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.

Accommodation

Bhutanese style 3 star hotels with private bathrooms.

Transport

All touring & transfers throughout your journey.

Guide

A qualified & licensed English-speaking guide.

Not included:

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.

Flights

Flight into Bhutan can be arranged with us.

Others

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

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Arrive Paro – Drive To Thimphu - Thimphu Sightseeing.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Arrive Paro – Drive To Thimphu - Thimphu Sightseeing.

After clearing immigration and customs you will be greeted by your World Tour Plan guide and driver and transferred to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, travelling through the spectacular countryside en route. All the houses and buildings in the Kingdom are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style.

On arrival into Thimphu check-in to your hotel and take lunch. Enjoy the remainder of the day to explore Thimphu, both by vehicle and on foot. Your options include visits to the National Memorial Stupa; and the Takin Preserve – home to Bhutan’s most unusual national mammal. Overnight Thimphu – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 2 Thimphu Sightseeing. (Cycling Optional)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Thimphu Sightseeing. (Cycling Optional)

This morning visit the majestic Trashichhoe Dzong and the newly consecrated Tara Lhaden Zhingkham lhakang (temple). Continue on to the awesome Golden Buddha which also offers an excellent 3 km hike option with sensational valley views.

Other recommended places to visit are Zorig Chusum – the Institute of the 13 Arts & Crafts of Bhutan (sometimes closed for visitors); the Folk Heritage museum; the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts; the hand-made paper making factory & the weekend market (Fri-Sun) where everyone goes to buy an array of fresh fruits & vegetables; home-wares, handicrafts and clothes.

Don’t forget to take a wander along Thimphu’s main street, Norzin Lam, which offers good shopping and the Craft Bazaar. For those who have an interest in quality weavings and local art check out the Gagyel Lhundrup weaving centre, where you can interact with the weavers, and the adjacent S. Bishwa art gallery. The city bars are also worth a visit. Your guide will advise you the best options. Please note Tuesday is ‘dry day’ in Bhutan and most bars in the city will remain closed. Overnight Thimphu – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 3 Thimphu To Phobjikha Valley (5 Hrs) Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Thimphu To Phobjikha Valley (5 Hrs) Sightseeing

This morning you will be transferred by road eastwards to the Phobjikha Valley. En-route passing the Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629 & the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu valley, which today it is a monastery. Continue ascending to Dochu La (pass) to view the 108 Stupas, commissioned by a former Queen as a memorial to those who lost their lives during the low intensity conflict in late 2002 when Bhutan evicted Indian rebels camped in the jungle on the Bhutan – Indian border.

On a clear day you will witness a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalaya and depending on the time of the year the vista can vary from alpine snow (November – March) to a profusion of blossoms (March – May) splashed among the soft green of the wild herbs and forest trees.

When the ruins of the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong (tragically destroyed by fire in June 2012) come into view, notice the large cacti that cover the hillside below which, were planted long ago to discourage invaders from climbing the steep slope to the Dzong. From the road view Rinchengang, one of Bhutan’s oldest villages, which did not have access to water, electricity or schooling until the early 1990’s.The craftsmen of Rinchengang are sought after for their skills in construction of Dzongs and Lhakhangs (temples).

Until recently the Phobjikha valley’s only electricity came from solar or mini hydro plants. In 2011 underground cabled electricity is gradually connecting the valley to the national grid. Potatoes are this region’s primary cash crop and mainly exported to India. Phobjikha is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan.

It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and the winter home (late October to early February) of the rare black necked crane, which annually flies in from Tibet. There are also muntjaks (barking deer), wild boar, sambar, Himalayan black bear, leopard and red foxes. Overnight Phobjikha Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 4 Sightseeing In The Phobjikha Valley.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sightseeing In The Phobjikha Valley.

