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Established by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced tourism professionals in the region, Asiatic Roads is an alliance of operators from South Asia that specializes in providing high end customized travel and tour packages in Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh. We offer tailor made cultural heritage tours to areas away from the crowd and adventure expeditions and treks in regions far from the trodden trails conducted in the most sustainable manner. Whether it is special interest groups searching for particular flora and fauna or a peek at regions, cultures and traditions hidden from popular packages our experts are ready to ensure your trip is an experience you will cherish forever.

18/08/2026

TOP 5 MONASTERIES IN BHUTAN

TIGER’S NEST
The most famous monastery in Bhutan. It is located in the Paro Valley at an altitude of around 3,000 metres. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew here on the back of a tigress—his wife, who had transformed into the animal—and meditated here for several years.

KYICHU LHAKHANG
This is one of the oldest monasteries of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. It was founded in the 7th century by a Tibetan king. According to legend, a giant demoness lay across Tibet and the Himalayas. To subdue her, the king ordered the construction of 108 monasteries, pinning every part of her body to the ground. Kyichu Lhakhang was one of the four most distant monasteries and marked the sole of the demoness’s foot.

PUNAKHA DZONG
This fortress monastery is located in Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. For many years, it served as the king’s winter residence. Today, Punakha Dzong is the winter residence of the head of Bhutanese Buddhism, who moves there with 300 monks during the cold winter months.

GANGTEY MONASTERY
This is the largest monastery of the Nyingma school of Buddhism in Bhutan. It is located in the glacial Phobjikha Valley in central Bhutan. The monastery houses an extensive collection of Buddhist manuscripts. Rare black-necked cranes can be seen in the valley nearby.

TASHICHHO DZONG
A Buddhist monastery and fortress in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The first building on this site was constructed in the 13th century. Today, the King and the Government of Bhutan work here, and the complex also serves as the summer residence of the country’s highest religious leader.

12/08/2026

TOP 5 SCENIC HIMALAYAN VILLAGES

GHANDRUK
A mountain village in Nepal, located at an altitude of around 2,000 meters. The village is an ancient settlement of the Gurung people. Its cobbled streets are lined with traditional stone houses, and it offers views of the Annapurna peaks, Machapuchare, and Hiunchuli.

DHANKAR
The former capital of the Spiti Valley, located in India at an altitude of around 3,900 meters. The village sits on a sheer cliff overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers. It offers views of the Spiti Valley and the rugged mountains.

LUPRA
An ancient village in Lower Mustang. It overlooks the valley, the Panda Khola River, and cliffs containing ancient caves where monks once retreated for meditation. The houses in the village are built from river stones and sun-dried bricks. The ancient pre-Buddhist shamanic Bon religion is still practiced here.

NAR
A traditional Tibetan village in northern Nepal, located at an altitude of around 4,110 meters in the Nar Phu Valley. The village is home to ancient Buddhist temples, and its residents have preserved many old customs. Nar offers views of the rugged, dramatic Himalayan landscape.

KALAP
An isolated village in northern India. There are no roads leading to it, so it can only be reached on foot. The village is filled with traditional multi-story houses built from stone and wood without the use of cement and decorated with intricate carvings. Kalap offers views of the Tons River Valley, forests, and snow-covered peaks.

10/08/2026

UNUSUAL FRUITS OF THE HIMALAYAS

The Himalayas are home to an enormous variety of fruits. Many of them can also be found in other countries, but there are some that can only be tried in this region.

LAPSI
A small fruit with a distinctive tart and sour flavor. It is used to make sweet-and-sour candies and spicy pickles, and is also added to drinks. Lapsi can be found in Nepal and, occasionally, in Bhutan.

KAFAL
A small red berry that ripens in early summer. It is often referred to as the “king of wild fruits” in everyday speech. Kafal has a sweet or sweet-and-sour taste. It grows on trees in Nepal and India.

CHIURI
The fruit of the Himalayan butter tree. When ripe, the fruit has a rich, sweet flavor. The pulp is eaten fresh or used to make drinks. Oil is extracted from the seeds and used for cooking, lighting, and moisturizing the skin. Chiuri grows in Nepal, India, and Bhutan.

JUNAR
A variety of orange known for its sweetness and juiciness. It grows in Nepal and has officially held the status of the country's national fruit since 2024.

Tip: if you are not sure what fruit you are looking at, it is best to ask a local first. And if that is not possible, do not try it.

06/08/2026

🇳🇵A UNIQUE FLAG

Nepal's current national flag was adopted in 1962. Red is the country's national color, symbolizing the bravery of the Nepali people, while the blue border represents peace and harmony.

The flag was standardized at the request of King Mahendra. Its design combines two separate pennants that were traditionally used by rival branches of the ruling dynasty.

Before 1962, the sun and moon on the flag were depicted with human faces. These were later removed to give the flag a more modern appearance.

Nepal's flag is unique because of its shape. Triangular flags were once common throughout South Asia, but over time every country except Nepal adopted rectangular flags.

Today, Nepal's flag remains the only national flag in the world that is not rectangular. Moreover, it is taller than it is wide, making it unique not only in shape but also in its proportions.🇳🇵

04/08/2026

🇳🇵THE ART OF WOOD CARVING

The intricate carvings adorning columns and windows throughout Nepalese cities are far more than simple decoration. They represent one of the oldest artistic traditions of the Kathmandu Valley—a craft that has captivated people with its beauty and exceptional craftsmanship for centuries.

Wood carving first emerged in the region in the 5th century CE. At that time, it served an exclusively religious purpose, decorating temples with images of Buddhist and Hindu deities, as well as mythical creatures carved into wooden panels.

The golden age of this craft came between the 14th and 18th centuries. During this period, magnificent royal palaces with elaborately carved columns and windows were built, along with multi-tiered pagodas adorned with exquisitely detailed woodwork.

The secrets of the craft have been passed down from one generation to the next, preserving centuries-old traditions. Master carvers work exclusively with local varieties of wood, and when creating these intricate carvings, they use neither nails nor glue.🇳🇵

29/07/2026

🇳🇵KATHMANDU'S ARCHITECTURE

🇳🇵Kathmandu is an open-air museum. For centuries, its palaces, temples, and public squares were built and expanded, and today a significant part of the city's historic heritage is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

🇳🇵Most of the buildings are constructed in the Newar style—the traditional architectural style of the Newar people, who inhabit the Kathmandu Valley. It is characterized by the use of red brick, intricate wood carvings, and multi-tiered pagoda roofs.

🇳🇵Newar architecture began to take shape between 400 and 750 CE. During this period, Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur became the main centers of Newar culture, craftsmanship, and architectural art.

🇳🇵Not only are the buildings themselves unique, but so is the layout of the cities. It was designed according to cosmological concepts, while Newar architecture is rich in spiritual symbolism and largely follows the principles of the mandala—a geometric representation of the universe.

🇳🇵Even today, Kathmandu's traditional architecture continues to inspire contemporary Nepali architects. Seven of the city's largest architectural complexes are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

27/07/2026

THE HIMALAYAN RED LIST

The Himalayan region spans a wide range of climate zones and is home to an extraordinary diversity of plant life. While some plants can be collected as keepsakes for a herbarium, others are protected and listed as endangered, so they should never be picked.

HIMALAYAN BLUE POPPY
The Himalayan blue poppy grows at elevations of 3,000–5,200 meters throughout the Himalayas, most commonly in cool, shaded, and moist habitats. It is threatened by climate change, habitat loss, and harvesting for medicinal purposes.

ROYLE'S FRITILLARY
This flower grows at elevations of 2,000–4,000 meters on rocky slopes, in shrublands, and across alpine meadows of the Himalayan region. It is endangered due to the collection of its bulbs for traditional medicine, habitat destruction, and its naturally low rate of reproduction.

MEIZOTROPIS PELLITA
A rare shrub belonging to the legume family. It is extremely difficult to find, as it grows only in certain parts of Uttarakhand, India, and Nepal. The species is threatened because of its very limited distribution and the destruction of its natural habitat.

BRAHMA KAMAL
This alpine flower grows at elevations of 3,700–4,600 meters in the Himalayan highlands. It is considered sacred in Hinduism, which has led to excessive collection for religious rituals. Its population is also affected by harvesting for medicinal use, habitat destruction, and climate change.

