Nepal and Bhutan Tour

Nepal and Bhutan are both landlocked countries of South Asia. Both countries lie between two strong countries- India and China. The capital of Nepal, Kathmandu is only 265 miles from the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu.

Nepal and Bhutan tour will give you an opportunity to explore the culture, tradition, history, and, lifestyle of two amazing South Asian countries. In terms of culture, both countries have a great influence from Tibet. Both countries were never colonized by Europeans.

Nepal is the land of Himalayas. Besides, it is also the country rich in cultural and natural diversity. Nepal has 10 UNESCO listed cultural and natural heritage sites. It also has 8 of the 10 highest mountains and the second largest collection of fresh water.

The small kingdom of Bhutan has preserved its own style of Buddhism. This tour will give an insight into the life and culture of the Bhutanese people. You can also explore the development model of the country.

Getting to Nepal

Nepal is a beautiful Himalayan landlocked country. To get there, you can go by road from India and China and or by Air.

There are several entry points by land route from Nepal/India borders. Some of other major international airlines operate scheduled services to Nepal directly. While other airlines connect through some nearby countries such as India, Qatar, Dubai, Malaysia, China, and others.

Communities of Nepal

Nepal is rich in natural and cultural diversity.

The country is home to more than 29 million people who belong to different religion and cultures. The population comprises of about 101 ethnic groups speaking over 92 languages. Many ethnic groups have their own mother tongue.

Nepali is the official language of the country. Majority of the population speak and understand the language.

In the northern region of the Himalayas, people speak Tibetan. They are the Sherpas, Dolpa-pas, Lopas, Baragaon Lis, and Manangis.

Several ethnic groups live in the middle hills and valleys. Among them are the Newar, Brahmins, Chhetris, Magars, Gurungs, Tamangs, Sunuwars, and Thakuris. The natives of the Kathmandu valley are the Newars. They follow both Hinduism and Buddhism.

The main ethnic groups in Terai are Tharus, Darai, Kumhal, Majhi and other groups. They speak north Indian dialects like Maithili and Bhojpuri.

The majority of the population follow Hinduism while some other ethnic groups followed Buddhism. Kiratism religion belongs to the Kirat ethnicity.

Places to visit in Nepal

Nepal is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. People from all over the world visit Nepal. They sought activities like trekking, hiking, rock climbing, rafting, jungle safari, and paragliding.

Besides this, people also come to visit the Hindu and Buddhist heritage sites of Nepal.

Nepal is home to the world’s highest mountain peak, Mt. Everest. The world heritage site Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautam Buddha. It lies in southern Nepal.

Thus, Nepal is a land of opportunity, not only for adventure lovers but also for pilgrimage and sightseeing.

Nepal lies along the Himalayan mountain range between China and India in South Asia. The country offers beautiful landscapes from snow-capped mountain to subtropical forests.

Here are some of the popular place listed below where you can travel in a short period of time.

Kathmandu

The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu offers travelers different aspects of the country.
Every capital in the world has plenty of attractions to engage its visitors. Likewise, Kathmandu is famous for pilgrimage as it is home to Pashupatinath temple. It is one of the holiest temples of Hindus.

It is also home to holy Buddhist shrines like Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.

Kathmandu is also the best place for traditional crafts, Nepali cuisines, and buying trekking equipment. Thamel is a popular tourist spot to buy clothes, jewelry, accessories, and souvenirs.

After the 2015 earthquake, the city’s famous Durbar squares are still undergoing construction. But, there are other intact cultural sites worth exploring.

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is one of the best places to see the excellent architecture and carvings of the temple. The city’s Durbar Square features a must-see site known as the 55-Window Palace. This palace is a 15th-century structure that is now home to the National Art Gallery.

This is also the best place to shop for terra cotta and handicraft products.

Patan

Patan lies across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. It is well known for its artisans and a stunning display of Newari architecture. Before the disastrous earthquake of 2015, there were more than 1200 monuments, each unique in its own way.

You can go for a day trip from Kathmandu as it is close to the capital. You can explore the palaces, courtyards, and temples of Patan Durbar.

Patan is one of the best places to buy the gorgeous handmade silk saris. They were once the garment of choice for the country’s royalty and aristocracy.

Pokhara

Among Nepal’s famous tourist attractions, Pokhara is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Nepal. It is the second largest city in Nepal and also known as the gateway to the Annapurna region.

The city is also famous for different lakes, temples, underground caves, and waterfalls. Pokhara gives you spectacular views of three snowy mountains- Mt. Manaslu, Mt. Dhaulagiri and Mt. Annapurna.

It also offers an incredible opportunity for paragliding. The largest of Pokhara’s three lakes, Phewa Lake features an island with a temple dedicated to the goddess Barahi Bhagwati. This lake is also lined with luxury hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops.

