Meet up with your Ross Tour Leader at Sydney International Airport for our Singapore Airlines flight to Kathmandu. Or meet up in Kathmandu. Namaste and welcome to Kathmandu, a truly intoxicating and evocative city at an altitude of 1,370m. Welcome dinner this evening in your hotel that is meticulously decorated and deep-rooted in Nepalese culture.

The Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu

Discover Durbar Square the ceremonial heart of old Kathmandu, with a rickshaw ride. Visit the house of Living Goddess (Kumari), stroll through the bazaar and the old city. After lunch we visit the stunning Swayambhunath, a sacred shrine for Tibetan Buddhists.

The Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu

We are heading to Bhaktapur, a 9th century town in the Kathmandu Valley. Visit Pashupatinath Temple, World Heritage, extensive Hindu Temple precinct and cremation site. Catch the evening chanting at nearby Bodnath Stupa as monks circle the stupa spinning their prayer wheels. Return to your hotel with the evening free.

The Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu

Morning flight to Paro, one of the most spectacular sights in the entire Himalayas. Disembark into cool, clean fresh mountain air. Drive to Thimphu with a stop at Chuzom at the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Check into your hotel with an orientation walk around the market area before included dinner this evening.

Dusit D2 Hotel, Thimphu

Thimphu lies in a steep-sided valley hugged by mountains. See real Bhutanese life in this city still peopled by red-robed monks and dotted with Buddhist temples. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum, the Painting School, Jungshi paper factory and the lively market. Dinner is included the evening.

Dusit D2 Hotel, Thimphu

Spectacular mountains today as we travel to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan through Dochu La, a mountain pass (alt 3,140m) with panoramic views of the high Bhutan Himalayan peaks. Its Rhododendron Festival time at Lamperi Botanic Garden to see endemic rhododendrons in flower. Check in to your hotel with dinner included this evening.

Dhensa Boutique Resort, Punakha

We will feel spiritually uplifted today. First stop is the beautifully restored Punakha Dzong, the palace of great happiness. Then a shrine, Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten, built to ward off negative forces and spread peace and harmony to all the living beings. Lunch and dinner are included today.

Dhensa Boutique Resort, Punakha

We will be travelling back to Paro today with a stop at Rinpung Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress along a mountain river that houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices. Considered one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture, it’s one of the top treasures in Bhutan. Lunch and dinner are included today.

Le Meridien, Paro

Early start this morning for our pilgrimage hike up to Taktsang monastery, perched high on a sheer rock face. Enjoy panoramic views of the valley with lots of stops to catch your breath and enjoy the spectacular landscape. The monastery consists of four temples with accommodation for the monks. Lunch and dinner are included today.

Le Meridien, Paro

First up this morning is Ta Dzong, originally built as a watchtower in 1649 to protect the undefended dzong. Renovated in 1968, it now houses the National Museum. Lunch included. Option to take the scenic walk back into Paro with views of the Dop Shari Valley. Free afternoon in Paro. Farewell dinner this evening in your hotel.

Le Meridien, Paro

Morning flight from Paro to Kathmandu. Picnic lunch in Nagarkot in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley for one last breathtaking view of the Himalayas. Check in at Kathmandu airport for your homeward Evening flight to Sydney via Singapore.