Trails of Bhutan Tour - 7D/6N

Bhutan Monastery photo courtesy of Bhutan Tourist BoardBhutan is one of the most sought after travel destinations and is a trekker’s paradise and environmentalist’s dream. With 72 percent of the country under forest cover, Bhutan’s pristine ecology is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. This spiritual land is the last bastion of the Vajrayana school of Mahayana Buddhism which provides the essence of a unique identity for the 750,000 people. Bhutan is a unique blend of the old and new; a country that is slowly opening up to the modern world in a fine balance with its ancient traditions.

Paro is the entry point for all visitors flying into Bhutan and lies at an elevation of 2,280 m. Places to visit include the Paro Dzong, the National Museum housed in a round fortress called the Ta Dzong, adn the ruins of the Drugyal Dzong, a 17th century fortress that was used to keep invading Tibetan forces at bay. The Tiger’s Nest or the Taktshang is one of the most popular spiritual heritage sites, locted on the rock face of a cliff 2,950 m above the ground. It is a short climb of 1.5 or 2 hours to reach the top.

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and is the largest town in the country with a population of 100,000. The 1.5 hour drive from the airport in Paro takes you down Bhutan’s first 4-lane expressway, over 2 dramatic flyover bridges, and right into the heart of town. Places to visit in Thimphu include the Textile Museum, the Folk Heratige Museum, the Trashichho Dzong, the National Memorial Chorten, and the Centenary Farmer’s Market. On a clear day, you can see a panorama of the Himalayan mountain range.

Punakha is the ancient capital of Bhutan and lies at an elevation of 1,220 m. The 2.25 hour drive from Thimphu across the Dochu-la pass takes you down into a warm fertile valley, along a gently flowing river. The Punakha Dzong was built in 1637 and is an example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers. The Dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years, but has been carefully restored.

Included: Accommodation in shared twin room. Meals as specified in the programme (fullboard). Tours and transfers by private car/van with English speaking guide. Tourism Development Fund. Visa fee.
Not Included: Airticket to/from Paro. Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry etc.

Accommodations:
Paro - Kichu Resort
Thimphu - Druk Hotel
Punakha - Zangtopelri Hotel

Departures: Daily through Ocober 31, 2009.

Bhutan Monks photo courtesy of Bhutan Tourist BoardItinerary

  • Day 01: PARO (L/D) - Arrival at Paro. Welcome by the representative of Asian Trails/Pristine Druk-Yul Tours & Treks at the Airport. The drive from airport to the Kichu Resort is enchanting. After lunch, do the sightseeing of Paro valley. Visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and the most sacred temples in Bhutan built in 7th Century and sightseeing of Paro town. Dinner and overnight at the Kichu Resort.
  • Day 02: PARO - THIMPHU (B/L/D) - Breakfast. After breakfast, two hours drive to Thimphu following the winding road beside the Pachhu River downstream to its confluence with the Wangchu River, then up valley to Thimphu. After lunch at the Druk Hotel, sightseeing of Thimphu valley. Visit the vegetable market (Saturday & Sunday), Tashichho Dzong, the biggest fortress and the administrative centre of Bhutan. Rest of the day at leisure. Wander in the town, do shopping, visit private handicrafts where you can bargain for the price and get better deals at the Government emporium. Dinner and overnight at the Druk Hotel.
  • Day 03: THIMPHU (B/L/D) - Breakfast. After breakfast, visit memorial chorten, Changangkha Lhakhang, drive up to Sangay Gang from where the view of Thimphu town is superb. After lunch at one of the hotels in the town, visit the Hand made paper factory, National Library, art and craft school and other places of interest. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at the Druk Hotel.
  • Day 04: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (B/L/D) - Breakfast. Depart Thimphu and drive 3 hours to Punakha (72 kms), the old palace and winter residence of Chief Abbot (Je-Khempo). Stop at Dochula pass (alt. 3050 metres.) for tea break. If you are lucky with the weather, you can have spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas. To name few, Mt. Masagang, Mt. Gangkher Puensum, Kangphu Gang etc. Continue drive to Punakha through the temperate forest where rhododendrons and magnolias bloom in spring (mid March to mid May). Check in at Zangtopelri Hotel. After lunch, sightseeing of Punakha Dzong, Chime Lhakhang, Wangdi Dzong and other places of interests. Dinner and overnight at the Zangtopelri hotel.
  • Day 05: PUNAKHA – PARO (B/L/D) - Breakfast. After breakfast, return to Paro via Thimphu. Enroute, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest Dzong of Bhutan first built by Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel in 1627. Check in at Kichu Resort in Paro. After lunch, visit the National Museum, Paro Dzong, Kichu Lhakhang, Dungtse Lhakhang and the town of Paro. Dinner and overnight at the Kichu Resort.
  • Day 06: PARO (B/L/D) - Breakfast. After early breakfast, drive to the north end of the valley to view the peak of Mt. Jomolhari and the ruin of Drukgyel Dzong, the victorious fortress. Drive back for about 5 kms. and ride on mules up through the meadows of pine trees for 1 1/2 hours. Rest at the tourism cafe offering close views of the burnt Taktsang Monastery hanging on a cliff above the valley. Those who are energetic can walk up to the monastery, whereas entering inside is restricted. Lunch will be served at the cafe. After lunch, walk all the way downhill till you reach starting point where you will be picked and transferred to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the Kichu Resort.
  • Day 07: PARO – DEPARTURE (B) - Breakfast. Pick up from hotel and transfer to airport for your departure flight.

Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My TripWe provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.

Adobe PDF format
US Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here

Adobe PDF format
Canadian Residents - Download Full Plan Details Here

Also tagged with: Asia, Bhutan, Cultural, Art / Architecture, Religion, Private Tour, Private Escorted Journey


Vantage World Strongly Recommends Insurance for all your Travel Programs

Insure My Trip We provide, through TravelSafe Insurance, one of the nation's largest and most respected providers of travel insurance, a TravelSafe Custom Plan, where you decide the benefits YOU want and the levels of protection YOU desire including access to their 24-hour emergency assistance service from anywhere in the world. Click the link below the Plan Benefits table for plan details.