Nepal & Bhutan: Self-Launched Himalayan Adventure
12 days · Nepal & Bhutan
Peregrine Treks and Expedition charges £4,130
No-markup version: ~£2,320 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched take on Peregrine Treks' 12-day Nepal & Bhutan tour: Kathmandu's temples, sunrise over the Annapurnas at Sarangkot and lakeside Pokhara, jungle safaris in Chitwan, then a hop across to Bhutan for Thimphu, Punakha and the legendary Tiger's Nest hike. Built for independent travellers who want the same highlights without a guided group price tag — using local buses, domestic flights, budget guesthouses and bookable activities. Note: Bhutan requires a Sustainable Development Fee and a licensed Bhutanese guide for most foreigners, so that leg must be arranged through a Bhutanese operator regardless.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport and make your own way to Thamel (pre-paid taxi ~£5, or use the InDrive/Pathao apps for ~£3). Check into a budget guesthouse in Thamel and spend the afternoon acclimatising and getting a Nepali SIM card (Ncell or NTC, ~£2 for data). Wander the Thamel backpacker strip for gear shops and rooftop momo joints.
🚌Airport taxi to Thamel ~£5 (share if possible)
🛏Thamel budget guesthouse / hostel dorm, ~£10/night
- →Explore Thamel and shop for local handicrafts
- →Sort Nepali SIM card and cash (Nepal is largely cash-based)
Kathmandu Valley Temples
Kathmandu, Nepal
Do your own temple circuit — everything is within taxi/bike reach. Start at Pashupatinath Temple (cremation ghats on the Bagmati, ~£8 entry), then Boudhanath Stupa (~£3) for butter lamps and Tibetan monasteries, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple, ~£2) for valley views, and Kathmandu Durbar Square (~£8). A local guide isn't required; GetYourGuide offers half-day Kathmandu heritage walking tours from ~£25 if you want context.
🚌Local taxis between sites ~£2-3 each, or day-hire a driver for ~£30
🛏Thamel budget guesthouse / hostel dorm, ~£10/night
- →Pashupatinath Temple
- →Boudhanath Stupa
- →Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- →Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu to Pokhara
Pokhara, Nepal
Choose your transfer: the classic 7-hour Tourist Bus from Kantipath (book the day before, ~£12-15, departs ~7am), or a 25-minute flight (~£65-90 with Buddha Air/Yeti) if you'd rather save the day. Arrive in Lakeside, Pokhara and walk to Phewa Lake for a sunset dinner of dal bhat and fresh trout at a lakeside restaurant.
🚌Tourist bus Kathmandu-Pokhara ~£13, or domestic flight ~£75
🛏Pokhara Lakeside guesthouse, ~£10/night
- →Scenic drive or flight across the hills
- →Sunset dinner on the banks of Phewa Lake
Sarangkot Sunrise & Pokhara Sights
Pokhara, Nepal
Book a shared jeep/taxi up to Sarangkot for sunrise over the Annapurna and Machhapuchhre ranges (~£8 return, leave ~4:30am). Back down, hire a rowboat on Phewa Lake (~£3/hr) to paddle to the Tal Barahi temple. Then chain the local sights by scooter or taxi: Bindabasini Temple, Bat Cave, Mahendra/Seti Gorge, Devi's Fall and the World Peace Pagoda. Renting a scooter is ~£8/day — bring an IDP.
🚌Shared jeep to Sarangkot ~£8 return; scooter hire ~£8/day
🛏Pokhara Lakeside guesthouse, ~£10/night
- →Sunrise from Sarangkot
- →Boat on Phewa Lake
- →Bindabasini Temple
- →Bat Cave & Seti Gorge
- →Devi's Fall
- →World Peace Pagoda
Pokhara to Sauraha (Chitwan)
Sauraha, Chitwan, Nepal
Take the morning Tourist Bus from Pokhara to Sauraha (~5-6 hours, ~£10-12). On arrival, check into a riverside guesthouse in Sauraha. Book your jungle activities direct with the guesthouse or a local Chitwan operator rather than a package. Spend the late afternoon browsing the Sauraha market for Tharu textiles, then watch the sunset over the Rapti River.
🚌Tourist bus Pokhara-Sauraha ~£11
🛏Sauraha riverside guesthouse, ~£12/night
- →Browse Sauraha local market
- →Sunset over the Rapti River
Chitwan Jungle Safari
Chitwan National Park, Nepal
Book a full day of Chitwan activities direct: a half-day jeep safari into the core zone (~£35-45, includes park fee ~£15), a dugout canoe trip on the Rapti (~£6), and guided birdwatching at first light (over 500 species here). Skip the elephant-riding options — ethical alternatives are the jeep and walking safaris. In the evening, catch a Tharu stick-dance performance in Sauraha village (~£3).
