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Tour Overview
The tour package are equally focused on cultural attractions and natural beauty, with plenty of hiking thrown in. We hope that by walking to some of Bhutan's most stunning monasteries, you would obtain a deeper understanding of the country's Buddhist culture. Throughout the week, we visit the three valleys of Thimpu, Punakha, and Paro, each with its own unique environment and landscape.
Our hike to Bumdra Monastery, where we sleep overnight in the Himalayan environment high above the sky, is one of the highlights of this walking holiday. You will be given sleeping bag, mattress, and three delicious meals .
Our last destination is the famed Taktsang Goemba, also known as Tiger's Nest Monastery. We hike along ancient mountain paths, following in the footsteps of pilgrims going back over the centuries, but where today’s tourists hardly ever go. It really is a spectacular and, for many, a very sacred journey.
Other than Bumdra and tigernest hike, you will visit almost all the iconic places in western part of Bhutan. ...more ...less
Highlights
Bumdra
Tigernest
Buddha Point
Paro Dzong
Ta Dzong
Places You'll See
Memorial Chorten
Lhakhang
Buddha Point
Khamsum Yulley
Bumdra
Simply Bhutan
Punakha Dzong
Bumdra
Paddy Field
Itinerary
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The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth.
Our representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities. Following lunch, visit Kyichu temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan which was built in 7th century. Attend a special purification ceremony at the temple performed by monks. This ceremony is mainly performed to purify and to bring good luck to you for your trip in Bhutan.
Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu. ...more ...less
Day 2
:
Thimphu Sightseeing
Location: Thimphu
Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Begin your day with a short drive to Kuenselphodrang, a popular vantage point, with the biggest Buddha statues in the world. This site offers a panoramic view of the capital below and also has several walking trails, which ranges from leisurely to moderate.
Then visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the Third King and for world peace. Continue on to the picturesque 12th century Changangkha Temple and Nunnery at Zilukha. Afterwards visit the Folk Heritage Museum featuring an exhibition of items and artifacts of Bhutanese villages and rural households.
After visiting the museum we will walk to School for Arts & Crafts which is located close to the museum. This is one of the interesting schools where young boys & girls learn 13 different skills of arts & crafts in Bhutan. If your visit to Thimphu coincides on a weekend, you can visit the weekend vegetable market (open from Friday To Sunday). Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
Depart for Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. The road takes you over Dochu-La pass (3,100m) where you will stop to walk around the 108 stupas and, if the weather is clear, enjoy an incredible view of Himalayan peaks. enroute we will stop on the pass for hoisting prayer flags.
Before reaching Punakha, visit Royal Botanical Garden in Lamperi. The park (47 square kilometers) serves as biological corridor connecting Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, and features a variety of forest types, spectacular scenery, natural rhododendron groves, endangered wildlife and a lake. Continue your drive towards Punakha through beautiful countryside offering a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. Check into your hotel in Punakha/ Wangduephodrang. Afterwards, visit Lhawang Tshering’s small incense making factory, the most successful and leading incense exporter in Bhutan. Incense, (poi) is one of the most essential elements in religious offerings. Its aroma, it is said, can help to soothe and calm a restless mind. After visiting the incense factory we will visit the small town of Wangduephodrang. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
Day 4
:
Punakha Sightseeing
Location: Punakha
Accommodation: Hotel, Resort, Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Morning visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness”. It was built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifies of Bhutan’ as predicted by the great Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move in masses from Thimphu to this warmer location.
The three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. After visiting the Dzong we will walk about 10 minutes to see the swing bridge built over Pho Chu river connecting people from Shengana village with Punakha Dzong. This is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan constructed around 2001. After lunch, take a short walk across rice paddies takes us to Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as the Divine Madman. Then enjoy exploring a the villages in and around Lobesa valley where you will have the opportunity to interact with local people and learn more about rural life style in Bhutan.
If you are interested we can arrange a home stay in one of the villages in Lobesa, with an opportunity to learn how to prepare some Bhutanese dishes and also try out local alcohol brewed from rice and wheat known as “ARA”. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.
