Nepal and Bhutan Tour

Essential Info

Climate and Best Period for the Bhutan and Nepal Tour

Both Nepal and Bhutan have the advantage of various climatic zones. The magnificence of the landscape of both nations is shaped by the tropical, subtropical, and temperate climate.

However, our visit during the Nepal Bhutan tour is focused on the major cities of both nations that are shaped by the temperate climatic zone which means little monsoon rain, short temperate winters, and lovely, capricious summers.

Being surrounded by the lush mountains, in all the cities that you will visit: Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Chitwan, Pokhara, Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha, the weather always exudes spring. So it is always beautiful all year round with temperatures reaching up to 20 to 25 degrees Celsius even in winter.

However, there can be monsoon rains in the summer periods (June-August), but these are generally difficult to avoid during the Nepalese and Bhutanese summer. Therefore, we can find the best weather conditions in Nepal and Bhutan in the periods of March-May (spring) and September-November (autumn).

In spring and autumn times, Nepal and Bhutan turn into a blooming wonder where the clouds have often withdrawn and the temperature is pleasantly temperate.

Winters (December-February) are also quite favorable in terms of weather with little snow experience in Nagarkot. Except for the chilly morning and night, the remaining day will be filled with sparkling sun and brilliantly blue sky.

Is the Nepal and Bhutan Tour difficult?

Our insights of Nepal and Bhutan tour is one of the indelible journeys to the breathtakingly two beautiful Himalayan Kingdoms of the planet. In this tour, you will engage in the enchanting Kathmandu Valley, reach the scenic heights in Nagarkot and Pokhara, and immerse in the wildlife haven of Chitwan.

In Bhutan, you will be surrounded by the cultural, traditional, and spiritual atmosphere of tantrism of Paro, Punakha, and Thimphu. In short, this 13-day-long journey is nothing but an introduction and insights into the unknown and little-known secrets of Nepal and Bhutan.

To give you a more exotic experience, we have thoughtfully come up with this rare travel program where we have combined the luxury of flight and the comfort of the private spacious vehicles with little short walks around the iconic landmarks of Nepal and Bhutan.

You will enjoy the delightful nights in the cozy embrace of the finest hotels while nearly all adventure will take place below 2500 m elevation which means no concern of acute mountain sickness.

One of the difficult segments of the tour will be a 3 to 4-hour ascension to the cliff of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery which can be challenging for those suffering from knee or joint problems or for those who aren’t used to hiking.

However, for convenience, horses are available for rent to take you halfway up the trail but the final leg of the journey must be completed on foot.

The government of Bhutan has built a new alternative path during the pandemic that includes several resting spots and is slightly shorter.

So overall, this tour is one of the easiest, and most accessible adventures in these magnificent Himalayan countries.

Who can come with us on our Nepal and Bhutan Tour?

In the enchanting realms of Nepal and Bhutan, you will find a unique equilibrium between old-age traditions and modernity. You will find the unique fusion of legendary and historically important monasteries, and temples, and the spiritual atmosphere with the digital era.

Imagine yourself being in the territory where you can see farmers still plowing their fields and in the periphery stands the tall structures of luxurious and lavish hotels.

On one hand, there are magical Himalayas flowing the refreshing breeze, and on the other, the sparkling lights lighting up the dark sky. Therefore, our tour package to Nepal and Bhutan is favorable for all those who crave the perfect balance between nature and comfort.

The travel itinerary of this tour welcomes anyone: people of all nationalities, ages, genders, interests, and professions. Whether you are a historian, photographer, biologist, ornithologist, botanist, lepidopterist, or zoologist, just bring your essentials and join us.

From the legendary tales, rich cultures, stunning architecture, and extraordinary wildlife, there is something for everybody. If you are out there looking for a sophisticated vacation, feel free to join our adventure.

However, we recommend that those with serious health concerns, such as asthma, heart issues, respiratory ailments, or diabetes, please reach out to your doctor and consult whether you can go on this tour or not.

Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS (Altitude Sickness)

Throughout the duration of our Nepal and Bhutan tour, all the designated destinations lie below the risky elevation of 3000 m. which relatively is the lowest mountain landscape among the icy cold of the Himalayan range.

