Nepal into Bhutan
2020
October 14th to 31st
Start your adventure in Nepal and then travel into Bhutan
Nepal alone Oct 14th to 21st
Bhutan alone Oct 22nd to 31st
Nepal and Bhutan are alive with mystery, color and culture. The history is all around you. Creating images with the locations and people will be unlike any other place in the world.
Bruce Byers, Professional Photographer
has worked extensively with great guides in Nepal, Gopi Chandra Bhusal and in Bhutan, Kinley TTshering to design this trip to ensure that you will be able to create once in a life time images. The streets, countryside, people, festivals and much more will be alive with color and mystery. Bruce will lead you on an adventure of a lifetime. Come create. Photographers of all levels and those that enjoy to capture where they travel are encouraged to sign-up.
It will be the rice harvest season giving us the yellow fields at festival time. The places we will go are off the beaten path at the right time of day. The history of Nepal and Bhutan will inspire you to create. The friendly locals and rich culture will embrace you with its kindness, music and art. We’ll travel from the busy city, to a private farm, all while being transported to the villages of the past. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just want a group of like-minded people to travel with, this trip caters to all.
NEPAL:
Home to the majestic Himalayas and ancient Kingdoms, Nepal is more than just about mountains and trekking! Experience century old Hindu and Buddhist practices, colorful villages dotted with ancient architecture and temples, and luscious jungles filled with wildlife. With 131 ethnic groups, Nepal is one of the most cultural diversified countries in Asia and every corner has its own unique story to tell. Come discover this magical land of ancient traditions and several World Heritage Sites.
This tour has been designed to enjoy Kathmandu City (1,350 meters), capital city of Nepal and also called as city of UNESCO, hosts around 7 world heritage sites and Chitwan National Park (CNP) in the south. CNP covers the total area of 932 squares km in the Terai region. Visit to CNP provides travelers to enjoy culture of local Tharu People, Jungle Safaris, Canoe Ride, Crocodile breeding centre, visit to local Tharu Villages and many more in the lust green area. CNP hosts famous for one horned rhinos, Bengal tiger, deer, snake, Gharial and many other species of flora and fauna. This is the perfect tour to experience local culture, people, food, heritage and specially, the time of rice harvesting season. Pokhara, which is around 210 kms from Kathmandu on west is a natural and adventure hub. This is the gateway to Annapurna Region and considered as one of the cleanest cities of Nepal. From every corner of town, the close proximity of mountain gives you the feeling of just standing in front of mirror.
BHUTAN:
This beautiful tour around Bhutan’s most scenic places takes us to the country’s finest locations with an unparalleled diversity. We will be in the right places at the right times to capture with our cameras. This is the perfect trip to experience the delight of crossing high hills as well as the wide windswept meadows filled with wildflowers, across sleepy hamlets, through fragrance filled forests, rice fields and orchards. There is no real trekking that requires outdoor camping with exhaustive long day walks; but it has moderate hikes and excursions to villages from the comforts of your Hotel. An active vacation without roughing it! The itinerary covers the regular tourists’ sites, as well as many off- the-beaten places. Walk out to visit villages, farms, and monasteries and ancient temples from the towns of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang and travel as far interior as to the Bumthang District. Between the drives, we shall make unplanned stops at local villages. All of our small group departures are scheduled to attend the local festivals and therefore some parts of the itinerary may be revised slightly to incorporate these colorful.
BUMTHANG JAKAR FESTIVAL-2020
Bumthang Jakar Tshechu Festival lasts for three days. Its official Jakar or Bumthang District’s Official Festival of the year and the Festival happens inside the gigantic Jakar Dzong. The whole district of Jakar or Bumthang remains closed for three days to witness the annual Bumthang Jakar Tshechu Festival. Tshechu are always conducted or ending on the 10th Day of a Bhutanese Calendar month as the term Tshechu means the tenth, which is widely celebrated as Birth Anniversary of Guru Rimpoche, The Second Buddha. Tshechu’s are organized in all 20 Districts of Bhutan and each district performs at different months from one another and its more like a New Year Celebrations and it’s both happy celebrations for the citizens as well as big day of offerings to the Guru Rimpoche and other local deities.
