The Best of Bhutan

Itinerary Summary

Day	Place	Highlights	Hotel Options
1 - 1	Bangkok	Traditional Buildings, Modern Skyscrapers, Beautiful Monasteries
1 - 3	Thimphu	Dzong and Chorten, Handicrafts Emporium, Archery	Druk Hotel
3 - 4	Gangtey	Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey Monastery, Black Mountain National Park	Dewachen
4 - 6	Punakha	Punakha Valley, Dzong, Temple of Fertility, Rice Fields	Khuru Resort, Dhensa Boutique Resort
6 - 8	Paro	Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Dzong, National Museum, Scenic Valley Treks	Nak-sel Boutique Hotel and Spa, COMO Uma Paro
8 - 8	Bangkok	Traditional Buildings, Modern Skyscrapers, Beautiful Monasteries

Price & Inclusions

Option 1 $ 4,215 /person
Option 2 $ 5,060 /person

Prices are in USD and exclude international flights

Price Includes

Accommodation in one double room for 9 days / 8 nights
Meals as indicated
Flights mentioned below on Economy Class unless otherwise specified:
- Bangkok – Paro
- Paro – Bangkok
All activities as listed :
- Thimphu: Highlights of Thimphu
- Thimphu: 2 Hr Visit to Choki Art & Craft School
- Thimphu: 2 Hr Dinner and Dance at the Taj
- Gangtey: Highlights of Gangtey
- Gangtey: Hr Bhutanese Cooking Class in Gangtey
- Punakha: Highlights of Punakha
- Paro: Highlights of Paro
- Paro: 1 Hr Farm House Visit

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
English speaking accompanying guide in Bhutan
All government and royalty taxes in Bhutan
Organization and fees for your visa to Bhutan

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 1

Bangkok

0 Days

Bangkok is a quintessential blend of old and new! Meaning the city of angels, Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand – and is its largest metropolis.

Day 1 - 3

Flight from Bangkok to Paro

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

Highlights Of Thimphu
Discover the King’s Memorial Chorten, which is continuously circled by people murmuring mantras and spinning prayer wheels. Explore Tashichhoe dzong (fortress of the glorious religion), the administrative center for government and religion. Browse the various government-run handicrafts emporium and local craft shops showcasing Bhutan’s fine traditional arts, including handwoven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewelry, ceramics, slate and wood carvings. Explore Zorig Chusum (the Painting School), Thanka Art School and the Institution of Traditional Medicine. Visit the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts and modern academic books on Himalayan culture and religion. You can also visit a handmade paper factory, the Mini Zoo, and Thimphu’s weekend market. Enjoy scenic treks and nature walks with views of the famous Himalayan range.

Visit To Choki Art & Craft School
Visit a traditional art and craft school, and explore the unique opportunity of learning the venerable art of Thangkha painting under the supervision of a Master painter. Thangkha painting is the art of creating sacred Tibetan Buddhist scrolls. The Choki Art & Craft School is the only private institution that offers training in traditional arts and crafts in Bhutan. The school also serves as an orphanage, providing free tuition, food and lodging to the economically weak and disadvantaged youth of the region.

Dinner And Dance At The Taj
Spend an enjoyable dining experience at the Taj Tashi, accompanied by traditional Bhutanese dance performances. The dances are performed by accomplished artists in the full traditional regalia of ornate costumes and masks. Each aspect of the dance has a symbolic meaning. All Bhutanese art, dance, and music can trace their roots to Buddhism and Buddhist philosophy. Traditional Bhutanese music includes a spectrum of sub-genres, ranging from folk to religious renditions. The Taj Tashi organizes cultural programs on a daily basis at hotel’s sprawling courtyard.

Hotel Options

Druk Hotel – Opt 1

Room	Druk Hotel- Deluxe
Meals	Full Board
Style	Heritage

Day 3 - 4

Drive from Thimpu to Gangtey (150 kms, 5 hrs)

Gangtey

1 Day

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

Highlights Of Gangtey
Escape to the great 17th century Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag (monastery) of Gangtey, which is revealed on the slopes of the fabulous mountains surrounding the town of Wangdue Phodrang. From the center, you can trek to Phobjikha Valley, where you will find Gangtey Goenpa perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor. This is one of Bhutan’s most beautiful spots and it’s surrounded by a large village inhabited by the families of 140 gomchens (priests) who care for the monastery. Home to the main seat of the famous saint who founded the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, this is the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. Breathe in the stunning scenery of Black Mountain National Park.

Bhutanese Cooking Class In Gangtey
Take up this unique opportunity of learning how to cook delicious Bhutanese cuisine. Participate in this special cooking session held at local restaurant, where a team of master chefs demonstrate the art of cooking up a storm. Watch them prepare local Bhutanese delicacies, while you try out your own culinary skills as well. Have fun cooking local Bhutanese delicacies like the delectable and fiery ‘Emma Datshi’ made with chilies and local Bhutanese cheese, which also is the national dish of Bhutan!

Hotel Options

Dewachen – Opt 1

Room	Dewachen Deluxe
Meals	Full Board
Style	Heritage

Day 4 - 6

Drive from Gangtey to Punakha (70 km, 4 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

Highlights Of Punakha
Take a tranquil, 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 (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.

Hotel Options

Khuru Resort – Opt 1

Room	Standard Room
Meals	Full Board
Style	Resort

Dhensa Boutique Resort – Opt 2

Room	Suite
Meals	Fullboard
Style	Boutique

Day 6 - 8

Drive from Punakha to Paro (125 km, 4.5 hr)

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

Highlights Of Paro
Throw yourself into the city’s cultural gems! Begin at Rinpung Dzong, a 17th century Buddhist monastery and fortress built by Tibetan Buddhist lama Ngawang Namgyal. Visit the National Museum, housed in a former watchtower over several floors and brimming with Bhutanese relics, and the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, and enjoy scenic valley treks that boast views of Mount Chomolhari and Kyichu Lhakhang, a 7th century sacred shrine. Discover the spectacular cliffside Taktshang Lhakhang Monastery, otherwise known as Tiger’s Nest, where it is believed Guru Rinpoche arrived on the back of a tigress. Stay in Paro more than three nights and you can 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.

Farm House Visit
Discover the rustic beauty of Bhutan, embellished by a cluster of quaint farm houses. Get an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of Bhutan’s village folk on this farm visit. Bhutanese farm houses are very colourful and decorative. They are traditionally built with mud and stones, without the use of a single nail! All houses follow the same architectural pattern. Visit a traditional farm house and interact with local farming folk as they go about their daily lives. Enjoy the simple hospitality of your local hosts over a simple, but infinitely warm tea party!

Hotel Options

Nak-sel Boutique Hotel and Spa – Opt 1

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

COMO Uma Paro – Opt 2

Room	Forest View Superior Room (Double)
Meals	Full Board
Style	Resort

Day 8 - 8

Flight from Paro to Bangkok

Bangkok

0 Days

Bangkok is a quintessential blend of old and new! Meaning the city of angels, Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand – and is its largest metropolis.

International Departure

Itinerary Summary

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