Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off on a guided sightseeing tour amongst the most important of Kathmandu's sites. We start our tour with a short drive to the foot of the stairway leading up to the 'Monkey Temple' at Swayambhunath. There are 365 steps, becoming steeper towards the top, and we will take our time, looking out for the mischievous macaques which inhabit this area. There are some colourful statues of Buddha low down and lots of prayer flags festooning the trees that line the walkway. Swayambhunath is dominated by an impressive stupa which consists of a large white-painted dome and a rectangular structure above which is gilded and painted with the 'all-seeing eyes' of Buddha. There are lots of shrines and temples at this site and there's always a lot going on. This is also one of the best places from which to get an overview of the city. After our visit to this principally Buddhist site, we will meet our transport for the drive across town to Pashupatinath, the great Hindu sanctuary beside the Bagmati River. There are more than 500 temples on this site which is also a place of cremation for Hindus. The ritual burning of bodies takes place on raised platforms alongside the river. It is fascinating to spend an hour at the site, exploring amongst the temples, perusing the souvenir stalls and photographing the super-colourful sadhus (Hindu holy men) who hang out here (and make a good living by posing for photographs). We will return to the hotel in time for a late lunch and then the rest of the day is at leisure. The central 'tourist district' of Thamel with its innumerable shops and bars is just a short walk away and, now pedestrianised, is a great place to spend a couple of hours. We will get together again in the evening and go out for a meal at one of the restaurants in Thamel.

We will make a reasonably early start today, as we set off on the 5 hour journey westwards on the Prithvi Highway which links Kathmandu with Nepal's second city of Pokhara. Driving out of the city, we cross the rim of the Kathmandu Valley and if the weather is clear we may catch a glimpse of snow-capped Himalayan peaks away to the north. We will make a couple of stops en route to break up this exciting drive, including a lunch stop at a roadside restaurant where we will be able to sample the Nepali staple of dal bhat (rice and dal, with the optional addition of a spicy vegetable and/or meat curries).There's a lot to see on this drive; a mix of landscape with views of the mountains, terraced farmland, villages built on steep valley slopes and rivers of all shapes and sizes. We should get to Bandipur by mid-afternoon and after checking in at our lodge accommodation, we will go out for a stroll to a viewpoint above this traditional and well-preserved village. From November to March it's usual to have good views north to the peaks of the central Nepal Himalaya. Bandipur grew up as a part of the Magar Kingdom of Tanahun and dates back several hundred years. It was once a staging post on a trade route between India and Tibet. With its 18th century architecture and narrow streets, it's a great first taste of rural Nepal.

Before continuing our journey to Pokhara (820m) this morning, we'll spend a bit more time in Bandipur. The old part of the village has benefited from some sensitive restoration in recent years and there is a pleasant mix of old houses, cafes and lodges. As well as being a tourist destination, Bandipur has managed to retain its importance as a working town and always seems to be alive with the comings and goings of local people; farmers and tradesmen. There are a number of shrines and temples that we can check out, before meeting up with our transport. It is a relatively short (2 to 3 hour) drive to Pokhara where we check in at our hotel and have lunch. Pokhara is a special place; laid-back and superbly located beside the lake of Phewa Tal. After lunch the afternoon is free to explore, with the option to trek up to the 'Peace stupa' for a birds-eye view over the lake, or to take a boat out onto the water. There are great views from the Lakeside district northwards to the arrayed peaks of the Annapurna Massif, including the sacred 'Fish Tail' peak of Machhapuchhre (6997m). Then, in the evening, we can enjoy our dinner at one of the Lakeside restaurants.

Rising up to the north-west of the city, the hilltop village of Sarangkot (1592m) is the perfect place from which to enjoy early morning views of the Annapurnas. We will have an early breakfast this morning and drive up to the viewpoint at Sarangkot in time to see the mountains to the north at their best. The peaks that we can see include the 8000 metre giants of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna 1, as well as a host of others, including the central and prominent Fish Tail. There are also special views of Pokhara and the lake. To enhance our Sarangkot experience, we will now hike down to Pokhara, following a trail, stepped in places, that takes us through forest and farmland and by way of sleepy villages; at all times offering great views of the peaks to the north. This is a 2 to 3 hour walk at a very leisurely pace and we will arrive back in Pokhara in time for lunch. The afternoon is free for independent exploration or simply to take it easy beside the hotel pool.

