Duration: 7 days/ 6 nights Places covered: Phuntsholing, Thimphu, Punakha, Paro Important remarks: Day 3 will have to fall on a week day as most sites are closed on the weekends. Also note that some sites may be closed during govt. holidays as well. Zorig Chusum will be closed on Jan, Feb and Jul due to winter and summer vacations for the students Please note that some of the sights/itinerary may change due to season, weather, national holidays, and special events. We maintain the rights to alter the itinerary since tours are made in advance and unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Itinerary changes are made to improve your overall travel experience in Bhutan.
On arrival at Bhutan’s frontier town, Phuentsholing, you will be received by our representative who will help you to go through all the formalities required to enter Bhutan. The town of Phuentsholing is the gateway for travelers entering Bhutan by road. A thriving commercial centre on the northern edge (West Bengal) of the Indian plains, Phuenthsoling is situated directly at the Himalayan foothills. This town is fascinating mixture of Indian and Bhutanese, a perfect example of mingling of people and their culture. Check-in at the hotel on arrival.Overnight at Hotel
After finishing all border formalities in Phuentsholing, a scenic drive takes you to the capital, Thimphu. The entire drive is very pleasant with numerous scenic spots en route. Sights on the way include a visit to the Kharbandi Gompa, 4 km ahead of Phuentsholing. This is a beautiful monastery situated in garden of tropical plants and flowers. The monastery contains paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha and statues of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Guru Rimpoche. From the monastery garden there is a splendid view of Phuentsholing and plains of West Bangal and their tea gardens beyond. Lunch would be served en route. heck-in at the hotel on arrival. In the evening, take an exploratory walk around Thimphu’s main street, visiting shops and local market. Overnight at Hotel
Thimphu, perhaps the most unusual capital city in the world, is the seat of government. This bustling town is home to Bhutan’s royal family, the civil service, and foreign missions with representation in Bhutan. It is also the headquarters for a number of internationally funded development projects. Today’s full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes visits to: Visit National Memorial Chorten– the building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who had wanted to erect 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 peace. * Folk Heritage and Textile Museums: These museums, both of which opened in 2001, provide fascinating insights into Bhutanese material culture and way of life. Closed on Sat / Sun / Govt. Holidays * Handicrafts Emporium: This government-run enterprise displays a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. It also carries a small collection of books on Bhutan, Buddhism and Himalayan culture. * National Library, which holds a vast collection of Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion. Closed on Sat / Sun / Govt. Holidays * Institute for ZorigChusum: Commonly known as the Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school. Closed on Sun / Govt. Holidays / Sat – 10am-12pm * TashichhoDzong: The “fortress of the glorious religion” was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. TashichhoDzong houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. It is open to visitors during the Thimphu Tsechu (held in autumn) and while the monk body is resident in its winter quarters at Punakha Dzong. In the evening, take a stroll along the town’s main street.(Overnight at Hotel)
After early breakfast, you either attend the festival or transfer to Punakha. Drive up to Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft) stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chortens, Mani walls, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the northeast will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. On the way, visit Semtokha Dzong, built in 1627 and the oldest fortress of the kingdom, which now houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies. Until 1955 Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan and it is still the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot). Visit the Chimi Lhakhang; the auspicious fertility monastery built in 1499 and a temple dedicated to the “Divine Madman”, an eccentric monk from the 16th century famous for many his many amusing, Rabelaisian folklore stories and drive back to the Hotel. Following the hike you will drive back up the valley towards Khuruthang passing Punthsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the royal family before reaching the impressive Punakha Dzong, the Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored in recent years by the present monarch. It is open for visitors during the Punakha festival (early spring) and in the summer months, after the monk body has returned to Thimphu. The Dzong is placed strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s head and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. Balance of the day at leisure. (Overnight at Hotel)
Today, you will begin the day with hike up through fields of rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu to the upper end of the valley to the KhamsumYuelleyNamgyalChorten, a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999. After Lunch we will then proceed to move on to Paro, a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area. In addition, the Paro Valley is wide and verdant and is recognized a one of the most beautiful in all Bhutan. If you wish you may explore the town in the evening. Overnight at Hotel
In the morning, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. Overnight at Hotel
Early breakfast in the hotel, then drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
INCLUSION
EXCLUSION
Starts from US $ 1500/- per person
Visa fee (One Time)
USD $ 40/- per person for entire tour in Bhutan.
Passport: A valid passport is required to travel to Bhutan and the validity of the passport should be minimum 6 months.
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For the services contracted, 40 % advance payment should be made to hold the booking on a confirmed basis and the balance amount should be paid before commencement of your tour. We hold the right to decide upon the amount to be paid as an advance payment, based on the nature of services and the time left for the commencement of the services.
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Tour once commenced will strictly go as per the itinerary finalised. In case of events and circumstances beyond our control, we reserve the right to change all or parts of the contents of the itinerary for safety and well being of our esteemed passengers.
In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reason/s we must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive letter in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows:
Please note – Irrespective of above mentioned cancellations slabs – in case of cancellation of tour services after the booking is made with us – a minimum 10% service charges would be applicable.
In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount that too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.
Where as in case of Cancellation before the commencement, it will take atleast two weeks time to refund the said amount.
Please note that after the finalization of the tour/service cost, if there are any hikes in entrance fees of monuments/museums, taxes, fuel cost or guide charges by the Govt. of India, the same would be charged as extra.
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All itineraries are sample itineraries, intended to give you a general idea of the likely trip schedule. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, the physical ability of the participants etc. may dictate itinerary changes either before the tour or while on the trail. We reserve the right to change any schedule in the interest of the trip participants’ safety, comfort & general well being.
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We do not have any insurance policy covering the expenses for accident, sickness, loss due to theft, or any other reasons. Visitors are advised to seek such insurance arrangements in their home country. All baggage & personal property/s at all times are at the client’s risk.
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Any person who has a contagious disease is forbidden to travel, any person found during the tour with such a disease will be asked to leave the tour and will have to make their own arrangements to return home.
