Day by day itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air, transfer to hotel, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
Day 02: Thimphu sightseeing, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
Day 03: Thimphu/ Punakha ( 75 Km, 3 Hours )/ Wangdue, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
Day 04: Punakha - Paro (125 Km, 4 Hours), overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
Day 05: Paro sightseeing, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
Day 06: Departure from Paro to Kathmandu, transfer to hotel (B).
Cost Includes and Excludes:
Services Includes:-
- Transportation by private car or hiace as per the group size.
- All necessary travel permit.
- English-speaking Bhutani guide.
- Accommodation on twin sharing room basis.
- Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per our itinerary.
- Meal plan:- full board basis (B/L/D).
Services Excludes:-
- Nepal re-entry visa fee.
- Client and travel insurance.
- Personal expenses such as a drink, guide tips & etc.
Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air, transfer to hotel, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
Druk Air flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills, each flight is a mesmerizing feat and offers an exciting descent into the Kingdom. On arrival at the airport, received by a representative of Dream Tibet Travel and then transferred to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan.
Day 02: Thimphu sightseeing, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
After breakfast, Thimphu, sightseeing. Visit Tashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Then visit the National Library, which has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. After that, drive to Arts & Crafts School, famous for traditional thangka paintings. Here you will see, students at work producing intricate design on cloth. After lunch, visit Handicrafts Emporium, which displays a wide assortment of beautifully handwoven and crafted products. Then drive to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan's Third King, who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The paintings and statues inside this monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy, overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu/ Punakha (75 Km, 3 Hours )/ Wangdue, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
After breakfast drive to Punakha with a short stop at Dochula pass (3,080 m) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158 m), Tsendagang (6,960 m), Terigang (7,060 m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7, 060 m), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497 m. Later visit Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan's history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has now been fully restored. After that drive to Wangduephodrang visiting Dzong and the local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carving, overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha - Paro (125 Km, 4 Hours), overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
After a breakfast drive to Paro en route, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for religious studies. Afternoon in Paro visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as a Watch Tower since 1967 it has served as the National Museum of the country and holds a fascinating collection of art, artefacts, thangka paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps. Afterward, walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district, overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05: Paro sightseeing, overnight at hotel (B/L/D).
After breakfast, drive north of Paro valley to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. From this fort, Bhutanese repelled several invasions by Tibetan armies. Nearby visit traditional Bhutanese Farm House which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people. Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of Butanes monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence it is called "Tiger's Nest". The excursion to the monastery takes about 5 hours for a round trip. While returning to Paro town, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom, overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 06: Departure from Paro to Kathmandu, transfer to hotel (B).
After breakfast drive to the airport for the flight to Kathmandu, arrive in Kathmandu then transfer to Nepal.
Fixed Departure Dates
| Trip Dates | Availability | Price | Book |
| Any Date | Available | On request | Book |
Flight cost USD 480 per person
Visa fee US$ 50
(Single supplement cost US$90)
Useful information related to this trip.
Please click on title to read details
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Passports and visa
Passports and visa
A valid passport is required by all nationals. It is worth noting that the Bhutan government has been known to refuse entry to those wishing to visit for mountaineering, publicity and other research activities.
Entry to Bhutan: There are two ways of entering Bhutan; by air to Paro Airport or by road to the Butanes border town of Phuentsholing. Samdrup Jongkhar is used for exits from Bhutan by land. All travellers entering the country by road must ensure that they have the necessary documentation for transiting through that part of India to Phuentsholing. Visitors are advised to contact their nearest Indian embassy or high commission to check exactly what special permits or other documents may be necessary, as these regulations are subject to change at short notice.
Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan; visitors are required to book with a registered tour operator, which can be done directly through an affiliated travel agent abroad. Visitors are also required by immigration to bring two passport photos with them for use on arrival.
You cannot purchase air tickets to Bhutan without visa clearance. Visas are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, or through a foreign travel agent; all applications are submitted through the tour operator. Visas are issued (stamped in passport) on arrival at Paro Airport or at Phuentsholing check post.
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Accommodation, Foods & drinks
Accommodation, Foods & drinks
Traditional hotels, cottages and guest houses approved by the Department of Tourism are usually comfortable with hot and cold running water, electricity and sometimes room telephones, though international calls may be via reception. There are a few luxury hotels, but these do not come cheap. Accommodation is booked by Tour Operators. Expect a surcharge on the basic rate for up market resorts and be aware that at festival time, hotels are booked long in advance, so you may need to be flexible.