After breakfast at the hotel, we return to the airport and check in for the half-hour flight to Kathmandu which is an exciting way to return to the Nepali capital. Arriving at Kathmandu, we meet our transport for the drive up onto the valley rim at Nagarkot (2000m). It takes an hour or so to drive the narrow and winding 25 kilometre tarmac road up to the string of lodges and hotels which line the ridge at Nagarkot. This village is renowned for its Himalayan views and on a clear day (especially at sunset and at sunrise) it is possible to see 8 separate ranges, from the Annapurnas in the west to distant Mount Everest. We will have some free time in the afternoon and then, accompanied by our guide, we will take a stroll along the ridge to a viewpoint where we can watch the light fade and try to pick out some of the famous Nepali peaks. After a busy day, tonight we'll relax and enjoy dinner together at our Nagarkot hotel.

If it is clear, we will be up early to see if the sunrise views are any better than those at sunset. Then, after breakfast, we'll drive out (15 minutes) to Telkot and from there enjoy an easy walk (2 hours), through villages, open country and forest, to the small temple of Chengu Narayan which is one of the oldest in the valley, dating from the fourth century. We can expect some great views during this walk. Then, reunited with our transport, we will drive down to medieval Bhaktapur, the ancient capital of the Malla kings, where we will have a sightseeing tour. Several of Bhaktapur's important temples were destroyed during the 2015 earthquake and these are undergoing restoration. However, there still a lot to see here, including some of the finest religious architecture in Nepal. We'll also get the chance to do some exploring (and souvenir buying) amongst the many colourful artisan's workshops and stalls. Mid afternoon, we will head back to Kathmandu and pay a visit to the impressive Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath on the way to our hotel. In the evening, we'll go out for dinner at a restaurant in Thamel.

After taking breakfast in the hotel, the group will meet in the lobby at a designated time and transfer together back to the airport in Kathmandu to check in for our flight to Paro, Bhutan. This is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. From the left side of the plane Everest, Makalu and Kangchenjunga, three of the world's highest mountains, are clearly visible. The total flying time is only 45 minutes and soon we are descending into the Paro Valley, enjoying views over forests, small monasteries, temples and flat-roofed farmhouses as we come in to land. On leaving the airport we be met by our Bhutanese guides, most likely in full traditional dress, and then set off on the very scenic one hour drive to the capital of Thimphu (2330m) where we check in at our hotel. We should arrive in the late afternoon and have the time to pay a first visit to the Thimphu Tsechu, a festival which takes place at the very impressive fortress-monastery of the Tasichoedzong, a huge white-painted building sitting amongst well-tended gardens and lines of poplar trees. Thimphu is actually a very compact town. Not too far away is the large Tibetan-style National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Many local people pay their respects each day by walking around the chorten. Over dinner tonight our guide will brief us on what to expect in the days ahead.

After breakfast we will return to the Tasichoedzong which has been the seat of the Bhutanese Government since 1952 and presently houses the throne room and offices of the king and certain other government ministries. The focus of our attention today will be the Thimpu Tsechu, one of the most important events in Bhutan's religious calendar. Festivals in Bhutan are grand events where entire communities come together, dressed in their finest clothes, to witness colourful masked dances, receive blessings and socialise. There are many ritual dances during the course of the festival and these are performed on the large paved courtyard of the Tashichoedzong. The dances are subdivided into three categories: those that are intended to give moral instruction, those that are designed to drive away evil spirits and those that celebrate the Buddhist faith in its many guises. We spend a second night at our Thimphu hotel.

