Three Himalayan Kingdoms

Todays adventure begins with a spectacular mountain flight from Beizing to Lhasa. Upon arrival, you’ll be met by your Tibetan guide and driver who will take you to your hotel, so you can make time to rest and get accustomed to the altitude. Make sure to be at the airport in plenty of time, as your flight departs at 9 AM.

After breakfast, we will visit the giant Potala Palace and watch the pilgrims circumnavigating the Potala palace. In the afternoon, we will visit Sera Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Tibet. We will also visit the ancient Jokhang Temple and the nearby Barkhor Square. Tibetan people consider this temple to be the most sacred in Tibet. Later take a stroll through Barkhor Square. Evening, dinner with a cultural performance at a local restaurant.

This morning, we shall visit the Drepung Monastery, the largest monastery in Tibet. At the height of its glory, this monastery is supposed to have housed over 10,000 monks. In the afternoon, visit Norbulingka, a park and palace built in 1755 by the 7th Dalai Lama, which served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. The evening is free to pursue your interest.

After breakfast, we shall embark on the ride of a lifetime along the Lhasa-Gyantse highway. After an hour or so, we will cross the Yarlung Tsangpo River and ascend to Kamba La Pass (4800m). We will have the first view of brilliant turquoise blue Yamdrok Tso Lake below, with several massif peaks surrounding it. The road follows the shores of this holy lake for miles, past villages, yaks, and sheep pastures, then finally climb up the Kharola pass (5010). We get a great view of the glaciers, as they seem to stop just above the road. After a long descent, we arrive at the historic town of Gyantse, which retains the charm of ancient Tibet. This afternoon, we plan to visit Kumbum Chorten and Pelkhor monastery and strolling around the township.

The drive to Shigatse takes about two hours and passes through fertile plains where wheat and barley are grown. Shigatse is the second-largest city in Tibet. Here, we shall visit the giant Buddha statues inside the Tashilhunpo monastery. You can also join the pilgrims circumambulating the monastery if time permits. This afternoon, we shall drive along the Yarlung Valley north for about 4-5 hours to reach Lhasa. In the evening, you can stroll around Barkhor Square.

After breakfast, transfer to Gongkhar airport in time for your flight to Kathmandu. The flight is even more spectacular than the last one, crossing over the Himalayan ranges, with a view of Everest and several of the highest peaks from above. Upon arrival at the airport, meet our Nepalese tour guide and transfer to the hotel in Kathmandu. We will visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and walk through Asan and Indrachok markets. Evening dinner with a cultural performance at a typical Nepalese restaurant.

In the morning, visit the Pashupatinath temple, followed by a visit to Boudanath Stupa. After the visit, drive to Bhaktapur City to see the medieval buildings and homes. Also, visit the temples, town squares, Palace squares, and local markets. In the evening, return to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Fly into Paro, Bhutan, yet another spectacular flight as you fly parallel to the Himalayas. Upon arrival at Paro airport, meet your Bhutanese guide and transfer to the hotel. This afternoon, we plan on visiting the National Museum. Later visit Rinphung Dzong and walk down to the small and charming township of Paro.

After breakfast, drive for about 2hrs till Dochula pass (3,050m). Along the way, we get a glimpse of the capital Thimphu. At Dochula Pass, we take a short break to enjoy the views of the eastern Himalayan peaks. Continue our drive descending about 1500m in two hours through ever-changing vegetation into semi-tropical Punakha and Wangdue Valley. After lunch, visit 17th-century Punakha Dzong, straddling at the confluence of the Pho and Mo Chu river. Then drive a short distance through idyllic countryside to Khamsum Yuley temple on Nyinzergang hill, which provides a good vista of the valley and paddy fields.

In Wangduephodrang, visit Richengang village, unique for a cluster of houses connected, followed by a short walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang temple, dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (1455 – 1529), popularly known as the divine madman. A folk hero and a cultural icon around whom countless yarns of facts and fiction, stories, and legends have come up. Drive back over spectacular Dochula Pass to the capital Thimphu, which takes about 3hrs. Late in the afternoon, visit Tashicho Dzong and the giant Buddha statue on Kuenselphodrang ridge.

We have a full day to tour the capital of Bhutan, where there are lots to see and do. Visit Memorial Chorten, a landmark of Thimphu. Tour Takin Preserve, Zilukha nunnery, a viewpoint, followed by a visit to the traditional Art school (also called painting school) and visit Indigenous Hospital. In between, we can stop at the Post Office to send beautiful postcards home or buy stamps. See the textile academy and museum, stroll through the Farmer’s market, and peek at Changlimithang ground, where you may see the archery (national game) in progress. Stroll in the core city area, and shop for souvenirs.

After breakfast, drive for an hour to Paro. We may stop to see a nunnery in Sitsina village. Paro is serene and one of the loveliest in Bhutan. Visit the Dzongdrakha cave temples with local homes. In the afternoon, tour the ruins of Drugyal Dzong, located north of Paro. On the way back, stop to visit the 7th-century Kichu temple, said to have been built on the same day as Jokhang in Lhasa. Visit local village homes, and if time permits, visit the Dungtse Lhakhang temple, which contains some ancient murals. Stroll around the charming township of Paro.

Your journey in the Kingdom culminates in a hike to the famous Taktsang(tigers nest) monastery(3120m). Visible from afar, this magical monastery, clings to a vertical granite cliff 1,000 feet above the valley floor. It is one of the principal pieces of architecture in Bhutan. If some members wish to skip the hike to Taktsang, our guide and driver can arrange other alternatives. You can also hire a pony for the uphill journey till the first viewpoint & cafeteria, but you must be able to walk back downhill. While some of us probably may not be able to make it to the monastery. However, it is worth even try getting to the first viewpoint. Return to Paro, where we may have more time for a stroll around the town. Farewell dinner in the evening.

While we plan to fly you to Bangkok, you can choose other destinations like Kathmandu, Delhi, and Kolkata. If you are planning a connection flight from those cities, it is best to connect the next day as the flight from Paro are subject to delays.