Tips for our Itinerary Our itinerary is generally longer and has more activities listed on each day. We have initially done so to cater to our travellers who are fast walkers/climbers or generally can complete each of them quickly. If you would like to linger or have a slower pace, please do so. You should discuss your itinerary with your guide and prioritize the attractions which you prefer the most. The wider options is also meant to provide you with potential options if you a change of mind during your trip. If you have enough of fortresses and dzongs, you may want to go for a trek. If you are feeling unwell, you may want to go for slower pace such as visiting the museum. We suggest that you use your itinerary as a guide rather than a fixed schedule. Unexpected stuffs always happen in Bhutan. One of our travellers actually met the King of Bhutan while descending from Taktsang Monastery and stop to have a chat with him. Another one went to a Museum that is unexpectedly closed as the guard was home for a nap. As Bhutan has just opened up to the world, do not expect their service to be in the same standard as visiting a Museum in London. However, they are one of the friendliest and jolly people you would ever meet. Standard Hotels during the Peak Periods (March, April, May, Sept, Oct and Nov) Bhutan standard hotels do not usually confirm room booking until one month before the trip. Instead of first come first serve basis, hotels manage booking to get 100% booking. For example, a hotel with 10 rooms will choose request for 4 rooms and 6 rooms instead of 8 rooms bookings in order to fill up each and every rooms. As such, do expect some changes in hotel. Having said so, we always arrange for our travelers to stay in equivalent or even better hotels. 5-stars hotels do not face such problem. Some of the preferred hotels which we work closely with: Paro: Thimphu: Punakha: Tenzinling Hotel, Metta Resort & Spa or equivalent Kisa Hotel, Khang Residency, Rochel Pel or equivalent Meri Puensum, Dragon Nest or equivalent Wangdue, Gangtey: Dragon Nest Hotel, Dewachen Hotel or equivalent Bumthang: Rinchen Ling Hotel, Peling Hotel and Yu Gar-Ling Hotel First 2 days in Bhutan Should there be any deficiency during your trip, do drop a note to the guide immediately, preferably during the first 2 days. It would be easier for us to change your guide, driver or vehicle when you are still in Thimphu or Paro should the need arise. We understand that Bhutan is often once in a lifetime trip, so we will try our best to remedy any deficiency on the spot.you are dangerous Air Ticketing Do allow us to confirm your Druk Air tickets before purchasing other routes when necessary
Day 1: Singapore or Bangkok Thimphu Elevation 2,320m Weather in Thimphu Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by your guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check in to the hotel and lets have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. Buddha Point -at Kuensel Phodrang will also be open to tourists once it is completed. The 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha symbolising indestructibility will be completed soon. The Buddha statue itself is competed awaiting paintings, but visitors can drive up to the Buddha point and view the tallest statue of Lord Buddha. The view of Thimphu valley from the Buddha point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night. Thimphu Dzong - the largest Dzong, is also the seat of the office of the King of Bhutan. (5 6 pm Mon Fri, 8 am 6 pm Sat & Sun, to 5 pm in winter) Heritage Museum - Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artifacts used in rural households. (weekday, 10 am 4.30 pm, Sat 10.30 1 pm, Sun, 11.30 3.30pm) National Memorial Chorten - which was built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk Centenary Farmers' Market - Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agriculture products. Visit the Archery Ground on the weekend Shop and walk around Thimphu town. If you would like to take a walk and get a good view of the city: Sangaygang -Drive about 15 minutes from the main city to a hillock where the Bhutan Broad Casting Tower is stationed. From there you can relish the beautiful scene of the whole of Thimphu City. On the way up or down from the hillock, you can also see Takin the national animal of Bhutan. It is a place where many Bhutanese frequent, especially on
