Day 01: Arrive Paro from New
Delhi / Kathmandu / Bagdogra & transfer to Thimphu (about 65 Km / 1
hours)
Today arrival at Paro airport .The
most spectacular mountain flights you will ever experience in a life
time. Flying in from the heat of the plains of
India one can witness
from the left side of the aircrafts window a series of the world’s
highest peaks. Your pilot will announce the names of the peaks if the
weather is clear. You will descend into the high mountains and as the
plane lowers you will not find any airstrip or any city but instead
you will enjoy the view of the approaching valley of Paro, the alpine
forests, little monasteries, temples and farm houses. Before the
plane touches the runaway you will get a glimpse of the fertile
valley of Paro, the Paro Dzong and Paro chu (river). You are met by
an Indo Vacations representative and transfer to the capital city
Thimphu and rest of the day at
leisure.
Thimphu is the modern capital of
Bhutan. It lies at an elevation of
2300 m in a valley traversed by the
Wang Chu river. This city
maintains a strong national character in its architectural style. It
is a home to civil servants, expatriates and the central monk body.
Overnight
stay at Thimphu
Day 02: Thimpu (Capital City)
In Thimphu you got to prepare
for surprises where this unique capital has no traffic lights
but adopted its own version of the British – Indian colonial times
traffic policemen who can startle you and memorize others with the
elaborate hand gestures, sometimes it may be signaling stop when it
looks like go but don’t worry you can observe the flow and notice his
smile as you stare at him. Sightseeing includes visit to the National
Memorial Chorten a stupa dedicated to the third king of Bhutan and
Buddha statue, Takin Zoo where you will find national animal of
Bhutan and drive down hill stop at the junction to take a glimpse of
Trashichho Dzong. Proceed towards National Library and Folk Heritage
Museum. Afternoon we take a short walk to Handicraft Bazaar to view
the traditional arts. Afternoon at leisure or take a walk to the main
city from Clock tower square for shopping. Overnight stay at Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimpu – Punakha Via Dochula Pass (about 77 km / 7 Hours)
In the morning we drive to low lands of
Punakha valley touching Dochula pass 10,000 ft and on the stop at
Hongtsho village. Stop at the immigration check point to stamp in
your permit. Next to the check point you will find small local stalls
selling fresh juicy local apples available for sale in plastic bags
you could try some. We will be driving through the first mountain
pass in the western part of Bhutan. We will find the 108 Druk Wangyal chortens on the top of the pass where the ridges are draped
in colorful prayer flags greet you. We could take three rounds and
offer prayers, take some best photo shots. If the weather is clear
you will be able to see the highest peaks towards the north, Gangar
Punsum among others is the highest unclimbed peak (24,000 ft) in the
world. We stop at Lamperi and visit the Royal Botanical Park for 30
minutes. If you are lucky you could see red pandas, different species
of birds, you can take some photo shot close to the natural lake. You
could watch a short documentary about the park. Then we proceed down towards
Punakha through Thinleygang village and upon reaching Lobesa turn
left and enter Punakha valley.
Punakha
was built between two rivers in the 17th century by Shabdrung
and served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955. Bhutan is still the
winter residence of the central monk body. Punakha's climate and
warmer temperatures make its valley one of the most fertile in
Bhutan.
Check in the hotel. Afternoon visit
majestic Punakha Dzong placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung
Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of
the region. It was here that the dual system of government was
introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King
Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuk. Evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha – Trongsa – Bumthang (about 197 km / 6 ˝ Hours)
In the morning transfer to
Bumthang via Wangdi & Trongsa we drive uphill towards Pela La Pass crossing the
Black Mountains that divides western and central Bhutan. The roads
uphill is pretty curving with sharp bends but you need not worry as
our drivers are well experienced and on the way you will find
rhododendron, magnolias and yaks grazing and on clear days you will
find the Mt. Jumolhari standing still towards the west, at an
elevation of 23,685 feet. Before arriving to Trongsa you will pass by Nikkarchu Bridge and here you will find white washed stone chorten
built in Nepalese style in the 18th century which lies below the
road. This temple was founded by a lama called Shida who subdued a
demon that was a trouble to the valley. Here you will experience
something interesting as you will be approaching Trongsa where from
the road you will be able to view the massive Trongsa Dzong also
known as "the never reaching Trongsa Dzong, this place used to be the
old gateway between the east and west. If you have time you could
visit the Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong (Ta means watch tower in
Dzongkha) was built in 1652 and now it is a museum which displays
Buddhist art and the history of our Monarchy. Overnight stay at Bumthang.
Day 05: Bumthang Sightseeing
Bumthang valley is very open and
spacious which is different from other valleys in Bhutan, its
altitude ranges from 2,600 meters (8530ft) to 4000 meters (13,125
ft). Bumthang is known as heaven for hikers and trekkers and you will
come across many beautiful monasteries, also important Buddhist
monasteries and pilgrimage sites. This valley is full of surprises
and fascinating as almost every valley or hill has a background of
interesting myths and legends about kings, Buddhist masters and
serpents. This place is important in terms of religious relics left
by the famous Guru Rinpoche and his reincarnation.
