Swotah Travel and Adventure

In Bhutan, they put a lot of stock in happiness as a measure of success. By the end of this multi country Himalayan tour, yours may be off the scale. Ideal for those wanting to spend more time exploring Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet, this is a three-week vacation that really allows you to see a great deal of each country, and gain a deeper understanding of the traditional culture of each. Flying into and out of Kathmandu, you’ll begin with a week in the kingdom of Bhutan, which has only opened itself up to tourists in recent decades. Key destinations here include the majestic Punakha Dzong in its picturesque riverside setting, and the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which you’ll reach on a hike from Paro ...Read more >

Enjoy an in-depth exploration of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet across two weeks with this tailor made tour in the Himalayas. Beginning and ending in the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu, you’ll take in key highlights of each country, from religious sites to palaces and natural wonders, too, as well as slowing down at times to gain a deeper appreciation of life here at the ‘roof of the world’. Every day is packed with sights and experiences, from hiking up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery in Paro, Bhutan, to joining the circular pilgrimage around the Barkhor in Lhasa. But you never feel rushed, and in large part that is down to the expertise with which the itinerary has been created. You’ll connect ...Read more >

The retreat center sits on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, high enough to catch the mountain views and morning light that the city itself rarely offers. Sessions run outdoors where possible, led by an award-winning yoga teacher with decades of practice in the Himalayan tradition. The setting does a lot of the work. The program is short by design. A few days here resets something that weeks of ordinary life tend to dull. Between sessions, the schedule stays open: an organic farm visit, Ayurvedic massage, a village hike, or simply time in the ashram under the guidance of the resident Guruji. None of it is compulsory. Rest is also part of the practice. Kathmandu is 30 minutes away, ...Read more >

Nepal and Tibet share a cultural corridor that spans 1,400 km from the Kathmandu Valley to the shores of Namtso Lake. This 16-day tour covers the two most historically layered countries in the Himalayan region: Nepal, where Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist traditions have shared the same valley floors for over a thousand years, and Tibet, where the world's highest plateau holds some of the oldest functioning monasteries on Earth. The Nepal leg opens in the Kathmandu Valley with three ancient Newar cities, Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur, each centerd on a medieval Durbar Square. From there, the tour moves southwest to Lumbini, the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama in approximately 623 BCE, ...Read more >

Experience the Himalayas like never before with our exclusive Nepal and Tibet overland adventure. This unique journey is carefully crafted to offer you a perfect blend of cultural immersion, natural wonders, and spiritual exploration. Here's why this tour stands out and why you should join us: 1. Himalayan Bliss and Spiritual Encounters: Prepare to be awe-struck by the surreal beauty of the Himalayan landscapes that unfold before your eyes. From the verdant valleys of Nepal to the majestic plateaus of Tibet, each vista is a masterpiece of nature's artistry. As you traverse the Himalayan foothills, immerse yourself in the spirituality that permeates the air, visiting ancient monasteries, ...Read more >

Nepal and Bhutan sit 600 km apart along the southern Himalayan arc, but their cultural DNA diverges sharply. Nepal is one of the most religiously layered countries in Asia, where Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist traditions share the same temple squares, pilgrimage routes, and festival calendars. Bhutan is a Vajrayana Buddhist kingdom that has deliberately limited outside influence — foreign visitor numbers are capped, satellite TV arrived only in 1999, and gross national happiness is a constitutionally embedded policy measure alongside GDP. This 7-day tour moves through both countries in sequence, opening in the Kathmandu Valley and closing in Bhutan's Paro Valley. The Nepal leg covers the ...Read more >

Be among the first ones to visit this hidden country in the Himalayas and see how the Bhutanese protect their culture and environment. Finally, after 2 years of isolation, the mystical Kingdom of Bhutan reopened its borders to international travelers. On this 5-day tour, we will visit major cities such as Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha. It is a perfect destination to do some spiritual searching and to connect with the greater aspects of the world being. What do you know about life in a monastery or the life of a monk? Why were temples built on top of the peaks? What's karma? Why meditate? One of the memories you will carry - we will witness a Black-Necked Crane Festival in Thimphu. The ...Read more >