For a taste of local life: Have coffee at Karma Caffee (better coffee in town) Ambient Café is where NGOs and expats often converge. It is run by a Western monk who is involved in drug rehabilitation program Hotels in Thimphu Taj Tashi Thimphu Terma Linca Resort Kisa Hotel / Khang Residency / Rochel Pel or equivalent Jumolhari Hotel Day 2: : Thimphu (Tango Day Trek) Elevation 2,280m Weather in Thimphu Heritage Museum - Dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of artefacts used in rural households. Day Trek Trek to Tango Goemba & picnic/lunch by river The Tango Goemba site has had religious significance since the 12th century when it was the home of the Lama who brought the Drukpa Kagyupa school of Buddhism to Bhutan. The monastery was built there in the 15th century by Drukpa Kunley ("The Divine Madman"). Tango is the highest center of Buddhist learning in the country; almost every Je Khenpo (religious head of Bhutan) completed the 9-year program there. After completing that program, monks traditionally spend 3 years, 3 months and 3 days in mediation at the nearby Cheri Goemba retreat, built in 1619 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder or first unifier of Bhutan. It is currently the home of an 11 year old boy believed to be the seventh reincarnation of the fourth desi, or ruler, of Bhutan. Estimated Duration:1 hour to ascend. Additional Trek- Travelers may choose to trek to go Chari Goemba after Tango Gooemba. This is another one and half hour trek. Chari Gompa Hike to Chari Gompa. Chari Monastery was established in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder and unifier of Bhutan in memory of his late father Tenpai Nyima.
Zhabdrung established the first Drukpa Kagyu monastic order here. The monastery which is now a major teaching and retreat center of the Southern Drukpa Kagyu order is located in the North of Thimphu Valley about fifteen kilometres from the capital. It sits on a hill top close to Tango monastery. Estimated Duration:1 hour and 15 minute to ascend. Changangkha Monastery - Built in 12th century, Changangkha Lhakhang is oldest temple in Thimphu. It is hovering over a ridge above Thimphu, near Motithang. Lama Phajo Drukgom Zhigpo who came to Bhutan from Ralung in Tibet chose this site to build this lhakhang. The Lhakhang houses Chenrizig: an 11-headed, thousand-armed manifestation of Avolokitesawara as the central statue. Simtokha Dzong - Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands Semtokha Dzong the oldest fortress in the Kingdom. Weaving Centre - at Changzamtog Zilukha Nunnery This modern nunnery offers a good view of Thimphu Dzong and the Parliament Textile Museum - witnesses the art of traditional weaving. Hotels in Thimphu Taj Tashi Thimphu Terma Linca Resort Kisa Hotel / Khang Residency / Rochel Pel or equivalent Jumolhari Hotel Day 3: Paro Elevation 2,280m Weather in Paro Taktsang Monastery is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and temple complex located on the cliff side of Paro Valley. According to legends, it is believed that Guru Rinpochhe flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a Tigress (his consort
Yeshey Tshogyal) and meditated in one of the caves. Guru Rinpochhe performed meditation and emerged in eight manifestations and the place became holy. Thus gaining the name tigers nest. Estimated time to ascend 2 and half hour. Estimated time to descend 2 hours. Drukgyal Dzong - A drive, north of Paro valley brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate.explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past. Kyichu Lhakhang is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Just like the Jambhay Lhakhang in Bumthang, it is one of the 108 temples buiult by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to suddue and pin down an ogress that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism. According to legend, all 108 temples were built in a single night. Walk and shop around Paro Town. Optional, Hot Stone Bath. we can go for locally owned hot stone bath which can take 4 people at one time. Cost about 10 USD per person. Other places of interest: Ugyen Pelri Thang ChhoetenLhakhang Druk Choeding Dumtse Lhakhang A few options that can be pursued: Rent a bike and cycle around Paro Go to Gangtey Palace for Coffee Hotels in Paro Uma Paro Tenzinling Hotel / Metta Resort & Spa or equivalent Olathang Hotel / Rema Resort Day 4: Paro to Bangkok or Singapore We bid farewell to the magical kingdom in the sky and head back to Singapore via Paro Airport
