Day by day itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO (2280 m) & DRIVE TO THIMPHU: 65KM/APPROX 1HR.
DAY 02: THIMPHU (2320 m).
DAY 03 & 04: THIMPHU FESTIVAL.
DAY 05: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA EXCURSION (1300 m): 77KM/APPROX 2 ½HR.
DAY 06: PARO TIGER’S NEST HIKE.
DAY 07: PARO DEPARTURE.
Detail Itinerary
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO (2280 m) & DRIVE TO THIMPHU: 65KM/APPROX 1HR
Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan’s national Airline, is spectacular. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the world’s highest peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (fortress) on the hillside overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly a watch tower and now a National Museum, above it. On arrival, you will be greeted by our representative of Yeoong Travels and drive to Thimphu.
The first stop will allow us to view the magnificent Tachocho Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s Iron Bridge Builder and further drive we will reach to Chuzom marks by the confluence of Paro Chu (river) and the Wang chu. Opposite of us, at the confluence, are three protecting chortens each built differently. Evening stroll through the market and mingle with the local people, visit shops and weekend markets. Overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 02: THIMPHU (2320 m)
Today’s exploration of Thimphu begins we will take with a visit to National Memorial Chorten, a stupa dedicated to world peace and prosperity in 1974 in memory of the Third King of Bhutan; the Kingdom’s rich culture at the National Library; the National Institute of Zorig Chusum where students undergo training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts; Folk Heritage Museum which will provide an insight into traditional Bhutanese farm house and rural past through exhibits and documentation of rural life. After lunch, visit Changangkha Lhakhang, a fortress-like temple which lies perched on a ridge above Thimphu; Taken Preserve to see the rare national animal of Bhutan. This animal is chosen as the national animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its association with the country’s religious history and mythology. A further drive towards the BBS tower will provide a bird’s eye view of the capital; visit nunnery temple and followed by a visit to Tashichho Dzong or “the fortress of the glorious religion” which is Bhutan’s administration and religious centre and houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan, other Government offices. It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 03 & 04: THIMPHU FESTIVAL
It is not necessary that the whole three days you have to spend in Thimphu festival, we can tailor the itinerary depending on your interest and requirement. Please ask us, we are happy to amend your itinerary. Overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 05: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA EXCURSION (1300 m): 77KM/APPROX 2 ½HR
Your journey continues with travels to the east onwards to Punakha through some of the Kingdom's richest agricultural land and most dramatic river valleys. En route you will stop over Dochu La, the 3050meter pass; snow-capped eastern Himalayan ranges can be seen on a clear day. Prayer flags will flutter to you over the pass, deeper into the essence of Bhutan. The beauty is further enhanced by the Druk Wangyal Chorten – 108 stupas built by the eldest Queen Mother. Once you cross the pass, you wind down into a warm, fertile valley.
After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong which stands majestically at the junction of the two rivers- Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The Dzong is said to be the most beautiful of dzong in Bhutan; it is an outstanding structure with intense artwork, and the winter residence of the Je khenpo (chief abbot). Also, this is the second dzong built in Bhutan by Shubdrung Nawang Namgyel in the year 1637. Evening drive back to Thimphu. Overnight stay at hotel, Thimphu.
DAY 06: PARO TIGER’S NEST HIKE
Today’s day will begin driving back to the Paro valley to take on a stunning hike on foot to visit the Taktshang Gompa or Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. Our hike to Taktsang from the road point will take us through the well maintained path which is quite uphill, and it takes around 3-4 hours at an average walking speed. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees adorned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang cafeteria. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that 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 Dorji Drolo, said to be his consort. We will visit the auspicious Kyichu Lhakhang, a sacred monument pinning down the left foot of a treacherous ogress, which was built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo. This Monastery is one of the 108 monasteries built across the Himalayan region by the Tibetan King to subdue the Demoness that lay across the Himalayan region. The rest of the monasteries lie in other neighbouring countries; Drugyel Dzong the imposing fortress which was the strategic vantage point for numerous defeat of invading Tibetan armies and here in clear weather can view the spectacular view of mount Jomolhari 7314 m. In the afternoon I will drive to the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. The third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck housed it into the National museum in the 1960s. The seven floor museum highlights various aspects of Bhutanese culture and history dating back to the 7th century. A short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative centre and school for monks, and walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Overnight stay at hotel, Paro.
DAY 07: PARO DEPARTURE
Morning drive to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.
Useful information related to this trip.
Please click on title to read details
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Passports and visa
Passports and visa
A valid passport is required by all nationals. It is worth noting that the Bhutan government has been known to refuse entry to those wishing to visit for mountaineering, publicity and other research activities.
Entry to Bhutan: There are two ways of entering Bhutan; by air to Paro Airport or by road to the Butanes border town of Phuentsholing. Samdrup Jongkhar is used for exits from Bhutan by land. All travellers entering the country by road must ensure that they have the necessary documentation for transiting through that part of India to Phuentsholing. Visitors are advised to contact their nearest Indian embassy or high commission to check exactly what special permits or other documents may be necessary, as these regulations are subject to change at short notice.
Independent travel is not permitted in Bhutan; visitors are required to book with a registered tour operator, which can be done directly through an affiliated travel agent abroad. Visitors are also required by immigration to bring two passport photos with them for use on arrival.
