Three Countries Tour

Trip

Overview

Gangtey Gompa valley is at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter.

Trip

Highlights

  • Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (8364ft/2550m) to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak.
  • Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters.
  • Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here.
  • Hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra payment.
  • Country
    Nepal
  • Duration
    14 Days
  • Difficulty Level
  • Accommodation
    Overnight at the Hotel
  • Guide
    English Speaking Nepali Tour Leader

Route

Itinerary

DAY 01: Drive to Darjeeling

On arrival at Bagdogra Airport, you will be met by our local representative who will assist you to board your vehicle to Darjeeling.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02: Sightseeing in Darjeeling

Early morning tour to Tiger Hills (8364ft/2550m) to view sunrise over Kanchenjunga Peak (subject to clear weather). On way back visit Ghoom Monastery.

After breakfast drive to Darjeeling railway station to board Joy train from Darjeeling to Ghoom & Back. Afternoon visit to Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (Closed on Thursday), Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and Tibetan Refugee self-help (closed on Sunday) & Tea Factory.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03: Drive to Phuntsholing

After breakfast drive to Phuentsholing 230km a second town of Bhutan. After reaching at Phuentsholing visa formalities and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 04: Drive to Thimpu

Drive to Thimphu (2hrs). Upon arrival check into hotel. PM sightseeing - Visit the Memorial chorten built in the memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, 15 century Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo to see the rare "Takin" national animal of Bhutan and drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05: Sightseeing Tour in thimpu

After breakfast visit the Painting school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. PM drive 3 hours to Wangduephodrang crossing the Dochula pass 3100 meters.

On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of lobesa. Visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong from outside and the market area.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 06: Day Excursion to Gangtey

Day excursion to the Gangtey Gompa valley at an altitude of 2800 meters. The only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan is located here. This beautiful valley is also home to the rare Black Necked Cranes migrating from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter.

Currently there are 200 to 300 cranes residing in this valley and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is taking every measure to ensure the safety of the Cranes. While the cranes reside in the winter valley for 4/5 months the village folks are not allowed to make loud noises or fish in the river that runs through the valley. Explore the fascinating glacier valley and return to the Resort.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07: Drive to Paro

After breakfast drive 45 minutes to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong which served as an old capital of Bhutan. This remarkable fortress is built between two rivers and has survived many glacial floods and fire.

Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 hours to Thimphu for lunch and proceed 2 hours to Paro via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 08: Sightseeing in Paro

After breakfast day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. Horses can be arranged with an extra payment. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2/3 hours through villages and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley.

It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Stroll back to Resort. Evening at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09: Fly to Kathmandu

After breakfast transfer to airport fly to Kathmandu.

Flight arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Meet, assist by office representative and transfer to hotel. Check-in at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10: Kathmandu

Breakfast at the hotel.

AM: Kathmandu City: Known as Kantipur, is the capital of the Kingdom of Nepal. A 218 square miles of land, situated above 4400 ft above sea level, Kathmandu is the hub of Nepal's traditional culture and arts. Kashtamandap the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree and the Durbar Square are with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka, Seto Machendranath and the ancient place of the Nepalese Royalty.

Swoyambhunath Stupawatches over the valley from the top of a hillock on its western side. The stupa is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Nepal and its establishment is linked to the creation of the Kathmandu Valley out of a primordial lake. Swoyambhunath is also known as Sengu and is listed as a World heritage site.

PM: Patan City:Located about 5 km south of Kathmandu in the Kathmandu Valley, on the southern side of the Bagmati River, Patan is one of 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. The city of Patan is believed to have been built in the third century B.C. by the Kirat dynasty. It was expanded by Lichhavis in the 6th century A.D. and again by the Mallas in medieval period. Durbar Square, like its counterpart in Kathmandu, is an enchanting mélange of palace buildings, artistic courtyards and graceful pagoda temples. Listed as a World Heritage Site, the former royal palace complex is the center of Patan's religious and social life, and houses a museum containing an array of bronze statues and religious objects.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11: Drive to Nagarkot

After breakfast drive to Nagarkot en-route visit Bhaktapur.

Bhaktapur City (Bhadgaon): Also known as city of devotees, this place is the home of medieval art and architecture. Lying 14 kms./9 miles east of Kathmandu City, this place was founded in the 9th Century and is shaped like a conch shell. The city is at the height of 4600 ft. above sea level. In Bhadgaon, you will visit the Durbar Square with its array of temples overlooked by the Palace of 55 windows built by King Bupatindra Malla. The Nyatapola Temple, also built by King Bhupatindra Malla, is the best example of Pagoda style and stands on five terraces on each of which stands a pair of figures - two famous strong men, two elephants, two lions, two griffins and two goddesses. After lunch drive to Nagarkot.

Nagarkot is a village located about 32 kilometer east of Kathmandu, Nepal. It is located on the northeastern rim of the Kathmandu Valley at an elevation close to 6,800 feet above sea level. It is one of the most scenic spots in the region, renowned for its sunrise and sunset views of the Himalayas. You can pick Mount Everest out with its snow-topped peaks on a clear day as there is an observation tower at the very top of the village's hills.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 12: Drive Back to Kathmandu

After breakfast drive back to Kathmandu en-route sightseeing tour of Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa.

Pashupatinath Temple: Pashupatinath Temple is one of the holiest Hindu Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in Pagoda Style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Pashupatinath is the centre of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

Boudhnath Stupa:One of the oldest and the biggest Buddhist monuments ever built in Nepal, Furthermore it is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. Boudhanath is an imposing structure standing some 36 meters. The Stupa stands on the massive three level mandala style Platforms surrounded by colourful private family houses. Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list this site is considered very much like Mecca for the Buddhists and every year tens of thousands of pilgrims from all over the Himalayan region visit the stupa.

PM: Free Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13: Free Day in Kathmandu or Shopping

After breakfast at the hotel relax at the hotel or optional sightseeing tour of Bungamati and Khokana.

Situated beyond the southern belt of Ring Road, inside the valley, Bungamati is a small Newari village still abiding its tradition as their significant part of life. Very less influenced by the modern city just a few kilometers far from the village, Bungamati exemplifies true beauty of the still living age old culture and civilization, Your journey to Bungamati, starts with a vantage point where one can behold the entire village of Bungamati and Khokana.

Walking down the lanes of Bungamati, you will pass through local Newari people busy working intricate designs in wood or stone on their way to creating many more beautiful artifacts keeping their talents running for the future generations to enjoy. Though, small in size, at least 100 people from the village earn their living through wood carving.

The village was earlier, the origin of the precession of the chariot of Machindranath, one of the most important festival of the Newari community. Not far from the village of Bungamati, is another interesting Newari village called Khokana, where an important temple of Durga is situated.

Evening: Dinner at Nepalese Restaurant with cultural dance show. Overnight at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 14: Departure

Free till departure. Transfer to airport for the journey onwards.

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Kora Tours Pvt. Ltd
Base Camp, Basundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal
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+977 1 5909976 / 77 / 78
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