Highlights of Bhutan and Nepal tranquil Retreat tour
- Visit the Himalayan country of Bhutan and explore the monasteries and gumbas and understand the historically rich Buddhist practices.
- Take the exciting hike to the Paro Taktsang and view its architectural magnificence, courtrooms, and prayer halls.
- Visit the Buddha Dordenma statue, Rinpung Dzong, National Memorial Chorten, and Chimi Lhakhang, some of the best attractions of Bhutan.
- Explore the architectural marvels of Kathmandu Durbar Square and Bhaktapur Durbar Square, including the temples, monuments, and sculptures.
- Visit the hilltop location of Swayambhunath Temple and get a 360-degree view of the Kathmandu Valley.
- Visit the UNESCO world heritage sites like Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath stupa in Nepal, which gives an idea of a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism in Nepal.
Introduction:
Bhutan is a landlocked country in Asia that shares its border with China and India and lies in south-central Asia. The country of Bhutan is also known as Druk Yul, or “The Land of the Thunder Dragon," due to the wild thunderstorm that strikes the valley from the peaks of the Himalayas. The Himalayan region of Bhutan lies on the southern end, with Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m/24,840 ft) being the highest mountain in the country.
The country of Bhutan is marked with beautiful and colorful monasteries, gompas, stupas, and monuments that broadcast the rich cultural and religious practices that have been persisting in Bhutan for a long time. The Bhutanese follow Buddhism, typically Vajrayana Buddhism, as the main religion. Similarly, the dominance of Buddhism in Bhutan can be seen through the occasional occurrence of colorful prayer flags, prayer wheels, thanka paintings, costumes, chortens, and statues that showcase the Buddhist culture.
There are various must-visit places in Bhutan, including Rinpung Dzong, Paro Taktsang, National Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma, Punakha, Chimi Lhakhang, and many more.
The Rinpung Dzong is also known as the Paro Dzong, which is a large Buddhist monastery that has been listed as a tentative site for World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Likewise, the Paro Taktsang is also a Buddhist monastery, which is the most popular one all around the world. The Paro Taktsang is also known as the Tiger's Nest Monastery, where it is believed that Guru Padmasambhava practiced and taught Vajrayana.
Another place of interest is the National Memorial Chorten, which is located in Thimphu. The National Memorial Chorten does not have any human enshrinements; however, it contains a photo of Druk Gyalpo in a ceremonial dress. Likewise, the Buddha Dordenma is another attraction of Bhutan, which is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue that was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the fourth king, Jigme Singye Wangchuk.
Consequently, the Punakha Dzong, which is also known as the Palace of Great Happiness, is the second oldest and second largest dzong of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong also houses the school of Tibetan Buddhism, including Rangjung Kharsapani.
Lastly, the Chimi Lhakhang, or Chimi Monastery, is located in the Punakha district of Bhutan. It is said that Lama Drukpa Kunley sustained a demon with his magic thunderbolt of wisdom and trapped the demon in a rock.
Similarly, Nepal is another landlocked country that lies between India and China. Nepal is home to the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, which gives it the name "the land of Mt. Everest." Nepal is a rich country of culture and religion where mainly Hinduism is followed. The country of Nepal is also home to seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, which are some of the best attractions that showcase the rich cultural and religious background.
The Pashupatinath, which is also the oldest Hindu temple, is one of the major destinations for sightseeing tours in Nepal. Similarly, the Swayambhunath temple, which is also known as the Monkey Temple, is a hilltop location where the blend of Hinduism and Buddhism can be seen. Likewise, the Kathmandu Durbar Square of Hanumandhoka Durbar Square is another top place to visit in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Durbar Square is a Newari architectural site where temples and structures with intricate Newari carvings can be seen. The prominent things of the Kathmandu Durbar Square are the Kal Bhairav stupa, Kumari Ghar, Taleju Bhawani, Nasal Chowk, Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum, Jagannath Temple, Mahendrashwar Temple, and many more.
Similarly, the Boudhanath Stupa is another UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a popular stop for those who wish to learn more about Buddhism in Nepal. The white dome-shaped structure of the Boudhanath stupa is marked by colorful prayer flags and prayer wheels carved with mantras.
On the other hand, the Bhutan-Nepal tour package can be done all year round and is suitable for individuals with adequate physical fitness. Similarly, the Bhutan-Nepal tour can be done solo or in groups with friends, family, the elderly, or children.
Although various permits are required to enter Bhutan, Trekking Planner will help individuals to gain these permits for a hassle-free tour and adventure experience. Similarly, taking a guide during the visit to Bhutan is compulsory, which enables one to get full information about the landmark and explain small details.
Likewise, individuals joining Trekking Planner will be accommodated in five-star hotels with full facilities and amenities. These hotels provide good bed and blanket facilities with internet access, hot showers, electricity, and a medium for communication. So, join hands for a wonderful experience in Bhutan and grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
How does the Bhutan-Nepal Retreat tour start and end?
The Bhutan-Nepal Retreat tour starts with the arrival from Paro Airport. After the arrival in Paro, head towards Rinpung Dzong. The Rinpung Dzong is a Buddhist monastery that houses the district monastic body as well as the administrative offices of Paro. There are fourteen shrines and chapels inside the Rinpung Dzong, including Kungarwa, the monk's assembly hall, the protector’s shrine, the clear crystal shrine, the Chapel of Akshobhya, the Chapel of the head lama, and many more.
