Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, both Nepal and Bhutan are landlocked countries with a tremendous potential for tourism.
Though these countries are associated with rural geography throughout the world, you can get an experience of memorable luxury travel in the Himalayas while touring around Nepal and Bhutan.
From thick jungles to the highest mountains in the world, and from the most serene Buddhist monasteries to crowded Hindu temples, you will get to explore the beauty of two most alluring countries in South Asia during your Nepal Bhutan tour.
Moreover, if you are thinking of going on a short trip on a budget, there is no better option for you to opt than this tour. Your Nepal Bhutan tour will last around only 10 days and give you the memory of a lifetime.
Make sure to read till the end of this article to know about exclusive experiences in Nepal and Bhutan during your luxury travel to the Himalayas!
What can you expect during your Nepal Bhutan luxury tour?
The following are some of the factors that become the highlight of your Nepal Bhutan luxury tour:
- Trek and travel to scenic routes like the hills in Pokhara and the caves on hilltops in Bhutan.
- Taste diverse cuisines from two different countries with lots of variation.
- Cultural and religious tours through some of the most culturally and religiously significant locations in both Nepal and Bhutan.
- Learn about the history associated with both the ancient mountain kingdoms.
- Go on a jungle safari at one of the most popular natural reserves in Nepal, Chitwan National Park.
- Tour through Bhutan’s Dzong(buildings with intricate details and strong roofs that were built in order to save Bhutanese people during the wartime).
- Discover the richness in art and traditional values in both the nations.
- Observe the ancient architectural designs and the brilliance in the execution of sustainability of the centuries old temples, buildings, Dzong, and monasteries in both Nepal and Bhutan.
- Sightsee the oldest palaces and courtyards in Kathmandu valley and get to discover the beauty of unique festivals and occasions.
- Experience the richness of Buddhist and Hindu culture in both the countries.
- Go to the most religious Hindu sites in the world, Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu.
- Hike to what may seem like one of the world’s most dangerous hiking sites.
- Tour through the beautiful capital city Thimphu and closely get to know about the locals of Bhutan.
- Experience the hospitality of Nepalese people.
- Comfortably stay in some of the most exquisite and luxurious hotels in either of the countries.
How to plan luxury travel to Nepal and Bhutan?
Before you go anywhere in the world, it is important that you have a proper plan at hand. While your Nepal and Bhutan tours are not going to last many days, it is important to make sure that you are all set for the tour.
There are things you need to remember before and after you go on the Nepal Bhutan tour. Some of the ways you can plan your luxury travel and keep your mind relaxed before, throughout, and even after the journey are:
Look for the best 5-star hotels to stay in Nepal and Bhutan
Though neither Nepal and Bhutan are big economies, there are plenty of luxurious hotels that you can find in both the countries. Instead of only relying on your traveling agency to make the end choice for you, you can conduct a proper research on the best hotels that you can find in both Nepal and Bhutan.
Some of the popular hotels in Nepal are Hotel Yak and Yeti, Soaltee Crowne Plaza, Radisson Hotel, Sarangkot Mountain Lodge, Dwarika Hotel, Hyatt Regency, The Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Fort Resort, Fish Tail Lodge, Barahi Jungle Lodge, Yeti Mountain Home, and Meghauli Serai.
Likewise, some of the most luxurious hotels in Bhutan are Taj Tashi, Uma Paro, Gangtey Lodge, Jumolhari Hotel, Jhiwa Ling Ascent, and Amankora.
Rely only on a trustworthy traveling agency
If you are not used to traveling a lot, chances are, you don’t have adequate knowledge of traveling agencies. Not all traveling agencies tend to cater to their clients, as they are meant to do so.
Hence, in order to book your luxury travel from a trustworthy traveling agency, it is crucial for you to conduct a proper research on both the location that you are traveling and the number of travel agencies that not only have the expertise but also a solid social proof and a good client experience profile. Moreover, you also need to see whether the offered travel package includes major destinations in the country of Himalayas and the land of the dragons.
Travelers can refer to websites, online booking platforms, and magazines in order to find the best possible company who will make their trip memorable and safe.
Hire professionals
Don’t rely on just anyone who says they will provide you with the best guidance during your Nepal Bhutan luxury tour. Instead, experience the royalty of the two Himalayan kingdoms with the best drivers and guides by hiring from a professional agency or directly getting a package offer including drivers and guides on your Nepal Bhutan tour.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that traveling independently, to an extent, is only possible in Nepal and not entirely safe. On the other hand, the government of Bhutan has made it compulsory for travelers to travel with a guide and a reliable driver in order to ensure safety and positive tourism experience when in Bhutan.
Therefore, it becomes a necessity to put good stress on finding the right driver and a guide along with finding the right traveling agency.
Nepal Bhutan Luxury Tour Itinerary
If you are looking to go on a 10 days long Nepal and Bhutan luxury tour, you will most likely be following the itinerary as below:
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu via Tribhuvan International Airport
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Day 4: Hike/Drive to Sarangkot in the morning and tour Pokhara during the day and the evening
Day 5: Drive or fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara
Day 6: Fly from Kathmandu to Paro. Transfer from Paro to Thimpu
Day 7: Travel from Thimpu to Punakha
Day 8: Drive from Punakha to Paro’s Ringpong Dzong (the fortress of the heap of jewels).
Day 9: Paro to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
Day 10: Fly to Kathmandu.
Day 11: Take off to home country from Tribhuvan International Airport
What is the difference between budget travel and luxury travel to Nepal and Bhutan?
There are major differences between budget travel and luxury travel to Nepal and Bhutan. If you are traveling on a budget, you will have to spend less on amenities, transportation, food, and accommodation. On the other hand, if you want to experience luxury during your travel, your spending on all these factors will be more than double.
However, you will also be spending 10 – 14 days of your travel as a royalty. The hospitality, despite the simplicity of both Nepal and Bhutan, is top-notch. There is a great possibility that you won’t even have to go through all the rugged roads and pathways that a budget friendly trip to the same locations in both countries will take you through in your luxury travel.
Further, you might be traveling more by flight than by road vehicles or by foot during your luxury travel to Nepal and Bhutan. Budget friendly tours to Nepal and Bhutan are not going to have the facilities for luxurious stays and will most likely have you stay in ordinary and small tea houses and guest houses. But, you won’t be staying in small and low-budget teahouses. Instead, you will be accommodated in the most luxurious hotels.
The hygiene factor also plays a great role here. Although you will be facilitated with decent enough hygienic places, food, and transportation, it is only likely to get top tier hygiene and safety in all the facilities when you opt for luxury travel.
Budget traveling packages don’t always offer luxurious cuisines either. There are many travelers who eat under a certain budget from 9 to 10 pm because there are plenty of discounts during these hours in both Nepal and Bhutan. Many also tend to eat directly from the street vendors to go easy in their pockets.
Conclusion
Nepal and the Bhutan luxury tours might be expensive when you compare it with the budget friendly tour to the same location. But, it is possibly one of the most enjoyable yet the most reasonable tours you can go on.
The warm hospitality, beauty in the serene nature, amazing cuisines, rich history and culture, and unique locations of Nepal and Bhutan will mesmerize the visitors in the best way possible. For many, this tour might amount to a great level of surprises, as both these countries are some of the smallest countries in the world.