Nepal and Bhutan Tour

Spring and autumn are the ideal times. Spring has mild temperatures, flowers bloom, and wildlife in Chitwan is active, while Bhutan enjoys cool, clear days and festivals like Paro Tsechu. Autumn brings crisp air, stunning mountain views, and cultural highlights like Dashain, Tihar, and Thimphu Tsechu. Winter is quieter with clear skies but colder, especially in Bhutan. The monsoon is wet, roads can be slippery with blocked mountain views, though the countryside is lush and fewer crowds.

Spring (March to May): Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal have mild and warm temperatures with 15-27°C. Hillsides bloom with rhododendrons, and Chitwan wildlife stays active. In Bhutan, Thimphu and Paro have calm and pleasant days at around 10-20°C with clear mornings. Spring brings festivals like Paro Tsechu in Bhutan, offering a cultural experience. Mountain views are great in the morning.

Autumn (September to November): Autumn is the best season for Nepal and Bhutan tours. The air stays crisp after the monsoon rain. You’ll get excellent visibility for sunrise views, and the temperature is comfortable at around 20-25°C. Nepal celebrates Dashain and Tihar, and Bhutan celebrates. Thimphu Tsechu festival. Hiking conditions are ideal at the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Autumn combines the best weather, views, and festivals.

Winter (December to February): Winter is cold and quiet in both countries. Kathmandu and Pokhara get mild days of around 10-18°C with chilly nights, and Chitwan remains pleasant for safaris. Thimphu and Paro are cold at around 5-10°C; mornings/evenings can drop below freezing. Mountain skies are clear and perfect for views with very few clouds. You should pack layers and consider hotel upgrades in Bhutan for comfort.

Monsoon (June to August): Monsoon is the least popular and recommended season due to heavy rainfall. Both Bhutan and Nepal experience Monsoon with frequent rain showers. Roads to Pokhara and Chitwan are affected by landslides, and views are cloudy, with hot, humid, and buggy jungle areas. Bhutan receives lighter rain than Nepal, but the conditions are still wet. On the positive side, there are fewer tourists, lush greenery, and discounted off-season rates. Late August and early September had improving weather. Bring rain gear and have flexible plans to go on the Nepal and Bhutan Tour during the monsoon.

Clothing: You need lightweight, breathable shirts and pants, plus a long pair of pants or a skirt for temple visits. Bring warm layers like a fleece or sweater, a warm jacket, and thermals if you’re traveling in winter. Traveling in the monsoon means you need a rain jacket, poncho, or umbrella. For footwear, bring comfortable walking shoes, hiking boots, and sandals for evenings at hotels or quick temple visits. Accessories include a sun hat, a warm hat, morning gloves, a light scarf, six pairs of socks, and undergarments. Women may want a sports bra and modest swimwear.

Gear: Bring a small daypack of 20-30L capacity to carry food, snacks, and a jacket. Carry a reusable water bottle, a flashlight, or a headlamp. If you bring your camera or phone, bring your charger and a power bank. Optionally, you can bring binoculars and trekking poles. You can get small locks, packing cubes, and zip-lock bags to keep your gear secure and organized.

Health and Personal Items: Pack personal medicines with a basic first aid kit, with motion sickness pills, pain relievers, insect repellent, band aids, etc.

For toiletries, bring a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, and shampoo. You need a quick-dry towel, hand sanitizer, wipes, tissues, and feminine hygiene products. Sunglasses, earplugs, a money belt, and copies of travel documents are also helpful. Optionally, you can bring items like journals, an e-reader, or snorkel gear.

We recommend bringing a soft duffel or backpack for main luggage and a daypack for daily essentials. Keep your bags light with 15-20kg for main luggage. Bhutan flights allow a 20 kg checked bag with 7 kg carry-on. Wear modest attire in temples and monasteries. You are free to wear casual clothing elsewhere.

How to Book: Booking the Nepal and Bhutan tour is easy. You can visit our website, choose the Nepal and Bhutan package, and book the tour. Select your preferred start date and number of travelers. After filling in your details, select your payment method. You must pay a 30% deposit to secure your spot on the tour. We will send a personalized message confirming your booking and the next steps. You can contact us if you feel confused, and we will assist you with the booking. We will send you arrival guides and visa info before the tour.

