Himalayan Kingdoms: Nepal & Bhutan in Private

Australia Welcome Package, Private Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet, Sydney Harbour at Leisure, Flavors of Sydney: Curated Dining Recommendations

A welcome package with a detailed itinerary, supplier contact list, various brochures of the destinations you will be visiting and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon arrival at the first hotel on your trip.. For your comfort, an assistant will be waiting for you outside of Customs holding a sign with your name on it. This representative will assist you in meeting your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation in Sydney to assist with check-in.. During your free time, consider exploring the Harbour area with its many cafes, gift shops and gorgeous waterfront, or perhaps head to the Queen Victoria Building to shop at a few high-end designer boutiques. With so much to see and do, you’re sure to enjoy your time at leisure in sensational Sydney.. Sydney boasts an incredible dining scene, with standout restaurants offering world-class cuisine and breathtaking views. Quay, one of Australia’s most awarded restaurants, features Executive Chef Peter Gilmore’s nature-inspired tasting menus with panoramic views of Sydney Harbour. Bennelong, located inside the Opera House, celebrates Australian ingredients with a seasonal menu crafted in collaboration with top producers. Café Sydney, perched atop Customs House, is renowned for its fresh, locally sourced Australian fare and stellar wine list. For sky-high dining, Altitude Restaurant on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel presents stunning city views alongside a European-influenced menu. Icebergs Dining Room & Bar offers modern Italian cuisine overlooking Bondi Beach, while Mr. Wong is a CBD hotspot known for its exceptional dim sum and Cantonese flavors. Rockpool Bar & Grill, set in an Art Deco skyscraper, specializes in wood-fired meats and Australia’s finest wines. The Dining Room, nestled in The Rocks, offers sustainable Australian cuisine with an iconic Opera House backdrop. Other top recommendations include 6Head and Meat & Co, both renowned for premium steaks and waterfront views.

Accommodation: Amora Jamison Hotel (B) (Deluxe Double Double Room), Bhutan

VIP Arrival Meet & Assist, Airport - SUV/Driver/Assistant, 1/2 Day Kathmandu City and Swayambhunath Stupa - Private

For your added comfort, an English-speaking airport representative will be waiting for you at your airplane's aerobridge holding a sign with your name on it. After you are accompanied through the airport and assisted through airline and/or customs-related processes, a porter will help your party with suitcase collection (up to three pieces per guest). The representative will then help you meet up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.. Meet your English Speaking Assistant for a transfer between the city center and the airport with a private driver and vehicle.. Kathmandu is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,350 meters in the bowl-shaped valley in central Nepal surrounded by four major mountains, namely: Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri.The city rich history is nearly 2000 years old, as inferred from an inscription in the valley its religious affiliations are dominantly Hindu followed by Buddhism. People of other religious beliefs also live in Kathmandu giving it a cosmopolitan culture. Nepali is the common language of the city.  Kathmandu Durbar Square is home to palaces, temples and courtyards. The word “durbar” means “palace” and Nepal’s kings used to live here and rule from the Hanuman Dhoka Palace until the construction of the Nararayanhiti Royal Palace.  Kathmandu Durbar Square is presently known as Hanuman Dhoka, a name derived from the statue of Hanuman, the monkey devotee of Lord Ram, near the entrance of the palace. Many of the palaces and temples in Durbar Square were built during the reign of the Malla Kings (1200 to 1768) and are beautiful examples of Newari Architecture, Nepal’s most distinctive architectural style. Visitors to the Durbar Square of Kathmandu will be amazed by the architectural wonders spanning several centuries. This important historical attraction has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are more than a dozen buildings and statues of note in this small area. They include: Kasthamandap – the wooden building that is said to have given the city of Kathmandu its name , Taleju Temple -one of the oldest temples in the square, this three-roofed temple with its pyramid shaped bases, is an example of the typical Newari architectural style. Kumari Ghar- home of "the Kumari", or living goddess, Shiva-Parvati Temple, Kal Bhairab etc.  Swayambhunath: Swayam in Sanskrit mean self, hence  Swayambhunath mean “Self-Created One”. The Tibetan name for Swayambhunath means 'Sublime Trees’. It was built over 2,500 years ago. It is also known as monkey temple as there are holy monkeys living in part of the temple. The site is about 70 meters above on the west side hill of Kathmandu and 3 kilometers from City centre. An excellent view of Kathmandu valley can be observed from this UNESCO World heritage cultural site. This Buddhist Stupa holds a special position both among the Buddhists & Hindus.

