26 Oct 2026
Twin share
£8,195pp
Single from £10,290
Escorted tour
Luxury Nepal & Bhutan: Kathmandu, Thimphu & Tiger’s Nest – 10 Days
Kathmandu's stupas, a Himalayan wellbeing retreat and Bhutan's monasteries, with all meals and four outstanding hotels.
10 days
From £8,195
Tour overview
This 10-day luxury small-group tour combines the temples of the Kathmandu Valley with the mountain kingdom of Bhutan, in a small group of 4 to 16 travellers aged 18 and over. Every meal is included, along with internal flights between Kathmandu and Paro, private transport, arrival and departure transfers and gratuities for local staff. Expert local guides lead the way in each country, and the trip includes a series of private experiences, from a blessing by resident lamas to a one-to-one astrology reading with monks. You stay in four outstanding hotels, including two nights at The Dwarika's in Kathmandu, a heritage hotel built with Newari woodcarving and courtyards.
Kathmandu begins with a welcome reception at the Garden of Dreams. You circle Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, receive a private blessing from resident lamas and explore the city's royal squares. A cycle-rickshaw ride through the old bazaars leads on to Bhaktapur, a medieval city of brick-paved lanes and temple squares, where you try your hand at pottery.
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Three nights at Dwarika's Sanctuary in Dhulikhel, a retreat devoted to wellbeing above the Kathmandu Valley, give the trip a slower rhythm. Days begin with open-air yoga or a walk through a meditation maze, and you choose a special day experience before you travel, from pilgrimage paths and village life to working landscapes. A forest-bathing walk with conservationists and a crystal-house meditation complete your stay.
A spectacular flight along the Himalaya takes you to Paro in Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon, where you are welcomed with a traditional white scarf and drive to the capital, Thimphu. Here you meet nuns at a hilltop nunnery, receive an astrology reading at the 16th-century Pangri Zampa Monastery and paint sacred art under the guidance of masters. The trip ends in the Paro valley with the hike to the Tiger's Nest, Bhutan's most revered monastery, clinging to a cliff above the valley, raising prayer flags along the way, before an included flight back to Kathmandu.
The physical rating is medium, mainly because of the steep, three- to five-hour Tiger's Nest hike, which can be shortened by riding a horse part of the way. This tour suits travellers who want comfort, depth and spiritual experiences rather than a fast-paced sightseeing schedule.
Trip highlights
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A private blessing from lamas at Boudhanath (Day 2)
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Pottery in medieval Bhaktapur (Day 3)
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Three nights at a wellbeing retreat in Dhulikhel (Days 3–5)
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The flight over the Himalaya to Paro (Day 6)
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An astrology reading at Pangri Zampa Monastery (Day 7)
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The hike to the Tiger's Nest Monastery (Day 9)
Your route
10 stops from Kathmandu to Kathmandu
- Kathmandu Days 1–2
- Patan Day 1
- Bhaktapur Day 3
- Dhulikhel Days 3–5
- Namo Buddha Monastery Day 4
- Paro Day 6
- Thimphu Days 6–7
- Paro Days 8–10
- Tiger's Nest Monastery Day 9
- Kathmandu Day 10
Why choose this tour
All meals, flights, transfers and gratuities included, in four outstanding hotels. Private, meaningful encounters with lamas, monks, nuns and artists in both countries.
Best suited to
- Travellers looking for a luxury small-group tour
- Anyone interested in Buddhism, meditation and wellbeing
- First-time visitors to Bhutan
- Couples celebrating a special trip
Day-by-day itinerary
10 days from Kathmandu, Nepal to Kathmandu, Nepal
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Day 1 · Kathmandu, Garden of Dreams Arrive in Kathmandu
Transfer to The Dwarika's, then join a welcome reception at the Garden of Dreams.
- Hotel
- The Dwarika's Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
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Day 2 · Boudhanath, Kathmandu Durbar Square Stupas and royal squares
Circle the great stupa of Boudhanath and receive a private blessing from resident lamas, then explore Kathmandu's royal squares.
