Annapurna Poon Hill Trek, Bhutan and Tibet Tour

You will arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and our representative will be there to meet you. He/she will transfer you to your hotel. At the hotel, you will be part of an introductory session in which you'll meet the guide and porters who will accompany you during the trek. Overnight in Kathmandu

The morning commences with a short flight that leads you to Pokhara. The journey takes about 25 minutes and it will show you the green hills and pristine landscapes of Nepal. Once you arrive at Pokhara, gather your stuff and drive to Nayapul from where you will start the trek. Make your way through steep staircases and small streams. Walk past Tikhedhunga Khola and take a quick break at Tikhedhunga. From here, you climb additional steps to reach Ulleri. Overnight in Ulleri.

The morning rays welcome you with exquisite views of the Annapurna range. You begin to walk through the rhododendron-laden trails which see regular traffic of donkeys and porters. As you climb staircases, you will reach Nangethanti where you’ll have lunch. The trail climbs through some of the largest rhododendron forests in the entire country and passes a gateway. Hereon, you enter the premise of the Ghorepani village which is filled with Gurung and Magar inhabitants. Overnight in Ghorepani.

Wake up early and before having breakfast, head out to Poonhill. It is a famous vantage point in the Annapurna region to witness the surreal view of mountains. We shall walk on the elevated trail and reach there just before sunrise to observe the panorama of mountains like Annapurna (8091m), Nilgiri (7061m), Tukuche (6920m), and Dhaulagiri (8167m). After observing the scenery, we head down to Ghorepani for breakfast and head out to Ghandruk. Walk past the Deurali pass and cross Tadapani to reach Ghandruk. It is the biggest Gurung settlement in this region and is the abode of Gurung culture. Overnight in Ghandruk.

Spend the morning in Ghandruk by relishing at the sight of snowy mountains and by visiting the Gurung Culture Museum. As we have breakfast, we learn the lifestyle of the locals. Then, we head back to Nayapul. The road goes through Kimche where we can have a delicious lunch. Slowly arrive at Nayapul and then catch a bus that takes you to Pokhara. Spend a night in Pokhara by exploring Lakeside. Overnight in Pokhara.

There are many things to do in Pokhara and today we shall explore it thoroughly. The tour takes you along the serene waters of the Phewa Lake which later ends with a quick visit to the Tal Barahi Temple. We will visit the roaring Davis Falls and trace the waters to the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. We shall head out to the Bat cave and if time permits the head to the top of the World Peace Pagoda. Spend the evening at Lakeside and enjoy live music and lively streets. Overnight in Pokhara.

The journey for the day sees us fly back to Kathmandu. The flight takes about 25 minutes and once in Kathmandu, you will indulge in a sightseeing tour. You will visit the architectural sites like the Kathmandu Durbar Square and the Bhaktapur Durbar Square. These sites are rich in Malla culture. Later, we shall head out to visit the Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath temple. After visiting these sites head back to your hotel. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today, we shall head out to Bhutan. We shall catch a flight from Kathmandu that will take us to Paro, Bhutan. Once you arrive at the airport, you can feel the fresh air invigorate your soul. After completing the formalities in the airport, you will head to the capital city Thimpu. The drive goes along the Paro-Thimpu highway and may take more than an hour depending upon traffic conditions. Overnight in Thimpu.

The capital of Bhutan, Thimpu has a lot to offer and we shall explore it thoroughly today. We shall visit the Tashichho Dzong which stands out in the green pastures as a symbol of solitude. Its intricate architecture and pagoda structure is something to admire. We shall visit the folk heritage museum which has a history that dates back to the 18th century. It gives us an insight into the lives and culture of the people here. After visiting the memorial Chorten, we head to Punakha which takes at least 2 and a half hours. Overnight in Punakha.

The journey today sees us visit the Punakha Dzong which is a palace that sits beside a roaring river. This palace has a history that dates back to the 17^th century. We shall explore the Chimi Lhakhang temple, which has a history that states that it was built to ward off evil spirits. You can explore the lively street market in Punakha and do some souvenir shopping as well. Gangtey will be our stopping point for the day and we shall drive for at least 3 hours to reach there. Overnight in Gangtey.

The tour initially starts with a tour of the Gangtey valley which was formed by the glacial remains. It is U shaped and it is the major abode of Black-necked cranes. There are marshland and other cultural sites. The Gangtey Valley is recognized as one of the most pristine and beautiful natural heritages in Bhutan. After exploring Gangtey, we head to Bumthang. The journey makes take at least 6 hours. Overnight in Bumthang.  

An exploration of the major tourist sites awaits us in Bumthang. We will visit the Jambey Lhakhang temple which has a deep linkage to Buddhist culture and traditions. You can visit the Kurjey Lhakhang monastery, which is believed to have a direct linkage to Guru Rinpoche, the great sage. If you fancy beverages, then you can scout the Bumthang brewery, which produces amazing beer and hard drinks. Overnight in Bumthang. 

From Bumthang, we shall get on an airplane and fly to Paro. This short flight takes about 35 minutes and once you reach Paro, you will visit the Tiger's Nest monastery. This is the most iconic monastery in Bhutan. It is perched on a cliff and it is believed that Guru Rinpoche meditated there after arriving there on the back of a tigress. From here, we visit the other sites in Paro, which include the Rinpung Dzong and the National Museum of Bhutan. Overnight in Paro.

From Paro, you shall catch a flight that takes you back to Kathmandu. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you will have lunch and then head out for a quick sightseeing tour. You will visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changunarayan temple, and Pilot Baba Ashram. After visiting these sites, we navigate to Nagarkot and enjoy the tranquil ambiance there. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Our journey today takes us to the capital of Tibet, Lhasa. The short flight gives us an amazing picture of the Tibetan plateau and the barren lands. Upon arrival at the airport, gather your luggage and head out to visit the iconic Potala Palace. This site was the home of the Dalai Lama, but now it has been converted into a museum. We visit the Norbulingka palace as well, which is a summer residence of the Dalai Lama. The architecture here is something to marvel at. We visit the Tibet traditional hospital too. Overnight in Lhasa.

Another day of exploring Tibet awaits us today. We visit the Sera monastery, which is often called as the big three monasteries in Tibet. This monastery is linked to the founder of the Gelugpa Order. From here, we visit the Drepung monastery, which sits on the Gambo Utse Mountain. The magnitude of the temple is something to marvel at. Jokhang temple will teach us about the myths of Buddhism and at Barkhor Bazaar, we can do some shopping. Overnight in Lhasa.

The final day of Lhasa exploration takes us to the amazing monastery called Ganden Monastery. This monastery dates back to 1409 and has withstood the test of time. After exploring the corners of the monastery, we head out towards the Drayerpa cave. This cave has seen many sages and monks. After visiting these sites, we head to our hotel to rest and prepare for the flight back to Kathmandu. Overnight in Lhasa.

From Lhasa, we shall get on a flight that takes us back to Kathmandu. The journey may take about one and a half-hour. Once you arrive in Kathmandu, you can do some souvenir shopping and even visit the sites which you did not visit previously. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Today is your final day in Nepal and our representative will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport. The company staff shall have a brief session with you and we hope to see you soon.