Trip Facts
Duration:4 Days
Accommodation:Hotels and guesthouses.
Activities: Cultural Touring, Walking tours and hikes
Group Size:1-10 pax
Start From:Paro
Finish In:Paro
Highest Altitude:3,900m/13,000ft at Chele La
Best Season: March to May, September through November
Bhutan is a unique experience any month of the year, but especially during winter, when you can have Bhutan to yourself. From November to February days are clear with intensely blue sky, bright sunshine melts the nighttime frost and by 9 o' clock in the morning the nippy chill is out of the air, and a pleasant winter day arrives. Bhutan promises to charm you with an unspoiled ancient landscape and quietly challenges your view of the world all year round, and the following itinerary is but an introduction into the Kingdom of the Clouds and can be customized per your wishes.
Detail Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive to Paro by Druk Air, transfer to Thimphu
Fly to Paro by Bhutan’s national airline Druk Air. After clearing customs and visa control you are met by your guide. Following lunch visit Ta Dzong (National Museum) and Rinpung Dzong. Late afternoon drive to Bhutan’s modern capital, Thimphu (1¹/2 hour drive). Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02:Thimphu
Full day sightseeing of Thimphu valley. Visit to National Library, Traditional Medicine Institute, Arts & Crafts School, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, National Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Traditional paper factory, Zilukha Nunnery, Takin mini Zoo, Handicrafts Emporium, local shops. Finally visit to Tashichho dzong, houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 03: Thimphu - Punakha (3 hour drive)
After breakfast drive to Punakha (an ancient capital of Bhutan). Stop en route at Dochula pass (3050 m) for refreshments. On a clear day this pass often offers panoramic views of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong (the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot and the central monastic body). Hike to Chimi Lhakhang (fertility temple) or drive to Wangdue to visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong. Overnight at Punakha.
Day 04: Punakha - Paro (5 hours)
Morning drive to Paro across Dochula pass. Lunch in Thimphu and continue drive to Paro. Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong. Afternoon Paro visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05: Paro
After breakfast drive to visit Drukgyal Dzong and also visit a typical Bhutanese farm house of a local family for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. Then take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). The beautiful excursion to the monastery takes about 5 hours for round trip. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 06: Depart Paro
After early breakfast drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.
Trips Highlights
• Takstang Monastery, National Museum, Paro Dzong and Rinpung Dzong.
• Chele La pass.
• The School of Arts and Crafts, Textile Museum, the Heritage Museum, Changgangkha Lhakhang (temple), National Library, Traditional Hospital and traditional paper factory, Tashichho Dzong, seat of Bhutan's administrative and religious centre.
• Cheri Gompa Monastery.
• Chokortse monastery
• Dhochu La pass
• Punakha Dzong, The Fetility Temple and Wangdue Phodrang.
• Gangtey Gompa and Black Mountain National Park in Phobjika Valley.
Trekking Equipments
The following basic equipments check lists should help you with your packing. Please remember that you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. At the start of the trek your packed trek bag should not weigh more than 33 pounds or 15 kg.
Head:
- Sun hat or scarf
- Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
- Sunglasses with UV protection
Lower Body:
- Under Garments
- Hiking shorts
- Lightweight cotton long pants
- Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
- Fleece or wool pants
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Feet:
- Thin, lightweight inner socks
- Thick, warm wool hiking socks
- Hiking boots with spare laces
- Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals) Gaiters for hiking in winter to the base camp
Upper Body:
- T-shirts
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket *
Hands:
- Lightweight gloves
- Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer
Accessories:
- Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F *
- Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
- Small pad or combination lock-to-lock
- Trekking Bags *
- Basic First Aid Kit *
- Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry insidetrekbag
- Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
- Thermarest sleeping pad
- Water bottles
- Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet papers etc)
Toiletries:
- 1 medium sized quick drying towel
- Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
- Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
- Deodorants
- Nail clippers
- Face and body moisturizer
- Feminine hygiene products
- Small mirror
Personal Hygiene:
- Wet wipes (baby wipes)
- Tissue /toilet roll
Extras/Luxuries:
- Binoculars
- Reading book
- Trail Map/Guide book
- Journal & Pen
- Walkman
- Pencils and small notebooks
- Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble
Travel Notes
GEOGRAPHY
Bhutan, "The Land of Thunder Dragon" as it is known to foreign countries, is perhaps the last Shangri-La in the earth. Sandwiched by India and China (Tibet) the kingdom is spread over 18000 sq. miles with variety of climate in different region. The people here are mostly Buddhist and Hindu.
