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).
Upon
arrival you are met by an Indo Vacations representative and transfer
to the capital city Thimphu.
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.
Rest of the day at leisure.
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 – Gangtey Valley (Excursion) (about 92 km / 3 ¼
Hours)
In the morning we drive to beautiful Gangtey
valley via Wangdiphodrang Dzong strategically located on a ridge
4,430 ft that overlooks the highway that fork to the east and south
of the country. This is an old town with Narrow Street with single
storied shops and also the gateway to central and eastern Bhutan. The
legend Mahakala, the protective deity of Bhutan appeared to tell
Shabdrung of prediction, saying “at top of rocky spur where two
rivers meet, at the place where a flock of raven will fly off in four
directions, you will build the Dzong”. The Shabdrung built the dzong
in 1638 and Punakha / Wangdi valleys are also the winter home for many
of the high altitude farmers who migrate with their cattle to the
warm climate. The Gangtey valley is one of the most beautiful open
valleys in Bhutan and is the winter home to the endangered black
necked cranes (Grus Nigricllis) which migrate to this valley around
mid November from Tibet. These cranes have for centuries captured the
human imagination with their intelligence, poise, sociality, beauty
and freedom which have given rise to several myths, legends,
folktales and songs. The birds fly back across the Himalayas to their
summer home towards Tibet and China. The Gangtey village is small
dominated by the yellow roofed Gangtey monastery. In the late noon we
return to Punakha.
Overnight stay at Punakha.
Day 05:
Punakha – Paro (about 145 km / 4 Hours)
In the morning we drive to Paro via Semtokha entering the Babesa
express highway. Upon reaching Chuzom check post, stop for a while at
the bridge, stretch your legs and walk through the bridge. Proceed
towards Paro and check in the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight stay at
Paro.
Day 06: Paro Sightseeing
In
the 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.
We also visit 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 07: Departure
Morning transfer to depart for your next destination.
(End of our Services)
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 |
2 |
Paro |
Mandala Resort
/ Similar |
2 |
Total |
|
06
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 |
27450 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Toyota hi-ace bus
|
- |
23250 |
21000 |
- |
- |
Toyota hi-ace bus
hi-roof |
- |
23850 |
21400 |
20200 |
- |
Toyota Coaster bus |
- |
- |
- |
- |
20700 |
Note: Above rates are valid from April 2014 till September 2014.
Extra Bed Charges: INR 9550 per person for 6 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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