Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you are met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Our airport representative will be waiting outside the airport terminal a few metres from the exit door. Look out for the Peregrine signboard. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 20 minutes. A briefing given by our group leader is scheduled for the late afternoon. He will discuss our trekking program and co-ordinate any last minute arrangements. The evening is free, but usually our tour leader will organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants. Alternatively you can enjoy a dinner at the hotel. Chat with your leader at the briefing if you're interested in a Mt Everest scenic flight.

An early morning excursion could include either another elephant safari to different parts of the park in search of the great Indian rhino, deer and exotic bird life or joining one of several other activities including a visit to the elephant breeding centre. Tiger sightings are rare these days, but these magnificent animals do inhabit the park. After breakfast we leave the lodge for a trip by dugout canoe on the Rapti River. This is an exciting trip with chances to view marsh mugger crocodiles and various birds that inhabit the riverbanks. A program is organised for us for the rest of the day that may include further excursions by jeep or a visit to one of the nearby villages.

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) Enjoy an early morning bird watching safari. After breakfast we drive on to the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu. The evening is free but usually our group leader will organise an evening meal (optional) at one of Kathmandu’s fine Nepali restaurants.

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) We leave the hotel mid-morning and transfer to the airport for the flight to Paro, in Bhutan. The plane flies parallel to the main Himalayan range and those on the left of the aircraft should be fortunate enough, in clear weather, to enjoy good views of some of the Himalayan giants, including Everest, Kanchenjunga, and then Chomolhari, Bhutan’s highest peak. Flight time is approximately one hour. On landing at Paro we are met by our local representatives who will help with formalities before we take the two-hour drive to the capital, Thimphu. After checking into our hotel the rest of the day is free to explore the town and the local villages.

After breakfast we view Tashicho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion), the administrative and religious centre of Bhutan located on the right bank of Thimphu Chu. The original building dates back to 1216, whilst the present dzong was built by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal in 1641. We then drive to the Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in memory of King Jigmi Dorjee Wangchuk. Other sights in the capital include the Painting School, an institution where children receive formal education in the art of traditional painting, sculpture and woodcarving. We may also visit Drubthob Gompa Nunnery, which houses about 40 nuns and also provides shelter for aging women and orphaned girls. Thimphu has an excellent range of handicrafts, most notably woven cloth, wooden masks, thangkas, silverware, jewellery and bamboo craft that come from all parts of Bhutan.

(Driving time: approx 2 hours) We begin with an early morning drive from Thimphu for an excursion to the legendary Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) - a small monastery, clinging on a rock cliff 900 metres above the valley floor. A few years ago the monastery was seriously damaged by fire but has since been rebuilt, although tourists are not permitted to enter the interior of the monastery. Legend has it that the great guru, Padmasambhawa, flew here from Tibet on the back of a tigress to subdue the demons of Paro Valley. During our stay in Paro we also visit Drukgyal Dzong, a famous 17th Century fortress that repelled many Tibetan invasions. Time permitting, we may also visit Ta Dzong, a circular fortress built in the mid 17th century and now converted into the National Museum that houses an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities. We spend our night in Paro and the following day, we enjoy further sightseeing options and there is also have free time to wander around the town on your own.

After breakfast we are transferred to the airport for our flight out, bringing to an end to this exciting journey exploring the highlights of the Himalaya Region. (Please note that your departure flight is not included as part of the trip and must be booked separately.)