Discover
Bhutan
Best
Season: March - May / September - November
Costs: Please
see Below
Day
01 : Arrive Paro by Druk Air -
Druk Airways flight to Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in entire
Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or
over the foothills from Kolkatta, each flight is a mesmerizing aeronautical
feat and offers an exciting descent into the Kingdom. On
arrival at Paro airport, immigration and custom formalities and then
received by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Evening
take a stroll around town’s main street. Overnight at the
hotel in Paro.
Day
02 : Paro -
After breakfast, visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum) and then walk down
the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history. Afternoon
visit to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress from where Bhutanese repelled
several invasion by Tibetan armies. Then visit a traditional farm
house which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people. In
the evening, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines
of the Kingdom. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day
03 : Paro – Thimphu
(60 km, 2 hours) - After
breakfast proceed to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Enroute
stop at Chuzom (confluence) where Paro river joins Thimphu river.
Nearby Thimphu, visit to Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom
built in 1627. It now houses the School for Buddhist studies. Afternoon,
in Thimphu, visit to King’s Memorial Chhorten and Trashichhodzong,
the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery. Then,
visit Handicrafts Emporium & Textile and Folk Heritage Museum. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day
04 : Thimphu – Punakha
(75 km, 2.1/2 hours) - Morning,
Thimphu sightseeing, visiting National Library, Painting School and Traditional
Medicine Institute. After
lunch, drive to Punakha, the old capital town of Bhutan. Stop enroute
at Dochula pass (3,050m) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan. On
arrival, check into the hotel. Evening visit Punakha Dzong, the fortress
of 17th century and followed by visit to Khamsm Yulley Namgyal Chhorten. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day
05 : Punakha – Wangduephodrang – Gangtey
(70 km, 3 hours) - After
breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Visit magnificent Wangdue
Dzong and town’s
local market. Further
ahead pass through dense forests and oak, rhododendron tress, reaching
at Gangtey (Phobjikha). Evening
take a walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only
Nyingmapa monastery in this region. Overnight at Camp / Guest House.
Day
06 : Gangtey – Trongsa
(120 km, 4.1/2 hours) - Morning
explore Phobjikha valley which is famous for Black Necked Cranes. These
cranes migrate here from Central Asiatic plateau to escape the harsh
winters. After
lunch drive to Trongsa crossing 3,300m high Pele la pass. Evening visit
to Trongsa market. Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.
Day
07 : Trongsa – Bumthang
(68 km, 3 hours) - Morning
visit to Trongsa Dzong, the master piece of Bhutanese architecture and
see Ta Dzong, the watch tower, built to defend this Dzong and surrounding
region. After
lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. Evening
at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day
08 : Bumthang -
Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys – Chumey,
Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It
is home to many of prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. Visit
to Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist
paintings. Then visit, Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre
of the valley. Afternoon
visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places. Later visit Jambay
Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating from the introduction of
Buddhism in the country. Evening visit to local market. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day
09 : Bumthang – Mongar
(198 km, 7 hours) - The
journey continues eastwards winding through more rugged terrain. The
drive with spectacular views will take about 7 hours. Pass through Ura
village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motorable pass
in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass (4,000 m). Gradually drop down to
Sengor, watching cascading water falls on the way. The descent stops at
700m, on a bridge over the Kurichu. Ascent again through pine forest, maize
fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Visit
Mongar Dzong, built albeit quite recently, the dzong still maintains the
architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.
Day
10 : Mongar – Trashigang
(96 km, 3 hours) - This trip of about 96 km takes 3 hours passing
through Kori la pass (2,450m), the place marked by a pretty chhorten
and a stone wall. The first part
of the journey is through leafy forest filled with ferns. Later road descends
rapidly through corn fields and banana groves arriving the famous ziazags
of Yadi, which is a recent settlement. After that follows the Gamri river
until the bifurcation to Dametsi, this temple perched on top of steep hill
was founded by Choeden Zangmp and is the most important monastery of eastern
Bhutan. This is the place from where famous Naga Chham, mask dance with
drums originated. About 30 km onwards lies Trashigang at 1000m. Trashigang
is the centre of the biggest and most populated district in the country.
Visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging
the Gamri river. It serves as the administrative seat for the district
and part of the Dzong is occupied by the Drukpa monastic community. Overnight
at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day
11 : Trahigang (Excursion to Trashiyangtse) - 24
km from Trashigang, visit the temple of Gom Kora, set on a small alluvial
plateau, overlooking the river. Gom Kora is a famous place where Guru Rinpoche
subdued a demon. Further ahead reach to Doksum village where you can see
women busy in weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric and a chain bridge dating
of the 15th century. Visit
to Trashiyangtse Dzong, situated at the altitude of 1,850m. In former times
Trashiyangtse was important centre because it lies on one of the
carven routes leading from western and centre Bhutan. The Dzong is new
and near by are the Art School and the famous Chhorten Kora. Evening return to Trashigang. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day
12 : Trashigang – Bumthang
(289 km, 10 hours) - After breakfast drive back to Bumthang
with lunch enroute. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day
13 : Bumthang – Punakha
(205 km, 6 hours) - Morning
after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Punakha . Lunch would be served
enroute at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town. Enroute
at Wangduephodrang take a short break for tea / coffee and then proceed
to Punakha hotel for overnight stay. Arrive Thimphu and check into the
hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day
14 : Punakha – Paro
(125 km, 4.1/2 hours) -
Morning free time in Punakha. After lunch drive to Paro for overnight stay.
Day
15 : Paro Depart - After breakfast in the hotel, drive to
the airport for flight to onward destination
Costs: In
Bhutan, the tourist tariff for foreign tourists is set by the government
in US Dollars which is valid for all inclusive package.
Two people travelling together - US$ 210.00 per
person per day
3 + Travelling together - US$ 180.00 per person per day
Single person travelling - US$ 225.00 per day
The
quoted rates are inclusive of following services :-
- accommodation
on twin sharing basis
- all transfers and sightseeing
- services of accompanied english speaking guide
- all meals
- government's royalty which is US $ 65/ per person per day in high season
and US $ 63/ per person per day in low season
- entrance fees, porterages, riding ponies and pack animals on treks
Following
are not covered in above mentioned pirce :-
- Bhutan visa
fee, US $ 20/ per person. It is payable on arrival in Bhutan, in cash.
We will assist in obtaining the visa.
- Tourism Development fee, US $ 10/ per person. This US $ 10/ is for total
trip.
- Bhutan airport departure tax, US $ 8/ per person
- Airfares : Druk Airfre for flying into Paro from Delhi / Calcutta / Kathmandu
/ Bangkok (will be quoted on actual)
- International Airfares
- Personal Expenses
- Travel Insurance
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusive rates above.
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