A Journey Through the Himalayas Tour

Depart with Qatar Airways from either London Heathrow or Manchester to Kathmandu, via Doha. No matter which airport you choose, there will be no extra cost.

Arriving in Kathmandu this morning, we transfer to the Hotel Yak and Yeti, our home for the next two nights. This afternoon, we visit Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest and most significant Buddhist stupas in Nepal, before visiting a thangka painting studio to learn about the significance of these hand-painted religious scrolls. Later, we join our Tour Manager and fellow travellers for a welcome drink, before dinner together at our hotel.

Tour Highlight

This morning, we visit historic Swayambhunath Stupa, with its numerous shrines and prayer wheels. Offering panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is the oldest of its kind in Nepal. Continuing to Kathmandu Durbar Square, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, we explore the historical heart of the city and discover ancient royal palaces, a fascinating museum, and visit the House of Kumari, home to a living goddess. Later, we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the neighbourhood of Thamel, weaving through its streets filled with shops, cafes, and time-honoured crafts. Our day finishes with an authentic Nepali dinner accompanied by a cultural show of traditional music and dance.

Today, we drive to historic Gorkha and our accommodation for the night, Gorkha Gaun. This charming rural retreat is surrounded by lush green hills with views of Mount Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world. Following lunch, we explore the village and learn more about life here, before trying our hand at making traditional plates and bowls from Sal leaves. Later, we join Gorkha Gaun’s chef to learn about local culinary techniques and flavours as we prepare authentic Nepali dishes together.

Enjoy sunrise over Mount Manaslu and explore Gorkha’s local market before we continue to Pokhara. Our hotel for the next two nights is the Fish Tail Lodge, uniquely located on a peninsula across Phewa Lake. This afternoon, we visit the Gorkha Memorial Museum, celebrating the rich history of the legendary Gorkha soldiers and their contribution to military history, particularly in the British and Indian armies.

An early morning journey to Sarangkot, rewards us with sun rise over the Annapurna mountain range. After returning to our hotel for breakfast, we explore Pokhara. We visit the Gupteshwor Cave and Bindhavasini Temple before visiting the Tibetan Refugee Camp to learn about the community here. We soak up the vibrant atmosphere of the historic Old Bazaar and visit the International Mountain Museum, to learn about the mountains of Nepal, the people, flora and fauna that call them home, and the mountaineers who climb them. Later, we enjoy a scenic boat ride on Phewa Lake before finishing the day with a traditional Aarti ceremony.

We make the scenic drive to Chitwan, the first National Park of Nepal and home to an abundant array of wildlife. Arriving at our resort, Jagatpur Lodge or Kasara Resort, we enjoy lunch and settle in for our three-night stay. Later, we head out for a walk around a Tharu village, home to a traditional community indigenous to the Chitwan area. This evening, we join an expert naturalist to learn more about the rich variety of wildlife and bird species found in the national park.

Today, we embark on an exhilarating jeep safari in Chitwan National Park with the chance to spot a variety of wildlife, including the Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, countless bird species, and the elusive Bengal tiger. Later, we visit the Crocodile Breeding Centre for a unique opportunity to observe Mugger crocodiles and the rare Gharials, as we learn about the centre’s conservation efforts. This afternoon, we head out in a traditional hand-rowed canoe on the Rapti River, taking in the beauty of the surrounding landscapes as we keep an eye out for the fascinating wildlife that inhabits its shores. Before dinner this evening, enjoy the vibrant culture of the Tharu people with a dynamic dance performance, from this traditional community.

We join our naturalist guide for a morning nature walk – a great opportunity to further explore the park's rich biodiversity. Our afternoon is at leisure, but should you wish, you can join a further jeep safari at no additional cost.

Driving back towards Kathmandu today, we arrive in the Patan district this afternoon and our hotel for the next two nights, the Vivanta Kathmandu. We head to Patan Durbar Square, known for its stunning architecture and intricate woodwork, and explore the impressive temples, courtyards and former palaces. We finish our day, attending a singing bowl workshop. Guided by an expert, we discover how traditional singing bowls are made and learn of the ancient practices that surround their use.

Today we explore nearby Bhaktapur, often called Nepal's open-air museum. Stroll through its atmospheric alleys, marvelling at the ancient architecture and discover Pottery Square, before witnessing the intricate art of authentic Nepali woodcraft. We stop at a traditional paper factory, to learn how they use the bark of the lokta shrub, and enjoy the beauty of Bhaktapur Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to ancient sculptures and architectural masterpieces. We finish our day with dinner at a local restaurant where we meet a Sherpa mountaineer and hear stories of their incredible achievements.

We transfer to Kathmandu Airport this morning, for our flight to Paro, our entry point into the fascinating country of Bhutan. On arrival, we journey to Thimphu, Bhutan’s compact capital, and transfer to the Norkhil Boutique Hotel & Spa, our home for the next two nights. After lunch, we explore the local farmers’ market before continuing to Thimphu Monastery (Tashichho Dzong), to witness the unique flag down ceremony. The seat of government since the 1960s, it is a stunning example of traditional Bhutanese architecture with towering white walls, golden rooftops, and beautiful gardens. This evening, we meet a Bhutanese Lama and learn more about Buddhism.

