Bhutan Cultural Trip

Highlights
Gateway to Bhutan is situated in the Eastern Himalayas of southern Central Asia. It is bordered on the north and Northwest by the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. At the west, Southwest, south and east with Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Bhutan is a landlocked mountain kingdom roughly the size of Switzerland, in the eastern Himalayas. With a population of 600,000 spread over 46,000 sq km.

Bhutan is one of your ultimate travel experience and a journey to the destination. This tour to Bhutan will give you whole freedom to build a unique and personal trip in fulfilling your desire to travel and to discover your new self.

Finally, last extra day hike to the popular Taktsang Monastery that, clings on a black granite cliff 3000 feet above the Valley of Paro. Legend has that, in the 8th century Guru Padmasambhava flew on a back of a tigress and meditated in the cave and subdue the local deities that were obstructing the spread of Dharma.

Punakha Dzong Day 01: Arrive Paro by Druk Air:
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 exciting descent into the Kingdom. On arrival at the airport received by our representative and transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu:
After breakfast Thimphu sightseeing. Visit Trashichhoedzong, 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 National Library which has vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts.

Drive to Arts & Crafts School, famous for traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will see, students at work producing intricate design on cloth.

After lunch visit Handicrafts Emporium which displays 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.

Day 03 : To Punakha:
After breakfast drive to Punakha with a short stop at Dochula pass(3,080m) 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 (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), 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 7,497m.

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 local market. The district of Wangduephodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 04: Punakha to Paro (125 Km, 4 Hours):
After 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 Watch Tower since 1967 it is serving as the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.

Afterwards, 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:
After breakfast drive north of Paro valley to ruins of Drukgyel Dozng.. 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 Bhutanese 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 monastery takes about 5 hours for round trip.

While return to Paro town visit en route Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 06: Depart Paro:
After breakfast drive to the airport for flight to Kathmandu..

Seasons
High Season: February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November and December / Low Season: January, June and July.

Tour Package Includes Bhutan:
Accommodation / Full board meals / All transfer with sightseeing / English speaking tour Guide / Entrance fees and Permit / Flight Tikcet.

Cost excludes:
Personal Expenses bar bills, laundry, tips etc / Nepal re-entry visa fee / Travel insurance

Bhutan Travel Tips:
All Foreign National Tourists visiting Bhutan must travel through all inclusive package Tours, for which there is a fixed tariff set by the Royal government of Bhutan. This Tariff includes the Services of accommodation, All meals, Transportation within the country, Guide services, sightseeing and entrance fees for the museums and monuments.

Visa Information
All visitors to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the kingdom. Those who have not had a visa approved will not be permitted to board their Druk Air flight to Bhutan. A two-week visa costs US$50/- + USD 10/- Tourism Tax and actual visa stamping in your passport at Paro Airport during the immigration process. Visas are approved and issued prior to entry, with the prepayment of your travel itinerary. Therefore visitors to Bhutan need to finalize their travel plans well in advance. We recommend 30 days.

Tourist Attractions:
Trashi Chhoe Dzong | Memorial Chorten | School of Arts and Crafts | Weekend market | Changlimithang Stadium | National Institute of Traditional Medicine | Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) | Rimpung Dzong | Town of Paro

Getting There
By Air: The best way to enter Bhutan is by Druk Air, the national air carrier. Following stations are connected with Druk Air Flight.

REVISED Tour Cost 2023/24
BHUTAN TOUR COST FOR 2023/24 FLIGHT TICKETS: USD 541/- (KTM/PBH/KTM)

Note
By Surface: Entry or exit is also possible through Phuntsoling the southern Bhutanese border town. From here the nearest airport is Bagdogra in West Bengal. For travelers wishing to visit indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal along with Bhutan, Phuntsoling serves as the convenient point. Exit from Bhutan can be also made through Samdrup Jongkhar, an important link for visiting further Northeastern states of India. However, Government rules of Bhutan has made it mandatory to use at least one way by air.

Important: Bhutan Tour Package have one single uniform rate per person/per day basis which is fixed by the Govt. of Bhutan. They do not have any Budget/Standard/Deluxe categories, using moderate hotels and all packages are on full board with sightseeing

For More information:
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