Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, where our representative meets us for the transfer to the hotel. After check-in and rest, take a short evening walk around Thamel and the old streets of Kathmandu. Overnight: 5-star Hotel Malla, Kathmandu. (D)

After breakfast, we visit the major cultural and spiritual sites:

• Swayambhunath Stupa – the 'Monkey Temple,' an ancient Buddhist stupa on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, symbolizing harmony between Buddhist and Hindu traditions.
• Kathmandu Durbar Square – the historic royal palace complex of old Kathmandu, with ancient temples, courtyards and Newari architecture, and home to Kumari, the Living Goddess of Nepal.
• Pashupatinath Temple – one of Nepal's most sacred Hindu temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva, on the banks of the Bagmati River. A pilgrimage site and center for Hindu rituals and cremation ceremonies.
• Boudhanath Stupa – one of Nepal's largest Buddhist stupas and a center of Tibetan Buddhism, with its white dome, Buddha eyes, prayer flags and surrounding monasteries.

Return to the hotel in the evening for free time. Overnight: Hotel Malla, Kathmandu. (BLD)

Today's sites: Asura Cave, Rudrayani Temple, Bungamati, Khokana, Kirtipur, Pharping and Dakshinkali Temple (a power center of the female goddess Kali).

• Bungamati – a traditional Newar settlement famous for Rato Machhindranath (Bunga Dyo), one of the Kathmandu Valley's most important deities, with brick-and-timber houses, courtyards, temples and narrow lanes. It is also known for woodcarving. The Rato Machhindranath chariot festival connects Bungamati and Patan.
• Khokana – famous for traditional mustard-oil production with wooden beam presses. UNESCO describes it as a model of a medieval settlement, with traditional drainage, chowks, chaityas and a Mother Goddess temple. Its main landmark is Rudrayani Temple. Khokana is on Nepal's UNESCO Tentative List, not the current World Heritage List.
• Pharping – after breakfast we enjoy a peaceful morning, with an optional monastery visit, then visit Asura Cave and important Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites.

Continue to Kathmandu and enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight: Hotel Malla, Kathmandu. (BLD)

After breakfast, take the 25-minute flight to Bharatpur, Chitwan. Transfer (flight about 30 minutes) to Safari Adventure Resort, check in and have lunch. In the afternoon, visit a local Tharu village to experience traditional lifestyle and culture, followed by an evening Tharu cultural dance program. Overnight: Safari Adventure Resort, Chitwan. (BLD)

A full day in the jungle. Start with an early morning nature walk or birdwatching, then breakfast, followed by canoeing and a jungle safari or nature drive. We may see rhinoceros, deer, crocodiles, wild boar and many bird species, with a chance of other wildlife. Evening at leisure or at another cultural program. Overnight: Safari Adventure Resort, Chitwan. (BLD)

After breakfast, transfer to Chitwan's local airport and fly to Kathmandu, then to the hotel. Enjoy free time for shopping, or visit the Garden of Dreams in Thamel, within walking distance of the hotel. The evening ends with a farewell dinner. (BLD)

Fly from Kathmandu to Paro, then drive to Thimphu. Our local guide meets us and gives each traveler a Buddhist rosary of 108 beads, 108 being a holy number in Buddhism. We stop at Tachog Lhakhang to see a traditional bridge made of ancient iron chains and the temple of the 'Iron Bridge Builder,' Thangton Gyalpo. Arrival time permitting, we also visit Tashichho Dzong, the castle that serves as the seat of the king and government, and more. Overnight: Norkhill, Deluxe Balcony. (BLD)

• Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic Buddha statue overlooking the valley, and a walk to a city viewpoint.
• A wild animal sanctuary, home to the takin (Bhutan's national animal) and other forest dwellers.
• Clock Tower square and a walk along Norzin Lam street to see traffic police signaling at junctions. Thimphu is the only capital in the world without traffic lights.
• The handicraft market, for Bhutanese souvenirs at reasonable prices.
• The Folk Heritage Museum, with its exhibition on traditional village life.

