• Duration:10 Nights 11 Days
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Max. Altitude: 3180m
  • Group Size: 2-8
  • Activity: Sightseeing
  • Pick Up: TIA Airport

About Cultural Tour of Nepal and Bhutan

Annapurna Foothills offer amazing Trekking Packages which combine the best of nature and culture in two Himalayan countries.

Explore the culture of Nepal:

This tour is designed to share the rich history and culture of the Kathmandu Valley. Nepal is a colorful mosaic of diversity and harmony created by antiquity and modernity, Hinduism and Buddhism, ethnicity and caste creating the fabric of a vibrant society. The Kathmandu Valley is comprised of three ancient cities: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. These were once independent states ruled by the Malla kings from the 12th to the 18th centuries. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in these three cities.

  • palaces of the three kings who reigned in the Kathmandu Valley
  • Kathmandu Durbar Square, Ancient Palace and home of Living Goddess
  • Patan Durbar Square, with a strong Buddhist element
  • Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a living museum where old traditions remain
  • exquisite monuments, sculptures, artistic temples and magnificent art
  • medieval art and architecture
  • Pashupathinath, the birthplace of Lord Shiva
  • Boudhanath, a magnificent Buddhist stupa with a Tibetan atmosphere
  • Swayambhunath, the ‘Monkey Temple’ and a city viewpoint
     

Explore the culture of Bhutan:

This tour explores the highlights of this mystic Land of the Thunder Dragon, or Druk Yul as it is known to the Bhutanese. This beautiful Shangri La, nestled in the heart of the Himalayan Mountains, has been little affected by globalization or modernization. Bhutan’s rich cultural and traditional heritage remains immersed in ancient Buddhism, mythology and legend. A spiritual nation, Bhutan measures its development by Gross National Happiness rather than Gross Domestic Procuct.

Travelers to this Buddhist kingdom are enraptured with spectacular unspoiled scenery of verdant valleys, forests and Himalayan peaks. Bhutan’s beautiful western valleys of Paro,Thimphu, Punakha and Wangduephodrang offer diverse mountain landscapes, a rich Buddhist heritage including monasteries, temples and chortens, centuries-old fortresses and an extremely warm and happy people with ancient ways of life.

  • ancient ways of life and rich culture in Bhutan’s scenic western valleys
  • ancient frescoes and carvings in medieval Dzongs
  • sacred Buddhist monasteries of the Himalaya
  • markets and museums
  • insight into the rural life in Punakha and Wangdue
  • Spectacular mountain view from Dochula Pass,3050m
  • Taktsang Monastery perched on a cliff 900m above the valley floor


Optional/Additional Day Trip: About a 2-hour scenic drive from Paro takes you to the beautiful Ha Valley where few tourist venture.

The Haa Valley Trip takes you via the beautiful Chele La Pass, 3988m. There is a superb view of Mt. Chomolhari and Jitchu Drake from the pass. After a picnic lunch by the river, visit Lhakhang Karpo, the White Temple and Lhakhang Nagpo, the Black Temple.Haa Valley is one of the most picturesque districts in Bhutan with its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain.Outdoor fans will love the Haa Valley. It is still basically unknown to tourists, as it was opened for tourism only in 2001. summer visitors may enjoy some of the Haa Valley festivals where there is yak riding, archery and other traditional games and sports.They can also get to know the nomadic lifestyle of the Haaps and taste their traditional delicacies.

What's Included

  • International arrival/departure transfers in Nepal and Bhutan
  • Kathmandu sightseeing escorted by City Guide
  • 4 Nights in standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on B&B basis twin sharing
  • Guided 5-day sightseeing tour in Bhutan escorted by Tour Guide
  • Comfortable AC private vehicle while sightseeing with experienced driver
  • All entrance fees and Permits
  • Comfortable Government Standard Accommodation in hotels/guesthouses on twin sharing basis in (Bhutan)
  • All meals in Bhutan
  • Bhutan government royalty and local taxes
  • Bhutan Tourist Tariff Royalty & Visa fees.
  • All private excursions and transfers in superior air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Local English speaking guide/tour leader.
  • Monument entrance fees in Kathmandu .

What’s Excluded

  • International airfare to Kathmandu and airport tax
  • Nepal entry visa fee
  • Nepal re-entry visa fee
  • Bhutan Visa fee on arrival
  • Single supplement during entire trip Note: Additional cost will apply for those seeking single accommodation
  • Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
  • Extra luggage charge on the flight
  • Upgrade of airfare and standard of accommodation
  • Expenses of personal nature like alcoholic drinks, mineral water, cold drinks, laundry, international phone calls etc
  • Travel/medical insurance and emergency evacuation cost
  • All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evacuation fee, transport, extra hotel night, food etc.)
  • Tips for guides and drivers
  • Any other services not specified in the ‘Cost includes’

Useful Info

Tourism in Bhutan

The government of Bhutan imposes a tourist tariff, currently set at $ 250 USD per day, as an effort to keep the country from being overrun by tourists. Although tourists are very welcome, limiting the number is important to preserve their unique environment and culture.

The daily tariff is included in the price of your package tour: it is the minimum amount a tourist must spend per day in Bhutan. It covers the cost of visa, 3-star lodging, meals, tax, guide, and travel within the country. Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions will help you arrange visas. (Although you can't spend less than that rate per person, you can spend more, especially if you opt for luxury accommodation.)

Most tours concentrate on the western midsection probably because the rest of the country lacks necessary infrastructure. Arriving at the international airport in Paro, most tourists visit Thimphu, the capital, and, if possible, the Punakha valley.

Bhutan Visas

  • All nationalities except Indians and Maldivians require a visa for Bhutan.
  • Independent travel outside of a group tour is extremely difficult and expensive to arrange.
  • Annapurna Foothills Treks and Expeditions will arrange your visa as part of a group visa
  • Travelers to Bhutan must book with a qualified tour operator, who will arrange a guide and driver to accompany each step of the way
  • All travelers arrivals and departures must be synchronized with the start and finish dates of our tour program
  • Additional accommodation outside of our tour dates is extremely difficult. In the rare case that no flights are available and you need to arrive earlier or depart later, an individual visa may be arranged, but it will be extremely expensive.
  • At the time of booking you must provide a scanned copy of your passport. We also require your flight details to finalize the visa process, including arrival and departure flight numbers, times and point of origin.

We will send you the scanned copy of your Bhutan group visa prior to your tour. In some cases this may only be issued close to your date of arrival into Bhutan. You must show the copy of your Bhutan Group visa when you check-in for your flight to Bhutan and on arrival at immigration in Paro, Bhutan where you will have your visa stamped into your passport.