- Elegant, hand-picked hotels and a Signature Stay in The Dwarika’s Kathmandu, a heritage hotel shaped by Newari craftsmanship
- All meals are included, featuring restaurants that capture the authentic cuisine of Nepal and Bhutan
- Named Signature Guide with outstanding knowledge and guest satisfaction
- Gratuities for local support staff so every detail of your journey feels effortless
- Comfortable transport, including private transfers and internal flights
- Complimentary transfers on arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth journey
Signature Nepal & Bhutan | Peaks & Prayer Flags
10 Days
Excluding Flights From
0 Days
from
Culture
Activity Level
Easy & Moderate
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you.
Start
Finish
Availability
Land Only Trip Price
Optional Single Supplement
Monday Sunday
07 Sep 2026 06 Sep 2026
Wednesday Wednesday
16 Sep 2026 16 Sep 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price £ 7945 £ 7945 Book with £ 1986 deposit Book with £ 1986 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 2635
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesMonday Sunday
26 Oct 2026 25 Oct 2026
Wednesday Wednesday
04 Nov 2026 04 Nov 2026
Availability Guaranteed (Available)
Land Only Trip Price £ 8295 £ 8295 Book with £ 2073 deposit Book with £ 2073 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +£ 2795
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip Notes
Itinerary
Kathmandu Kathmandu
Settle into Kathmandu’s living heritage | Welcome reception at the Garden of Dreams
Our journey begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, where devotion and daily life move side by side. Complimentary arrival transfers are included, allowing you to settle smoothly into your elegant hideaway at The Dwarika’s, our Signature Stay, shaped by generations of master artisans and tranquil, temple-like courtyards.
Those arriving early may join an optional excursion to explore Patan’s royal courtyards with a museum curator, tracing Nepal’s artistic lineage through stone, bronze, and wood (available to pre-book).
As dusk falls, gather for a welcome reception in the Garden of Dreams, a historic neo-classical oasis. Lantern-lit pavilions frame music and dance inspired by the vibrant festivals of Nepal, alongside a thoughtfully prepared Nepali dinner at the Kaiser Café.
Overnight at The Dwarika’s Kathmandu
Circle stupas and royal squares | Receive a private blessing from resident lamas
Begin the day at Boudhanath, one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, where pilgrims move in steady circles beneath prayer flags and turning wheels.
Signature Experience: Step into a private space beside the stupa to receive a blessing led by resident lamas, where ritual chanting and prayer are traditionally offered for wellbeing and protection.
Lunch unfolds at Chez Caroline Café within a restored Rana-era palace enclave. From here, rise to the 2,500-year-old stupa at Swayambhunath, then walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square, once the seat of the Malla kings, now a cluster of ancient temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date to the 12th and 18th centuries.
The day draws to a close at the historic Chimney restaurant, founded by a pioneer of tourism in Nepal, Boris Lissanevitch.
Second night at The Dwarika’s Kathmandu
Cycle through living markets | Shape clay and flavour in Bhaktapur
Depart by cycle rickshaw this morning, gliding through the oldest bazaars in Kathmandu before the daily rush, as trade, ritual, and daily life unfold at street level.
Journey east with a transfer to Bhaktapur, where brick-paved lanes and temple squares preserve a medieval rhythm. Join Newari artisans to shape clay on a traditional potter’s wheel, then sit down to a guided tasting of dishes prepared for season and ceremony.
Later, arrive at Dwarika’s Sanctuary in Dhulikhel, where time stands still, the air softens, and the rhythm of the Himalaya begins to guide your being. After lunch, meet the resident Ayurvedic doctor to set intentions for wellbeing, before evening light, sunset views of the surrounding peaks, and a gentle arati ceremony bring the day to a close.
Overnight at Dwarika’s Sanctuary
Signature Day | Trace Dhulikhel through pilgrimage paths, village lives, and working landscapes
Begin with a barefoot walk through the Shiva Linga Meditation Maze. Feel the morning dew beneath your feet as stillness and space bring grounding, silence, and balance.
Then we enter our Signature Day, where you can select a curated experience to connect more deeply with the landscapes and communities around Dhulikhel. You could:
- Cycle with a local guide through Newari villages and terraced valleys to historic Panauti, crossing suspension bridges and sharing lunch in one of Nepal’s oldest towns.
- Walk between hill communities with a local guide, crossing fields and rivers, visiting family homes, and sharing a simple village lunch.
- Follow a guided pilgrimage trail to Namo Buddha Monastery, walking through forests and villages before meeting the senior resident lama at this sacred hilltop site.
- Visit a pioneering permaculture farm, learning about land stewardship, seed saving, and self-sufficient living.
Second night at Dwarika’s Sanctuary
Step into stillness | Join conservation leaders for a private forest bathing and storytelling walk
Wake as the morning stirs beneath the quiet presence of the Himalaya. Begin with open-air yoga, guided by a resident yoga master as mountain air and morning light ease you into the day.
Later, step into the Himalayan Rock Crystal House for a guided meditation. Join the chef for a hands-on Nepali cooking experience, learning traditional techniques and the nuances of Nepali cuisine before sharing the meal you prepare together.
Signature Experience: Walk slowly through community forest with local conservation leaders, blending mindful forest bathing with storytelling that reveals how collective stewardship has protected this landscape.
Evening is unhurried, returning to the hotel for dinner, reflection, and rest.
