Detailed Program
The flight to Bhutan takes you over the Himalayas, offering glimpses of the highest glacial peaks. Upon your arrival at Paro airport, we will meet you and transfer you to your hotel through the valley of Paro. After a short orientation to the tour, we will have lunch and explore Paro town.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After breakfast, visit Rinpung Dzong (the fortress of the heap of Jewels built in the 17th century), photography is allowed in the expansive courtyards and outside of the Dzong but not actually within the sacred shrines.
After lunch visit, the Drukgyel Dzong ruins, its surrounding villages, and rice fields. Next, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, built in the 7th century and one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. We will spend the afternoon and dusk wandering around Paro town.
Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After breakfast drive to Thimphu for about an hour and a half. Thimphu is the modern capital of Bhutan. We will visit the Grand Memorial Chorten and the Big Buddha sitting above the city. Visit to temple (Wangditse or Zangdo Pelri near marketplace – photography allowed in shrine room).
overnight in the hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Morning Thimphu sightseeing includes – a visit to Folk and Heritage Museum; Late King’s Memorial Stupa; Textile museum; Takin (National animals); weaving center; and Traditional Handmade Paper Factory.
Afternoon visit Painting School, which preserves our traditional paintings, sculpting, and woodcarving; National Handicraft Emporium. (some photographers may choose to omit these visits to allow more time for leisurely photography) Evening at leisure in Thimphu City.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Depart to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,100m). On a clear day, the pass offers spectacular views over the greater eastern Himalayas including the highest peak of Bhutan. Dochula pass is about one hour from Thimphu, and we will stop here for one hour beside the spectacular 108 Chortens at the top of the pass.
On the way to Punakha, we will stop for a short hike of about an hour to the temple of the Divine Madman, also well known as the “temple of fertility”. Rice fields surround the villages in this area. In the afternoon we visit Punakha Dzong built in 1638, Punakha was the capital city of Bhutan till 1955, and still, the Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot, resides there during the winter season.
Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
Drive to Trongsa for about 5 to 6 hours. A short stop at Wangdi town. Continue our journey crossing Pele la Pass (3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. Stop for lunch at Chendbji near a large Nepalese-style stupa, and then continue for about 3 hours to Bumthang.
Overnight at tourist Lodge.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Bumthang is a very lush green valley and often described by Swiss visitors as reminding them of home, it also has the highest concentration of the most sacred temples in Bhutan. Morning: – visit Kurjey Lhakhang, Guru Rinpoche meditated here in 8th-century Jambay Lhakhang was built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Tamshing Lhakhang was founded in the 15th century by Pema Lingpa, the treasure revealer. Kenchosum Lhakhang. We will visit a combination of state and private temples (that allow photographs inside the temple) and Later see the Jakar Dzong. The evening takes a stroll through the Bumthang market area.
Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Extra day in Bumthang – photography time around town, or optional short hike.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Morning in Bumthang, then back to Pelela Pass (alt. 3,300 m) to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong. Then visit Ta Dzong (watchtower museum) (an option for photographers to choose more photographic time instead of a museum visit).
Overnight in Hotel
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Early morning departure to Phobjikha – one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked crane, which migrates from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. The valley is wide and open and quite a contrast to the usually steep valleys that characterize Bhutan.
Explore Phobjikha and also visit Gangtey Monastery, the largest Nyingmapa Monastery in Bhutan. This monastery features incredibly ornate architectural highlights.
Overnight in Hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Dargay Goemba
- Gangtey Gompa
- Temple Of Sha Radap
- Gaselo & Nahee Village
- Adha And Rukha Village
- Shaa Region Of Wangdiphodrang
- Bhey Langdrag Nye
Accommodation options:
Morning drive north of Punakha valley, hike 45minutes to Khamsum Namgyel Chorten, and then depart Punakha for lunch in Thimphu and stroll the streets of Thimphu in the evening.
Overnight in hotel.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Morning in Thimphu at leisure. Optional visit to the fresh produce market. Vendors from all over Bhutan bring a range of colorful fruits and spices to this market in central Thimphu. Lunch Thimphu. Depart to Paro.
Overnight in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Morning hike to Taktsang Temple (Tigers Nest) in the Paro Valley – the most popular tourist site in Bhutan. The hike to Taktsang takes about an hour uphill to the viewpoint and another hour to the monastery. Guru Rinpoche meditated here in the 8th century.
The Desi Tenzin Rabgay extended the temple in the 17th century to the present structure, however, it has undergone significant rebuilds due to fires. Lunch at Cafeteria, then amble down to pick up point. Afternoon in Paro at leisure.
Overnight in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After early breakfast in the hotel drive to the airport for the flight to the onward destination.
Frequently Asked Question
Cotton clothing is often advised for summer days, light woolen clothing for nights and heavier woolens for winter. Remember that even in the summer, the evenings may be chilly. Days may be warm, especially in the Punakha and Phuntsholing plains. It is advisable to layer, beginning with thermal underwear and progressing to a shirt, jacket, or parka if needed. You should also bring good walking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Shorts are appropriate for trekking and going around town. To show respect, avoid wearing tank tops, short skirts, shorts (unless when hiking), or exposing apparel. Please refrain from wearing shorts in public places or monasteries. For these occasions, wear long pants or a longer skirt. If your vacation coincides with a festival, you should dress semi-formally (jacket and tie for men, dresses for ladies) because it is a social occasion.
We have handpicked government-approved housing that offers the best location, service, environment, and cuisine. With a tourist class rating of three stars or more, our usual hotel selection is clean, comfortable, and simply furnished. The bulk of these hotels and lodges are built in Bhutan’s traditional architectural style. The majority of hotels feature Internet access, as well as hot water and private baths. Details are available in the program descriptions.
If you apply alone, we will try our best to find you a roommate if you desire one. However, if no roommate is obtained, the participant will be responsible for any relevant supplementary room expenses.
We provide a small selection of exquisite lodges and resorts such as Uma Paro, Zhiwa Ling Resort, and the Aman Kora for those guests who desire to experience Bhutan in luxury. Spa and yoga facilities are among them. We may mix and match your accommodations to fit your schedule and travel style. It is crucial to know that hotels/lodges are in great demand during the festival season and might be difficult to acquire. We will supply spacious weatherproof tents for treks, but you must provide your sleeping bag.
Tourist hotels often serve meals as a buffet, with options including Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Continental cuisine. Most meals include rice, either white or the nutritious indigenous red variant, and dal.
Although traditional Bhutanese food is liberally seasoned with red chilies and may be extremely spicy, meals served in hotels are moderated to suit the preferences of tourists.
Clothing may normally be cleaned and ironed in a single day. Every lodge and hotel that has been certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan offers dry washing.
The Department of Power officially provides 220 volts. The power supply, on the other hand, might fluctuate. Because some hotels and lodges do not have American plugs or converters, it is advised that you carry one with you.
- Inclusion
- Exclusion
- Insurance
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
- 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium update).
- Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
- Route Permit
- Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Monuments entrance fees where applicable
- Drinking water
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable development fee of $200. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