However, our travel program will quickly lead you to the 2200 m elevation of Paro from the 1300 m height of Kathmandu in just an hour. You will be spending eight days in Nepal so you will be perfectly acclimatized to the high-altitude atmosphere of Asia.

Still, there is a moderate chance of experiencing mild altitude sickness when you reach Paro which can include symptoms like a slight headache, dizziness, or nausea.

To counter this, we have arranged an extra day in Paro so everyone has adequate time to get rest and acclimatize. There is also one notable challenge that involves the steep hike of 3 to 4 hours towards the sharp cliff of Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

During this trek, the likelihood of altitude sickness is very low especially if you take your ascent steadily. We have conducted the Nepal Bhutan tour several times and according to our experience, all our guests have successfully completed the climb without any issues.

However, as a precaution, our tour guide also carries Diamox to eliminate the discomforts of acute mountain sickness. Apart from AMS, you may feel more fatigued in Bhutan due to its highland atmosphere, but by taking breaks and pacing yourself gradually will definitely help.

Meals and Accommodation

As mentioned earlier, your stay during the entire period of our Nepal Bhutan tour will include an arrangement in the finest three-star rated hotels both in Nepal and Bhutan.

You will share a room with your friends or fellow travelers of the same gender, and each room will be deliciously furnished with two cozy single beds, a private bathroom, and hot water. Plus, you will also have free WiFi access.

Breakfast will be provided in-house in Kathmandu and Pokhara, while dinner and breakfast will be organized in Nagarkot. Full board meals will be at your table when you are in Chitwan and Bhutan.

The typical choices of breakfast in Nepal will be bread, eggs, butter, jam, oatmeal, coffee, tea, or juice. Please try Dal Bhat and Tarkari at least once for lunch or dinner.

Bhutanese cuisine is known for its spiciness, but you can choose dishes that suit your taste. You can expect to spend around 25 to 30 US dollars daily for lunches and dinners.

Transportation

Our Nepal and Bhutan tour package has met all your transportation needs from the start to the end of the journey. You will experience the beauty of these countries in spacious, comfortable private transport, with guidance from a friendly tour guide and driven by a professional driver.

We have also taken care of your flight from Kathmandu to Paro, to make your adventure even more convenient.

Cellular Service and WiFi

If you are thinking about activating roaming services on your home network for your trip to Nepal and Bhutan, then please reconsider as opting for the local mobile services in both countries will save you a lot of money.

You can easily get virtual eSIM cards for both Nepal and Bhutan, which can be registered and activated online. These eSIMs function just like physical SIM cards, and give you access to mobile internet and calling services.

If you prefer a physical SIM, in Nepal, you can choose from NTC or Ncell, while in Bhutan, TashiCell and Bhutan Telecom are available.

Regarding WiFi, free WiFi is everywhere in Kathmandu, Nagarkot, Pokhara, and Chitwan while in Bhutan, the signal can be quite inconsistent.

As a backup, you can use the mobile internet available at 10 GB of data for 94 Bhutanese Ngultrum.

Bhutan and Nepal Tour Preparation

Our Nepal Bhutan tour is a wonderfully simple and comfortable travel experience. So you won’t need an intense workout routine for this tour but it won’t hurt if you prepare yourself for the strenuous hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery by engaging in light jogging, running, or stair climbing.

The most important preparation for this tour will be to get the right travel insurance as soon as you decide to go to Nepal and Bhutan territory.

Likewise, packing the right clothing according to the local customs, climate, and specific locations you will visit is also essential. In addition, prepare your personal medicine kit and bring your medicines in extra quantity as Nepal mainly provides Indian medicines, whereas Bhutan primarily uses herbal and plant-based medicines.

It will also be nice if you learn a few Nepali and Bhutanese greeting words. It may seem like a silly thing, but it excites the locals a lot. However, Nepalese and Bhutanese are not too bad at speaking English.

Also, gain some understanding of the Hindu and Buddhist religions so you will understand many things that happen around you in the temples and monasteries.

