Compare Go Beyond Himalayas by Evergreen Tours vs India & Nepal in 18 days - Golden Triangle & Kathmandu Valley - LUXURY by Exoticca

Day 1: Explore Kathmandu

Welcome to Kathmandu, Nepal’s largest and capital city. Get a brief information about Kathmandu with our guide. Overnight in Kathmandu

Day 2: Kathmandu Sights

Enjoy a guided tour of Kathmandu. Visit includes UNESCO heritage sites-Durbar Squares, temple of living Goddess, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambunath, Pashupatinath Hindu temple and Bhaktapur. Overnight in Kathmandu

Day 3: Kathmandu-Lhasa

Your adventure begins after boarding a scenic flight to Lhasa. On arrival you will meet our local expert guide and driver. Enjoy scenic drive to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 4: Explore Lhasa

Meet Tibetan life in Lhasa. Whole day explore the city visiting Potala Palace- for palace of Dalai Lamas, Jokhang temple etc. You will have stop for lunch and rest. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 5: Monasteris, Palaces Bazaar:

Visit Drepung a largest monastery of Tibet with 7700 monks. Tour continues to Sera Monastery, Norbulinka and hang around Barkhor Bazaar at the end of the day. Overnight in Lhasa.

After breakfast take scenic drive to Gangtok, Sikkim.  Overnight Gangtok, Sikkim.

Day 6: Lhasa-Gyantse

Take a amazing road trip through the plateau of Tibet crossing over 5000 meter pass-Karola, Yamdok tso (lake). You will have stops for picture and rest. Overnight in Gyantse.

Day 7: Gyantse

Enjoy full tour of Palcho Monastery and Kunbum Pagoda. Pagoda known as 100000 image pagoda that stands 9 Storeyed with 108 doors, 77 chapels containing clay sculptures and murals. Overnight in Gyantse.

Day 8: Gyantse-Shigatse

After breakfast take short drive to Shigatse. Take a rest in Shigatse.Take a day tour of Panchen Lama’s Monastery-Tashilumphu. Tashilumpu is one of the beautiful monastery of Tibet. It has 26 meters height statue of Buddha made with 275kg of solid gold. The statue holds great quantities of precious items including pearls, torques, coral and amber. Overnight in Shigatse. Overnight in Shigatse

Day 9: Shigatse-Lhasa:

After breakfast journey back to Lhasa. Overnight in Lhasa.

Day 10: Lhasa-Kathmandu

After breakfast drive to Lhasa airport to board your flight to Kathmandu. On arrival drive to your hotel. Day at leisure. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Day 11: Get into Himalayan Kingdom- Bhutan

After breakfast board your next adventure to Bhutan a Himalayan Kingdom known as country of gross happiness, Thunder Dragon. On arrival scenic drive to Thimpu a capital city of the Bhutan. Overnight in Thimpu.

Day 12: Thimpu-Punakha-Thimpu:

Take scenic drive day trip to Punakha crossing Dochu-la. The journey includes breathtaking view from pass and beautiful greenery all the way to Punakha. Visit Punakha Dzong built on the junction of the two rivers the Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River). It is one of the most spectacular Dzongs in the country. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 13: Thimpu/Chunzom/Paro:

After breakfast, visit traditional paper factory, Tachogan Monastery built by iron chain maker of Bhutan en-route to Paro. Travel through the villages of Shaba, Bondey.

Visit National museum, Paro Dzong built in 1646. Hike down to traditional wooden covered bridge locally called Nymezampa on the Paro river. Evening enjoy walking tour of main street of Paro.

Day 14: Paro-Taktsang Excurson:

Spend the day with hiking to Taktsang. Take a short drive to the north of Paro valley to Ramthankha. Start your hike to Taktsang Monastery ( Tiger’s nest ). It is ( 2 hours ) steeply uphill hiking to the Monastery with a special permit. Take lunch at Taksang Cafe after the hike. An afternoon visit Kyitsu Lhakhang one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries, if time permit.

Day 15: Paro/Kathmandu:

Early morning fly back to Kathmandu. On arrival meet with your tour escort and transferred to Hotel. Afternoon free for leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16: Search Out Your Kathmandu.

