Himalayan Senses

You'll begin this luxury Himalayan journey with 2 nights in the Mountain Kingdom of Nepal, in the capital Kathmandu.

Flights to Bhutan are limited, so going via Kathmandu makes some sense and it's a wonderful place to begin your Himalayan journey.

From Kathmandu you'll take a scenic flight along the Himalayas to Paro in Bhutan where your Bhutan journey will start.

You'll be staying in luxurious Six Senses lodges throughout and have private guiding during your journey, discovering of the best of Bhutan focusing on Thimphu, Punakha and Paro.

Day 1: Fly to Kathmandu

Fly overnight from Heathrow direct to Delhi with British Airways (or with your preferred airline),to connect with your flight to Kathmandu.

Day 2: Kathmandu

Connect with your flight to Kathmandu with Vistara.

On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and transferred to your hotel by private car.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Kathmandu

After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel for a tour of Kathmandu.

Visit Durbar Square with its array of temples overlooked by the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the ancient palace of the Nepalese Royalty.

Head to Swayambhunath, a Buddhist Stupa said to be 2,000 years old. The Stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of brick and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt.

In the afternoon visit Patan, one of the three great cities of the Kathmandu Valley, the historical centre and cultural heart of Nepal.

The city is believed to have been the first settlement in the Valley and was established by the Kirat dynasty who ruled for more than 1200 years from the 3rd century BC.

Patan is famous for its amazing collection of fantastically carved temples, palace courtyards, water spouts, public baths and houses with their equally elaborate wood, stone and metal carvings under the patronages of the Kirat, Lichivi and Malla kings.

Visit Patan Durbar Square, one of the seven Monument Zones that make up the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You'll be dropped back at your hotel after the excursion.

Day 4: Thimphu

Today you will be collected from your hotel in Kathmandu and transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Fly to Paro with Druk Air. On a clear day, the flight to Paro is breathtaking, with views of major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu.

On arrival at Paro, your journey begins with a one-hour drive, passing rich, forested mountains dotted with monasteries and temples on route to Thimphu, the capital.

Six Senses Thimphu, is set high above the valley floor, overlooking apple orchards and pine forests and with captivating views over the Buddha Dordenma, the world’s tallest seated Buddha.

We recommend slower paced activities on your first day as you adjust to the altitude. If energy levels allow, head down to the town and wander Thimphu’s lively streets and markets. There are a couple of great museums worthy of a visit which will help get you orientated with Bhutanese culture.

Day 5: Punakha

This morning, drive to Punakha, an extremely beautiful town, also called the pearl of Bhutan.

You'll be travelling along a winding mountain road and you'll make a stop en-route at the Dochu La Pass, which at just over 3,000 metres, offers views of the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum.

The road then drops down through varied, ever changing forest, finally emerging into the highly cultivated Punakha valley.

Your guide will find a tranquil spot to enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature on the way.

Just before Punakha, take a walk up to Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple built in AD 1499 dedicated to the “Divine Madman”, Drukpa Kunley, a brilliant but philandering 14th-century monk with a penchant for wine and women.

Punakha offers a warmer climate and is the preferred winter destination for many Bhutanese due to its lower altitude. Mark your arrival in the valley by spinning a prayer wheel for good luck before crossing over a dramatic suspension bridge hung with colourful Buddhist prayer flags.

Enjoy late afternoon cocktails riverside in a rice field with views to the impressive Punakha Dzong. Watch the sun set and snack on local delicacies like fresh spring rolls and dzao (popped Bhutanese rice).

Afterwards, it’s a short 20-minute drive through lush scenery as you ascend to the Six Senses lodge.

Weather permitting, dinner will be served poolside this evening.

Day 6: Punakha

This morning begins with a hike through terraced rice fields as you ascend towards Chorten Ningpo, a monastery which dates to the 17th century, a 2.5 hour moderate hike. Visit Kabasa village on the way with its school, monastery and typical Bhutanese farmhouses.

Continue to climb towards Chorten Ningpo where in addition to the dramatic views, you can discover a statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha.

Reward yourself with a steaming cup of chai served in an open sala. If the timing is right, you may encounter a blessing ritual in progress and experience the otherworldly sounds of monks chanting in unison accompanied by the rhythmic thumping of drums and trumpeting horns.

View Itinerary in Detail

To view a sample holiday, click on one of the links below. This will open the itinerary up in a new window.

All of our Nepal & Bhutan Holidays are completely tailor made and we can combine different hotels and airlines to create your ideal Nepal & Bhutan Holiday.

We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.