Payment Schedule: Pay a 30% deposit to secure your spot when booking. We use the deposit to confirm your hotels, flights, and Bhutan visa processing. You can pay the remaining 70% about 30 days before the tour starts. If you book within 30 days of the tour, we require a full payment up front. You can pay through any major credit card or cash if you’re already in Nepal. After receiving your deposit, we will send confirmation and start making all the arrangements.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel the tour 60 days before the tour starts, we will refund the entire cost minus the deposit. Cancelling between 30 and 60 days means a 50% refund, 15 to 29 days means a 25% refund, and any less than that or no show means no refund. We will provide a letter for travel insurance claims if you must cancel due to illness or an emergency. The deposit is non-refundable in any case when you cancel the tour. We will provide a full refund if we have to cancel due to any events. You can buy travel insurance before booking to protect yourself from financial strain.

Group, Age, and Special Needs: This private tour is ideal for anyone, including solo travelers, couples, families, or groups of up to 12. Children above 8 enjoy it the best, with younger children needing adjustments like pony rides for the hike. Although Bhutan’s infrastructure has limitations, we can arrange some accommodations for travelers with health or mobility issues with some discussion. We modify the pace or skip steep sections for senior travelers.

We prioritize your well-being and safety for your Nepal and Bhutan Tour. We design the itinerary to make the trip enjoyable, keeping altitude, road conditions, and medical access in mind.

Altitude Consideration: The lowest altitude of the tour is at Chitwan at 150m, and the highest goes up to 3,120m at Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan. Most travelers won’t face severe altitude sickness as the altitude is still manageable, but you may get mild effects above 2,500m. A few travelers might get shortness of breath or headaches, depending on how their body handles the altitude change. You should stay hydrated, eat light meals, and avoid overexertion or alcohol on your first day at higher altitudes if you have any symptoms like dizziness, nausea, or fatigue. Inform your guide immediately. Usually, resting and drinking fluids help, but we will descend to a lower altitude if they don’t help. Your guides carry portable oxygen and a small oximeter in case of serious emergencies. You can take Diamox to prevent altitude sickness after consulting your doctor.

Vaccinations and Medical Preparation: There are no mandatory vaccines to enter either country except for COVID-19 requirements. We recommend visiting a travel clinic one or two months before the trip. You can get common vaccines like Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid-Diphtheria, and, if relevant, Rabies or Japanese Encephalitis. You can use insect repellent or nets, or consult your doctor about prophylaxis to deal with the risk of malaria in Chitwan.

Road, Transportation, and Wildlife Safety: You must only drink boiled, bottled, or filtered water throughout the trip. Use the same water to brush your teeth. Eat hot and freshly prepared meals at safe restaurants and peel fruits if you consume raw produce. You can inform us in advance if you have any dietary restrictions so we can arrange your meals for you.

Emergency Preparedness: You can contact us anytime with our 24/7 contact line. Our guides carry cell phones and walkie-talkies wherever coverage gets limited. We’ll adjust the itinerary, call doctors to hotels, and arrange clinics and hospital visits in case of illness. We also arrange helicopter evacuation in extreme emergencies. You should purchase travel insurance so you are free from financial strain in case of these emergencies. Keep digital copies of your important documents and have a local emergency contact.

Road, Transportation, and Wildlife Safety: We only use well-maintained vehicles with professional and experienced staff accompanying you. For safety, long drives are only during daylight hours. You should follow your guide’s instructions closely for your safety. Follow each guideline by your guide in Chitwan during wildlife safaris, and wear your life jacket at all times during canoe rides. Stay alert in the city area, use hotel safes, and carry copies of your passport.

Political and Social Climate: Nepal has stable political conditions with rare strikes. Bhutan is peaceful and secure, and has a well-protected tourism industry. Follow both countries’ local rules and customs to avoid unnecessary problems. You can ask your guide to help navigate any unusual situations.

Female and LGBTQ Travelers: Nepal and Bhutan are generally safe and respectful. Dress modestly in the religious sires and travel with a guide or in groups in unfamiliar places after dark. Nepal and Bhutan are welcoming and tolerant, but we recommend no public displays of affection for every couple. We treat everyone with respect and ensure a comfortable experience for all travelers, regardless of their sexual orientation.

COVID-19 Measures: Nepal and Bhutan require vaccination proof or a negative test. If symptoms arise, we help access medical care and adjust your itinerary. We maintain hygiene protocols in vehicles with complete vaccinations for our staff. You can carry a few rapid tests for peace of mind. We recommend travel insurance that covers COVID-19.

The tour is beyond sightseeing, allowing you to interact, learn, and participate in traditions. One of the most rewarding parts of the trip is the chance to connect directly with local people and their culture.