- Hotel
- The Dwarika's Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 3 · Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel Bazaars and Bhaktapur
Ride a cycle rickshaw through the old bazaars, then visit medieval Bhaktapur for a pottery session before continuing to Dhulikhel.
- Hotel
- Dwarika's Resort Dhulikhel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 4 · Dhulikhel Your chosen day in Dhulikhel
Begin with a barefoot walk through a meditation maze, then enjoy the day experience you chose before travelling.
- Hotel
- Dwarika's Resort Dhulikhel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 5 · Dhulikhel Stillness in the Himalaya
Open-air yoga, a guided crystal-house meditation and a private forest-bathing walk with conservationists.
- Hotel
- Dwarika's Resort Dhulikhel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 6 · Paro, Thimphu Fly to Bhutan
Fly along the Himalaya to Paro, receive a traditional welcome and drive to Bhutan's capital, Thimphu.
- Hotel
- Zhiwaling Ascent
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 7 · Drubthob Goema, Pangri Zampa Monastery Monks and nuns of Thimphu
Meet the nuns of a hilltop nunnery, then receive a personal astrology reading from monks at Pangri Zampa, built in 1529.
- Hotel
- Zhiwaling Ascent
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 8 · Choki Traditional Art School, Paro Sacred art and village life
Paint traditional Bhutanese art with master artists, light a butter lamp, and continue to the Paro valley.
- Hotel
- Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 9 · Tiger's Nest Monastery The Tiger's Nest
Hike through forest to the Tiger's Nest Monastery on its cliff above the Paro valley, raising prayer flags on the way.
- Hotel
- Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Day 10 · Paro, Kathmandu Fly back to Kathmandu
Transfer to Paro airport for the included flight back to Kathmandu, where the tour ends and you connect with onward flights.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Kathmandu (2 nights) The Dwarika's Hotel
- Dhulikhel (3 nights) Dwarika's Resort Dhulikhel
- Thimphu (2 nights) Zhiwaling Ascent
- Paro (2 nights) Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 9 nights in luxury hotels
- Meals all meals, from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10
- Internal flights from Kathmandu to Paro and back, plus private vehicles throughout
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Private experiences a lama's blessing, an astrology reading with monks, a sacred art workshop and a forest-bathing walk
- A special day experience in Dhulikhel, chosen before you travel
- Expert local guides in Nepal and Bhutan
- Gratuities for local support staff
Not included
- International flights to Kathmandu
- Visas for Nepal and Bhutan, and vaccinations
- Single supplement
- Drinks
- Travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a budget trip — this is a luxury tour
- You want serious trekking — the only big walk is the Tiger's Nest
- You want to see Everest up close — this trip stays in the valleys
- You are under 18 — the minimum age is 18
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £8,195 per person, twin share, tour only. 6 upcoming departures.
04 Apr 2027
Twin share
£8,375pp
Single from £10,350
18 Apr 2027
Twin share
£8,375pp
Single from £10,350
09 May 2027
Twin share
£8,375pp
Single from £10,350
12 Sep 2027
Twin share
£8,375pp
Single from £10,350
17 Oct 2027
Twin share
£8,695pp
Single from £10,790
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard is the Tiger's Nest hike?
It is steep, taking three to five hours round trip at altitude. Ponies can carry you part of the way up, and you can stop at the halfway café if you prefer.
Are all meals included?
Yes, every meal from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 10, in restaurants chosen for authentic Nepalese and Bhutanese food.
Do I need visas?
Yes. Visas for Nepal and Bhutan are not included and must be arranged before travel. A specialist can advise on the current process and fees.
What is the day in Dhulikhel?
Before you travel you choose one curated experience, such as pilgrimage paths, village visits or working landscapes, which is pre-booked for you.
Where does the tour end?
In Kathmandu. The flight from Paro back to Kathmandu on Day 10 is included, so you can connect with international flights home.
How many people travel together?
Between 4 and 16 travellers aged 18 and over, with expert local guides in each country.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary