Accommodation

Bhutanese style 3 star hotels with private bathrooms.

Transport

All touring & transfers throughout your journey.

Meals

All meals ( buffet system /include evening tea/snacks per pax each day ).

Others

All entrance fees and sightseeing. Bhutan (SDF) Sustainable Development fee. Bhutan visa fees. Bhutan local taxes. Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours. All hotel tax & service charges. Mineral bottled water throughout your tour. An experienced licensed driver. A tour vehicle.

Guide

A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide.

Not included:

Flights

Flight into Bhutan can be arranged with us.

Others

Drukair/ Bhutan Airlines flights to/from Paro. Personal items – phone calls, laundry, drinks etc. Travel Insurance – which is mandatory to enter Bhutan.

Insurance

We strongly recommend that you take out travel insurance against medical and personal accident risks ( including repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services ), as well as cancellation insurance. You should be aware that some policies may not cover travel to Bhutan and may not cover activities such as trekking,mountain biking and rafting. Please ensure that your policy provides a sufficient level of protection and covers you for the activities involved in this package. You must carry proof of insurance ( e.g. your insurance certificate ) with you in Bhutan.

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Day 1 Paro Airport To Thimphu City (1 Hr. 30Mins)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Paro Airport To Thimphu City (1 Hr. 30Mins)

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.

After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2 Thimphu Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Thimphu Sightseeing

Once a rustic village sitting in a broad, fertile river valley, Thimphu is today the nation’s bustling capital. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten. This temple was first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernisation, and as a monument to world peace. The Royal Queen Mother completed it as a memorial stupa for the Third King who passed away in 1972. Continue on to 12th century Changangkha Temple and Drubthob monastery housing the Zilukha Nunnery.

Other sites to visit include: the School for Arts and Crafts where students are taught the 13 types of Bhutanese art, The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, the Traditional Paper Factory displaying the Bhutanese paper making process, and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. Tashichhodzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body.

If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market to see the variety of food of Bhutan, including basket upon basket of fiery chillies, cheese and a variety of greens. (This market is open only from Friday-Sunday). Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3 Thimphu - Punakha Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Thimphu - Punakha Sightseeing

Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour.

Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.

After lunch, enjoy a walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly who is also known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is also considered a symbol of fertility and most childless couples go to his temple for blessing. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
Day 4 Punakha - Thimphu - Paro, Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Punakha - Thimphu - Paro, Sightseeing

In the morning drive to Yabesa village and hike to through ricefields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions. Take a picnic lunch on a picturesque riverside before exploring the ruins of Wangduephodrang Dzong. Built in 1639 the strategically located Dzong is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers.

Drive back to Thimphu where you will have an opportunity to visit handicraft and souvenir stores. Afterwards proceed to Paro, visiting Semtokha Dzong en route. The Dzong, built in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture studies. On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Paro.
Day 5 Paro Sightseeing And Hike To Taktshang Monastery
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Paro Sightseeing And Hike To Taktshang Monastery

After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The trail is broad and the walk of approximately 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the viewing point). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight.

The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. Nearby there is a teahouse where you can stop for refreshments.

In the afternoon drive to the 17th Century Drukgyel Dzong, an historic monument built by the Shabdrung to commemorate his victory against invading Tibetans in 1644. In fine weather the towering peak of the sacred Mount Jomolhari (7314m) appears as a stunning backdrop. On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Paro.
Day 6 Departure From Paro International Airport
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departure From Paro International Airport

Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back to your onward destination. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments!

6 days tour

Bhutan At A Glance

This tour includes:

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Itinerary of your trip Bhutan At A Glance

Paro Airport To Thimphu City (1 Hr. 30Mins)

Thimphu Sightseeing

Thimphu - Punakha Sightseeing

Punakha - Thimphu - Paro, Sightseeing

Paro Sightseeing And Hike To Taktshang Monastery

Departure From Paro International Airport

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