Bhutan Travel

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Romance of Bhutan (11 Days) eleven days Bhutan trips offers some breathtaking high mountain passes of Paro Valley, stunning peaks over the Gangtey Valley, picturesque villages, the unique fortresses of Punakha, spectacular stupas  of Thimpu valley to name the few. Experiencing the journey to Bhutan becomes more satisfying and unforgettable as one comes to interact with the people of Bhutan, who are very friendly, hospitable and deeply ingrained in their traditions and culture preserved through the centuries.

Short Itinerary

Day 01: On board flight to Bhutan.
Day 02: Arrive Paro drive to Thimpu.
Day 03: Thimpu Valley Sightseeing.
Day 04: Thimphu - Trongsa.
Day 05: Trongsa - Bumthang.
Day 06: Bumthang.
Day 07: Bumthang - Gangtey.
Day 08: Gangtey - Punakha.
Day 09: Punakha - Paro .
Day 10: Paro sightseeing.
Day 11: Depart Paro.

Trip Cost  >

$11075/P

International Flights >

 $1850/Person

Regional Flights       >

N/A

Travel Innsurance  >

From $250/P






















Cost Includes:
Cost Excludes:
- All airport transfers.
- Hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis.
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
- Private vehicles.
Local English Speaking Tour Escort/guide.
- All sightseeing  with entry fees.
- Tibet Travel Permit.
- All applicable govt. taxes.
- Bhutan Visa assistace.
   - All flights.
   - All applicable airport taxes.

   - Special entry fees for camera / video camera.
   - Laundry, telephone calls, drinks, etc.
   - Tips.
   - Travel and Personal Insurance.
   - Passport and Visas.
   - All other services different from above mentioned.


Sector
Hotel
Nights
Thimpu
Amankora Thimpu 02
Trongsa Yangkhil Resort 01
Bumthang
Amankora Bumthang
02
Gangtey
Amankora Gangtey 01
Punakha
Amankora Punaka 01
Paro Amankora Paro 02

Bhutan Travel IT

Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air.
Our team representatives will receive you at Paro airport with a warm welcome, and drive you through the picturesque valley of Paro towards your luxurious hotel. Upon reaching hotel, you will be oriented in detail about your trip, so you are fully acquainted with your upcoming trip. 
Day 2: Drive to Thimpu Valley Sightseeing Tours.

After breakfast, we proceed for the full day sightseeing tours of the following prime venues of Thimpu:
Memorial Chorten dominates the skyline of Thimpu. This Chorten is dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, after his sudden death while traveling abroad. A great amount of renovation has taken place for the 2008 celebrations to mark the Century of the Monarchy in Bhutan. While you are here in Thimpu, the Capital City of Bhutan, don't forget to take a stroll to this Memorial Chorten, which looks tall and beautiful as you make around the chorten. The Chorten serves the right place for older people and religious people to visit and worship the god and pay homage to the deities.
Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion) was first built in 1661, and except the central keep, the entire structure was rebuilt in 1961-62 and now houses the main government departments, the National Assembly, the throne room of the king, and summer headquarters of the Central Monastic Body.
Simtokha Dzong was built in 1627 making it the oldest in Thimpu and gateway to the Thimpu Valley. The Dzong houses Rigney School for Dzongkha and monastic studies. There are beautiful frescos and slate carvings in Simtokha.
National Museum's collection includes ancient Bhutanese arts and artifacts, weapons stamps, birds, animals, and an incredible collection of silver tea-ware. This is typical of the eclectic beauty of Bhutan - its prized objects bear little relation to each other but as a whole stand together as a history of one of the world's most pristine people.National Library was established in 1967 with the primary objective of collecting and preserving ancient Bhutanese written and printed resources. It has now become a multi-functional library can now pride itself on being a modern library with a number of service and research facilities. It accommodates a large and steadily growing collection of manuscripts, books, scriptures and written documents as well as a large number of hand-carved wooden blocks for printing traditional religious books. In the evening, we head back to our hotel for another relaxed overnight stay in the hotel.  
Day 03: Thimphu / Trongsa (200 Km, 6 hours drive).

After breakfast, drive for three hours to Trongsa to pay a visit to Trongsa Fortress, the most impressive Fortress of Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent to unify eastern Bhutan. Trongsa Fortress is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings, who ruled Bhutan from this Fortress. Then we go to visit Ta Fortress, an ancient watch tower, with a chapel inside dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. After Lunch, we drive to Jakar (Bumthang), where we accommodate ourselves in a hotel for a quiet overnight. 
Day 04: Trongsa / Bumthang (68 Km, 3 hours drive).

