BHUTANESE ESSENCE
This is one of our most popular trip packages. The trip will in a week enable one to get to experience the essence of Bhutan - the traditional Buddhist culture, the rich history as well as its modern developments. This package includes a varied mixture of hiking, adventure, spiritual tour & cultural interaction with locals. A great variety of stay options – from standard to luxury hotels to camping, etc. to choose from for your ultimate travel experience.
Highlights
- Explore the vibrant capital city,
- ThimphuCheck out traditional arts and craft, heritage museum
- Visit the Buddha Dordenma - the largest Buddha statue in the World
- Dochula pass - at over 3000m above sea level, offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range
- Punakha valley and the majestic Punakha Dzong - the winter residence of the monastic order’s head
- River Rafting (optional)
- Hiking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktsang) - one of the most popular travel destination in the world
- Visit the Ta Dzong, a 17th century monument, which now houses the National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiques & Natural History.
Day 1 & 2
THIMPHU
Arrive to Thimphu, the Capital city straight from Paro International Airport. Visit the Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, and the Memorial Chorten on the first day. Continue exploring Thimphu on the second day including the School for Traditional Arts and Crafts, the traditional Paper factory, the Zilukha Nunnery, the Craft Bazar, the Buddha Dordenma site, and the Tashicho Dzong.
Day 3
DOCHULA PASS
Start early and head off to the beautiful Dochula pass at 10,000 feet, around 1 hour away from Thimphu. The pass is a popular location among tourists as it offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Himalayan mountain range. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.
Day 4 & 5
PUNAKHA
From Dochula pass, en route to Punakha hike and visit the temple dedicated to the Divine Mad Monk - Drukpa Kuenley. The hike takes about an hour and about 40 minutes return to the car road. Next day begins with a short hike through rice fields, chilies and cabbage, to the Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Chorten, a monument dedicated to the King of Bhutan. The next stop will be the magnificent Punakha Dzong built on the confluence of the Po and Mo (male and female) rivers. This fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s head. After lunch visit a farmhouse and meet with the farmer and family.
Day 6
PARO
After breakfast, retrace the journey back to Paro and reach by lunch time. After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, a 17th century monument, which now houses the National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiques. It served as a watch tower during the Tibetan invasion and played a strategic role in Bhutan’s successful defenses. Next, visit the Paro Dzong. This again as with all Dzongs, is the centre for civil and religious activities. The evenings are free to look around the small quaint town of Paro.
Day 7
TAKSANG
After breakfast, drive to Satsam Chorten to start the pilgrimage to Takstang - The Tiger's Nest. This serene monastery clings to a steep granite cliff about 700 meters above the valley floor. Being one of the most revered Buddhist sites, thousands of pilgrims travel here each year from all over the World. Lunch can be served at the cafeteria on the way, from where one can get a most spectacular view of the monastery on the opposite cliff. It takes about 2 and half hours to get there and about 2 hours to return down.
MINIMUM DAILY PACKAGE
The minimum daily package covers the following services.
• A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium). • All meals • A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay • All internal transport (excluding internal flights) • Camping equipment and haulage for trekking toursIt also includes:
• All internal taxes and charges • A sustainable development fee of $65. This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.The minimum daily package for tourists travelling in a group of 3 persons or more is as follows:
USD $200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December. USD $250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.These rates are applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan.
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 usage basis. The list of hotels and lodges approved to provide accommodations all listed on this website. If your accommodation is not listed on this website then it is not licensed cater for international tourists The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan. These must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.