Others

All Bhutanese Government Visa Fees and Royalties One Hour (Bhutanese Traditional National game) Archery lesson while at Paro. Long life blessing for the group along with meditation class in one of the Temples while at Paro. All museum and visitor center entry fees and road permits

Flights

Flight from Kathmandu - Paro - Kathmandu

Guide

English speaking tour guide during the tour.

Meals

Full board meal during the tour.

Transport

All ground transportation by private vehicle.

Accommodation

Accommodation on a full-board basis (excluding beverages) for 8 nights.

Not included:

Others

Personal Expenses Drinks ( Hard / Soft Drinks )

Optional

Extra Activites which is not mentioned in Itinerary.

Insurance

Personal Travel Insurance.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Fly From Kathmandu To Paro.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Fly From Kathmandu To Paro.

In and around Paro

You will arrive by air into the stunning Paro valley with its clear mountain air, forested ridges, striking monasteries and hospitable Bhutanese people in their conspicuous national dress is guaranteed to warm your heart. Our airport representative and guide will meet you at the exit gate of the airport and drive you to Thimphu along the windy road which should take about 1.5 hours. This lively town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil service, and foreign missions that have offices in Bhutan. Tonight we will have dinner in one of the local restaurants and sample their unique cuisine.

You will stay here overnight in a hotel.
Day 2 Day 2: Drive To Tashichho Dzong.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Drive To Tashichho Dzong.

After breakfast we will drive to Tashichho Dzong which was built in 1641. The Dzong is where the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan is located. We then go to the festival location. The dances are known as Cham and are thought to bring blessings upon the spectators. A lot of meaning is imbued in the dances where the gods are regularly referred to. The festival is a huge social gathering where people are in a good mood and wear their very best clothing and wear a lot of jewelry on this once a year occasion. Later in the afternoon we drive to the Buddha Dordenma, a huge Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in the world at 51.5 meters tall. From here you can also look back on Thimphu city. On the way back to the hotel we will stop at the National Memorial Chorten. We will stay here overnight at a hotel with dinner included.
Day 3 Day 3: Sightseeing ( Bhutan Post Office, School Of Traditional Arts And Crafts And The Weekend Market )
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Sightseeing ( Bhutan Post Office, School Of Traditional Arts And Crafts And The Weekend Market )

Today we will visit the Bhutan Post Office, School of Traditional Arts and Crafts and the well patronized weekend market. We will then visit the Changangkha temple in the hilly Motithang district and drive to the top of the ridge that overlooks Thimphu Valley. After this we will visit the Takin Zoo and see Bhutan’s national animal – the Takin. We will then head to the Drupthob nunnery and listen to the nuns recite their evening prayers. Another interesting place to visit is the handmade paper workshop where they make beautiful and extraordinary handmade paper. From here we will go to the weaving center at Changzamtog where they create traditional textiles. We will then go to the Handicrafts Emporium where there are many privately owned crafts shops, with a large variety of handcrafted products, including the well known Thangkas (paintings). We will stay overnight at a hotel with dinner included.
Day 4 Day 4: Thimpu Sightseeing, Punakha Valley Via Dochu La, Chimmi Lhakhang.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Thimpu Sightseeing, Punakha Valley Via Dochu La, Chimmi Lhakhang.

In and around Punakha

This morning we will have time to stroll around Thimphu before heading off on a zigzag route up to the 3,140 meter high mountain pass of Dochula Pass with its beautiful forests and ever-present colorful prayer flags and many memorial chortens. On a clear day you can see the magnificent Himalayan ranges. From here we can take a short walk across the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint commonly referred to as the Divine Madman. Drukpa Kunley built a chorten on the site in the 14th century, and it has since been regarded as a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Duration of drive: 3 - 4 hours (76km). We will stay overnight at a hotel with dinner included.
Day 5 Day 5: Exploration Of The Scenic Punakha Valley.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Exploration Of The Scenic Punakha Valley.

