Himalayas
Probably the Kathmandu to Lhasa and on to Bhutan
Audley Kathmandu to Lhasa via Friendship Highway- 17 days 5.2k inc flights. Selective Asia do this too at 3.6k ex-flights Audley looks the better option
Selective Asia to Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan
Bamboo Nepal & Tibet 4.9
Audley
- International outbound flight Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu Today you can enjoy a tour with your driver and guide, taking in Kathmandu's sights and attractions. You'll also visit the impressive Swayambhunath Stupa situated on a hill in the west of the city. Swayambhunath is also known as the Monkey Temple due to the large number of monkeys that live on the hill.
- Kathmandu You have the full day at leisure today. We suggest exploring the city on foot, walking between Dunbar Square and Thamel. Alternatively, relax in the Garden of Dreams - a neo-classical garden just outside Thamel.
- Kathmandu , Gongkar , Tsetang Your private driver takes you to the airport this morning ready for your flight from Kathmandu to Gongkar Airport in Tibet. On arrival, you're met by your Tibetan guide for the drive to Tsetang. The afternoon should be taken at a leisurely pace as you adjust to the high altitude. Accommodation Tsetang Hotel
- Tsetang Today your guide accompanies you by car to Samye Monastery - Tibet's first Buddhist monastery. In the afternoon you continue on to Yambulagang Palace, home of the first 32 kings of Tibet. There are great views of the surrounding countryside from the palace
- Tsetang , Lhasa This morning you're driven in a private vehicle to the capital, Lhasa. On arrival you check into your hotel and then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to wander through the Tibetan bazaar and streets of the old city. Accommodation options Kyichu Hotel or Dhood Gu Hotel or St Regis Lhasa Resort
- Lhasa Visit the superb Potala Palace this morning, which is the seat of the Dalai Lamas. In the afternoon, explore Sera Monastery, where you may be able to watch the monks debating. Later you visit Lhasa's only nunnery, near Barkhor Square.
- Lhasa This morning you can enjoy a tour of Lhasa's most important temple, the Jokhang. Afterwards, travel to the outskirts of Lhasa to visit the seat of the State Oracle at Drepung.
- Lhasa , Gyantse Your private driver escorts you to Gyantse today on the Southern Friendship Highway, first passing the beautiful Turquoise Lake and later, snow-capped peaks. On arrival in Gyantse the evening is at your leisure. Accommodation Gyantse Hotel
- Gyantse Today is spent with your guide visiting the impressive Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum. Afterwards you're free to wander around the old town independently, perhaps visiting Gyantse Fort.
- Gyantse , Shigatse You're driven in a private vehicle to Shigatse this morning, via Shalu Monastery. In the afternoon you also visit Tashilunpo Monastery, the former seat of the Panchen Lama. Afterwards you have some time at leisure to wander around and visit the local markets .Accommodation options Tashi Choeta Grand Hotel , Hotel Manasarovar, Shigatse Hotel
- Shigatse , Xegar. This morning you're driven from Shigatse to Xegar, visiting Sakya Monastery. The seat of the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism, it was founded in 1073. You'll visit a number of the monastery's temples. Accommodation Qomolangma Hotel Tibet Tingri
- Everest Base Camp Today, enjoy the passing scenery on the drive towards the Himalaya, eventually arriving at isolated Rongbuk Monastery, which sits in the shadow of Everest. You'll spend the night here at an altitude of 5,000 m (16,400 ft). Accommodation Rongbuk Monastery
- Everest Base Camp , Gyirong . Set off early this morning for a hike up to Base Camp itself, where you can take in staggering views of Everest. You then make the journey to Gyirong, the border crossing between Tibet and Nepal. Accommodation Jilong Hotel
- Gyirong , Kathmandu . After crossing the border this morning, you're met by your new driver and guide for your private transfer through the mountains to Kathmandu. Accommodation options Kathmandu Guest House or Dwarika's Hotel or Hyatt Hotel or The Inn
- Kathmandu , International return flight
Audley Bhutan
- International outbound flight . Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Delhi.
