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Bhutan
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Paro
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Tours & Activities
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7 Nights Beautiful Bhutan Tour
8 days
Instant confirmation
About this activity
For centuries forbidden to foreigners, this timeless Buddhist Kingdom has succeeded in preserving its enchanting traditions and ancestral way of life. This is further epitomized by the state’s mandate of “Gross National Happiness”, whereby economic development, a goal for much of its humanity, is only a means to the real goal of happiness. The major highlights for taking this tour, 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, Visit Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’- one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan and many more.
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Included
- 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
- A sustainable development fee of $65. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Bottled water
- Coffee and/or Tea
Not included
- 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.
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Flying into the Paro international airport, in the beautiful valley, the clear mountain air, forested ridges, imposing monasteries and welcoming Bhutanese people in their striking national dress, provide a breath-taking first impression.
- Your guide who is going to be with you throughout your trip will meet you at the airport. A fifteen-minute drive follows the narrow winding road to our hotel, which is a traditional Bhutanese building with attractive gardens and an exceptionally peaceful atmosphere.
- We head out of the tourist trail for a short hike to 15th century Zurig Lhakhang above Paro Dzong overlooking the valley. It offers great views of Ta Dzong (watch Tower) and Paro Rinpung Dzong. Enroute, visit the iconic 17th century Paro Rinpung Dzong which means “the fortress of the heap of jewels.” A quick descent takes us to covered cantilever bridge marked with giant stupas.
- If there is time, we will walk along the small main street of Paro in the evening with its typically Bhutanese shops and small lodges.
- Drive 1 hour to Thimphu (capital of Bhutan). Visit Buddha point for a stunning view of Thimphu city and Takin Compound: One the way to the Viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, a strange looking beast which some say resembles a beestung moose. The Bhutanese have their own story to narrate about how the Takin was created by the Master Drukpa Kuenley (the divine madman)
- View of Tashi Choe Dzong: The fortress of the glorious religion was initially constructed in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960s.
- Brush shoulders with the everyday Bhutanese grocery shopping for local produce at the Centenary Farmers Market (Open Fri – Sun). Also see the new authentic craft bazaar (Close on Tue) of 80 stalls showcasing works by artisans from rural areas will showcase.
- Take a fascinating tour of the working facility of the National Institute of Traditional Medicine that still dispenses traditional herbal medicines to the locals. Visit the Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. (Both open Mon-Fri)
- After breakfast, we will drive about 3 hours to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochu La at 3140m. On clear weather, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern Himalayas.
- From the pass, we begin descending through varied forest and finally emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Take a short hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimmi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, who as a favorite saint of the Bhutanese people is known affectionately as "the Divine Madman". The temple is on a hillside in the middle of rice fields and has become a pilgrimage site for childless couples. Enjoy some tea and snacks at the end of hike while overlooking the fields.
- In the afternoon, we visit Punakha Dzong. Located at the confluence of the Pho-chu (male-river) and Mo-chu (female-river), the Punakha Dzong is arguably the most impressive dzong in the country.
- Drive to Wangduephodrang Dzong, which is perched on a spur at the confluence of two rivers. The position of the Dzong is remarkable as it completely covers the spur and commands an impressive view both up and down the valley. Wangdue district is famous for its fine bamboo work, stone carvings, and the slate, which is mined up the valley a few kilometers from the town. Then drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forest, and over a high pass down into the Phobjikha valley, surely one of the loveliest high altitude valleys in Bhutan. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black-necked cranes, migrating from the Tibetan plateau.
- After early breakfast, we will re-cross Dochu la pass and stopping at Thimphu for lunch. Arrive Paro in the afternoon and check into your hotel.
- Unspoilt and presenting a distinctly different nomadic Haap culture of Bhutan, this is Haa Valley! Have the option to stay overnight in a basic tourism-approved village farmhouse in Haa Valley and sample home cooked delicacies favored in the region washed down with the fiery Ara brew that the locals love to drink. Try farming activities and take walks around the village!
- We drive across Chele La (pass), which, at 3880m, is the highest road pass in Bhutan. On a clear day, the view of the snow-capped mountains including Mt. Jhomolhari (7316m) one of the most sacred mountains in Bhutan is magnificent. A 45-minute descent takes us to the remote Haa valley, described as carpeted in flowers (poppies in particular) and covered with pine, where the Bhutanese continue their age-old rural existence beneath dramatic, changing skies. The Haa valley was opened to foreigners in 2002. Having visited the Haa Town it is a short walk (or ride bike) along Haa Chu to a picnic spot. Visit Lhakhang karpo (white temple) dating back to 7th century.
- This morning, we make an excursion to
- this has to be the monastery with the most outstanding setting in Bhutan. Set on a vertical cliff face at 2950m above sea level, it defies all engineering logic. For the energetic, hike 2 hours up to get a more dramatic view of the monastery. (The hike demands a certain level of fitness and a pony ride to the monastery can be arranged at additional cost)
- One can also have the opportunity to meet the local villages in a local farm house. Walk through cultivated farmlands and the village dotted along the way and end off to enjoy a home-cooked dinner in a local farmhouse for the authentic Bhutanese experience!
- After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport in time to catch your onward flight. Your tour escort bids you farewell, and soon the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappears again behind its guardian mountains.
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
65%
Adrenaline
50%
Original
35%
Cultural
30%
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