GETTING IN & OUT
Bhutan is least air connected country in the world. Only Druk Air, the national flag carrier of Bhutan links Bhutan with other country. Those, who wish to enter by air, Paro is linked to Kathmandu, Calcutta, Delhi, Bangkok and Dhaka. There are flights to these destinations at least twice a week. For schedule and other information please write to us.
The other option of traveling to Bhutan is by land and the entry point is Phuntsholing (Indo- Bhutan Border). Phuntsholing is 08 hours drive from Kakarvitta (Indo - Nepal Border) and THIMPU is 6 hours from Phuntsholing. Please note, if you wish to enter by land you will need Indian visa as you will be traveling in India for a day (From Nepal Border to Phuntsholing). Indian Visa fee is not included in the trip cost and can be obtained in Kathmandu or in your home country.
VISA & FORMALITIES
All foreigners are required to have a valid passport for a minimum of 6 months and must send in the following details of passport at least 30 days in advance of the trip : Name - as in Passport, Nationality, Passport No. Date of expire, Profession, 3 Photograph (P.P. Size) and date of birth. Visa fee is US$ 20 per person for first two weeks and extension will be US$ 20 for each two weeks.
Visa is not provided abroad but stamped upon arrival in Paro airport or Phuntsholing. Please note without the visa clearance no from THIMPU, Druk air does not issue your ticket to Paro. Therefore, confirmation of any trip as early as possible will make it easier for you to get the flight tickets. We handle all the visa process once we receive confirmation from your side.
ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT
Accommodation is always in hotel while you are in town like Paro, THIMPU, WANGDI PHODRANG, PUNAKHA etc. All the hotels and guest houses are regularly monitored by the government and are all tourist class. It is not possible to have the budget rates and budget class hotels in Bhutan as in other countries as the rates are all fixed by the government. While in off season you will have the choice of staying in the hotels you wish but during the peak season you will have to settle on whichever is available. But till now there has not been any kind of dissatisfaction as all the hotels are tourist class.
While in trek the organizer of your trip arranges all the required equipment with horse or yaks for trekking to carry the equipment and food. An expert guide will escort you and a helper will arrange all the necessities necessities.
Latest brand or the deluxe vehicles are used for tourist transfers and is usually included in the prices so it is not possible to have the separate rate for separate sectors. Mostly Japanese vehicles are used in Bhutan for transfers.
MEDICAL AND HEALTH
Except for some treks, any one who is physically fit can join our tours and treks. Treks, which include altitude of 4000 m or higher are more difficult because of high altitude and therefore requires a certificate of fitness. There are modern hospitals in Paro and in THIMPU for emergency purpose but your precaution is the only way to be healthy if you are traveling to remote areas of the country. It is therefore advised to have through check up with your doctor before heading to Bhutan.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
The best time to visit Bhutan is March, April, May, September & October since this period provides clear blue sky, and plenty of greenery. Winter (Dec, January, February) will be too cold since the temperature will be well below zero degree. Summer (June, July, August) is pleasant but wet due to the monsoon. Autumn (September, October, November) is similar to spring but a bit warmer and also the best time to visit. However please see the tours and treks sections for specific time to visit the specific areas.
CLOTHING
Light warm clothing are always recommended since it is a hilly country (even in summer). A pair of comfortable shoes for walking, some spare T-shirts, trousers, sun glass, sun hats, pullovers are always necessary. During winter warm clothing are a must.
MONEY MATTERS
Bhutanese currency is called NGULTRUM and the rate is US$ 1= NG 46 approx. Only few hotels and outlets accept credit cards in Bhutan. So it is best to have some CASH US$ for your expenses and even better to have it on small bills.
TIME
Bhutan is 6 hours ahead (+) of GMT, 30 Minutes ahead of India and 15 Minutes ahead of Nepal.
© 2013, Himalaya Holiday Service Pvt. Ltd.
