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Bhutan & Nepal: Heart of the Himalaya 2023

11
 days from $
9295
 per person
Operated by: 
Abercrombie & Kent
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Discover Bhutan and Nepal, two Himalayan countries little touched by the passage of time, as you ascend to stunning “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery, stroll through Kathmandu’s Durbar Square and enjoy a meal in the home of a local Nepali family.

A&K Advantages

  • Absorb the grace, beauty and remoteness of Punakha, where you visit the ornately designed Dzong and wander in hand-painted courtyards among crimson-robed monks
  • Feel the spirit of remote Bhutan on a pilgrimage hike to the revered “Tiger’s Nest” Monastery, perched high on a sheer rock face, followed by a celebratory Champagne toast
  • Explore Kathmandu’s storied Durbar Square, and connect with Nepal’s rich spiritual heritage during a guided meditation at Kopan Monastery
  • Hear firsthand from a Mount Everest summiter about his experiences scaling the world’s tallest peak
  • Savor a lesson in Nepalese cuisine during a visit with a local family in their home

Itinerary at a Glance

DAY 1

ARRIVE BANGKOK, THAILAND

DAY 2

PARO & THIMPHU, BHUTAN | AMONG TOWERING PEAKS

DAY 3

PUNAKHA | THE DIVINE MADMAN

DAY 4

THIMPHU | DESIGN YOUR DAY

DAY 5

PARO | MONASTERIES, RIVERS & RELICS

DAY 6

PARO | ASCENT TO THE “TIGER’S NEST”

DAY 7

KATHMANDU, NEPAL | HISTORIC DURBAR SQUARE

DAY 8

KATHMANDU | A GUIDED MEDITATION

DAY 9

KATHMANDU | A LESSON IN NEPALESE CUISINE

DAYS 10–11

DEPART BANGKOK

DAY 1

ARRIVE BANGKOK, THAILAND

Arrive in Bangkok, where you are met and transferred to your airport hotel.

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

DAY 2

PARO & THIMPHU, BHUTAN | AMONG TOWERING PEAKS

Fly to Paro, your gateway to Bhutan, a nation whose cultural traditions remain well preserved. Travel to Thimphu, admiring the mountain scenery, before visiting the National Memorial Chorten. Later, see Tashichho Dzong, a 13th-century Buddhist monastery and fortress. Then, gather for your welcome dinner.

Taj Tashi, Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

PUNAKHA | THE DIVINE MADMAN

Drive over the Dochula Pass, seeing the colorful prayer flags en route to Punakha. Stop at Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of the Divine Madman), a storied fertility temple, continuing to Punakha Dzong, also called the “Palace of Great Happiness.”

Taj Tashi, Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4

THIMPHU | DESIGN YOUR DAY

Today, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

Hike Wangditse Nature Trail, a two-hour scenic walk through fields to Wangtse Monastery, with stunning views.

Offer Butter Lamps at a Monastery in Thimphu, and explore the Folk Heritage and National Textile museums.

Visit Pangrizampa, where you meet with a local astrologer and practice meditation with an expert.

Tonight, gather for dinner at a local restaurant.

Taj Tashi, Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

PARO | MONASTERIES, RIVERS & RELICS

Journey overland to Paro, stopping to visit local farmers at their farmhouse to better understand their traditional way of life. Once in Paro, view the religious thangka (scroll) paintings and the natural history collection at the National Museum of Bhutan. Proceed to Rinpung Dzong, a monastery and fortress on a mountain river.

Zhiwa Ling Heritage

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6

PARO | ASCENT TO THE “TIGER’S NEST”

Today, you may choose to attempt the climb to Taktsang Monastery (“Tiger’s Nest”). This hike is intentionally difficult, intended as an arduous pilgrimage for Buddhist devotees. Upon your descent, celebrate your trek with a Champagne toast and a specially arranged picnic breakfast with local entertainment. Later, try your hand at archery, Bhutan’s national sport.

Zhiwa Ling Heritage

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

KATHMANDU, NEPAL | HISTORIC DURBAR SQUARE

Fly to Kathmandu. Ride Like a Local by rickshaw to Kathmandu Durbar Square and Taleju Temple, see the House of the Living Goddess (Kumari), and stroll through the bazaar and old city. Continue to Swayambhunath, one of the most sacred shrines for Tibetan Buddhists. Later, hear a lecture by a summiter on the epic challenge of scaling Mount Everest.

Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

KATHMANDU | A GUIDED MEDITATION

Visit Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple built in a pagoda style. Then, on an experience exclusively for A&K guests made possible by our local office, enter Kopan Nunnery and Monastery, where a monk or nun leads you in a private guided meditation session. Continue to Boudhanath, home to one of the world’s largest Buddhist shrines, and enjoy a Scenic Sundowner.

Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9

KATHMANDU | A LESSON IN NEPALESE CUISINE

Explore Patan to see Durbar Square and the former royal palace. Participate in a Chef ’s Table cooking class at a local family’s home, learning about local cuisine and daily life in Nepal. Later, savor a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAYS 10–11

DEPART BANGKOK

On Day 10, fly to Bangkok, where you enjoy the use of an executive room, available through Day 11, when you depart on your flight home.

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Meals: Breakfast

Explore Dubai: Stopover Package

Middle-East-UAE-Dubai-Skyline-2020

3 days from $2,295 per person

Single Supplement from $1,595 per person

Take advantage of an incredible opportunity to spend two nights in Dubai before or after your journey.

Accommodations:

Taj Dubai from $2,295 | Single Supplement from $1,595
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai from $3,195 | Single Supplement from $2,495
Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach from $3,295 | Single Supplement from $2,695

International air not included.

3 DAYS

Fly to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and check in to your luxury hotel. Discover the best of this dazzling city, viewing its remarkable architecture; visiting the Spice Market and the colorful shops at Deira Gold Souk; and ascending the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. On the last day, continue on to your journey or board your flight home.

Taj Dubai

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Day 2); Breakfast (Day 3)

Explore Hong Kong: Stopover Package

Asia-China-Hong-Kong-Skyline-Boat-2020

3 days from $2,495 per person

Single Supplement from $1,395 per person

Take advantage of an incredible opportunity to spend two nights in Hong Kong before or after your journey.

International air not included.

3 DAYS

Experience Hong Kong Island by land, air and sea, beginning with a look at the city’s bustling market culture with stops at the Sheung Wan dried food and herbal market, street-side antique shops, and an open-air curio market. Ride the Peak Tram funicular up to Victoria Peak for a stunning view of Victoria Harbour, and finish with a traditional sampan (wooden boat) ride through the local floating villages.

The Peninsula Hong Kong

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (Day 2); Breakfast (Day 3)

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Taj Tashi, Thimphu

Zhiwa Ling Heritage

Dwarika's Hotel, Kathmandu

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

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