There will be both mask dances by the Buddhist Monks as well as songs and dance from the local villagers. It’s an annual event and during Tshechu period all Govt and Private including schools and farmers remains holiday. It is an important event as all related folks from across the country comes together and discusses the important issue and prays together for a successful year.
BUMTHANG JAKAR FESTIVAL IS FROM 24TH TO 26TH OCTOBER, 2020.
Paro International Airport, the only Int’l Airport in Bhutan, has a very good connection with Kathmandu International Airport with just 50 minutes flights passing by alongside of the Himalayas including Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga in Nepal and Mt. Jhomolari and many others in Bhutan. The flight itself is a life time memory for those who are fond of mountains and natural landscape.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF TRIP
Nepal part Oct 14 to 21st
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1/14TH OCTOBER: KATHMANDU ARRIVAL
Kathmandu arrival, garland welcome, assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest for full day to overcome long flight and jet lag. Evening, enjoy Nepali dinner with cultural program followed by tour briefing.
Overnight at Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu. (Meal: Welcome Dinner)
DAY 02/15TH OCTOBER: KATHMANDU SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast at hotel, we start our day with visit to Pashupatinath Temple, a famous Hindu temple at the bank of holy Bagmati River where Hindu people cremate dead body for salvation. Afterwards, drive to Boudhanath Stupa, one of the biggest and beautiful Stupas in the world. Spend time around Stupa over lunch. In the late afternoon, drive to Kathmandu Durbar Square also called Kasthamandap, from which the name of Kathmandu was originated, where you can see living goddess, Kumari. Walk around to the Freak Street, which used to be very famous in early 1960s to late 1970s for hippies. This is the mostly affected Square in Kathmandu because of Great Earthquake of April, 2015. Now, this is in renovation process.
Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel in Manaslu in Kathmandu.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 03/16TH OCTOBER:
DRIVE TO CHITWAN (18O KMS) ENROUTE RAFTING AT TRISHULI RIVER
After early breakfast, start drive to Chitwan on South which is around 180 kms from Kathmandu and usually takes 5/6 hours as we need to drive along a small and hilly highway. Enroute we enjoy white water rafting for 2/3 hours with beach lunch. Know about Chitwan, indigenous Tharu people, their lifestyle, about Chitwan National park, flora and fauna, climate and many more. Evening, participate in Elephant Safari which takes us in the jungle on the elephant back to show us One horned rhinos, only found in Nepal, deer, birds, and some time if we are enough lucky, we might encounter with Bengali Tiger. Return to hotel and refresh. Evening, there will a Tharu Cultural Program with information session. Participate in dance program with local Tharu dancers. You can enjoy dinner during program or after the program.
Overnight at Tiger Land Safari Resort in Chitwan. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 4/17TH OCTOBER:
CHITWAN JUNGLE ACTIVITIES AND VILLAGE TOUR
Early morning guests will be mounted on Elephant back or Jeep Ride and taken for a jungle safari for approximately 2 hours penetrating through dense grasslands to view wildlife in their natural habitat. After breakfast, you are taken to our elephant stables where a senior naturalist briefs about the interesting and unbelievable habits of elephant. Here one may witness the rare scene of the elephants at bath. After lunch in the afternoon, you may choose to relax around the resort or take a drive for canoe ride down the Rapti River. The river ride provides opportunity of viewing the Gharial crocodiles as well as the mugger crocodiles, fresh water dolphins, otters and varieties of water birds. On our way back, we visit local Tharu villages.
Overnight at Tiger Land Safari Resort in Chitwan. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 05/18TH OCTOBER:
DRIVE TO POKHARA (170KMS/5 HOURS VIA BANDIPUR)
After breakfast at hotel, start drive to Pokhara. Enroute stop at Bandipur for lunch which is around 10 kms uphill from Dumre Bazar once you leave the main highway. Walk around to main bazaar, drive back to highway and continue to Pokhara. Once you approach Pokhara, in a clear day, you can see beautiful Annapurna Mountain Range and Mt. Fishtail in a very close distance. Check-in at hotel and free afternoon. In the evening, your guide will take you for quick sightseeing of Pokhara valley which includes, Devi’s fall, Tibetan Refugee Camp, Bindabasini Temple and 1 hour boat ride at Fewa Lake to see the Barahi Temple at the middle of Fewa Lake. Walk around Lakeside Bazaar in the evening.
