Accommodation

Across Bhutan we have a wide range of accommodation that is selected to truly enhance your travel experience. Your package price includes comfortable 3 star properties based on 2 adults sharing a twin/double bed (single supplements apply) that are generally centrally located, atmospheric, and reliable and where we have seen a good track record with travellers’ satisfaction over many years. On a handful of itineraries you’ll be accommodated in government-certified homestays/farhouses. This is where a local family will open their home providing a wonderful insight into local culture, cuisines and comfortable lodgings with shared bathrooms and a warm reception from your hosts. When trekking in Bhutan you’ll always stay your overnight in our fully supported camping, erected in scenic wilderness settings where our crew look after all the logistics, leaving you to relax at the end of the day. All you need to bring is a sleeping bag and pillow.

Guide

All our tours are accompanied by licensed and experienced English-speaking guides. We can also arrange other languages-speaking guide at an extra cost.

Transport

Our drivers are professionally trained, licensed and experienced. We use comfortable transport within Bhutan for pick ups and drops from airports and hotels. Types of vehicles used are Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Kia Sorento Car, Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Hiace Bus, Hyundai H1 Hiace Bus and Toyota Coaster Bus.

Others

Price Includes •Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours •Baggage handling at all hotels and camps •All entrance fees to museums and other attractions •All applicable internal taxes and service fees •Mineral water •Bhutan visa fees

Meals

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) included. Most Bhutanese dishes are rich and spicy with a lot of cheese and chilli. It is advisable that visitors stick to the Chinese, Continental or Indian cuisine that is served in most restaurants. Visitors can also choose among the various vegetarian and non-veg food. You can also try out momos, the Tibetan dumplings and for those daring you may try out the ema datshi dish served with cheese and chilli and other typical Bhutanese dishes.

Not included:

Flights

Flights are excluded, but we can help you arrange them. We arrange only Drukair or Bhutan Airlines tickets in and out of Paro International Airport and domestic flight at no extra fee. No other airlines fly into Bhutan except the Drukair (National Airlines) and Bhutan Airlines (Tashi Air Pvt. Ltd) operate to and out of Paro International Airport in Bhutan from the following gateway cities: •Changi Airport, Singapore from $1000 (round-trip) •Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok, Thailand from $990 (round-trip) •Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, Nepal from $405 (round-trip) •Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, Bangladesh from $400 (round-trip) •Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, India from $620 (round-trip) •Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata, India from $430 (round-trip) Domestic Air Services There are currently three Domestic Airports in Bhutan that operate from Paro International Airport. •Bathpalathang Domestic Airport in Bumthang in central Bhutan from $340 (round-trip) •Yonphula Domestic Airport in Trashigang in eastern Bhutan from $380 (round-trip) •Gelephu Domestic Airport in Sarpang in southern Bhutan from $340 (round-trip) Note: Airfares may change due to currency fluctuation, fuel surcharge or changes in statutory taxes or charges. The final airfares can only be confirmed upon issue of tickets.

Others

•International and domestic flights •Discretionary tips to guides and drivers •Other personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc. •Upgrade to 4-star and 5-star luxury accommodation •Single room supplement from USD $50 per night in 3-star hotels

Insurance

Travel insurance is mandatory for all travellers whilst on a tour organized by us. BGT does not provide insurance coverage for your trip and hence you are wholly responsible and adequately insured for your holiday from your country of residence. You must take out travel insurance with suitable cover for the duration of your holiday against medical reasons, injury, death, repatriation (including helicopter rescue and air ambulance where applicable), cancellation, curtailment, loss/damage or other risks. Please read your policy and take it with you on holiday.

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Day 1 Day 1: Arrive Paro
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Arrive Paro

On arrival we meet you at Paro International Airport after clearing the immigration and customs formalities and transfer to your hotel in Thimphu for check-in. Flying into Paro is not just to connect Bhutan but also get to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayan ranges, including Mt. Everest (8848m/29028ft), Mt. Kanchenjunga (8586m/28169ft) and Mt. Gangkar Puensum (7570m/24,836ft). You will be driven (54-km) for an hour to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. We stop off at the 13th century Tachog Lhakhang Temple en route to Thimphu, built by Saint Dupthop Thangtong Gyalpo (the iron bridge builder). Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with BGT. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 2 Day 2: Thimphu
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Thimphu