Security during the Nepal Bhutan Tour

Our Nepal and Bhutan tours promise you not only an exceptional adventure but also the utmost safety you can hope for in a tour. First of all, this is an organized tour where our respective local guides and drivers will be beside you ensuring your comfort and security every step of the way.

Secondly, both Nepal and Bhutan are extremely safe countries to travel to. Crime and delinquency rates are ridiculous and both nations have a stable and consolidated democracy with no sign of any tension in the atmosphere.

Likewise, both Nepalese and Bhutanese are wonderful people, clinging to their history and tradition. They are exemplary and always kind to the citizens who visit them. They are always smiling and polite and really appreciate that their small, isolated kingdoms in the mountains have been chosen to spend a few days.

And they are aware that foreign tourists make a great effort to be there. Similarly, the road conditions in both nations are continuously improving and all your travels will be along the asphalted single or multi-lane Highways.

So, whether you are traveling solo or as a female adventurer, you can join our tour with complete peace of mind.

Currency, Online Payments, and Credit Cards Use

The formal currency in use in Nepal is called the Nepalese Rupees while the Ngultrum (BTN) is utilized as formal currency in Bhutan. You can pay with Euros and Dollars in both countries, and Indian currency is also acknowledged in Bhutan.

In Nepal, you don’t have to exchange your national currency at TIA or at Paro Airport as we will avail you of the transfer-in service. For larger exchanges with considerably lower commission rates, you can go to banks like Nabil Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, SBI Bank, and Himalayan Bank in Nepal, or Bhutan National Bank, Tashi Bank, Bank of Bhutan Limited, and Druk PNB in Bhutan.

Please change the currency to the amount of your need only as the Nepalese and Bhutanese currencies will not be easily exchanged elsewhere. We also suggest you avoid hotel exchanges, as they typically charge higher fees.

Debit and credit cards are now accepted in the cities of Nepal and Bhutan but you have to be cautious of the high extra charges. So carry some cash to avoid these fees.

You will find ATMs in Nepal easily but they are as common in Bhutan so make sure you have enough cash on hand.

Travel Insurance

When you are in Kathmandu and Pokhara, you can expect high-quality medical facilities although the service cost may be higher. However, in Bhutan, only basic medical care is available and for any serious medical issues or surgical procedures, traveling abroad is recommended.

Therefore, we strongly advise you to get an expansive travel insurance policy that includes repatriation coverage in case of an accident or air rescue during your tour packages to Nepal and Bhutan.

Additionally, your policy should cover potential accidents, illnesses (including altitude sickness), and any travel interruptions such as lost, delayed, or stolen luggage, theft, robbery, or canceled trips and flights, which could lead to unexpected expenses.

It is also essential that your insurance provider is ready to assist you financially in case of emergencies and offers personalized support.

Visa Preparations and Other Formalities

Of course, it is obligatory to get a tourist visa for both Nepal and Bhutan. For the easiness to their travelers, both Nepal and Bhutan have implemented the online service for the Visa application procedure.

Simply browse the related official websites of the Immigration departments of both nations. When applying to Nepal, you will get a pre-slip with a barcode that you must print and present at TIA along with your payment. The fee is USD 30 for a 15-day stay.

For Bhutan, you will need to pay USD 40 online per person for a 15-day stay, and your visa will be stamped upon your arrival at Paro Airport.

Another option would be to request the Visa through the embassy or consulate office for Nepal but such is not the case for the Bhutan Visa. Instead, it must be done at the relevant travel agency that sells tours in Bhutan.

Everything will be processed through an online system via a licensed Bhutanese tour operator either directly or with a foreign company that acts as an intermediary like us.

There is one huge difference in the tourism model of Nepal and Bhutan though. Tourists can roam freely in the cities of Nepal as long as they are not involved in remote trekking. But in Bhutan, all visitors must join organized tours that include a private vehicle, a guide, and a driver.

In addition, you must be prepared to pay a daily fee of $100 per person to the Sustainable Development Fund which is in addition to costs for lodging and activities.

As your intermediary for Bhutan travel, we will need a copy of your passport and passport-type photos. Then, we will manage all the paperwork for you.