- Nepal Private Tours
- Himalayan Kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan with A Taste of India Extension - Private Tour
Experience the astounding beauty and palpable mystery of the “last Shangri-La” as you journey through Nepal and into the ancient Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
Travelling from Delhi to Agra, this extension takes you on a tour through India's capital as well as the magnificent Taj Mahal.
Dinner
On arrival, you’ll be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel to check-in. Spend the day at leisure and relax after your flight.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Chitwan National Park, home to a number of protected and endangered species as well as wild elephant, four-horned antelope, striped hyenas, pythons, barking deers, sloth bears, monitor lizards, langur, and rhesus monkeys.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This morning you’ll be taken to your 4x4 Jeep for a morning safari across the park. Your expert local naturalist will introduce you to the mystery and magic of the jungle as you search for the myriad wild animals who live their days roaming this incredible conservation area. In the afternoon you’ll be taken on a canoe ride along the beautiful Rapti River, where you’ll finish your day watching the sun setting over the snow-capped Himalayan mountains.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drive back to Kathmandu across some of Nepal’s most breathtakingly beautiful and profoundly scenic mountain passes. There’ll be numerous opportunities to stop for photographs along the way.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you’ll be treated to one of the most spectacular flights in the Himalayas as you make your way to the Kingdom of Bhutan. On arrival, you’ll be driven to Thimpu – the capital of Bhutan – via the confluence of the Thimphu and Paro rivers adorned by Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese stupas. Thimphu maintains a strong national character in its architectural style and is perhaps the world’s only capital city without a traffic light!
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Experience the beauty and the impressive cultural milieu on offer in Thimphu. There’ll be a visit to the National Library containing priceless Buddhist manuscripts, as well as a Textile Museum providing insight into one of Bhutan’s most distinct art forms. After lunch, you’ll visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, where monks continuously circle the site chanting ancient mantras, and in the afternoon you can shop like a local in bazaars for hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, jewellery, and wood carvings.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Today you’ll be making your way to Punakha over the Dochula Pass – a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360-degree panorama over the Himalayan range. In the afternoon, there’ll be a short excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, translated to ‘The Temple of Fertility’, situated on a hillock in the centre of the Punakha valley. Next, you’ll be taken to the Punakha Dzong – ‘Palace of Great Happiness’ – built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637. Punakha Dzong is arguably the most beautiful building in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-colored jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to its characteristically towering, whitewashed walls.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer to the beautiful valley of Paro – a region with a rich culture, scenic beauty and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries and is watched over by the mighty Mount Chomolhari (7,314m) at the northern end of the valley, its glacial waters plunging through deep gorges to form the Pa Chhu – the Paro River. In the afternoon visit ‘The Fortress of the Heap of Jewels’ and browse the local artisan markets.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a full breakfast at the hotel, the morning is reserved for an optional hike to the Taktsang Monastery (approx 5 hours walk there and back). This spectacular monastery is one of the most famous in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and is visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
In the morning you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kathmandu where you’ll spend the afternoon in Durbar Square. Once the residence of Nepal’s Royal family, Durbar has numerous ancient shrines and temples for you to explore in and around the premises including ‘The Temple of the Living Goddess’. In the evening you’ll be treated to a farewell authentic Nepalese dinner and cultural dance at the Gokarna House restaurant where you’ll experience a range of local dishes and a concert of classical folk music. The perfect end to an incredible tour.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer to Kathmandu airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, embark on a short tour of the beautifully planned city of New Delhi. Offering you a taste of its imperial glory, you'll drive past the India Gate, President's House, Parliament Building and visit the Birla Temple, made purely out of 2,000 tons of Rajasthani white marble. Continue on to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial and the 12th century Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, you will be driven to Agra, arriving at your hotel in time for lunch. Despite being a small city, Agra was once the capital of the mighty Mughal dynasty whose strength manifested itself in the huge forts and buildings built to maintain its power. During this magical afternoon, you will tour one of The Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Words do not do this remarkable palace justice; it really must be seen to appreciate its stupendous beauty. Taking 17 years to build, the heartbroken Mughal Emperor Shahjahan dedicated this monument of love to his deceased wife to enshrine her mortal remains.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
This day starts after breakfast with a visit to the vast red sandstone Agra Fort, which was built in 1565 and boasts grand palaces, gigantic pavilions and spectacular courtyards. After lunch return to Delhi to spend the evening.
Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the UK.
If you are arranging your own international flights, free airport transfers are available and included in the price. Transfers need to be booked with us at least two weeks before the tour starts and you will need to provide your inbound and outbound flight details.