Your itinerary ends in Kathmandu, where you can choose one final optional adventure, depart for your next destination beyond Himalayas. Or start your journey home with memories and stories to spare.

Day 1: US - Nignt on board

Arrive at your US departure airport ready to check-in for a flight to Delhi. Night on board.

Day 2: Delhi

Arrive in the capital of India and transfer to the hotel. Delhi is a city with an impressive architectural legacy of its Islamic conquerors along with a spectacular historical center. The rest of the day is free to rest or to get to know this lively, fascinating city. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit Old Delhi including the Jama Masjid Royal Mosque and the lively Chandi Chow Street. Ride a tricycle around the Red Fort, the former residence of the Imperial Family and admire the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the afternoon, explore New Delhi, passing through the India Gate, the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, the majestic government buildings and the Presidential Palace. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 4: Delhi - Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave by road to Jaipur, the Pink City of India. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur was built in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Its architecture is a magnificent confluence of Hindu, Jain and Mughal architectural styles. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free to get to know this vibrant city. In the evening light, the pink and the orange buildings exude a magical glow, which is complemented by the vibrantly attired Rajasthanis. Camel drawn carts are characteristic of Jaipur's passing street scene. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 5: Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, on your way to the Amber Fort. Explore the majestic Amber Fort with a Jeep transfer. In the interior, cross the grounds of the palace Jag Mandir and the famous Sheesh Mahal, a room embedded with beautifully bright pieces of mirror. Continue to tour the city of Jaipur including a visit to the Palace of the Maharaja, former royal residence, have converted parts of the palace into a museum. Also experience the wonder of the Jantar Mantar, the largest observatory in the world, made of marble. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 6: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra

Breakfast at the hotel. Leave for Agra and along the way visit Fatehpur Sikri, an impressive ghost town. Next, pass by Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Arrive in Agra and enjoy a world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. Transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visit the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Agra Fort. Inside the fort, discover the picturesque Pearl Mosque. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Agra.

Day 7: Agra - Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, experience the legendary splendor of the Taj Mahal, the ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river and a universal symbol of love. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his beloved wife. Afterward, enjoy an afternoon drive back to Delhi. Transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 8: Delhi - Kathmandu

Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning you will be transfered to the airport to board the flight to Kathmandu. Arrival to the capital of Nepal, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free. The largest urban agglomeration in Nepal, with 2.5 million inhabitants, consists of the core of the metropolitan city of Kathmandu. Its sister cities are Patan, Kirtipur, Thimi and Bhaktapur, including recently the urban areas of Shankhapur, Karyabinayak, Champapur, Banepa, Dhulikhel and Panauti. The capital of the country is located at 1,400 meters in a bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal.

Day 9: Kathmandu - Bhaktapur - Kathmandu

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, visit "the city of the devotees", Bhaktapur, to admire the great architectural beauty of the third of the three royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley. A World Heritage Site and where Durbar Square is the best preserved in the valley. The Royal Palace stands out, whose entrance door is a masterpiece in embossed art, as does the Nyatapola Temple, known as the Temple of the Five Roofs, which is a pagoda of five magnificently sculpted floors and one of the highest in the country. Later, continue to the oldest temple in the Kathmandu Valley, the Changu Narayan Temple located in the Changu village and dedicated to the god Vishnu. From here there is a beautiful view of the surroundings. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 10: Kathmandu - Patan - Kathmandu

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we recommend an optional Mount Everest flight-seeing excursion.* Head to the Kathmandu Valley through Asan Tole, the main street of the capital's oldest shopping area, which offers a vivid display of local Nepalese life. Discover the rich Nepalese culture and everyday life through the bustling and narrow streets and courtyards. Visit Durbar Square in Kathmandu, where you can see the Kumari Temple, which houses the living Goddess and the exteriors of the Taleju Temple and Kala Bhairav. In the afternoon, explore Swayambhunath Stupa, located at the top of a hill, to contemplate the beautiful landscape of the Kathmandu Valley. Later, discover the old city of Patan and visit it's Durbar Square, the oldest of the three in the valley. See the Royal Palace, home to beautiful patios and ornate windows and sanctuaries dedicated to Shiva, Ganesh, and Vishnu. Also visit the Temple of the living goddess Kumari, who looks out onto the balcony to receive the greetings of the devotees. Return to the hotel and overnight stay. * Optional Mount Everest Flight-seeing Excursion: One-hour long sightseeing on a fixed-wing aircraft for an experience of a lifetime. All the spectacular glaciers, snow-capped peaks, and gorges glide below as you fly towards Mt. Everest. Includes a flight certificate awarded at the end of the excursion. Return to Kathmandu to begin the rest of the days sightseeing.