Today we proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of Jakar and walk around the prime locations of the Bumthang valley, where we will also observe the colorful festival of Jambay Festival.
Jakar Dzong: Initially built as a monastery, literally meaning “The Castle of White Bird”, is the largest Dzong in Bhutan with a circumference of more than 1.5 km. Now the Dzong houses the administrative seat to the Bumthang district.
Jambey Lhakhang: Like Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro valley, Jambey Lhakhang was also built at the same time by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century to subdue the giant demoness, who was preventing the spread of Buddhism in Tibet and the Himalayan region. To overcome her, Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples in one day which would be placed all over her body to pin the ogress to the earth forever. Jambay Lhakhang holds the left knee and Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro valley pins the left foot.
Kurje Lhakhang: This Lhakhang is one of the most sacred Lhakhangs in Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche meditated and left the imprint of his body in a cave inside the oldest of the three temples in the eighth century. 
Tamshing Lhakhang: This Lhakhang was built by Terton Pedma Lingpa, one of the re-incarnates of Guru Rinpoche in 1501. The structure and some of the statues inside the Lhakhang are believed to be made with the help of Khandromas (female celestial deities, similar to angels). Some of the inner wall paintings carried out by Pedma Lingpa are still intact and are of enormous interest for the history of both art and religion.
Jambay Festival: This Festival is celebrated in each year, actually as a commemoration of 108 monasteries which were all built within a day by Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo by his miracles during 7th century in Tibet. The main highlights of this festival are Ter Cham (sacred Naked Dance) and Mewang (Fire blessing). The sacred naked dance is performed in the midnight and people are not allowed to take the photographs. A fire blessing dance held in the evening is meant to bless the infertile women, so that they may bear the children. The dances were composed mostly my Terton (Treasure Discovery) Pema Lingpa in 15th century.
Day 05: Bumthang.

Today, we drive to Tang, which is the third valley of Bumthang. We go to see Choling palace built in 1825, after an hour hike from the road point. Our lunch will be arranged in the palace. On our return, we visit Taag Rimochen Lhakhang (Tiger stripe Temple), and drive back to back to our hotel in Bumthang. 
Day 06: Bumthang / Gangtey / Phobjikha (190 km, 7 hours drive.
The Gangtey Monastery: It stands on a hill over-looking the Phobjikha Valley and was founded in 1613 dedicated to Nyingma form of Himalayan Buddhism. In addition to several temples inside the complex, this is also regarded as an institution for learning and home to monks of all ages. In 2008 an extensive renovation was completed and the monastery is now open again. Visitors will need to arrange an official government permit in order to visit. Gangtey Palace, now a Hotel, is the former place of residence of a past Prime Minister of Bhutan. We stay in the main building, which makes us think like staying in a small Palace. The rooms will be very big and beautiful decorated in traditional Bhutanese style. The view from the Palace across to the valley to the Tsong is incredibly amazing.
Day 07: Gangtey / Phobjikha / Punakha (70 km, 3 hours drive).

