Kathmandu Valley & Forbidden Kingdom

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off by road to Chitwan, passing by scenic landscapes during the approx. 4-hour journey. Arrive and get settled at the hotel. In the afternoon, set off on a 1-hour nature walk to explore the beautiful surrounding area, scattered with cabins inhabited by the indigenous Tharu tribe, who have lived in the forests surrounding Chitwan for hundreds of years. After a delicious dinner, enjoy a Tharu Stick Dance Show, performed by local farmers, for an insight into Chitwan’s cultural roots. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Rise early in the morning and enjoy a coffee/tea break before heading off to Chitwan National Park to seize the day and the tranquillity of the natural environment during the quiet hours of the morning. The area surrounding Machan Country Villa is a true paradise for birdwatchers, so keep your eyes peeled for some of the rarer species. Enjoy a nature walk with a naturalist expert who can point out the abundant birdlife before returning to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast. Afterwards you will get to know the behaviours and characteristics of the majestic Asian elephant. Lunch included. Continue your adventure with a 3-hour jeep safari through the jungle until arriving at the shores of the Narayani River where a traditional boat awaits to take you on a tranquil boat cruise. Look out for local wildlife such as crocodiles and water birds before returning to the shore. In the evening, enjoy an informative presentation by a jungle expert to learn more about this unique eco-system. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, set off for Pokhara, a journey of around 3.5-hours long. En route, visit Bandipur Village, a small hilltop settlement and an amazing example of Newar culture. This charming village is home to precious 18th-century architecture, a number of small cafes and shops. Continue to Pokhara, nestled in a quiet, forest-covered valley. Arrive, get settled at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, soaking up the fantastic views of the Himalayas and the five Annapurna peaks. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Himalayas if weather conditions permit. Located at 1592 meters high, it is the most popular spot to enjoy the magnificent views of the Pokhara valley and the mountains. Afterwards, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake and see the beautiful Devi Waterfall and explore the Sacred Cave of Gupteshwor, almost 3 km long. Continue to the traditional Old Bazaar of Pokhara, a pleasant traditional place, which is full of merchants of diverse ethnicities that sell fabrics, food and gold among many other products. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Pokhara.

Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to Kathmandu and enjoy the scenery along the way. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Nagarkot, a village nestled in the beautiful mountains which is famed for its amazing views of the Himalayas. Arrive at the hotel and check-in. Rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Nagarkot.

If the weather permits, enjoy watching the sunrise over the Himalayas. Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy guided walks through the hills surrounding Nagarkot. It is the best way to explore and experience the spectacular natural landscape, countryside and terraced farmland and also understand the lifestyle of local people. Overnight stay in Nagarkot.

Breakfast at the hotel. Return to Kathmandu by road. Arrive and enjoy a guided visit to Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath. The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, one of the largest in the world and icon of Nepal, sits on an octagonal base and is surrounded by the houses of the Lamas. Discover Pashupatinath Hindu Temple from the east bank of the river, the most important and oldest of the Kathmandu Valley, which is dedicated to Shiva and built-in an exuberant natural environment. Free afternoon to stroll through the city or make last-minute souvenir purchases. Overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight to Paro, Bhutan. Transfer to Thimphu, the capital of this mythical and spiritual country, located in a verdant valley, and catch sight of the iconic River Thimphu. Arrive at the hotel, check-in, dinner and overnight stay in Thimphu.

Full-Board. Today, set off on a tour of the city of Thimphu. Visit the spectacular Memorial Chorten built in the memory of the King, and the Craft Centre School, renowned for its stunning Thangka paintings and other traditional arts. In the afternoon, visit Changgangkha Monastery, for sweeping views and to see the iconic prayer wheel, and the radio tower before exploring the National Institute of Tree Medicines, the Paper Factory and two of Thimphu's most exquisite traditional Dzongs, the Tashicho Dzong and Simtokha Dzong. Overnight stay in Thimpu.

Full-Board. Today, set off towards Punakha and en route, walk along the stunning Dochula Pass, which offers a great view of the eastern mountains of the Himalayas. Arrive in Punakha and visit Dzong Punakha, the imposing winter residence of the spiritual leader of Bhutan and thought to be one of the most beautiful constructions in the country. Afterwards visit the Buddhist temple dedicated to Fertility, the Chimi Lhakhang, and enjoy the interesting murals. Overnight stay in Punakha.

Full board. Today, head towards Paro and en-route visit Wangdue Dzong and Semthoka Dzong, both set within captivating landscapes. Learn about the history and significance of these spiritual buildings before continuing to Paro. Visit the Drukgyel Dzong and walk amongst the ruins of this ancient fortress. Finally, discover the temples of Kichu Lhakhang, whose white and facade stands out against the surrounding hills. Arrive in Paro, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay.

Full board. Today, set off to visit the highlight of Bhutan, the famous Taktsang Monastery, known as the Tiger's Nest. Taktsang Monastery is one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas and contains 13 sacred sites. Make the trip up to the sacred site, perched on a cliff overlooking the outstanding natural landscape. Notice the colourful prayer flags and soak up the unique atmosphere. In the afternoon, visit Ta Dzong, now a national museum home to an extensive antique collection of paintings, textiles and weapons. Overnight stay in Paro.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to Kathmandu, Nepal. Arrive, transfer to the hotel and overnight stay in Kathmandu.

Breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport for a flight back to the UK/Ireland. Night on board.