Himalayan Wonders

Today we'll explore Bhaktapur City, beginning at Durbar Square where the kings of the Malla dynasty lived until 1769. We'll visit the Golden Gate, and the 55 Window Palace, known for its intricate windows carved from sandalwood. Our stop at a pottery workshop lets us get our hands dirty as we learn from a master potter and then we'll visit the highest temple in the valley, Nyatapola Temple. This afternoon we'll travel to the upper reaches of Kathmandu Valley for our stay in Nagarkot which offers spectacular views of eastern Nepal's peaks including Mt. Everest on a clear day. Before dinner tonight, we'll enjoy a Sundowner cocktail on the terrace as the sun slips away behind the Himalayan peaks.

The early risers might catch the sunrise this morning before we depart on our nature walk. The trail takes us through a dense coniferous forest to Kartike village where we can see the mountain villages perched on a hill with terraced farmlands. Along the way, our guide will share their experience with climbing and summiting mountain peaks. While in Kartike village, we'll visit a local school and learn more about what it's like to grow up in Nepal (provided it's not a national holiday). This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together at our hotel.

Today we'll travel to Bhutan! After breakfast, we'll depart for Kathmandu's airport to catch our flight to Paro, Bhutan. Upon arrival, we'll travel to Thimphu, Bhutan's capital city. We'll check into our hotel and then enjoy lunch together at a local restaurant. This afternoon we're free to relax after our days of sightseeing in Nepal or we can take an exploratory walk around Thimphu's main street and market area. This evening, we'll enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

We'll soak up the magnificent views of the valley during our hike that takes us to Buddha Point with its giant Buddha said to bestow blessings. Next, we'll immerse ourselves in the city's rich cultural highlights with a visit to the textile museum where we'll learn about the art of weaving and see a collection of textile patterns from different dzongkhags. At the Simply Bhutan Museum, we'll gain insight into Bhutanese culture and traditions with glimpses of the lifestyles of Bhutanese villagers. Our day concludes with a visit to Tashichho Dzong, or the "fortress of the glorious religion," which houses Bhutan's throne room and serves as the center of both government and religion. This dzong was built in 1641 and reconstructed in the 1960s in the traditional Bhutanese manner without nails or architectural plans.

After breakfast we'll depart for Punakha, crossing Dochula Pass which offers stunning views of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day. We'll enjoy a meal of authentic dishes in the carefully restored home of Nobgang B&B, an internationally supported project that aims to improve the livelihood of local villagers. After we check into our Punakha hotel, we'll have some time to relax or unwind with a yoga session with an award-winning yoga instructor. Later, we'll visit Punakha Dzong, the religious and administrative center of the region followed by an excursion to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, known as a fertility temple. We'll end our day with a walk along the paddy fields and village homes and visit an early childhood care and development community center.

We'll spend our morning at Happiness Fields, learning about life in a Bhutanese village home. Our host is a renowned weaver and we’ll give her a hand with her daily chores, attending to her garden or milking cows before enjoying a picnic lunch. We'll travel to Paro where we'll visit Ta Dzong. Originally a watchtower, Ta Dzong now houses the National Museum and its collection of antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons, armor, and more. We'll end our day with a local chef and learn how to make the most sought-after Bhutanese dish: Ema Datshi, a stew made with chilies and a special yak cheese. This evening we'll enjoy dinner in traditional Bhutanese attire!

The adventurous among us can hike to Taktsang Monastery which clings to the cliffs above Paro Valley. Also known as "Tiger's Nest" as it is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Recognized as a sacred place, all Bhutanese visit this monastery at least once in their lifetime. During our hike, we'll also visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, which marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. We'll reward ourselves, we can soak in the hot stone bath at a local farmhouse. This relaxing traditional Bhutanese technique uses river rocks placed in the water where they crack and steam, releasing minerals and soothing pain.

Note: Travelers who don't wish to hike can stroll the local street market or relax at the hotel, and will have the opportunity to rejoin the group before the hot stone bath.

We'll have an early start this morning for our return flight to Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we'll meet with a monk or Buddhism scholar and visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest spherical stupas in the world. Here we'll take part in a blessing ceremony with a lama (or senior monk) at the monastery. This evening, we'll enjoy a view of the Temple of Pashupatinath. This temple is situated on the banks of the holy river Bagmati and is the most revered Hindu temple in Nepal. Tonight we'll toast each other and enjoy our farewell dinner at a local dining landmark, visited by many climbers of the area and we'll hear first-hand stories from an Everest Summiteer who will share their experiences with the group.

Today we'll say a fond farewell to the Himalayan mountains as our tour comes to an end after breakfast this morning. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.