Today you will retrace our steps over the Dochu La for a second view of the wonderful Himalayan range (clear weather permitting). In Thimphu, visit the National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, the Institute of Traditional Art & Crafts, and a small factory that produces handmade paper. This paper, made from the bark of the Daphne plant, has long been used for Buddhist manuscripts. Later in the afternoon, drive back to Paro visiting Semtokha Dzong (17 C), the oldest dzong enroute. Returning to the Chuzom (river confluence) we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese style which were built to ward off evil spirits near the checkpoint. On arrival Enjoy a stroll through downtown Paro before checking into the hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
Day 6
:
Bumdra Hike
Location: Paro
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Duration: 4-5 hours to camp 2-3 hours return trek to peak (optional) Difficulty: Moderate.
Hike from Sang Choekor Buddhist College (2,800m) to yak pastures below Bumdra Monastery (3,800m). The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor to meet our ponies and while they are being loaded we may pay our respects at the college. Above and ahead the Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) nestles in the mountainside 1-2 hours walk away. Our home for the night is tucked in under Bumdra Monastery (cave of a thousand prayers) making the most of the awesome views of the Himalayan range. After lunch we can visit the monastery (if it is occupied) and also climb the peak to the north (about 4000m) for even better views, returning in time for a slap up dinner. Overnight at Bumdra Wilderness Camp.
Hike from Yak pasture below Bumdra Monastery (3,800m) via Zangtopelri Monasteries to Taktsang Monastery (2,900m). After a hearty breakfast, we either head straight back into the valley or linger a while soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own.
Eventually we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks winding trail. After a couple of hours of descent we begin to catch glimpses of the golden temples below. The path snakes across the mountainside between these monasteries before reaching the gardens of Zangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can peer over the edge and straight down onto the ornate rooftops of Taktsang Monastery, perched against the cliff-face far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge; a steep descent to a waterfall then up some steps and we pass into Tiger’s Nest itself.
The Monastery is an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Retracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to reach our vehicle and drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1644 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control northern route to Tibet (from here, it is only a two-day hike to the border with Tibet, China dominated by Mt Jhomalhari ). Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 8
:
Departure
Location: Paro International Airport
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
In the morning, after breakfast our representative from World Tour Plan,will see you off at the Paro international airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
Accommodation
Fully Guided
Meals
Transport
Sustainable Development Fee
Visa fee
Sleeping Bag
Entry fee
What's Not Included
Travel Insurance
laundry
Medical Insurance
Flight Ticket
Mode of Transport
SUV Vehicle
Accommodation
Minimum 3 star hotel or home stay/ farm stay as par 3 star hotel standard that are approved by Department of Tourism.
Videos
Check out our Q&As
What currencies are required for this tour?
Most preferred currency is US dollar.
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes. But Kids has to be physically fit as this tour consist of Bumdra hike which is challenging.
What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
No tour cancellation
Are flights included in this tour?
No
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Yes
Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes, in most of the accommodation free Wi-Fi access is available.
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
Minimum 3 star hotels
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, Pick up and drop facility available
What is the tipping policy?
No as such restrictions but guide and driver will be more happy if they get tip .
Why travel with us?
1. We are home based and we know Bhutan well.2. Expertise & Teamwork- The secret to our success 3. Your interest is our business 4. Flexible tour
Do I need a visa to visit Bhutan?
After you’ve arranged your trip and paid the SDF, the actual processing of a Bhutan visa is little more than a formality. After you’ve made your tour payment and have sent a digital photograph, scan of your passport photo page, and proof of your (mandatory) travel insurance, the agency will email you a copy of your visa authorization after a few days. The visa itself costs US$40 and will likely be bundled with the overall tour price.
Visas are not issued by embassies overseas but rather stamped into your passport upon arrival at Paro airport after you present your visa-authorization letter. At land borders, you will meet your guide at the crossing; they will process the visa for you as you wait.
After the work and cost of making all the other arrangements, the process of obtaining a visa for Bhutan is quite stress-free.
How long has the tour company been trading?
World Tour Plan was established in 2013 by a team of true professionals with years of experience and capacity in the tourism and hospitality industry. Emblazoned with our mission of being ‘At its best for Travelers’ we endeavor to make each one of your visits a truly special one.
How do I get to Bhutan?
There are a number of airports where you can fly into Bhutan from (Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai.). At present two carriers operate to Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. Also, there are three land border crossings which you can travel into the kingdom overland. All crossings are along the Indian border only – Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.
