Wild & Ancient Himalaya: Nepal & Bhutan

A very important feature of our Bhutan and Nepal adventure is the limited group size, as nature travel and cultural encounters are best experienced away from crowds within the intimate setting of a small group.

• Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s) and local guides, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some gratuities, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day (in Bhutan only), all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.
  

• Internal air cost includes: All flights within the itinerary (this will be listed separately on our invoicing).

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and Nepal visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), airline baggage fees, required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Most of our guests travel to Nepal for encounters with the country’s wildlife. While nature experiences in this part of the world are indeed remarkable, there is a fundamental difference between a safari in the Nepal jungle and a typical African safari. At times, guests 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 Nepal's surviving jungle habitat is thinly populated with wildlife, but, similarly to places like Costa Rica where the forest vegetation is very dense, and here, the elephant grass is also very tall, animals have mastered the art of camouflage and can be difficult to spot. That said, we have carefully designed our itineraries to capitalize on the best conditions 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, rather than being forced into the open to frequent waterholes. The secret to a successful nature adventure lies with the expertise of our Expedition Leaders and park rangers, as well as your knowing what to expect as a traveler, and in understanding that the privilege of stepping into a wild and untouched natural realm is a reward in itself.

A note about departure dates: Nat Hab cannot finalize confirmed dates for any given Nepal & Bhutan departure until the airlines publish their schedule for our internal flights on tour in the unlikely event that their schedule may force us to shift our itinerary dates. The airlines typically release this information in June of each year. Please do not book your international flights until departure dates have been confirmed by Nat Hab. 

This trip begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, and ends in Bangkok, Thailand. Because this is a long international journey with multiple flight segments and a significant time difference, we recommend that you arrive the night before Day 1 to rest from your travels and begin the trip refreshed. For guests who come in early, recommended hotels will be included in your pre-departure materials.

If you plan to arrive on Day 1, you should arrive in Kathmandu by 3 pm in order to participate in an orientation and group welcome dinner beginning at 6:30 pm.

For departures, guests traveling February–April may schedule flights from Bangkok any time after 9 pm on the final day, while guests traveling in November and December may schedule flights after 11 pm. In all cases, we recommend staying an extra night in Bangkok to accommodate possible flight delays.

Our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk can best assist with your travel reservations, as our staff is familiar with the specific requirements of this program and can help arrange the most efficient itinerary. Please call us at 800-543-8917. While we offer the best available rates to us on airfare and additional nights’ accommodations, you may occasionally find special web rates or lower fares online.