Monastery of Nepal and Bhutan Tour 8 Days

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, upon leaving the arrivals terminal, a representative of Sampurna Adventure will greet and welcoming you then 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.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure for personal activities following your program briefing or you may familiarize yourself by exploring the narrow lively, and endless streets filled with shops, good restaurants, ATMs and exchange money, full of typical Nepali handicrafts, fine jewelry, clothing, and trekking gear stores, etc.

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 if time permit, 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 drive to Kuensel Phodrang, the biggest Buddha statue and magnificent viewpoint of Thimphu valley, visit Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin preserve center, to see the National Animal the 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.

Morning transfer to Punakha over the Dochula pass, (3,050 m) from where one can see the beautiful view of eastern Himalayan range on the clear sunny day. 

Visit Punakha Dzong, 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. Later walk around the Punakha valley to see the farmhouse and the Bhutan architecture.

Later visit 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.

Visit 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 transfer to Paro and take rest,

Transfer to Taktsang Monastery base point, later 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 three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Padma Sambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country where most people visit in their lifetime. 

Visit to the 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.

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. 

Later we will cross the traditional wooden bridge and 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. 

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, 

visit the most important monuments of the Nepalese capital. Visit the Kumari Palace (Living goddess) where the Kumari acknowledges their greetings from her balcony window, Kathmandu Durbar square (The World Heritage site) filled with the temples, courtyards & palace of the Malla Kings, who ruled over the city. The palace is known as Hanuman Dhoka, the statue of Monkey god adjoining to the palace entrance. The main courtyard of the palace is the place where Kings of Nepal were crowned and have their coronations solemnized.

Next to the palace we have gigantic figure of Kal Bhairab (the God of Destruction) and beautiful temples.

We will visit the Patan Durbar Square (World Heritage Site), the city of fine arts & craft in metal, stone, terracotta, officially known as Lalitpur Metropolitan City and one of the largest cities of Nepal, it is famous for its rich cultural heritage, where you will see in its ancient palace with golden gate and window, temples of Krishna, Shiva, Golden temple (Hiranya Barna Mahabihar) as well as monasteries & beautiful courtyard.

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.