Glimpse of Bhutan

Duration: 6 Days
  • Destination: Bhutan
  • Trip Difficulty: Easy
  • Trip Style: Tour
  • Transport: Private Vehicle
  • Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Bhutan is a small Himalayan kingdom located south of eastern Himalaya range. Bhutanese who number only 700,000 people in the world have their own language, custom, and cuisine. What is so amazing about Bhutan is its lifestyle and tradition influenced by Buddhist principles and values and its economy that is based on sustainability.

Glimpses of Bhutan tour allows you a peek into this Himalayan Shangri-La and discover its myriads of attractions from monasteries and museums to cities and mountains. As part of this tour, you will visit Thimphu (the capital of Bhutan), Punakha and Paro where you will take full day sightseeing tours. Among the sites, you explore include Tiger Nest Monastery, Punakha Dzong, Tashichho Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, painting school, Textile Museum, Traditional Medicine institute among others. You will also have the opportunity to observe and learn about Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. While driving from Thimphu to Punakha you will cross Dochula pass (3100m) to enjoy great views of Jomlohari and Gungkhar Puensum mountains.

Highlights

  • Visit the three important towns Punakha, Thimphu and Paro.
  • Hike up to the famous Tiger Nest Monastery
  • Great views of Himalayan peaks such as Jomlohari and Gungkhar Puensum
  • Visit Rimpong Dzong, Punakha Dzong, Tashichho Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Drukgyel Dzong etc.
  • Learn about Takin, the national animal of Bhutan

Outline Itinerary

Open All Days Close All Days
Day 01: Arrival at Paro and drive to Thimphu

Fly from Kathmandu to Paro that takes about 1 hr 35 min. GAT staff will receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax. Following lunch, Bhutanese tour guide will take you on a guide tour of 17th century Drukgyal Dzong, Rimpung Dzong and 7th century Kichu Lhakhang. In the late afternoon drive to Thimphu which takes about one and a half hours. Overnight in hotel.

  • BLD
  • Hotel

The whole day today is reserved for Thimphu sightseeing. Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan. We begin by visiting National Memorial Chorten, 12th century Changangkha Temple, Tashichhodzong and Zilukha nunnery of Dupthop Lhakhang. Thereafter the National Library which is stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, Painting School and Traditional Medicine Institute. Lungtenzampa and Handicrafts Emporium offers you a history and artistic excellence of royal silver smiths and Bhutanese craftsmen. You will end your tour by calling on Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Overnight in hotel. 

  • BLD
  • Hotel

Take an early morning breakfast and drive to Punakha. En route you will go over Dochula pass (3100m) which allows beautiful views of Himalayan peaks including Jomolhari (7326m). You will also visit Chime Lhakhang, or ‘the Temple of Fertility’ and 17th century Punakha Dzong. The road further ahead passes through the popular Pho Chu (Male) and Mo Chu (Female) rivers. By late afternoon you will have reached Punakha, which is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo. Overnight in hotel. 

  • BLD
  • Hotel

Enjoy an early morning drive to Yabesa and then hike through rice fields up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten. Built by Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk, the chorten showcases paintings of Buddha. Afterwards visit Wangduephodrang Dzong before returning to Paro via Thimphu. Overnight at hotel.

  • BLD
  • Hotel

After early morning breakfast, go on a full day sightseeing of Paro. You will explore Satsam Chorten and Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery. Taktsang Monastery is where Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came on the back of a flying tiger. Next is the ancient watchtower of Ta Dzong, Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and 15th century Tamchog Monastery. Overnight in hotel. 

  • BLD
  • Hotel

As per your flight schedule, you will be driven to Paro international airport for your departure. 

What's included

  • Pick up from and drop off at the hotel and the airport on a tourist car/van/minibus.
  • Standard government-approved accommodation (in twin sharing rooms) for the duration of the tour.
  • Full-board meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea & snacks - for the duration of your stay.
  • Drinking water for the duration of the tour.
  • Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides.
  • Private transportation and a designated driver within Bhutan.
  • Monument and museums entrance fees at all sightseeing locations detailed in the itinerary.
  • Cultural afternoon/evening sessions with traditional mask and folk dances (with beverages). Only for group tours.
  • Bhutan visa fees and processing assistance.
  • Government royalty (35% of $250), which goes to the country's health and education projects.
  • All route access and monument entry permits and fees.
  • Flight to Paro and back
  • All government taxes, official expenses and tourist service charges.
  • Your travel insurance mandatory for the trip,
  • Expenses of personal nature, such as laundry.
  • Alcoholic and cold drinks.
  • Personal clothing and equipment. 
  • Tips for tour guides, porters, driver, hotel lobby and in restaurants. (Tipping is expected)
  • Other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.
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Useful Info

The above information is a guide and a standard template of what we provide. Our trip can be customized at your request to accommodate your specific requirements.