This is only a small selection—the full list of endangered Himalayan plants is much longer. Before picking a flower as a souvenir, make sure it is not a protected species. A simple gesture can have a lasting impact on an already threatened plant population.

22/07/2026

BHUTAN'S WATERFALLS

WANGKHA WATERFALL
This waterfall is located near the highway between Phuentsholing and Thimphu, close to the Chukha Dam. It is easily accessible without a long trek: just a leisurely 20–30-minute walk from the road, and you can enjoy the scenic views and the soothing sound of the cascading water.

BUBJA WATERFALL
Surrounded by forests, this waterfall is located in the Trongsa District and is famous for its beautiful cascades. According to legend, its former name, Budrel, came from the words bu ("son") and drel ("separation"), as this is where Prince Drimed Kuendhen, a hero of Buddhist legends, gave away his children.

THE TWIN WATERFALLS
In southern Bhutan, near Royal Manas National Park, two powerful streams of water plunge side by side, creating a breathtaking spectacle. This striking feature is what gave the waterfall its name. It can be reached in just 15–20 minutes from the village of Pangbang.

THE WATERFALL ON THE WAY TO TIGER'S NEST
On the final stretch of the trail to Tiger's Nest, just before the stone steps leading to the monastery, lies a 60-meter waterfall cascading into a deep gorge. It is considered sacred and symbolizes the "Rain of the Buddha's Blessings."

20/07/2026

🇳🇵4 MARKETS IN NEPAL

Nepal's markets are just as captivating as its ancient temples and breathtaking mountain views. Here are four places worth visiting to experience the country's vibrant atmosphere and bring home truly authentic souvenirs.

🇳🇵ASAN MARKET
The oldest market in Kathmandu, located in the heart of the Old City. Asan is a maze of narrow streets lined with countless shops and market stalls converging around a lively square. Here you can buy tea, spices, fabrics, woolen clothing, and silver and gold jewelry.

🇳🇵MANGAL BAZAAR
A historic market in the center of Patan, near Patan Durbar Square. It is one of the best places to shop for traditional metal crafts, handmade jewelry, clothing, and footwear. You can also watch local artisans at work.

🇳🇵THAMEL
Kathmandu's most famous tourist district, filled with cafés, restaurants, bars, and hundreds of shops. It's the perfect place to find trekking gear, souvenirs, spices, jewelry, cashmere products, and yak wool clothing.

🇳🇵BISHAL BAZAAR
A modern indoor shopping center in Kathmandu's historic district. Unlike the city's traditional bazaars, it offers a convenient place to shop for clothing, shoes, jewelry, and souvenirs all under one roof.

When shopping in Nepal, be sure to look for locally made products such as handcrafted jewelry, cashmere garments, yak wool clothing, spices, Nepali tea, Himalayan honey, and the country's famous singing bowls. These are the kinds of treasures that make the most memorable souvenirs from your journey.

15/07/2026

🇳🇵SKYDIVING IN POKHARA

🇳🇵Pokhara is Nepal's adventure capital and a paradise for thrill-seekers. Jeep tours, mountain trekking, ziplining, one of the world's highest bungee jumps, paragliding—and now you can add skydiving with breathtaking views of the Himalayas to the list!

🇳🇵Skydiving in Pokhara began to develop rapidly between 2011 and 2013. Since 2019, it has become one of the best-known high-altitude skydiving destinations in the Himalayas, attracting skydivers from around the world.

🇳🇵The unforgettable views of the Annapurna Massif and the Pokhara Valley begin even before the jump, as the helicopter climbs to an altitude of 4,000 meters. Then comes around 50 seconds of freefall, with nothing but the sky and the mountains around you. Once the parachute opens, you'll have a few more minutes to take in the spectacular Himalayan panorama from a bird's-eye view.

🇳🇵Skydives are conducted only in favorable weather conditions and under the supervision of a certified instructor. Experienced skydivers, however, may jump solo rather than in tandem. Before every jump, participants receive a comprehensive safety briefing and a thorough equipment check.

Address

Bohoratar
Kathmandu
44600

Telephone

+9779851189018

Website

http://www.asiaticroads.com/

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