Druk Air Tickets Druk Air is the only airline that flies in and out of Bhutan. Druk Air fares are subject to change. Also note that Druk Air tickets are refundable, if cancellation is made prior to 45 days of your initial travel date. You may also re-schedule up to one month from date of departure. On receipt of payment for the full fare, guests will be sent a copy of their E-ticket via email. Should your flight be delayed (except due to weather problem ) and you have to miss your connecting flights, Druk Air would arrange for your lodging in Bangkok. They would also arrange for you to take the next flight in the same airline. We advise that visitors take the full-fledged airline for connecting flights since Druk Air would be able to re-schedule your flight. Druk Air may not be able to re-schedule your flight for budget airline. Guide & Driver Your guide will be waiting for you outside the arrival hall. Both your guide and driver will be with you throughout the trip until you step into the departure hall. We will send their number together with Visa. Do feel free to inform your guide of any adjustments/changes that will allow yourself a comfortable trip and he will try his best. Should you be interested to check out the local bar scene, you can also request that they accompany you to the pubs. Your travel package to Bhutan will include 1) Visas for Bhutan 2) A qualified & licensed English speaking guide 3) An experienced driver 4) A 4WD (Prado or Tuson) for 2 guest with guide & driver 5) All meals inclusive at selected restaurants 6) Accommodation at 3 star rated hotels 7) Taxes, surcharges, government contribution 8) Mineral water for the duration of the stay (foc, to get from guide) *Hotels are subject to availability at point of reservation The package excludes: 1) Flight to Bangkok/Kathmandhu/India to catch a flight to Druk Air Flights. 2) Hotel Stay outside Bhutan e.g. to catch a flight to Bhutan 3) Travel Insurance 4) Lunch & Dinner outside selected restaurants e.g. 5-star resorts 5) Tips for guide and driver 6) Alcoholic drinks 7) Expenditure of personal nature
Facts & Figures Population 675,000 Time Zone GMT +6 Currency Ngultrum (Nu) Country Dial Code +975 Languages Dzongkah, English Airport Paro Airport (PBH) 45 min to capital, Thimphu Airline Druk Air (KB) From Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata & Kathmandu. Visa Yes, except Indian Nationalities Visitors 27,635 in Yr2008 Notes Voted happiest country in Asia by Business Week in 2006. Annual visitors, about 25,000 a year. Tony Leung and Carina Lau held their wedding in Paro in July 2008. Please Note This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the program and can affect the availability of views and panoramas described. Be aware that all times stated are approximate, and may vary with individual and group fitness.
4DAYS RATES PER PERSON (TWIN SHARE ) MAR-MAY, MAY, SEP-NOV, JUN-AUG, DEC-FEB 1-2 PAX USD 910 USD76 760 3 PAX ABOVE USD 790 USD640 For Single room surcharge apply. (Please refer for quotation ) Child rates : below 5 years old ground arrangements Free except for Air ticket 6-11 years old - pay 75% (No extra bed) Top Up to 5 star Hotels surcharges AMANKORA Offered Price Per Room Per Night USD1889 THIMPHU TAJ TASHI USD 673 TERMA LINCA USD 426 DRUK HOTEL USD 110 BHUTAN SUITE USD 100 NAMGAY HERITAGE USD 75 KISA USD 50 PARO UMA PARO SUPERIOR (Include breakfast & dinner ) USD 578 UMA PARO DELUXE (Include breakfast & dinner ) USD 703 ZHIWALING USD 386 NAK-SEL DELUXE USD 212 PUNAKHA UMA PUNAKHA DELUXE (include breakfast & dinner ) USD 703 Rate is per night per room for double occupancy. Upgrade includes breakfast at the hotels. Lunch & Dinners will be arrange at outside restaurants unless you choose fullboard upgrade.