As the excursion of Paro completes, head towards Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Upon reaching Thimphu, visit the top attractions of Thimphu, including Buddha Dordenma and National Memorial Chorten. The Buddha Dordenma is a gigantic statue of Shakyamuni Buddha that houses over one thousand small Buddha statues that resemble the Buddha Dordenma. Similarly, the statues are made with gold and bronze, which symbolizes peace and harmony.
On the other hand, the national memorial chorten is a landmark constructed by the mother of Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in his memory. One can settle in the chorten for a guided meditation session or explore the culture around the chorten. They can see intricate architecture and circumambulate the chorten while spinning the prayer wheels and mumbling the mantras. Likewise, one can have a deeper understanding of the culture, tradition, and significance of the monument.
As a wonderful time in Thimphu, the Bhutan Nepal Tranquil Retreat Package route takes individuals to Punakha, which is another beautiful district in Bhutan. Upon arriving at Punakha, the hike to Chimi Lhakhang initiates. The hike to Chimi Lhakhang provides a suitable option to explore the hiking trails of Bhutan with time to admire its natural beauty. The hike also provides an opportunity to see the flora and fauna present in Bhutan. When reaching the hilltop of Chimi Lhakhang, explore the premise, which is also known as the fertility temple. It is believed that the Chimi Lhakhang was blessed by the Divine Madman, so many childless couples visit the Lhakhang to seek blessings from the monk to get the blessing of a child.
With the completion of a sightseeing tour in Punakha, transfer to Paro to visit Paro Taktsang or the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The Tiger’s Nest monastery is called so because, according to the myth, it is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to the location riding on a tigress for meditation, hence giving it the name Tiger’s Nest. It is also said that the meditation lasted for three years, three months, three weeks, and three days.
In the Paro Taktsang, one can see breathtaking views with the cliffside being approximately 900 meters off the ground. A visit to Paro Taktsang aims to understand the breathtaking beauty and historical significance of the monastery. While taking photographs inside the monastery is strictly prohibited, the visit is sure to fill one’s heart with peace and sanctity. Likewise, two viewing platforms are surrounded by colorful prayer flags.
After a beautiful time spent in Paro, individuals will fly to Kathmandu, Nepal, to further enhance the sightseeing experience. Upon landing in Kathmandu, start the sightseeing tour of some of the top attractions of Kathmandu. The sightseeing tour includes a visit to some of the prestigious places of Kathmandu, Nepal. Begin the tour of Kathmandu from Swayambhunath temple, which is also known as the Monkey Temple. The Swayambhunath stupa is a blend of Hinduism and Buddhism that is portrayed by the paintings, temples, sculptures, and statues. Similarly, the temple is located on a hilltop location that shows a panoramic view of Kathmandu City. An excursion to the stupa head onto the Kathmandu Durbar Square is a plaza that is located on the southern side of the Kathmandu Valley. The Durbar Square is also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square due to the presence of the statue of Hanuman at the entrance. The main attractions of the square are the Kal Bhairav statue, Shiva Parvati temple, Kumari Ghar, Taleju temple, Jagannath temple, Nasal Chowk, Narasingha statue, and many more. One can see intricate Newari carvings and architecture here; thus, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
After the visit to Durbar Square, head to the Boudhanath Stupa, which is another UNESCO World Heritage site. The Boudhanath stupa is a white dome structure that represents Mount Sumeru (the king of mountains). Similarly, the stupa is of great importance to the Buddhist religion. During the visit, one can circumnutate the structure while spinning the prayer wheels carved with mantras. The premise of Boudhanath also houses many stores for souvenirs and good food. A wide range of Tibetan cuisines are also available here, so be sure to taste some.
Later, head towards Pashupatinath Temple for exploration. The Pashupatinath temple is the oldest Hindu temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva (the destroyer). The temple is of great religious significance to Hindus, and non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the main temple. Although the rule forbids non-Hindus from entering the main temple, people can still enjoy the beauty of the Pashupatinath premise. The main attractions besides the primary temple include the Mukhalinga, Shiva Parvati Temple, western cremation ghats, Gorakhnath Temple, Guhyeshwari Temple, and many more. Similarly, the temple also hosts Sandhya Aarati which takes place on the banks of the Bagmati River daily between 6 and 7 P.M.
With the sightseeing tour of Kathmandu coming to an end, head towards the Bhaktapur district. The main attraction of Bhaktapur is the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is a royal palace complex situated in the Bhaktapur district of Nepal. The square is considered the museum of medieval art and architecture, which consists of various sculptures, paintings, artifacts, temples, and intricate wooden carvings. The top attractions of Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the 55-window palace, Golden Gate, Lions Gate, mini Pashupatinath Temple, Vatsala Temple, Bhairab Nath Temple, and the Nyatapola Temple. One can see all these attractions during the visit to Bhaktapur and click photographs.
Similarly, when the visit to the Bhaktapur Durbar Square concludes, individuals will head on to their destination and prepare to leave Kathmandu, Nepal, which ends the Bhutan-Nepal Tranquil Retreat package with Trekking Planner Nepal. We bid farewell and wish to meet again in the future. Best wishes.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Paro—Visit to Rinpung Dzong
Day 2: Transfer to Thimphu—Visit Buddha Dordenma and National Memorial Chorten
Day 3: Transfer to Punakha-Hike to Chimi Lhakhang
Day 4: Hike to Paro Taktsang and Fly to Kathmandu
Day 5: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Kathmandu
Day 6: Day trip to Bhaktapur
Day 7: Depart from Kathmandu