Overnight at Lake Side Retreat in Pokhara. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 06/19TH OCTOBER:
SARANKOT SUNRISE TOUR AND VISIT VILLAGES
Early morning, your guide will take you to Sarankot which is 30 minutes drive in hill. It is a famous hill station in Pokhara from where you can see magnificent Sunrise over Annapurna Range, Fewa Lake, Pokhara valley and Hemja valley of other side. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we can visit local villages near Pokhara.
Overnight at Lake Side Retreat in Pokhara.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 07/20TH OCTOBER:
FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU AND SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, take 30 minutes scenic fly back to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, we will drive to Swyombhunath Stupa (also known as the Monkey Temple) The world’s most glorious Buddhist Chaityas built 2000 years ago situated on a hillock about 77 m above the level of the Kathmandu valley. Visitors will also have a grand view of the valley from this spot. In the afternoon, we drive to Bhaktapur for sightseeing. Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a city of devotees and often called as living museum. Walk around to the various squares, know the stories, capture the historic monuments, and try local curd, called Juju Dhau and many more. Evening, walk around to the Palace to capture the daily rituals of the local people and the monuments.
Overnight at Shiva Guest House in Bhaktapur. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 08/21ST OCTOBER:
FREE DAY IN KATHMANDU
Early morning, go around to the square to capture the daily rituals of the local people of Bhaktapur. Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu (45 minutes). This entire day, we simply take a rest and prepare for the Bhutan tour.
Overnight at Manaslu hotel in Kathmandu. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 09/22ND OCTOBER:
DEPARTURE FROM KATHMANDU OR FLY TO PARO (BHUTAN)
After breakfast at hotel, rest of the day is free unless you want any program. Before 3 hours of your flight time, our representative will transfer to airport for your flight back from Kathmandu.
The trip continues as we fly to Bhutan
(Meal: Breakfast)
BHUTAN
With a population of only 750,000, this remote Kingdom is most famous for its invention of the “Gross National Happiness” index. Tucked between the foothills of Himalaya, the entire region is covered with ancient Buddhist temples and traditional architecture, some of which are built on steep cliffs that humbles modern engineering techniques! Experience ancient festivals and traditions that are still religiously guarded today, and be greeted by friendly local people adorned in traditional daily wear no matter where you go.
BUMTHANG JAKAR FESTIVAL-2020
Bumthang Jakar Tshechu Festival lasts for three days. Its official Jakar or Bumthang District’s Official Festival of the year and the Festival happens inside the gigantic Jakar Dzong. The whole district of Jakar or Bumthang remains closed for three days to witness the annual Bumthang Jakar Tshechu Festival. Tshechu are always conducted or ending on the 10th Day of a Bhutanese Calendar month as the term Tshechu means the tenth, which is widely celebrated as Birth Anniversary of Guru Rimpoche, The Second Buddha. Tshechu’s are organized in all 20 Districts of Bhutan and each district performs at different months from one another and its more like a New Year Celebrations and it’s both happy celebrations for the citizens as well as big day of offerings to the Guru Rimpoche and other local deities.
There will be both mask dances by the Buddhist Monks as well as songs and dance from the local villagers. It’s an annual event and during Tshechu period all Govt and Private including schools and farmers remains holiday. It is an important event as all related folks from across the country comes together and discusses the important issue and prays together for a successful year.
BUMTHANG JAKAR FESTIVAL IS FROM 24TH TO 26TH OCTOBER, 2020.
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY:
Bhutan part Oct 22nd to 31st
DAY 1/ 22ND OCTOBER:
FLY TO PARO AND SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast at hotel and timely transfer to Kathmandu International Airport to fly(50 minutes) into Paro which presents you with views of the awesome peaks, including Langtang Range, Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchenjunga etc in Nepal and the sacred Jumolhari 7314m and Jichu Drake 6794m peaks in Bhutan. On arrival our representative will greet you. Upon arrival in Bhutan, drive to hotel. Later on, proceed for sightseeing of Paro Dzong and walk to the wooden bridge. Walk around to the Paro town.
