Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet Himalayan Passages Hiking Tour
Deep Cultural Insight in Three Iconic Kingdoms
Experiencing all three Himalayan kingdoms in one journey is a rare feat, but MT Sobek's 50 years of expertise in the Himalaya puts this odyssey within easy reach. Blending cultural discovery with moderate high altitude hiking, this exclusive itinerary goes deep into the heart of Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet — beautifully showcasing unspoiled Buddhist cultures. Along the way, discover Bhutan's rich traditions; explore Kathmandu's elaborate temples, stupas, and bazaars; and marvel at Tibet's remote monasteries and the holy city of Lhasa. This incredible line-up of each kingdom's must-see destinations can't be missed!
Experiencing all three Himalayan kingdoms in one journey is a rare feat, but MT Sobek's 50 years of expertise in the Himalaya puts this odyssey within easy reach. Blending cultural discovery with moderate high altitude hiking, this exclusive itinerary goes deep into the heart of Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet — beautifully showcasing unspoiled Buddhist cultures. Along the way, discover Bhutan's rich traditions; explore Kathmandu's elaborate temples, stupas, and bazaars; and marvel at Tibet's remote monasteries and the holy city of Lhasa. This incredible line-up of each kingdom's must-see destinations can't be missed!
Explore three great Himalayan kingdoms on this rare itinerary crafted by local adventure experts
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Discover Bhutan and Tibet, two of world's most tradition-rich lands and visit Lhasa's Potala Palace
[Description] => Discover Bhutan and Tibet, two of world's most tradition-rich lands and visit Lhasa's Potala Palace
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Enjoy the wonders of Kathmandu's temples and bazaars, and take enchanting hikes along scenic mountain paths
Welcome to Bangkok! Transfer to the hotel via a free 24-hour shuttle bus.
Accommodation: Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
Transportation: Shuttle bus transfer
Enter the Kingdom of Bhutan
Day 2
Board an early-morning flight to Paro, Bhutan. Vie for a seat on the left side of the plane: Weather permitting, you'll have spectacular views of the eastern Himalaya, including Cho Oyu and Everest, and Bhutan peaks such as Chomolhari and Jichu Drake. Meet your MTS trip leader at the Paro airport, drive into Thimphu for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten; Tashichho Dzong, seat of Bhutan's administrative and religious center; the Traditional Hospital of Herbal Medicine; and a traditional arts school.
Accommodation: Druk Hotel
Transportation: 4-hour flight & 45-minute private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Cheri Monastery
Day 3
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu and then to our trailhead where we set out on our hike: a steep, hour-long climb to Cheri Goemba, constructed in the 17th century. The monastery houses the relic stupas (ashes of the father of Shabdrung, the founder of Bhutan) and is also considered one of the earliest monasteries of Bhutan. We have lunch, then drive back to Thimphu and up to Wangdi Tse for a peaceful one hour loop hike where we can enjoy wonderful views of Thimphu, but see few others on the trail. Return to Thimphu for dinner and overnight.
Accommodation: Druk Hotel
Activity: 3-4 hours/4 miles hiking
Transportation: 2-hour private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Dochu La, Prayer Flags & Punakha
Day 4
In the morning, drive across Dochu La (10,000') where, weather permitting, you behold the snow-covered peaks of the eastern Himalaya. The pass, marked by hundreds of colorful fluttering prayer flags, is truly an awesome sight! From here you continue to Punakha, winter seat of the highest lama in Bhutan until the 1950s. Visit the ancient Punakha Dzong (a fortified building for administrative and monastic institutions) dating back to the 17th century, which is spectacularly situated at the confluence of the Mo and Phu Rivers.