While you are in Phobjikha you will visit the Black Crane nature information centre and the sacred Gangtey Monastery plus enjoy time to wander through Gangtey village and hike the Gangtey Nature Trail. There are many additional hikes available in this beautiful valley and your guide will advise you the best options. Overnight Phobjikha Valley – BhutaneseStyle 3* Hotel.
Day 5 Phobjikha Valley To Punakha Valley. (3 Hrs) Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Phobjikha Valley To Punakha Valley. (3 Hrs) Sightseeing

Depart early this morning to the Punakha Valley which holds the title as the winter capital because of its more temperate climate. Arriving into the Punakha valley visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman or Mad Monk), which is a pleasant, easy 20 minute walk across paddy fields. It is believed that childless women who visit the temple will conceive after receiving a “wang” (blessing) from the resident monk.

After lunch enjoy an orientation tour of the valley including the nunnery and, time permitting, consider a visit to the small village of Nobgang, original home to the 4 former Queens (all sisters) of the previous 4th King or to the small village of Talo where you can wander through the serene grounds of the monastery with its beautiful gardens. Overnight Punakha Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 6 Sightseeing & Hiking In Punakha.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sightseeing & Hiking In Punakha.

After breakfast, walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Divine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.

In Punakha, visit the most beautiful Dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong. After this, we will drive towards Punakha village where we will get down and see how our Bhutanese alcohol (Ara) is made. We can also interact with locals and get to know how they rear their cattle’s and see how the butter and cheese are made in the farmhouse in Bhutanese way. In all the farmhouses, the Bhutanese alcohol is served.

Afterwards drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields 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. Overnight Punakha Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 7 Punakha Valley To Paro Valley (4Hrs +) Sightseeing
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Punakha Valley To Paro Valley (4Hrs +) Sightseeing

Depart Punakha early morning for your transfer westwards to the Paro Valley, once again traversing Dochu La, and arriving in Paro town in time for a late lunch at one of the local restaurants.

This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of the major features in Paro town including Paro Dzong with its cantilever bridge; Kyichu Lhakhang – one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples boasting an orange tree that perpetually bears fruit followed by a visit to the old ruined fortress of the Drugyel Dzong (14km from Paro). This is the historical site of the Fort of Drukpa Victory, from which the Bhutanese used to repel the Tibetan invaders again and again. On a clear day views of the 7314 m snow domed peaks of sacred Mt Chomolhari can be seen. Overnight Paro Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 8 Sightseeing Paro Valley.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sightseeing Paro Valley.

This morning check out the National Museum in Paro to view the fine collection of ancient Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and other artifacts and we recommend a wander along the main street which offers good shopping for jewelry and handicrafts. Overnight Paro Valley – Bhutanese Style 3*Hotel.
Day 9 Paro Taktshang Hike – Hike To Tiger’S Nest Monastery
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Paro Taktshang Hike – Hike To Tiger’S Nest Monastery

After breakfast, hike up to Taktshang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest Monastery’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months.

The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former beauty. After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point.

Then drive back to hotel. On the way visit Kichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon. In the evening relax. Overnight Paro Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 10 Departure From Paro International Airport
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Departure From Paro International Airport

In the morning, after breakfast our representative from World Tour Plan,will see you off at the Paro international airport for your onward flight.

10 days tour

Bhutan - The Hidden Kingdom

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Bhutan - The Hidden Kingdom

Arrive Paro – Drive To Thimphu - Thimphu Sightseeing.

Thimphu Sightseeing. (Cycling Optional)

Thimphu To Phobjikha Valley (5 Hrs) Sightseeing

Sightseeing In The Phobjikha Valley.

Phobjikha Valley To Punakha Valley. (3 Hrs) Sightseeing

Sightseeing & Hiking In Punakha.

Punakha Valley To Paro Valley (4Hrs +) Sightseeing

Sightseeing Paro Valley.

Paro Taktshang Hike – Hike To Tiger’S Nest Monastery

Departure From Paro International Airport

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