Wild & Ancient Himalaya: Nepal & Bhutan
Watch for elephants, rhinos, leopards, and tigers in Nepal, plus visit happy Bhutan, land of serenity and archery.
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9.2*
ECO SCORE
11
PASSENGERS
12
DAYS
3.5/5
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Asia: Drink It In
Geographically diverse Nepal holds the world's highest mountains and lowland jungle plains. Safari drives reveal its captivating wildlife as we search for sloth bears, leopards and rhinos. In nearby Bhutan, quality of life is measured in terms of Gross National Happiness. Though Bhutan is a tiny country, it is a global conservation leader, proud to be not only carbon-neutral, but carbon-negative. Visitor presence is still light, and a journey among its serene monasteries, Himalayan peaks, glacial rivers and peaceable villages reveals Bhutan's singular beauty. Combine an adventure in these two ancient kingdoms for a nature sojourn that will move your spirit.
Travel Curator’s Insights:
- • Animals are more elusive in Nepal than on an African safari, yet the chance to see rhinos, elephants, and possibly tigers (if you're lucky!) is not to be missed!
• A visit to Bhutan is an experience like no other as it's impossible to ignore the deep serenity and satisfaction emanating from these people.
• Travel with this wildlife-passionate operator and see a side of these countries often missed on other journeys.
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Rates:
From $12,995 per person
The spring season offers pleasant temperatures, ranging from 50°F to 68°F in most areas, making it perfect for trekking, sightseeing, visiting temples & cultural sites, and outdoor activities.
November & December are less crowded than the spring, and the weather is typically dry and clear, offering the best panoramic views of the Himalayas.
Inquire for exact dates.
March – April & November – December;
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Departures:
Trip Sustainability Awards
CARBON
Fantastic advances in minimizing carbon footprints at locations.
ENERGY
On the East African Energy Renewal Board
EDUCATION
Runs local educational facilities for children.
Itinerary
Day 1: Kathmandu, Nepal
Arrive in Kathmandu, the storied capital of Nepal. For centuries the city has been a center of religious art and architecture in both Hinduand Buddhist traditions and is renowned for its ancient temples and urban squares. This evening we'll gather with our Expedition Leader for a welcome dinner in the quiet of a restored historic Rana palace. Then settle in at Dwarika's, a heritage lodge that evokes the palaces of Nepal's Newar kings, where we'll sleep among artifacts dating back to the 14th century.
Accommodation: Darwika's
Darwika's: This award-winning heritage hotel in Kathmandu is modeled on the grand palaces of Nepal's Newar kings, featuring intricate carved wood and terracotta, antiques and contemporary amenities.
Day 2: Bharatpur / Chitwan National Park
Fly this morning to Bharatpur on the Terai plains of southern Nepal and transfer to our luxury ecolodge, Meghauli Serai, for the next three nights. This serene safari base is ideally situated on the edge of the Rapti River near Chitwan National Park in the largest area of undisturbed wilderness along the base of the Himalaya. Its location is the best in the Chitwan region for wildlife viewing, which we take full advantage of during our stay. The area surrounding the lodge has a high sighting rate for one-horned rhinoceros, crocodile and gharial.
Accommodation: Meghauli Serai
Meghauli Serai: An elegant safari lodge in the heart of Nepal's Terai lowland jungle near Chitwan National Park, 16 luxury riverside villas with private plunge pools offer a soothing sanctuary in the heart of the jungle.
Days 3 & 4: Chitwan National Park
Chitwan National Park, established in 1973, is Nepal’s first national park and was granted World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1984. It covers 360 square miles of subtropical lowlands and is home to about 50 species of mammals and more than 500 species of birds. We spend our days exploring the park on 4x4 safari drives and guided nature walks, hoping for views of the park's most famous wild residents. While sightings are never guaranteed, we have good chances to observe rhinoceros, wild Asian elephant, crocodile, leopard, sloth bear, sambar deer, wild boar, monkeys and jungle fowl, all in their natural habitat. River safaris can also be arranged. Conditions permitting, a chance to track tigers is a special highlight, as we walk with our Expedition Leader and a local guide in search of footprints and pugmarks that mark the tigers' hidden presence in the park.
Accommodation: Meghauli Serai
Day 5: Bharatpur / Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Tour
Return to Bharatpur airport this morning for our flight back to Kathmandu. On an afternoon tour, explore some of the renowned cultural sites in the Kathmandu Valley that have earned the region UNESCO World Heritage status. Our sightseeing itinerary includes the ancient Newar city of Bhaktapur, once a kingdom in its own right. Its old city center and famous Durbar Square, fronting the original royal palace, contain some of the best-preserved palace courtyards in Nepal, noted for their intricate pagoda-style temples and renowned artworks of wood, metal and stone. We also visit the vibrant Tibetan Buddhist enclave of Boudhanath. The white-domed stupa that dominates its low skyline is the largest in Nepal and a sacred pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists from around the world.
Accommodation: Darwika's
Day 6: Paro, Bhutan / Thimphu
Fly this morning to the “Land of the Thunder Dragon”—the tiny Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. If the skies are clear on our flight to Paro, we'll see the highest peaks on the planet visible below in a serrated white spine, setting a striking backdrop as we approach the green trough of the Paro Valley. Rich in culture, lush in scenic beauty, and steeped in history and legend, Paro offers a bucolic welcome to the kingdom. From Paro we drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s idyllic capital and a stronghold of traditional Bhutanese art, architecture and culture. Surrounded by mountains and monasteries, this seat of government and commerce on the Wang Chuu River is a harmonious mix of modern development and ancient traditions. It's also the only national capital without traffic lights. After checking in to our hotel, we visit Thimphu Dzong late this afternoon. This striking Buddhist monastery and fortress was built in the 13th century, reconstructed over the years, and has served as the office of the king and seat of civil government for the country since 1952.
Accommodation: Postcard Dewa
Postcard Dewa: Located in the forest on the outskirts of Bhutan’s capital city, the Postcard Dewa Hotel is a quiet and secluded retreat with views of the Khasadraphchu Valley and Wangchu River.
Day 7: Thimphu
Our day begins with a visit to the capital's new Buddha statue, one of the tallest in the world at 170 feet. The structure houses more than 100,000 smaller Buddha statues inside, each made of bronze and gilded in gold like the larger icon. For travelers interested in an extended walk this morning (and if weather permits), we have the option to hike from Changangkha Lhakhang, the capital's 12th century monastery surrounded by high walls and prayer wheels, along an undulating forest trail up to the Buddha. This dirt trail provides magnificent views over the Thimphu Valley, and also happens to be the king's own mountain biking trail. For those who prefer a more leisurely morning, we will drive to the Buddha statue to meet up with the hikers.
Afterward, depending on time and interest, we may have opportunities to visit a handicraft emporium, a handmade paper factory, the National Library, and/or the Folk Heritage Museum. We also visit the Motithang Takin Preserve on the edge of the city. The takin, a large, shaggy hoofed mammal closely related to the muskox, is the national animal of Bhutan, so designated due to its prominent place in a popular Bhutanese myth from the 15th century. The preserve is also home to a few sambar and barking deer. On a hike through verdant meadows near the preserve, enjoy the colorful prayer flags that flutter from nearby homes and small temples.
Accommodation: Postcard Dewa
Day 8: Punakha Valley
En route to Punakha, cross Dochula Pass, a 10,000-foot saddle marked by 108 chortens, fluttering prayer flags and a panorama of the entire eastern Himalaya. The road drops dramatically into the Punakha Valley, descending through evergreen oak and rhododendron forests into fertile lowlands lush with rice, oranges, bananas and guavas. Punakha is the former capital of Bhutan and the winter residence of the monastic body. After lunch at a traditional local restaurant, set off for a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple, a small shrine dedicated to one of Bhutan’s favorite saints, the 15th-century Lama Drukpa Kunley. A rag-clad lotharian who used humor, songs and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings, he became known as the "Divine Madman'' and is still beloved as such today. The peace of the Bhutanese landscape is palpable as our path to the temple ambles through green pastures and rice paddies, passing farmers and livestock in the terraced fields.
Accommodation: Dhensa Boutique Resort
Dhensa Boutique Resort: In the heart of the Punakha Valley, modern design meets Bhutan's peaceable principles with private balconies for solitude, a glass-enclosed dining area and a broad stone terrace for fresh mountain air.
Day 9: Punakha
This morning we visit Khamsun Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a temple dedicated to the well-being of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. Built atop a high ridge, the temple offers magnificent views of the Punakha Valley. After a picnic lunch, explore the massive Punakha Dzong, known as the "Palace of Great Happiness." Straddling the confluence of the Po (Father) and Mo (Mother) rivers, the monastery is Bhutan’s best-known fortress. Built in 1637, it was the seat of government until 1955 and home to Bhutan’s religious establishment. The palace occupies one of the most scenic dzong sites in Bhutan; maroon-robed monks and guests must cross a wooden footbridge over the river to reach it.
Accommodation: Dhensa Boutique Resort
Day 10: Paro
A half-day drive returns us to Paro. Situated in the mountainous northwest of Bhutan, the Paro Valley is rich in natural beauty and culture, abounding with myths and legends. At the National Museum, a repository of more than 3,000 works of Bhutanese art housed in a renovated 17th-century round watchtower overlooking the city, view the collection that includes precious bronze statues, thangka paintings, musical instruments, clothing and handicrafts that cover more than 1,500 years of Bhutan's cultural heritage. We also visit a local farmhouse where we'll participate in a traditional archery lesson. Archery is the national sport of the kingdom, and tournaments and competitions are held throughout the country, often during public holidays and local festivals called tsechu. Though archery historically is a martial art, it is practiced by the peace-loving Bhutanese for physical exercise and to hone concentration.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Paro
Le Meridien Paro: Contemporary luxury and traditional Bhutanese design meld within this riverfront hotel that offers expansive views over the Paro Valley with its ornate monasteries and sacred fortresses.
Day 11: Paro—Tiger's Nest & Kyichu Lhakhang
Our final morning in Bhutan holds a most impressive sight: Taktsang Monastery, also known as the “Tiger’s Nest.” The famous subject of many photographs, this complex of 17th-century temples clings to the side of a precipitous cliff nearly 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Its name is derived from myth, which holds that Guru Rinpoche, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism from India to Bhutan in the 8th century, landed here on the back of a flying tigress and stayed to meditate in a cave for three months. Gain an initial vista as we hike to a viewpoint opposite the monastery, while those who choose to hike the entire way will have their effort well rewarded with unsurpassed views of the temples, surrounding peaks and valley below.
This afternoon, visit the revered Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Bhutan. The temple is one of 108 built across the Himalayas in the 7th century by the Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo to subdue a demoness who prevented the spread of Buddhism—in Buddhist mythology, Kyichu Lhakhang pins down her left foot. Inside, fine statues of the Bodhisattva and the Buddha are considered national treasures. The wooden floor of the temple is inlaid with turquoise and coral gemstones offered by pilgrims. We may also have time to do some last-minute shopping before saying farewell to this most captivating country.
Accommodation: Le Meridien Paro
Day 12: Paro / Bangkok, Thailand / Depart
Our Himalayan sojourn concludes as we depart from the Paro airport on a group flight to Bangkok, where we connect with onward flights.
Limited to 11 Travelers: A very important feature of our Bhutan andNepal adventure is the limited group size, as nature travel and cultural encounters are best experienced away from crowds within the intimate setting of a small group.
Activity Level: Moderate to Difficult. You must be able to walk unassisted (without the use of walking aids) for at least two miles at a steady pace over uneven terrain, climb stairs without hand railings, and be active at altitudes exceeding 7,000 feet above sea level in order to participate in this adventure. The Kathmandu city tour may last 2-3 hours (with stops) and include climbing steep stairs in order to visit all cultural sites. Our excursions in Chitwan National Park include easy nature walks over unpaved walking trails and typically last about two hours. Climbing short ladders is required in order to get into and out of safari vehicles, and wildlife drives in the park travel dirt roads that are sometimes very rough and bumpy with potentially dusty conditions. Those with back problems or other health issues that could be exacerbated by such circumstances should take
this into consideration. The trip also involves many very early morning starts and long, full days of activities with little downtime, which can be quite tiring.
All areas visited in Bhutan lie above 4,000 feet, with several over 7,000 feet in elevation. We also drive over a mountain pass that is 10,000 feet in elevation. The most difficult excursion is the hike to the Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro, which involves a 4-hour round-trip walk with a 3,000-foot elevation gain ending at 10,000 feet above sea level. There are also many stairs to navigate in order to reach the monastery. Mules are available to transport clients partway up (weight restrictions do apply; riders cannot exceed 200 pounds), but guests must walk on their own back down to the bottom. There is a viewing place at the halfway point on the hike, where you can stop to view the monastery without traveling the entire distance.
Please Note: Most guests travel to Nepal for encounters with the country’s wildlife. While nature experiences in this part of the world are indeed remarkable, there is a fundamental difference between a safari in the Nepal jungle and a typical African safari. At times, guests lured to Nepal by tourist brochures promising “wildlife safaris” can be disappointed to see fewer animals than they expected, or at least fewer than they might normally see in Africa. It is not that Nepal's surviving jungle habitat is thinly populated with wildlife, but, similarly to places like Costa Rica where the forest vegetation is very dense, and here, the elephant grass is also very tall, animals have mastered the art of camouflage and can be difficult to spot.
That said, we have carefully designed our itineraries to capitalize on the best conditions to spot wildlife. But various factors can affect potential sightings, including inclement weather, which creates small pockets of water that allow the animals to remain hidden in the forest, rather than being forced into the open to frequent waterholes. The secret to a successful nature adventure lies with the expertise of our Expedition Leaders and park rangers, as well as your knowing what to expect as a traveler, and in understanding that the privilege of stepping into a wild and untouched natural realm is a reward in itself.
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Bhutan is the first country in the world with constitutional laws protecting the environment. Could this have something to do with the people's happiness? Take this trip and find out!
Joy Martinello, Founder
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