This Buddhist Stupa, said to be 2000 years old is a perfect architecture of gilded spire and white washed dome located under thousands of fluttering prayer flags. From the spire, four faces of Buddha stare out across the valley in the cardinal directions. The entire structure is symbolic. The white dome represents the earth, the nose like shape below the piercing eyes is actually the nepali number ‘one’ signifying unity, and above is a third eye signifying the insight of the Buddha, while the 13 tiered beehive like structure at the top symbolizes the 13 stages that human being has to pass through to achieve nirvana. The base is ringed by prayer wheels which pilgrims circuiting the stupa spin each one as they pass by.

Patan Durbar Square: is one of three royal palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley. This site was the royal residence until the 19th century where important ceremonies, such as the coronation of the Nepalese monarch use to take place. The two-hectare palace complex is divided into two main courtyards, and was initially constructed in the 16th century, although subsequent additions were made in the Shah dynasty in the 18th century and by the Rana rulers in the 19th century. The palace is decorated with elaborately-carved wooden windows and panels and houses the King Tribhuwan Memorial Museum, dedicated to the monarch who opened up Nepal to the outside world, and the Mahendra Museum, dedicated to his son, King Mahendra. At the southern end of Durbar Square is the Kumari Chowk. The gilded cage has the Kumari, a young girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection process to become the human incarnation of the Hindu mother goddess, Durga. She is worshipped during religious festivals and makes public appearances at other times for a fee paid to her guards. Kashtamandap is the source of the name Kathmandu and supposed to be made from the timber of a single tree. Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu Meals: Breakfast

Pashupatinath, a pagoda style Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is considered to be the powerhouse of Hindu spiritual power in religious terms. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple is 6 kms from Kathmandu city.Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

Listed in the UNESCO World Heritage list, this enormous stupa where thousands of pilgrims gather daily to make a ritual circumnavigation of the dome, beneath the watchful eyes of the Buddha, which gaze out from the gilded central tower. This is one of the few places in the world where Tibetan Buddhist culture is accessible and unfetered, and the lanes around the stupa are crammed with monasteries and the surrounding is a paraphernalia for Buddhist life.

Today we fly from Kathmandu to Paro that takes an hour. At Paro airport, you will be greeted by our representative and will take you to your hotel. After lunch, we visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’. Next, visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From here we go to Drugyal Dzong, Bhutan’s Victory Fort which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day we can see Chomolhari Mountain which is Bhutan’s second-highest mountain located at 7,314m.

Fortress of the heap of jewels

Oldest temple in the country

Bhutan's victory Fort

Today we hike for 4 - 5 hours to the most popular monastery at 3,180 meters, Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery. A spiritual master Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. The Tiger Nest Monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff. We hike down to the valley floor and leave for Thimphu.

Today we drive to BBS Tower. Then we hike for 1 hour to Wangditse Gompa. From this point we get great view of Samtenling Palace which is home to the fourth King and Dorje Drak meditation retreat on the hillside above.

After visiting the Wangditse Gompa, we return to Thimphu. On the way, we visit a Zoo to see Takin which is a national animal of Bhutan. After lunch, we visit the King’s Memorial Chorten which was built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952 to 1972, the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts) and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. We might also visit Textile Museum, the Handicraft Emporium, and the traditional paper factory and the Tashichho Dzong.

Today we drive to Dochu La Pass at 3,100 meters. On a clear day we see amazing views of the Himalayas from here. Passing through rhododendron forests, we hike for 2 hours to Lungchutse Monastery from 108 chortens. We hike back to Dochu La Pass walking along the high ridges with colorful Buddhist prayer flags and beautiful view of Himalayas.

High pass in Bhutan

Fertility Temple

It is located on a beautiful hillock called Ngezergang that has elaborate paintings dedicated to the old sect of Buddhism.

We then hike further to Punakha. On the way back, we visit the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan, the Punakha Dzong, built in 1637. We then drive back to Paro to spend our last evening.

We spend our last evening in Kathmandu in a farewell dinner together sharing photos recalling the excitements of trip and exchanging emails enjoying the cultural dance program in one of the traditional Nepalese restaurant.

Drop to airport