- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Combined tour · 10 days, 9 nights
10 Day Nepal and Bhutan Tour: Kathmandu Valley, Punakha and the Tiger's Nest
Two Himalayan kingdoms in one trip: the temples and old squares of the Kathmandu valley, a flight past Everest to Paro, then Thimphu, Punakha and the Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan.
- 10 days, 9 nights
- 3 nights Nepal, 6 nights Bhutan
- Flight past Everest included
2
Countries, one private trip
7
UNESCO World Heritage monument zones in the Kathmandu valley
1 h
Flight from Kathmandu to Paro
Private
Guides and cars in both countries
Trip overview
Kathmandu and Bhutan, side by side
Nepal and Bhutan sit only an hour’s flight apart, and they make a perfect pair. Kathmandu is busy, loud and full of life, with ancient temples on every corner and markets that never seem to sleep. Bhutan is the opposite: quiet, green and carefully protected, with very few visitors and a pace that slows you down within a day. Seeing both shows you two very different ways of life in the Himalaya.
This trip starts with three nights in the Kathmandu valley. You visit Swayambhunath, the monkey temple on its hill, Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, Pashupatinath on the Bagmati river, and the old royal squares of Patan and Bhaktapur. Then you fly to Paro. On a clear day the route passes Everest, Kanchenjunga and other giants, which many travellers call the best hour of the whole trip.
In Bhutan you spend six nights: Thimphu, the capital, Dochula pass, the warm Punakha valley with its riverside dzong, and Paro, finishing with the hike to the Tiger’s Nest. Guides, drivers and hotels in both countries are arranged by us, so it feels like one trip, not two.
- Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur
- A flight past Everest to Paro
- Thimphu, Punakha and the Tiger's Nest
Highlights
Highlights in both countries
Boudhanath
One of the largest stupas in the world, in Kathmandu.
Bhaktapur
A medieval town of temples, squares and potters.
The Everest flight
Kathmandu to Paro along the Himalaya.
Dochula
108 chortens and mountain views in Bhutan.
Punakha Dzong
Bhutan's most beautiful fortress, between two rivers.
Tiger's Nest
The cliff monastery above Paro.
Itinerary at a glance
Ten days, two kingdoms
We can reverse the order and start in Bhutan if flights suit you better.
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Land at Kathmandu, transfer to your hotel, evening in Thamel.
Day 2: Kathmandu sights
Swayambhunath, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath.
Day 3: Patan and Bhaktapur
Optional early Everest mountain flight, Patan, Bhaktapur.
Day 4: Fly to Paro, Thimphu
Kathmandu to Paro flight, drive to Thimphu.
Day 5: Thimphu
Tashichho Dzong, Folk Heritage Museum, Zorig Chusum, weekend market.
Day 6: To Punakha
Dochula pass, Punakha Dzong, suspension bridge.
Day 7: Punakha
Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, optional rafting.
Day 8: To Paro
Drive to Paro, Rinpung Dzong, National Museum.
Day 9: Tiger's Nest
Hike to Paro Taktsang, Kyichu Lhakhang.
Day 10: Depart
Transfer to Paro airport.
Day 1
Arrive in Kathmandu
Our Nepal guide meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and takes you to your hotel. Most nationalities can get a Nepal visa on arrival; we send the current rules and fees when you book. In the evening, if you have energy, a walk through Thamel, Kathmandu’s lively quarter of shops and cafes.
- Overnight: Kathmandu
- Transfer: about 30 minutes
- Meals: none included today
Day 2
Temples and stupas of Kathmandu
The morning starts at Swayambhunath, the hilltop stupa known as the monkey temple, with views over the whole valley. Then Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal palace area. After lunch you visit Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, on the banks of the Bagmati river, and end the day at Boudhanath, where pilgrims walk around the great white stupa at dusk.
- Overnight: Kathmandu
- Sights: four UNESCO-listed monument zones
- Meals: breakfast
Day 3
Patan and Bhaktapur
If you like, start with a one-hour sightseeing flight along the Himalaya from Kathmandu, run by Nepali airlines on clear mornings. Then you visit Patan, a city of craftsmen and temples, and Bhaktapur, a medieval town of brick squares, pagodas and potters at work. Try juju dhau, Bhaktapur’s famous sweet yoghurt.
- Overnight: Kathmandu
- Optional: Everest mountain flight
- Meals: breakfast
Day 4
Fly past Everest to Bhutan
The flight from Kathmandu to Paro takes about an hour. Sit on the left for the mountains: on a clear day you pass Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Your Bhutanese guide meets you in Paro and drives you to Thimphu. In the afternoon you visit Buddha Dordenma and the Memorial Chorten.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Flight: about 1 hour
- Meals: lunch and dinner
Day 5
Bhutan's capital
A full day in Thimphu. You visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students learn the 13 traditional arts, the Folk Heritage Museum, and the weekend market if it is a Friday to Sunday. In the late afternoon you see Tashichho Dzong, seat of the government and the central monk body.
- Overnight: Thimphu
- Note: the art school is closed on weekends
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6
Over Dochula to Punakha
You cross Dochula at about 3,100 metres, with its 108 chortens and, on clear days, views of the Bhutan Himalaya. Then the road drops into the warm Punakha valley. In the afternoon you visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 where two rivers meet, and walk the long suspension bridge over the Pho Chhu.
- Overnight: Punakha
- Drive: about 3 hours
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 7
The Punakha valley
In the morning you walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the Divine Madman. Later you hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten for a view down the valley, or raft a gentle stretch of the Mo Chhu.
- Overnight: Punakha
- Walking: about 2 hours, easy to moderate
- Optional: rafting
Day 8
On to Paro
You drive back over Dochula to Paro. In the afternoon you visit the National Museum in the old watchtower and walk down to Rinpung Dzong, crossing the traditional covered bridge. The evening is free in Paro town.
