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12-Nights Nepal & Bhutan Explorer - Classic from $2,729
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1523463
Nepal & Bhutan Explorer
Nepal and Bhutan are some of the most undiscovered places on Earth, but this two-week adventure will reveal their magic before the rest of the world catches on. You’ll take part in traditions of small Nepalese communities, experience the wildlife and rich biodiversity of Chitwan National Park, and feel Bhutan’s spiritual nature in storied Buddhist temples. This adventure might be big, but the journey won’t ever feel rushed, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to meet local people and embrace their way of life.
Highlights
Explore the sights in old Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, Learn to make Nepalese momos from a group of local women, Search for tigers in Chitwan National Park, Marvel at the mountain landscapes, Visit various dzongs and Buddhist gompas
Accommodation
Hotels (10 nts), guesthouse/cottage (2 nts).
Group Leader
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Group Size Notes
Max 20, avg 14.
Meals Included
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your Local Living Moment: Barauli Community Guesthouse Stay, Royal Chitwan National Park. Walk in Patan Durbar Square. Sustainable Development Fees. Guided tour of Bhaktapur City. Nepalese Dumplings Cooking Demonstration. Boudhnath Stupa visit. Enjoy a welcome by the Chitwan Community Homestay and a traditional meal. Chitwan National Park 4x4 safari. Cycling through villages in Chitwan. Memorial Chorten & Motithang Takin Preserve visit. Tashichho Dzong visit. Chimi Lakhang Hike. Explore Paro Dzong and Archery grounds. Hike to Taktsang Monastery Tiger's Nest. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
12 nights from $2,729 per person
G Adventures: Nepal & Bhutan Explorer
Day 1: Kathmandu
Arrive at any time. Welcome meeting will be in the evening with an included entrance and self-guided walk in Patan Durbar Square.
Our hotel is located in Patan, as such we have included the entrance ticket to nearby Patan Durbar Square where you can explore on your own.
Day 2: Kathmandu
Take a guided tour of the royal city of Bhaktapur, and the Bodhnath Stupa. Enjoy a cooking demonstration and learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings). Afterwards, taste the delicious dishes made during an authentic local lunch. The evening is free to do as you please.
Take a tour of the world heritage site of Bhaktapur and visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the largest Buddhist shrines in the world.Opt to visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River.Swayambhunath is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu Valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles.
Day 3: Kathmandu/Pokhara
Drive across the mountains to beautiful Pokhara. Immerse yourself in the views of the spectacular Annapurna Range. Upon arrival set out on an orientation walk along Phewa Lake.
A lively ride along stunning scenery brings us from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
Day 4: Pokhara
Spend the day as you please, indulging in a variety of optional activities in Pokhara. Find a cute cafe to sip some tea in or maybe go for a short hike in the Annapurna ranges. You could also walk up to Sarangkot for incredible views or spend time boating in Phewa lake and walk through the gardens.
Day 5: Pokhara to Chitwan National Park
Leave Pokhara behind and transfer by private vehicle to Chitwan. Upon arrival enjoy a welcome by the Chitwan Community Guesthouse.Travel to this UNESCO World Heritage Site and enjoy an overnight cultural experience with the indigenous Tharu community. Experience their culture through dance and song, along with a traditional meal in the familial dining area. In the evening, retreat back to your private thatched cottage to watch the buffalo and goats roaming about.
Continue on to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Royal Chitwan National Park. Known as the Terai Tarai ("moist land"), the landscape you travel through today is a belt of marshy grassland, savannah, and forests at the base of the Himalayas.
Day 6: Chitwan National Park
Take a 4x4 jeep safari through the national park and search for the elusive tiger.
Explore the national park by 4x4 safari before a guided half-day walk inside the park. Enjoy free time to enjoy some bird watching.The Terai-Duar region is home to the endangered Indian rhinoceros, as well as elephants, Bengal tigers, bears, leopards, and other wild animals. The Royal Chitwan National Park and Royal Bardia National Park preserve significant sections of habitat for these animals, making them home to some of the greatest concentrations of rhinoceros and tigers left in South Asia.
Day 7: Chitwan National Park to Kathmandu
Travel back to the capital city and enjoy a free evening for last minute shopping and exploring.
Return to Kathmandu and enjoy a free afternoon to continue exploring. Opt to visit the burning ghats at Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath or the monkey temple.
Day 8: Kathmandu to Thimphu via Paro
Fly from Nepal to Bhutan today for the start of the next leg of your adventure. Transfer to Thimphu from the Paro airport and opt to grab dinner with the group.
Day 9: Thimphu
Visit the National Memorial Chorten, the Buddha Point, and Motithang Takin Preserve. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong.
In the evening, visit the Tashi Chhoedzong, known as the "Fortress of Glorious Religion", initially built in 1702. Today, it houses the main secretariat building, the central monk body, and the office of the king.
Day 10: Thimphu/Punakha
Travel to Punakha in the morning crossing Dochula Pass. After a pleasant stop for views enjoy a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple learning about its historical significance. In the afternoon explore the stunning Punakha Dzong.
Day 11: Punakha/Paro
Take a scenic drive back to Paro this morning with a few stops en route. Upon arrival the group will visit the Paro Dzong as well as the local archery grounds. This evening you'll have free time to wander and indulge as you please.
Day 12: Paro
Enjoy a morning hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest). The hike is about 7km and offers a chance to visit 13 holy relics, at a place considered to be one of the most venerated pilgrim sites of the Himalayan world. After finishing the hike you'll have the rest of the evening free to explore more of Paro on your own before one last dinner with the group.
Day 13: Paro
Depart at any time. Airport transfer included.
Your CEO will help arrange your transfer to the airport and all exit formalities before your journey home.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
Dossier Disclaimer
The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
Itinerary Disclaimer
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
Rio Grande Travel Centers, Inc.
6500 Holly Ave. NE Suite A-2
Albuquerque, NM 87113
USA
(505) 292-7044
(877) 768-7913