Accommodation: Dwarika`s Heritage Hotel (B) (Heritage Deluxe Room), Bhutan

Kathmandu

Mount Everest Flight (1 hr) - SUV/Driver/Flight/Assistance, Exploring Pashupatinath and Boudhanath (7 hrs) - Private Tour

See the world's tallest summits on an exhilarating scenic flight from Kathmandu taking you to the vicinity of Mount Everest. This is an hour-long flight filled with breathtaking views of the unspeakable beauty of the mighty Himalayas. During the flight you will get an opportunity to admire the globes’s highest peaks, including Mount Everest (8848 meters), Gauri Shankar (7134 meters) Nuptse (7855 meters), Lhotse (8516 meters), Amadablam (6812 meters), Chamlang (7319 meters), Makalu (8463 meters) and Cho Oyu (8201 meters), to name a few. You will also get a glimpse of the Roof of the World -  the Tibetan Plateau. IMPORTANT: For safety, the flight does not fly at a very close distance to Mount Everest. The flight flies away from 5 nautical miles. This is carried out for all operating airlines and helicopters. The clarity of Mount Everest depends on the visibility at the time of flying.. Embark on a private full day exploration of Bhaktapur, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath, where ancient temples and sacred sites bring Nepal’s rich history and spirituality to life. With your private driver and guide head to Bhaktapur, a city renowned for its exquisite art, vibrant culture, and deep-rooted traditions. Just 8 miles from Kathmandu, this "City of Culture" is home to the stunning Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring architectural marvels such as the 55 Window Palace, Golden Gate, Big Bell, Siddhi Laxmi Temple, and Shiva Temple. Continue to Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred Hindu pilgrimage site, dedicated to Lord Shiva as the "God of All Animals." Situated along the Bagmati River, this revered temple is known for its striking golden tiered roof and silver doors. A center of spiritual devotion, it remains one of the holiest destinations in the world. Further east, visit Boudhanath Stupa, an iconic Buddhist landmark, its one of the world’s largest and oldest stupas. Adorned with prayer wheels and the all-seeing eyes of Buddha, it stands as a symbol of peace and enlightenment. Conclude this enriching cultural and spiritual experience with a comfortable return to your accommodation.

Accommodation: Dwarika`s Heritage Hotel (B) (Heritage Deluxe Room), Kathmandu

Kathmandu, Chitwan National Park

VIP Departure, Airport - SUV/Driver/Assistant, Air - Kathmandu - Chitwan [Direct, 1hr ] - Economy, Airport - Compact SUV/Driver, Meghauli Serai Canoe Safari (2 hrs)

As you depart, an English-speaking airport representative will be waiting for you at the curbside in your vehicle's drop-off area. After a porter helps your party with suitcases (up to three pieces per guest), you are assisted through check-in and other airport related processes, and transported on a VIP cart to a departure lounge for your comfort, prior to boarding your flight.. Meet your English Speaking Assistant for a transfer between the city center and the airport with a private driver and vehicle.. Enjoy your flight from Kathmandu to Chitwan today. The flight duration is approximately one hour.. Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.. While safari drives and walking safaris let guests see the larger and smaller animals respectively, a canoe ride is an excellent way to enjoy the unique ecosystem around the rivers and floodplains. Mugger crocodiles and Gharials basking on banks, storks, ducks, kingfishers along with otters, turtles and if lucky, even a fishing cat, are some of the creatures to watch out for. The comfortable wooden oar boats glide noiselessly, maneuvered by expert oarsmen while naturalists explain the world around the water. The boats are equipped with life jackets and the boatmen are expert swimmers who also act as lifeguards. Due to the availability of naturalists and boats, other guests from Meghauli Serai may accompany you on the canoe safari.