Day 11: Kathmandu - Chitwan

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off by road to Chitwan, passing by scenic landscapes during the approx. 4-hour journey. Arrive in time for lunch and get settled at the hotel. In the afternoon, head out on a 1-hour nature walk to explore the beautiful surrounding area, scattered with cabins inhabited by the indigenous Tharu tribe, who have lived in the forests surrounding Chitwan for hundreds of years. After a delicious dinner, enjoy a Tharu Stick Dance Show, performed by local farmers, for an insight into Chitwan’s cultural roots. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Day 12: Chitwan

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, set off for magical Chitwan National Park, one of the richest national parks in Asia, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Enjoy an exciting photographic jeep safari in the heart of the jungle to discover a lost world of towering prehistoric trees, rhinos, elephants, crocodiles, brightly coloured birds and, of course, the majestic Bengal Tiger. Inside the park, visit the Gavial Crocodile Breeding Centre, dedicated to the breeding of this species in order to boost the local population. Lunch included. Afterwards, enjoy a tranquil boat ride on the river to soak up the views of the sunset. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight stay in Chitwan.

Day 13: Chitwan - Pokhara

Awake early to enjoy a quiet walk through the village to soak up the sights and watch as the village comes to life in the morning. Return to the hotel for breakfast before setting off for Pokhara, a journey of around 3.5-hours long. En route, visit Bandipur Village, a small hilltop settlement and an amazing example of Newar culture. This charming village is home to precious 18th-century architecture, a number of small cafes and shops. Continue to Pokhara, nestled in a quiet, forest-covered valley. Arrive, get settled at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, soaking up the fantastic views of the Himalayas and the five Annapurna peaks. Overnight stay in Pokhara.

Day 14: Pokhara

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Himalayas if weather conditions permit. Located at 1592 meters high, it is the most popular spot to enjoy the magnificent views of the Pokhara valley and the mountains. Afterwards, take a boat ride on Phewa Lake and see the beautiful Devi Waterfall and explore the Sacred Cave of Gupteshwor, almost 1.8 miles long. Continue to the traditional Old Bazaar of Pokhara, a pleasant traditional place, which is full of merchants of diverse ethnicities that sell fabrics, food and gold among many other products. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 15: Pokhara - Kathmandu

Breakfast at the hotel. Head back to Kathmandu and enjoy the scenery along the way. Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to enjoy the city at your leisure. Overnight stay.

Day 16: Kathmandu - Nagarkot

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Nagarkot, a village nestled in the beautiful mountains which is famed for its amazing views of the Himalayas. Arrive at the hotel and check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Nagarkot.

Day 17: Nagarkot

Breakfast at the hotel. Today enjoy guided walks through the hills surrounding Nagarkot. It is the best way to explore and experience the spectacular natural landscape, countryside and terraced farmland and also understand the lifestyle of local people. Overnight in Nagarkot.

Day 18: Nagarkot - Kathmandu

Breakfast at the hotel. Set off for Kathmandu. Take a guided tour of Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath. The Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath, one of the largest in the world and icon of Nepal, sits on an octagonal base and is surrounded by the houses of the Lamas. Discover Pashupatinath Hindu Temple from the east bank of the river, the most important and oldest of the Kathmandu Valley, which is dedicated to Shiva and built-in an exuberant natural environment. Free afternoon to stroll through the city or make last-minute souvenir purchases. Overnight stay.

Day 19: Kathmandu - Night on board

Breakfast * at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport and check-in for your return flight back to the US overnight flight. (Dependant on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in the US today). * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Day 20: US

Arrive back in the US and end of your trip.