Lumbini

Lumbini is a pilgrimage destination in Nepal and the birthplace of Lord Buddha. The main attraction of this place is the Maya Devi Temple. It lies amidst a large park that comprises of lakes and monasteries.

Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park offers shelter to rare and endangered species like the Bengal tiger and one horned rhinoceros. It lies in south-central Nepal

In Asia, it is one of the best wildlife viewing destinations. Here you can get a close look at exotic wildlife, including elephants, leopards, rhinoceros, and sloth bears.

Besides this, you can enjoy jeep tours and canoe rides. At the edge of the park, luxury lodging is available. They offer affordable and comfortable accommodations.

Khumbu

Every year, thousands of travelers visit the Khumbu region to trek to the summit of Mt. Everest, which lies in the northeastern Nepal. Sagarmatha National Park is home to diverse flora and fauna, especially the rare Snow Leopard species.

Khumbu region is also home to the Sherpa village of Namche Bazaar which is also known as the gateway to the Mt. Everest. The old Buddhist Monastery, Tengboche Monastery is also located in the Khumbu.

Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna circuit is one of the most popular trekking regions in Nepal. This region takes trekkers through beautiful landscape, dense forests and semi- frozen waterfalls.

During the Annapurna Circuit, you can do the Ghorepani Poon Hill trek. This trekking trail offers stunning views of the Himalayas. Some of them include Annapurna South, Annapurna I, II, III, and IV, and the Dhaulagiri ranges.

Besides, you will get a chance to witness terraced slopes, beautiful villages and paddy fields. You can also get a taste of the wonderful culture and lifestyle of ethnic people like Gurungs and Magars.

Getting to Bhutan

To enter Bhutan from Nepal, you can take a flight from the Druk Airlines. The flight fare and the schedule all depend on the Druk Airlines, Bhutan’s National Airline.

Besides this, you can also enter Bhutan by road. From Kathmandu, you can take a day/night coach to Kakarvitta in about 14 hours.

Also, you can fly from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur/ Biratnagar and drive to Phuntsholing at the Bhutan/India Border in 5/6hrs. The next day, you can drive to Bhutan’s capital city, Thimphu in about 6hrs.

Communities of Bhutan

Bhutan used to have strict restrictions on the number of tourists that could visit. The country’s main goal is that tourism shouldn’t affect its culture and environment.
Bhutan only has a population of around 797,765 (2016) who are mainly Buddhist. Everywhere, you will see the signs of religious devotions. They are in the form of huge dzongs or temples, huge statues of Buddha and colorful prayer flags all over the country.

There are four main ethnic groups in Bhutan. They are Ngalop of western and northern Bhutan; the Sharchop of eastern Bhutan; the Lhotshampa of southern Bhutan; and Bhuti tribal and aboriginal people in villages.

There are more than two dozen languages of Bhutan. Dzongkha is the national language and it is dominant in Western Bhutan.

The Nepali language is the only Indo-Aryan language spoken by native Bhutanese. Inside Bhutan, primarily in the south, Lhotshampa are generally regarded as Nepali speakers.

It includes smaller non-Indo Aryan groups. They are the Tamang and Gurung in southern Bhutan and Rai and Limbu in Eastern Bhutan.

Bhutan is a Buddhist country. The official religion in Bhutan is Vajrayana Buddhism. Approximately 75% of the population follow Buddhism and remaining 25% follow Hinduism.

Places to visit in Bhutan

Bhutan has stunning natural diversity including beautiful landscapes, snow-capped peaks, and deep valleys. It is a place of peace and natural beauty.

Bhutan is one such country that has been successful in preserving its cultural identity. In 2004, it became the first country in the world to ban the sale of tobacco and smoking in public.

Bhutan tour will offer you some of the world’s most breathtaking mountain scenery. You can hike along different trails in hills and valleys. You can also experience more challenging treks into the Himalayas.

During this tour, you will get a chance to visit one of the kingdoms of Bhutan. Plus, you will get a close insight into the religious festivals. It will be an ideal way to experience Bhutan and get to know the Bhutanese people.

During such festivals, you can view dance performances such as Ura Yakchoe and Jambay Lhakhang. Visitors from throughout the country seek out their luck to see this dance. They gather in temple courtyards to witness the unveiling of ancient tapestries.
Another major attraction of Bhutan tour includes the hilltop forts and monasteries. You can also view snow-capped peaks, colorful prayer flags, and the fine crafts by local artisans.

Here are some of the possible popular places to visit in Bhutan:

Paro and Thimpu

These towns offer a fascinating glimpse into the Bhutanese life.
Most of the people start their tour from Paro. It is as Bhutan’s only international airport lies near this city. It is Bhutan’s second largest city and has greenery on all sides.

Here, you will get to view some traditional houses and people in traditional dress. In this area, you can visit more than 155 temples and monasteries. Thus, it is possible to spend a few days in Paro visiting old and historical monasteries and temples.

