DAY 1 ARRIVE BANGKOK, THAILAND

Arrive in Bangkok, where you are met and transferred to your airport hotel.

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

DAY 2 PARO & THIMPHU, BHUTAN | AMONG TOWERING PEAKS

Fly to Paro, your gateway to Bhutan, a nation whose cultural traditions remain well preserved. Transfer to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten. Later, see Tashichho Dzong, a 13th-century Buddhist monastery and fortress, and then gather for your welcome dinner.

Taj Tashi, Thimphu | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 PUNAKHA | THE DIVINE MADMAN

Drive over the Dochula Pass, seeing the colorful prayer flags en route to Punakha. Stop at Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of the Divine Madman), continuing to Punakha Dzhong.

Taj Tashi, Thimphu | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 4 THIMPHU | DESIGN YOUR DAY

Today, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities. Hike Wangditse Nature Trail, a two hour scenic walk through fields to Wangtse Monastery with stunning views. Offer Butter Lamps at a Monastery in Thimphu, and explore the Folk Heritage and National Textile Museum. Visit Pangrizampa, where you meet with a local astrologer and practice meditation with an expert. Tonight, gather for dinner at a local restaurant.

Taj Tashi, Thimphu | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5 PARO | MONASTERIES, RIVERS & RELICS

Journey overland to Paro, stopping to visit local farmers at their farmhouse, an opportunity to better understand their traditional way of life. Once in Paro, view the religious thankga (scroll) paintings and the natural history collection at the National Museum. Continue to Rinpung Dzong, a monastery and fortress along a mountain river.

Zhiwa Ling Heritage | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 6 PARO | ASCENT TO THE “TIGER’S NEST”

This morning, you may choose to attempt the climb to Taktsang Monastery (“Tiger’s Nest”). This hike is intentionally difficult, intended as an arduous pilgrimage for Buddhist devotees. Later, try your hand at archery, Bhutan’s national sport.

Zhiwa Ling Heritage | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7 KATHMANDU, NEPAL | HISTORIC DURBAR SQUARE

Fly to Kathmandu. Ride by rickshaw to Kathmandu Durbar Square and Taleju Temple, see the House of the Living Goddess (Kumari), and stroll through the bazaar and old city. Continue to Swayambhunath, one of the most sacred shrines for Tibetan Buddhists. This evening, enjoy a lecture by a Mount Everest summiter.

Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8 KATHMANDU | A GUIDED MEDITATION

Visit Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple built in a pagoda style. Enter Kopan Nunnery and Monastery, where a monk or nun leads you in a private guided meditation session. Continue to Boudhanath, home to one of the world’s largest Buddhist shrines. Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 9 KATHMANDU | A LESSON IN NEPALESE CUISINE

Today, explore Patan to see its Durbar Square and the former royal palace. Attend a Nepalese cooking class in a local home. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure. Tonight, gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAYS 10-11 DEPART BANGKOK

On Day 10, either fly to Lhasa to begin your post-tour extension or fly to Bangkok, where you enjoy the use of an executive room, available through Day 11, when you depart on your flight home.

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport | Meals: Breakfast