Day by day itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu (1 Hrs).
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha (2 ½ Hrs).
Day 03: Punakha sightseeing.
Day 04: Punakha – Phobjikha (6 Hrs).
Day 05: Phobjikha – Paro (3 ½ Hrs).
Day 06: Paro Sightseeing.
Day 07: Departure.
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1 Hrs)
Early morning flight to Bhutan (Please check the flight timing) Upon your arrival in Paro airport, our guide will be there to welcome you and transfer to Thimphu. After Lunch, visit the Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley, offering a nice view of the valley. Enclosures where national animal Takins are kept and drive to visit the largest and newly built statue of Buddha offering magnificent view of the entire Thimphu valley. After 5PM, visit the fortress of Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong, which houses the throne of the king. Overnight: Thimphu | Altitude: 2300 m
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha (2 ½ Hrs)
Morning visit the School of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan, walk to Folk Heritage Museum which is located next to the school and end with the visit to nearby National Library. After lunch drive to Punakha over Dochula pass, at 3150 m, if the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. Walk around the 108 stupas and enjoy the view and the fresh air. Continue your drive to the warm valley of Punakha. Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1350 m
Day 03: Punakha sightseeing
Morning drive to visit Punakha Dzong (fortress), which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. This is a fine example of Butanes rich Art and Architecture. Drive further up to visit the Souvenir Making Center for girls supported by Youth Development Fund. Interact with the students and back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, I could relax on the balcony of the hotel to enjoy the view and nature. Or could go for an hour hike to the temple of Khamsum Yuley Lakhang or the temple of Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus. Overnight: Punakha
Day 04: Punakha – Phobjikha (3 Hrs)
Check out from the hotel, drive to the isolated valley of Phobjikha. The valley is protected for the endangered Black Necked Cranes migrating to Bhutan every winter (early Nov to End of February). The drive is very picturesque and worth every turn and climb. On arrival, visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery which is largest in the western Bhutan. Phobjikha valley is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Later in the afternoon, I could relax in the hotel or could go for a nice short hike in the valley. This valley got electricity only recently. Farm houses stay optional. Overnight: Phobjikha | Altitude: 2900 m.
Day 05: Phobjikha – Paro (6 Hrs)
Retrace the drive back to Paro. After lunch, visit Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Continue further to stroll around the old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores. Could get some opportunity to see the traditional game, Archery match going on. Evening back to the hotel and enjoy the facility in the hotel. Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200 m.
Day 06: Paro Sightseeing
Morning drive to the base for the hike (2 hrs uphill) to Tiger’s Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro valley. Lunch in the cafeteria. Most of the day will go on the hike. Back to the hotel and enjoy the facility. Hot stone bath for available on Client's personal cost. Farewell dinner in the town. Overnight: Paro.
Day 07: Departure
Morning transfer to the airport (10 mins) for your departure flight. Our tour staff will bid you farewell at the airport, transfer to hotel in Kathmandu, end trip.a
Useful information related to this trip.
Please click on title to read details
-
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.
-
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).
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 ».
Book Online, Get Free
If you book a trip with us, you will receive following things in free:
Special AHT gift
