Simply Bhutan Tour
SIMPLY BHUTAN TOUR
B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner
Day 01:
Arrival at Paro and Drive to Thimpu
The flight into Paro on Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your guide and depart to Paro town for lunch. After lunch visits the Ta dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds. (Archery is the national sport of Bhutan ). If we are lucky, we may catch a match in action. Late afternoon depart to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1.5 hour. Thimphu has a population of about 98,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 02:
Thimphu valley sightseeing and Punakha Valley Thimphu sightseeing includes a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, National Library, stocked with priceless ancient Buddhist manuscripts and also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its color and design. Other high lights include a visit to the Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. After lunch depart to Punakha. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu . The dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 03:
Punakha – Wangdue – Paro Continue your drive to Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong ( currenty may not show this due to the fire hit the DZONG last year) , the Dzong was dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers and then drive your way back to Paro. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, L, D )
Day 04:
Paro valley sightseeing and Tiger’s nest hike In the morning drive towards the north of Paro valley to visit the ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong 16 km up the valley. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the dzong was destroyed by accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m) and then drive to Satsam Chorten to hike to Paro Taktsang, the hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around one and half hour. At the viewpoint enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigeress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and then drive your way back to visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. After lunch drive to visit Evening ends with a walk through Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 05:
Take you to the airport and departure (B)
PRICES OF THE ABOVE TOUR £975.00 (All Prices in GBP and Per Person Basis)
Hotel Envisaged: based on 3 star or similar category:
Land Arrangements Hotel envisaged as Subject to Availability
Departure dates:
3rd, 17th, 31st March
8th, 22nd, 29th April
6th, 20th, 27th May
26th Aug
1st, 15th 23rd Sep
5, 12, 19,26th October
3,10,17,24 Nov
1st, 15th Dec
Cost includes:
- All accommodation in Bhutan on full board
- Car for sightseeing with guide
- Airport pick up and transfers,
- Sightseeing, hotels and all airports transfer in Bhutan by private transport, with English speaking guide
- Travel permit, fees and other major monasteries entrance fees in Bhutan, (except photography fees)
Cost exclude:
- Personal travel insurance and all items of a personal nature.
- Tips and gratuities, Major meals in cities in Kathmandu (where not mentioned)
- Mountain, Road rescue or any other emergency evacuation charges if necessary
- Expenses incurred as a result of illness, landslide, political disturbance, re-routing, flight cancellation and of any other unforeseen situation and events which is not under our control, int’ airfare and airport tax, monument entrance fees in Kathmandu
- Any kind of table drinks, telephone bills, laundry, postage et
- International flight from and to Bhutan.
PLEASE NOTE: You have to arrange the flights to and from Kathmandu by your-self.
