Introduction
Travel Duration: 13 days
Price: Please contact us
Trip Grade: Easy
This beautiful tour around Bhutan\’s most scenic places takes us to the country\’s finest locations with an unparalleled diversity. This is one of our signature trips that we started first in 1999. Along the way, we have made few necessary and recommended changes. This is the perfect trip to experience the delight of crossing high hills as well as the wide windswept meadows filled with wildflowers, across sleepy hamlets, through fragrance filled forests, rice fields and orchards. There is no real trekking that requires outdoor camping with exhaustive long day walks; but it has moderate hikes and excursions to villages from the comforts of your hotel. An active vacation without roughing it! The itinerary covers the regular tourists\’ sites, as well as some off- the-beaten places. Walk out to visit villages, farms, and monasteries and ancient temples from the towns of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue phodrang and travel as far interior to Bumthang District. Between the drives, we shall make unplanned stops at local villages. All of our small group departures are scheduled to attend the local festivals and therefore some parts of the itinerary may be revised slightly to incorporate these colorful events. We sincerely believe that walking is the best way to enjoy and experience Bhutan and this itinerary has been tried and tested over the years.
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 & 02: | Arrive in Bhutan – Thimphu (L/D) Arrive in Paro by flight (Airfares obtained separately depending on the sectors). Upon arrival in Paro, you are met and transferred to Thimphu, the capital, where we spend 2 nights. During our stay here, sightseeing include visiting weekend market, Tashicho Dzong. Traditional Art school among other sights. We also dedicate ¾ of the day for a rural walk up north of Thimphu to Cheri Monastery. Overnight in Jumolhari or similar. |
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| Day 03 & 04: | Punakha & Wangdiphodrang Valley (B/L/D) Cover any remainder sights of Thimphu in the morning before driving east across Dochula to Punakha and Wangdi valley. In the evening take a short walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang temple dedicated to “the divine madman”. Next day morning walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, north of Punakha valley. enroute spectacular view of scattered villages and fertile rice fields. Picnic lunch by the riverside. Later visit great Punakha Dzong. Overnight in Meri Phuensum Resort or Zangdopelri. |
| Day 05 & 06: | Jakar (Bumthang) (B/L/D) First we have a long but beautiful drive to central Bhutan across two major mountain passes, several villages and towns including Trongsa along the way. To ease this long drive, we will stop occasionally take short walks and visit villages along the way. Then on the following day we have a full day to explore the culturally rich Bumthang valley by walking between villages, temples and monasteries. Overnight in Mipham or Mountain lodge. |
| Day 07: | Trongsa (B/L/D) On the way back to Trongsa, stop at Chumey Valley and visit the Yathra Weavers, walk to Praker temple and take a brief look at Domkhar Palace. Upon arrival in Trongsa, visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong, recently converted into Museum dedicating the monarchs of Bhutan. Evening at leisure at Trongsa town. Overnight in Yangkhil Resort or Puenzhi Guesthouse. |
| Day 08: | Gangtey, Phobjikha (B/L/D) Retrace drive till Pele la pass and after Pelela, take a diversion road into the hidden and beautiful Phobjikha valley, an important wildlife conservation area within the Black Mountains National Park. This afternoon visit Gangtey Monastery and take a walk in the valley. From October till March, the valley is also the winter roosting grounds of the rare Blacknecked Cranes. Overnight in pleasant Hotel Dewachen or Gakiling Guesthouse set on secluded acreage in the valley |
| Day 09: | Return to Thimphu (B/L/D) Along the way back to Thimphu, stop in villages en-route and take short walks. Then stop at Dochula pass to walk and savor the views of the mountains. This afternoon is free to rest, shop or walk around the capital. Overnight in Jumolhari or similar. |
| Day 10: | Haa (B/L/D) The drive to Haa valley in the western most part of country is along a scenic road and takes about three hours. In this quiet valley, we will walk to visit some of the villages including Yanthang, north of Haa Town, including possibly being invited to a tea in local family home. We may also be able to visit Lhakhang Karpo and Nagpo, built around 7th century. Overnight in Risum Guest House or best available. |
| Day 11: | Paro (B/L/D) From Haa, drive uphill for about an hour to Chele Pass and near the pass walk for an hour to visit secluded Kila Gompa or Chele la Nunnery. Upon arrival in Paro, visit the National museum, Paro Rinphung Dzong and stroll through the town. Overnight in Gangtey Palace or similar. |
| Day 12: | Excursion to Taktsang & Beyond (B/L/D) As you will have by now covered more grounds on foot and well acclimated, we hope to take you bit beyond what regular tourist generally cover; that is to hike to Takstang and also visit some of the temples higher-up like Zangdopelri and Ugyen Tsemo. This special hike beyond Takstang provides some rare view and look at the Takstang. Return to Paro and visit Kichu Temple. Farewell dinner. |
| Day 13: | Departure Transfer to the airport in time for your departure flight. (Note: Itineraries may be altered slightly for some dates that incorporate festivals) |
