Best of Bhutan
Bhutan is no ordinary place. It is the last great Himalayan kingdom, shrouded in mystery and magic, where a traditional Buddhist culture carefully embraces global developments.
Low Volume, High Value Tourism
The Bhutanese pride themselves on a sustainable approach to tourism in line with the philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Foreign visitors famously pay a minimum tariff of US$250 per day, making it seem one of the world's more expensive destinations. However, this fee is all-inclusive – accommodation, food, transport and an official guide are all provided, so it's not a bad deal. You don't have to travel in a large group and you can arrange your own itinerary. What you won't find is budget independent travel.
The Last Shangri-La
So why spend your hard-earned money to come here? Firstly, there is the pristine eastern Himalayan landscape, where snow-capped peaks rise above primeval forests and beautiful traditional villages. To this picture-book landscape add majestic fortress-like dzongs and monasteries, many of which act as a stage for spectacular tsechus (dance festivals) attended by an almost medieval-looking audience. Then there are the textiles and handicrafts, outrageous archery competitions, high-altitude trekking trails, and stunning flora and fauna. If it's not 'Shangri-La', it's as close as it gets.
An Environmental Model
Environmental protection goes hand in hand with cultural preservation in Bhutan. By law, at least 60% of the country must remain forested for all future generations; it currently stands above 70%. Not only is Bhutan carbon neutral, but it actually absorbs more carbon than it emits! For the visitor, this translates into lovely forest hikes and superb birding across a chain of national parks. Whether you are spotting takins or blue poppies, trekking beneath 7000m peaks or strolling across hillsides ablaze with spring rhododendron blooms, Bhutan offers one of the last pristine pockets in the entire Himalaya.
Photos
Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival Paro / Transfer to Thimphu
Meet & Greet by our representative upon arrival at Paro Airport and transfer to Thimphu [50 kms. - 1.5 hours drive], the capital city of Bhutan
Bhutan holds many surprises. This is a country where the rice is red and where chillies aren't just a seasoning but the main dish. It's also a deeply Buddhist land, where monks check their smartphones after performing a divination.
Yet while it visibly protects its Buddhist traditions, Bhutan is not a museum. You will find the Bhutanese well educated, fun loving and well informed about the world around them. It's this blending of the ancient and modern that makes Bhutan endlessly fascinating.
Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan, and also the name of the valley. With estimated population of around 100,000, Thimphu is Bhutan's largest city. Thimphu valley is at an average elevation of 2300m. It was a wooded farming valley until 1951, when massive 17th century Fortress, Tashicho Dzong, was revamped by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to form Bhutan's official capital and replace the ancient capital of Punakha
On arrival check in at the hotel
Day to relax & explore Thimphu by a walk around the town
Dinner & Overnight stay at Thimphu - Day 2
Thimphu - Local sightseeing
After breakfast, a sightseeing tour of Thimphu
Visit Kuensel Phodrang - nature park for refreshing views with a huge statue of Buddha on the top. Also visit National Memorial Chorten (Monument) & Folk Heritage Museum
Afternoon visit Sangaygang View Point, Changangkha Monastery, Takin Preserve Centre, the national animal of Bhutan can be seen here, Tashichho Dzong (Fortress of the Glorious Religion)
Dinner & Overnight stay at Thimphu - Day 3
Thimphu to Punakha - Local sightseeing
After breakfast drive to Punakha [85 kms - 2 to 3 hours drive]
Punakha is an administrative centre. Compared to Thimphu or Paro, Punakha valley is at much lower elevation - at about 1250m above sea level
Enroute stop at Dochu-La-Pass to view the higher Himalayas
Upon arrival at Punakha, check in at hotel
Afternoon visit Punakha Dzong - built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness)
Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck
After that take a short excursion trip to visit the Chhimi Lhakhang - The Temple, also known as The Temple of Fertility built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, The Devine Mad Man
Evening at leisure
Dinner & Overnight stay will be at Punakha - Day 4
Punakha - Excursion to Gangtey
After breakfast, start for a full day excursion trip to Gangtey [75 kms - 2 to 3 hours drive]
Gangtey is the home of Black Necked Crane which migrates from the arid plains of Tibet in the north. It is a beautiful valley of Bhutan
You can also visit Gangtey Gompha
Return back by evening
Dinner & Overnight stay at Punakha - Day 5
Punakha to Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro [130 kms - 3 to 4 hours drive].
