Bhutan Tour - 5 Days
5 Days Starting and ending in Paro, Bhutan
Visiting: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha
Tour operator:
Tour code:
14
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 80
Age range:
1-80
Special diets catered:
Meat, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
Bhutan, the land of the Thunder Dragon is the popular destination for international tourists. It is the last remaining Buddhist Kingdom in the Himalayas. Small yet the happiest country in Asia with unique traditions and culture attracts the tourists to explore its happiness secrets. Amazing mountainous landscape, unique Buddhist architecture, religious festivals and delightful and loving people always welcome you to this wonderful heaven.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Paro To Thimphu (2300M) (L/D)
Location: Paro
Accommodation: Hotel, 3* accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
You will be flown to Paro, Bhutan. Enjoy the scenic view of the Himalayan range. Upon arriving at Paro International Airport Bhutan, The land of the dragon, you will be greeted by your guide.
To acclimatize your body with the altitude, will be doing very light sightseeing. You will be driven to Thimpu, through Paro valley. Do not miss out the silvery Pa Chu (Paro River) meandering its way through the thick forested ravine, the Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower).
Later in the afternoon, we will visit Tashicho Dzong which is a beautiful fortress and monastery which houses the Secretariat building, King’s Throne room and other government’s offices. It is also the summer residence of chief abbot or spiritual leader Je-Khenpo. We can visit the Handicrafts Emporium to see or buy a wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products including the famous traditional thangkha paintings.
Then, we will move to the memorial chorten which is a beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.
We will stay overnight at Hotel Riverview, Thimphu. Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 : Thimphu Sightseeing (B/L/D)
Location: Thimphu
Accommodation: Hotel, 3* accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thimpu is the capital of Bhutan. It has approximately 90,000 people and a very much laid back town. The wide streets that are lined by trees give you a relaxed feel. Early in the morning we will take a 15minute guided walk to the Memorial Chorten. The shrine was built in the memory of the late king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Many Bhutanese will stop by here every day to pray. Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels.
Later in the day, we will start our sightseeing by visiting the Zilukha Nunnery at the outskirts of Thimphu. 70 nuns lives there and run their daily chores in the nunnery. It is a magnificent view from this nunnery. Then the tour will visit the Changangkha Lhakhang. Later we will visit the traditional paper factory. We will learn how paper is done from the daphne plant. The factory does produce a unique type of opaper called the rice paper, it is said to last loonger than the normal paper.
Evening drive past Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural.
Overnight at hotel, Thimphu
Day 3 : Thimphu – Punakha (B/L/D)
Location: Punakha
Accommodation: Hotel, 3* accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning you will be driven to Punakha, it is an old winter capital of Bhutan. On the way we will drive up to Dochu-la pass, stopping briefly here to take in the view and admire the chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate the highest point on the road. If the skies are clear, you will be able to view the the following peaks (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m ), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m ), Kangphugang (7,170 m ), Zongphugang (7, 060 m ), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana – finally Gangkar puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.
Later we will continue our journey to Punakha valley and visit the Punakha Dzong. It was built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan’s history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King.
If possible, we can have your picnic lunch planned at Chedebji Chorten (Stupa) which is patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu. A lama named Shida is said to have been behind the construction, which was undertaken to pin down a mischievous local spirit. It is a popular picnic lunch and pilgrimage for Bhutanese driving east-west road.
Day 4 : Punakha To Paro (4 Hours) (B,L,D)
Location: Paro
Accommodation: Hotel, 3* accommodation
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, we will drive west via dochula pass 3080 m, weather permitting we will enjoy the Bhutan Himalaya peaks above 7000 mts.
Upon reaching Paro we will visit Ta Dzong, once a watchtower, built to defend Rinpung Dzong during inter-valley wars of the 17th century, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as Bhutan’s National Museum in 1968.
Afterwards, we can walk down a hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal , the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan, the Dzong houses the monastic body of Paro, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district.Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 5 : Drive To Paro Airport For Onward Flight To Kathmandu (B)
Location: Paro
Meals Included: Breakfast
After early breakfast at the hotel drive to Paro airport for your sensational take-off and scenic Himalayan flight past Chomolhari, Bhutan’s second highest peak.
What's Included
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
Wifi in Kahtmandu Hotel only
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Drinks with Meals
only tea of coffee , just a cup
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Meals – Full Board
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with one cup of tea or coffee only
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Accommodation
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to Everest Region and Trekking Permit
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Fully Guided
What's Not Included
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International Travel
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Country Entry Visas
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Local Taxes
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1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
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Train Tickets
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Tipping and Gratuities
Check out our Q&As
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
no
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Domestic flight includes
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
must be fit.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
yes
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
No
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
3* accommodaton in Kathmnadu, could be alpine hotel and apartment
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What is the maximum group size?
50
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
no
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
yes
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
no
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Any currency
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
only in Kathmandu.
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
yes
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
3* hotel in Kathmandu
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
still can operate
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
yes
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Company Instant Book
Yes
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What is the tipping policy?
tippling at the end of the trip
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
yes
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Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Alpine Club of Himalaya allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Alpine Club of Himalaya allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform alpine club of himalaya, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Alpine Club of Himalaya requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 2 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of alpine club of himalaya charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 50 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.