Luxury Nepal & Bhutan Walk & Bike (Cultures, Peaks & Villages) 10D9N, Fully Guided

Your journey begins in Kathmandu, one of the world's most spiritually rich cities, where ancient temples, bustling bazaars, and centuries-old traditions shape everyday life. A complimentary transfer takes you to The Dwarika's, your signature stay, a stunning heritage hotel built by master craftsmen and filled with hand-carved woodwork, temple-like courtyards, and a deep sense of Nepali history. The hotel features the Dwarikas Spa, offering traditional Ayurvedic treatments, and multiple restaurants serving authentic Nepali cuisine. Its tranquil, temple-like courtyards make it one of the most culturally rich heritage hotels in Nepal.

If you arrive early, you can join an optional visit to Patan, a neighbouring city famed for its remarkably preserved royal courtyards and one of the finest collections of Newari art and architecture in all of Nepal, guided by a museum curator who brings its history to life.

As evening falls, join your fellow travellers for a welcome reception at the Garden of Dreams, a beautifully restored neo-classical garden tucked away from the city's bustle. Lantern-lit pavilions set the scene for live music, traditional Nepali dance, and a warm, welcoming dinner at the Kaiser Café.

The morning begins at Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and a living centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture, where pilgrims walk in continuous circles beneath colourful prayer flags and spinning prayer wheels. Step into a private space beside the stupa for a blessing led by resident lamas, a rare and moving ritual of chanting and prayer offered for your wellbeing and safe travels.

Lunch is at your leisure, giving you time to wander the charming lanes of the Baber Mahal area, lined with boutiques, cafés, and local life.

In the afternoon, the group heads to Swayambhunath, a 2,500-year-old stupa perched on a hilltop with sweeping views over Kathmandu, before walking through Kathmandu Durbar Square, a remarkable cluster of ancient palaces, courtyards, and temples that date back as far as the 12th century and once served as the seat of Nepal's Malla kings.

The evening is yours to enjoy dinner with the group or explore independently. Your guide is on hand with recommendations for the best local spots.

Start the morning with a cycle rickshaw ride through Kathmandu's oldest bazaars before the city wakes up fully, weaving past merchants, temples, and neighbourhood life unfolding at street level.

After returning to the hotel to check out, travel east to Bhaktapur, a beautifully preserved medieval city of brick-paved lanes, carved temples, and ancient squares that feel untouched by time. Here, you'll try your hand at shaping clay on a traditional potter's wheel alongside local Newari artisans, then sit down for a guided tasting of traditional dishes prepared for the seasons and ceremonies of Nepali life.

By afternoon, you arrive at Dwarika's Sanctuary in Dhulikhel, a peaceful wellness retreat sitting at 1,550 metres above sea level with sweeping views of the Himalayan mountain range. The property is built around holistic wellbeing, offering Ayurvedic consultations, yoga, meditation, forest bathing, and a rock crystal healing house. It's one of the few luxury retreats in Nepal that fully integrates traditional healing practices into every aspect of the guest experience.

After lunch, meet the resident Ayurvedic doctor for a personal conversation about your health and wellbeing intentions for the days ahead. The evening closes gently with sunset views over the mountains and a quiet arati ceremony.

Begin the morning with a barefoot walk through the Shiva Linga Meditation Maze, a meditative garden path designed to bring stillness, focus, and a quiet sense of balance as the day begins.

The rest of the day is yours to shape. Choose one of four curated experiences that connect you with the landscapes and communities surrounding Dhulikhel:

Option 1: Cycle to Panauti
Approx. 18km (11miles), 5-6 hours cycling, Elevation gain: 200m (657ft)
With a local guide through Newari villages, terraced farmland, and across suspension bridges, ending with lunch in one of Nepal's oldest towns. Reasonable fitness levels and cycling experience recommended. (9am–5pm)

Option 2: Walk between hill communities
Approx. 6km (3.7miles), 3-4 hours walking, Elevation gain: 330m (10 839ft)
Crossing rivers and fields, visiting family homes, and sharing a simple village lunch. Easy to moderate hike, reasonable fitness levels recommended. (9am–5pm)

Option 3: Follow a pilgrimage trail to Namo Buddha Monastery
A sacred hilltop site revered in Tibetan Buddhism, walking through forests and villages before meeting the senior resident lama (8.30am–12.30pm)

Option 4: Visit a permaculture farm
To learn about sustainable land care, seed saving, and self-sufficient living (1.45pm–5.15pm)

Wake up to the quiet presence of the Himalaya and begin the day with open-air yoga led by a resident yoga master, using the fresh mountain air and early light to ease into movement and stillness.

Later, step into the Himalayan Rock Crystal House for a guided meditation session before joining the hotel's chef for a hands-on Nepali cooking class, where you'll learn traditional cooking techniques and prepare a meal to share together.