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with our "Best of Nepal and Bhutan with Poon Hill Hike" tour, a journey that combines the spiritual and cultural richness of Nepal and Bhutan with the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas. This comprehensive tour offers an immersive experience into the heart of two of the world's most enchanting destinations, complete with a rewarding hike to the famous Poon Hill. Begin your journey in Nepal, where you will explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu. Visit the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) and the magnificent Bouddhanath Stupa, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Discover the architectural wonders of Patan and Bhaktapur, where centuries-old ...Read more >

Discover the profound spiritual heritage of Nepal with our exclusive 10-day Buddhism Circle tour, a unique journey through the sacred sites and serene landscapes that have shaped Buddhist practices for centuries. Nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Nepal is a harmonious blend of Hindu and Buddhist traditions, making it a spiritual haven for seekers from around the world. Begin your pilgrimage in the Kathmandu Valley, where you will visit the ancient Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, a site that has stood for over 2,000 years. Marvel at the world's largest stupa, Bouddhanath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a focal point for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Our ...Read more >

Experience celebrating the major Tiji festival in the city of wonders, distant, forbidden, and yet so intriguing, often regarded as the “last forbidden city” and “the mini Tibet”, Upper Mustang. Tiji is an indigenous festival of the people in Upper Mustang. This three-day celebration around mid-May - Tiji is an abbreviation of the word "Tempa Chirim," which means "Prayer for World Peace". This festival commemorates the victory of Lord Buddha's incarnation Dorjee Sonnu over a demon called Man Tam Ru, a vicious creature feeding on human beings and causing storms and droughts. During the festival, the monks of Lo Manthang's "Choedhe" monastery perform ritual dances during the ...Read more >

Embark on a 7-day cycling adventure through the stunning hills surrounding the Kathmandu Valley, where you can enjoy breathtaking Himalayan views and explore the rich culture and landscapes of Nepal. This Kathmandu Valley cycling tour is perfect for those seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience, offering a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and exhilarating mountain biking. The hills around Kathmandu Valley are a haven for mountain biking enthusiasts. Our carefully selected routes will take you through picturesque trails, untouched by mass tourism, allowing you to immerse yourself in the serene beauty and tranquility of the region. As you cycle through these trails, ...Read more >

Nepal and Bhutan share a border, a Buddhist heritage, and almost nothing else. This 15-day tour moves through both, starting in Kathmandu's medieval squares and finishing at a cliff-face monastery above the Paro valley, with a rhino sanctuary and a walled fortress city in between. Kathmandu comes first. The city holds seven UNESCO World Heritage sites within a 15km radius: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur among them. From there, the tour heads west to Pokhara, Nepal's lakeside second city, before continuing south to Chitwan National Park, established in 1973 as Nepal's oldest protected reserve and home to the greater ...Read more >

This tour is specially tailored to provide the best of Bhutan’s and Nepal's timeless culture and traditions. You will experience Bhutan’s unique, rich culture with visits to beautiful fortresses, museums, and visits to farmhouses; experience local cuisine, a relaxing hot stone bath after a tiring day, and a hike up to the famous Taktshang Monastery, popularly known as Tiger’s Nest. Travel between lush green valleys and dense forests. Discover some of the most sacred Buddhist monasteries and temples, and marvel at the ancient paintings and carvings in the fortress and temples. You will visit all 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu Valley to feel the core of Nepal, culture, and ...Read more >

Experience one of our most unique and impactful programs dedicated to the conservation of endangered dolphins in Nepal. This milestone initiative aims to protect wildlife and promote animal conservation in the stunning Bardiya National Park. Bardiya National Park, established in 1988, is the largest and most undisturbed national park in Nepal, spanning 968 square kilometers. Nestled in the Terai region, it connects to the eastern bank of the Karnali River and is bisected by the Babai River. The park is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 150 species of reptiles and fish, more than 400 species of birds, and around 48 different mammals, making it an ideal destination for spotting ...Read more >

