Trip Facts:
Trip Name: Bhutan Highlights Tour
Trip Id: TIB1397
Trip Duration: 06 Days
Max. Altitude: 3,120m/10,240 ft (The Tiger Nest Monastery)
Best Season: March to May and September to November
Meal: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation: Government approved 3 stars and Above
Transportation: Private car, van or bus (Depends on group size)
Trip Type: Private Tour
Trip Overview:
Bhutan Highlights Tour is concerned on visiting the amazing places Bhutan has in offer. Get enthralled by the spectacular beauty of Bhutan and witness the local culture and tradition visiting age-old monasteries and temples that dates back to as early as 10th century. Fly over the tallest mountains of the world onboard flight to the green valley of Paro. Explore around Thimphu, the tiny capital of Bhutan and the city renowned in the world as city with no traffic lights. Visit the old capital- Punakha, the city of monastic bodies and for Buddhism enthusiast, the place to inquire about ancient Buddhist scared relics. Another interesting feature of the tour is visit to the Taktsang Monastery popularly known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’, which is perched on a vertical cliff. The tour covers visits to Ta-Dzong, Rinpung Dzong, Chime Lhakhang, Kyichu Lhakang, Punakha Dzong, Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and many other historical and religious sites. Bhutan Highlights Tour is designed in such way covering the important aspects of Bhutan and to unleash the timeless wonder of the Dragon Kingdom.
Trip Highlights:
- Witness spectacular bird’s eye view of the Himalayas while flying in/out from Paro.
- Explore the tiny town of Paro exploding with colors and tradition.
- Discover the tiny capital Thimphu.
- Day excursions to the beautiful Haa Valley
- Visit Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’- one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan.
- Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan.
- Kyichu Lhakhang – the oldest & most sacred shrines in Bhutan.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m) – Thimphu (2350m)
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha (1310m)
Day 03: Punakha – Thimphu (2350m)
Day 04: Thimphu – Day excursion to Haa Valley (2740m) – Paro
Day 05: Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3120m)
Day 06: Paro depart
Day to Day Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m) – Thimphu (2350m)
Arrive Paro by Bhutan’s national carrier, and it’s a scenic flight as the plane touch down the lush green Paro Valley flying past the world’s highest mountains. Steeping down from the plane, cool, clean and fresh air welcomes the visitor, the first gift of Bhutan. After clearing the customs and visa formalities met by the representatives and transfer to Paro for lunch. Afterwards, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan; the Dzong continues its age-old function as the seat of the district administration, district court and the monastic body. The southern approach to the Dzong has a traditional roofed cantilever bridge called Nemi Zam. Afterwards, drive to Thimphu which is an hours drive. Overnight at Hotel (Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha (1310m)
After breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten with it’s golden spines shinning in the sun, its tinkling bells built in honor of third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Institute of Traditional Medicine, where old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced. Also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to the Bhutanese rural past with it’s exhibition of items & artifacts used in rural households, the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles rich in its colour and design. Afterwards, drive to Punakha from Thimphu for about 1 & half hour. First the road climbs steeply through the pine & cedar forests festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). Often panoramic Himalayan views can be spotted from the pass. After stopping for tea, the road descends along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 03: Punakha – Thimphu (2350m)
After breakfast, visit Punakha Dzong crossing the bridge. It’s the ancient capital of Bhutan connecting the Mo Chu & Pho Chu Rivers. It is also the winter capital for the monks and the Je Khenpo (chief abbot). Afterwards, drive to Lobeysa for lunch. After lunch hike another 20 minutes to Chime Lhakhang, temple of the “Divine Madman” built in 1499 and today mostly visited by the women who couldn’t bear Children, thus also known as the temple of fertility. Afterwards, drive to Thimphu. Overnight at Hotel.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 04: Thimphu – Day excursion to Haa Valley (2740m) – Paro
After breakfast, drive over the Chelela pass (3899 m). From the pass, good view of the Himalayan Ranges and the valley beyond can be spotted. Then continue the drive towards Haa. Haa is made up of five counties and was closed to outside world until 2002. There is a military camp by the Indian Army. In Haa valley, visit Wangchucklo Dzong dating back to 1915 and Lhakhang Nakpo (Black temple) is said to have been built by pigeon emanation of King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and Lhakhang Karpo (white temple). After the visit drive to Paro. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 05: Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3120m)
After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. It’s about two hours hike up the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century. Then visit the Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Afterwards, back to hotel. Overnight at Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)
Day 06: Paro depart
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the onward flight. Bid farewell to the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappearing again behind its guardian mountains. (Breakfast only included)
Cost Details:
To obtain a special price for this trip, please kindly contact us using Request a free quote form below ↓
Includes the following service during Bhutan tour:
• Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
• 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium).
• 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
• Drinking water
• All internal taxes and charges
• Monuments entrance fees where applicable
• A sustainable development fee of $100 per person per night. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
Excludes in the package cost:
• 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.
Note:
On the day of departure, the ‘local agents’ host obligation shall be limited to providing breakfast only and any extra requirements shall be payable on a usage basis.
Our entire Bhutan tours are private journeys and tailor made programs suited for any independent travelers according to their chosen traveling dates. Should you wish, the tour can be easily customized as per your interest and activities you wish to get involve in or spend more time in your places of interest. Contact us to customize this tour as per your requirements. This tour can be undertaken round the year.