Accommodation: Drubchhu Resort
Transportation: 2.5-hour private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore Paro
Day 5
Drive to Paro this morning, and in the afternoon visit the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above the Paro Dzong. The museum's collections include spectacular thangkas (religious scroll paintings), bronze statues, Bhutan's beautiful stamps, and the Tshogshing Lhakhang ("Temple of the Tree of Wisdom"), with its carvings depicting the history of Buddhism. Time permitting, we will also visit the Paro Dzong, built in 1644 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Accommodation: The Zhiwa Ling-Paro, Bhutan
Transportation: 3-hour private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to Taktsang Monastery
Day 6
Today it's a steep hike to a traditional teahouse for a great view of Taktsang Monastery, perched on a cliff 2,700 feet above the Paro Valley floor. Taktsang, meaning "tiger's nest," is Bhutan's most spiritual place and a major pilgrimage spot. Partly destroyed by fire in 1998, Taktsang has been completely rebuilt. After a tea break, you can sit outside and admire the monastery and its beautiful surroundings or, if you feel energetic, continue another hour to a closer viewpoint. Enjoy free afternoon time to explore Paro on your own.
Accommodation: The Zhiwa Ling-Paro, Bhutan
Activity: 5 hours/2.6 miles hiking with 1,707' elevation gain & loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to Kathmandu
Day 7
Enjoy breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu (4,500'). Settle in for lunch at the hotel before an afternoon of cultural exploration in the city. Marvel at the remarkable Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath - the largest in Asia and the center of the Tibetan Buddhist culture in Kathmandu.
Accommodation: Yak and Yeti Hotel
Transportation: 1-hour flight & 1.5-hour private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Wonders of Kathmandu
Day 8
Experience the rich cultural heritage of the Kathmandu Valley as you visit the Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathmandu Durbar (Palace) Square, and the ancient fortified city of Patan. Patan is best-known for its Royal Palace Museum and Himalayan healing bowls, which have been used across the region for meditative and medicinal purposes for 2,500 years. View the bowls (or even buy your own) before enjoying lunch at the museum cafe.
Accommodation: Yak and Yeti Hotel
Activity: 6-8 hours of cultural sightseeing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike from Nagarkot to Telkot
Day 9
Rise early for a drive to Nagarkot, from where you'll enjoy a 2-hour hike to Telkot. Pass traditional Tamang villages and take in views of the eastern Himalayan ranges en route (weather permitting). Transfer to the ancient town of Bhaktapur for lunch and witness an enchanting display of medieval Nepalese town life. A highlight is Durbar Square, with its many temples, remains of an ancient palace, and intricate Sun Dhoka ("Golden Gate"), a gilded copper gate crafted in 1753. Next, visit Hindu shrines and ghats at Pashupatinath on the Bagmati River before returning to the hotel.
Accommodation: Yak and Yeti Hotel
Activity: 1.5 hours/2-3 miles hiking & cultural sightseeing
Transportation: 3.5-hour private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit Bungamati, Khokana & Kirtipur
Day 10
Take a morning drive to Bungamati, a historic Newar village graced with ancient temples in the mountains. Famed for its talented generations of woodcarvers, see some of their traditional craft which adorns thousands of temples and is displayed in museums. From here, take a short walk to a smaller Newar village, Khokana. This is a farming community where life moves at a slower pace. The village produces mustard oil, used in cooking as well as therapeutic massage, extracted using a heavy wooden beam to crush the tiny seeds. Leaving these idyllic villages, drive to Kirtipur, an ancient city dating back to 1099 AD. Stroll through the traditional architecture of Newari homes, stopping at Bagh Bhairab and Uma Maheswor Hindu temples, and Buddhist Chilancho Stupa. Weather permitting you will get a panoramic view of the Kathmandu Valley from Kirtipur. Return to your hotel for dinner and a good night's rest.
Accommodation: Yak and Yeti Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fly to the Roof of the World
Day 11
Another flight this morning — this time reminiscent of the famed novel Lost Horizons, as you admire the incredible Himalayan views en route to Gonggar Airport, about 75 miles from Lhasa. After arrival in Tibet, drive 48 miles to Tsedang (11,152') in the Yarlung Valley, which sheltered the ancient kingdom of Yarlung, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Tsedang is the capital of this modern administrative region, and together with the adjacent town of Nedong, they serve as a green oasis in the middle of the high-altitude desert.
