BHUTAN TOUR: 07 DAUS TOUR

Days: 08 Nights - 07 Days
Destination Covered:
Phuentsholing - Thimphu - Punakha - Gangtey - Paro.

32779
(starting price per person)

Notes
  • Country with highest gross happiness quotient in the world.
  • No pollution.
  • No crowd (very less population).
  • No traffic jams hence no honking.
  • 100% nature, lush green…..pure and virgin environment.
  • No VISA required.
  • Next door neighboring country – well connected with Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra and Guwahati.

Bhutan Packages for Indian/Bangladeshi Nationals valid from 01 June to 31 Aug 2014 & 01 to 31 Dec 2014 Per Person Net and Non-commissionable cost on twin sharing basis in Indian rupees on min. 02 Pax traveling together.

CPAI Off Season

Category02 PAX04 PAX06 PAX08 PAXSRSExtra BedCNB
Luxury 90859 83159 79639 80409 65119 46639 19029
Deluxe 52799 45099 41579 42349 31129 20339 7919
Superior 35859 28159 24639 25409 11439 24639 4509
Standard 32779 21449 21449 22329 10119 12649 4069


MAPAI Off Season

Category02 PAX04 PAX06 PAX08 PAXSRSExtra BedCNB
Luxury 110989 103289 99659 100539 65559 62479 26069
Deluxe 60829 53129 49609 50379 31019 34539 16389
Superior 39819 32119 28599 29369 11769 22439 10119
Standard 37399 29699 26179 27059 10009 21119 9239
Day 01: Arrival Phuentsholing

Meeting & greeting upon arrival at Bhutan’s border town of Phuentsholing. The gateway to the south, Phuentsholing is a thriving commercial centre on the northern edge of the Indian plains. Situated at the base of Himalayan foothills, Phuentsholing is a fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese, a perfect example of mingling of people and their culture. Rest of the day free at leisure.

Evening visit to Zangtho Pelri Lhakhang, the temple representing heaven of Guru Rinpoche. Then take a stroll around town and local market. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 02: Phuentsholing – Thimphu Drive: Approx 180 Kms/06 Hrs

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel drive to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan situated at the altitude of 2,400m. 4 km ahead of Phuentsholing. En route visit to Kharbandi Goemba, the beautiful monastery built by Royal Grand Mother, Simtokha Dzong the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for religious and cultural studies. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 03: In Thimphu

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel visit to National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King (“the Father of modern Bhutan”) and a monument to world peace. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha (Wangduephodrang) Drive: Approx 77 Kms/ 03 Hrs

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel Punakha an old winter capital of Bhutan. En-route stop at Dochu LaPass, 10,000ft/3,048m to view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan's highest mountain, Gangkar Punsum, 24,770ft/7,550m. The road then drops down through varied –ever changing forest, finally emerging into the highly cultivated Punakha valley.

Afternoon you will make a short trek to visit the Crown Prince's chorten and nearby villages. You return on a different route through the village to Sonagasa (the King’s winter residence) and through to Punakha Dzong, following the Mo chu river. You will meet the vehicle and visit huge impressive Punakha Dzong.

Punakha Dzong: Its proper name is Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which means the Palace of Great Happiness. The Dzong is located on the confluence of Phochu and Mochu rivers and was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38 near Dzongchung or the little Dzong, built in 1328 by Ngagi Rinchen (which can be still seen opposite the main Dzong). The Dzong was damaged by flood, earth quake and several times by fire and was rebuilt each time to its original grandeur. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the mummified remains of Zhabdrung Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who passed away here in 1651. In 1907 (on 17 Dec) Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first King of Bhutan. It is the district administrative center of Punakha Dzongkhag and the winter home of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body led by HH the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot).

