Welcome to Kathmandu, the cultural heartbeat of Nepal! Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy some time to rest and settle in. leisure. It is recommended that you don’t arrive after 15:00 hrs.

At 18:30, gather with your fellow travellers for a special Newari welcome dinner, where you’ll be introduced to Nepal’s rich flavours, spices, and traditions, the perfect beginning to your Himalayan adventure.

Hotel Manaslu, deluxe heritage & boutique hotel in Kathmandu offers an intimate experience of Nepal’s art and culture in the truest sense.

At Manaslu, we combine splendor with Nepalese Hospitality. A model of elegance and services with all the comforts of home.

We’ll begin at Swayambhunath, the ancient hilltop stupa known as the “Monkey Temple,” with sweeping views across the city and valley. From there we continue to Kathmandu Durbar Square, the historic heart of the old city, where carved palaces, temples and courtyards reflect centuries of royal history.

Next, we’ll wander the bustling market streets of Indra Chowk and Ason, where traders sell everything from spices and textiles to religious offerings, just as they have for generations.

Later, we’ll join a local family in their home for a momo-making session, learning to fold and cook Nepal’s much-loved dumplings before enjoying the results together.

We’ll end the day at Boudhanath Stupa at sunset, when locals and pilgrims walk the kora around the great white dome, spinning prayer wheels as the light fades.

For those interested, we’ll rise early for an optional visit to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple complex, where the cremation grounds along the riverbank offer a moving insight into Hindu rituals of life and death.

After breakfast, we head to Patan, one of the valley’s ancient royal cities, to explore Patan Durbar Square and its elegant temples, palace courtyards and fine Newar craftsmanship.

Then it’s on to Bhaktapur, a remarkably preserved medieval city of brick-paved squares, pagoda temples and carved wooden windows. We’ll stroll its atmospheric streets and visit Pottery Square, where local potters shape clay on traditional wheels and leave their wares to dry in the open air.

After breakfast, we fly to Paro, Bhutan. Depending on the weather, the flight offers can offer spectacular views of the Himalaya and Mt. Everest! Experiencing the descent into the narrow Paro Valley is one of the most memorable flight approaches anywhere in the world.

Note: Your round-trip flight from Kathmandu to Paro is included in the trip price.

Our Bhutanese guides will meet us on arrival. Depending on the weather, we’ll visit Paro’s Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum, or drive up to Chele La Pass, one of the highest road passes in Bhutan, for mountain views and a sea of prayer flags. The rest of the day is kept relaxed, so we can adjust to the altitude before tomorrow’s hike.

Nestled amidst the serene beauty of Paro valley, The Tiger Nest Camp offers a picturesque glamping experience surrounded by nature’s splendor. Just a short 20-minute drive from Paro International Airport, our safari-inspired tents provide a tranquil retreat with breathtaking views of the iconic Tiger Nest Monastery.

Perfect for small groups, families, or couples, The Tiger Nest Camp offers a variety of outdoor activities, including nature walks, mountain biking, village tours, and bonfires accompanied by traditional cultural performances.

We’ll set off early for the hike to Tiger’s Nest (Paro Taktsang), Bhutan’s most iconic monastery, perched on a cliff face high above the Paro Valley. Tiger's Nest is far more than a spectacular structure, it is one of the holiest sites of Tibetan Buddhism. The trail climbs steadily through pine forest hung with prayer flags, with the monastery coming into view as we ascend.

Note: While we’re admiring the spectacular view of Tiger’s Nest, we can hang our own prayer flags to send our well wishes down to the valley below.

After soaking up the atmosphere and views of this sacred site, we’ll make our way back down and drive to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, for a well-earned rest.

Access suites is a unique four star boutique hotel designed with contemporary Bhutanese aesthetics. We redefine luxury by embracing the essence of “high value, low volume” tourism, catering to discerning travelers seeking a unique and personalized stay.

We’ll start early at the National Memorial Chorten, where locals circle the white stupa and spin prayer wheels from first light. Here we’ll take part in handing out porridge to the worshippers, a warm and meaningful way to connect with the local community.

After breakfast, we visit the Buddha Dordenma, the vast golden Buddha overlooking the Thimphu Valley, then begin the scenic drive with our first stop at Dochula Pass at 3200 meters. Grab a coffee while you can enjoy the views of the Eastern Himalayas and see our final destination for today, Gasa, in the mountains.

After another hour, we will stop for lunch in Lobesa. Valley, before we descend further down into Punakha Valley. Forests and rural villages pass by as we head deeper into Bhutan’s remote northwest, arriving at a local family’s guesthouse for the night.