🚌Walking/cycle within Sauraha; jeep included in safari
🛏Sauraha riverside guesthouse, ~£12/night
- →Jeep safari in Chitwan National Park
- →Canoeing the Chitwan waterways
- →Birdwatching
- →Tharu cultural dance performance
Sauraha to Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal
Return Tourist Bus to Kathmandu (~5-6 hours, ~£11). En route many travellers stop at Trishuli River for a half-day white-water rafting trip (~£30-40, bookable through local rafting outfitters in Sauraha or Pokhara) — arrange this before you leave. Back in Kathmandu, do a final Thamel shopping sweep and a farewell Nepal dinner.
🚌Tourist bus Sauraha-Kathmandu ~£11
🛏Thamel budget guesthouse, ~£10/night
- →Optional Trishuli River rafting
- →Thamel shopping and dining
Fly Kathmandu to Paro, Transfer to Thimphu
Thimphu, Bhutan
Fly the spectacular Kathmandu-Paro route with Drukair or Bhutan Airlines (~£200-260 one-way; book early, it sells out). You must have your Bhutan visa, Sustainable Development Fee and a licensed Bhutanese guide arranged in advance through a Bhutanese tour operator — this is mandatory and can't be DIY'd. After landing, drive ~1 hour to Thimphu. Visit the Tashichho Dzong fortress-monastery and the National Memorial Chorten, then browse the Thimphu crafts market.
🚌Flight Kathmandu-Paro ~£230 one-way; private transfer to Thimphu (arranged via Bhutanese operator)
🛏Thimphu budget hotel, ~£20/night
- →Scenic Himalayan flight to Paro
- →Tashichho Dzong
- →National Memorial Chorten
- →Thimphu handicrafts market
Thimphu to Punakha via Dochula Pass
Punakha, Bhutan
Morning in Thimphu visiting the Folk Heritage Museum (~£2), the National Institute for Zorig Chusum (the 13 traditional arts school) and the Centenary Farmer's Market. Drive over the 3,100m Dochula Pass with its 108 chortens and Himalayan panorama, then descend to Punakha. Visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong at the river confluence and walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, through rice paddies.
🚌Private vehicle Thimphu-Punakha via Dochula (~3 hrs, arranged with Bhutanese operator)
🛏Punakha guesthouse, ~£20/night
- →Folk Heritage Museum
- →National Institute for Zorig Chusum
- →Centenary Farmer's Market
- →Dochula Pass
- →Punakha Dzong
- →Chimi Lhakhang
Punakha to Paro
Paro, Bhutan
Start with a morning hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten (~1 hour up through rice terraces, free), then cross the dramatic Punakha Suspension Bridge over the Po Chhu. Drive onwards to Paro (~3-4 hours), stopping for photos. Arrive in Paro town, explore the main street's shops and cafes, and turn in early to rest up for the Tiger's Nest.
🚌Private vehicle Punakha-Parog (~3.5 hrs, arranged with Bhutanese operator)
🛏Paro guesthouse, ~£20/night
- →Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten hike
- →Punakha Suspension Bridge
- →Scenic drive to Paro
- →Paro town
Tiger's Nest Monastery Hike
Paro, Bhutan
The highlight: hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), perched 900m above the valley floor. Allow 3-4 hours return (~£1 entry); you can hire a pony for the climb up if you'd rather (~£15). Explore the monastery complex, which clings to the cliff face, and if timing allows, sit in on a monk's chanting session. In the afternoon, see the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong and the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang if energy remains.
🚌Taxi from Paro town to trailhead ~£5 each way (or walk from town)
🛏Paro guesthouse, ~£20/night
- →Hike to Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery
- →Explore the monastery complex
- →Kyichu Lhakhang temple
Departure from Paro
Paro, Bhutan
Transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. If you're routing back through Kathmandu, flights leave early morning — book well in advance and allow buffer time, as Paro's mountain approach occasionally causes delays.
🚌Transfer to Paro International Airport (arranged with Bhutanese operator)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Departure transit
Self-launched vs. Peregrine Treks and Expedition
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Peregrine Treks and Expedition | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£2,320 | £4,130 |
| Duration | 12 days | 12 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,810 per person (44%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Peregrine Treks and Expedition-style trips? Check them out here.~£2,320
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Nepal & Bhutan: Self-Launched Himalayan Adventure cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £2,320 per person for 12 days in Nepal & Bhutan. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Peregrine Treks and Expedition?+
Yes — Peregrine Treks and Expedition charges around £4,130 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £2,320 — a saving of roughly £1,810 (44%) per person.
How long is the Nepal & Bhutan trip?+
This itinerary runs 12 days, covering 12 day-by-day stops through Nepal & Bhutan.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Nepal & Bhutan, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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