Mr. Satish Modi x 2 // Bhutan

Day 1. Paro – Thimphu:

Driving Distance: 65 Km, Driving time: 1.5 – 2 Hr., Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 m

Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”. Afterwards drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu (River). Check-In to the hotel and have your first experience with Bhutanese Cuisine. Rest of the day is at leisure. You can explore the Thimphu valley and town or shop till your heart’s content. Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu

Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing:

Today you would be driven in and around Thimphu covering key places of interest. After breakfast you would visit

Ø  Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.

Ø  National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. You may choose to light butter lamps and also circumambulate around the Chorten.

Ø  Zorig Chusum, Premier institute of traditional arts and crafts in Thimphu established with an objective of preserving “thirteen arts and crafts of Bhutan”.

Ø  Folk Heritage, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle, and artifacts from the rural households

Thereafter, you would be taken to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon you would be taken to

Ø  Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.

Ø  Changangkha Monastery, popular fortress like temple perched on a ridge above Central Thimphu built in 15th Century by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhipo.

Ø  Takin Preserve Centre, see Takin (National animal of Bhutan) It is a unique combination of Goat and an Antelope

Ø  Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.

On the completion of sightseeing, you are driven back to your hotel. After relaxing for some time you shall be served with dinner. Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha/ Wangdue:

Distance: 76 Km, Driving time: 1.5 – 2 Hr, Altitude of Punakha: 1310 m

After breakfast you are driven to Punakha. On the way stop at

Ø  Dochula Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,150 m and is a great place to view the higher Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk

Thereafter, you continue your drive to Punakha. While in Punakha you would visit

Ø  Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. It is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan)

Ø  Chhimi Lhakhang, a famous Temple, which is also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley

Ø  Explore the Punakha and Wangdue Valley for a while

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue

Day 4 Punakha – Phobjikha/ Gangtey – Punakha/Wangdue

Driving Distance: 70 km (One way), Driving Time: 2 Hr., Altitude of Phobjikha: 2900 m

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey/Phobjikha. While in Gangtey, visit the

Ø  Gangtey Goemba, an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is one of the the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan.

Ø  Black Necked Crane Information Centre, a place for recreation with crane watching equipment (binoculars, spotting scopes) and reference books

Ø  Explore Phobjikha Valley, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the Himalayas. It lies at an elevation of 3,000 m.  It is surrounded by a many small villages. Phobjikha is best known for the rare black necked cranes that migrate here from the Tibetan Plateau to avoid the extremely cold winters.

In the late afternoon drive back to Punakha/Wangdue. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel

Day 5. Punakha – Paro: 

Driving Distance: 135 km, Driving Time: 4-5 Hr., Altitude of Paro: 2280 m

After breakfast, you would check out of the hotel to proceed to Paro for the final leg of the tour. On the way stop at

Ø  Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi, also known as the Rhododendron Garden. It is the first Botanical Garden of Bhutan. It is famous for 46 species of rhododendrons.

Ø  Tamchog Lhakhang, built by Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15^th Century, Thangthong Gyalpo is also known as the iron bridge Builder. The walk the suspension iron chain bridge, the feel of the soothing breeze and river could be a great experience.

After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. Post lunch, you would be taken around to visit

After arriving at Paro, you would be transferred to you Hotel for Check In. Post lunch, you would be taken around to visit

Ø  Paro Rimpung Dzong, also known as Fortress of the heap of jewels, built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646

Ø  Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.

Evening is free for leisure activities such as Archery experience, National Dress wearing experience on direct payment basis and shopping around the Paro Town. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Day 6. Paro Sightseeing and Hike to Taktsang:

After breakfast, start your day with a hike to

Ø  Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.

After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic lunch among the woods. Post lunch, visit

Ø  Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo

Dinner and overnight at the Hotel in Paro.

