Natural Jewels of Bhutan & Nepal

Arrival airport transfers (if you are staying at Dwarika's Hotel), accommodations, all meals from dinner Day 1 to breakfast final day, drinking water throughout the trip and soft drinks at meals, services of an NHA Expedition Leader and local guides, most gratuities, Bhutanese visa fees, all permits, entrance fees and taxes.

Travel to and from the start and end points of the trip (Kathmandu, Nepal and Bangkok, Thailand), early arrival airport transfers (if you are not staying at Dwarika's Hotel), transfers in Bangkok, internal flights, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport fees, Nepali visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, souvenirs, Internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, required medical evacuation insurance and optional travel insurance.

Moderate to Difficult
You must be able to walk unassisted for at least two miles over uneven terrain, climb stairs without hand railings, and be active at altitudes exceeding 7,000 feet above sea level in order to participate in this adventure. The Kathmandu city tour may last 2-3 hours (with stops) and include climbing steep stairs in order to visit all cultural sites. Our excursions in Chitwan National Park include easy nature walks over maintained, unpaved walking trails and typically last about about two hours. Climbing short ladders is required in order to get into and out of safari vehicles, and wildlife drives in the park travel dirt roads that are sometimes very rough and bumpy with potentially dusty conditions. Those with back problems or other health issues that could be exacerbated by such circumstances should take this into consideration. The trip also involves many very early morning starts and long, full days of activities with little downtime.

All areas visited in Bhutan lie above 4,000 feet, with several over 7,000 feet in elevation. We also drive over a mountain pass that is 10,000 feet in elevation. The most difficult excursion is the hike to the Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro, which involves a 4-hour round-trip walk with a 3,000-foot elevation gain ending at 10,000 feet above sea level. There are also many stairs to navigate in order to reach the monastery. Mules are available to transport clients partway up (weight restrictions do apply; riders cannot exceed 200 pounds), but guests must walk on their own back down to the bottom. There is a viewing place at the halfway point on the hike, where you can stop to view the monastery without traveling the entire distance.

While the nature experiences in this part of the world are indeed remarkable, there is a fundamental difference between the wildlife experience of Nepal and that found in Africa. At times, guests that are lured to Nepal by tourist brochures promising “wildlife safaris” can be disappointed to see fewer animals than they expected, or at least fewer than they might normally see in Africa. It is not that the surviving jungles are thinly populated, but, similar to places like Costa Rica where the forest is thick with vegetation, the creatures have mastered the art of camouflage and deception and can be extremely difficult to spot. At Nat Hab we design our itineraries to capitalize on the best areas to spot wildlife. But various factors can affect potential sightings, including inclement weather, which creates small pockets of water that allow the animals to remain hidden in the forest. The secret for visitors lies in the assistance of expert guides, as well as knowing what to expect and in understanding that the privilege of stepping into a pure and untouched world is a reward in itself.

You should plan to arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal by 4 pm on Day 1 of the trip in order to participate in a group welcome dinner that evening. You are free to schedule your departing flight from Bangkok, Thailand after 9 pm on the final day. We recommend that you stay an extra night in Bangkok to account for any flight delays. We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as we are intimately familiar with the special requirements of this program and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.