Best Bhutan Tour - 5 days

Things to Know
  • Duration5 Days
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Altitude 3120 Tiger's Nest
  • Trip Type Cultural Tour
  • Start and End Paro - Paro
  • Best Time Jan-Jun, Sep-Dec
What You’ll Do
  • Experience an exciting and thrilling flight to Paro over the Himalayas
  • Hike the most stunning Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) – 3120m
  • Dochula Pass (3100m). Dochula Pass is one of the most scenic mountain passes in Bhutan, located on the road from Thimphu to Punakha
  • Experience the unique culture and tradition of Bhutan
  • Exploration of Buddha Dordenma Statue at Thimphu 
  • Meet ever-smiling local people and wear their traditional dress Gho/Kira
  • Memorial Chorten, Buddha Dordenma (Facing Thimphu Valley)
  • Punakha Dzong, Often considered one of the most beautiful dzongs (fortress-monastery) in Bhutan

 

The best Bhutan Tour takes you to the immensely incredible landscape and vibrant culture. The tiny country of Bhutan is located in the eastern Himalayas, which is prosperous in its natural scenery and unique cultural heritage sites. It's a landmark for travellers who seek a remarkable vacation with peace and tranquility. Best Bhutan covers major highlights of this tiny kingdom. Once you arrive at Paro of Bhutan, you will be transferred to Thimpu, which is the capital city of the country. During the 05 Days tour, the cultural and natural insights offer you great charm. Tiger's Nest Monastery (Paro Taktsang- 8th-century monastery) is a unique monastery on the Cliffside that offers a delightful view of the valley along with spiritual fascination. It is accessible by hike and takes about 4 hours to go back and forth. On the other hand, Punakha Dzong is a spectacular site in Bhutan, at the confluence of two Rivers. It's elegant and peacefully located around beautiful surroundings.

At the heart of Thimpu, The Memorial Chhorten is located, which was built in 1974. It is a significant spiritual site and forms a tribute to the third king of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The huge statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, Buddha Dordenma is 51 meters tall and located at a beautiful viewpoint that offers a majestic view of the capital city. Buddhist devotees around the globe visit this site as a part of the pilgrimage.

Travellers cross the Dochula Pass (3100m) on the way from Thimpu to Punakha. The pass is located at an elevation of 3100 meters, which is a beautiful viewpoint of the surrounding valleys. An amazing site at this location is 108 chhortens built to pay tribute to the Bhutanese soldiers. Exploration of the local market, experiencing the hospitality of Bhutanese people, and the serene nature, all the attractions make your tour in Bhutan exclusively magnificent.

Itinerary
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  • Altitude2,400 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time1.5 hours

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift, as you disembark from the aircraft will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan with enroute stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different style of stupas; Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese adorn this confluence.Shortly before reaching Chuzom, you will see on your left TamchogangLhakhang, “the temple of the excellent horse”. It is a private temple, built in 15th century, as the result of visitation from Balaha, the excellent horse, a manifestation of Chenrezig, the compassionate Buddha.

On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the centre of Government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With a population of about 90,000, it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and the market area. Also visit the local Crafts Bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, Thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery, and interesting items made from local materials. After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu Valley including a visit to the following: The National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for ZorigChusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. Afterwards, visit to Buddha Point (KuenselPhodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu Valley from the Buddha Point (KuenselPhodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley. King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty JigmeDorjiWangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
 

  • Altitude3,080 m Dochula Pass
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time3-4 hours

After breakfast at hotel, Drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass (3O8Om). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula Pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

After checking into the hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.

Later in the day excursion to ChimiLhakhang (from the hotel it is about 15 minutes drive till a motorable road and then walk starts through paddy fields and villages. This is total about 1½ hour walk, including both way). The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana, meaning ‘field’. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers

Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village located right on the bank of river.

  • Altitude2200 m
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time4-5 hours

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Paro. On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. After lunch, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, which is now a house of the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons &armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Ta Dzong visit immediately followed by a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

  • Altitude3,120 m The Tiger's Nest
  • AccommodationHotel
  • Time4 hours

After breakfast excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approx. 5 hours walk): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and is now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of the building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendour.

Evening, visit the 7th-century KyichuLhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan King, SongtsenGampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

    After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for the flight to your onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.

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    Trip Cost Details
    Included
    • Daily Government Royalties and Taxes ($100 per person per night)
    • Entrance Fees/Monuments Fee
    • All transfer vehicles and sightseeing as per the itinerary
    • English-speaking accompanying guide
    • Accommodation as per below – 3 stars mentioned hotels
    • Breakfast and dinner at the hotel and lunch at the local tourist restaurant
    • 1 Bottle of water per day during the tour
    Excluded
    • Beverages (alcoholic/non–alcoholic)
    • Expenses of a personal nature (like tipping, laundry, Telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees, etc.)
    • Insurance of any kind / medical expenses
    • Air Ticket
    Useful Info

    Nestled in the folds of the Eastern Himalayas, remaining in self-imposed isolation for centuries, Bhutan opened up to the world in a glacial pace. The population lived in close harmony with nature, evolving a unique identity, derived largely from a rich religious and cultural heritage. This country of 700,000 people, roughly the size of Switzerland, is the world’s only Mahayana Buddhist country. The Buddhist respect for all sentient beings helped Bhutan protect its pristine ecology and wildlife.

    This self-sufficient population was never colonized and had limited contact to the outside world. Buddhism was established in the 8th century by the Indian saint Padmasambhava, popularly known in the Tantric tradition as Guru Rinpoche. Perhaps the most dynamic era in Bhutanese history came in the 17th century with the arrival, in 1616, of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the great leader of the Drukpa school of Mahayana Buddhism. He unified the country and established the foundations for national governance and the Bhutanese identity. In 1907, a historic Assembly of the clergy, the official administration, and the people unanimously elected Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck as the first hereditary King of Bhutan thus beginning the glorious era of the Wangchuck dynasty. In 2006, the fourth king of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck announced that he would abdicate in favour of a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy. In 2008, the year that marked 100 years of the monarchy saw two important events; the first democratic elections and the coronation of the fifth king, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

    Facts and Figures

    • Land area: 38,394 square kilo metres
    • Forest area: 72.5 %
    • Altitude : between 240metres and 7541metres above sea level
    • Inhabitants: 700,000
    • Language: official language “Dzongkha”, English widely spoken
    • Religion: Vajrayana stream of Mahayana Buddhism (Also known as Tantric Buddhism)
    • Currency: Ngultrum (equal to Indian Rupee)
    • Capital: Thimphu
    • National Tree: Cypress
    • National Bird: Raven
    • National Flower: Blue Poppy
    • National Sport: Archery
    • National Animal: Takin
    • Local time: Six hours ahead of GMT and half an hour ahead of Indian Standard Time
    Price fromUS$1250US$1500(per person)
    We Offer Group Discount Price
      
    1 paxUS$1550
    2 paxUS$1350
    3 - 8 paxUS$1300
    9 - 20 paxUS$1250
    US$1550

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