In the morning we visit Jakar Dzong founded by a white bird built on a ridge
overlooks the valley. “Ja” means bird and “kar” means white.
Jampey Lhakhang is one of the 108 temples built by the Tibetan King
Songtsen Gampo on the same day as Paro Kichu Lhakhang. The temple
hosts Guru Joyo Jampa the future Buddha as its main statue. One of
the most scared festivals Jampey Lhakhang Drup takes place here every
year. Tamshing Lhakhang are the oldest temples dating to the 7th
century in Bhutan.
The Kurjey Lhakhang where the kings of Bhutan are taken for their
cremation rites. Kurjey translates into “Kur” means body and “Jey
“means Lhakhang. The big cypress tree is believed to be the walking
stick of Guru Rimpoche. The great Guru also created a holy water hole
beside the temple which people frequent either for religious or
medical purposes. Wangdi Choling Palace – built during the times of
the first king’s father, Jigme Namgyel was used by the first King
Ugyen Wangchuk as his main residence. We visit the town or take a walk
till the bridge though the township was burnt down by fire in recent
times. If you are a cheese and honey lover you could try the Bumthang
cheese which is available and honey produced in Bumthang. Evening
free for leisure. Overnight stay at Bumthang.
Day 06: Bumthang – Wangdi
(about 197 km / 6 ˝ Hours)
After breakfast we drive to Wangdi
valley through the same road and on the way stop and visit the famous
Bumthang Matha local shops near by the villages where you can find
rich woolen plaid textiles dyed with natural colours and the famous
Yatas, it is a thin cloth with bright pattern often made into warm
jackets and scarves. We proceed further towards Trongsa and drive to Wangdi. On the way you may find interesting areas where you can stop
and take some photo shots. Reach Wangdi and rest of the day at
leisure. Overnight stay at Wangdi.
Day 07: Wangdi – Paro
(about 152 km / 4 Hours)
In the morning we drive to Paro via same road and
stop at Lamperi. We visit the Royal Botanical Park for 30 minutes. If
you are lucky you could see red pandas, different species of birds,
you can take some photo shot close to the natural lake. You could
watch a short documentary about the park. Then we proceed to Paro via Semtokha and check in the hotel. Afternoon visit ruins of Drukgyel
Dzong and drive till the base of Tigers Nest. Evening at leisure.
Overnight stay at Paro.
Day 08: Paro Sightseeing
Today morning we visit Paro Dzong, the
National Museum housed in a round fortress called as the Ta Dzong
considered to be one of the best natural history museums in Asia
where it has a fine collection of natural and historic artifacts. Kyichu Lhakhang the monastery dates back to 7th century and is one of
the oldest and most sacred. Afternoon at leisure and evening visit
the town for shopping. Overnight stay at Paro.
Day 09: Departure
Morning transfer to depart for your next destination.
Hotels:
Hotel
which have been tested in the past by us and are good value of money
(subject to availability).
City |
Standard Hotels |
No. of Nights |
Thimpu |
Hotel Sambhav /
Similar |
2 |
Punakha |
Meripuensum
Resort / Similar |
1 |
Bumthang |
Wangdi Choling
Hotel / Similar |
2 |
Wangdi
|
Dragon’s Nest
Resort / Similar |
1 |
Paro |
Mandala Resort
/ Similar |
2 |
Total |
|
08
Nights |
Inclusions in the given tour
cost:
-
Accommodation in double room on twin sharing basis with bath and WC
as in the above mentioned / similar hotels.
-
Breakfast
in the Hotel during the tour.
-
All Toll
Parking , DA.
-
Arrival /
Departure Assistance.
-
All
Transfers and Sightseeing within Bhutan by an individual Air
Conditioned vehicle with driver.
-
All
internal permits, internal taxes.
Exclusions:
-
Any Kind
of Personal Expenses such as Monument Tips, Laundry, personal
shopping, Telephone Bills and Alcoholic beverages & mineral water.
-
Camera
Fees (Still or Movie).
-
Air fare,
personal travel insurance.
-
English
speaking guide.
-
Monument
Entrances.
-
Unspecified Meals etc.
-
Anything
not specified in the above inclusions.
Package cost per person on
twin sharing basis in INR including Room, Breakfast, Transport and
Taxes-
Vehicle to be used |
2 Persons |
4 Persons |
6 Persons |
8 Persons |
10 Persons |
Hyundai Tucson or
Santa fe SUV |
34150 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Toyota hi-ace bus
|
- |
28750 |
25850 |
- |
- |
Toyota hi-ace bus
hi-roof |
- |
29550 |
26400 |
24850 |
- |
Toyota Coaster bus |
- |
- |
- |
- |
25500 |
Note: Above rates are valid from April 2014 till September 2014.
Extra Bed Charges: INR 11950 per person for 8 nights.
Tour Reservation
To get more
information or to book this tour please submit the
Query Form
or send us an
e-mail !
Your
booking will be activated only after we get a reconfirmation from
your side.
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