Your Next Adventure Awaits! We've been arranging award-winning, expertly crafted hoildays and tours since 1980. We're also ABTA protected and ATOL bonded for your total peace of mind. Call us today to book your next unforgettable holiday!
The guide (Zach de Jung Shah) was exceptional in terms of his care for the group, knowledge, and ensuring we really got the most out of our visit. An amazing holiday all round with each day bringing a series of 'wow' moments!
Linda Rowles
13 NovemberThe order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. The driving times listed are point to point and do not include the duration of excursions or stops en route. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions.
If booking more than 12 weeks before departure a deposit of £295.00pp will need to be paid at the time of booking with the full amount payable at 12 weeks prior to departure. The deposit applies to adults and children. If you are within 12 weeks of travel then the full balance of the holiday will be payable.
Nepal visa requirements
British passport holders can now obtain their Nepal visa prior to departure for Approx £25 per person on this website https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online A Nepalese visa can also be purchased on arrival into Kathmandu; but you will need to complete and download a form from the Nepal Embassy website and present this completed form on arrival at immigration together with your payment (currently USD $30). You must print the form with the barcode and take it with you for arrival. The barcode is only valid up to 15 days after issue so please complete this form within 2 weeks of travel. You will also need to complete an ‘arrival card’ at the airport. We recommend you check the following website before travelling for all the most up to date advice, requirements and any changes uk.nepalembassy.gov.np. We strongly advise you to check with your destinations’ Tourist Board or Embassy for the most up-to-date guidelines regarding required passport validity.
Bhutan visa requirements
Your passport must have an expiry date of at least six months after the date you arrive into Bhutan. British Citizens require a visa for Bhutan but Mercury Holidays will obtain it for you. The Mercury Holidays representative will give this to you before you depart Nepal. To process the Bhutan visa, we require a colour copy of your passport page containing your passport number and picture in either a JPEG or PDF format to be emailed to mypassport@mercuryholidays.com a minimum of 45 days prior to departure. You also need to send us a colour copy of one passport size photo with a white background as well as a colour copy of your insurance confirmation including the company name and policy number. You need to make sure you request a multiple entry visa for Nepal. Failure to send us this information on time could result in you not being able to travel on your holiday and Mercury Holidays will not be liable for your lost holiday. Bhutan requires all visitors to pay a Government Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). This fee is already included in the total cost of your tour.
A visa is required for entry into India. British Citizen Passport Holders will need to obtain a tourist visa. You can apply for an E-visa no more than 30 days in advance. Your E-visa must be valid for your whole trip so please ensure the expiry date is for the whole duration of your stay. Alternatively you can visit The Indian Visa Application Centre in London: 142-148 Goswell Road, London, EC1B 7DU. We also work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa on your behalf. Please call them on 01270 250 590 and quote 'Mercury Holidays'. Additionally, you will need to complete an e-Arrival Card within 72 hours before your arrival. This can be done on the Indian visa website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before you enter India. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Mercury Holidays. We recommend you check with your destinations' Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding visas and passport validity.
Please note we will require your API/Passport information at least 2 months in advance to help with obtaining your Bhutan Visa, this can be uploaded via our website on "Manage My Booking".
We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras, including up to a 20% discount, which is given to all Mercury Holidays customers. To arrange your insurance with Holiday Extras, please visit https://www.mercuryholidays.co.uk/info/insurance for more details. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 24 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Mercury Holidays will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking.
It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; www.fco.gov.uk, http://travelhealthpro.org.uk/, www.hpa.org.uk, your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic.
Altitude Sickness
Altitude sickness is a fairly common condition that can occur when you ascend to a high altitude (generally higher than 2,500 metres above sea level) quickly. The decrease in atmospheric pressure can make breathing more difficult as the body is not able to take in as much oxygen. Most cases are mild with symptoms that can include: headache, nausea, dizziness and exhaustion. Several of the places on your trekking holiday are located at high altitude. Therefore, you may find you experience some symptoms at this altitude. It is advised that at these high altitudes, you keep hydrated and avoid alcohol. If you do experience symptoms of altitude sickness during your tour, ensure you tell your guide immediately who will be able to advise the best thing for you to do. It is advisable to consult your doctor before your holiday for any advice on the effects of altitude sickness and if you have any health problems that this could affect. It is advisable to carry the name, address and telephone details of your GP, in the event of becoming unwell your insurance company may require this information.