Spend a night in Gasa, one of Bhutan's most remote and least-visited regions, staying at a simple guesthouse run by a local family. Enjoy a home-cooked Bhutanese dinner, experience the warmth of traditional hospitality and wake up surrounded by forests and mountains. It's a chance to slow down and experience a side of Bhutan that few travellers ever get to see.

After breakfast, we drive 2 to 3 hours to the military checkpoint, where the road ends and our hike begins. From here, the trail climbs for around three hours through forested mountainsides to the highland village of Laya, one of the most remote communities in Bhutan.

A note on the hike
Being able to drive to the military checkpoint and then hike the remaining way to Laya has cut the previous 6-7 hour hike to Laya in half! Our Bhutan film shows the previous full-length journey, but the new road has been built since our trip, which will dramatically decrease the hiking time.

On arrival, we’ll be welcomed into our host families’ homes, where we’ll stay for the next three nights, and settle in with a delicious home-cooked meal.

Experience authentic highland hospitality with a three-night stay in a traditional family home in Laya, where you'll be welcomed into the daily life of the Layap community. Accommodation is simple but comfortable: you'll sleep on mattresses laid out on the floor, with thick blankets to keep you warm in the mountain climate. The homestay also has a Western-style toilet and a shower facility, giving you some essential comforts while staying in this remote Himalayan village.

It's not a luxury stay, and that's exactly what makes it special. You're sleeping in the heart of a remote community, sharing meals and experiences with your hosts and experiencing Laya as a guest rather than simply a visitor.

Today the Laya Festival begins, a vibrant celebration of the unique highland culture of the Layap people. Villagers gather in traditional dress, including the distinctive conical bamboo hats worn by Layap women, for songs, dances and local customs, and you’ll have the chance to dress up in local clothing too.

The traditional games are open to everyone, so expect plenty of laughter alongside the villagers.

We’ll join the villagers for a communal lunch at the festival grounds, a highlight of the day and a lovely way to share a meal with the whole community.

The King of Bhutan has never missed a year of attendance at the Royal Highland Festival, so if we’re lucky, we may spot him in attendance!

In the evening, we’ll gather around a bonfire with our host family and play traditional games together.

A second day at the festival gives us time to take in the performances at a relaxed pace. With the first day behind us, it’s a wonderful chance to get to know the community, share moments with our host families, and wander the village to appreciate its spectacular mountain setting.

In the evening, we’ll head to the school grounds for the local festivities, a lively and fitting way to spend our final night in Laya.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to our host families and hike around 2 hours back down the trail. From the trailhead, it’s a 5-hour drive to the fertile Punakha Valley, where warmer weather awaits, along with a hot shower!

The rest of the day is at leisure to rest, recover and enjoy the comforts of our resort after our days in the mountains.

Relax and recharge at Meri Puensum Resort, a family-run property nestled in the beautiful Punakha Valley. Perched on a hillside overlooking the Puna Tsang Chu River and surrounding countryside, the resort offers a peaceful setting after our time in the mountains. Enjoy comfortable rooms, Bhutanese hospitality and an on-site restaurant serving a variety of local and international dishes. There is also Wi-Fi, a bar, gym, massage and yoga facilities, making this the perfect place to slow down and enjoy some well-deserved comfort during our journey.

We’ll spend a full day discovering the Punakha Valley. We visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, set where two rivers meet and widely considered one of the most beautiful fortresses in Bhutan, and cross the Punakha suspension bridge, strung high above the river and draped in prayer flags.

Later, we’ll enjoy a rafting excursion through the valley’s gentle scenery and visit a local monastic school to learn about the daily life and education of young monks.

In the evening, a special surprise awaits us on the riverbank.

After breakfast, we begin the journey back to Paro. Along the way, we stop at Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple dedicated to the famously unconventional saint Drukpa Kunley, reached by a pleasant walk through rice fields and villages.

We continue to the Postal Museum, where you can create your own personalised stamps and send a card to your loved ones back home. Upon arrival in Paro in the late afternoon, you'll have the chance to buy some last souvenirs before we get ready for a final evening in Bhutan with games, like archery, a bonfire and a last Bhutanese meal and local masked dances.

Nestled amidst the serene beauty of Paro valley, The Tiger Nest Camp offers a picturesque glamping experience surrounded by nature’s splendor. Just a short 20-minute drive from Paro International Airport, our safari-inspired tents provide a tranquil retreat with breathtaking views of the iconic Tiger Nest Monastery.

Perfect for small groups, families, or couples, The Tiger Nest Camp offers a variety of outdoor activities, including nature walks, mountain biking, village tours, and bonfires accompanied by traditional cultural performances.

After a final breakfast, we’ll transfer to Paro International Airport for your flight back to Nepal, from where you will connect on your international flight back home. After 2 weeks in the Himalayas, we are taking with us memories of an extraordinary journey through Nepal and Bhutan.