The Bhutan Explore Tour

Day 1: Arrival at Paro

 You’ll be warmly welcomed by one of our airport representatives at Paro Airport. As soon as you reach this historic town, you’ll get to see many historical buildings and sacred sites throughout the area. Within an hour we’ll get to the capital city of the country that is Thimphu, a green and an attractive district. Its the only capital city in the world with no any traffic lights. When we reach Thimphu we’ll be visiting some of the popular sites including Tashichhodzong, National Library, Painting School, Traditional Medicine Institute, Handicrafts Emporium and Viewpoint. Through the visits we’ll get to see the ancient Buddhist manuscripts, traditional arts, paintings of Thangkas etc. We’ll then find a suitable hotel to spend the night.

 Day 2: Thimphu sightseeing - Punakha

 This day we’ll be extensively visiting various places in Thimphu valley and also have ride to another adventurous place - Punakha . In the morning we’ll go for the National Memorial Chorten, which was built in the honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Then we’ll visit the Folk Heritage Museum,Textile Museum where traditional artifacts, old textiles and items rich in color and design are preserved through exhibitions. After the visits we’ll have our lunch in Thimphu and then we’ll leave for Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. On the steeply way we’ll be coming across a forest of pine and cedar, adorned with lichen. We’ll cross Dochula pass (3,050 m) that offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. If the time favors, we’ll make a visit to Punakha Dzong and then find a suitable hotel to spend the night.

Day 3: Punakha - Trongsa - Bumthang

Today we’ll drive to Bumthang via Trongsa which takes about seven hours. We pass through one of the district headquarters of Western Bhutan - Wangdue. There we make a short visit to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. It is located on the edge of a hill  the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers meet.Then along the path passing through rhododendrons and dwarf bamboos, we’ll be climbing steadily to Pelela Pass (3,300m). The pass is considered as the boundary between West and East Bhutan. En route we may encounter the view of Chomolhari (7,314 m) in case the weather is clear. We’ll also be crossing Chendipjee Chorten. It was built many centuries ago and is believed to have suppressed a demon. In Trongsa we visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. The Dzong acted as the passage between East and West Bhutan in the old times. We then drive across the Yongala pass (3,400 m) to the spiritual heart of the kingdom - Bumthang valley. We will be spending the night at one of the Bumthang hotels.

Day 4: Bumthang sightseeing

Today, we’ll be having the full sightseeing day on the beautiful valley of Bumthang. The valley with awesome sites is considered to be the heartland of Buddhism. Jakar Dzong, Kurje Monastery, Jambay Lhakhang( one of the oldest temples) and Tamshing Lhakhang (old monastic school) are some of the popular sites in Bumthang that we’ll be visiting. Jakar Dzong is one of the largest and most impressive landmarks while others are very sacred monasteries in Bhutan. These famous sites basically portray the cultural values and customs of Bhutan. We’ll then return back to the hotel.

 Day 5: Bumthang - Gangtey – Punakha 

Leaving the lush valley we’ll now drive back through alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo to Wangdue which will take about six and a half hours. On our way to Punakha we stop at Gangtey to see an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa, an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. After crossing few kilometres from the Gompa, we reach the valley of Phobjikha. It is a wide lush valley and also the winter home of migratory black-necked cranes coming from the cold and dry plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climates. We’ll find a hotel in Punakha for the accommodation.

Day 6: Punakha - Thimphu - Paro

Now we are very close to the end of our journey, so we’ll be returning back to Paro. After having a proper breakfast we’ll be driving over the Dochula pass (3050 m) and then stop at  Thimphu for the lunch. While stopping at Thimphu, we may also have some chance of shopping. Then we’ll again drive to Paro. We’ll spend our last night in Bhutan accommodating in one of the hotels.

Day 7: Depart from Paro

Being the last day in Bhutan, we will bid you farewell at the Paro International Airport. We will be sharing some of the photos of our memory along with the good-byes and best wishes for your onward destination. We hope to see you agin in the future. 

Airport/Hotel/Airport pick up & drop service by private vehicle (all airport transfers)

Standard government approved accommodation (in twin share rooms) for the duration of tour

Service of licensed English speaking Bhutanese tour guide

All sightseeing tours, monument /museum entrance fees as per itinerary

All meal: breakfast, lunch & dinner with Tea and Coffee for whole duration of your stay in Bhutan.

Country presentation & tour briefing on the first day with welcome drinks

Cultural show consisting of traditional mask dances & folk dances

Mineral water supply during the tour

Government royalty (which is 35% of $200) that goes to the country's health & education projects.

Private transport & driver within Bhutan. (Imported Prado, Micro Bus & Toyota Coaster Bus)

Toyota 4X4 luggage vans & light trucks for group travel

All the government taxes

Tourist service charge including VAT

Official expanses

Bhutan visa fees and visa processing assistance

Route permits & monument access permits

Luggage will be hauled by horses, mules or yaks at higher elevations.

 Your travel insurance.

 International airfare and airport departure tax.

 Items of personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry.

 Personal clothing and equipments.

 Tips for guide and driver. Tipping is not mandatory but expected.

 Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Cost Includes section.