Today we discover Thimphu’s rich cultural landmarks and traditions, starting with a visit to the Memorial Chorten, built in honour of the third King of Bhutan. We then head to Buddha Point, home to the grand Buddha Dordenma statue, standing at an impressive 51 metres tall. We take in the panoramic views of the surrounding Thimphu Valley, before visiting the Institute of Traditional Medicine to gain an insight into Bhutan’s ancient healing practices. After lunch, we continue to Zorig Chusum, also known as the Bhutanese Institute of Traditional Arts, where students are trained in the 13 traditional Bhutanese arts, including wood carving, painting, and sculpture. Finally, we visit Motithang Takin Preserve for a chance to see the unique-looking Bhutanese national animal.

Tour Highlight

We journey from Thimphu to Punakha today, stopping en route at Dochula Pass, a breathtaking spot at 3,100 metres above sea level offering panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayas. Our hotel for tonight is the RKPO Green Resort. Following lunch, we take a scenic stroll, to Chimi Lhakhang, a sacred temple and monastery dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, also known as the "Divine Madman". Later, we explore Punakha Dzong. Built in 1637, it is one of Bhutan’s most beautiful and significant monasteries, celebrated for its ornate architecture and stunning location.

Returning westwards, we make the scenic drive to Paro, arriving at the Tashi Namgay Resort or the Village Lodge Paro, our accommodation for the next two nights. After lunch, we explore the town’s vibrant market before visiting a local farmhouse. Here, we don traditional attire and try our hand at Bhutan’s national sport, archery. Later, we enjoy a cultural performance of dance, music and traditional storytelling before partaking in a home-cooked dinner and some true Bhutanese hospitality.

Tour Highlight

Start your day with an unforgettable adventure, hiking to view the iconic Paro Taktsang, known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a revered cliffside pilgrimage site. For those that wish, the entire return hike typically takes around five hours. Alternatively, you may choose a shorter walk to one of two viewpoints and still be rewarded with spectacular views. We begin with a strenuous yet rewarding hike that winds uphill to reach our first viewpoint. Taking around one hour to reach, we take in our stunning panorama of the monastery. Or climb on to the second viewpoint, a further 40 minutes away, providing great photo opportunities of the monastery, sitting almost directly opposite now. The final section involves steps up and down to visit the monastery itself, sitting at an elevation of over 3,000 metres. Anyone not wishing to participate in this morning’s walk may like to relax and enjoy the facilities at our hotel. This afternoon, we visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, and participate in a blessing ceremony. We end our day at the Namgay Artisanal Brewery where we learn about the brewing process and participate in a beer tasting, before enjoying dinner in their pub restaurant.

The morning has been left for you to spend as you wish, but those interested can choose to join us exploring Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan, displaying over 3,000 artefacts of Bhutanese art and history in a former watchtower. This afternoon we head to Paro Airport for our flight to Bagdogra in northeast India. On arrival, we transfer to Darjeeling, a captivating hill station sitting at an altitude of around 2,000 metres and known for its scenic beauty, pleasant climate, and a rich cultural heritage. We check in at the prestigious Elgin Heritage Resort & Spa, where we spend the next three nights.

Our day begins with a toy train ride to Ghoom Monastery, where we explore this Tibetan Buddhist creation that dates back to 1850. One of the monastery’s most striking features is the 15-foot-tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha. Next, we head to a local tea plantation to learn about Darjeeling’s world-famous tea-making process. We are introduced to the art of tea tasting and enjoy a traditional lunch with stunning views of the lush tea gardens. Later, we visit the Tibetan Refugee Self-Help Centre which was established in 1959 to provide shelter, vocational training, and a livelihood to refugees who fled Tibet.

Tour Highlight

Embrace the magic of early morning as we journey to Tiger Hill, an enchanting vantage point, to witness the breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayan Range, including the majestic peaks of Kangchenjunga and even Mount Everest, if the weather permits. After breakfast, we visit the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute where we discover the world of mountaineering and gain insights into the flora and fauna of the region. We take a walk to Observatory Hill, enjoying panoramic views of Darjeeling and visit Karma Dorjee Chyoling Monastery. The afternoon is free to spend as you please, enjoying the relaxing surroundings of the hotel, or if you prefer, take an optional street-food walking tour.

Returning to Bagdogra, we take our flight to the city of Kolkata. Formerly known as Calcutta, the city serves as the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal and holds a special place in the country’s history and heritage. Upon arrival, we transfer to our hotel for the night, the JW Marriott Hotel.

After breakfast, we explore Kolkata’s most iconic sights and monuments. Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Flower Market before continuing to the illustrious Victoria Memorial Hall, a tribute to the former Empress of India, Queen Victoria. Our journey then takes us through Dalhousie Square, where we pass colonial landmarks including Raj Bhavan, St. John’s Church, the High Court, General Post Office, Town Hall, and the Writer’s Building, before paying a visit to Mother Teresa House. This afternoon we explore Kumar Tuli, a unique potter’s colony where the centuries-old tradition of making earthenware idols is still practiced. Later, enjoy a sunset cruise along the River Hooghly, before we gather for our final dinner together and reminisce about our adventures over the last three weeks. As our flights to the UK via Doha depart in the early hours, for your convenience we have arranged to keep your rooms until we depart for the airport.

After an amazing 22 days exploring these mesmerising countries and with memories we will treasure for a lifetime, we arrive back into our chosen UK airport early this morning.