There will typically be a minimum of six and a maximum of fourteen guests in our group (plus the host). If sold out, you can be placed on a waiting list.

This journey is rated moderate and is best for travelers with good mobility who enjoy hiking. The trip includes four main hikes, each offering cultural depth and natural beauty:

• Nagarkot Countryside Trek (Days 3–4) – A two-day trek through terraced fields, forest, and villages, climbing gradually to Nagarkot View Tower (7,135 ft / 2,175 m) with Himalayan views from Annapurna to Everest. Around 7.5 miles total on the first day with ~1,600 ft (500 m) of elevation gain; the second day includes a steady descent to Changunarayan Temple (8 miles and 2,500 ft decline). Maximum altitude: 7,135 ft / 2,175 m.

• Dodey Drak Monastery Hike, Bhutan (Day 6) – A 2.5-hour climb along an ancient hidden trail through rhododendron and pine forest. Moderate uphill walking on a pine-needle-carpeted path, with chances to see langurs, birds, and butterflies. Maximum altitude: 8,700 ft / 2,650 m.

• Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang, Bhutan, Day 10) – A signature Bhutan experience. The hike is about 6.5 km (4 miles) round trip with 1,600–2,300 ft of elevation gain. The trail is steady but steep in sections, with steps near the monastery. Expect 4–5 hours round trip at a comfortable pace. Maximum altitude: 10,240 ft / 3,120 m.

Other Activity Notes

• We’ll move frequently during this trip: multiple accommodations, an internal flight, and drives on winding mountain roads.

• Flexibility, resilience, and a spirit of adventure are important.

• Sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are required.

Entry Requirements – Nepal & Bhutan

• Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months after you return home and have blank visa pages. For Bhutan, it’s best to have at least two blank pages side by side, as this is sometimes required for entry stamps.

• Travel Insurance: General travel insurance is required (proof must be submitted).

• Vaccines/Health: See Health section for CDC recommendations.

• Visas: Required for both Nepal and Bhutan (see details below).

You can also use Sherpa to review all entry requirements.

Nepal Visa (required)

• Validity: Tourist visas are valid for 15, 30, or 90 days.

• Cost: Current fee for U.S. citizens is $30 USD (15 days), $50 USD (30 days), or $125 USD (90 days).

• How to apply:
  

  • Apply online in advance via the Nepal Immigration Department https://nepalimmigration.gov.np, or

  • Obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (cash or credit card accepted).

• Timing: If applying online, complete the form within 15 days of arrival and bring the printed confirmation.
  

Bhutan Visa (required)

• Validity: Tourist visas are valid for the exact travel dates of your trip.

• Cost: $40 USD visa fee (processed through our Bhutan partner) plus the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 USD per person, per night (government-mandated).

• How to apply: All visas must be arranged in advance by LH Adventure Travel through our Bhutan partner. You will provide us with your passport details, and we will handle the process.

• Timing: Passport copy and required information must be submitted at least 60 days before travel.

It is required that you carry your own travel insurance policy with adequate medical coverage and emergency evacuation. Recommendations are available upon request, or you may acquire your own policy independently.

Some guests ask about using trip insurance from their credit card company. Please note that these policies often do not include medical coverage or emergency evacuation. Be sure to confirm what your policy includes, and check carefully what types of trip cancellation are covered.

It is generally recommend to select a policy with substantial coverage for both medical expenses and emergency evacuation. Many plans suggest $50,000–$100,000 for medical and $250,000–$500,000 for evacuation.

Please check directly with your insurance provider to confirm the details of your policy, as coverage varies and LH Adventure Travel is not responsible for individual insurance decisions.

Flights

International flights are not included in the trip price. You’ll be responsible for booking your own airfare to and from the region.

This journey begins in Kathmandu, Nepal, and ends in Paro, Bhutan. Because our trips require a minimum number of guests to run, please do not book your flights until you’ve received confirmation from LH Adventure Travel that the trip is confirmed—usually no later than 90 days before departure.

The itinerary includes an internal group flight from Kathmandu to Paro, which is arranged for you and included in the trip package. We’ll provide details on the schedule and baggage allowances well in advance so you can plan accordingly.

Flying home from Bhutan: Paro International Airport has limited service and only connects directly to a few hubs: Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore, and Dhaka. We’ll gladly help guide you in booking onward flights home.

All payments are non-refundable, unless LH Adventure Travel must cancel the trip because the minimum number of guests was not reached.

Because of this, please wait to purchase flights until we confirm that the trip has met its minimum—typically 60–90 days before departure.

Travel insurance is required. If you need to cancel for a reason covered by your policy, we’ll provide all necessary documentation so you can submit a claim directly to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Our small-group adventures generally require a minimum number of guests to run (usually 6). If a trip is cancelled due to low enrollment, you will have options:

• Convert the trip into a private departure (with adjusted pricing), or

• Receive a full refund.

