2012 Costs: Taste Of Bhutan.
Peak Season: March-May & September-November.
Regular Season: Remainder of year.
- 3 or more persons travelling together.
Peak Season US$ 1803.00 pp / Regular Season US$1501.00 pp - 2 persons travelling on a share room basis
Peak Season US$2053.00pp / Regular Season US$1758.00 pp - 1 person travelling alone.
Peak Season US$2137.00 / Regular Season US$1844.00 pp
Your Bhutan Land Package Inclusions:
- Personal guide & driver with SUV or minibus.
- All touring & transfers throughout your journey.
- Hotel accommodation with private bathrooms.
- All meals.
- All entrance fees & sightseeing includingMonasteries & Dzongs etc.
- Bhutan Government royalties & taxes.
- Bhutan visa fees.
- Professionally operated by Bhutan Tourism Corp Ltd (BTCL).
- When trekking tented campsites replace hotels.
- When trekking additional support crew and ponies are included.
Your Bhutan land package excludes:
- Airfares to/from Bhutan.
- Items of a personal nature incl laundry, drinks, phone calls. medications, tips etc.
- Travel Insurance which is mandatory to be granted a visa to enter Bhutan.
Day 1:
Paro Valley to Thimphu Valley (1hr 30 mins)
After clearing immigration and customs you will be greeted by your BTCL guide and driver and transferred to Bhutan’s capital Thimphu, travelling through the spectacular countryside enroute.
All the houses and buildings in the Kingdom are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style.
Enjoy the remainder of the day to explore Thimphu, both by vehicle and on foot. Your options this afternoon include a visit to the national textile museum, handicraft centre & Zorig Chusum the institute of the 13 arts & crafts or just enjoy wandering through Thimphu’s main streets. For the more energetic take a hike (or travel by road) up to the telecom tower via the Takin preserve to enjoy a stunning view of the valley.Giant
Overnight Thimphu – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel
Day 2:
Sightseeing in Thimphu.
This morning travel north up the Thimphu valley and hike through the forst to either Cheri or Tango Goemba. En route view the majestic Trashichhoe Dzong, the seat of Bhutan’s government and royal offices and, time permitting , pay a view to Pangri Zampa – two 16th century building that now house a monastic training school for astrologers.
Other options of places to visit are the national library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, paper making factory, the folk heritage museum & the weekend market (Fri-Sun) where everyone goes to buy an array of fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, chillies and many colourful local items such as yak tail duster, cups of butter tea, turquoise from Tibet, and musical instruments etc.
Overnight Thimphu – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel
Day 3:
Thimphu to Punakha Valley. (3 hours)
This morning you will be transferred by road eastwards to the Punakha Valley. Enroute pass the Semtokha Dzong built in 1629 the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu valley, which today is a Theological university. Continue ascending to Dochu La (pass) to view 108 Stupas, commissioned by a former Queen as a memorial to those who lost their lives during a 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 rhododendron blossoms (March – May)splashed among the soft green of the wild herbs and forest trees.
On arrival into the Punakha valley stop and visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also known as the Divine Madman), which is a pleasant, easy is a 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. This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of the valley.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel
Day 4:
Sightseeing in Punakha today.
This morning visit the dramatic Punakha Dzong, which formally served as the seat of government and is still the winter residence of the Dratsheng (Central Monk Body). This is Bhutan’s most spectacular Dzong and an excellent example of how a medieval fortress and a centre of both monastic and adminstrative functions, has adapted and evolved for modern day use.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Punakha, a drive to visit Wangdue Phodrang or travel to the end of the Punakha valley and hike to This afternoon travel to the end of the valley and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chhorten. This Chorten holds very special significance being consecrated in 1999 and dedicated to the protection of the former Crown Prince – today’s current King, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
Overnight Punakha Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel
Day 5:
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. This afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of the major features in Paro town including Paro Dzong with its cantilever bridge. While in Paro we recommend a wander along the main street which offers good shopping for jewellery and handicrafts. Alternatively your guide will arrange a hike in the valley to suit your fitness & time frame.
- The Paro Dzong
Overnight Paro Valley – Bhutanese Style 3* Hotel.
Day 6:
Sightseeing & hiking in the Paro Valley.
This morning hike to the Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tigers Nest. Choose between a 2 hour round trip hike to the Monastery viewpoint or a longer 5 hour and more strenous hike into the Monastery itself. Tigers Nest clings impossibly to a cliff of rock at 3000 ft above the valley floor and where Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress to subdue the local demons followed by 3 months meditation in a cave still visible in the monastery. In 1998 the monastery was seriously damaged by fire and has since been painstakingly reconstructed to its original condition and consecrated by the 4th King in 2005.
This afternoon, time permitting, take a quick visit to 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 24,000 ft snow domed peaks of sacred Mt Chomolhari can be seen.
Overnight Paro Valley – Traditional Bhutanese Hotel.
Day 7:
Early morning departure from your hotel to Paro airport for your onward flight.