Khamsum Yuley Chorten: Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten was built in 1990s and took period of nearly 10 years. It was built by Queen Mother and dedicated to the King and for the well being of Bhutanese. It majestically located on a ridge, with amazing views of the country side. It is one of the finest Bhutanese architects. It is located in idyllic countryside north of Punakha, about 30 minutes drive from town. From the parking, it is another 45 minutes uphill walk through the rice fields and the return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes. In the summer or during the rainfall, the trails could be muddy and slippery. After return walk back, there is an option to walk along the riverside, following the ancient trail that goes through farmlands, homes, Sonagasa village and arrive near Punakha Dzong. This extra walk takes another two hours or so. It is particularly interesting for those interested in birding and to enjoy the walk viewing the countryside. Overnight at hotel, Punakha / Wangduephodrang.

Day 05: In Punakha

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel sightseeing tour of Punakha & visit to Punakha Dzong & Khamsum Yuley Chorten.

Punakha Dzong: Its proper name is Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, which means the Palace of Great Happiness. The Dzong is located on the confluence of Phochu and Mochu rivers and was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637-38 near Dzongchung or the little Dzong, built in 1328 by Ngagi Rinchen (which can be still seen opposite the main Dzong). The Dzong was damaged by flood, earth quake and several times by fire and was rebuilt each time to its original grandeur. The Dzong houses the most sacred relics of the Drukpa Kagyu school including the Rangjung Kasarpani, and the mummified remains of Zhabdrung Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who passed away here in 1651. In 1907 (on 17 Dec) Punakha Dzong was the site of the coronation of Ugyen Wangchuck as the first King of Bhutan. It is the district administrative center of Punakha Dzongkhag and the winter home of Bhutan's Central Monastic Body led by HH the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot).

Khamsum Yuley Chorten: Khamsum Yuley Namgay Chorten was built in 1990s and took period of nearly 10 years. It was built by Queen Mother and dedicated to the King and for the well being of Bhutanese. It majestically located on a ridge, with amazing views of the country side. It is one of the finest Bhutanese architects. It is located in idyllic countryside north of Punakha, about 30 minutes drive from town. From the parking, it is another 45 minutes uphill walk through the rice fields and the return portion downhill takes around 30 minutes. In the summer or during the rainfall, the trails could be muddy and slippery. After return walk back, there is an option to walk along the riverside, following the ancient trail that goes through farmlands, homes, Sonagasa village and arrive near Punakha Dzong. This extra walk takes another two hours or so. It is particularly interesting for those interested in birding and to enjoy the walk viewing the countryside. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 06: Punakha – Gangtey (Phoibjikha) Drive: Approx 78 Kms/03 Hrs

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel drive east (3 hrs) on a spectacular road over Dochula pass (3050m) and descend into low lying Wangdu valley. Then drive up the Black-mountains area into Phojikha valley (2hrs). En-route; at Dochula pass, we stop to view the panorama of east Himalayan peaks. In Wangdue, stop to stroll around its interesting township and also stop to view villages, vegetations etc. along the way to Phobjikha. In the afternoon, visit the ancient Gangtey monastery and take a nature in the valley (1-2hours). (Due to conservation measure, there is no electricity in the valley. The hotel uses generator during the evenings and it is turned off after dinner. Hot water is provided in the bucket). From the mid October till about mid-march, Phobjikha valley is the winter roosting ground for the rare and endangered black-necked cranes.)

Gangtey in Phobjikha Valley: Gangtey or Phobjikha at an average altitude of 3,000m is a wide and beautiful valley, designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park (formerly known as Black Mountains National Park) is a natural habitat for wildlife, including nesting grounds for endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from Central Asia in the winter (late October and stay till March). Because of the conservation measures, there is no electricity in the valley. The lodges use solar powered cells or generator to light which is turned of after dinner. Hot water is provided in the bucket and rooms are heated with wood stoves. Underground electrification is planned and expected to be completed by 2011. Gangtey is the name for hilltop village and its monastery. The valley is known as Phobjikha and falls under Wangdue Dzongkhag.