Accommodation: Xiangchu Garden Hotel
Transportation: 1.5-hour flight & 2.5-hour private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Experience Samye Monastery
Day 12
No journey to Tibet is complete without a visit to Samye Monastery, Tibet's first monastery (around 775 AD) and the birthplace of Buddhism. Needless to say, it's a holy place of major historical and religious significance. Today is entirely dedicated to experiencing Samye, about a 1.5-hour drive west of Tsedang. Founded as a school to train monks, Samye has the unusual honor of affiliation with all three sects of Tibetan Buddhism. After touring the extensive buildings, chapels, murals, statues, relics, and prayer wheels, we will drive to Lhasa.
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton-Lhasa, Tibet
Transportation: 1.5-hour private vehicle transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Absorb the Sights of Lhasa
Day 13
The holy city of Lhasa deserves at least the three days this trip dedicates to it. Its major sights are yours for the exploring, from the imposing Potala Palace to the age-worn streets of the Barkhor bazaar, where you mingle with pilgrims, monks, traders, and nomads. The itinerary of your time in Lhasa varies, but you are certain to see the Tibetan old town and take excursions to key highlights such as the seventh-century Jokhang, the principal and holiest Buddhist temple in Lhasa and all of Tibet.
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton-Lhasa, Tibet
Activity: 6-8 hours cultural city touring
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the Potala Palace & Gelugpa Monastery
Day 14
Other Lhasa sights you visit include the 13-story Potala Palace, reputed to contain 1,000 rooms and countless brilliant thangkas, frescoes, and images. One of the world's most extraordinary buildings, it completely covers the mountain it stands upon. Just north of Lhasa stands Sera, a Gelugpa monastery founded in 1419. Its white buildings sit at the base of a rocky hill, and gilded, bell-shaped gyamtschens grace the roofs of many of the larger structures. And tour the architecturally unique UNESCO-listed Norbulingka Summer Palace, from which the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet.
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton-Lhasa, Tibet
Activity: 6-8 hours cultural city touring
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Last Day in Lhasa
Day 15
If you haven't seen it already, today head to Ganden Monastery, about 25 miles outside of Lhasa. Ganden was almost completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but is now being painstakingly restored. Founded in 1409, it was the first Gelugpa monastery and is still considered the main seat of this major Buddhist order (the Dalai Lama's sect). The views here are spectacular! Walk the two-hour nnkora, light juniper, hang prayer flags, and have stunning views of the whole Kyichu Valley. At the end of each day, time permitting, explore Lhasa on your own — or rest.
Accommodation: Four Points by Sheraton-Lhasa, Tibet
Activity: 6-8 hours cultural touring
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Lhasa for Bangkok
Day 16
Bid farewell to Tibet and transfer to the airport for your direct flight to Kunming. Upon arrival in Kunming, catch your connecting flight to Bangkok.
Transportation: 1.5-hour private vehicle transfer and 5-hour flight transfer from Lhasa to Kunming to Bangkok
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Sanjay N.
Sanjay has been a trip leader in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Tibet since 1999, and is well-loved for his anecdotes, humor, and patience in the field. In addition to a MA in English Literature from Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu and an Executive MBA, Sanjay has deep knowledge of religion and culture on the sub-continent. He speaks Nepali, Hindi, Urdu, English, and French fluently and has traveled extensively to learn more about Buddhism, Hinduism, Palmistry, and Chinese Face Reading. Sanjay is also an accomplished writer and poet. Meet Sanjay on MT Sobek’s popular adventures in Nepal.
Welcome to Bangkok! Transfer to the hotel via a free 24-hour shuttle bus.