Today we have a full itinerary with trips to: Punakha Dzong, Khamsan Yuley Namgay Chorten Walk, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and the bazaar. The Punakha Valley at 1,200m is low enough to grow bananas and oranges. This morning we will walk up through whitewashed houses and farmland to Khamsan Yuley Namgay Chorten, a Buddhist shrine only recently built by the royal family. It is a wonderfully ornate and complex structure with a rainbow of Guru Rinpoche images and has excellent views. Following the river we head to the massive architectural structure of the 17th-century Punakha Dzong. The fortress/monastery was built in 1637 by Shabdung Ngawang Namgyal in a strategic location at the intersection of the Po Chhu and Mo Chhu (father and mother rivers). It was once the centre of government but is now the winter home of Je Khempo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with an entourage of 1,000 monks. The day ends with a stroll through the charming bazaar at Wangdue Phodrang and a visit to its Dzong, established in 1638 by the Shabdrung. Wangdue Phodrang Dzong sits high on a hill overlooking the Punakha Chhu river. We will stay overnight in a hotel with dinner included.
Day 6 Day 6: Drive To The Phobjikha Valley.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Drive To The Phobjikha Valley.

This morning we will drive to Phobjikha Valley, one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan. We will also pay a visit to the 17th century Gangtey Gompa (monastery), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan where 200 monks live. Immediately after our lunch break we will walk across the alpine meadows passing by the home of the black necked cranes which migrate here in winter across the mountains from Tibet. In the evening we will return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 7 Day 7: Phobjikha Valley To Paro, Chuzom, Tamchog Lhakhang To Paro.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Phobjikha Valley To Paro, Chuzom, Tamchog Lhakhang To Paro.

Today we head back to Dochula Pass and then return to Chuzom where you can see three shrines across the border in Nepali, built to deter evil spirits. If we have time we can visit Tamchog Lhakhang built by Thangtong Gyalpo (referred to as the Iron Bridge Builder). This 14th century saint was responsible for introducing the art of building suspension bridges with iron chains. Access to the temple is across one of these bridges. Leaving here the road winds it way alongside the Pa Chhu River, passing through apple orchards and rice paddies, past charming houses before reaching Paro. After check-in you can spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel or try your hand at the Bhutanese national sport of archery. We will stay overnight here with dinner included.
Day 8 Day 8: Walking In Taktsang
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Walking In Taktsang

One of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Gomba that sits perched on the side of a mountain cliff side that is claimed to be where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) arrived on the back of a flying tigress and responsible for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. It takes around two-hours to climb to the Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. Descend steeply, and then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall before entering through the main gates which are packed with murals. We can, if time permits head higher, or return to the hotel in the afternoon and take advantage of the steam rooms, swimming pool or a Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath followed by a relaxing massage. This will depend on the hotel we have booked. This evening you are invited for a farewell dinner. Duration: 7 - 8 hours Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (riding ponies are available at an additional charge) We will either have a picnic lunch or go to a local restaurant. Tonight we stay in hotel.
Day 9 Day 9: Transfer To International Airport For Your Final Departure.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Transfer To International Airport For Your Final Departure.

This is our last day in this astonishing kingdom as we head to Paro Airport for our flight back to Kathmandu or other destination. Flights are usually scheduled in the morning when flying conditions are more favorable. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking can arrange your ticket from and return to Kathmandu with Druk Air. This journey through Bhutan will be a talking point for many years to come. Very few people get to visit this remarkable forgotten kingdom.

9 days tour

Thimphu Festival Tour Bhutan

This tour includes:

Not included:

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Itinerary of your trip Thimphu Festival Tour Bhutan

Day 1: Fly From Kathmandu To Paro.

Day 2: Drive To Tashichho Dzong.

Day 3: Sightseeing ( Bhutan Post Office, School Of Traditional Arts And Crafts And The Weekend Market )

Day 4: Thimpu Sightseeing, Punakha Valley Via Dochu La, Chimmi Lhakhang.

Day 5: Exploration Of The Scenic Punakha Valley.

Day 6: Drive To The Phobjikha Valley.

Day 7: Phobjikha Valley To Paro, Chuzom, Tamchog Lhakhang To Paro.

Day 8: Walking In Taktsang

Day 9: Transfer To International Airport For Your Final Departure.

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