An epic journey of cultural and natural discoveries in South Asia.
The Experience
Explore the graceful pagoda temples, palaces, traditional villages and spectacular wilderness in Nepal. Travel onward to Bhutan, the last great Himalayan kingdom, shrouded in mystery and magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments.
Spirituality permeates every aspect of daily life, time-honored festivals are living manifestations of a national faith, and the king decrees “Gross National Happiness” as the standard by which to measure the country’s wealth.
5* hotels throughout, including the trio of understated but spectacular Six Senses properties in Thimphu, Punakha and Paro
Enjoy an early morning flight around Mount Everest - (Optional and extra cost).
Circumambulate Kathmandu’s Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO site and one of the largest stupas in the world.
Visit Kathmandu’s storied Durbar Square, a UNESCO site and connect with Nepal’s rich spiritual
heritage.
Marvel at the architectural wonders of Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO site.
Discover Chitwan National Park, a UNESCO site, and see the exotic wildlife including the One Horn Rhino by a 4WD.
• Travel through villages, pristine forests and enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan mountains.
• Stay at the spectacular hotel that exemplifies the artistry of Bhutanese architecture in Bhutan.
• Admire Bhutanese architecture at the impressive Punakha and Paro dzongs.
• Discuss the King’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness.
• Local engagement including Tea with a local family and an experience at a 300- year old annual festival at Talo Sangnacholig Dzong
• Hike to 17th century Taktsang Lhakhang (Tiger's Nest Temple), in one of the most spectacular settings in the world.
A private, guided tour of the ruins at Pompeii.
Italian cuisine prepared by our personal Chef incorporating the freshest local ingredients and featuring regional preparation methods.
Culinary experiences at Michelin starred restaurants.
A day along the picturesque Amalfi Coast for shopping and sightseeing in the charming towns of Positano and Ravello.
A private cruise to the Island of Capri.
On-site yoga & Barre classes
Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu – flight details to be advised
Arrive at Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal which is a melting pot of Hindu & Buddhist cultures living together in harmony.
After clearing customs & immigrations you will meet your ‘Valise Travel Concierge’ representative who will escort you to your hotel
Room is available from 14:00 hrs.
Dwarika’s Hotel Heritage Deluxe Room
Day 2
B
Kathmandu
Optional: Enjoy a scenic Mountain flight to view Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast visit to Swayambhunath Stupa, a complex of monasteries of all faiths started in 460 A.D. by King Mana Devi of the Licchavi era. The imposing structure is recognized as a major landmark and is known as ‘Monkey Temple’ due to the presence of the many monkeys in the area. Continue to Kathmandu Durbar Square – also known as Kantipur. The capital Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal’s art and culture.
PM: Hop on a Rickshaw for an interesting short ride to the tourist hub of Thamel. Travelers and locals consider it has a tourist heaven. Wander the narrow streets and alleyways of Kathmandu's Old Quarter, with its myriad tiny stalls and its colorful street life. Conclude your day with a visit to Kirtipur – this ancient town is historically significant: it stood in the path of King Prithivi Narayan Shah’s quest to unite Nepal in the late 18th Century.
Optional: Enjoy a traditional Nepalese Five course dinner at the Krishnarpan speciality restaurant of the hotel.
Dwarika’s Hotel Heritage Deluxe Room
Day 3
B
Kathmandu
AM: Visit Patan Durbar Square, one of the 3 royal cities in the valley. A destination for connoisseurs of fine arts, Patan is filled with wood and stone carvings, metal statues, ornate architecture, including dozens of Buddhist and Hindu temples, and over 1200 monuments. Continue to Boudhanath Temple, an UNESCO site. A spherical stupa with four pairs of eyes in four cardinal directions, it is believed to be keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. Throughout the day, pilgrims circumambulate the stupa and chant mantras, continuing into the night when the temple is illuminated by butter lamps.
PM: The day ends with a visit to Pashupatinath Temple. Located on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple is built in a two storey Pagoda design with gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. It houses the sacred linga or phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Note: The main Pashupatinath Temple is off- limits to non-Hindus.
Dwarika’s Hotel Heritage Deluxe Room
Day 4
B/L/D
Kathmandu - Chitwan
AM: Transfer to Kathmandu airport in time to connect to scheduled flight to Bharatpur (Chitwan) – 10:10 / 10:35.
Drive to your hotel Taj Meghauli Serai.
PM: Post lunch you can indulge in wildlife activities guided by your naturalist. See below for options.
