Country | Bhutan | Max-Altitude | 3,180m/10,430 ft | ||
Trip Start | Paro, Bhutan | Trip End | Paro, Bhutan | ||
Group Size | Min 2, Max 12 | ||||
Meals | All meals, tea and snacks throughout the trip | ||||
Accommodation | A and B category hotel throughout the trip |
Bhutan tour package facilitates you to land direct in Paro to experience Himalayan culture, hospitality followed by gentle hikes and tours to Thimphu & Punakha. Bhutan is world’s only carbon-negative country. Experience the cultural vivacity and natural grandeur inherent in Bhutan, while on Bhutan tour with day hikes. Your Bhutan tour begins from the beautiful Paro city where you visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress), Kichu Lhakhang temple, and Drugyal Dzong followed by a hike to the incredible Tiger’s Nest Monastery. Next step of Bhutan tour is Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan where you get a chance to witness the antique grandeur and monuments like the King’s Memorial Chorten, nunnery temple, mini zoo, folk heritage museum including the magnificent Tashichho Dzong. The tour also includes three more incredible hikes: to Wangditse Gompa, Lungchutse Monastery and to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten. Bhutan tour offers surreal views and glorious mountain vistas of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks. The sacred Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake in Bhutan are among best things to see while on tour to Bhutan.
Bhutan tour packages are specially designed to address the requirements of nature and culture lovers which includes both day hikes and tour to sacred sites in Bhutan. Sacred sites in Bhutan are reputed worldwide for their preserved archaeology and antique appearances though its base is Buddhism. Officially the Kingdom of Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it is bordered by Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north, the Sikkim state of India and the Chumbi Valley of Tibet in the west, the Arunachal Pradesh state of India in the east, and the states of Assam and West Bengal in the south. Bhutan day hikes are specially designed to meet expectations of both adventure lovers and cultural explorers. Day hikes in Bhutan are often considered as the most exciting part of tour in this naturally beautiful kingdom. Bhutan is apolitically in South Asia and is the region's second least populous nation after the Maldives. Thimphu is its capital and largest city, while Phuntsholing is its financial center.
The best times to travel to Bhutan are during the seasons of Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September & October). Bhutan celebrates its biggest festivals during April and May thus, it is a perfect time to experience Bhutanese culture. Similarly, during Spring the environment is perfect for hiking adventures and one can cherish rhododendron blooms. You may also visit Bhutan during Summer and Winter, though the climatic conditions are wet and cold respectively, hence quite unfavorable for the best experience. However, you can avoid crowd during these times.
Included meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Your flight to Bhutan offers you the most spectacular view of the Himalayan range which includes the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks as your flight descends to Paro. Once in Paro, you will be greeted by a representative from Extollo Adventures and take you to your hotel. Our representative will then take you to Rinpung Dzong which was built in 1646 and now houses the District Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag. Today you will also visit the oldest temple of Bhutan, Kichu Lhakhang and Drugyal Dzong, which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600’s. Overnight in Paro.
Included meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Distance: 1 hour drive (54 km)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Migmar
Today you hike 4-5 hours to Taktsang monastery which is commonly known as Tiger’s Nest. Standing tall at 10,430 feet, the monastery is precariously perched on a cliff face which gives it a surreal look. History has it that Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) flew on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands and served as the divine resting place of the Guru. Surrounded by breathtaking panoramas, you can feel peace and tranquility surrounding you as you ascend the glorious monastery. You will have your lunch in Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain and then descend down to the valley floor after having explored the monastery. You will then drive to Thimphu. Overnight in Thimphu.
