The Best of Bhutan

Itinerary Summary

Day	Place	Highlights	Hotel Options
1 - 3	Thimphu	Dzong and Chorten, Handicrafts Emporium, Archery	Druk Hotel, Terma Linca Resort & Spa
3 - 5	Punakha	Punakha Valley, Dzong, Temple of Fertility, Rice Fields	Damchen Resort, COMO Uma Punakha
5 - 7	Gangtey	Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey Monastery, Black Mountain National Park	Dewachen, Gangtey Goenpa
7 - 9	Paro	Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Dzong, National Museum, Scenic Valley Treks	Nak-sel Boutique Hotel and Spa, Hotel Zhiwa Ling

Price & Inclusions

Option 1 $ 4,396 /person
Option 2 $ 7,915 /person

Prices are in USD and exclude international flights

Price Includes

Accommodation (on a twin-sharing basis) on the indicated meal plan for 8 nights.
All activities as listed :
- Thimphu: City Highlights of Thimphu
- Punakha: City Highlights of Punakha
- Gangtey: City Highlights of Gangtey
- Paro: City Highlights of Paro
All airport and hotel transfers
A high-quality air conditioned vehicle with unlimited mileage and a trusted chauffeur throughout your trip, apart from during your stay at a beach/backwater resort or houseboat if applicable.
All activities described in the itinerary, including entrance fees wherever applicable, accompanied by our tour guide
Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact, supporting you during your trip
Welcome kit including all important documents and information regarding your itinerary
Insolvency insurance
Fees and taxes

This listed price is based on two people sharing a double room. The price may vary due to the time of year you travel, the size of your group, and accommodation availability.

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 3

International Arrival

Drive from Paro to Thimpu (55 km, 2 hrs)

Thimphu

2 Days

Hidden realm of wonders! The only world capital without traffic lights, Thimphu is a regal yet bustling town amid glorious hills and home to the revered Bhutanese Royal family.

Included Activities

City Highlights of Thimphu
Visit the King’s Memorial Chorten, which is continuously circled ritualistically by people murmuring mantras and spinning prayer wheels. See Tashichhoe dzong, ‘fortress of the glorious religion’ – the center of government and religion. Browse the government-run handicrafts emporium and local craft shops for samples of Bhutan’s fine traditional arts. Take home some handwoven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewelry, ceramics, slate and wood carvings. Visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and modern academic books on Himalayan culture and religion. Explore Zorig Chusum or the Painting School, the Thanka Art School and the Inst.of Traditional Medicine. Visit a handmade paper factory or the Mini Zoo, or peruse Thimphu’s weekend market. Enjoy scenic treks and nature walks with views of the famous denizens of the Himalayan kingdom.

Hotel Options

Druk Hotel – Opt 1

Room	Druk Hotel- Deluxe
Meals	Full Board
Style	Heritage

Terma Linca Resort & Spa – Opt 2

Room	Termalinca Deluxe
Meals	Full Board
Style	Boutique

Day 3 - 5

Drive from Thimpu to Punakha (76 kms, 3 hrs)

Punakha

2 Days

Mountain rapture An erstwhile capital, it now makes for a magical stay with splendid views of the distant, heavenly Himalayas at Dorchula Pass with a soothing climate and relaxing ambience.

Included Activities

City Highlights of Punakha
After breakfast enjoy a beautiful hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. Dominating upper Punakha Valley, the chorten affords commanding views of Mo Chhu and the mountainous peaks of Gasa. Visit Punakha Dzong, strategically built at the confluence of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. In the afternoon, visit Chimi Lakhang, situated on a hillock and dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley or the ‘Divine Madman’. Also known as the temple of fertility, barren couples wishing to have children pray here, as it is believed they are usually blessed with a child soon after. Walk across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana meaning ‘field’. Visit Limbukha, famous for Bhutan’s infamous medicinal red rice. Enjoy trekking, kayaking and inner-tubing on Mo Chhu and Po Chhu rivers.

Hotel Options

Damchen Resort – Opt 1

Room	Damchen-Punachu Room
Meals	Full Board
Style	Guest house

COMO Uma Punakha – Opt 2

Room	Uma - Valley View Deluxe Room
Meals	Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
Style	Resort

Day 5 - 7

Drive from Punakha to Gangtey (70 km, 3 hr)

Gangtey

2 Days

Indellible impressions of surprising beauty! One of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan, surprises the unsuspecting visitor with its wide flat valley sans any trees, after a hard climb through dense forests, augmented by an impression of vast space – an extremely rare experience where most of the valley’s are tightly enclosed.

Included Activities

City Highlights of Gangtey
In the mountains east of Wangduephodrang lies the beautiful Phobjikha valley, on the slopes of which is situated the great monastery of Gangtey, established in the 17th century. Trek to Phobjikha valley (3,000m). Visit Gangtey Goenpa monastery, perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The Gangtey Monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountain and the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. Notice how it is surrounded by a large village, inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens who care for the monastery. Visit also Black Mountain National Park; go fishing; take pony rides/treks and feed monks-in-training at the Gangtey Shedra.

Hotel Options

Dewachen – Opt 1

Room	Dewachen Deluxe
Meals	Full Board
Style	Heritage

Gangtey Goenpa – Opt 2

Room	Gangtey Goenpa- Deluxe Room
Meals	Full Board
Style	Heritage

Day 7 - 9

Drive from Gangtey to Paro (195 kms, 7 hrs)

Paro

2 Days

Gateway to the Kingdom’s treasures! Known as the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon,’ the charming town of Paro is home to Mt. Chumolhari and some of the oldest monasteries and temples in the region.

Included Activities

City Highlights of Paro
Vist Rinpung Dzong (fortress of the heap of jewels), a large Drukpa Kagyu Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It houses the district Monastic Body, government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag, the office of the Dzongda (district administrative head) and Thrimpon (judge) of Paro district. Explore Ta Dzong, once a watchtower and now the National Museum housing a collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and exquisite Bhutanase stamps. The museum’s circular shape augments its varied collection displayed over several floors. See Drukgyel Dzong amid views of Mt.Chomolhari and Kyichu Lhakhang (a 7th century sacred shrine). Visit Taktshang Lhakhang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest, (as it is believed Guru Rinpoche arrived here on tigress back and meditated), perched on a 900m cliffside. If staying more than three nights, also visit Kila Goemba, home of Buddhist nuns, Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple), Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) and Rig Sum Goenpa (three giant hills) in Haa valley. Enjoy scenic valley treks.

Hotel Options

Nak-sel Boutique Hotel and Spa – Opt 1

Room	Nak-sel Boutique-Deluxe Room
Meals	Full Board
Style	Boutique

Hotel Zhiwa Ling – Opt 2

Room	Zhiwa Ling-Junior Suite
Meals	Full Board
Style	Heritage

International Departure

Itinerary Summary

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