Accommodation: Meghauli Serai (BLD) (Meghauli Room), Kathmandu

Chitwan National Park

Meghauli Serai Safari Game Drive, Meghauli Serai Walking Safari (2 hrs)

Guests of the Taj Meghauli Serai property are invited to join one safari game drive per guest during their stay. Safari drives depart twice daily and are conducted by expert naturalists in specially designed 4x4 vehicles with theatre style seating. Morning safaris at Chitwan depart shortly after sunrise, as the jungle stirs to life. Along with the thrill of tiger tracking, guests will stop for a memorable picnic breakfast. Afternoon safaris last a couple of hours and end at sunset. The dense jungles of Chitwan have large stretches of Sal with a closed canopy. A safari drive through these patches, with trees towering above and reams of sunlight breaking through the thick canopy is an enchanting experience. Seated in a specially designed safari vehicle, guests drive around the jungle, accompanied by a trained naturalist and an experienced tracker from the local community. The one-horned Rhinoceros is the star of Chitwan and are usually spotted in open woods and grasslands. Along with mammals, the forest has 56 species of reptiles and amphibians, the most commonly spotted ones being the monitor lizards and pythons. The Gharial crocodiles are highly endangered and the park authorities run a breeding center for these unusual looking creatures that can be visited while out on a safari drive. Driving safaris are shared with other guests of the Meghauli Serai lodge.. A walking safari is ideal for adventurers looking for a closer communion with nature, and is included for guests of the Taj Meghauli Serai property. Be it the nature trails offered in the buffer zone of the park or a leisurely nature walk, it is an opportunity to get acquainted with the smaller creatures. Butterflies, dung beetles scurrying about and multitudes of wildflowers are a few of the many delights best discovered on foot. One of the most exciting activities on offer in Chitwan is the chance to go on a walking safari in almost all areas open for tourism. The walking safari is conducted by the most experienced of naturalists and expert trackers. It is an adventure that requires average levels of fitness and depending on the participants a typical walk may cover a distance of three to six miles. However, guests can request a gentle walk for a shorter distance too. A typical walking safari will be a cross-section of dense jungle, grassland, and a waterbody. This allows guests an opportunity to see animals and birds from various habitats. Other guests of Taj Meghauli Serai may join the walking safari, depending on the availability of naturalists.

Accommodation: Meghauli Serai (BLD) (Meghauli Room), Chitwan National Park

Chitwan National Park, Pokhara

Transfer - Private - Chitwan - Pokhara [5 hrs] - SUV/Driver, Boat Trip in Phewa Tal Lake - Private Tour

Meet your driver for a private transfer from Chitwan to Pokhara. The approximate transfer duration is five hours.. Phewa Tal is the travelers’ focal point in Pokhara, and is the second largest lake in Nepal. In contrast to the gaudy tourist development of Lakeside, the steep southwestern shore is densely forested and alive with birdlife. The lush Rani Ban, or Queen’s Forest, bestows an emerald hue to the lake, and on a clear day, the Annapurna mountains are perfectly reflected on its mirror surface. You can take to the lake in one of the brightly painted doongas (boats) available for rent at Lakeside. Sunrise and sunset offers excellent views of the Fishtail Mountain.

Accommodation: The Pavilions Himalayas - The Farm (B) (Pavilions Classic), Chitwan National Park

Pokhara

Pokhara/Annapurna Day 1 Trek - Vehicle/Driver/Guide, Lunch (Included), Dinner (Included)

The party will be met by your trek guide and transferred to your walk start point. This drive will take approximately 1 hour. You will stop along the way to photograph the breathtaking panoramas of the Annapurnas. Upon arrival at the village of Lumle situated at an altitude of 1610 meters, you will begin your 1.5 hour walk to the Gurung village Majgaun. After some 45 minutes, arrive at the village of Chandrakot situated at an altitude of 1580 meters. From this village, there are spectacular views of Annapurna South, the sacred and unclimbed Fishtail Mountain or Machhapuchhare and the surrounding Modi valley. From Chandrakot, the walk takes you through a forested area along a well worn trail for a further 45 minutes to the Gurung lodge which is situated at an altitude of 1450 meters. After lunch, you will be escorted to the local village of Majhgaun. There will be an information session at a local house which is owned and lived in by one of the lodge staff. The contents of the house will also illustrate how the local people live, together with the tools and implements of day to day traditional village life. On the way to the village which is only 15 minutes walk from the lodge, you will visit the local school.

