Grand Cultural Tour of Bhutan (10 days)

Introduction

Travel Duration: 10 days
Price: Please contact us
Trip Grade: Easy

 

Tour Cost

SERVICE INCLUDED:

- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) and beverages
- Accommodation in “A” category hotels (equivalent to 3 or 4 Star) approved by Tourism Council of Bhutan and Hotel Association of Bhutan
- Experienced tour guides in all languages licensed by Tourism Council of Bhutan
- Transport within Bhutan (Toyota coach / Tucson / Santafe / Land cruiser / Prado) as per itinerary
- Museum entrance fee
- Mineral water
- Airport assistance(Pick/Drop)
- Riding ponies and pack animals on treks
- Cooks (professional) and staff (experienced) on treks
- Tents (high quality from Nepal) and other equipments on treks.
- Cooks (professional) and staff (experienced) on treks

 

SERVICE NOT INCLUDED:

- Single individual $ 50 per person per night
- Group of two $ 40 per person per night
- Single Supplement US $ 35 for season and US $ 25 for off season
- Visa fee
- Tourism Dev Fee $ 10
- Air ticket
- Tips/Bar bills/Telephone bills/Laundry/

Contact us for updated cost. 

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive in Paro – Thimphu (L/D)
Please check our website for Druk Air flight schedule and fares to Bhutan.
Fly to Paro, Bhutan. Upon arrival at the airport, clear immigration & Customs. Meet your Bhutanese Guide and driver outside the terminal and after introduction drive to Thimphu. The drive to Thimphu takes approximately 1hour. Depending on the time and your interests, we may stop along the way to view sights, take photos etc. Near the village of Sitsina, you can visit a small nunnery. Check into your hotel. This afternoon a short familiarization tour of Thimphu includes visiting Tashicho Dzong, a revamped fortress that is the main seat of Government and central monastic body. Stroll through the town area and down to vegetable market. During weekends (Fri-Sun), the vegetable market is more active. Depending on available time, we may visit or incorporate some of tomorrow’s sights.
Overnight in Thimphu, Hotel Jumolhari or River View as available.
Day 02: Thimphu Valley Tour (B/L/D)
Thimphu being the capital has number of sights to visit and depending on which may be of more interest to you, the Guide will cover them first and visit rest as per available time. The main sightseeing tour of Thimphu valley include visiting Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lakhang, Takin (national animal) Sanctuary, Sangaygang View point, Zilukha Nunnery, Traditional Art School (Painting School), Indigenous Hospital, National Library and Handicraft workshops. Later you can visit Textile Museum, Handmade Paper factory, National Smiths, drive up the valley north, towards Dechencholing palace area for general view of the area. In the evening there will be time for stroll on your own.
Overnight in Thimphu, Hotel Jumolhari or River View as available
Day 03: Thimphu- Gangtey (Phobjikha) (B/L/D)
Drive east across spectacular Dochula pass via Wangdiphodrang to Gangtey, Phobjikha valley. This 5+hr drive is spectacular with great scenery and ever changing vegetation as we ascend and descend through varying altitude. Phobjikha or Gangtey at an average altitude of 3,000m is a wide and beautiful valley. It is designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye National Park, a natural habitat for wildlife, including the endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from Central Asia in mid autumn an stay till early spring). Due to these conservation measures, there is no electricity in the valley. The lodges use solar powered cells or generator for light which is turned off after dinner. Hot water is provided in the bucket and the simple rooms are heated with wood stoves. In the afternoon, visit the ancient and large Gangtey Gompa Monastery followed by walk in the valley. Visit the Nature center in the valley.
Overnight in Phobjikha, Hotel Dewachen or best available
Day 04: Gangtey (Phobjikha) – Jakar (Bumthang) (B/L/D)
Climb-out of the valley to Pele-la pass, where we rejoin the east-west highway and continue east to Bumthang valley, which is expected to take around 5+hour. En-route, we stop at several places along the way for scenic photo shoot, views and other interesting surprises. We also make a stop at Chendebji Chorten (Stupa) for short break and in Trongsa town, for lunch. After crossing Youtongla pass, we arrive in Chumey valley, one of the four main valleys of Bumthang district. Stop to take a peek at Domkhar Choling palace and visit the Yathra weavers at Zugney. Upon arrival in Jakar, check into your hotel. In the evening, visit Jakar Dzong and walk down-hill through Jakar village into the town area.
Overnight in Bumthang, Mountain Lodge, Mipham or best available.
Day 05: In Jakar (Bumthang) (B/L/D)
Bumthang is justifiably regarded as the cultural heartland of the kingdom with its many temples, holy sites, languages and traditions. We spend the full day in and around Jakar visiting its important monuments and cultural sigts. Most places can be covered by drive but some places are easier and more interesting by walk. Among others, visit Kurjey Temple complex, the 7th century Jampay Lhakhang temple, Chakar Temple and Tamshing Monastery in the morning. Later stop at the Swiss farm, visit a local home, visit local wood craft center, may be a wool dying workshop and visit the prayer wheel near Wangdicholing Palace. You may also have an opportunity to visit a local school during the day. In the evening, sample some of the local food made from Buckwheat.
Overnight in Bumthang, Mountain Lodge , Mipham or best available.
Day 06: Bumthang – Trongsa (B/L/D)
From Jakar, we retrace short drive to Trongsa (3hr). Along the way, cover any sights that we may have missed earlier. Upon arrival, visit Trongsa Dzong, one of the most impressive fortresses in the country. Later climb the vigilant Watch tower, which has recently been converted into a National Museum. The view from the watchtower across of the Dzong and of the valley is spectacular. Stroll through the small and interesting town and chat with the locals.
Overnight in Trongsa, Yangkhil Resort , Mipham or best available.
Day 07: Trongsa – Punakha (B/L/D)
Re-crossing the Pelela, descend into low subtropical valleys of Wangdue and Punakha. In Wangdue, visit Wangdiphodrang town. After lunch take a short & easy walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang temple and later visit Punakha Dzong located at the confluence of Pho and Mo chu rivers. Free evening to rest or take a self-guided walks.
Overnight in Punakha, Punatsang Chuu Cottages.
Day 08: Punakha to Paro (B/L/D)
Cross Dochula pass into Thimphu and continue to Paro (total 4+ ½ hr drive). At Dochula pass we stop for tea and to enjoy the spectacular views of the eastern Himalayan Panorama (weather permitting). After lunch and check-into your hotel in Paro, visit Ta Dzong, which houses the National Museum, followed by visit of Rinphung Dzong. In the evening we also visit ancient Kichu Lhakhang temple and other sights as per available time.
Overnight in Paro, Tenzinling Resort, Gangtey Palace, Tandinling or Similar
Day 09: Paro (Takstang Excursion) (B/L/D)
Drive to the north end of the valley and visit the ruined ramparts of Drugyal Dzong, once an important fortress. Transfer to the trail head for an excursion to Takstang.
One can choose to ride a pony or walk uphill till the first close-up view point, but to go further into the temple and also to come back downhill, one must be able to walk. Takstang is one of the main highlights of visit to Bhutan and if possible, one must try it. For those who choose to skip this hike, can be taken for drive and to visit other sights around Paro valley. Farewell dinner in a nice local restaurant.
Overnight in Paro, Tenzinling Resort, Gangtey Palace, Tandinling or Similar
Day 10: Paro – Departure (B)
Departure transfer to the airport in time for your flight. Most flights from Bhutan depart in the morning.