BHUTAN TOUR (8 nights/9 days) PARO– THIMPHU – PUNAKHA – PARO)

DAY 01: Arrive Paro & transfer to Thimphu (1 to 2 hours drive/60 kms):

On a clear day, the flight to Paro is breathtaking, with views of major Himalayan peaks such as Everest, Kanchenjunga and Makalu, and on the final approach Bhutan’s own snowy peaks, the sacred Jhomolhari, Jichu Drake and Tserimgang. On arrival at Paro airport and after completion of airport formalities, you will be met by your Etho Metho representative. Drive from Paro to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan and an exciting blend of tradition and modernity. 

On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit *Thangtong Dewachen Nunnery; the only nunnery in the Capital it is popularly known as Zilukha Anim Dratshang. Located few minutes’ drive from the town. It was built in 1976 by the 16th emanation of Thangtong Gyalpo, Drubthob Rikey Jadrel. You may interact with some 60 nuns or so that has devoted their life to spirituality and Buddhism.

Free or program may be arranged, according to choice. Evening, you will drive to Mini Zoo where Takin, the national animal of Bhutan can be seen. This particular animal is found only in the Himalayan region and the head of this animal looks like that of a goat and body of a cow/yak and before sun set drive to Sangay gang view point (2685 meters) to have view of whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the Thimphu valley (Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu)

NOTE: in the event that the flight arrival time is after 12.00 hours, above site visits are excluded.

DAY 02: Explore Thimphu Valley:

Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil service, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters for a number of internationally funded development projects.

 

Today’s full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes visits to:

Once known as the only capital city without traffic lights, it still remains to be one the cultural capitals of the Himalayas. 

Thimphu’s charm comes not only from its wealth of museums or places of historic interest, but also from the strong national character of its architectural style.

 

National Memorial Chorten– the building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who had wanted to erect a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the father of modern Bhutan”), and a monument to peace.

 

*Buddha Dordenma statue sitting on top of a hill overlooking Thimphu. The Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is one of the tallest in Asia (51.5 m).  The site of Buddha Dordenma offers unobstructed views over the capital town. (Closes Daily Nov-Feb at 4pm & Mar-Oct at 5pm)

 

*Changangkha Lhakhang-This popular temple, perched like a fortress on a ridge above central Thimphu, hums with pilgrim activity. It was established in the 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo, who came from Ralung in Tibet. Parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessings for their young children from the protector deity Tamdrin (to the left in the grilled inner sanctum). Children are blessed by a phurba (ritual dagger) and given a sacred thread.

 

* Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. It also carries a small collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture.

* Tashichho Dzong: The “fortress of the glorious religion” was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichho Dzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu (held in autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters at Punakha Dzong. 

 

(Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu)

DAY 03: Transfer to Punakha & Explore (2 to 3 hours drive/77 kms):

After early breakfast, drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chortens, Mani walls, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road.  If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the northeast will be revealed in all their glory.  On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

Then continue the drive to Punakha Valey. Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and is still the winter residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and central monk body. Hike to the nearby Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the “Divine Madman”, an eccentric monk from the 16th century famous for many his many amusing, Rabelaisian folklore stories. 

After lunch visit Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, has played prominent role in civil and religious life of the kingdom. Damaged by fire, flood and earthquake over the centuries, it has now been fully restored in its original splendor. 

Evening stroll through the town area. (Overnight at Hotel in Punakha)

DAY 04: Transfer to Paro (3 to 4 hours drive/127 kms):

After breakfast, drive back to Paro enroot visiting Semtokha Dzong which is most oldest fortress built in 1627 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the unifier of Bhutan.

Evening, stroll around the interesting Paro town.

(Overnight at Hotel in Paro)

DAY 05 & 06 : Paro Valley Exploration:

Rinpung Dzong:  Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the “fortress of the heap of jewels” stands on a hill above Paro Township.  The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge (called the Nemi Zam) and then up a paved stone path running alongside the imposing outer walls.  The valley’s annual springtime religious festival, the Paro Tsechu, takes place in the courtyard of the Dzong and on the dance ground on the hillside above.

Ta Dzong: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower to protect Rinpung Dzong. (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the watchtower of a dzong is always called a “Ta Dzong”). On account of their function, watchtowers are always round in shape.  In 1968 Paro’s Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small natural history collection.

 (Closed on Govt. Holidays)

Kyichu Lhakhang: This lhakhang, built in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan (the other being Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang). Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples.  The first temple was built by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. In 1968, H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, arranged for a second temple to be built alongside the first one, in same style. 