In the afternoon we drive to Wangdue or Punakha over Dochu-la pass (3,010 m), stopping to walk over a large stupa made of 108 small stupas and enjoy the mountain panorama in clear weather. Overnight: Lobesa Boutique Hotel, for 2 nights. (BLD)

• An early short hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, with views of the valley and its terraced paddy fields.
• Optional rafting on the Mo Chhu (easy) or Pho Chhu (thrilling) river.
• The second-longest suspension bridge in Bhutan, spanning about 160 meters over the Pho Chhu.
• Punakha Dzong, the 'Palace of the Great Happiness,' the most intricately decorated castle in the kingdom and former winter seat of the Bhutanese rulers.
• A short walk to Chhimi Lhakhang, devoted to the 15th-century saint Drukpa Kunley, the 'Divine Madman,' who allegedly taught Buddhism by singing, drinking and scandalous sexual exploits. Houses along the path are decorated with phallic symbols in his memory, and the temple is known as a fertility booster, attracting childless couples from Bhutan and abroad.

In the afternoon we drive over Lawa La pass (3,350 m) to the glacial valley of Phobjikha. Overnight: Dewachen Hotel & Spa. (BLD)

We visit the historic Gangtey Gompa, the symbolic and geographic heart of the valley, which belongs to Nyingma, the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism. A 2.5-hour walk follows, one of Bhutan's most beautiful gentle hikes, through buckwheat and potato fields and mixed forest with trees draped in lichen 'old men's beard,' ending with a view of the marshland. Rare black-necked cranes can be seen here in late autumn and winter, and the Black Neck Crane Center is optional. We finish with lunch in a local farmhouse, tasting salty suja tea and the ara spirit.

Then we drive back via Wangdue and over Dochu La to Paro, reaching the hotel late in the evening. Overnight: Kaachi Grand, Skey Deck, for 2 nights. (BLD)

An early drive to the Drukgyel Dzong viewpoint. The recently reconstructed castle stands in dramatic mountain scenery, with holy Mt. Jomolhari visible in clear weather. Then we hike to Taktsang Gompa (the Tiger's Nest), the absolute highlight of the tour. The climb is hard but rewarding; if you don't feel up to the full trek, you can stop at the cafeteria for a great view of the temple. Depending on time and energy, you can continue to Zangtopelri Lhakhang for a bird's-eye view of the Tiger's Nest. An afternoon hike can be considered depending on your strength.

We then drive to Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpung Dzong, the 'castle on the heap of jewels.' The final scenes of the film Little Buddha were shot inside its walls. Walk down to the traditional roofed cantilever bridge over the Pa Chhu river, where you can try on Bhutanese dress and take photos with the castle and bridge behind you. Optionally, a mask dance performance with a traditional dinner in a local farmhouse can be arranged. Overnight: Kaachi Grand, Skey Deck. (BLD)

Departure from Paro Airport. If time permits, depending on our flight time, we visit:

• Dumtse Lhakhang, a uniquely designed temple built by the 15th-century lama Thangton Gyalpo, also known as the 'Iron Bridge Builder' or 'Leonardo da Vinci of the Himalayas.'
• National Museum of Bhutan, in the Ta Dzong watchtower, with valley views and a Natural History gallery. You may skip the religious artifacts in the main building if they are not of interest.
• Last-minute shopping in town, and a stop at the Paro airport viewpoint to see one of the world's most demanding international runways.
• Today’s itinerary is dependent on airline departure times, which have yet to be announced.

Overnight: Hotel Malla. . (BLD)

A free day in Kathmandu to meditate, journal and explore. The schedule is flexible, so let us know what you'd like to do. Farewell dinner at 7:00 pm. (BD)

We depart Kathmandu, leaving behind our amazing journey to Nepal and Bhutan, grateful for what we experienced and the people we met.