5 Days Glimpse of Bhutan

4.9 (25)
Duration
5 days
Group Size
1 to 12 people
Ages
0 - 85 yrs
Languages
English

Tour Overview

This 5 days 4 nights trip will present a true Glimpse of Bhutan and imbibe in you what it takes for a tiny Buddhist Kingdom to emerge as a unique tourist destination. The journey will take you through the hearts of three western districts of Bhutan – Paro, capital city Thimphu and fertile Punakha valley which all exhibits strength and tenacity of a nation known for preserving its ancient Buddhist culture and living in harmony with its pristine natural environment. You will visit major historical and religious centers including 4-5 hour return hike to the most spectacular tourist attraction, Paro Taktsang which was originally built in 1692 on a sheer 800-meter rock cliff and 2 hour hike through the beautiful valley in Punakha. En route to Punakha stop at a sacred mountain pass Dochu La at (3,150m/10,335ft) from where you can see, if weather permits, grand panoramic view of some of the highest snow-capped peaks in Bhutan.

Additional information

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour can be customized and run on a private basis just for you and your group.
  • We highly recommend booking at least a few months before the departure date so that we have enough time to ensure the flights are available. If you already have flight tickets to and from Bhutan, we can take bookings up to a week before the departure date. To process visa, it only takes 4-5 business days.
  • There are only two airlines that connect Bhutan with the outside world and so securing air tickets can be difficult especially during the months of high season. Currently, Bhutan is connected with these cities - Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore. We recommend you book your international flights a few months in advance especially if you plan to visit during the high season months of March to May and September to November. If you need help in arranging flights to/from Bhutan, please let us know much in advance.
  • After you book the tour, kindly send us clear copies of passports passport-size photos of all the participants. A biodata page including the machine-readable zone must be seen clearly. Passports should have a minimum of 6 MONTHS validity from the day you depart from Bhutan. You may also want to check the passport requirements by your next destination country after Bhutan. A copy of your e-Visa will be emailed to you once it is approved. It only takes 4-5 business days to get visa approval and it is 100 percent guaranteed as long as we receive clear passport copies of all the participants. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival. Send the passport copies to the Local Supplier E-mail address.
  • Participants below the age of 18 years old MUST be accompanied by at least one adult.

Pickup

We will send a copy of your e-Visa and before traveling, you'll need to print a copy and show it at the check-in counter of your flight to Bhutan. Without proof of your e-Visa, you may be denied boarding the flight. Your e-Visa copy will also serve as the entry ticket to all attractions in Bhutan.

What's included

All internal taxes for the services listed above
Medical treatment at a hospital in Bhutan if you sustain injuries while in Bhutan
All ground transportation including round trip airport transfers
Lunch: 4
Experienced English-speaking licensed tour guide.
All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Dinner: 4
Breakfast: 4
Entry fee to national museum
Twin-sharing accommodations at 3-star hotels certified by Tourism Council of Bhutan.
Visa Fee & Processing. You'll receive your e-Visa within 4-5 business days.
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Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Paro International Airport / Transfer to Thimphu (2334m)
On arrival at the Paro International Airport, our guide and driver will receive and escort you to visit the National Museum and then transfer to Thimpu, the capital city. The distance is 55km and takes about 1.5 hours. The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of the Paro district). It is housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watchtower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. We then drive to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara

Lunch:

Dinner:

Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu / Transfer to Punakha Valley (1200m)
Today after breakfast, visit the tallest sitting statue or Buddha and then transfer to Punakha valley via Dochula Pass. The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop, Kuensel Phodrang, overlooking the Thimphu valley. From here you can see a nice view of Thimphu city. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also to usher peace in the world. The giant Buddha statue houses more than 100,000 8-inch-tall Buddha statues of the same type. The construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015 after almost 10 years.

Dinner and overnight at Aum Leki Wangmo Homestay in the village of Yusakha or at Hotel Sonamgang

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Day 3: Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten / Transfer back to Paro Valley (2200m)
After early breakfast, you will do a 2.5-hour round trip hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. Located on a mountain ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples and monasteries. It was built over a period of almost 10 years under the command of Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, one of the Grand Queen Mothers of Bhutan and was consecrated in 1999. From the nearest road point, cross the suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River and the trail takes you through beautiful terraced rice fields and a short climb before reaching the serene site of the marvelous Chorten (which means ‘stupa’). The view below is stunning with the glacial-fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile valley of Punakha. After visiting and absorbing the wonderful views, we retrace our steps back to the road head.

Dinner and overnight at Umdumwara Resort or Lhayhuel Resort

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Day 4: Hike to the famed Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) & later visit Farmhouse for a homecooked local cuisine
Originally built in 1692, the iconic sacred site Taktsang is perched on the 800-meter rock cliff above the valley floor. The round trip hike takes about 4-5 Hours for most visitors. We recommend starting early before the sun gets stronger. One-way horse riding is available for about USD20 up to the midpoint (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria). The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. It is not only considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan but also “a must-visit” place for tourists. After lunch at the Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria, we retrace our steps back to the base where the driver will be waiting.

Overnight at Umdumwara Resort or Lhayhuel Resort

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Day 5: Transfer to Paro International Airport for departure
After breakfast and depending on your flight departure time, you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.

Breakfast:

FAQ

Can I get the refund?

If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.<br>If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.<br>If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.

  • Min 6 days: 100%
  • From 2 to 6 days: 50%
  • From 0 to 2 days: 0%
From
Tickets
Adult (12 - 85 years)
Minimum: 1, Maximum: 12
Children (6 - 11 years)
Minimum: 0, Maximum: 5
Infant (0 - 5 years)
Minimum: 0, Maximum: 3
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