Today we proceed for the sightseeing tours of the prime locations in and around Punakha with optional walks.Punakha Dzong: It is the main attraction in Punakha, situated between two rivers of Pho Chu (Male river) and Mo Chu (Female river). It is the winter residence of the chief abbot and monks, who migrate there from Thimpu every winter. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. This dzong is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan, and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637.
Chhimi Lhakhang: It will be 20 minutes of walk across fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal:  It is a three-storey chorten built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon in 1999 for the protection of the country standing on a beautiful hillock about 6 miles from Punakha. It presents an incredibly complex iconography, which belongs to the Nyingmapa tradition.
Limbhukha: After driving to the Punakha Dzong, and walking across the suspension bridge, there will be farmhouses towards Dompola Hills. The view of the Dzong, Phochu, and Mochu Rivers and the surrounding village is superb amidst chirpine forest. The climb is another two and half hours to the Limbhukha, which is also known for its love of peace and tranquility. The legends say that during the medieval wars the “limpus” or the people of Limbhukha always volunteered as peace negotiators. This is depicted during the yearly festival called “Serda” when the men are found carrying a peace flags instead of swords and fireworks.
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong: It’s a 17th century Fortress dzong is perched atop a mountain ridge with lookout points over both the north-south and east-west roads and views of the valley below.  According to legend, the site was chosen when four ravens were seen flying away in four different directions - considered an auspicious sign.At night, we return back to our hotel in Punakha. 
Day 08: Punakha / Paro (125 km, 4.1/2 hours drive).
Today we drive through Paro valley via Chele La Pass for our sightseeing tours of the following prominent venues.
Chele La Pass (3750 m) divides Haa valley and Paro valley and has been one of the important routes in olden days for any travelers that would visit Bhutan from Northwestern India. It has been mentioned repeatedly in most of the writings by British Political envoys such as George Boyle, J. C White, and other prominent botanists. The accounts of Ludlow and Sherriff, two naturalists, who visited Bhutan seven times and collected a historic record of 21, 000 Bhutanese plants have crossed this pass during their visit in 1938. Chele la harbors one of the most exciting sites for Bhutanese flora - many species of Primulas, Rhododendron, Iris, Betula, Lilies (such as Notholirion, Lloydia and Fritillaria), Saxifraga, Bergenia, Aconitum, Pedicularis, Gentians, and others grows extensively, and will make any visitor's heart fill with a delight. It has amazing views of the Himalayas and most significantly the magnificent Mt. Jhomolari, which is known as Bhutan's most sacred peak.
The Rimpung Dzong or Paro Dzong is situated on the hillside above the gently meandering Paro River. Rimpung means the heap of jewels, and Paro Dzong is the symbolic center of religious and secular affairs of entire Paro Valley. This fortress offers the view of the Paro Valley stretched out below. Some centuries ago, it was an unreachable fortress that repelled invasions from Tibet. But, today, it houses the Paro monastic body with the office of the Dzongda (district commissioner) and Thrimpon (district judge). Consecrated in 1646, the Dzong is an architectural wonder that showcases the cultural strength of kingdom's strength.
The Thongdroel is the most sacred giant which is painted in an appliquéd scroll, and depicts the eight manifestations of Guru Padmasambhava with its two attendants - Khendu Yeshey Tsogyel and Khandu Minona Rawa. It is displayed for a few hours on the concluding days of the Paro Tesechu festival held from the 10th to 14th day of the Bhutanese lunar calendar’s second month. It is unfurled before dawn for the few hours before the direct rays of the sun strikes it. This giant is about 400 years old, and can be easily damaged by sun rays.
Day 09: Paro.

Today, after breakfast, we proceed for a two hours hike to Takstang Monastery, where we will get to acclimatize ourselves into this environment. After the hike, we proceed for a two hours drive to the capital city of Thimpu.
Hike to Takstang Monastery: We hike up to the famous 17th century temple  Taktsang Monastery or the Tiger’s Nest perched high on a breathtaking vertical granite rock cliff almost 900 meters above Paro valley (3000 m). In 8th century, Guru Rinpoche, the great Indian saint who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, is believed to have arrived here flying on the back of a tigress and have meditated in the cave here for about three months. After him, many great masters followed. Among them were Guru Milarepa, Guru Padampa Sangye, Guru Machik Lapdrön and Guru Thangtong Gyalpo. The view from here is a superb one, and the atmosphere is very holy with the place itself is revered as of the most sacred places in the universe. The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags lasting about three hours of continuous uphill walking.  The last part of the trail is a descent of about a 100m on one side of the cliff and then ascending up to the monastery on another side of the cliff. We take lunch at the cafeteria on our way back from the monastery, and then continue our hike down to the bottom. Through numerous renovations and expansions over the following centuries, Taktsang monastery grew into an intricate complex, some of its individual buildings are connected only by steep ladder ways.  We accommodate ourselves in a beautiful hotel of Thimpu for our overnight stay. 
Ugyen Pelri Palace is in a secluded wooded compound on the south side of the river just west of the dzong.  It is designed after Guru Rinpoche’s celestial paradise, Zangto Pelri, and is one of the most beautiful examples of Bhutanese architecture.At night, we go back to our hotel for overnight stay.  
Day 10: Depart from Paro.

Transfer airport for flight to onward jouneys.

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Trip Info

  • Arrival Info:  
    Our representative will be arriving at the airport you will be landing. Please look for a board with your name or South Asian Holidays. Upon welcome greetings, you will be transfered to hotel.
  • Hotel Info: 
    Hotel we book are carefully selected and located in the city center unless you requested different hotel by name and category. 
  • Guide Info:
    We carefully select our guides who knows the route well and lead several group for the same trip you booked. 
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