2023 Dec Nepal & Bhutan Adventure

A Journey with Friends Across the Himalayas

📅 Date: December 2023
👥 Participants: A group of friends

🏙️ Kathmandu and the Valley of Ancient Cities

Our trip began in Kathmandu, exploring its three historic cities. Each square was like a living museum—temples, palaces, and pigeons all competing for attention. At the Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath), monkeys eyed our snacks like true professionals. At the Pashupatinath Temple, the sacred cremation rituals reminded us of life’s impermanence. And towering above all, the great white stupa with the all-seeing eyes of Buddha watched calmly as tourists and pilgrims circled below.

🏞️ Pokhara and Lakeside Serenity

Next stop: Pokhara. Imagine a lake so still it mirrors the Himalayas, and boats gliding as if on glass. Here, time slowed down—perfect for lazy strolls, sipping tea, and pretending we were poets.

🐘 Into the Wild: Chitwan National Park

Then came Chitwan National Park, the land where nature plays at full volume. From the back of a jeep, we spotted elephants, rhinos, tigers, plus all sorts of smaller neighbors—iguanas, peacocks, and who-knows-what rustling in the bushes. It was a safari that kept us guessing: “Was that a shadow or a tiger’s tail?”

🌄 Lumbini: The Birthplace of Buddha

In Lumbini, we walked the sacred grounds where Buddha was born. Pilgrims chanted, prayer flags fluttered, and we felt history’s quiet weight.

🏔️ Bhutan: The Land of the Thunder Dragon

Crossing into Bhutan felt like stepping into a painting. The highlight? Climbing to the legendary Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang). Perched high on a cliff, it tested both our legs and our determination—but the view was worth every step.

🎉 Conclusion

This trip was a mix of temples, jungles, mountains, and endless laughter. We drove through dust, hiked through clouds, and ate enough local food to fuel an army. December 2023 was not just travel—it was a collection of moments stitched together across Nepal and Bhutan.