Nepal and Bhutan Tour – 8 Days

Nepal and Bhutan tour: Best Season

The weather of all the cities that we visit during our Nepal and Bhutan tour is molded by the temperate climate. So the cities experience charming summers, short winters, and limited monsoon rain.

Thus, the Nepal and Bhutan tour 8 days journey is stunning to take in autumn, winter, and spring seasons when the thermometer mostly indicates 20 to 25 degrees Celsius throughout the day.

Autumn starts to decorate the terrain of Nepal and Bhutan from September till the last days of November. The open landscape, the still lush green passes and hills, the pleasantly clear blue sky, and the mildest temperature make the all-day driving tour a very delightful experience.

Moreover, during October and November, you will get to celebrate with Nepali and Bhutanese people their greatest festivals of Dashain, Tihar, and Tshechu.

Spring begins to impart its aromatic flavor to the Nepal and Bhutan cities from March and remains till May. Particularly, these months adorn the Nepali and Bhutanese hills and mountains with the wildest oaks and rhododendrons.

The interval rains and intermittent clouds cool off the heat and the air perfumes with the beautiful aromatic flowers of the forest.

From December, winter air permeates Nepal and Bhutan Air characterized by mildly cold nights and mornings. However, the day star remains shining with the bright blue sky all day.

Nepal Bhutan Tour 8 Days Trip: Difficulty

Our Nepal and Bhutan tour 8 days trip is more of a cultural and nature expedition that avoids the strain of strenuous hiking, high altitudes, and the discomforts of high mountain environments.

Additionally, we have organized all your transfers related to the tour through flights and spacious private vehicles supported by a personal driver and a licensed expert tour guide.

Also, your sleep will occur in beautiful, clean, quality, and spacious hotels throughout the tour, equipped with various utilities that will raise your comfort and easiness.

Therefore, our Nepal and Bhutan tour is undoubtedly the most effortless and delightful way to know the two Himalayan nations of the world. Altitude-wise, all our focused cities’ altitudes are beneath 3000 m which means our travels will occur at comfortable heights reducing the acute mountain sickness risks.

However, there is one slightly tough section in our Nepal and Bhutan tour itinerary: the 2 to 3 hours hike to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery positioned at a 3120 m high cliff amidst the high mountains.

Traversing the vertical stone trail may become quite tough for those who are very new to the hiking, ascending, and descending segments. However, during the lockdown period in the pandemic, the Bhutanese government initiated the construction of a new path to the monastery.

This new trail now consists of numerous resting spots en route easing the journey. Plus, you can also hire the mules or the horses which is a bit pricey endeavor, costing between 15 to 20 US dollars per tourist.

All in all, the Nepal and Bhutan tour is not so overly demanding and pretty straightforward journey suitable for all the healthy tourists.

Who can come to join our Nepal Bhutan Tour Itinerary?

Our Nepal and Bhutan tour has many characteristics that make it a memorable and reasonable trip for everyone. It is very economical, has a very short time frame, and doesn’t integrate any difficult long hiking trips except for the short walking excursion to monastic grounds and monuments.

Additionally, the Nepal and Bhutan tour pacakge has very comfortable sleeping and dining arrangements along with safe travel options. All these features of the tour make it accessible to tourists of all nationalities, genders, professions, ages, and interests.

Additionally, the serene atmosphere, the stunning nature, the amazing rare wildlife, and the cultural insights make this tour very appealing to zoologists, lepidopterist, botanists, ornithologists, biologists, photographers, and historians.

If you are a very busy corporate personnel, no problem, an 8 days travel itinerary will perfectly fit into your schedule. Moreover, the lower probability of acute mountain sickness also makes this tour appropriate even for individuals with minor health issues.

If you are female and traveling alone, no worries; Nepal and Bhutan are incredibly safe nations with high literacy and low crime rates. Police officers are always present on the streets of Kathmandu and Bhutan, and the locals are very friendly and eager to lend a hand.