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Board an early-morning flight to Paro, Bhutan. Vie for a seat on the left side of the plane: Weather permitting, you\'ll have spectacular views of the eastern Himalaya, including Cho Oyu and Everest, and Bhutan peaks such as Chomolhari and Jichu Drake. Meet your MTS trip leader at the Paro airport, drive into Thimphu for lunch. In the afternoon, visit the Memorial Chorten; Tashichho Dzong, seat of Bhutan\'s administrative and religious center; the Traditional Hospital of Herbal Medicine; and a traditional arts school.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu and then to our trailhead where we set out on our hike: a steep, hour-long climb to Cheri Goemba, constructed in the 17th century. The monastery houses the relic stupas (ashes of the father of Shabdrung, the founder of Bhutan) and is also considered one of the earliest monasteries of Bhutan. We have lunch, then drive back to Thimphu and up to Wangdi Tse for a peaceful one hour loop hike where we can enjoy wonderful views of Thimphu, but see few others on the trail. Return to Thimphu for dinner and overnight.
In the morning, drive across Dochu La (10,000\') where, weather permitting, you behold the snow-covered peaks of the eastern Himalaya. The pass, marked by hundreds of colorful fluttering prayer flags, is truly an awesome sight! From here you continue to Punakha, winter seat of the highest lama in Bhutan until the 1950s. Visit the ancient Punakha Dzong (a fortified building for administrative and monastic institutions) dating back to the 17th century, which is spectacularly situated at the confluence of the Mo and Phu Rivers.
Drive to Paro this morning, and in the afternoon visit the National Museum, housed in an old watchtower above the Paro Dzong. The museum\'s collections include spectacular thangkas (religious scroll paintings), bronze statues, Bhutan\'s beautiful stamps, and the Tshogshing Lhakhang ("Temple of the Tree of Wisdom"), with its carvings depicting the history of Buddhism. Time permitting, we will also visit the Paro Dzong, built in 1644 by the Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
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Enjoy breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu (4,500\'). Settle in for lunch at the hotel before an afternoon of cultural exploration in the city. Marvel at the remarkable Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath - the largest in Asia and the center of the Tibetan Buddhist culture in Kathmandu.
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Another flight this morning — this time reminiscent of the famed novel Lost Horizons, as you admire the incredible Himalayan views en route to Gonggar Airport, about 75 miles from Lhasa. After arrival in Tibet, drive 48 miles to Tsedang (11,152\') in the Yarlung Valley, which sheltered the ancient kingdom of Yarlung, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. Tsedang is the capital of this modern administrative region, and together with the adjacent town of Nedong, they serve as a green oasis in the middle of the high-altitude desert.
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The holy city of Lhasa deserves at least the three days this trip dedicates to it. Its major sights are yours for the exploring, from the imposing Potala Palace to the age-worn streets of the Barkhor bazaar, where you mingle with pilgrims, monks, traders, and nomads. The itinerary of your time in Lhasa varies, but you are certain to see the Tibetan old town and take excursions to key highlights such as the seventh-century Jokhang, the principal and holiest Buddhist temple in Lhasa and all of Tibet.
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If you haven\'t seen it already, today head to Ganden Monastery, about 25 miles outside of Lhasa. Ganden was almost completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but is now being painstakingly restored. Founded in 1409, it was the first Gelugpa monastery and is still considered the main seat of this major Buddhist order (the Dalai Lama\'s sect). The views here are spectacular! Walk the two-hour \n\nkora, light juniper, hang prayer flags, and have stunning views of the whole Kyichu Valley. At the end of each day, time permitting, explore Lhasa on your own — or rest.
Bid farewell to Tibet and transfer to the airport for your direct flight to Kunming. Upon arrival in Kunming, catch your connecting flight to Bangkok.
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Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. You will be walking at high altitude while sightseeing and the highest altitude on the trip is 12,000' in Lhasa. Altitude may create discomfort and symptoms of illness such as shortness of breath, restlessness or sleeplessness at night, headaches, and loss of appetite. Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 3
3-4 hours/4 miles hiking
Day 6
5 hours/2.6 miles hiking with 1,707' elevation gain & loss
Day 8
6-8 hours of cultural sightseeing
Day 9
1.5 hours/2-3 miles hiking & cultural sightseeing
Day 13
6-8 hours cultural city touring
Day 14
6-8 hours cultural city touring
Day 15
6-8 hours cultural touring
Accommodations
Comfortable inns and luxurious hotels exuding warm hospitality, also includes two nights at Paro's Zhiwa Ling Hotel.
The Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport is a four-star hotel located a short walk from Bangkok's international airport. Boasting 612 comfortable and contemporary rooms, the hotel also offers two bars and four restaurants, a beautiful pool, a fitness room, and a spa! With a 24-hour airport shuttle running every 10 minutes, accommodations here couldn't be more convenient.
A five-star oasis in the heart of Kathmandu, the Yak & Yeti is the perfect blend of contemporary international standards and time-honored Nepali tradition. Guests will find refuge among antique fountains, gilded temples, and emerald gardens while enjoying a state-of-the-art gymnasium, spa features, shopping arcades, atrium, tennis courts, and swimming pools.
Experience the legendary hospitality of the Bhutanese people at this fine Himalayan hotel. Located in the heart of the capital city, the Druk Hotel is close to shopping, culture, and the bubbling Thimphu River. Pleasant rooms are outfitted with comfortable beds, tiled bathrooms, soaking tubs and modern amenities, while the spa rounds out the offering.
Overlooking verdant paddy fields and farmhouses, the Drubchhu Resort is a family-run, relatively new property — opened in 2014. Rooms are ample and clean, the restaurant's meals are hearty and simple, the bar and café further nourish guests, and the lovely grounds include fruit trees and vegetable gardens that supply the kitchen.
The Zhiwa Ling is a luxurious retreat that combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guesthouse with the best of modern comforts. The exquisite architecture and manicured gardens create an authentic, inviting atmosphere. Guest rooms, spread out on 10 acres of pristine land, feature modern amenities and comfortable furnishings. Enjoy a traditional outdoor hot-stone bath, a teahouse, a meditation house, and two restaurants.
The Xiangchu has 10 suites and 65 deluxe rooms in Tibetan style. This is a Tibetan boutique hotel. Almost all the staff are local Tibetan and the reception staff can speak English. The hotel rooms, lobby and restaurants are all covered by Wi Fi. The restaurant serves continental, Chinese and Tibetan food. They serve Western breakfasts like coffee, eggs, bread, fruit, oatmeal, etc.
A short distance from the kinetic streets and colorful markets of central Lhasa, the Four Points stands as a comfortable retreat for the travel weary, intrepid trekker, and business traveler alike. Modern comforts and professional service define this Sheraton property, which also includes Internet access, a massage room, and a sunny courtyard.
Weather
Daytime temperatures range from low-50°Fs-low 80°Fs. Nighttime temperatures range from mid-30°Fs-mid-40°Fs.
Apr
May
Oct
Nov
Kathmandu
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Kathmandu
83
55
84
61
79
57
73
47
Lhasa
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Lhasa
62
37
69
44
64
38
56
27
Paro
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
High
Low
Paro
60
40
63
45
61
39
61
54
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival in Paro?
You will be met by an MT Sobek representative
Do I need a visa?
Yes, we handle your visa to Bhutan and China. For Nepal, you can either get your own visa before the trip or on arrival.
Where do I fly to?
This trip begins and ends in Bangkok, so make your roundtrip air to Bangkok
Where do we meet our trip leader, Sanjay?
Sanjay will meet you in Paro, as he flies from Kathmandu to Paro.
How far in advance should I book this trip?
Flights between Bangkok and Paro sell out several months in advance, so we recommend you reserve as early as possible.
What is the minimum age for this trip?
The standard minimum age for this trip is 18, but check out our private trip options for families and groups with younger guests.
"This was the trip of a lifetime. While only a handful of days in each country, we felt like we were thoroughly immersed in each place thanks to the amazing guides."
Amelia B. MT Sobek Guest, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet Himalayan Passages Hiking
"The Himalayan Passages Journey was an experience of a lifetime! The trip was full of surprises, and unique activities you can only do with a local and experienced guide, like the one I had. I recommend this trip to everyone that can take the time to go. Thank you MTS for providing me with this opportunity. And thank you to my leader, you were fabulous!"
Debra H. MT Sobek Guest, Bhutan, Nepal, Tibet Himalayan Passages Hiking