Accommodation: Majgaon Lodge (BLD) (Standard Guestroom), Pokhara

Pokhara

Pokhara/Annapurna Day 2 Trek - Vehicle/Driver/Guide, Lunch (Included), Dinner (Included)

After early morning tea and coffee in your room, you will have the opportunity to photograph the stunning scenery from several different locations around the lodge. After breakfast, begin a 1 ½ hour trek by returning to the village of Lumle. Along the way, you will have ample opportunity to enjoy and photograph the serene panoramic views of the surrounding valley and mountains. On route back to Pokhara, the vehicle will stop at a Tibetan Refugee Camp where you will have time to explore the temple complex.

Accommodation: The Pavilions Himalayas - The Farm (B) (Pavilions Classic), Pokhara

Pokhara, Kathmandu

Airport - Vehicle/Driver/Guide, Air - Pokhara - Kathmandu [Direct, 1 hr] - Economy, Airport - SUV/Driver/Assistant, VIP Arrival Meet & Assist, Nepalese Dinner Show - Dinner

Meet your driver for a private airport transfer.. Enjoy your flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu today. The flight duration is approximately one hour.. Meet your English Speaking Assistant for a transfer between the city center and the airport with a private driver and vehicle.. For your added comfort, an English-speaking airport representative will be waiting for you at your airplane's aerobridge holding a sign with your name on it. After you are accompanied through the airport and assisted through airline and/or customs-related processes, a porter will help your party with suitcase collection (up to three pieces per guest). The representative will then help you meet up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.. Enjoy a cultural Nepalese show with deluxe dinner.

Accommodation: Dwarika`s Heritage Hotel (B) (Heritage Deluxe Room), Pokhara

Paro, Thimphu, Kathmandu

Airport - SUV/Driver/Assistant, VIP Departure, Air - Kathmandu - Paro [Direct, 2hrs] - Economy, Visa Fee - Visa Fee Included, Airport Meet & Greet, Chauffeur, Guide & Tourism Fee - Chauffeur/Guide/Tourism Fee, Paro Airport to Thimphu (1.5 hrs) - Private, Explore Thimphu - Private

Meet your English Speaking Assistant for a transfer between the city center and the airport with a private driver and vehicle.. As you depart, an English-speaking airport representative will be waiting for you at the curbside in your vehicle's drop-off area. After a porter helps your party with suitcases (up to three pieces per guest), you are assisted through check-in and other airport related processes, and transported on a VIP cart to a departure lounge for your comfort, prior to boarding your flight.. Enjoy your flight from Kathmandu to Paro today. The flight duration is approximately two hours.. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be required to present two passport photos to the immigration official for your Bhutan visa (included), which will be stamped into your passport. Once you pass through customs your guide and driver will be waiting for you.. For your added comfort, your guide will be waiting for you outside the customs area with a sign with your name on it. Your guide will assist you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.. You will be met on arrival at Paro airport by a local guide. Once you have completed all airport formalities, you will begin your drive toward Thimphu. This is a scenic journey and takes roughly 1.5 hours. On arrival in Bhutan's modern capital, you will check in at your hotel.. Visit the Changangkha Lhakhang, built in the 12th century, this is the oldest temple in Thimphu. It is hovering over a ridge above Thimphu, near Motithang. Lama Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo who hailed from Tibet chose this site to build this Lhakhang. The Lhakhang houses Chenrizig, an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation of Avolokitesawara. The prayer books in this Lhakhang are larger than the usual Buddhist texts. You can purchase some of the world’s most beautiful postage stamps, collector’s items and postcards at face value from the general post office, and you will also see the Bhutan National Bank. Next head to a local arts and crafts school, to visit with some local children, and then carry on to the Traditional Medicine Institute where ancient healing arts are still practiced. Finally, visit the Motithang Takin Preserve, which is a local wildlife reserve. Later, if time permits, take a stroll through the main streets to see the interesting Himalayan artifacts and textiles that make Bhutan famous.