Also, both Nepal and Bhutan have high-quality medical services and luxurious utilities. So if you are seeking for the perfect fusion of comfort, culture, simplicity, and nature, look no further, for our Nepal and Bhutan tour is the one for you.

However, if you have diabetes, respiratory disorders, or heart and lung ailments, please seek professional guidance before undertaking this tour.

Why should you select Life Himalaya Trekking for your Nepal and Bhutan tour?

Nepal has always been a welcoming destination for tourists from the very beginning but Bhutan remained enigmatic and largely untouched by Western tourism.

If you had chosen to come independently in Nepal, you can explore Nepal and Bhutan touron your own. However, you cannot do so in Bhutan and must need the expertise of a reputable licensed travel and tour agency like us.

It is because solo adventure in Bhutanese land is not allowed unless you hail from Maldives, Bangladesh, or India.

We have been organizing many treks and tours in Nepal, Tibet, and Bhutan for decades so you can entrust us for all the aspects of the Nepal Bhutan tour.

We not only form the itineraries that suit the individual needs but we also look after almost all your expenses and the legal formalities of the tour. Your permits, place to sleep, food to eat, and way to travel all will be taken care of.

We also like to tell you that the SDF/Sustainable Development Fee of US Dollars 100 each day per tourist is also part of our Nepal Bhutan tour package’s entire cost.

We also look after your protection by providing a well-kept spacious large private vehicle, with a very competent licensed driver and expert guide.

We also advocate for responsible and sustainable tourism in Nepal and Bhutan to minimize environmental impact while we are touring. So entrust your 8 days with us and we promise to offer you a very complete and fulfilling adventure in both Nepal and Bhutan.

Acute Mountain Sickness/Altitude Sickness during Nepal and Bhutan tour

Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS is an inevitable part of any trek and tour in mountain countries like Nepal and Bhutan. Our Nepal and Bhutan tour 8 days journey although is a very relaxed journey also contains regular elevation changes sometimes ascending you up and suddenly down.

For example, 1300 m Kathmandu will lead you to 2200 m Paro within an hour, and on the same day you will be ascended to 2400 m at Thimphu. Next, you will be at 1200 m of Punakha Valley again rising back to 2200 of Paro the following day.

Such regular and sudden altitude change may result in altitude sickness and we also cannot forget about the 3100 m Dochula Pass and a 3 hour upward trek to 3120 m Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Thus, not all but some of our guests may go through very minor signs of AMS that involve slight vertigo, insomnia, fatigue, and headaches. Mind you the AMS may not only hit you but also our driver and guide.

The flying and driving travel method actually does not offer ample chances to slowly adjust to the shifting elevations as the changes happen very quickly unlike in hiking trips.

However, the altitude that you will face in our Nepal and Bhutan tour itinerary is not excessively extreme so AMS if occurs is very mild and will be able to heal once you get adequate sleep and water.

The quick way to prevent and resolve the issue of altitude sickness is through enough sleep, rest, and water. Also, Diamox can aid you in a higher degree to accustom to the shifting heights.

Essential Prep for the Nepal and Bhutan Tour

You can forget about the extreme challenge in our Nepal and Bhutan tour and remain focused on marveling at the richness of Nepal and Bhutan. Advance prep is therefore not a very compelling factor however it will be beneficial to face the demands of short walking tours and the vertical hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

You don’t need to attain the athletic feat but should be able to find joy in every effort you put into the tour. With this aim, maintain a consistent regimen for a month before taking off for Nepal.

You can involve walking, a natural activity that we engage in every day. However, instead of regular walks, focus on covering long distances lasting two to three hours every day.

Also, cardiovascular fitness is essential whether you are trekking or touring so mix up your routine with jogging, cycling, and so on. If possible train in various terrains and conditions such as on grass or through forest, on dirt paths, or in mountainous areas.

This will prepare you to adapt to shifting experiences in Nepal and Bhutan. The next prep that is essential for our Nepal Bhutan tour 8 days trip will be to pack your travel bag appropriately.