Day 7. Departure:

Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek

Tour Cost & Hotel Details

Option 1 : ( 3 Star Hotels)

Tour cost is based on 2 Adults

Tour Cost : INR 49,000/-   PP*2  = 98,000 /- for 02 Adults + 5% TCS

Option 2 : ( 4 Star Hotels)

Tour cost is based on 2 Adults

Tour Cost : INR 68,000/-   PP*2  = 1,36,000 /- for 02 Adults + 5% TCS

NOTE:-

1: The above mentioned hotels will be confirmed as per the room availability. Otherwise we will confirm similar category hotel.

2: Itinerary might be re-arrange as per hotel availability at the time of booking.

3: Rooms & Rates are subject to availability at the time of reservation and might change even on same day.

Inclusions

• Accommodation in the mentioned hotels (Base category twin rooms, unless specified)
• Meal Plan (Only Set Menu): MAP.
• Other transfers in Bhutan by: Brezza/Creta/Similar. (Non AC)
• Service of  certified English speaking guide (Within Bhutan)
• Bottled water during the tour
• Govt SDF @ 1200 per person per night and other taxes applicable

Flight Details & Air fare

Airfare : INR 47,500 /- per person x 2 = 95,000/- per couple

Excludes

• Air Ticket / Train fare. 

• The cost does not include anything not mentioned in the inclusion
• Entry Fees for Museums and Monuments is not included in the cost and is payable directly

•  Personal Expenses such as Laundry, telephone calls, tips & gratuity, mineral water, soft & hard drinks, rafting, rock climbing, paragliding, joy ride (Toy Train), porterage.

• Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the itinerary.

• Entrance Fees & Guide charges.

• Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances (strikes), etc (to be borne by the client, should be is directly payable on the spot).

• Any increase in taxes or fuel price, leading to increase in cost on surface transportation & land arrangements, which may come into effect prior to departure.

• Room Heater Charges

• Insurance.

• Anything which is not included in the inclusion.

 * Entry fees for the below mentioned points is INR 1000 per person per entry, except for Taktshang which is INR 2000 per person per entry

Rates and Tour Operations are subject to change with the change in  Government Regulations.

Entry to Taktshang, Tashichhodzong, Memorial Chorten, Changangkha Lhakhang, Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinpung Dzong, Punakha Dzong and Chhimi Lhakhang shall not be allowed to Tourists on the following days: 

• 15th of 1st Month (Chotrul Duchen)
• 10th day of 4th Month (Zhabdrung Kuchoe)  
• 15th day of 4th Month (Saga Dawa Duchen/ Lord Buddha Parinirvana)
• 4th Day of 6th Month (Chokor Duchen/ First Sermon of Lord Buddha)
• 22nd day of 9th Month (Lha Bab duchen/ Descending day of Lord Buddha)
• 10th day of 5th Month (Birth Anniversary of Guru Rinpoche)

In case the above mentioned sights are mentioned in your itinerary and the day falls on any of the above days OR any of the sightseeing places are closed to tourists for any reason, we shall do other sightseeings in its place. The Above days are as per Bhutanese calendar

Please Note :-

• Early check in would be subject to availability, for guaranteed early check in we need to book the room one day prior
• The given Rates are as per 02 Passengers travelling together, rates will vary with increase or decrease of persons.
• Any cost arising due to natural calamities like, landslides, road blockage, political disturbances, etc.  (To be borne by the client, this is directly payable on the spot).
•  We need Guest Name & Arrival / Departure details to process your booking.
• The above mentioned hotels will be confirmed as per the room availability. Otherwise we will confirm similar category hotel
• Itinerary might be re-arrange as per hotel availability at the time of booking
• Rooms provided would be the base category of each hotels if not specified
• Meals offered is assuming the guest would be having it in the same hotels where they stay & Any meals arranged outdoor OR any other restaurant en-route may attract additional charges
• Meals would be served in a pre-designated area as per the hotel’s choice / convenience
•