, so please keep an eye out for our driver who will be waiting outside to escort you to the airport. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out!