Nepal is a country with a living culture. You may meet the Kumari, a living goddess, or watch artisans crafting their works in hidden streets in Kathmandu. You can greet people with a simple “Namaste” as you press your hands together and bow with a smile. Visiting Pashupatinath will give you a deeper understanding of Nepali Hindu rituals, including cremation rites. You will meet Tibetan refugees and can help the community by purchasing handcrafted souvenirs in Pokhara. Chitwan gives a glimpse into the life of the indigenous Tharu people with their lively traditional dance performances as you join the final “chain dance”. You’ll visit local markets to practice your bargaining skills and connect with the local people. Nepal celebrated Dashain, Tihar, Holi, and other festivals at different times of the year. You can get to see any of them during a particular season.

Bhutan is usually rich in culture and traditions. You’ll see many locals in their national dress in Thimphu. You can greet them with a warm “Kuzuzangpo La.” You can visit the arts and crafts school, chat with students learning traditional skills, or explore local markets with your guide. In Paro, you can see a local farmhouse for a home-cooked meal and exchange talks on family life, traditions, and daily routines. Don’t miss Tsechus, like the Thimphu Tsechu in Sep/Oct and Paro Tsechu in Mar/Apr. Monks perform sacred dances and display giant religious paintings during these festivals.

Our local guides act as bridges for these cultural experiences. They can introduce you to different people and things, translate when needed, and ensure every interaction is respectful and meaningful. You’ll leave with many stories and bonds at the end of the trip. Our guides facilitate respectful interactions, translating and explaining local customs to ensure a rewarding experience.

We believe travel should positively impact the community and the environment you visit. We minimize our footprint while supporting the local economy and preserving culture.

We encourage using a reusable water bottle. Bhutan has a ban on single-use plastic, so we provide reusable shipping bags. You should carry your trash until you find a proper bin to dispose of it safely. We follow strict conservation guidelines for wildlife safety. The Chitwan safari follows a designated trail. You must not feed or disturb animals. We use eco-friendly transportation methods like jeeps and canoes instead of unethical animal rides.

Our guides and drivers are all local people. We support local communities by hiring local staff and partnering with locally owned hotels. You should purchase handicrafts directly from artisans to support their art and living wages.

Cultural preservation is a part of sustainable travel. Dress modestly at sacred sites, get permission before clicking pictures, and respect local customs to preserve traditions. You will participate in a responsible tourism model that benefits people and nature by traveling with us.

Nepal and Bhutan have diverse climates due to varying altitudes. You will experience a subtropical jumble from Chitwan to the mountain valleys of Bhutan.

Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara see warm days and cool nights during Spring and Autumn. These are ideal for sightseeing. Winter has cold nights, and the monsoon is wet but lush. Chitwan has a subtropical jungle environment, making the monsoon extremely humid. We adjust activities accordingly. Bhutan has ideal conditions for hiking in autumn. Paro and Thimphu get mild rain and clouds during the monsoon season, and the landscapes are vibrant green.

Bring layers of clothes for changing temperatures and conditions. You must have a windproof/waterproof jacket, use sunscreen and sunglasses, and stay hydrated. Bring your daypack, universal adapter, and power bank. We will send you a custom packing list according to your departure month.

You can buy a SIM card in Nepal and Bhutan to stay connected. A Nepalese tourist SIM costs about $8 and provides data and cell coverage. We can provide a Bhutanese SIM card with no extra cost. Most hotels have free Wi-Fi at varied speeds. WiFi works better in cities and slower in rural areas. Bhutan and Nepal both use 230V outlets. You need a universal adapter to charge your electronics with no hassle. Since the drives won’t have WiFi, you can access offline entertainment like music, books, or video. You should also download an offline map for every area you visit if you need it.

Carry a light daypack and keep cash for small purchases. You must always carry your passport, visa, insurance, and other essential documents. Contact our 24/7 contact line via phone or WhatsApp for urgent issues.

Nepal: Nepal is famous for its dal bhat and momo. Many travelers like the fresh fish from Phewa Lake in Pokhara and the Tharu dishes in Chitwan. Kathmandu is the home of the indigenous Newar people, who are also rich in cuisine. You can go to cooking classes or welcome dinners with cultural shows. Many travelers buy pashmina shawls, singing bowls, Thangka paintings, hand-knotted rugs, khukuri knives, silver jewelry, tea, and spices for souvenirs.

Bhutan: Try Ema Datshi (chili-cheese stew), Paksha Paa (pork and radish), and suja (tea). You can buy handwoven textiles, Thangka paintings, wooden masks, and traditional paper items for souvenirs. You cannot bargain in Bhutanese markets as they have fixed prices to ensure fair wages. Purchase smaller items with cash and carry a foldable bag for shopping.