Accommodation: Hotel Druk (BD) (Deluxe), Paro

Thimphu

Chauffeur, Guide & Tourism Fee - Chauffeur/Guide/Tourism Fee, Cheri Monastery, Thimphu Valley & Weekend Market - Private, Lunch (Included), Dinner (Included)

After breakfast begin your day of sightseeing with a visit to the weekend market to see local people selling and purchasing their staples. The market also has a few souvenir shops for visitors. Then embark on a drive 12 km north of Thimphu where you will participate in an hour long hike to Cheri Monastery. There will be enough time for individual contemplation, journaling, meditating, etc while visiting the monastery. Later, drive back to the hotel or to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon observe traditional paper making from Daphnia and Edgeworthia shrub, and have a chance to purchase some beautiful writing sets from the factory. Next, visit the Handicraft Bazaar, a new project initiated by the Government that promotes locally produced handicrafts. Buy stunning kiras which can be used as bed covers or wall decoration, jewelry and much more.  Finally, visit Memorial Chorten built in 1974 to honor the memory of Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, popularly known as the Father of Modern Bhutan. A multi-storied Stupa will introduce you to the vitality of Tantric Buddhism. Finish up back at your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel Druk (BD) (Deluxe), Thimphu

Thimphu, Paro

Chauffeur, Guide & Tourism Fee - Chauffeur/Guide/Tourism Fee, Transfer - Private - Thimphu - Paro [via Semtokha Dzong] - , Lunch (Included), Explore Paro with your Private Driver Guide, Dinner (Included)

This morning, set off for Paro after an early breakfast and en route visit Semtokha Dzong, “the place of profound tantric teaching”, which stands on a hill a few kilometers out of town. On arrival in Paro, check in at your hotel.. After lunch today, you will visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower, which now houses Bhutan’s National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armor, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. Walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore, such as the legend of the four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru and other cosmic mandalas. Along the way you will also see the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan. In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse for an opportunity to interact with a local family and gain insight into the local lifestyle and cultures.

Accommodation: Nak-Sel (BD) (Deluxe), Thimphu

Paro

Chauffeur, Guide & Tourism Fee - Chauffeur/Guide/Tourism Fee, Taktsang Monastery & Dumtseg Lhakhang - Private Tour, Lunch (Included), Dinner (Included)

Today you will embark on an excursion to view the spectacular and famous Taktsang monastery. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest with many trees festooned with Spanish moss and the occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. The hike will take you past a small cafeteria if a break is needed.  Built in 1600’s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. It is believed that, in the 8th century Guru Rimpoche, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tigress to subdue a demon. Guru Rimpoche is believed to have meditated here for three months and this place is considered as a ‘Mecca’ for Buddhists. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. After the hike, you will visit Dungtse Lhakhang. The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it is in the form of a chorten, one of the very few that exists in Bhutan. The lhakhang was built in 1421 by the famous Tibetan lama, Thongten Gyelpo (1385-1465) who was also known as Changzampa or the builder of iron bridges. It is believed that a demoness was terrorizing the Paro valley and the very hill that the temple is built on turned out to be the demoness’s head. So he built a chorten shaped temple over the demoness’s head or the hills to overpower her, as chortens most of the time play the part of a nail that immobilizes a demon. This evening, once back to your hotel, you can take a leisurely guided walk of the town of Paro.

Accommodation: Nak-Sel (BD) (Deluxe), Paro

Paro, Kathmandu

Chauffeur, Guide & Tourism Fee - Chauffeur/Guide/Tourism Fee, Depart Airport - Vehicle/Guide, Air - Paro - Kathmandu [Direct, 2 hrs] - Economy

Your guide will escort you to the airport for departure from Paro.. Enjoy your flight from Paro to Kathmandu today. The flight duration is approximately 2 hours.

Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) ( ), Paro