After an early breakfast, we'll board our transport for the 2-hour drive to Punakha. The road heads back towards Simtoka Dzong and then picks up the east-west highway. Perched on a hill above the road, you can see the Hongsho Gompa, built in the 15th century by Ngawang Choegyal, a cousin of one of Bhutan's favourite saints - Lama Drukpa Kinley. Passing through the Hongshu check post, the road climbs up through maple and blue pine forests to the Dochu La (3050m). The pass is marked by many prayer flags and a large chorten. A viewpoint just above the chorten offers a magnificent panorama of the Eastern Himalaya, including all of the giant 7000 metre peaks of Lunana in north-eastern Bhutan. There's a café at the pass, where we can have a cup of tea and admire the spectacular views. Dropping down from the pass on a sinuous road, we lose around 1800 metres in altitude and, arriving at Punakha, we find ourselves in a sub-tropical valley where it is noticeably warmer. Punakha was the effective capital of Bhutan until 1955, when the seat of government moved to Thimphu. Before lunch, we will take a short walk through the rice paddies to visit Chimi Lakhang, a small temple built beside a bodhi tree and surrounded by prayer wheels. The temple is dedicated to the Devine Mad Monk, Drukpa Kinley, whose controversial approach to Buddhist teachings involved womanising, drinking and singing bawdy rhymes. Afterwards we visit Punakha Dzong, which provides the winter home for over 1000 monks. The dzong is one of Bhutan's most impressive buildings; it was here that the first king was crowned in 1907 and also where the current, fifth king first donned the Raven Crown. Particularly impressive is the pillared hall, which is decorated with artwork depicting the most important scenes from the life of the Buddha and presided over by impressive giant gilded statues of Buddha, the Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung Rinpoche (or Bluebeard). If there's time before dinner, we can also drive to the nearby Nalanda Buddhist Institute and have the chance to meet the monks who study here and to observe their evening routine.

We'll have another reasonably early breakfast before setting off on the 3 and a half hour drive back to Paro. This is another opportunity to witness the great variety of the Bhutanese landscape, including orderly farmland and lush forest which includes banana trees low down and rhododendron and magnolia higher up. Keep a look out for monkeys in the trees beside the road. On arrival in Paro, we can visit the auspicious Kyichu Lakhang, a sacred monument dating from the 7th century which is believed to pin down the left foot of a treacherous ogress. After lunch, there's some free time to either take it easy or explore the town or to visit Paro Dzong, for instance. Then, in the evening, we'll go out to visit a Bhutanese farmhouse where you can have a go at the national sport of archery using bamboo bows. At the farm, you can also taste Bhutanese food at its most traditional - if you want to.

This is the last full day in Bhutan and a very special one. We start out with the stunning hike up to one of the most important religious site in the entire Himalaya, Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest. The monastery has a most stunning location, perched on a cliff-side ledge high above the Paro Valley. Approximately half way up the trail there is a classic viewpoint for Taktsang, looking across the gorge to the monastic buildings clinging to the cliff wall opposite. There is a small teahouse here where we can stop for a rest and a drink with a truly unforgettable view. The final approach to the monastery takes us down to a sacred waterfall, surrounded by a thousand fluttering prayer flags, where every crack in the rock is crammed with tsa-tsas (small caskets containing the ashes of the dead), before climbing back up towards the monastery. Leaving our bags and cameras at the gate, we should hopefully be allowed to take a look around inside. As we explore amongst the various atmospheric chambers and altar rooms our guide will be on hand to explain all about the Buddhist rituals and iconography. We return to our accommodation in Paro in the early afternoon and again have some free time. Later, we will go to the Namgay Artisanal Brewery for our farewell dinner at a very pleasant restaurant which has views of Paro Airport and also of the imposing medieval monastery of Paro Dzong. Bhutan has a long tradition of farmhouse brewing using many different types of grain, but the Namgyal Artisanal Brewery is only the third commercial venture. The signature drink is a lager made from red rice, but there is a choice of several brews, as well as a refreshing apple cider.

We have an early transfer to Paro Airport for the morning flight to Kathmandu. The flight takes only 45 minutes and on arrival we transfer to our comfortable hotel. The remainder of the day is free to explore the Nepalese capital city or for shopping in the bazaars. We will enjoy our final dinner of the holiday at the excellent restaurant in the group hotel.

KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Depending on individual flight schedules, there may be an opportunity for last minute souvenir buying before heading to the airport. Complimentary airport transfers are provided for all flights