Paro is the name of the town as well the name of district or Dzongkhag. The small and charming town of Paro lies in the center of the valley at an average elevation of 2280m, on the bank of Pa Chhu River
Enroute stop at Lamperi to visit Royal Botanical Park - The park contains a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna and features a huge species of plants
On arrival, check in at the hotel
Afternoon visit Ta Dzong - National Museum with an excellent collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha, etc
Rinpung Dzong - Meaning "fortress of the heap of jewels". The dzong now serves as the administrative and judicial seat of Paro
Evening at leisure
Dinner & Overnight stay at Paro - Day 6
Paro - Local sightseeing
After breakfast visit Drukgyel Dzong, famous Taktsang Monastery - Popularly called Tigers Nest (2 hrs. hike from the base camp) & Kyichu Monastery
Taktshang - Tiger's Nest : As it is often referred to for Taktshang Pelphung monastery, is one of the most venerated and famous of Bhutan's monasteries. It is located on the face of a 900m sheer cliff. It is an impressive and unmissable site, but accessible only by walk or to ride mules/pony.
From the trail head at Rumtokto (2600m), the walk till the Cafeteria is a steep one hour uphill (about 350m ascent). From the Cafeteria (2940m), one can get a good close-up view of Taktshang. Savor views of the monastery over a well-deserved cup of tea and biscuits at the cafeteria and continue uphill for another 45 minutes to a high observation point (3140m) where there is a Chorten. From this vantage point, the lookout to the monastery is a very spectacular and seems almost close enough to touch. It is now on the other side of a deep chasm, only around 150m away as bird flies, but takes half hour or even more to reach. Continue down the flight of cliff-hanging steps on the narrow trail to a beautiful waterfall that plunges down the deep chasm and alongside is a retreat hermitage, jammed dramatically into a rock crevice. Then climb up the flight of steep steps to the monastery. At any point on this walk, you can always return if you find it too difficult.
Dinner & Overnight stay at Paro - Day 7
Paro - Excursion to Chele-la-Pass
After breakfast excursion trip to Chele-La-Pass [40 kms - 2 hours drive] the highest motorable road in Bhutan at 13088 ft height
Enjoy the scenic beauty & memorable landscapes from Chele-La-Pass.
Back to Paro by evening
Rest of the day at leisure to visit the local market
Dinner & Overnight stay at Paro - Day 8
Departure from Paro
After breakfast transfer to Paro Airport for onward flight with beautiful memories of Bhutan
Notes
Round the year Destination ... Extentions recommended to Sikkim, Nepal &Myanmar
Hotels
Tour Inclusions [Best of Bhutan]
02 nights stay at Thimphu
02 nights stay at Punakha
03 nights stay at Paro
Daily breakfast & Dinner at hotels
All sightseeing and transfers by private vehicle as per Itinerary
Services of Tour Escort
Notes on itinerary
All our itineraries are "Just for Ideas" ... We will get to know you and customise an itinerary just for you that matches your requirements ... dates of travel, category of hotels, preferred airline, flexibility in choosing sightseeing, mode of travel between cities, etc.
Many of our clients have us design more relaxing, slower paced holidays with more in-depth experiences whereas some simply want to visit various destinations and cover only the highlights.
Together, we will determine the ideal route, pace of travel, accommodations, levels of pampering, style of touring, sightseeing to be included, dining preferences, adventure levels, options to meet locals, dates of travel & much more ! and based on this arrive at a price.
Do feel free to get in touch with us by a quick call on +91 79 29602961 or a short mail on mail@destinations4india.com ... Looking forward