Dungtse Lhakhang: The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it is in the form of a chorten, one of the very few that exists in Bhutan. The lhakhang was built in 1421 by the famous Tibetan lama, Thongten Gyelpo (1385-1465) who was also known as Changzampa or the builder of iron bridges. It is believed that a demoness was terrorizing the Paro valley and the very hill that the temple is built on turned out to be the demoness’s head. So he built a chorten shaped temple over the demoness’s head or the hills to overpower her, as chortens most of the time play the part of a nail that immobilizes a demon.

Farmhouses: The natural beauty of Paro valley is enhanced by picturesque farmhouses dotted about the fields and on the hillsides. The two to three-storied Bhutanese farmhouses are handsome in appearance, with colorfully decorated outer walls and lintels, and are traditionally built without the use of single nail. All houses follow the same architectural style. A visit to a farmhouse gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming family.

(Overnight at hotel in Paro)

DAY 07: Hike to Tiger’s Nest (4 to 5 hours drive):

Taktsang Monastery: “Tiger’s Nest” monastery, most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, is spectacularly located on the side of a cliff 900m above the valley floor. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months, hence its name, “Tiger’s Nest”. There have been shrines at this sacred place for many centuries. The principal Lhakhang of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. Taktsang is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. 

An excursion to Taktsang involves a steep climb up through pine forest and takes about five hours round trip. Though the climb up through the pine forest is steep, the journey is most worthwhile on account of the superb views en route and especially from the cafeteria viewpoint itself.

Rest of the day at leisure.

(Overnight at hotel in Paro).

DAY 08:

After an early breakfast drive towards Haa valley.

The high altitude Haa valley lies south of the Paro valley. The staple crops of this large, fertile valley are wheat, potatoes, barley and millet. Yaks are herded in the upper reaches of the valley, and yak meat from Haa is considered a great delicacy by the townspeople of Thimphu. A day trip to Haa with picnic lunch by the river near new Haa Dzong is very pleasant in the warmer months of the year, when one can drive from Paro to Haa over the Chele-la pass (3,810m/12,573ft). On a clear day there is a superb view of Mts. Jomolhari & Jichu Drake from the pass.

What to see & do in Haa

The principal attractions of a visit to Haa are the journey up and over the pass and the picturesque valley itself. Visits can be made to two famous monasteries, Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). The central shrine in Lhakhang Nagpo is said to be almost identical to that of the Jowo temple in Lhasa. Legend has it that local deities assisted in the construction of Lhakhang Karpo.

In the evening drive back to Paro(Overnight hotel in Paro)

DAY 09: Depart to onward destination:

After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to your onward destination.  Your Etho Metho escort will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.

Tour Cost

01 to 02 Person per Night USD  = $ 290 per Person per Night   

03 person & above per person per night USD = $280 per person per night 

Visa fee per person per entry extra on above rate $40.

AIRFARE for Entry Bhutan & Exist Bhutan

BKK/PBH/BKK Economic Class = $ 1045.00 Business Class $ 2210.00 

 DEL/PBH/DEL Economic Class  = $ 665.00   Business Class $805.00

 KTM/PBH/KTM Economic Class = $490.00     Business Class $ 565.00 

Note: Flight charges may vary as flight schedule at the time of booking your trip to Bhutan

Above Tour Cost Includes: Dbl/Twn sharing accommodation , English speaking guide, transfer, Standard Transportation (Toyota Hiace Van/Toyota Coaster Bus), sightseeing, entrance fees, govt. royalty, one mineral water/pax/day.

 

Not Included:  International flight cost, All beverages incl. water consumed at hotels/restaurants,   Travel Insurance, Hotels facilities (phone calls, laundry etc), Tips, others.

Cancellation Policies:

Tours/Treks:

  • If trip is cancelled 30 days or more during regular season (Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec) and  60 days or more  during peak season (Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov) prior to arrival date – No Charge
  • If trip is cancelled less than 30 days during regular season (Jan, Feb, Jun, Jul, Aug, Dec) and less than 60 days during peak season (Mar, Apr, May, Sept, Oct, Nov) to before 7 days to arrival date – 50% of tour cost
  • If cancelled after 7 days or less prior to arrival date – 100% of tour cost
  • No refund for No Shows or Early Departures
  • If guests do not complete the trek due to personal reasons, there will be no refund. For those nights not used for treks:

      -Standard Hotel room & meals will be extra US $ 80/person/night.

    Luxury Hotel room & meals will be on actual basis. Refer attached sheet for daily cost.

    Transfers/transportation and other miscellaneous expenses will be on actual basis.

  • If guests do not complete the trek due to weather conditions, there will be no refund. However, accommodation & meals at Standard Hotels & transfer/transportation will be provided free of charge by Way about Bhutan. 

       Luxury Hotel room & meals will be on actual basis.

 

Please note that some of the sights/itinerary may change due to season, weather, national holidays, and special events. We maintain the rights to alter the itinerary since tours are made in advance and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve your overall travel experience in Bhutan. 

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