All meals at the hotel.
Taj Meghauli Serai Meghauli Room
Day 5
B/L/D
Chitwan
Fill the day with up close encounters of the flora and fauna of Chitwan National Park. Choose from the following:
Dugout canoe / Boat ride: Floating down the Rapti/Narayani River on a dugout canoe boat is the best way to discover the habitat of crocodiles in the river. It is also a relaxing way to watch the different kind of birds and wildlife species in their natural habitat
Nature walk or jungle walks: Jungle Walks allow you to explore several different habitat areas, from the flood-plain grassland to the dense Sal forests, where you encounter a variety of animals. Learn about different kind of plants and herbs in the National park.
Village Visit: Chitwan is the settlement chiefly of the Tharus. Here you and will get a chance to view their lifestyle closely.
Jungle Drive: Ride on a jeep through the dense forest inside the park, passing a variety of vegetation and wildlife. Learn about the animals and vegetation from your private guide.
Taj Meghauli Serai Meghauli Room
Day 6
B
Chitwan - Kathmandu
AM: Drive to Bharatpur airport in time to connect schedule flight to Kathmandu – 10:55 / 11:20.
On arrival check-in at your hotel.
Optional: Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Located 12 km east of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur or Bhadgaon, literally meaning ‘the City of Devotees’, is the smallest city in the Kathmandu valley. Its Main Square or ‘Layaku’ is famous for the 15th century Palace of 55 Carved Windows with the Golden Gate as a royal entrance.
Dwarika’s Hotel Heritage Deluxe Room
Day 7
B/D
Kathmandu - Paro by flight, drive to Thimphu
AM: Transfer to Kathmandu airport in time to connect to scheduled flight to Paro – 09:10 / 10:30.
Arrive at Paro International airport. Meet & greet by your Valise Travel Concierge representative and Tour Director who will escort you to your hotel Six Senses, Thimphu (55Km / approx. 1h & 30m).
Six Senses Lodge Suite
Day 8
B/L/D
Thimphu
AM: Hike to Cheri Monastery, established in 1620 and now a center for meditational retreats and home to Bhutan’s first monk body ‘Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal’. It is believed Guru Rinpoche meditated in a cave above the monastery when he came to Bhutan in 8th century. 1-hour drive, 2 hours round trip walking, level – Easy to Moderate.
Drive to Taj Tashi for lunch with an en-route photo stop at the splendid Trashi Chhoe Dzong that once housed the National Assembly and now houses the secretariat, the throne room, and offices of the king and the ministries of home affairs.
PM: Visit the National Textile Museum, the place to learn about Bhutan's living national art of thagzo (weaving). Continue to the National Institute for Zorig Chusum that focuses on Bhutan's 13 traditional arts including painting, woodcarving, embroidery, etc. Culminate the tour at the Great Buddha Dordenma that commands the entry to Thimphu valley. Inside the 165-foot Buddha, 125,000 miniature Buddha statutes are embedded. The statue was set up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth king Jigme Singye Wangchuck.
Optional: During dinner at the hotel meet Venerable Mynak R. Tulku Rinpoche who will talk about Gross National Happiness, a philosophy that acts as a beacon for Bhutan in its search for greater wellbeing and advancement of the Bhutanese people – subject to availability.
Six Senses Lodge Suite
Day 9
B/L/D
Thimphu – Punakha
After breakfast, drive to Punakha (75km / approx. 3 hours). Punakha sits in a sultry, fertile and beautiful valley at the junction of the Mo Chhu (Mother River) and Pho Chhu (Father River). Commanding the river junction is the gorgeous Punakha Dzong, Bhutan's most impressive building.
En-route photo-stop at Bhutan’s first fortress monastery, the 17th-century Simtokha Dzong. The journey continues over 3,050m to Dochula Pass, which overlooks the Himalayas, and is home to a concentration of 108 chortens (stupas). The Queen Mother, commissioned the monument after King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was victorious in the struggle to dislodge the rebels who were using Bhutan as a base to raid India.
On arrival check-in at your hotel.
PM: A short drive will get you to the impressive Punakha Dzong, home to the remains of Bhutan’s first ruler and the winter residence of the monastic leader and his entourage of monks. Situated on a stretch of land where two rivers – the Pho Chhu & Mo Chhu converge, Punakha Dzong or the “Palace of Great Bliss” was the second Dzong to be built in Bhutan in 1631. The Dzong appears as a great anchored ship. Having been ravaged by fire, earthquakes and floods many times, Punakha Dzong has been rebuilt several times and always to the original specifications.