- Overnight: Paro
- Drive: about 4.5 hours
- Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 9
Hike to the Tiger's Nest
The last full day is the hike to the Tiger’s Nest, five to six hours return through pine forest to the monastery on its cliff. On the way back you visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. In the evening, a farewell dinner, perhaps with a hot stone bath in a farmhouse.
- Overnight: Paro
- Hike: 5 to 6 hours return
- Altitude: about 3,120 metres
Day 10
Fly home
After breakfast your guide drives you to Paro airport for your flight home or back to Kathmandu.
- Transfer: about 15 minutes
- Meals: breakfast
Where you stay
Where you stay
Comfortable, central hotels in both countries.
| Nights | Place | Where you stay | Why we chose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Kathmandu | 4-star hotel | Near the old city |
| 4 and 5 | Thimphu | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Central |
| 6 and 7 | Punakha | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Valley views |
| 8 and 9 | Paro | 3-star or 4-star hotel | Near the Tiger's Nest trailhead |
Luxury hotels in Kathmandu and luxury lodges in Bhutan are available on request.
What the price covers
Included and not included
Included
- Bhutan visa (USD 40) and the Sustainable Development Fee for every night in Bhutan
- Flight between Kathmandu and Paro (we book it for you)
- Hotels in Kathmandu and Bhutan, 3-star as standard, 4-star and luxury on request
- Breakfast in Kathmandu; all meals in Bhutan
- A licensed English-speaking guide in Nepal and in Bhutan
- Private car with driver in both countries, and all transfers
- Entry fees to the sites listed
Not included
- International flights into Kathmandu and out of Paro
- Nepal visa fee, paid on arrival
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
- Optional Everest mountain flight
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend
- Drinks, laundry and other personal costs
- Tips for your guide and driver
- Anything not listed under included
Price on request
Tell us your budget and we will send our best price
We don’t publish one fixed price, because hotels, season and group size change the total a lot. Tell us your dates, who is travelling and the budget you have in mind. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Nepal and Bhutan tour.
How we price
What decides the cost of this trip
Government fees
The SDF is USD 100 per adult per night until 31 August 2027, plus a USD 40 visa. These are fixed by the Government of Bhutan and paid through us.
Hotels you choose
The Kathmandu to Paro flight, your hotel style and the season change the total most.
Season and dates
Spring and autumn are peak season. Winter and summer dates are often easier to price well.
Group size
Guide and car costs are shared, so the price per person drops for two, three or four travellers.
We send a written, itemised quote before you pay anything. No booking fees.
Good to know
Planning a Nepal and Bhutan trip
Nepal first or Bhutan first?
Either works. Starting in Kathmandu is usually easier for international flights, and ending in quiet Bhutan is a lovely way to finish. If your flights work better the other way round, we simply reverse the plan. What matters most is the Kathmandu to Paro flight, which does not run every day.
Visas for both countries
Nepal: most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, or apply online before travel. The fee depends on the length of stay. Bhutan: every visitor except Indian nationals needs a Bhutan visa, which costs USD 40 and is issued online before you fly. We arrange the Bhutan visa and the Sustainable Development Fee, and send you the current Nepal rules.
The Kathmandu to Paro flight
Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly this route. On a clear day it passes four of the world’s five highest mountains: Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu. Ask for a seat on the left side when flying from Kathmandu to Paro. Mornings from October to April have the best visibility.
Kathmandu after the 2015 earthquake
Some temples in the Kathmandu valley were damaged in the 2015 earthquake. Most have since been rebuilt or restored, and all the sites on this tour are open to visitors. A few buildings are still under repair, which your guide will point out.
Best time for Nepal and Bhutan
October and November are the best months in both countries, with clear skies and dry trails. March to May is also good, with spring flowers but more haze. December to February is cold in the mornings but clear. June to August is the monsoon in both countries: green and quiet, but mountain views are rare.
Temple etiquette
Cover shoulders and knees in dzongs and temples, take off hats, and walk clockwise around chortens and prayer wheels. Photography is not allowed inside shrine rooms. Your guide explains each place before you go in. Read more in our Bhutan travel rules guide.
Altitude
Paro sits at about 2,200 metres and Thimphu at about 2,300. Most people feel fine after a slow first day. Drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol at first, and tell your guide about headaches or poor sleep. The Tiger’s Nest, at about 3,120 metres, comes later in the trip for this reason.
Nepal and Bhutan tour: questions
It depends on your hotels, group size and dates. Tell us your budget and we will reply within 24 hours with our best price, including the SDF, visa, hotels, meals, guide and car.
By air. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly from Kathmandu to Paro in about an hour.
Yes, unless you are an Indian national. Nepal gives most visas on arrival; we arrange the Bhutan visa online.
On a clear day, yes. Sit on the left from Kathmandu to Paro.
Yes, when permits are open. We can design a Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan trip.
Yes. Short treks near Pokhara or the Everest region can be added before Bhutan.
No. You have a licensed Nepali guide in Nepal and a licensed Bhutanese guide in Bhutan.
Three to five months ahead, especially for October.
Price on request
Ask for your best price
Tell us your dates, which country you want to start in and your budget. We will reply within 24 hours with our best price for this Nepal and Bhutan tour.
- Share your budget, we shape the trip around it
- No booking fees, ever
- A reply within 24 hours
- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- +975 17533776
- +975 77495028
- info@deyabhutantours.com
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Let's plan your Bhutan journey
Tell us a little about your trip. Our team in Thimphu will reply with ideas, a day-by-day plan and a full price.
We’ll reply within 24 hours. No booking fees, and no obligation to book.