Bhutan Explorer 4-Star Luxury Holidays
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💎 Why we love it ?
Experience the living ancient culture of the Kingdom of Bhutan that has remained unexplored for many centuries and immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and pristine environment that has made Bhutan the only carbon-negative country in the world. This slow-paced 4-Star luxury trip is curated to offer the perfect balance of breathtaking destinations imbued with authentic experiences, revitalizing activities, and a healthy dose of unique culinary experiences. You’ll stay at 4-star luxury hotels that have earned good names through their excellent quality of services, spa facilities, and of course the locations offering total tranquility and seclusion.
🏁 Tour Itinerary: Bhutan Explorer 4-Star Luxury Holidays
Day 1: Arrive Paro International Airport / Transfer to Thimphu (2334m)
Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport, our guide and driver will receive and escort you to visit the National Museum to learn about the history & rich cultural heritage of Bhutan. The museum opening hours are 9 AM – 4 PM. If you arrive too early or after it is closed, you’ll visit it either on Day 5 or 6 depending on time availability. After visiting the museum, you will be transferred to the capital city Thimphu. The driving distance is just 55km and takes about 1.5 hours. Lunch will be served either in Paro or Thimphu depending on the time.
In Thimphu, you’ll visit the Weaving Center to learn about the weaving culture and tradition of Bhutan. Weaving is an integral component of the culture & tradition of Bhutan. Not long ago, it was common to see one member in the family weaving for the entire family. You’ll also visit the marvelous 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha located at Kuensel Phodrang, a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Dinner & overnight at Zhiwaling Ascent or DusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu.
The 4-star Zhiwaling Ascent is located 20 minutes away from the main Thimphu town in the northern outskirts of Thimphu surrounded by pristine pine forests while DusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu is located in the heart of Thimphu town within a walking distance from one of the landmarks in Thimphu, National Memorial Chorten.
Day 2: Short Hiking to Dechen Phodrang Monastic School & Explore Thimphu
Spend a day in Thimphu where you’ll see rapid modernization taking place while still preserving ancient culture and holds on to its age-old traditions.
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, visit Royal Takin Preserve, the only animal enclosure in Bhutan where you’ll see the national animal of Bhutan, Takin (Bodurcas Taxicolor). From there drive to a nearby viewpoint called Sangay Gang overlooking Thimphu valley. The 1.5-2 hour hike begins from this viewpoint. The easy hiking adventure through the pristine pine forests from Sangay Gang to Dechen Phodran Monastic School takes about 2-hours max. En route, stop at Wangdi Tse Temple which was originally founded in 1750 and was rebuilt in 2016 because of the massive damage it sustained from the 2009 earthquake. It contains a two-story statue of Lord Buddha Sakyamuni and three sacred chortens constructed with sandalwood. Continuing from Wangdi Tse Temple, we will walk downhill following the ridge towards the Dechen Phodrang Monastic School. This Monastery became a monastic school in 1971. This is the location where the original Tashichho Dzong was built in 1216 AD by Lama Gyalwa Lhanangpa but was destroyed by fire in 1771 and subsequently moved to the present location which you can see from Wangdi Tse Temple.
A traditional lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant or a similar one. After lunch, visit Zorig Chusum where 13 traditional arts & crafts are taught, and stroll the Craft Bazaar along the main Thimphu streets. If interested, you can continue to visit the Bhutan Postal Museum where you can have stamps printed with your own photo, the Changlimithang Archery Range where you can see archers singing and dancing each time they hit the target from a whopping distance of 145m. Otherwise, you can spend the rest of the day at your hotel using state-of-the-art spa facilities.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Dinner & overnight at Zhiwaling Ascent or DusitD2 Yarkay Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu / Transfer to Punakha Valley (1200m)
After breakfast, drive to Punakha valley (74km, 3-hours drive) via the sacred mountain pass Dochula (3150m), enjoy a panoramic view of some of Bhutan’s highest mountains (weather permitting). From Dochu La Pass, we continue driving towards Punakha, passing through some villages, the elevation drops gradually, and the road winds through the pine trees. As you reach the lower valley, you’ll feel the drastic change in altitude from 3,150m just an hour and a half ago to the subtropical valley at 1,200m.
About 11km before reaching Punakha town, visit the famous 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility). After local lunch at one of the beautiful farmhouses, drive to Punakha and visit the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture, the historic 17th-century Punakha Dzong, and spend some time appreciating the intricate woodwork and sacred wall paintings. We then walk to Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge across the Phochu river. Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial rivers – Phochu (male) and Mochu (female) rivers.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Dinner and overnight at Dhensa Boutique Resort.
This 4-Star hotel is located on a hillside in the village of Wolakha about 30 minutes before reaching the historic Punakha Dzong.