There is a fair choice of restaurants in Paro and Thimphu, but most tourists eat in their hotels, where hygiene is good and chefs temper the spicy Butanes dishes to suit Western tastes. Rice is the staple (sometimes flavoured with saffron or of the red variety) apart from in central Bhutan where the altitude makes rice cultivation difficult. Buckwheat is more common here. The country is replete with apple orchards, rice paddies and asparagus, which grows freely in the countryside and there are over 400 varieties of mushroom including orchid mushrooms.
Specialities:
• Datse (cow's milk cheese), sometimes served in a dish with red chillies (ema datse).
• Tshoem (curry), usually served with rice.
• Eue chum (pink rice), a nutty-flavoured variety unique to Bhutan.
Things to know: Meals are often buffet-style and mostly vegetarian. Meat and fish are now imported from nearby India, and Nepali Hindus living in Bhutan are licensed to slaughter animals. Usual precautions apply.
Regional drinks: The most popular drink is tea, sweet or Tibetan style with salt and butter. Ara is a spirit distilled from rice.
Chang (a kind of beer, cereal-based and generally home-brewed).
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Shopping in Bhutan
Shopping in Bhutan
Markets are held regularly, generally on Saturday and Sunday, and are a rich source of local clothing and jewellery, as well as food. The Handicraft Emporium on the main street in the capital is open daily and offers a magnificent assortment of hand-woven and handcrafted goods. Some hotels have a souvenir shop. Silversmiths and goldsmiths in the Thimphu Valley are able to make handcrafted articles to order. Butanes stamps are collectors' items. Shopping is otherwise limited and bargaining is not customary. Phuentsholing has a small department store, the only one of its kind in Bhutan.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 0800-2000 for most shops.
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Weather & climate
Weather & climate
Best time to visit:
The climate varies with altitude, with the highest temperatures and rainfall occurring in the south, which bears the brunt of the monsoon between June and September.
Temperatures drop dramatically with increases in altitude, though days are usually very pleasant with clear skies and sunshine. Nights are cold and require heavy wooden clothing, particularly in winter. Generally, October, November and April to mid-June are the best times to visit - rainfall is at a minimum and temperatures are conducive to active days of sightseeing. The foothills are also very pleasant during the winter.
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Required clothing:
Required clothing:
Lightweight cottons in the foothills, also linens and waterproof gear, light sweaters and jackets for the evenings. Upland areas: thick, warm clothing for evenings, particularly during the winter months.
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Geography:
Geography:
Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas, bordered to the north by China and to the south, east and west by India. The altitude varies from 180 m (590ft) in the narrow lowland region to over 7,300 m (23,950ft) in the Himalayan plateau in the north, and there are three distinct climatic regions. The foothills are tropical and home to deer, tigers, leopards and the rare golden langur monkey as well as much tropical vegetation, including many species of wild orchids. The Inner Himalayas region is temperate; wildlife includes bear, boar and sambar, and the area is rich in deciduous forests. The High Himalayas region is very thinly populated, but the steep mountain slopes are the home of many species of animals, including snow leopards and blue sheep.
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Health and Ricks
Health and Ricks
Full medical insurance is strongly advised. Medical facilities are good, but not always close at hand. Officials in Bhutan have reported repeated outbreaks of bird flu during 2012.
Food and drink: Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Mineral water is widely available. Milk should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks: Hepatitis E occurs; hepatitis B is endemic. Giardiasis is common. Meningitis is a sporadic risk and vaccination is advised. Tuberculosis exists. There is a small risk of Japanese encephalitis in southern lowland areas. Altitude sickness may be a problem. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
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Currency & Money
Currency & Money
Currency information: 1 Ngultrum (BTN; symbol Nu) = 100 chetrum (Ch). The Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee (which is also accepted as legal tender). Notes are in denominations of Nu500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Nu1, and 50, 25 and 20 chetrum. Smaller denomination notes and coins have been discontinued but are still in circulation and are legal tender. US Dollars are also widely accepted.
Credit cards: Most cards have limited acceptability. ATMs only accept Butanes bank cards.
ATM: ATMs only accept Butanes bank cards.
Travellers' cheques: These can be exchanged in any branch of the Bank of Bhutan or at all BTCL hotels. Travellers' are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 0900-1200.
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How can I book a trip?
How can I book a trip?
All bookings are made with Asian Hiking Team Pvt. Ltd. based at Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal. Trip is reference to as Company in booking conditions. To book your holiday, you need to send us a completed booking (inquiry) form or directly email us with details. For more information, click here ».
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