Nepal & Bhutan
The Himalayan Arc
Nepal & Bhutan in a single journey — Everest to the Tiger's Nest, fourteen days
The two great destinations of the high Himalaya, joined the way they deserve to be. A fortnight that begins in the temple courtyards of Kathmandu, walks the Sherpa heartland to the foot of Everest with a helicopter finale at Base Camp, and then crosses — in one spectacular hour of flight — to the last Buddhist kingdom, for Thimphu, Punakha, and the climb to the Tiger's Nest.
This is the journey we build for travelers who may come to the Himalaya once, and want it whole. Every night in the finest house each valley offers; every logistic, from permits to porters to the kingdom's visa, carried invisibly.
The Journey
Days 1–2
Kathmandu
Private welcome at Dwarika's Hotel. A day among the old kingdoms — Patan's Durbar Square with our historian guide, the great stupa of Boudhanath at butter-lamp hour — with trip briefing and gear review. Dwarika's, two nights.
Days 3–5
Into the Khumbu
Fly to Lukla and walk the Sherpa trail in comfort: the Dudh Koshi valley to Phakding, the climb to Namche Bazaar with first sight of Everest, and an acclimatization day to Khumjung village with lunch at the Hotel Everest View, the mountain filling the window. Mountain Lodges of Nepal throughout.
Day 6
Everest Base Camp by private helicopter, return to Kathmandu
At first light, lift out of Namche by private helicopter to Everest Base Camp and a landing at Kala Patthar (5,545m) — the finest close view of Everest on earth, flown under current aviation protocols — then down the whole valley to Kathmandu by late morning. Afternoon at the Dwarika's spa.
Day 7
Kathmandu, at ease
A deliberate day of rest between the two kingdoms — Bhaktapur's pottery squares for the curious, the pool for the wise, and the six-course Nepali ceremony of Krishnarpan by night. Dwarika's.
Day 8
The flight to Bhutan
One of the world's great short flights: Kathmandu to Paro along the spine of the Himalaya — Everest, Kangchenjunga, Jomolhari. Private drive to Thimphu; evening at the Memorial Chorten. Pemako Thimphu.
Day 9
Thimphu
The Buddha Dordenma, the weekend market, the Textile Museum, butter tea in a private home. Pemako Thimphu.
Days 10–11
Punakha
Over the Dochula Pass and its 108 chortens into the warm rice valley. Punakha Dzong at the meeting of the rivers, Chimi Lhakhang, a farmhouse lunch, the suspension-bridge walk. COMO Uma Punakha, two nights.
Day 12
To Paro
West through the pine forests to the Paro valley. Kyichu Lhakhang and the National Museum; evening at leisure. Taj Paro Resort & Spa.
Day 13
The Tiger's Nest
The climb to Taktsang, taken at your pace, tea at the halfway house, the inner chapels beyond. Afternoon hot-stone bath and a farewell dinner in the old style. Taj Paro Resort & Spa.
Day 14
Depart Paro
A last valley morning, then your flight home from Paro — the mountains at your window one last time.
Included, always
- Thirteen nights at the finest house in every valley: Dwarika's Hotel, Mountain Lodges of Nepal, Pemako Thimphu, COMO Uma Punakha, Taj Paro Resort & Spa — or similar houses of equal standing
- Private helicopter from Namche to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar, and the Kathmandu–Lukla flight in economy class
- Nepal: expedition-certified guide and one porter per guest, full board in the Khumbu, permits, supplemental oxygen and daily pulse-oximetry
- Bhutan: SDF and visa in full, private licensed guide, driver and vehicle, all meals, all entrances, hot-stone bath
- All staff gratuities across both countries — no envelopes, no arithmetic
Not included
- International and regional airfare, including your Kathmandu–Paro flight — we book that sector for you in economy class as part of your booking, so it matches the journey exactly; Nepal visa; travel insurance with helicopter-evacuation cover (required; we will guide you to the right policy); personal expenses
The Details
- Price
- $18,500 per person, double occupancy · Single occupancy quoted on request
- Duration
- 14 days / 13 nights, Kathmandu to Paro
- Party
- Never more than 8 guests · Private departures for 2 or more on your dates
- Seasons
- Spring (March–April) and Autumn (October–November) 2027
- Character
- Gentle-to-moderate · 3 walking days of 3–5 hours in the Khumbu · Highest night 3,440m · Highest point 5,545m, by helicopter
Booking terms, in brief. A journey is reserved with a signed booking confirmation and a 35% deposit, non-refundable upon our written booking confirmation; the balance is due 90 days before departure. Quoted prices are guaranteed for 14 days from proposal.
Prices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars; inclusions are exactly as this page states, and Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee is included.
Cancellations, in writing, are subject to our published schedule: the deposit is retained to 91 days before departure; 50% at 90–61 days; 75% at 60–46 days; 100% at 45 days or fewer. One date change is free of our fees when requested more than 90 days out, for a departure within 12 months, subject to availability and cost differences.
If a named lodge or service becomes unavailable, we substitute equivalent category. Helicopter flights are weather-dependent; lost flights are rebooked within the journey at no charge, and if weather defeats every window we refund the helicopter component's published value.
Comprehensive travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover, and our signed Assumption of Risk & Release, are conditions of travel on Nepal journeys. Domestic flight disruption within Nepal is managed and re-booked by our Kathmandu operations at no charge.
Complete terms, including our limitation of liability and Indiana governing law (contracting party: Curated Ascents LLC, d/b/a CuratedAscents, Carmel, Indiana), are at www.curatedascents.com/terms and accompany every proposal.
Helicopter operations are weather-dependent and flown under current Nepal CAA protocols; Kala Patthar landings operate in short rotations.
Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee is included at the official rate confirmed through August 2027.