In the afternoon, walk slowly through community forest with local conservation leaders who share the story of how this landscape has been protected through collective effort and care, weaving mindful forest bathing with powerful local storytelling.

The evening is unhurried, with dinner at the retreat, time to reflect, and an early rest.

An early morning flight takes you from Kathmandu to Paro, Bhutan, tracing snow-covered ridges before a dramatic descent into Bhutan's western valley — widely regarded as one of the most breathtaking airport approaches in the world.

On arrival, your new guide welcomes you with a traditional white scarf, known as a tashi khaddar, a gesture of goodwill and auspicious welcome. You then travel through the scenic Paro Valley to Thimphu, Bhutan's small and unhurried capital city, where traditional architecture, clean mountain air, and a car-horn-free city centre set the tone for the days ahead.

Lunch is at Edelweiss Restaurant, a favourite among locals. In the late afternoon, visit the hilltop Buddha Dordenma, a massive golden statue of Shakyamuni Buddha that watches over the city from above, with sweeping views across Thimphu's valley as evening light settles in. Dinner at the hotel introduces you to traditional Bhutanese dishes rooted in local custom.

You’ll stay at Zhiwaling Ascent, Thimphu's most prestigious luxury hotel, set against a dramatic mountain backdrop with panoramic views over Bhutan's capital. The hotel features a full-service spa inspired by traditional Bhutanese healing, elegant dining with locally sourced Bhutanese ingredients, and beautifully appointed rooms that blend contemporary comfort with traditional design. Its central location makes it an ideal base for exploring Thimphu's monasteries and cultural landmarks.

Begin the morning at Drubthob Goema, a hilltop nunnery perched above Thimphu where resident nuns live and study in quiet devotion, offering a rare and candid window into their daily lives and spiritual practice.

Continue to Pangri Zampa Monastery, one of Bhutan's oldest monasteries dating back to 1529, for a personal one-on-one encounter with a resident monk who offers a Buddhist astrology reading, explaining how the cycles of the cosmos and Buddhist philosophy guide everyday decisions in Bhutanese life.

Lunch is a relaxed picnic beside a clear mountain river before the group visits Trashichhoedzong, the grand fortress that serves as the seat of both Bhutan's government and its central monastic body.

As evening approaches, a Buddhist scholar shares the principles of Gross National Happiness, the guiding philosophy behind Bhutan's approach to progress and wellbeing. Dinner is served inside a 600-year-old family heritage home, where traditional Bhutanese recipes and long-held culinary customs make for an unforgettable meal.

The day starts at Choki Traditional Art School in Thimphu, a working school dedicated to keeping Bhutan's rich artistic traditions alive through disciplined daily practice. Light a butter lamp before Guru Rinpoche, then create your own traditional Bhutanese painting with guidance from skilled artists who demonstrate techniques passed down through generations.

The group then travels to Paro, a valley town nestled beside the Paro River and home to Bhutan's only international airport, renowned for its fertile farmland and well-preserved heritage sites. Settle into your hillside retreat before visiting Ta Dzong, a former watchtower that now houses the National Museum, where antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons, and historical artefacts tell the story of Bhutan's past.

Later, step into a local village farmhouse for traditional snacks and a go at archery, Bhutan's beloved national sport. The day ends at Namgay Artisanal Brewery, where Bhutanese red rice is used to craft local beers, enjoyed with open views across the Paro Valley.

Your home is Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton, this boutique hillside property sits above the Paro Valley with direct views toward the Tiger's Nest Monastery. The hotel offers a serene spa, an outdoor terrace perfect for sunset views across the valley, and farm-to-table dining featuring traditional Bhutanese dishes.

The final full day begins with a walk through pine forest toward Taktsang Monastery, known as the Tiger's Nest, Bhutan's most iconic and sacred site, which clings dramatically to a sheer cliffside 900 metres above the Paro Valley floor. Along the trail, pause to raise prayer flags, a simple but meaningful ritual of hope and intention.

Take the climb at your own pace, with the freedom to rest, reflect, or turn back whenever you're ready. Lunch is at a hillside café with wide views over the valley below.

After the descent, ease your muscles in a traditional hot stone bath at Zanta Spa, a centuries-old Bhutanese wellness practice that uses fire-heated river stones to warm mineral-rich water. The journey closes with a farewell barbecue dinner on the hillside terrace of your hotel, shared with food, music, and traditional dance beneath the open Paro sky.

Savour one last breakfast or soak it all in at the picturesque outdoor terrace. An early transfer takes you to Paro airport for your return flight to Kathmandu, where you can connect with onward flights home.

This journey may be over, but the memories of Nepal and Bhutan — quiet rituals, shared meals, mountain paths, and moments of stillness — have a way of staying with you long after you've left.

If you're not quite ready to head home and would like to extend your stay, please contact us.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.