Third night at Dwarika’s Sanctuary
Cross the Himalaya by air | Settle into the capital of Bhutan
An early start to fly to Paro, Bhutan, tracing snow-lined ridges before a dramatic descent into Bhutan’s western valley, one of the most memorable approaches in the Himalaya.
On arrival, receive a traditional tashi khaddar, a white scarf symbolising an auspicious reception. Travel onward through the picturesque Paro Valley to Thimphu, where the Paro and Thimphu rivers meet and the pace subtly shifts.
Settle into Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, enjoying a meal at Edelweiss Restaurant, a local favourite.
Later, visit the hilltop Buddha Dordenma, gazing across the city as evening light gathers to view the gilded statue of Shakyamuni, one of the largest in Bhutan. Dinner is served at the hotel, introducing Bhutanese dishes rooted in tradition.
Overnight at Zhiwaling Ascent
Listen to wisdom and devotion | Join resident monks for a Buddhist astrology reading
Begin the morning at Drubthob Goema, a hilltop nunnery overlooking Thimphu, where resident nuns share their life shaped by study and quiet devotion.
Signature Experience: Continue to Pangri Zampa Monastery, built in 1529, for personal, one-to-one encounters with resident monks, who offer Buddhist astrology readings, sharing how cosmic cycles and philosophy shape daily life in Bhutan.
Lunch is a picnic taken beside a clear mountain river, followed by a visit to Trashichhoedzong, the seat of Bhutan’s civic and monastic authority.
As evening approaches, a Buddhist scholar introduces the principles of Gross National Happiness, guiding Bhutan’s approach to progress. Dinner is served in a 600-year-old heritage family home, where traditional Bhutanese dishes preserve long-held culinary customs.
Second night at Zhiwaling Ascent
Engage with Bhutan’s living arts and village life | Create sacred Bhutanese art guided by masters
Signature Experience: Begin at Choki Traditional Art School, where Bhutan’s artistic heritage is preserved through disciplined practice and belief. Light a sacred butter lamp before Guru Rinpoche, then create your own traditional painting under expert guidance, watching skilled artisans demonstrate techniques passed down through generations.
Continue to Paro, settling into your hillside retreat before visiting Ta Dzong, originally a watchtower, now the National Museum, where we peruse antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weaponry, household artifacts, and a diverse array of natural and historical treasures.
Later, step into a village farmhouse to share local snacks and try traditional archery, the national sport of Bhutan. The day ends at Namgay Artisanal Brewery, where Bhutanese red rice shapes contemporary brewing, enjoyed with views across the valley.
Overnight at Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton
Climb with purpose | Raise prayer flags before continuing to the Tiger’s Nest
Set out along a forested trail toward the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang Monastery). Considered Bhutan’s most revered pilgrimage site, it rises dramatically from the cliffside above Paro Valley. Along the way, pause to raise prayer flags, a simple ritual of intention.
Continue the ascent at your own pace, with time to rest, reflect, or turn back as you wish. Lunch is taken at a hillside café overlooking the valley before the descent.
After, ease tired muscles in a traditional hot stone bath at Zanta Spa, a long-held Bhutanese practice, then gather on the hillside terrace of your hotel for a farewell barbecue dinner, sharing food, music, and traditional dance with wide views across the Paro Valley.
Second night at Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton
Say a fond farewell to Bhutan and Nepal
After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport for your return flight to Kathmandu, where you can connect with onward flights.
This journey may have come to an end, but Nepal and Bhutan linger, in quiet rituals, shared meals, mountain paths, and moments of stillness that travel with you long after departure.
Alternatively, open a new chapter of discovery by speaking to your Signature Collection travel expert about extending your stay.
Experience the best of Himalayan hospitality
Every aspect of the Signature Collection is meticulously planned to take you deeper into the destination. That means your accommodation is a refined showcase of local hospitality, whether you’re staying in a pioneering luxury hotel or enjoying privileged access to a characterful stay designed to fully immerse you in the local culture.
Below are the accommodations we use on this adventure:
Kathmandu: The Dwarika’s Kathmandu (nights 1-2)
Your Signature Stay is a celebrated heritage hotel built from rescued architectural elements – a living expression of Nepalese craftsmanship. Courtyards, carved timber, and stone details create a contemplative atmosphere, while spacious rooms and serene gardens offer calm within the capital.
Dhulikhel: Dwarika’s Sanctuary (nights 3-5)
Set in the Himalayan foothills, Dwarika’s Sanctuary is devoted to wellbeing, stillness, and balance. Suites are designed for quiet retreat, opening to mountain air and forested slopes. Daily rituals, thoughtful cuisine, and spaces for meditation and movement encourage a slower rhythm.
Thimphu: Zhiwaling Ascent (nights 6-7)
Overlooking the Thimphu valley, Zhiwaling Ascent blends contemporary comfort with Bhutanese architectural tradition. Natural materials, warm interiors, and considered design create a grounding base from which to explore the capital’s monasteries and civic heart.
Paro: Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton (nights 8-9)
Positioned above the Paro valley, this hillside retreat offers space, quiet, and far-reaching views. Rooms are simple and refined, designed to frame the surrounding landscape rather than compete with it.
- Enhance your stay: Personalise your experience with curated room upgrades and additional nights tailored to your travel plans.
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Signature Nepal & Bhutan | Peaks & Prayer Flags
10 Days
Excluding Flights From
0 Days
from