Overview
The best of Bhutan tour package takes the tourists to three major districts in Bhutan and the luxury properties of Aman, Uma or other luxury resorts. The tour mainly focuses on exploring the valleys of Thimphu, Paro, and the beautiful Punakha valley. This tour lets the guests experience the true essence of Bhutan’s serene mountains and beautiful valleys with the comforting hospitality of the luxurious resorts in Bhutan. Driving through lush pine forest and verdant hills, enjoying spectacular views of Himalayan ranges, visiting some of the most sacred monasteries, and experiencing the true essence of Bhutanese culture. Experiencing the exclusive hospitality of these high-end world-class lodges will be the highlight of the tour.
Highlights
- Paro Airport Birds Eye View Point, Bhutan Traditional Attire Experience, Tiger's Nest Monastery Hiking, Kyichu Lhakhang, Tamchog Lhakhang Iron Bridge, Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), Bhutan National Museum (Ta Dzong)
- Buddha Dordenma Statue (Buddha Point), National Memorial Chorten, Motithang Royal Takin Preserve, Tashichho Dzong (Thimphu Dzong)
- Dochula Pass, Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery
- Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Nature Trail, Black-Necked Cranes Information Center
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Thimphu, Bhutan’s beautifully located capital city which is about 45 minutes drive (53km) from the airport.
Lunch will be served at your hotel.
In the afternoon visit the Tashichho Dzong, 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 the National Library which has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. After that, drive to Painting School, famous for traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will see students at work producing intricate design on cloth. If time permits, also visit the Traditional Medicine Institute.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel.in Thimphu
Breakfast at your hotel.
Travel to Punakha with a stopover at the Dochula pass (altitude 3140m). If the weather is clear, you will have spectacular views across the Himalayas.
Here you can also take a 3 hour trek to Lhuenchutse monastery several hundred meters above the Dochula pass. A late lunch or afternoon tea will be served at the Dochula Resort.
On the way to Punakha, visit Chimey Lhakhang located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metsina. Built in 1499 the temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. A wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a blessing.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
Breakfast at your hotel.
Take a 45 minute walk to a chorten or stupa at Nyizergang followed by a visit to the amazing Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637. This impressive Dzong is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The Punakha Dzong was the second of Bhutan’s dzongs and until the mid-1950s, it served as the seat of the government. It is also the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and the Central Monastic Body.
After lunch, drive through to Gangtey with a visit en route to the Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. This dzong which is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tsang Chu rivers was destroyed by fire, but is currently being rebuilt.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Gangtey.
After breakfast at your hotel, take a leisurely walk through Gangtey village and then along a nature trail through the Phobjikha valley. This glaciated valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains is the winter home for a large flock of black-necked cranes. In addition to the cranes, there are also muntjacs (barking deer), wild boars, sambars, Himalayan Black bears, leopards and red foxes in the surrounding hills.
Lunch at your hotel then drive through to Trongsa.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Trongsa.
Breakfast at your hotel, and then explore the scenically located and historic Trongsa Dzong. Here you may also have a chance to see Bhutanese archers playing their favourite sport. After lunch return through the mountains to Thimphu with a short stop at Wangdue Phodrang if time permits.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Thimphu
After breakfast, drive through to Paro to visit Simtokha Dzong, built in 1627 and also to visit the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong which was built in 1644 to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders. The dzong was used as an administrative centre until 1951 when a fire caused by a butter lamp destroyed it. Then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8thcentury and also visit the Rinpung Dzong built in 1646.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, take a short drive to the base of the famous Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest, which clings to a sheer rock face at a height of 2600m above sea level. The climb is quite steep, but ponies are available for those who feel they cannot make the climb themselves.
The main temple was built around Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock face which plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorje Drolo.
After lunch, visit Ta Dzong an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is the Rinpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”), the centre of civil and religious authority in this valley, built in 1646.
Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Paro.
After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport for your departure from Bhutan.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Bhutan visa fee
- Government royalty & taxes
- Dedicated English speaking tour guide
- Dedicated tour vehicle and driver
- 3-star accommodation (twin sharing)
- Daily 3 meals (B/L/D)
- Airport transfers
- Bottled water
- Stay at luxury resorts in Bhutan (Uma, Aman, Six Senses)
The Cost Excludes
- Flights to and from Bhutan
- Personal expense/shopping
- Alcoholic Beverages
- 4 or 5 star accommodation (extra charges will apply)
- Travel insurance
- Entry fees to parks and monuments
- Tips for guide and driver
FAQs
Bhutan is a fascinating and scenic Asian country that is on the travel bucket list of many travelers around the world. Given the varying climate and seasonal rate of change, the best time to visit Bhutan is in the post-monsoon season of autumn. During this period, travelers will find pleasant temperatures and sunny days. So what else do you need to know before setting off on a trip to Bhutan?
When traveling, most people care about the local cuisine. The same goes for Bhutan tourism. Bhutanese food is a highlight of a trip to the mysterious Dragon Kingdom, just like sightseeing. Internationally, most people yearn for the beautiful natural scenery of Bhutan, but there are not many people who know Bhutanese cuisine. Bhutanese food is influenced by Tibetan, Chinese, Nepalese, and Indian food cultures. So if you’ve been to any of these countries, you probably have an idea of what to expect in Bhutan.
Bhutan is a country full of mystery and mysticism, full of amazing Dzongs, temples, and holy places, as well as tourist attractions that will amaze you. Many of the sights you can see tell the unique history of this ancient kingdom and show you more about the culture and people of Bhutan. Bhutan, once a secluded country, is now a popular tourist destination with a focus on high value, low traffic.
To visit Bhutan, you need to arrange the entire itinerary with a travel agency, who will help you decide on the itinerary, book the itinerary, arrange visas and permits, and provide tour guides, private cars, and drivers for the entire itinerary. Visitors to Bhutan are not allowed to travel alone, so a guide will be there to help you get to know this beautiful country better.
Unlike other countries in the world, Bhutan has a unique visa policy. For most international travelers, a Bhutan visa can only be applied for through a travel agency that arranges the trip to Bhutan on your behalf.
Only citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives do not require a visa to visit Bhutan. However, some travel documents are also required to enjoy the Bhutan visa-free policy. The information below will tell you what status allows you to travel to Bhutan without a visa.
Greetings and etiquette play an important role in the traditional customs and spiritual life of the Bhutanese people. It represents the essence and good behavior of people through time. Whenever you plan a trip to Bhutan, both must be mastered to avoid misunderstandings and better interact with the locals during your Bhutan holiday.
To gain an in-depth understanding of Bhutan’s greetings and etiquette, you should note the importance of Buddhism to a country that is close and creates unique customs, ways of life, and codes of conduct. Read on for this article to help you better understand the customs and habits of Bhutan to complement your trip to Bhutan.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Bhutan is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, our trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Bhutan? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Paro region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