You cannot purchase air tickets to Bhutan without visa clearance. Visas are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, or through a foreign travel agent; all applications are submitted through the tour operator. Visas are issued (stamped in passport) on arrival at Paro Airport or at Phuentsholing check post.
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Accommodation, Foods & drinks
Accommodation, Foods & drinks
Traditional hotels, cottages and guest houses approved by the Department of Tourism are usually comfortable with hot and cold running water, electricity and sometimes room telephones, though international calls may be via reception. There are a few luxury hotels, but these do not come cheap. Accommodation is booked by Tour Operators. Expect a surcharge on the basic rate for up market resorts and be aware that at festival time, hotels are booked long in advance, so you may need to be flexible.
There is a fair choice of restaurants in Paro and Thimphu, but most tourists eat in their hotels, where hygiene is good and chefs temper the spicy Butanes dishes to suit Western tastes. Rice is the staple (sometimes flavoured with saffron or of the red variety) apart from in central Bhutan where the altitude makes rice cultivation difficult. Buckwheat is more common here. The country is replete with apple orchards, rice paddies and asparagus, which grows freely in the countryside and there are over 400 varieties of mushroom including orchid mushrooms.
Specialities:
• Datse (cow's milk cheese), sometimes served in a dish with red chillies (ema datse).
• Tshoem (curry), usually served with rice.
• Eue chum (pink rice), a nutty-flavoured variety unique to Bhutan.
Things to know: Meals are often buffet-style and mostly vegetarian. Meat and fish are now imported from nearby India, and Nepali Hindus living in Bhutan are licensed to slaughter animals. Usual precautions apply.
Regional drinks: The most popular drink is tea, sweet or Tibetan style with salt and butter. Ara is a spirit distilled from rice.
Chang (a kind of beer, cereal-based and generally home-brewed).
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Shopping in Bhutan
Shopping in Bhutan
Markets are held regularly, generally on Saturday and Sunday, and are a rich source of local clothing and jewellery, as well as food. The Handicraft Emporium on the main street in the capital is open daily and offers a magnificent assortment of hand-woven and handcrafted goods. Some hotels have a souvenir shop. Silversmiths and goldsmiths in the Thimphu Valley are able to make handcrafted articles to order. Butanes stamps are collectors' items. Shopping is otherwise limited and bargaining is not customary. Phuentsholing has a small department store, the only one of its kind in Bhutan.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sun 0800-2000 for most shops.
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Weather & climate
Weather & climate
Best time to visit:
The climate varies with altitude, with the highest temperatures and rainfall occurring in the south, which bears the brunt of the monsoon between June and September.
Temperatures drop dramatically with increases in altitude, though days are usually very pleasant with clear skies and sunshine. Nights are cold and require heavy wooden clothing, particularly in winter. Generally, October, November and April to mid-June are the best times to visit - rainfall is at a minimum and temperatures are conducive to active days of sightseeing. The foothills are also very pleasant during the winter.
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Required clothing:
Required clothing:
Lightweight cottons in the foothills, also linens and waterproof gear, light sweaters and jackets for the evenings. Upland areas: thick, warm clothing for evenings, particularly during the winter months.
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Geography:
Geography:
Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas, bordered to the north by China and to the south, east and west by India. The altitude varies from 180 m (590ft) in the narrow lowland region to over 7,300 m (23,950ft) in the Himalayan plateau in the north, and there are three distinct climatic regions. The foothills are tropical and home to deer, tigers, leopards and the rare golden langur monkey as well as much tropical vegetation, including many species of wild orchids. The Inner Himalayas region is temperate; wildlife includes bear, boar and sambar, and the area is rich in deciduous forests. The High Himalayas region is very thinly populated, but the steep mountain slopes are the home of many species of animals, including snow leopards and blue sheep.
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Health and Ricks
Health and Ricks
Full medical insurance is strongly advised. Medical facilities are good, but not always close at hand. Officials in Bhutan have reported repeated outbreaks of bird flu during 2012.
Food and drink: Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized. Mineral water is widely available. Milk should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks: Hepatitis E occurs; hepatitis B is endemic. Giardiasis is common. Meningitis is a sporadic risk and vaccination is advised. Tuberculosis exists. There is a small risk of Japanese encephalitis in southern lowland areas. Altitude sickness may be a problem. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.
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Currency & Money
Currency & Money
Currency information: 1 Ngultrum (BTN; symbol Nu) = 100 chetrum (Ch). The Ngultrum is pegged to the Indian Rupee (which is also accepted as legal tender). Notes are in denominations of Nu500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Nu1, and 50, 25 and 20 chetrum. Smaller denomination notes and coins have been discontinued but are still in circulation and are legal tender. US Dollars are also widely accepted.
Credit cards: Most cards have limited acceptability. ATMs only accept Butanes bank cards.
ATM: ATMs only accept Butanes bank cards.
Travellers' cheques: These can be exchanged in any branch of the Bank of Bhutan or at all BTCL hotels. Travellers' are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.
Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500, Sat 0900-1200.
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How can I book a trip?
How can I book a trip?
All bookings are made with Asian Hiking Team Pvt. Ltd. based at Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal. Trip is reference to as Company in booking conditions. To book your holiday, you need to send us a completed booking (inquiry) form or directly email us with details. For more information, click here ».
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