Don’t forget to put on tights, a warm down jacket, and several pairs of socks, in addition to your usual t-shirts, shorts, leggings, tracksuits, or walking pants.

Please keep some fully covered modest clothing essentials when exploring the religious Dzongs and fortresses in Bhutan. Gain some knowledge about Buddhist and Hindu customs and learn a few simple greeting words in Nepali and Bhutanese language.

Sleeping, Dining and Transportation during Nepal and Bhutan tour

During the whole time of our Nepal and Bhutan tour, we plan your sleeping arrangements in the reputed, clean, and sophisticated three-star hotel of Kathmandu and Bhutan cities.

A large twin room with two cozy single beds will be supplied which you need to share with your accompanying partner or fellow guest of the same gender.

The rooms will have their own shower, toilet, hot running water, and WiFi. Breakfast in Kathmandu will be taken care of by us while dinners and lunches will be at your own selection for which US Dollars 25 to 30 each day per tourist will be sufficient.

On the first night, you will enjoy our hospitality and welcome in the evening with your first Nepali meal hosted by Life Himalaya Trekking. Because Kathmandu offers a large selection of dining options, we have made the lunches and dinners entirely up to you.

Typical breakfast choices in Kathmandu can be eggs, bread, butter, muesli, porridge, oatmeal etc. For dinners, please try the empowering Dal Vat at least once.

In every city of Bhutan, you will have breakfasts, dinners, and lunches on your table. Generally, Bhutan is known for its spiciness but meals matching your taste are also available.

The must-try cuisine of Bhutan includes the Kewa Phagha (pork with potatoes and spices), Ema Datshi (chili peppers stewed in a cheese sauce with spices), Jasha Maru (chicken with vegetables), Shamu Datshi (chili and cheese with mushrooms), Phagsha Pa (pork stewed with radish), and Kewa Datshi (chili and cheese combined with potatoes).

The local brew or the beer of Bhutan, the grain vodka called Ara is also quite popular along with its tea boiled with butter, pepper, and salt.

As for your travel mode, all the overland tours in the cities including your hotel and airport transfers will take place in a roomy private vehicle. Either car, bus, van, or jeep will be supplied with space for your luggage on our Nepal and Bhutan tours.

A flight taking place between Kathmandu and Paro Airports will also be managed by the Life Himalaya Trekking team.

Mobile Network and Internet/WiFi

It seems convenient to enable the roaming service in your home network for seven days while traveling to Nepal and Bhutan. However, considering how expensive the charges can be, it is wise that you use the respective country’s mobile SIM Cards when you are touring.

When in Kathmandu, go for the NCELL network as it offers better coverage and network in the cities than NTC. And when in Bhutan, you can select to use between the Bhutan Telecom and Tashi Cell services. Rely on our Bhutanese guide for reliable and fastest connections.

You can also choose to get the respective SIMs when you are at home via online purchase. These are the virtual eSIM Cards that precisely function the way the physical SIMs do.

Both nations’ mobile networks operate the 4G LTE service convenient for your internet surfing. In Kathmandu, you will get free WiFi in major tourist centers and in hotels but in Bhutan, the WiFi may not be so dependable.

Instead, with the help of our Bhutanese guide, you can activate the 10 GB mobile internet data that can cost you only 94 Bhutanese Ngultrum.

Currency Exchange, Use of Credit Cards, and Online Payment options in Nepal and Bhutan

Nepal uses the Nepalese Rupee (NPR) and Bhutan the Ngultrum (BTN) as their respective formal currencies in the country. However, the US Dollars and euros are also acceptable along with the Indian (INR) Rupee.

We don’t advise you to change your money at TIA in Kathmandu as one, the reputed larger banks offer more valuable rates with less commission and the transfer will be available to you so you don’t need the Nepali Rupee right away.

The trustworthy banks for the purpose in Kathmandu include SBI Bank, Nepal Bank Limited, Standard Chartered Bank, Rastriya Banijya Bank,  Nabil Bank, and Himalayan Bank offering the exchange on weekdays from 10 AM to 2:30 PM.