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In the unlikely event that an official government advisory or other force majeure circumstance (such as political unrest, disease outbreak, or natural disaster) prevents travel to the destination, LH Adventure Travel will work to recoup as much as possible from our local partners. Please note that local operators are not always required to provide refunds. Any funds that can be recovered will be offered as a credit valid for one year, which you may apply toward a future trip.

We recommend checking with your travel insurance provider to understand which situations are covered under your policy.

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This itinerary has been thoughtfully crafted to offer a rich and meaningful experience. However, details—including activities, accommodations, and team members—may be adjusted based on group preferences and the discretion of the tour operator to ensure the best possible trip.

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There are two opportunities for physicians to earn CME credits and one option for CE for other healthcare professionals, including dentists, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician assistants, social workers, athletic trainers, dietitians, chaplains, and other members of the healthcare team. Please click HERE for more details. LH Adventure Travel has no financial interest, personal investment, or responsibility regarding Learner+ or the credits earned through their platform.

Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority. We work closely with trusted local partners in each country who know the culture, terrain, and logistics inside and out. If there are ever concerns about security, weather, or local conditions, the itinerary may be adjusted to ensure the group’s comfort and safety.

For added security, we require each guest to upload a copy of their travel insurance policy prior to the trip.

We also recommend enrolling in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before departure. This free service allows you to receive important updates about your destination and helps the embassy contact you in case of an emergency. You can sign up here: STEP Program

Vaccinations & Health – Nepal & Bhutan

It is highly recommended to consult a personal physician or travel clinic prior to your journey to Nepal and Bhutan. This page is not medical advice.

Immunization A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required, unless you have recently traveled in, or transited more than 12 hours through, a country where yellow fever is endemic.

The World Health Organization recommends the following routine vaccinations for all travelers:

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Polio

• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

• TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)

• COVID-19

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention generally recommends for Nepal and Bhutan:

• Typhoid

• Seasonal Influenza

Food, Water & Hygiene To avoid stomach upset, choose food that has been freshly cooked and served hot. Peel fruit yourself, or wash produce thoroughly in clean water. Avoid raw salads in rural areas.

Drink only safe water. Bottled or filtered water will be provided at hotels and lodges, and it’s also best to use safe water for brushing your teeth. Tap water is fine for showering.

Additional Notes The CDC provides up-to-date recommendations for each country—you can find details for your destination on their website.

For general tips on staying healthy while traveling—including what to pack in your first aid kit—please visit the LH Adventure Travel resource page.

As a courtesy to fellow travelers, we ask that all guests bring a mask. Since we often travel together in small buses and vans, please wear your mask if you develop symptoms of a cold, flu, or COVID to help protect the group.

Electricity in Nepal and Bhutan is supplied at 220/230 volts AC, 50 Hz. The most common socket types are Type C (European two-round pin) and Type D (three-round pin, common in South Asia). Adaptors may be available in some hotels, but we recommend that you bring at least one universal adaptor with you.

Power cuts and voltage fluctuations can occur, even in major towns. In rural areas and smaller lodges, electricity may come from solar panels or small generators, and power can be turned off during parts of the day or night. In some cases, charging may only be possible in the main lounge or reception area.

Internet is generally available in larger hotels and cities, though connection speeds can be slow. In more remote areas—particularly along hiking routes and in small lodges—Wi-Fi may be limited, unreliable, or unavailable.

Nepal The official currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR), available in coins and notes. U.S. Dollars are not commonly accepted for day-to-day purchases, but can be exchanged easily in banks, exchange counters, and some hotels. Larger denominations (USD 50s and 100s) often receive slightly better exchange rates than smaller bills.

ATMs are widely available in Kathmandu and major towns, though less reliable in rural areas. Most accept Visa and MasterCard. It’s best to carry some local cash for smaller shops, tipping, and when traveling outside the cities. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and restaurants, but often with a 3–5% surcharge, and the network can occasionally go down.

Bhutan The official currency is the Ngultrum (BTN), which is pegged to the Indian Rupee (INR). Indian Rupees are also widely accepted, though only in smaller denominations. U.S. Dollars can be exchanged at banks and major hotels, but are less useful for everyday purchases.

ATMs are limited outside of Paro and Thimphu, and not always reliable, so it is best to carry cash. Credit card acceptance is improving in larger hotels and shops but remains limited, and transaction fees may apply.

Tips for Both Countries

• Bring a mix of cash (USD for exchanging, NPR for Nepal, BTN for Bhutan).

• Carry smaller denominations

• You may want some local cash on hand, especially in rural areas

• Some bank/credit card companies suggest notification in advance of travel to avoid blocked transactions.