Best of the Himalayas

(15 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley, Chengdu, Lhasa

Enjoy fascinating cultural touring and spectacular scenery on this ultimate private tour of the Himalayas.

Begin in Thimphu, the bustling capital of Bhutan and one of the best places to experience Bhutanese heritage. During private touring, visit important Buddhist sites, local markets, crafts workshops (Buddhist thangkas, sculptures, weavings and more) and museums to learn about Bhutanese traditions and history. Artisans of Leisure will also arrange a visit to Tashichho Dzong, an impressive traditional fortress that’s the seat of the Bhutanese government, and, if desired, a meeting with a local astrologer, an important figure in Bhutanese daily life. Depending on your interests, touring can also include privately guided hikes to temples and monasteries in the foothills of the Himalayas, visiting a handmade paper factory, a private Bhutanese cooking lesson at a local home, a visit to the takin preserve to see Bhutan’s unusual national animal, watching an archery competition and private meditation sessions with monks.

Next, enjoy a scenic transfer through the mountains to Punakha, the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. Stop en route at Dochu La Pass to see its 108 chortens and take in views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Descend into Punakha, a subtropical valley filled with rhododendrons, banana plants and rice paddies. During private touring, visit Chimi Lhakhang fertility temple, enjoy peaceful walks through farming villages, light a butter lamp at a local Buddhist temple, tour stunning Punakha Dzong, visit a Buddhist nunnery in the hills and take a short hike to a hillside chorten with panoramic views. Depending on your interests, touring can also include hikes to mountain monasteries, blessings by monks, private river rafting, a tour of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and other top activities around Punakha.

Continue to Paro, a picture-perfect Bhutanese town in a verdant river valley and the base for visiting iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery. During private touring, see Bhutanese cultural treasures in the National Museum, admire the views from Paro Dzong, and browse for locally made crafts and Buddhist items in the traditional wooden storefronts on Paro’s charming main street. One day, enjoy a privately guided excursion to Tiger's Nest, a breathtaking cliffside Buddhist monastery (also known as Taktsang Goemba) that’s a highlight of Bhutan. Depending on your interests, touring can also include a biking excursion and a private Bhutanese archery lesson. Artisans of Leisure can also arrange yoga sessions and a traditional Bhutanese hot-stone bath—the perfect way to relax after the hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Artisans of Leisure can arrange additional activities in Bhutan, such as attending festivals, blessings by Buddhist monks, private meditation lessons, butter lamp lighting ceremonies at Buddhist temples, hiking excursions and more.

Fly to Kathmandu, the endlessly fascinating capital of Nepal. During private touring with your expert guide and driver, walk through the lively backstreets of Old Kathmandu to see artisans' workshops, traditional markets, and active Buddhist and Hindu temples. Explore the cultural highlights in the numerous UNESCO World Heritage-listed monument zones around the city and in the surrounding Kathmandu Valley. Tour the beautiful courtyards, palaces and historic monuments of Kathmandu's Durbar Square. Circumambulate the mammoth white stupa at Boudhanath, the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet, with throngs of pilgrims and worshippers, and perhaps duck into one of the smaller temple buildings to light a candle or spin a giant prayer wheel among the faithful. Venture to the hilltop Swayambhunath, another important and photogenic Buddhist temple with an iconic white stupa, flapping prayer flags, and panoramic views of Kathmandu and the foothills of the Himalayas. Observe ceremonies at Pashupatinath, a sprawling Hindu temple complex that's the oldest and most revered Hindu site in Kathmandu. Other highlights include seeing Kumari Devi—a living goddess—and relaxing in the Garden of Dreams, a soothing green oasis.

In the Kathmandu Valley, tour the extensive palace districts in the former royal capitals of Patan and Bhaktapur. See beautiful traditional brick buildings with finely carved wooden windows. Visit the Patan Museum, a former palace and one of the best museums of traditional Nepalese art in the country. Peruse fine metal crafts such as singing bowls, brass tableware and gold-leafed religious icons produced in the small workshops of Patan. Browse for woodwork and ceramics created by artisans in Bhaktapur. Find the perfect shawl made of the finest Nepalese pashmina (cashmere). Learn about the iconography in Buddhist thangka paintings, and perhaps select one to take home. You will have ample time to shop for these and other typical Nepalese products, such as handmade paper and prayer wheels during your tour. Also sample local foods such as juju dhau, Bhaktapur's unique "king yogurt.

Fly to Chengdu, a region known for giant pandas, rich cultural heritage and spicy Sichuan cuisine. During private touring, see frolicking giant pandas at a breeding and research center and learn about conservation efforts to help the animals.  Also visit the archaeological site of Sanxingdui to learn about the ancient cultures that once inhabited this area. During private city touring, see Chengdu highlights such as Kuanzhai Xiangzi (Wide and Narrow Alleys), a historic area filled with shops and restaurants, and People's Park, where locals socialize and play mahjongg. Also sample spicy Sichuan dishes, such as wontons, mapo tofu and dan dan noodles. If desired, enjoy tickets to a performance of Sichuan Opera, which includes the magical art of face-changing.

Conclude in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. During private touring, visit Lhasa's most compelling sights, including Potala Palace, the fortress-like Tibetan Buddhist complex that towers over the city and is the historic seat of the Dalai Lama. Walk along the Barkhor pilgrimage route and visit ancient Jokhang Temple, the most sacred temple in Tibet and an important and lively pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists, who come to prostrate themselves and spin prayer wheels. Additional flexible touring we arrange outside Lhasa includes a private trek to the sacred Drak Yerpa Caves, private meditation sessions, visits to Tibetan homes, guided hikes, touring of Drepung or Sera monasteries, visits to sites related to revered monk Guru Rinpoche and an excursion to holy Yamdrok Yumtso Lake.

A highlight of this tour is staying at incredible luxury lodges and hotels that offer the opportunity to experience traditional Himalayan hospitality, design, cuisine and spa treatments, as well as spectacular views of the surrounding nature.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu Business-class flight to Paro from Delhi, Kathmandu or Bangkok. VIP arrival assistance and private transfer to luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 2 Thimphu Full-day private cultural touring and option for hiking Day 3 Thimphu – Punakha Private transfer to luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 4 Punakha Full-day private cultural touring and customized hiking and activities Day 5 Punakha – Paro Private transfer to luxury lodge for 2 nights with touring en route Day 6 Paro & Tiger’s Nest Private hiking excursion to Tiger’s Nest Monastery Day 7 Paro – Kathmandu, Nepal Private airport transfer for flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. VIP arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 8 Kathmandu Full-day private tour Day 9 Kathmandu & Kathmandu Valley Full-day private excursion to Patan and Bhaktapur Day 10 Kathmandu – Chengdu, China Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance for flight to Chengdu. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 11 Chengdu & environs Morning visit Dujiangyan Panda Base for panda volunteer experience. Afternoon private city tour Day 12 Chengdu – Lhasa, Tibet Private transfer to airport for flight to Lhasa. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights Day 13 Lhasa   Full-day private touring in and around Lhasa Day 14 Lhasa Full-day private cultural touring or full-day excursion and hike to Drak Yerpa caves Day 15 Depart Lhasa Private airport transfer

Hotels

Thimphu: Amankora Thimphu or Six Senses Thimphu Punakha: Six Senses Punakha, Amankora Punakha or Pemako Punakha Paro: Amankora Paro or COMO Uma Paro Kathmandu: Dwarika’s Hotel Chengdu: The St. Regis Chengdu or Upper House Chengdu Lhasa: The St. Regis Lhasa Resort

Cost

From $36,455 Per person (double occupancy)