Distance: 1 hour drive (54 km)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Migmar
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Migmar
You start early in the morning and drive to BBS Tower and then hike for 1 hour to Wangditse Gompa on leveled trail with great view of Tashichho Dzong. From here, you also get an amazing view of the Samtenling Palace, home to the fourth King and Dorje Drak meditation retreat on the hillside above. After touring the Gompa, you return to Thimphu. On the way, visit the mini Zoo to see the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. After lunch, you visit the King's Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), the nunnery temple, the National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts) and the National Institute of Traditional Medicine. You may also visit the Textile Museum, the Handicraft Emporium, the traditional paper factory and the majestic Tashichho Dzong. Unwind yourself in the evening as you stroll around the streets of Thimphu and observe the local lifestyle. Overnight in Thimphu.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Migmar
Distance: 2 to 3 hours drive (76 km)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Meri Puensum Resort
You start your day with a scenic drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3,100m/10,170 ft), where on a clear day you get spectacular views of the Himalayas. You then begin 2 hours hike to Lungchutse Monastery from 108 chortens. The trail passes through rhododendron forests. Walking along the high ridges dotted with colorful Buddhist prayer flags offers you stunning views of Himalayas, coupled with incredible vistas into the valleys below the pass. Hike back to Dochu La Pass. After lunch, drive downhill through the rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. On the way, you stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, which is a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Overnight in Punakha.
Distance: 2 to 3 hours drive (76 km)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Meri Puensum Resort
Distance: 4 hours drive (130 km)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
At dawn, you drive 12 km north of Punakha and begin 2-hour hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It is located on a beautiful hillock called Ngezergang and contains elaborate paintings dedicated to the old sect of Buddhism. You hike further towards Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637, on the way back. It is the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. In the afternoon, you drive to Paro and spend the night there. You can explore the street life and markets around Paro and even purchase souvenir for your friends in the evening. Overnight in Paro.
Distance: 4 hours drive (130 km)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Accommodation: Tashi Namgay Resort
Included meals: Breakfast
Your journey to the Land of Thunder Dragon concludes today as you bid farewell to this exquisite kingdom. You grab your breakfast early in the morning and leave for Paro airport which will take you around 1 hour. Druk Air usually departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Hence, you will be taken to the airport first thing in the morning for final departure.
Included meals: Breakfast
During your travel, you will be staying at Tashi Namgay Resort in Paro, Hotel Migmar in Thimphu and Meri Puensum Resort in Punakha, All accommodations are on a twin-shared basis. Single supplement will be served on request and will cost USD 300. Hotels in Bhutan are approved and classified by the government as grade A, B and C. These government approved hotels are equivalent to 3-4 star hotels elsewhere. Based on availability at the time of the booking, A and B category hotels will be provided in this tour. You will be accommodated in A category hotel in Paro and Thimphu and B category hotel in Punakha.
All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are included during your stay in Bhutan. A variety of meals are available in most hotels – the most popular being Indian, Chinese, and the more common continental food. Non-vegetarian dishes are generally available in most parts of Bhutan - pork, beef, chicken, and fish. The best advice is to ask the hotel and restaurant to recommend what is fresh and in season.
Spring and Autumn are the most popular time to visit Bhutan. During Spring, one can experience cultural Bhutanese festivals, especially during April and May. It is also warmer and skies are clearer for amazing sightseeing tour. The climate is also favorable during Autumn (September and October) for a perfect hiking holiday exploring ancient fortress of Bhutan.
Yes, of course you can visit Bhutan during Summer/Monsoon (June to August) and Winter (December to February). You can enjoy the hiking tour with less crowd but the climatic conditions are not quite favorable during these seasons. Summer and Monsoon will be wet and the winter has very cold weather, thus you may not experience the best holidays in Bhutan during these seasons.
Visa confirmation letter is the first important document, so keep it with you all the time and make a copy of it too. We shall help in your visa processing for Bhutan prior to the start of your trip.
Also take a copy of your tour itinerary with you.
You can carry up to 20 kg in economic class and 30 kg in business class. An extra 5 kg is also allowed to store in overhead baggage bin or under passenger’s seat.
Yes, definitely. We can arrange you a private tour too as per your demand and flexibility but under Bhutanese state laws.
We offer customization in the itinerary to our valued clients. After all it is you traveling and it must be beneficial to you according to your interests. Indeed, we have carefully crafted and specially designed our itinerary but you have the right to amend it and make necessary changes. Please let us know and we shall make changed accordingly.
You will travel in a comfortable, cleaned and well maintained 4WD car and Hiace. You can request for a change if you are not comfortable with it.