Overnight at hotel in Paro. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 02/23RD OCTOBER:
FLY TO BUMTHANG AND SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast drive airport and fly to Bumthang for 30mins over greater Himalayan Mountains of BHUTAN. 30mins flight offers magnificent views of valleys, human settlements in different locations of the country. The high peaks standing on the boarder of Bhutan and Tibet are the only opportunity to get so close to these peaks. Upon arrival to Bhumthang check in hotel for lunch and after lunch drive to nearby valley for photography.
Overnight at hotel in Bumthang.
(Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 03/24TH OCTOBER:
BUMTHANG FESTIVAL
After breakfast, drive to Jakar Dzong. The District headquarters of Bumthang, which takes close to 10 minutes. Today, you will spend entire day witnessing Jakar Tshechu. The Tshechu or Festival is truly dedicated to the Great Guru, Rimpoche. The whole district of Jakar or Bumthang remains officially closed for the entire festival season as ot’s the official District Festival. The festival mask dancers are all monks and local woment join by dancing traditional dance and singing local songs. The Jakar Tshechu Festival is an annual event where the villagers, monks, laymen, nuns and folks who are originally from the village but now reside in cities comes together for the festival and enjoy talking serious matters and family welfare and most important as being Buddhist festival they all pray for good year, good harvest and good health.
Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 04/25TH OCTOBER:
BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast, drive to north of Bumthang valley where you will reach Kurey Monastery. The Monastery was built on 8th centure by Guru Rimpoche. He visited Bhutan many times but the very first time he visited Kurjey Monastery and meditated inside the rock cave and left his body print on the rock. Guru Rimpoche bought Buddhism to Bhutan and also helped spread it throughout the kingdom and besides he subdued all evils and demons those were hampering the lives of Bhutanese. Afterwards, visit the Bhutan’s oldest Monastery; Jambay Lhakang built in 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gonpo in order to subdue a Orgress. He was told to buide 108 monasteries over the body of the orges of which two are in Bhutan, Jambay and Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro. Late afternoon, drive to mebar Tsho, burning lake invented by Great Treasure Discoverer Pema Lingpa and discovered some precious treasures from the lake and its one pf the holy auspicious lake. Around 5 pm in the evening, attend evening prayers of t he nuns just 2 kms drive from the lake. This is a special tour to see or experience yourself with nuns sitting together while they do their prays but one cannot takes photos by using flash lights or move freely around them while they are praying.
Overnight at hotel in Bumthang. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 05/26TH OCTOBER:
DRIVE TO GANGTEY VALLEY VIA TRONGSA (5 HOURS)
After breakfast, drive to Gangtey, enroute visit Trongsa Dzong and Chendibgi Chorter for lunch. which will be served in a local restaurant famous for its cuisine. The day is going to be full of driving but make sure to stop for photography and shorts walks to keep your legs and arms.
Overnight at hotel in Gangtey. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 06/27TH OCTOBER:
SIGHTSEEING IN GANGTEY
After breakfast at the hotel, drive around 15 to 20 minutes in the villages to see and take good photos of the people, farm houses, and people working in the field harvesting their crop of the year. Sometimes we may see different activities happening like ritual ceremony or village gathering to make offerings to local bon good because it’s time of year usually happens. Drive back to hotel for lunch and after lunch visit Gangtey valley, evening your own time to explore.
Overnight at hotel in Gangtey. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 07/28TH OCTOBER:
DRIVE TO PUNAKAHA
Drive to Punakha for 2 hours, visit Punakha Dzong and lunch at Lobesa. After lunch, drive to the resort at Wangdi. Evening explore own time or hike around Eco lodge would give good time to take photos of rice terraces and local people harvesting rice.