Drive a short distance to Sopsokha village and take the 20- minute trail across fields to Chimi Lhakhang temple. Childless women go to the temple to receive a wang (blessing or empowerment) from the saint. Newborns are also brought here to be named and all leave with either Chimi or Kunley as one of their two names.
Six Senses Lodge Suite
Day 10
B/L/D
Punakha
AM: Drive to Talo village – approx.1h30m to witness the annual festival at Talo Sangnacholig Dzong. For more than 300 years the festival has been an occasion for villagers and families to come together as a community to uphold traditional values and celebrate togetherness. This three-day festival is well known for its mask dances and the atsara (clown dances). A unique feature of Talo Zhungdra is that only Talps are allowed to learn the songs, if not performed property, it is said to bring misfortune in the form of natural calamities or outbreak of diseases.
Picnic Lunch by river side or return to your hotel for lunch. PM: At leisure for independent activities.
Six Senses Lodge Suite
Day 11
B/L/D
Punakha
AM: Hike through paddy field to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten. Standing regally on the hill above the Punakha valley, this Chorten is a classic example of the gorgeous traditions and architecture of Bhutan. It was built by the Queen Mother to head off negative forces and encourage peace and harmony for all the living beings. What sets this Chorten apart is that it was designed on the principals mentioned within the holy scriptures instead of engineering manuals. 1.5 hours round trip walking, Level – Easy.
PM: At leisure to enjoy hotel pool, spa etc.
Six Senses Lodge Suite
Day 12
B/L/D
Punakha – Paro
This morning drive to Paro (155kms/ approx. 4 hours). Another opportunity to take photographs of the Dochu La pass and the eastern Himalayas.
The charming town of Paro lies on the banks of the Paro (or Pa) Chhu, just a short distance northwest of the imposing Paro Dzong. The main street, only built in 1985, is lined with colorfully painted wooden shop fronts and restaurants. Paro remains one of the best Bhutanese towns to explore on foot.
Lunch at Uma Como, Paro which has beautifully combined traditional architecture with contemporary style.
Optional: Archery session using a set of traditional bows and arrows, enjoy a friendly match.
Later visit Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese architecture. The massive, buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley. It was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly and now, like most dzongs, houses both the monastic body and district government offices, including the local courts. Perched above Paro Dzong is its ta dzong (watchtower), built in 1649 to protect the undefended dzong and renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum. Displays include an impressive collection of thangkas, both ancient and modern, depicting Bhutan's important saints and teachers, as well as fearsome festival masks grouped according to their tsechu dances.
Optional: Round off the day with tea with a local family.
SixSenses Lodge Suite
Day 13
B/L/D
Paro
For a grand finale, hike up through forests to the striking monastic retreat of Taktsang, the “Tiger’s Nest,” built in the 17th century into a sheer cliff face high above the Paro Valley (2950m). Taktsang is the most famous temple in Bhutan, with one of the most spectacular settings in the world. Packed lunch at the cafeteria midway. 60 minutes’ drive to starting point, 5 hours round trip walking, Level – Moderate.
The afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the hotel pool, spa etc.
SixSenses Lodge Suite
Day 14
B
Depart Paro
Transfer to airport in time to connect to onward destination
Itinerary is subject to change
Included Meals in itinerary are indicated as follows:
B - Breakfast
L - Lunch
D - Dinner
You will arrive to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Katmandu on Day 1.
You will depart from Paro International Airport (PBH), in Bhutan on Day 14
Please contact Valise before booking these flights.
Detailed information will be sent to you after you register, including a packing list, tipping guidelines/cash needs, and some suggestions to help you prepare for the trip.
A non-refundable 50% deposit, per person, is required to confirm a reservation. The full balance is due 6 (six) weeks prior to the start date of the retreat, this amount is non-refundable upon payment. Cancellations less than six weeks prior to arrival are non-refundable.
This trip is limited to 8 guests
Trip Inclusions
Private accommodations or Shared Accommodations
All ground transportation
Daily Meals as specified in itinerary
All Activities as specified in itinerary
Trip Exclusions:
International flights
Internal flights will be booked for you, but will be a separate fee
Alcoholic beverages other than those explicitly stated
Gratuities
Personal expenses such as laundry services
Travel insurance is strongly recommended
For more information, please contact Valise Travel Concierge