- Delhi On arrival spend the rest of the day at leisure to recover from your international flight. If you have time you might like to take a taxi into central Delhi to explore the markets or visit Delhi's Red Fort. Accommodation options The Westin Gurgaon The Imperial Claridges
- Delhi , Guwahati , Samdrup Jongkhar
- Fly to Guwahati in northeast India and travel to the Bhutanese border with a guide and driver. You have the night in the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar, an important trading post. Accommodation Hotel Mountain
- Samdrup Jongkhar , Trashigang . Continue by road to Trashigang. The drive will take most of the day but you will have the opportunity to stop and take in the scenery along the way. You will check in to your hotel in Trashigang which sits above the Drangme Chhu River. Accommodation KC Hotel
- Trashigang. Visit Gom Kora a temple filled with colourful Buddhist carvings as well as Chorten Kora. In the afternoon, explore Trashigang which is filled with traditional wooden buildings and original architecture.
- Trashigang , Mongar. Continue west to Mongar by road via the biggest and most important monetary in eastern Bhutan: Drametse Goempa. You will also have the chance to visit Mongar Dzong, a more modern monastery. Accommodation Hotel Wangchuk
- Mongar , Jakar . A full day drive to the Bumthang Valley in the heart of Bhutan. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop and explore.Accommodation options Swiss Guest House Amankora Jakar
- Jakar Take a walking tour of Thangbi Temple and visit Jakar Dzong. One of the largest dzongs in the country, it is set on a ridge above Jakar town with views right across the valley.
- Jakar , Phobjikha Valley Travel by road to Gangtey, stopping at Trongsa Dzong en route. Trongsa is a huge monastery complex which prints most of Bhutan's Buddhist texts. Accommodation options Dewachen Hotel Six Senses Gangtey Amankora Gangtey Gangtey Lodge
- Phobjikha Valley Walk the Tenkhor Yuetshe Sum Trail which links together many local villages and hamlets today. You will also visit the black-necked crane research centre with the chance of spotting some of the black-necked cranes themselves.
- Phobjikha Valley , Punakha Continue by road to Punakha. On arrival you will check in to your hotel and have time to relax. You might like to take a walk around the grounds of your hotel which has views across the valley. Accommodation options Meri Puensum Resort Six Senses Punakha Amankora Punakha Uma Punaka
- Punakha Take a half day walk from Nobgang to Punakha, a particularly picturesque valley route. In the afternoon, visit the Punakha Dzong which is located at the confluence of two rivers.
- Punakha , Thimpu Head to the capital and take an afternoon tour of Thimphu. Key points of interest include the King's Memorial Chorten, which is a Tibetan-style chorten or stupa built to honour the memory of the third king. Inside, there are numerous religious paintings and statues of different Buddhist deities, and each day many Bhutanese come here to pray, spin the colourful prayer wheels and walk around the grounds. Inside, the walls are decorated with bright paintings depicting famous Buddhist deities and religious legends. Accommodation options Hotel Kisa Taj Tashi Hotel Amankora Thimpu
- Thimpu , Paro Drive to Paro and visit Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong. Paro Dzong is located right up on the hillside and was used to defend Paro from Tibetan invasions. Spend this evening in Paro. You might like to eat in the hotel's pretty courtyard. Accommodation options Gangtey Palace Amankora Paro Uma Paro
- Paro Full day excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery and Drukgyel Dzong. A highlight of the trip, it's possible to climb up halfway to simply view Tiger's Nest Monastery if you are not able to climb the entire route.Accommodation options
- Paro , Delhi Fly from Paro to Delhi. After checking in to your Delhi hotel, you might like to simply relax or explore Delhi a little. The markets are an excellent place to shop before heading home tomorrow. Accommodation options Colonel's Retreat Claridges Aashiyan Homestay
- Delhi , International return flight Transfer to the airport in time for your onwards flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.
Round Nepal 12 days
Round Nepal 14 days
Audley Bhutan - 15 days
Steppes Travel 12 days bhutan
Steppes Travel 12 days Tigers of india & Nepal
Steppes Travel - helicopter over Everest , 6 days
Planning