Overnight at hotel in Punakha. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 08/29TH OCTOBER:
DRIVE BACK TO THIMPHU AND TO PARO
After breakfast, drive back to Thimphu for around 3 hours. Cross Dochula- Pass with 108 chortens and gives a magnificent view of mountains and valley. After some time, drive further down to Thimphu for 1 hour. Drive to Giant Buddha Statue, Memorial Chorten and walk around to the Thimphu city which is the capital city of Bhutan.
After lunch at Thimphu, we drive to Paro ( 1 hour). We visit the Ruined Fortress the Drukgyal Dzong meaning Bhutanese Victory Fortress built in 1649 by great fortress builder and also the man who unified Bhutan in 17th Century. On the drive back to hotel visit the Bhutan’s oldest monastery the Kyichu Lhakhang, built in 659 AD by Tibetan King Songtsen Goenpo in order to subdue the Orgress in Tiber, he built 108 Stupas in Twenty Hours of time of which two are here in Bhutan, the one built on Left Knee is the Kyichu Monastery and next built on Left Toe is in Bumthang and it is called Jambay Lhakhang. The main deity inside the Monastery is the Buddha Maiteria which is commonly known as Future Buddha or referred as Jow Jamba the same in Jokhang in Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
Overnight at hotel in Paro. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 09/30TH OCTOBER:
FLY BACK TO KATHMANDU
After breakfast, drive to airport and fly back to Kathmandu. Free day in Kathmandu. Evening, we visit Thamel. Thamel is a tourist hub and famous for multi cuisine restaurants, bars, clubs and for shopping.
Evening, we host a farewell dinner at one of the nice restaurant in Thamel.
Overnight at Manaslu hotel in Kathmandu. (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
DAY 10/31ST OCOTBER:
DEPARTURE FROM KATHMANDU
After breakfast at hotel, rest of the day is free. Before 3 hours of your flight time, our representative will transfer to airport for your flight back from Kathmandu. (Meal: Breakfast)
END OF THE ARRANGMENTS!!!
NEPAL COST INCLUDES:
1. Garland welcome, arrival and departure transfers in Kathmandu as per the itinerary with office representative.
2. 3 nights in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
3. 1 night in Bhaktapur with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
4. 2 nights in Chitwan with all meals ie breakfast, lunch and dinner with all applicable jungle activities inclusive of National Park fees, service charges and taxes.
5. 2 nights in Pokhara with breakfast inclusive of taxes and service charges.
6. Pokhara/Kathmandu Airfare with all necessary transfers.
7. Rafting at Trishuli River with lunch.
8. Meals as indicated in the Itinerary.
9. Kathmandu sightseeing with English Speaking Tour Guide with all applicable entrance fees.
10. English Speaking Tour Escort throughout the tour in Nepal.
11. Welcome and Farewell dinners in Kathmandu.
12. Bottle Drinking water in vehicle for sightseeing drives and transfers.
13. All drives, sightseeing and transfers by Deluxe Vehicle as per the group size.
14. 24/7 hours Assistance.
NEPAL COST EXCLUDES:
1. International Airfare to/from Kathmandu.
2. Kathmandu/Bharatpur (Chitwan)/Kathmandu Airfare as quoted separately.
3. Nepal Visa fees on Arrival at airport (USD 50/- for 30 Days Multiple Visa).
4. Meals other than mentioned in the program.
5. Personal nature of expenses like tips, bar bills, laundry and personal expenses.
6. Cost may arise of natural calamities, flight cancellation, illness, hospitalization, tour cancellation, blockade etc.
7. Other than in our include section.
BHUTAN COST INCLUDES:
1. 08 Nights/09 Days Bhutan Tour in a regular 3 star hotels with breakfast, lunch and dinners and with an English Speaking Tour Guide throughout the tour with all entrance fees in a Deluxe Van as per the itinerary.
2. 1 last night in Kathmandu with breakfast inclusive of taxes and local charges.
3. All meals as mentioned in the program.
4. Bhutan Visa fees.
Kathmandu/Paro/Kathmandu Airfare as quoted separately.
Paro/Bumthang Airfare as quoted separately.
BHUTAN COST EXCLUDES:
1. Changes in Airfare to Bhutan
2. Personal nature of expenses, like tips, bar bills, insurance etc.
3. Other than in our include section.