The flight towards the Himalayan kingdom, Nepal reveals stunning views of the great peaks Mount Dorje Lakpa, Mt Ganesha, Mt Purbi Chhyachu, Mt Langtang, etc., (weather permitting).
You will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport. After customs, immigration procedures and baggage claim, a representative from Sampurna will greet you upon leaving the arrivals terminal, welcoming you and transferring you to your hotel (Check-in: 1400 hours).
The Kathmandu Valley, the capital and heart of the country, essentially symbolizes everything that is Nepal. Having lived through the rule of several dynasties, the culture and society of Kathmandu has evolved over time to give it a more than unique characteristic. Today it is an urban city that has its ancient myths and at the same time is a testimony to the greatness of people who have lived there for centuries, a melting pot of everything that is Nepali.
In the afternoon free for personal activities, you can familiarize yourself by exploring the city center of Kathmandu with the narrow, lively and endless streets filled with shops of Nepalese crafts, jewelry, clothes, ATMs and good restaurants, etc.
(Optional: Early morning an optional Mount Everest flight tour – The Highest Mountain on Earth).
Visit Kathmandu Durbar square (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the most important monuments of the Nepalese capital in the open-air museum filled with the temples, courtyards and palace of the Malla Kings, who ruled over the city. Other impressive sights include a giant statue of Kal Bhairab, the God of Destruction, stunning Shiva-Parvati temples, Taleju, and the Kumari Palace, where the Kumari acknowledges their greetings from her window.
Swoyambhunath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is probably the most sacred ancient Buddhist pilgrimage site soaring above the city on a lofty hilltop, the fascinating, chaotic jumble of Buddhist and Hindu iconography, ancient carvings, the smell of incense and butter lamps, the mystical atmosphere is heightened by devotees who make a ritual circumambulation of the stupa, spinning the prayer wheels set into its base. This famous stupa is surrounded by typical houses of priests, Chaityas and monasteries.
Later on, we will stroll famous to famous Indra Chowk market, Machhendra Bahal, Ason, Naradevi, Shreeghaar, we will have an experience by rikshaw ride to Thamel neighborhood). After arriving in Thamel, we have free time to explore around the famous tourist hub in town (One hour or more). In the afternoon drive back to the Hotel.
Transfer to the airport in the morning at the scheduled time to catch a flight to Bhutan, on arrival you will receive at Paro Airport (7,000ft) and then transfer to Thimphu, drive through the beautiful valleys of Paro and Thimphu to the capital of Bhutan – Thimphu.
In the afternoon visit the famous King's memorial Chorten built in the memory of Lt. His Majesty the King by Royal Queen Mother, where one could see the devotion of the local layman spinning prayer wheels and murmuring mantras, while circumambulating the Chorten, visit Tashichodzong, situated on the banks of Wang Chhu. It is home of the National Assembly and the summer residence of capital's venerated monastic community. The Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Morning visit to Kuensel Phodrang – the largest Buddha statue of 51.5 meter, a 'Vajra Throne' Buddha, "to bestow blessings, peace and happiness on the whole world", its viewpoint offers the magnificent view of Thimphu valley, the statue will house over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues;
Visit Takin preserve center to see the National animal “Takin”, Bhutan's National Library is located close to the Thangka painting school and contains arguably the best collection of religious and historic literature in the Himalayas. The country has its own brand of Himalayan medicines and this can be seen at the Indigenous Hospital. The Textile and Folk Heritage Museum opened in year 2001 is fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
This morning we visit to Punakha Dzong, it is stands at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers, which is the winter home of the head of Central Monastic Body led by HH the Je Khenpo (the chief abode), this place is the old capital of the country and the seat of government until 1955, later the capital was moved to Thimphu.
The Dzong was constructed by Tuebi Zaow Balip in 1637; the country's most beautiful Dzong. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu School including the Rangjung Kasarpani, in 1907, Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first King of Bhutan. Three years later, a treaty was signed at Punakha whereby the British agreed not to interfere in Bhutanese internal affairs and Bhutan allowed Britain to direct its foreign affairs.
After lunch, we visit to Chimi Lhakhang, an important Buddhist monastery/ temple in Punakha, Bhutan. It stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a Chorten on the site.
He was known as the "Mad Saint" or “Divine Madman” for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior, which amounted to being bizarre, shocking and with sexual overtones. He is also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on walls and as flying carved wooden phalluses on house tops at four corners of the eves. The monastery is the repository of the original wooden symbol of phallus that Kunley brought from Tibet. This wooden phallus is used to bless people who visit the monastery on pilgrimage particularly women seeking blessings to beget children. The tradition at the monastery is to strike pilgrims on the head with a wooden phallus (a symbols of a male organ) by which in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip.
If time permit, later walk around the Punakha valley to see the farmhouse and the Bhutan architecture.
Drive to Gangtey village, located in the central Bhutan overlooking the vast U-shaped glacial Phobjikha Valley of marshy land. The Nake Chu River runs through this valley. Above the Black Mountain Region is inhabited by nomadic shepherds and yak-herders.
We visit an important Gangtey monastery or Gangtey Gompa, the monastery's history traces back to early 17th century to the prophecies made by the well-known Terton (treasure finder) Pema Lingpa, which is one of the main seats of the Pema Lingpa tradition and one of the two main centers of the Nyingma-pa school of Buddhism in the country.
The Phobjikha Valley, is the place here the black-necked cranes visit to roost from Tibet.
In the afternoon drive back to Punakha.
We drive back to Paro, again we come to over the Dochula La pass where we stop for lunch. Arrive in Paro and check in at hotel,
Late we visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (monastery/fortress Built in 1645 A.D), On the hill above the Dzong stands an ancient watchtower called Ta Dzong which since 1967, has been the National Museum of Bhutan, a fascinating place housed in an old museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armor to textiles and Thangka paintings.
Drive to Taktsang Monastery base point, we hike to Taktsang Palphug Monastery (known as Tiger's Nest), a prominent most sacred site located in the Cliffside of the upper Paro valley. Built in 1692, the Taktsang cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for more than three years in the 8th century.
Padma Sambhava is credited for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country where most people visit in their lifetime.
On the way back, visit to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong. This Dzong is of historical importance, from whose ramparts the Bhutanese repelled Tibetan invaders. On a clear day one can view the sacred Mount Chomolhari, Mountain of Goddess (24,000 ft.). Visit Kyichhu Lhakhang / Jowo Temple of Kyichhu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. It is considered to be one of the four (4) border taming temples he built. Ever since then the annual rites of great accomplishment for the deities Vajrasattva, Palchen Heruka, and Vajrakilaya have been held in this temple for the wellbeing of the country under the patronage of Kesang Choden Wangchuck.
Transfer to the airport in the morning at the scheduled time to catch a flight to Kathmandu, on arrival you will be greeted and welcome by Sampurna Adventure personal & transferred to your Hotel, Rest of the day for personal activities, you can explore the narrow lively and endless streets of Thamel where you will find all kinds of good restaurants, full of typical Nepali handicraft, fine jewelry and clothing and trekking gear store.
Leisurely breakfast, in the morning free for personal activities, later at the arranged time transfer to the airport for final departure to connect onward flight. We wish you a safe flight and hope to serve you back in near future.
End of Service.