Bhutan Highlight Tours

Trip Overview

Trip Overview
This Bhutan highlight tours package comprises the major sights of Western and Central Bhutan, which are separated by the Black Mountain range. This mountain range extends roughly north-south and has virgin forests that provide a natural habitat for much wildlife such as Himalayan black bears, leopards, red pandas and about 450 species of birds.
Western Bhutan the heartland of the Drukpa people is comprised of the Haa Valley, Paro Valley, Thimphu, Punakha Valley, Wangdue Phodrang and Phobjika Valley. It is known for its stunning scenery with rice paddies and orchards, magnificent mountains, and pristine rivers that flow through the main towns of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, with their unique two-story houses with brightly painted window designs. Your Bhutan tour will take you across the high passes of Dochu La (3050m/10007ft) Pele La (3300m/10825ft) and Yotang La (3400m/11155ft.) from where you will enjoy the superb views of the mountains and the valleys.
In Central Bhutan, you will visit Trongsa and the rich broad valleys of Bumthang. Central Bhutan is known for its buckwheat and apple production its sturdy stone houses and its plethora of monasteries. It’s the ideal place for walking due to its broad valleys and sloping mountains. During your Bhutan highlight tours you will visit the Trongsa Dzong, one of the most picturesque examples of Bhutanese architecture and explore Bumthang, the cultural heartland of Bhutan and home to the some of the kingdom’s most precious and ancient Buddhist sites.

Trip Highlights
• Paro Rinphung Dzong
• National Museum
• Takstang Monastery
• Drugyal Dzong
• Punakha and Wangdue Phodrang Dzongs
• Chimi Lakhang-the The Temple of Divine Madman
• Bumthang Valleys
• Trongsa Dzong
• Week-end market and archery competition of Thimpu
• Textile Museum, the Heritage Museum, mini Zoo etc in Thimphu.

Itinerary

Trip Itinerary
Day 01: Flight to Paro
Fly to Paro, Bhutan from Bangkok or Delhi or Kathmandu. Meet your local Tour Guide at Paro airport and transfer to hotel. After lunch, visit the National museum, Paro Rinphung Dzong and a typical Bhutanese farm house. In the evening, stroll around the township of Paro and browse through it markets.
Day 2: Paro Valley
Take 4 hours out and back, Takstang Monastery Hike, a holy pilgrimage site with spectacular views. On return, visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong. If you are not into hiking, we will arrange you alternative tour to the Dungtse Temple, Kyichu Temple and easy village walks.
Day 03: Paro Punakha.
After breakfast, drive two hours to Thimphu and visit sights such as traditional painting school, handmade paper factory, gold and silver smiths and few others depending on available time. After lunch at Thimphu, drive to Punakha & Wangdiphodrang valley, with a short stop at Dochula passes for panoramic views of the eastern Himalayas.
Day 04: Punakha and Wangdiphondrang valley sightseeing
In the morning, drive to the idyllic countryside, north of Punakha and those who wish can do any easy 1 hour walk back following the river for possible sighting of birds and diverse flora. Visit the Punakha Dzong that served as the winter capital of Bhutan until 1958 and the old and new township of Punakha. After lunch, drive to road head from where you can take a pleasant 20 minutes walk through the paddy fields and farm houses to visit Chimi Lhakhang temple dedicated to Bhutan’s popular saint Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the divine madman (1455-1529).
Day 05: Punakha to Jakar (Bumthang valley)
Drive down the valley to the town of Wangdiphodrang, where there is a very large fortress and an interesting town. Continue on the road to east, we cross Pele La Pass at 11,152ft and enjoy the views of the valleys and mountains, including Mt. Chomolhari. After lunch at the picturesque town of Trongsa, we continue across Yotong La (11,234ft) and descend into the valley of Chumey, the first of four Bumthang valleys. Here we will visit the Weavers and see the weaving of Bhutan’s colorful and textiles. In another half an hour, we reach Jakar-the center of Bumthang valleys.
Day 06: Jakar (Bumthang Valley sightseeing)
We will visit some ancient temples, farm houses, traditional hospital, wood craft center and small villages, weavers, forts and palaces by short walks and driving to them. Tonight sample some local food such as buck wheat pan cakes and noodles.
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Day 07: Ura Valley Excursion
We drive up to Ura and take a leisure stroll in the clustered village. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm houses which is worth seeing. We will also see yaks grazing in the rich pasture land of the Ura valley. Pack lunch in Ura and return to Bumthang in the evening.
Day 08: Jakar -Trongsa
Retrace your drive back across Yotongla pass and descend into Trongsa, which takes about 3 hours. In the afternoon visit huge and historical Trongsa Dzong (fortress), site of emergence of present Royal family of Bhutan. Also visit Ta Dzong (watch tower) which now houses the temple dedicated to Jigme Namgyel, father of the first King of Bhutan.
Day 09: Trongsa- Thimphu
Leaving Trongsa, we return west, stopping to visit the Chendebji Chorten, a large white monument said to conceal the remnants of an evil spirit vanquished here. Continuing across the spectacular Pelela pass (3,300m), we descend into the valleys of Punakha and Wangdi. Further drive through blossoming hills and pine forests, we arrive at Dochula pass (3,100m) for another opportunity to get the panoramic views of the eastern Himalayan range, including Bhutan ’s highest peak Gangkar Phuensum.
Day 10: Thimphu Sightseeing
After breakfast, begin our sightseeing with a visit to the colorful weekend market, where people from near and far come to sell or buy the fresh produce. It is where the village folks jostle with the well heeled resident of Thimphu for the best and cheapest vegetables and other food stuffs. Weekend also provides opportunity to see the traditional game of archery played in the nearby grounds. Other visit includes a nunnery, Textile Museum, the Heritage Museum, mini Zoo to see Takin, the national animal and a temple or so. Late afternoon, drive to Paro.
Day 11: Paro Departure (B)
After early breakfast, you will transfer for your final departure.

Cost

Cost Details
Trip Cost Includes
• Best available regular hotels and guesthouse accommodation on twin sharing
• English speaking local Guide.
• All intercity transfers and sightseeing by a private vehicle.
• 3 meals a day.
• Bhutan visa fee.
• Sightseeing admission fees
Trip Cost Does Not Include
• All airfares.
• Visa fee
• Travel Insurance and emergency evacuation.
• Expenses of personal nature like drinks, tip, telephone, laundry etc.
• Extra expenses due to nature or unforeseen events such as flight cancellation, road blockade, no show etc
Dates and Prices
Dates and Prices – In Low Season
• Start and End dates – Flexible
• US$ 2460 (Single Traveler)
• US$ 2320 per person (2 pax)
• US$ 2020 per person (3 pax above)
• US$ 290 Single Room Supplement
• Airfares into and out of Bhutan extra
Visa and Permit
Bhutan visa is pre-process by us we need to have your passport copy by scan and one photograph by scan