All our tours feature a “Tour Pace” to help find the right holiday for you. To travel on any of our tours requires unaided mobility and the ability to stroll around the sights, climb stairs and get on and off coaches and boats. The tour pace of Himalayan Kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan is rated Challenging due to the tour being packed with activities and experiences. A good level of fitness is required as you may be on your feet for approximately four hours in a day, though this will be interspersed with regular breaks and will vary from day to day. You will be walking around the sights, and you will be getting on and off coaches, trains and boats and climbing steps which may be irregular. You will stay in variety of hotels throughout the tour. Our guides will always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance; however, they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary.
The currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee or NPR, divided into 100 paisa. US dollars are also often accepted should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you.
The currency in Bhutan is Bhutanese Ngultrum and is officially pegged to the Indian Rupee. Also, the Indian Rupee is acceptable all over Bhutan. There are ATMs in Bhutan but currently, they only operate with their respective Bhutanese banks. Since these ATMs currently do not function with outside banks, ATM facilities can't be used by visitors. Traveller's checks/cash are the best option so please ensure you have enough currency with you when you travel.
The currency in India is the Rupee or Rs. The Rupee is a closed currency and officially you are not allowed to take any cash out of India. US Dollars and GBP are also widely accepted in India should you wish to keep an alternative currency on you.
As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels.
You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and extra drinks and snacks. Approximately £100 - £200 will be sufficient for the duration of the tour. It is a good idea to try and maintain a supply of small notes and change in the local currency for tipping or small purchases.
Tipping
It is at your customary to tip your guide and driver. This is at your discretion but we recommend you allow approximately £3 in local currency per person per day. This will be collected at the end of your tour for your convenience. Tips are accepted in the local currency, US dollars and British pounds.
This is a fully escorted tour, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. You will have one guide for Nepal and one guide for Bhutan.
Private Tour: If you have booked a private tour then you will be accompanied by a Driver Guide or a Driver and Local Guides. These will be available to you during all scheduled sightseeing. Private Tours can depart on any day of the week depending on flight and train schedules and the opening days of the attractions. They will follow the itinerary as described in the brochure unless you have been advised otherwise and you will still have all of the same meals, sightseeing and local excursions included.
Your extension is a fully escorted, meaning that you will be met on arrival by your national guide who will remain with you for the duration of your trip ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times.
Safari vehicles
Your safari will be taken in a canter, this is a large open roofed truck that seats up to 8 people. Safari drivers take you to areas of the park where wildlife are more likely to be seen but as with all wildlife experiences nothing can be guaranteed. Please note that many paths inside the park are bumpy and dusty.
Your accommodation is selected for convenience, location, comfort or character. Hotel accommodation is generally rated as local three to four-star standard, but please note there is no international classification system for hotels, and differences in facilities and quality do exist between the UK and Nepal. All group tours hotels have private bathroom facilities and air-conditioning, where needed. Rest assured that all accommodation used by Mercury Holidays is regularly inspected by our staff and partners to ensure that standards meet your needs. Please note some hotels in Bhutan do not have air-conditioning. A triple room is available but please note that this will be a twin room with a fold away bed for the 3rd passenger.
Breakfast is generally a combination of western and Indian style and served in the hotel each morning. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of local dishes and flavours.
Please contact Customer Experience for questions about other dietary requirements or allergy information. Vegetarian and non-spicy meal options are available, all meal requests need to be sent over to our suppliers before travel.
It is not recommended to drink the tap water, even in developed countries water may contain unfamiliar elements that can cause upset stomachs. In less developed countries water is not filtered in the same way. A bottle of water is supplied per day
Please note that plastic bottles are banned in the national parks so keep a reusable water bottle for your tour.
On your arrival in Nepal you will be met by a representative from our local agent, NEC Travels and Tours Ltd, holding a sign displaying: “Mercury Holidays”. The Mercury Holidays/Nepal representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. Your guide will be on hand 24 hours a day should you have any queries.
If you need to contact NEC Travels & Tour during your stay the details are: Madan Adhikari Office: 00977 1 4700 771 Mobile: 00977 985 1093896/9841281454
Contact email address for NEC Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd info@nectravels.com/madanadhikari@gmail.com
Taste of India extension:
Please find below the emergency contact details for Jayasree Travels & Tours
Telephone number 24 hr: Biju Unnikrishnan +0091 952 618 8860,
Ms Jayasree Vikraman +0091 974 700 5888,
Mrs Samitha Azhar +0091 974 471 3380,
Mrs Rekha Anil 0091 9744813380 ,
Mr Amit Bhardwaj +0091 995 898 8719
E-mail: biju@jayasreetravels.com