Today you explore the best of Thimphu city at 2300m, home to approximately 138,736 inhabitants. Thimphu is a small city but has many attractive places. We begin at the National Memorial Chorten (stupa), built in memory of The King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Another must see place to tick off on your list is Kuenselphodrang (the largest 169ft Buddha Dordenma statue in the world). Our next stop is at the Folk Heritage Museum, housed in the 19th century traditional house showcasing the Bhutanese traditional lifestyle of a genteel family in the olden days. In the afternoon drive (15-minutes) nearby Motithang Takin Preserve, the national animal of Bhutan. From here move on to the Sangaygang Hill next to the Bhutan Broadcasting Service Tower where you can enjoy magnificent views of the Thimphu valley. Then take a short hike to the Wangditse Gonpa for 1.5 hours. The walk takes you through nature contouring the beautiful hills until Wangditse Gonpa. You’ll have time to visit the Gonpa or walk down to Dechen Phodrang Monastic School where your transport will pick you up. Use your free time to relax or explore the Thimphu city. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3 Day 3: Moving To Punakha
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Moving To Punakha

After breakfast you’ll be driven to Punakha (71-km) about 3 hours, the old capital of Bhutan until 1955. Punakha, at an elevation of 1350m, has temperate climate. A stop is made at the Druk Wangyal Chortens (108 stupas) en route, built on the crest of Dochula Pass at 3050m. On a clear day, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of the snow-capped mountain peaks of the eastern Himalayas, including the highest peak of Bhutan Mt. Gangkar Puensum at 7570m. Next enjoy a scenic drive as you continue your journey to Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang. Arriving in Punakha, visit the Chimi Lhakhang Temple, nestled on a round hillock near a village called Sopsokha, built in 1499 by Saint Drukpa Kinley (known as the Divine Madman). The temple is known to the English-speaking world as “The Fertility Temple.” Legend has it that the childless couples wishing to have a baby from across Bhutan and occasionally from overseas are blessed with a child after visiting the temple. Later visit the Punakha Dzong, which is strategically located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (male) and Mo Chhu (female) Rivers. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 4 Day 4: Gangtey Nature Walk
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Gangtey Nature Walk

Leave Punakha after breakfast and drive into the countryside of Gangtey (78-km) for 2-3 hours via Wangdue Phodrang, and takes you past the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong (gutted by fire in 2012) under reconstruction. Later visit the picturesque 17th century Gangtey Gonpa, where the only Nyingmapa School of Buddhism is taught here in western Bhutan. Rest of the day is yours to relax, enjoy or explore the delightful surroundings of Phobjikha valley at 2900m. Walk down down (4-km) to Semchubara village and then takes you through a forest of conifers before it opens up to the vast plains of the Phobjikha valley. Continue through gentle grassy slopes carpeted with purple primluas where the trail ends at Khewa Lhakhang near the local community school. Phobjikha valley is well known as the winter home of the rare Black-Necked Cranes. The birds migrate from the Tibetan plateau to spend their winter from early November and fly back to Tibet between February and March. Overnight in Phobjikha.
Day 5 Day 5: Back To Paro
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Back To Paro

Today we head back to Paro for the 5 hours drive, pausing en route at the Dochula Pass at 3050m. Paro is the home to the famous Paro Taktshang (also known as Tiger’s Nest), National Museum, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. The evening is at leisure to explore the Paro town or visit a local farmhouse to drink tea with the farmer and his family, allowing you to experience the traditional Bhutanese village life. Overnight in Paro.
Day 6 Day 6: Tiger’S Nest Monastery
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Tiger’S Nest Monastery

Today is a real highlight as you take a short excursion to the stunning Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) at 2950m. The monastery is one of the most revered places of pilgrimage in Bhutan. No visit to Bhutan would be complete without a trip to Taktshang. It is stunning in its beauty and location. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, 900m above the Paro floor valley. The hike (4-km) starts at the base of the mountain from the road at Ramthangkha, 12-km from the Paro town. Enjoy walking around 4-5 hours to do the round trip hike plus an hour to tour the monastery on a comfortable pace. The well maintained trails are wide, uphill the entire way but not overly steep, wind through beautiful pine forest, trees festooned with Spanish moss and fluttering prayer flags. Gentle horse/pony rides are available for transport halfway up the trail, where you will be treated to a stunning viewpoint of the monastery clinging to the cliff wall. Overnight in Paro.
Day 7 Day 7: End Of Tour
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: End Of Tour

Your tour ends this morning with a departure transfer to the Paro Airport for your onward journey. Your guide from Bhutan Green Travel will see you off. Tashi Delek (Goodbye and Good Luck)!

7 days tour

Bhutan Happiness Journeys

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Bhutan Happiness Journeys

Day 1: Arrive Paro

Day 2: Thimphu

Day 3: Moving To Punakha

Day 4: Gangtey Nature Walk

Day 5: Back To Paro

Day 6: Tiger’S Nest Monastery

Day 7: End Of Tour

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