Day 4: Hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten
After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, drive to the nearest road head, and hike to picturesque Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten located on a serene hilltop on the other side of the Mochu river. The hike takes you through idyllic countryside, terraced rice fields, and a short uphill climb before reaching the sacred site. The round-trip hike takes about 2.5-3 hours. After the hike, return to the road head, and drive to a beautiful picnic spot by the bank of the Mochu river where lunch will be served.
Optionally, you may also want to experience white water rafting on the Mochu river graded 1-2 making it possible for all ages to try. The best season to do rafting would be from March to May and September to November. The water level rises in summer (Jun – Aug) and subsides in winter (Dec-Feb). The rafting distance is 10-14km and takes about 2 hours from start to finish.
After lunch, visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery which is located in close proximity to Dehesa Boutique Resort overlooking partial Punakha valley and the neighboring district of Wangdue Phodrang.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Dinner and overnight at Dhensa Boutique Resort.
Day 5: Punakha / Transfer Back to Paro Valley (2200m)
Today after leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we drive back to Paro via Dochula Pass (115km, 3.5-hours drive). Lunch will be served at Dochula Cafeteria. If you are interested, you can do a short easy hike to Tashigang Gonpa from Dochula Pass. This wonderful hiking takes you downhill through forests of Juniper, Hemlock, blue pine among many others. It offers a great opportunity to photograph nature and landscapes. You’ll also come across different species of bird. The hike downhill takes about an hour to reach the Gonpa.
Tashigang Gonpa is a monastery located on top of a mountain below Dochula Pass. It was built in 1768 by the 12th Abbot of Bhutan, Je Kunga Jamtsho. The monastery houses priceless relics and several statues of past Abbots of Bhutan. Today, the monastery serves as a monastic school for dozens of monks. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the monastery and get blessings.
The driver will be waiting here at the monastery. From here, continue driving to Paro which will take about 2 hours.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Dinner and overnight at Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa.
This 4-Star hotel is located about 30 minutes from the Paro International Airport on the edge of the pristine forests above Paro valley.
Day 6: Hike to Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest (3120m)
Today after breakfast, you’ll hike to the famous and one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan. Paro Taktsang or popularly known as “Tiger’s Nest” is built on the face of a sheer 800-meter rocky cliff in Paro. The round-trip hiking normally takes about 4-5 hours for most visitors. The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. It is not only considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan but also “a must-visit” place for tourists.
Oneway horse riding is available on your way up to the mid-point (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria) for a fee of about USD20 per horse person. Horse riding is not recommended on your way down and most owners will not allow it.
After the hike, spend some leisure time exploring Paro town.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Dinner and overnight at Naksel Boutique Hotel & Spa.
Day 7: Departure from Paro International Airport
After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.
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Terms & Conditions
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation for up to 30 days prior to departure date
- 20% will be charged if cancelled 16-29 days prior to departure date
- 30% will be charged if cancelled 08-15 days prior to departure date
- 50% will be charged if cancelled 03-07 days prior to departure date
- No refund will be available if No Show or cancelled 0-02 days prior to departure date
Flights
The flight tends to get fully booked months ahead especially during the peak season. We highly recommend you book flights a few months ahead of your departure date. We can help with the arrangement of flights to and from Bhutan. There are only two airlines operating in and out of Bhutan:
- Drukair, the national flag carrier of Bhutan (www.drukair.com.bt) operates from and to these cities/International Airports: Bangkok, Bagdogra, Bodhgaya, Dhaka, Delhi, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore.
- Bhutan Airlines, a private airline introduced in 2011 (www.bhutanairlines.bt) operates from and to these cities/International Airport: Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Kathmandu
Other Important Information
- Airport pick-up and drop-off time will be coordinated depending on your flight timings
- For the purpose of processing a visa, you must send us a clear passport copy of all the participants after you book the tour. A whole biodata page including the machine-readable zone must be seen clearly. It can be either scanned or just a mobile photo shot as long as it is clear and legible. Passports should have a validity of at least SIX MONTHS from the day you depart from Bhutan.
- You’ll receive a copy of your approved e-Visa Clearance letter in PDF format within 3-4 business days from the day the visa application is submitted. You MUST print a copy of this letter and present it at the check-in counter of the airline flying into Bhutan. Without the proof of an e-Visa Clearance letter, you may be denied boarding the flight to Bhutan. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport on arrival at the Paro International Airport.
- Child(ren) below 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
- All participants between the age of 13 – 18 years old must send us a valid copy of the Student Photo ID Card/document after booking the tour.
- All our tour guides speak very fluent English. Guides speaking other major languages (Chinese, Japanese, French & German) can be arranged at an additional fee of $120 per day.
- You must let us know prior to your arrival if you have any dietary restrictions/preference.
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