Gangtey Gompa Monastery: It sits atop a hillock that overlooks the Phobjikha valley. It is headed by the ninth Gangtey Trulku and is the largest Nyingma monastery in western Bhutan. It was founded in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinlay, a grandson and reincarnation of influential treasure finder Pema Lingpa. An incarnate line of Pema Thinlay, representing the body aspects of Pema Lingpa, contrasted with mind and speech emanations. The monastery has been recently built and surrounding the monastery are village homes and hermitages.

Black-necked Crane: Or Thrung Trung Karmo' as this bird is passionately known in Bhutan is subject of many Bhutanese songs and folklore. They are seen among the painting on the walls of temples and Thankga. These endangered species of cranes migrate from Tibet in late autumn and typically stay till the mid march. The wetland in the center of Phobjikha valley provides the nesting grounds and natural habitat for these black necked cranes. Black Necked Crane Information Centre is situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. The centre also offers display information that outline the natural and cultural history of the area. There is a small gift shop, which sells handicrafts produced by the local people, that local people can benefit from ecotourism. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07: Gangtey – Paro Drive: Approx 133 Kms/05 Hrs

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel set out for Paro and stop at Thimphu for lunch. En route visit to 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Kichu Lhakhang: Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across Tibet and the Himalayas, which was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples in a single day to pin the ogress to the earth forever in 659AD. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans at key points. The temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demoness and Kichu is said to have been built on the left foot. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 08: In Paro

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel sightseeing tour of Paro & to Ta Dzong (Sun, Mon Govt holiday closed), which in the past served as watchtower for Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong) and now houses the National Museum (Open 10-4pm - closed on Monday). Then walk down the 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. The approach to the Dzong is through a traditional covered bridge called Nemi Zam. A walk through the bridge, over a stone inlaid path, offers a good view of the architectural wonder of the Dzong as well as life around it. It is also the venue of Paro Tshechu, held once a year in the spring.

National Museum Established in 1967, the museum is housed inside a circular Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower. It has fascinating collection of arts, relics, religious thangkha paintings, households stuffs, arms, handicrafts, stuffed animals and Bhutan's famous Stamps among others. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 09: Paro Departure

Morning after buffet breakfast at the hotel transfer to PBH airport in time to board flight for onward journey.
Note: Check in time at the International airport in India is 03 Hrs prior to the departure flight schedule.
***Tour Terminates***

Tour Cost Includes

  • Total no. of hotel nights in Bhutan as per mentioned in the program using base category rooms with daily breakfast & dinner at the hotel.
  • Local English speaking guide during the sightseeing.
  • All transfers, sightseeing’s & excursions by an private Non A/c vehicle i.e. Santa Fe – 1-2 pax; Hiace – 3-8 Pax; Coaster – 9 pax and above
  • Necessary permits to visit Bhutan.
  • Road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges, interstate taxes. Any hikes in these fee / taxes will be extra.


Tour Cost Excludes

  • Any expenses of personal nature such as table drinks, laundry, telephone calls, mineral water, soft drinks, tips, shopping etc.
  • Monument entrance fee during the sightseeing approx. Rs. 250 – 350 per person.
  • Festival period supplements at hotels if any in Bhutan.
  • Any other meals / services not mentioned in the program.
  • Any air fare.
  • Govt. Service Tax @ 3.09%

Special Notes

  • Indian nationals must possess a valid Indian Passport with minimum 06 month validity or voter ID card however children’s below 12 Yrs can travel with their school photo ID card accompanied with birth certificate in original.
  • To visit places other than Paro & Thimphu, a road permit is required for which guests shall have to personally visit immigration office in Thimphu along with our guide on any working day.
  • Check in time is 1400 Hrs / check out time is 1200 Noon at the Hotels except few hotels / cities.
  • All drive times are approximate and are subject to change.
  • Vehicle shall be strictly as per the itinerary & not on disposal, vehicle after 6 pm would attract additional charges.
  • For International flight check-in time is 03 hours before the departure time.