Meals are included on your trip cost. You can enjoy a variety of exotic food in the land of Thunder Dragon. Hotels serve Indian, Chinese and continental food as your wish. You can try the Emadatse, the national diet of Bhutan which is spicy chilies mixed with a cheese sauce. Both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes will be available. Red and white rice will be served in all the meals. You may ask the hotel/restaurant for better suggestions regarding seasonal food.
It is better to purchase mineral water which is readily available all along the Bhutan tour. Choose the recognized brand rather than the local brands and avoid the tap water which is not quite safe.
Many people do not have altitude sickness problem though the altitude in Bhutan is higher. But this may be a problem to few ones. Altitude sickness can be avoided if you make some preparations before you arrive in Bhutan. Being physically fit and in good shape helps a lot. It is also advised that you consult your local doctor regarding AMS and medicines in case of emergencies.
All foreign nationals are required to obtain a visa in order to enter Bhutan. A Bhutanese Visa must be obtained prior to your arrival i.e. before entering in Bhutan because Druk Air allows boarding only after your visa clearance from Bhutan government. Since, no embassy abroad or foreign mission can grant a tourist visa, your visa needs to be processed by local tour operator, thus we will be assisting you to obtain tourist visa. Your passport must be at least 6 months valid after you leave Bhutan. Please send us a copy of your passport in order for us proceed to apply for the visa. Also, bring at least 3 recent passport photos (for your Bhutan Visa, Entry permit, etc.)
For further information please visit http://www.mfa.gov.bt/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/b...
It is mandatory for joining any of the Extollo Adventures trips is that all clients must be insured, it is strongly recommended that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. There could be comprehensive expenses that might incur due to medical issues or accidents (this includes air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please note that we do not arrange or sell insurance.
You need to keep extra money to cover miscellaneous expenses. It is advised to carry US$ for personal expenses. This would be for travelers’ spending money for requirements like beverages both alcoholic and nonalcoholic, purchasing toiletries, souvenirs, paying for laundry service, bar bills, phone bills, extra porters, bottled water, tipping, and other services not listed and recreational expenses. You need to consider your own spending habits when it comes to using money for the above mentioned expenses. There could be unforeseen circumstances like natural calamities, landslides, political disturbances, strikes, changes in government regulations, flight cancellations etc that are beyond Extollo Adventures' control, for which emergency funds will be highly recommended.
Generally, we do not charge solo travelers any extra charge. You will be paired up with another traveler of same gender and hotel room will be provided on twin sharing basis in Bhutan. On request, you will be provided a single room in Bhutan with a single supplement charge.
Dress Code: One should remember to dress appropriately while visiting Dzongs, monasteries and temples.
Must wear:
Collared shirt (either full or half sleeve)
Full-length pants/long skirt
Shoes with socks
* Tie is not required.
You will not be allowed to enter if you are wearing:
Hats/caps
Shorts/short skirt
Slippers/sandals
T-shirts
Photography: Bhutanese in general pose for photographs. However, make sure to ask for permission from the concerned person before you take a shot. Taking pictures inside dzongs, temples, monasteries and museums are prohibited.
Smoking/Tobacco prohibition: Bhutan bans smoking in public places, and prohibits growing or importing tobacco. You must always be able to produce proof of purchase of products such as Invoice or bill at the airports or entry points (borders). On demand, you must also produce a receipt of tax payment, failing to adhere to this rules will result in third degree felony punishable by three years in prison.
The maximum number of tobacco or tobacco products a person can carry for personal consumption at a single time includes:
200 sticks of cigarette or
30 pieces of cigar or
150 grams of other tobacco and tobacco product
*Tobacco products imported from India shall pay 100% Sales Tax and from countries other than India shall pay 200% duty.
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If you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip, please feel free to contact us by email or call us anytime at locations and numbers convenient for you from the list attached above.
It was a perfect vacation for me, day hikes in Bhutan. It was my first visit there and I am love with Bhutan's natural beauty, unique culture and its smiling people. Thanks to Extollo for operating my trip without any hassle for me and I am grateful to my guides for leading me through rugged trekking trails. Totally recommended trip! Read More
Traveled to Bhutan Solo from Oct 02 - Oct-07 2018With a management office in California and operational center in Kathmandu, Extollo Adventures simplifies your trip preparations to various destinations.
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