Mera Peak, standing tall at 6,476 meters, is the perfect challenge for trekkers looking to upgrade to mountaineering. This climb offers a thrilling adventure that combines high-altitude trekking with the basics of mountaineering, making it an ideal peak for those ready to take their skills to the next level. Your expedition begins in Kathmandu, followed by a scenic 30-minute flight to Lukla. From Lukla, the journey takes you through stunning hills and valleys, providing a feast for the eyes and a gradual acclimatization to the increasing altitude. The trek to Mera Peak is not technically difficult, but the high altitude adds an exciting challenge, demanding physical fitness and mental ...Read more >

This 14-day tour connects two of South Asia's most distinct Himalayan cultures in a single itinerary: six nights in Nepal covering Kathmandu's UNESCO World Heritage temple squares, a homestay in Ghandruk village inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, and Pokhara on the lakefront below the Annapurna massif; followed by seven nights in Bhutan taking in Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro. The two countries share a Buddhist heritage and Himalayan geography, but they are otherwise very different travel experiences — Nepal is open, high-traffic, and diverse; Bhutan manages visitor numbers through a Sustainable Development Fee of $100 USD per person per night and operates a tourism model built explicitly ...Read more >

This 17-day mountain biking expedition covers roughly 300–400km of trail between Jomsom (2,720m) and Lo-Manthang (3,840m), the walled capital of the former Kingdom of Lo, combining technical singletrack, desert canyon riding, and high-altitude climbing across terrain most cyclists never reach. Fitness requirements are serious: expect daily stages of 20–60km and 5–8 hours of riding at elevations consistently above 3,500m. The route follows the Kali Gandaki valley north from Jomsom, passing Muktinath Temple (3,710m) before ascending through eroded cliff-face villages to Lo-Manthang. Descents are long and technical; ascents are punishing. This is not a beginner route. Riders who have ...Read more >

Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), a giant cat native to the mountainous part of South Asia is a very rare species of a leopard which is on the verge of extinction and listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 1973 a travel writer, Peter Matthiessen published a book ‘The Snow Leopard’ after traveling to one of the remotest and least accessible districts of Dolpa. The trek is based on the writer’s experience of getting to see the snow leopard. In Nepal, 300-500 snow leopard lives in an area of about 30,000 sq. km. They are mostly found in the Himalayan region of central Asia and protected in 8 conservation areas: Annapurna Conservation area, Shey Phuksundo National Park, ...Read more >

Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve is the conservation area which was established in 1976 A.D., located in the eastern Nepal of Terai region in the flood plain of Koshi River at the altitude 75 to 81m. This wildlife reserve covers an area of 175km and is surrounded by three districts including Sunsari, Saptari and Udyapur. Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve was named as a Ramsar site in December 1987. In this national wildlife reserve, we can patrol different varieties of flora and fauna, including 280 species of birds, 20 species of ducks, 2 species of ibises many strokes, egrets, herons, hog deer, wild weer, spotted deer and blue bull. Not only this we can gaze that this reservation protected the ...Read more >

The Lumba Sumba Trek, inaugurated by the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) in 2012, is a captivating journey through the eastern part of Nepal. This trail lies between the towering Mount Kanchenjunga (8,586 meters, the third highest mountain in the world) and Mount Makalu (8,485 meters), offering trekkers an unparalleled experience of Nepal's natural beauty and cultural richness. Named after the majestic Lumba Sumba peak, which stands at an impressive altitude of 5,200 meters, this trek is a part of The Great Himalayan Trail. It provides stunning views of the Makalu and Kanchenjunga mountain ranges and traverses beautiful villages such as Olangchung Gola, following the ...Read more >