Thimpu is the capital city of Bhutan. It is a clean and beautiful city with many shops. It is also the only capital city without any road traffic light.

On this tour, most of your sightseeing will involve visiting Dzongs. They are existing or ex-governmental buildings/ royal buildings. These buildings have extraordinary structures, normally with white walls and impressive decorative ceilings.

Nearby, they are many Buddhist temple and monasteries. So, you need to dress conservatively and be prepared to take off your shoes at each site.

Punakha and Dochula Pass viewpoint

You also can visit Punakha which is one of the most impressive Dzongs. It is a large temple that lies between two rivers, Mo (Female) Chu (river) and Pho (Male) Chu (river).

On a clear day, Dochula Pass viewpoint offers amazing 360-degree panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain range. Plus, you can view the whole Bhutan. You also can take a glimpse of 108 chortens built on the mountain pass.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Tiger’s Nest Monastery was built in the 1600s. This stunning monastery lies on the rocky cliff high above the Paro valley.

To get there, it takes a couple of hours which is not easy. But, it is a scenic hike and you will get the fascinating views throughout the way.

Many of the monastery’s buildings feature the cliff side as an interior wall. There are large gold statues throughout. Inside the monastery, you are not allowed to photographs.

Nepal and Bhutan Tour

Nepal and Bhutan Tour combined tour is designed to indulge the need of travelers who want to make the most of their journey in the Himalayas. This tour will take you to two different geographical regions, cultures and lifestyles. It will definitely give you many memorable experiences.

10-day Nepal and Bhutan Tour

If you have limited time, you can go for 10 days combined tour of Nepal and Bhutan. This short tour will cover the following must see places in Bhutan and Nepal.

Trip Highlights

• Explore the historical temples, stone statues, arts, and unique architectures around the well-preserved cities of Kathmandu Valley
• Paro- Paro Rinpung Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, The National Museum at Ta Dzong, local farmhouse and Paro market
• Punakha-Punakha Dzong
• Panoramic views of the Bhutanese Himalayas and incredible scenery
• Thimphu- Market, Chorten memorial, Handmade Paper Unit, Handicrafts Emporium
• Chimi Lhakhang- a beautiful temple

18 days Nepal and Bhutan Tour

The 18 days Nepal and Bhutan Tour covers the most famous cities and must see places in Bhutan and Nepal.

Trip Highlights

• Kathmandu Valley, Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Pagoda, Boudhanath Buddhist stupa and various other temples and shrines
• Take a jeep safari and jungle walk in Chitwan National Park, and enjoy some local Tharu dance
• Visit the second largest city in Nepal-Pokhara. Boat ride in Phewa Lake, ascend to World Peace Pagoda.
• Visit David’s Fall, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave, and International Mountain Museum.
• Explore Bandipur village. It is one of the traditional Nepalese settlement. You can enjoy the spectacular views of surrounding hills, green forests, and shrines.
• Get superb views of the Himalayas from the Druk Air Flight to and from Paro
• Explore tiny capital of Thimphu
• Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’- one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan
• Punakha Dzong- the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan
• Visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong
• Experience unique Bhutanese culture, tradition, and lifestyles of friendly Bhutanese people

15 days Nepal and Bhutan tours

Furthermore, you also can go for a short trekking in Nepal with the Bhutan tour for 15 days. This trek will combine Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek with the tour of Bhutan. Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is the most popular short trekking in Nepal.

Trip Highlights

• Best sunrise views of Annapurna Himalayas from Poon Hill
• Explore the different vegetation, culture, and lifestyle of local people living in beautiful villages like Ghorepani, Ulleri, and Ghandruk
• Dramatic view of the snow-capped Annapurna Himalayan Panorama
• Hike through the ridge top Goombas (monasteries) and meet the monks
• Attend the local festivals and events

21 days Nepal and Bhutan Tour

In this tour, you can combine Nepal Everest Base Camp trek with Bhutan tour for 21 days. This trip will be a great adventure opportunity as it includes the Everest Base Camp Trek. It is the most popular trekking trail in Nepal.

Trip Highlights

• Trek to the base camp of breathtaking Mt. Everest, the world’s highest mountain.
• Explore Sherpa village and the ancient Tengboche monasteries
• Visit beautiful villages like Dingboche, Lobuche, Namche Bazaar, and Tengboche
• Scenic flight from Kathmandu to Paro
• Visit the impressive Dzong (fortresses), former palaces and Buddhist monasteries
• Visit the vibrant markets and towns of capital city of Thimphu
• Visit the traditional arts and crafts workshops, meet the artisans, weavers, and painters.

Conculsion

This tour can be done round the year for any independent travelers depending on their dates and destinations. We can customize this combined tour as per your interest.

To get any details related to this tour, you can contact Himalaya Discovery: