Nepal and Bhutan Tour

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu

A Peregrine representative meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and escorts you directly to your hotel. That afternoon, your tour leader holds a group briefing covering the full itinerary, day-by-day schedule, and any last-minute adjustments. Come with questions — this is the right moment to raise them.

Kathmandu is home primarily to the Newari people, whose history stretches back more than a thousand years. That heritage shows up everywhere: in the carved wooden facades of courtyard temples, in the metalwork sold at street-level workshops, and in the food.

Ason and Indrachowk are the city’s oldest trading bazaars — narrow lanes stacked with spice vendors, thangka painters, and brass temple wares. An evening walk through either takes less than an hour and sets the tone for everything that follows.

Accommodation: Aarya Hotel and Spa – Eternal Heritage or similar
Meals: Not Included

Day 02: Mountain Flight to Mount Everest and Kathmandu return

The day begins before sunrise. Your mountain flight departs early to catch the clearest air, tracing a route along the high Himalayan wall east of Kathmandu. From your window seat, the summit of Mount Everest — 8,849 meters, the highest point on Earth — comes into view alongside Lhotse, Makalu, and the full sweep of Sagarmatha National Park, the first national park in Nepal to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Weather is variable by season; Peregrine monitors conditions and will advise if scheduling adjustments are needed.

Back in Kathmandu, the afternoon moves through four of the valley’s most significant sites.
Boudhanath Stupa ranks among the largest stupas in Asia, built at the crossroads of the ancient Tibetan trade route into Kathmandu. The whitewashed dome, the watchful painted eyes, and the constant circuit of monks and pilgrims turning prayer wheels make it one of the most alive religious sites in the region — not a museum piece, but a functioning center of Tibetan Buddhist practice.

Swayambhunath — known informally as the Monkey Temple — sits on a hillock west of the city and requires a climb of 365 steps to reach the main stupa. The site predates recorded Kathmandu Valley history and offers one of the clearest panoramic views over the city. The resident rhesus macaque population is large and territorial; keep food out of sight.

Pashupatinath Temple dates to the 5th century.. Its complex of shrines and ashrams lines the banks of the Bagmati River, one of the most sacred rivers in Hinduism. Along the ghats, you may witness cremation ceremonies conducted in the open air. This is a living funeral tradition; your guide will prepare you for what to expect and will step back with you if you prefer more distance.

Kathmandu Durbar Square completes the afternoon.. The stonework here dates to the Lichhavi period — third-century architecture still standing in an open plaza, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The scale of the craftsmanship, built without modern tools or materials, is difficult to absorb in a single visit.

Accommodation: Aarya Hotel and Spa – Eternal Heritage or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 03: Fly to Pokhara and Lakeside Exploration

The flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara takes approximately 25 minutes and departs in the late morning. Before you travel, one practical reality is worth understanding: domestic flights in Nepal are among the most weather-dependent in the world. Kathmandu and Pokhara both sit in mountain valleys where visibility, wind, and cloud cover can shift within the hour.
Delays are common across all seasons and are not a reflection of the airline or the operator — they are a function of flying in the Himalayas. Peregrine monitors flight status from the morning of departure and will keep you informed of any changes. Carry a book, download something to watch, and treat any wait at the terminal as the first unhurried moment of the Pokhara leg. The flight itself, when it goes, is 25 minutes of low-altitude mountain scenery that no road journey replicates.
On arrival, the transfer to the hotel takes approximately 20 minutes. The Pokhara Valley sits at a lower elevation than Kathmandu; the air is warmer, and the pace shifts immediately on landing. On a clear day, the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre (Fishtail Peak) ranges are visible from the aircraft window before you touch down.
The afternoon is free for rest and independent exploration of the lakeside. The hotel sits within comfortable walking distance of Phewa Lake — close enough to reach on foot, positioned away from the noise of the busiest part of the Lakeside strip, so that sleeping is not a problem.
Phewa Lake is the natural starting point. The lakeside promenade runs for several kilometers and rewards an unhurried walk — local tea houses, art galleries, gear shops, and open-air cafes line the route, with the lake and the Annapurna range providing the backdrop. The reflection of Machhapuchhre on calm afternoon water is one of the quieter pleasures of Pokhara and requires nothing more than finding a seat with a view.

Day 04: Pokhara — Full Day Exploration

The alarm is early today. Your guide arranges a pre-dawn transfer to Sarangkot, the ridge viewpoint that sits 1,592 meters above sea level on the northern edge of the valley. The drive from the lakeside takes approximately 30 minutes on a winding road through dark forest, arriving before first light to claim a good position at the viewpoint.

As the sky lightens, the Annapurna range emerges from the darkness in stages: Annapurna South first, then Machhapuchhre’s unmistakable double-summit profile, then Dhaulagiri to the west and Manaslu to the east on a clear morning. The full panorama, when the light catches the snow at the right angle, is the single most memorable view on the Nepal leg of this journey. The return drive is back to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, the day moves at a relaxed pace through Pokhara’s most rewarding stops.

Phewa Lake by boat comes first. A short rowing or paddleboat excursion from the main ghat takes you to the Tal Barahi Temple — a small island shrine in the middle of the lake dedicated to the goddess Barahi and one of the most photographed spots in Pokhara. The boat ride itself, with the Annapurna range reflected on the water on a calm morning, is as worthwhile as the temple visit. The crossing takes less than ten minutes each way.

Devi’s Falls— locally known as Patale Chhango — sits on the south side of the city, roughly 20 minutes by taxi. The falls drop through a narrow gorge and disappear underground into a tunnel carved by the water over centuries. Gupteshwor Cave is directly opposite, its entrance decorated with Hindu shrines and stalactite formations, and a lower viewing platform offers a second perspective on the falls from below ground. The two sites together take no more than 45 minutes and are best visited back-to-back.

The Tibetan Refugee Camp at Tashiling, a short distance from Davis Falls, is worth the brief detour. Established in the 1960s, it houses one of the longest-standing Tibetan exile communities in Nepal. The camp’s carpet weaving center and handicraft shop are open to visitors — the hand-knotted carpets produced here follow traditional Tibetan patterns and are made on-site. It is a working community, not a heritage exhibit, and the visit carries more weight for it.

The World Peace Pagoda crowns the ridge on the southern shore of Phewa Lake, roughly 20 minutes by taxi from the lakeside. Nepal has two of the world’s eight Peace Pagodas — one in Lumbini, one here. The views from the pagoda terrace take in the full Annapurna range to the north and the lake and city below. The pagoda can also be reached on foot from the lakeside via a 45-minute forest trail if you prefer the approach on foot.

Pumdikot Hill closes the day. The hilltop is home to a large white Shiva statue and sits on a ridge east of the city with open views across the valley in three directions — the lake to the west, the Annapurna range to the north, and the Pokhara urban spread below. The drive takes approximately 20 minutes from the lakeside. Sunset from Pumdikot, if the timing works, is a strong alternative to Sarangkot for those who want a second viewpoint with fewer crowds.

Lunch and dinner are at your own expense today — your guide can recommend restaurants near the lakeside to suit any budget or preference.

Accommodation: Hotel Waterfront or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 05: Drive to Chitwan National Park

The group departs Pokhara by road this morning, heading southeast toward Chitwan National Park — Nepal’s first national park and one of the most biodiverse protected areas in Asia. The drive takes approximately four hours, depending on road conditions, descending from the Pokhara hills into the flat Terai lowlands. The landscape changes completely along the way: rhododendron slopes give way to sal forest, and the air grows heavier and warmer as you drop in elevation.
On arrival in Sauraha, you check in at Hotel Aikawa, a well-located property on the park boundary, built in the Tharu architectural style. The lodge manager introduces the group to your nature guide, who is required for all activities within the national park. The guide covers the activity schedule and what to expect in the jungle.

The late afternoon is yours to use at your own pace. A walk to the riverside at sunset is worth the short distance — the Rapti River at dusk, with the tree line of the park on the far bank, is a good first look at what the next day holds.

The Tharu people are the original inhabitants of the Chitwan region, with a culture, language, and traditions entirely distinct from those of the hill communities of Nepal. Every evening, a group of Tharu performers presents their cultural dance in the village. Your guide can arrange attendance at the nearest performance — it runs for approximately 1 hour and is one of the more genuine cultural programs available along this route.

Accommodation: Hotel Aikawa or similar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 06: Jungle Activities in Chitwan National Park

Peregrine does not offer elephant-back safaris or elephant bathing programs. These activities cause documented harm to captive elephants and are not part of this itinerary. Instead, the morning offers the Elephant Walk — a guided walking tour alongside an Asian captive elephant, observing her natural behavior in a setting that does not involve riding or forced interaction.

It is a more educational and honest encounter. Peregrine continuously reviews its wildlife activity offerings against current animal welfare guidance; if this program changes before your departure, your coordinator will advise on the alternative morning activity.

The jeep safari follows. Chitwan’s core zone encompasses dense sal forests, open grasslands, and river channels, and the safari route changes based on where animal activity has been reported. The park holds the second-largest population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in the world — sightings are frequent, and close approaches in an open jeep are genuinely striking. Approximately 120 Bengal tigers inhabit the park, though sightings remain rare and should not be expected.

Chitwan records over 500 bird species, making it one of the best birding destinations in South Asia, even without a dedicated birding program. Other common sightings include spotted deer, sambar, wild boar, and langur monkeys.

The afternoon canoe ride on the Rapti River closes the day’s activities. The pace drops completely — a dug-out canoe, river noise, and the chance to spot Gharial crocodiles and Marsh Muggers from the water level. The Gharial is endangered; seeing one in the wild, long-snouted and motionless on a sandbank, is a rare encounter. Dinner is at the Tharu Kitchen.

Accommodation: Hotel Aikawa or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 07: Return to Kathmandu

The day begins with an optional early morning bird-watching walk along the park boundary. The pre-dawn hours are when Chitwan’s forest is most active. Even a 90-minute walk covers significant ground in terms of what becomes visible. Participation is optional but recommended for anyone with an interest in wildlife beyond the jeep safari.

After breakfast, the group flies back to Kathmandu. The afternoon in the city is unscheduled. Use it for any remaining shopping in Thamel, a second visit to a heritage site, or simply to rest before the Bhutan leg of the journey begins.

Your tour leader runs a pre-departure briefing in the evening. This session covers the Bhutan group visa requirements, fixed arrival and departure protocols, what to expect on the Paro flight, and the structure of the days ahead. Attending is important — the entry requirements for Bhutan are more specific than Nepal, and the briefing removes any uncertainty before you land.

Accommodation: Aarya Hotel and Spa – Eternal Heritage or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 08: Fly to Paro and Drive to Thimphu

The flight from Tribhuvan International Airport to Paro is one of the most scenic short-haul routes in the world. Request a window seat on the left side of the aircraft. On a clear day, the approach into Paro Valley runs directly alongside the high Himalayan range, with Kanchenjunga, Jomolhari, and the Bhutanese peaks visible at close range before the aircraft descends sharply into the valley floor.

Immigration and customs formalities are completed on arrival. Your licensed Bhutanese guide meets you outside the terminal and transfers the group to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. The drive takes approximately two hours through river valleys, past red rice paddies, whitewashed farmhouses, and dzong architecture that begins appearing almost immediately after leaving the airport.

In Thimphu, the afternoon covers two traditional production sites. Nado Poizokhang is one of Bhutan’s oldest incense factories, producing hand-rolled incense from local juniper, herbs, and aromatic woods using methods unchanged for generations. Gagyel Lhundrup Weaving Center is where you can watch Bhutanese women working on traditional backstrap looms, producing the kira and gho fabrics that all Bhutanese citizens are required to wear in public buildings. Both visits are short but give immediate context for how traditional craft production still functions as a living industry rather than a tourist reconstruction.

The evening includes dinner at the hotel and a group session to discuss the Bhutan itinerary ahead.

Bhutan Entry Requirements

What to Know: Bhutan issues tourist visas linked to a confirmed, pre-paid itinerary. For this itinerary, Peregrine operates on a group visa basis — your visa is processed through our licensed Bhutanese operator relationship, and all travelers in the group must arrive and depart on the fixed dates specified at booking.

The mandatory government fees for 2026 are a one-time visa fee of USD 40 per person and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person per night — both are included in your Peregrine package. A 5% GST applies to all tour services from January 2026; the SDF and visa fees are exempt from this tax. In the rare event that a flight disruption places you outside the group visa window, Peregrine can arrange alternative accommodation, though this will incur an additional cost. Contact our team immediately if this situation arises.

Accommodation: Hotel Pedling or similar
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 09: Exploring Thimphu and Drive to Punakha

Thimphu is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights — intersections are managed by white-gloved traffic police in raised booths. The morning begins with a walk through the Tibetan Village on the northern edge of the city, passing agricultural plots, blue pine forest, and traditional farmhouses before reaching the riverside trail.

The trail follows the Wang Chhu River north to Pangri Zampa Gompa, a 16th-century monastery complex that now serves as Bhutan’s national center for traditional astrology. Along the route, Tango and Cheri Gompa are visible on the hillsides above — both active monastic institutions, not heritage sites. A picnic lunch on the riverbank marks the midpoint of the morning walk, after which the group returns to the city for the afternoon program.

The afternoon tour takes in Thimphu’s most significant landmarks. The National Memorial Chorten was built in 1974 in honor of Bhutan’s third king, Jigme Dorje Wangchuck, and functions as an active site of daily prayer for Thimphu’s residents — elderly Bhutanese circle it continuously throughout the day in a ritual that has nothing to do with tourism. The Zhilukha Nunnery, also known as Drubthob Gomba, houses approximately 60 nuns and is the largest nunnery in Bhutan.

The Choki Traditional Art School teaches the thirteen traditional arts of Bhutan — thangka painting, woodcarving, weaving, and sculpture among them — and visitors can watch work in progress across the studios. The National Textile Museum provides the historical context for Bhutanese textile traditions across centuries and regions. The National Handicrafts Emporium is the most reliable single source for quality traditional products — thangkas, hand-woven textiles, wooden bowls, and bronze statuary, all produced locally.

After Thimphu, the drive to Punakha takes approximately four hours via the Dochula Pass at 3,100 meters. Punakha sits at approximately 1,300 meters above sea level — roughly 1,242 meters lower in elevation than Thimphu —, and the temperature difference is immediately noticeable on arrival. The valley is warmer, greener, and has served as Bhutan’s winter capital for centuries. At the pass, the group stops to take in the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens and, on a clear day, an unobstructed view of Gangkar Punsum — the highest unclimbed peak in the world at 7,570 meters.

Accommodation: Hotel Vara or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 10: Exploring Punakha and Drive to Paro

Punakha Dzong is the centerpiece of the morning. Built in 1637 at the exact confluence of the Pho Chu (Father River) and Mo Chu (Mother River), it is the second-largest dzong in Bhutan and one of the most architecturally significant buildings in the country.

The structure holds the sacred remains of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal — the Tibetan lama who unified Bhutan as a nation-state in the 17th century. In spring, jacaranda trees line the entrance bridge in full purple bloom. The interior courtyards, painted assembly halls, and the view back across the river confluence from the far end of the dzong are all worth taking time over.

After lunch, the group hikes from the Mo Chu riverbank to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten — a 45-minute climb at 1,800 meters elevation. The trail runs uphill on natural terrain, similar to the surface of the Tiger’s Nest approach the following day, so treat it as useful preparation. At the top, the 360-degree panorama takes in the full length of Punakha Valley: paddy terraces in stepped rows, the Mo Chu winding through the valley floor, and the dzong visible in the distance. The descent returns to the river in under 30 minutes.

The return drive to Paro crosses the Dochula Pass a second time, offering a different light and perspective on the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens — built in honor of the Bhutanese soldiers who defended the country in the 2003 conflict against militant groups from Assam, each chorten representing an individual act of service. The morning views across to Gangkar Punsum are often clearer than the afternoon approach from the previous day. The drive from Punakha to Paro takes approximately three to four hours.

Accommodation: Mandala Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11: Tiger's Nest Monastery — Paro Taktsang

The drive from the hotel to the trailhead takes about 15 minutes. From the trailhead, the hike to Taktsang Monastery covers four kilometers of ascending trail and takes between two and three hours at a steady pace. The monastery sits on a granite cliff face 900 meters directly above the floor of Paro Valley — visible from the trailhead below, which gives a clear picture of the distance before you start.

The lower section of the trail is the most gradual, passing through blue pine and rhododendron forest with the monastery appearing and disappearing through the canopy. The middle section steepens considerably. The trail surface is natural earth and compacted stone — proper hiking boots with ankle support and trekking poles make a material difference to both pace and safety. Pony support is available at the trailhead for the lower section if needed. A teahouse and viewpoint sit roughly halfway up; this is the view that appears in most photographs of Taktsang, and it rewards a proper stop.

The monastery complex occupies several levels of the rock face, connected by internal staircases and narrow passages. Four main temples are open to visitors, each containing butter lamps, gilded statuary, and murals depicting episodes from the life of Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who is said to have arrived at this location in the 8th century on the back of a tigress — the origin of the Tiger’s Nest name. Photography is not permitted inside the temples; the time inside is better spent looking than documenting.

The descent takes approximately 90 minutes. The group returns to Paro for the final night of the journey.

Expedition Notes for the Tiger’s Nest Hike:

• Wear hiking boots with ankle support — trail shoes are insufficient with loose upper sections
• Carry at least one liter of water per person; the teahouse halfway up sells drinks, but at limited hours
• Trekking poles reduce knee strain significantly on the descent
• Start early — the trail gets crowded by mid-morning, and the teahouse viewpoint becomes congested
• Dress in layers; the trailhead feels warm, but the upper sections are exposed to wind
• An entry fee is payable at the monastery gate (approximately USD 12 per person — carry cash in Bhutanese Ngultrum or Indian Rupees)
• Shoulders and knees must be covered inside all temple spaces; a light layer or scarf packed in your daypack is sufficient.
• There is no wheelchair access or paved path at any point on the trail

Accommodation: Mandala Resort or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 12: Farewell from Paro

Breakfast is at the hotel before the transfer to Paro International Airport. All group members are required to depart Bhutan on the same day — this is a condition of the group visa and cannot be adjusted individually. The flight out retraces the approach in reverse: the valley drops away, the Himalayan range comes back into view, and Bhutan recedes behind the peaks.

For any pre-departure questions about this itinerary, contact the Peregrine team at sales@peregrinetreks.com or WhatsApp +9779851052413.

Meals: Breakfast