In Bhutan, it is advisable that you change to BTN at Paro Airport for better and profitable rates. You can also depend on Citibank, Bank of Bhutan Limited, Druk PNB, Tashi Bank, Bhutan National Bank, and Bank of Thimphu for the service.

Please change the money only to the amount you need (maybe a little bit extra) as the local money will not be exchanged and accepted elsewhere. However, if you have the exchange receipt with you, you can change the remaining amount before leaving Bhutan and Nepal.

Please avoid changing your money at exchange counters, and hotels for they charge higher commission rates.

Keep in mind that a declaration of US Dollars 5000 in Nepal airport customs and US Dollars 10,000 in Bhutan airport customs is not needed.

Regarding the usage of ATMs, they can be widely and easily found in every corner of Kathmandu, Paro, and Thimphu; however, be prepared to pay high commission fees. To avoid this, take out the money you want in bulk amount.

As for credit cards, Diners, Visa, and MasterCard are now generally accepted but only in larger stores in Kathmandu, Thimphu, and Paro.

As for the online via QR Payment, they are becoming more and more trending in Kathmandu than in Bhutan. Esewa, IME Pay, and Khalti Wallet are some of the local digital wallets where you can upload money and make payments.

Indian Nationals can also pay their expenses through the Apple Pay or Google Pay, PhonePe or BHIM App in Nepal and Bhutan while tourists coming from Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Mongolia, Philippines, Malaysia, Italy, Hong Kong, Macau, and China can also make the payments via their bank applications in Nepal.

You may be surprised to know that now Bhutan also accepts cryptocurrency from tourists.

Tourist Visa Processing for Nepal and Bhutan Tour 8 Days Journey

Nepal and Bhutan both utilize the online application procedure for the tourist visa so tourists can get on with the process before they even arrive in the country elevating their easiness.

Simply open the respective Immigration Department government websites and begin to follow the guidelines given on the screen. There is no signing up needed for an On Arrival Nepal visa but for a Bhutan Visa, registration by signing up with your account is needed.

Bring the barcode slip when coming to Kathmandu for the Nepal visa where after making the respective payment, you will get the visa on site. For our Nepal and Bhutan tour, get the visa for 15 days which will need US Dollars 30 per tourist.

You need to pay the visa fee of US Dollars 40 for Bhutan beforehand via online though and your visa will be stamped on-site at Paro Airport.

There is one another way to get a Nepal tourist visa which is by applying at the Nepal Embassy in your country. However, Bhutan doesn’t allow so and you will have to approach the government-recognized travel agency.

Once you have a tourist visa in Nepal, you can on your own tour around Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan. Unless you are hiking in the mountains, you don’t need an added permit or organized tours.

In Bhutan though, all types of tours must be conducted and prearranged by the travel agency with the provision of private transport, licensed local drivers, and guides.

You should also know about the SDF/Sustainable Development Fund mandated by the Bhutan Government for tourists. The daily fee of US Dollars 100 for each tourist is applicable throughout your time in Bhutan.

Travel Insurance for Nepal and Bhutan tour

Kathmandu city is regarded as one of the safest and medically equipped cities in the world so for Kathmandu tour, travel insurance is not mandated. In Bhutan also, the obligation of travel insurance has now been lifted.

However, we do advise you to get proper and extensive (though not as in hiking trips) international travel insurance for our Nepal and Bhutan tour.

Traveling outside of your home comes with those risks that you may not even have thought of. The new food, the new atmosphere, the different climate, and the new altitude often result in minor physical issues which can sometimes turn into significant problems.

In Kathmandu, the best quality modern medical services are available but they are very pricey that can add extra load on your bank account. In Bhutan, the medical facilities are not very equipped needing you to be quickly transferred to Nepal by helicopter.

So, we suggest you get coverage for helicopter transfers up to 3000 m at least for our Nepal and Bhutan tour along with medical support. Also protect yourself from the typical international travel disruptions with coverage of theft and loss of personal luggage, flights, and tour postponements, or cancellations, and a few added days stays.