Spiritual Himalayas

Day 1: Arrival in Bhutan and visit to Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery.

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your tour guide and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and some rest, you will visit the famous Paro Taktsang, also known as Tiger’s Nest, a sacred Buddhist site located on a cliff in the Paro Valley. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, flew to this site on the back of a tiger and meditated here. You will trek to the monastery, which takes about 2-3 hours each way, and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding valley.

Day 2: Visit to the capital city Thimphu and the Memorial Chorten.

After breakfast, you will drive to the capital city Thimphu, which is about an hour away from Paro. You will visit the Memorial Chorten, a stupa built in memory of the third king of Bhutan, and also visit other landmarks such as the Buddha Dordenma statue, the Tashichho Dzong, and the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where you can witness traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts being taught.

Day 3: Drive to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong.

After breakfast, you will drive to Punakha, which was the former capital of Bhutan. You will visit Punakha Dzong, a fortress located at the confluence of two rivers and considered to be one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan. You can also hike to the nearby Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a Buddhist shrine built by the queen of Bhutan.

Day 4: Visit to Gangtey Monastery and Phobjikha Valley.

After breakfast, you will drive to the Phobjikha Valley, a beautiful glacial valley known for its scenic beauty and wildlife. You will visit Gangtey Monastery, a 17th-century monastery that is an important seat of the Nyingma school of Buddhism. You can also take a leisurely walk through the valley, which is home to the endangered black-necked cranes.

Day 5: Drive to Phuentsholing and cross the border to Jaigaon, India.

After breakfast, you will drive to Phuentsholing, the border town between Bhutan and India. You will complete the immigration formalities and cross the border to Jaigaon, the Indian side of the border. You can explore the town and visit the Bhutan Gate, a beautiful arch marking the entrance to Bhutan.

Day 6: Visit to Kalimpong and Zang Dhok Palri monastery.

After breakfast, you will drive to Kalimpong, a charming hill town in West Bengal, India. You will visit the Zang Dhok Palri monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located on Durpin Hill. You can also explore the town and visit other landmarks such as the Deolo Hill and the Morgan House.

Day 7: Drive to Darjeeling and visit Mahakal Temple.

After breakfast, you will drive to Darjeeling, a famous hill station known for its tea plantations and scenic beauty. You will visit the Mahakal Temple, a popular Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can also take a stroll through the town and visit other landmarks such as the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and the Darjeeling Zoo.

Day 8: Early morning visit to Tiger Hill for sunrise view, and later visit to Ghum Monastery.

You will wake up early in the morning and drive to Tiger Hill to witness the sunrise over the Himalayas. It is a breathtaking sight and a must-see for any visitor to Darjeeling. After the sunrise, you will visit the Ghum Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Darjeeling and home to a 15-foot statue of Maitreya Buddha.

Day 9: Flight to Varanasi and visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world and a major center of Hinduism. You will visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can also take a boat ride on the Ganges River and witness the evening Aarti ceremony, a ritual of worship performed with lamps and incense.

Day 10: Visit to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon.

After breakfast, you will visit Sarnath, a sacred Buddhist site where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. You will visit the Dhamek Stupa, a massive structure built in the 6th century, and the Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, a modern temple built in the style of ancient Buddhist monasteries.

Day 11: Drive to Bodhgaya and visit Mahabodhi Temple.

After breakfast, you will drive to Bodhgaya, the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. You will visit the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world. You can also visit other landmarks such as the Bodhi Tree and the Animesh Lochana Chaitya.

Day 12: Visit to Nalanda University ruins and Rajgir.

After breakfast, you will visit the ruins of Nalanda University, one of the oldest universities in the world and a major center of Buddhist learning. You can also visit the nearby town of Rajgir, a place of great historical and religious significance. You can visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, a massive structure dedicated to world peace, and the Venuvana Monastery, a beautiful Buddhist monastery surrounded by bamboo groves.

Day 13: Flight to Kathmandu and visit to Boudhanath Stupa.

After breakfast, you will take a flight to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal and a major center of Hinduism and Buddhism. You will visit the Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also explore the nearby town of Thamel, a popular tourist destination known for its shops, restaurants, and nightlife.

Day 14: Visit to Swayambhunath Stupa and departure from Kathmandu.

After breakfast, you will visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, a famous Buddhist site located on a hill overlooking Kathmandu Valley. You can enjoy the panoramic views of the city and explore the temple complex, which includes a monastery and various shrines. Later, you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight.

Overall, the tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the spiritual and cultural richness of the Himalayan region, from the tranquil landscapes of Bhutan to the bustling streets of Varanasi and the stunning vistas of Nepal’s Himalayas.

Here is some important tourist-related information regarding visa, flights, and entry tickets for the Spiritual Himalayas tour:

Visa:

• Bhutan: Visitors from most countries are required to obtain a visa in advance. The visa application process is handled by a Bhutanese tour operator, and visitors must book their trip through an authorized tour operator like us and we assist visa process for all our clients. The visa fee is included in the tour package cost.
• India: Visitors from most countries are required to obtain a visa in advance. The e-visa application can be submitted online, and the visa fee ranges from $10 to $100 depending on the duration and type of visa.
• Nepal: Visitors from most countries can obtain a visa on arrival at the airport or at the border. The visa fee ranges from $30 to $125 depending on the duration of stay and the type of visa.

Flights: Visitors can book flights to Paro International Airport in Bhutan, Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi, and Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Flights may have layovers or connections depending on the departure location.

Entry tickets:

• Bhutan: Entry to tourist sites such as Taktsang Monastery, Memorial Chorten, Paro Dzong, Kyichu Lhakhang, Dungtse Lhakhang, Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yule and Punakha Dzong require an entry ticket that is included in the tour package cost.
• India: Entry to tourist sites such as temples and monuments in Varanasi require an entry ticket that can be purchased on-site or in advance online.
• Nepal: Entry to tourist sites such as Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa require an entry ticket that can be purchased on-site or in advance online.

It is recommended to check visa requirements, flight schedules, and entry ticket costs and availability before booking the tour.