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Reviews from travellers on this tour
Ruby (review from previous guest)
Best tour
31-Jul-2024
To have wonderful memories is an asset to be invested in ones life as life itself is a matter of time. I thank the World Tour Plan agent for gifting me a package of unforgettable experience of trekking to Bumdark Monastery. I will always remember their hospitality and the breath taking beauty of Bhutan. I love exploring places and trekking and in particular the trek to Bumdark was something that still makes my body crave for more. My journey to an elevation of 3800 meters above sea level, feasting on the pristine environment and walking around the crown of mountains, decorated with colourful flags gave me the feeling of exploring heaven. It was a six hours walk from the road end point and most of the heavy loads ere taken care by the mules. After reaching the Bumdark Monastery i came to know that the cliff i was looking was the cliff of million dakinis as believed by the locals. The camping site was majestic with carpet of green overlooking the mountains and valleys, colourful prayer flags praying for sentient beings, I didn't understand what the feeling was but it was more than just ecstasy to see the beauty with spiritualistic gaze. We camped there for three days exploring even higher heights . We visited another sacred site called 'Druethey' meaning crematorium. The faith in bhutanese people to believe in certain rocks and trees as sacred was the reason why i got an opportunity to completely change my view. After camping for three days we finally descended down to visit the infamous Taktsang Monastery known as the Tiger's Nest. It was a wonder, a master piece architecture that nestled on the face of the cliff. I was baffled by the site on which the monastery was constructed. Bhutanese consider this site as one of the most important pilgrimage site as this was the spot on which Guru Rimpoche arrived ridding on a flying tigress and maybe it is this faith that is the foundation for the strong hold of the monastery despite being on a precarious location. Lastly I would like to thank my guide Chencho and World Tour Plan for making all the necessary arrangements and for the courtesy that i will never be able to repay. I have nothing to regret for as those memories are far more worthy than the price I Paid for. Treks are usually pleasing to eyes but what I saw was something that requires more than eyes to see, the faith.
...more ...less
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Personalise your trip
Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method
Travel more exclusively
Your tour guide can focus all their attention on your group
Travel for a special occasion
Celebrate an important event by only travelling with your friends or family
World Tour Plan 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.
Low Deposit
World Tour Plan requires a minimum deposit of
20%
or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of world tour plan charges.
Up to 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 89 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Bumdra Trek with Tigernest Hike
8 Days Starting and ending in Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
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Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.","lat":"27.405192","lng":"89.42103"},{"title":"Day 2: THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING","name":"Thimphu","description":"Begin your day with a short drive to Kuenselphodrang, a popular vantage point, with the biggest Buddha statues in the world. This site offers a panoramic view of the capital below and also has several walking trails, which ranges from leisurely to moderate. \r\n\r\nThen visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in the memory of the Third King and for world peace. Continue on to the picturesque 12th century Changangkha Temple and Nunnery at Zilukha. Afterwards visit the Folk Heritage Museum featuring an exhibition of items and artifacts of Bhutanese villages and rural households. \r\n\r\nAfter visiting the museum we will walk to School for Arts & Crafts which is located close to the museum. This is one of the interesting schools where young boys & girls learn 13 different skills of arts & crafts in Bhutan. If your visit to Thimphu coincides on a weekend, you can visit the weekend vegetable market (open from Friday To Sunday). Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.","lat":"27.471586","lng":"89.638611"},{"title":"Day 3: THIMPHU - PUNAKHA","name":"Punakha","description":"Depart for Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. The road takes you over Dochu-La pass (3,100m) where you will stop to walk around the 108 stupas and, if the weather is clear, enjoy an incredible view of Himalayan peaks. enroute we will stop on the pass for hoisting prayer flags. \r\n\r\nBefore reaching Punakha, visit Royal Botanical Garden in Lamperi. The park (47 square kilometers) serves as biological corridor connecting Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park, and features a variety of forest types, spectacular scenery, natural rhododendron groves, endangered wildlife and a lake. Continue your drive towards Punakha through beautiful countryside offering a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms. In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour. Check into your hotel in Punakha/ Wangduephodrang. Afterwards, visit Lhawang Tshering’s small incense making factory, the most successful and leading incense exporter in Bhutan. Incense, (poi) is one of the most essential elements in religious offerings. Its aroma, it is said, can help to soothe and calm a restless mind. After visiting the incense factory we will visit the small town of Wangduephodrang. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.","lat":"27.592087","lng":"89.879746"},{"title":"Day 4: PUNAKHA SIGHTSEEING","name":"Punakha","description":"Morning visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness”. It was built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifies of Bhutan’ as predicted by the great Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). It is situated at the confluence of the Mo Chu and Pho Chu (Mother and Father Rivers) and is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move in masses from Thimphu to this warmer location. \r\n\r\nThe three story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. After visiting the Dzong we will walk about 10 minutes to see the swing bridge built over Pho Chu river connecting people from Shengana village with Punakha Dzong. This is one of the longest suspension bridges in Bhutan constructed around 2001. After lunch, take a short walk across rice paddies takes us to Chimmi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as the Divine Madman. Then enjoy exploring a the villages in and around Lobesa valley where you will have the opportunity to interact with local people and learn more about rural life style in Bhutan.\r\n\r\nIf you are interested we can arrange a home stay in one of the villages in Lobesa, with an opportunity to learn how to prepare some Bhutanese dishes and also try out local alcohol brewed from rice and wheat known as “ARA”. Overnight at your hotel in Punakha.","lat":"27.592087","lng":"89.879746"},{"title":"Day 5: PUNAKHA - PARO","name":"Paro","description":"Today you will retrace our steps over the Dochu La for a second view of the wonderful Himalayan range (clear weather permitting). In Thimphu, visit the National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, the Institute of Traditional Art & Crafts, and a small factory that produces handmade paper. This paper, made from the bark of the Daphne plant, has long been used for Buddhist manuscripts. Later in the afternoon, drive back to Paro visiting Semtokha Dzong (17 C), the oldest dzong enroute. Returning to the Chuzom (river confluence) we catch a glimpse of the three shrines in Nepali, Tibetan and Bhutanese style which were built to ward off evil spirits near the checkpoint. On arrival Enjoy a stroll through downtown Paro before checking into the hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.","lat":"27.428684","lng":"89.416365"},{"title":"Day 6: BUMDRA HIKE","name":"Paro","description":"Duration: 4-5 hours to camp 2-3 hours return trek to peak (optional) Difficulty: Moderate.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHike from Sang Choekor Buddhist College (2,800m) to yak pastures below Bumdra Monastery (3,800m). The adventure begins with an early morning drive up to the Sang Choekor to meet our ponies and while they are being loaded we may pay our respects at the college. Above and ahead the Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) nestles in the mountainside 1-2 hours walk away. Our home for the night is tucked in under Bumdra Monastery (cave of a thousand prayers) making the most of the awesome views of the Himalayan range. After lunch we can visit the monastery (if it is occupied) and also climb the peak to the north (about 4000m) for even better views, returning in time for a slap up dinner. Overnight at Bumdra Wilderness Camp.","lat":"27.428684","lng":"89.416365"},{"title":"Day 7: BUMDRA - TIGERNEST HIKE - HOTEL","name":"Paro","description":"Hike from Yak pasture below Bumdra Monastery (3,800m) via Zangtopelri Monasteries to Taktsang Monastery (2,900m). After a hearty breakfast, we either head straight back into the valley or linger a while soaking up the view and perhaps hang some prayer flags of our own. \r\n\r\nEventually we have to drop back into the ancient pine and rhododendron forest on the monks winding trail. After a couple of hours of descent we begin to catch glimpses of the golden temples below. The path snakes across the mountainside between these monasteries before reaching the gardens of Zangtopelri (Heaven on Earth) from which you can peer over the edge and straight down onto the ornate rooftops of Taktsang Monastery, perched against the cliff-face far below. An hour later and we are at the gates of Taktsang looking across the gorge; a steep descent to a waterfall then up some steps and we pass into Tiger’s Nest itself.\r\n\r\nThe Monastery is an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. He then mediated in a cave there for three months where the monastery was later built. The cave is said to be the origin of Buddhism in Bhutan. \r\n\r\nRetracing our steps we begin the final descent of about 45 minutes to reach our vehicle and drive further up the valley to Drukgyel Dzong, built in 1644 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to control northern route to Tibet (from here, it is only a two-day hike to the border with Tibet, China dominated by Mt Jhomalhari ). Overnight at hotel in Paro.","lat":"27.428684","lng":"89.416365"},{"title":"Day 8: DEPARTURE","name":"Paro International Airport","description":"In the morning, after breakfast our representative from World Tour Plan,will see you off at the Paro international airport for your onward flight.","lat":"27.405192","lng":"89.42103"}]
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