ULTIMATE HIMALAYA: Nepal, Bhutan, India

Experience the vistas and cultural variety of these popular Himalayan countries nestled between the Indian lowlands and the Tibetan plateau. Explore medieval Kathmandu with its ancient squares, temples and talented artisans surrounded by the by snow mountains. Enjoy the lively atmosphere with narrow alleys jostling with delightful Nepalese.  Sit with artists, view temples, visit a private home, and a spectacular hour-long Everest view flight in this cosmopolitan capital.

Fly into medieval Kathmandu with its ancient squares sprinkled with intricately carved temples.  Walk through old villages where life stands still and amble along cobbled alleyways from Freak Street to the old palace complex to Thamel overflowing with joint houses now turned into shops, galleries, and restaurants.  Take in the medieval art and architecture of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur.  Go on a spellbinding hour-long Everest viewing flight.  Visit a private home and enjoy dinner with your hosts.  Arrive in the beautiful Pokhara Valley in the foothills of the Annapurna Himalaya.  Stay at a lovely resort on a working farm and take village walks or hike up to a temple to view the rural scenery.  Indulge in Ayurvedic massages, swimming, yoga, and meditation while enjoying fresh healthy farm to table meals.   Photograph ethnic folk dancers and musicians in pretty floral costumes at a private photo shoot and join them in the lively dances.

Be amongst the privileged few to experience Bhutan’s still pristine environment where the Bhutanese embrace modernization on their own terms.  Revel in the colorful festivals and age-old traditions and photograph the women in their colorful kiras (national dress).  Immerse in the deep spirituality of this remote mountain kingdom with beautiful rugged topography where happiness comes before profit.   Walk the tiny streets in historic Paro surrounded by massive Himalayan peaks and peppered with brightly painted wooden shop houses.  Hike up to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Explore Thimphu’s markets, museums and monuments with the best dining and shopping.  Arrive in the golden green Punakha Valley with its famous dzong, visit sacred sites and a small beautiful village nearby.  Drive along the narrow national highway over a 10,000-foot pass festooned with multicolored prayer flags.  Relax in the magic of this slow-paced country where the king decides most things including having a parliamentary democracy.   Learn about Tantric Buddhism introduced in the 8th Century by Guru Padmasambhava.  Admire museum quality hand-woven textiles at the textile museum.  Fortunately weaving still remains an intrinsic part of the Bhutanese culture.  Observe young students learn the painstaking process of painting thangkas (Buddhist religious painting) often used for meditation.

Tour Calcutta’s imperial monuments, temples and bridges, enjoy countryside walks in the tiny hamlet at Yoksum and explore the ancient Rumtek Monastery in Gangtok.  Drive to Darjeeling with its tea gardens, toy train and stunning views of Kangchenjunga Himalaya.

Destinations

Kathmandu * Paro * Thimpu * Punakha * Calcutta * Gangtok * Yoksum * Darjeeling * Delhi

Suggested Custom Tours

Add pre or post tour extensions to this group tour anywhere in Asia!

Nepal

TIBET (Everest Base Camp) & NEPAL

11 Days

From $4990

India

ART, HISTORY & CUISINE: North India

15 Days

$5590