Bhutan Cultural Tour

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Trip Introduction

A glimpse of a magical world where past and present merge, traditions live and the spiritual and material are undistinguished and indivisible aspects of every facet of life.

This Himalayan Kingdom calls itself Druk Yul, Land of the Thunder Dragon, and carefully guards the traditions of its past. Little touched by the outside world the traditions of art and architecture and, most importantly, religion are upheld. The modern world is admitted only cautiously. The result allows you an encounter with a stunning, pristine landscape of forest and mountains, a proud, friendly people and a vibrant, living religious tradition.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival Paro International airport / transfer to Thimpu (2300m) – 2 hrs. drive
Day 02: Thimpu sightseeing
Day 03: Thimpu - Punakha (1250m.) 3-4 hrs. drive
Day 04: Excursion to Gangtey (2890m.) - Wangdiphodrang (1460m.) 5-6 hrs. drive
Day 05: Wangdiphodrang - Paro (2260m.) 3-4 hrs. drive
Day 06: Paro - hike to Taksang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
Day 07: Departure 

Day 01: Arrival Paro International airport / transfer to Thimpu (2300m) – 2 hrs. drive
During the flight, on a clear day, you can see breathtaking views of the Himalaya Mountains, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake Peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. 

If time permit in the afternoon you can visit the following places:

-Kyichu Lhakhang
-Paro Dzong

In the evening you can drive to the capital town of Thimphu.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Dinner

Day 02: Thimpu sightseeing
There are a good many things to see in the capital which has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small having a population of approximately 45,000 people and the streets are wide and tree lined. You will almost certainly visit the Late King's Memorial Chorten, the National Library, Drubthob Nunnery, Folk Heritage Museum, the handmade paper factory, the school of arts and crafts where young students learn the traditional arts and crafts (Zo Rig Chusum – the thirteen crafts), Gold and the Silver Smiths workshop, Zangtopelri Lhakhang, and the Handicraft Emporium and the local handicraft centers to see the weavers at work and also varieties of textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, jewellery etc

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03: Thimpu / Punakha (1250m.) 3-4 hrs. drive
After breakfast you will drive to Punakha, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. After lunch at Wangduephodrong continue to drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1636. 

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04: Excursion to Gangtey (2890m.) / Wangdiphodrang (1460m.) – 5-6 hrs. drive
Visit Gangety (Phobjikha) Is one of the few flacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home for Black Neck Cranes Which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters. Explore Phobjikha valley and also visit to Gangtey Monastery the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan.  Evening you will return to Wangdiphodrang for overnight stay. 

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05: Wangdiphodrang / Paro (2260m.) – 3-4 hrs. drive
Today we drive along the winding mountain road to Paro. Afternoon, tour of Bhutan's national museum, a fascinating place housed in an old watchtower above the huge Paro Dzong (monastery/fortress). The museum holds a fantastic collection of Bhutanese national treasures ranging from ancient armour to textiles and thangkha paintings. Then, we drive to the head of the valley and visit Drukgyel Dzong built in a location that was chosen for its control over the route to Tibet. A spectacular view of Mount. Jumolhari (23,996ft /7314m) can be seen from here. Also visit Rinpung Dzong and a typical Bhutanese farm house.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 06: Paro - hike to Taksang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monestery makes for a nice half-day excursion. After lunch you can visit other important site which you could not complete previous days.

Accommodation: Hotel, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07: Departure 
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport to connect flight for onward destination

Meals: Breakfast

Dates & Prices

We have Join-in small group with fixed departure dates so, please kindly check our departure date list as given below and select one from them or if you couldn’t find the suitable date for your travel schedule, please contact us and we will help you to plan a holiday according to your schedule. And also please note that this is tailor-made tour. You can add or reduce the days as per your time availability. All tailor-made trip or same trip can be organized on private basis.

Trip Start Date Trip End Date Trip Price Status

Bhutan Cultural Tour

Gene B

United States

2013-12-24

This was one of our best trips ever! The guides and drivers were exceptional. Our interests are plants and animals. Our guide and driver customized our trip and went far out of their way to be helpful. The Eco Hotel in Kathmandu upgraded us to a suite when we came back before our departure home. The hotel staff in Kathmandu went out of their way to make us feel welcome. The view from our hotel in Bandipur, Nepal was breathtaking and world class.

When you see the Himalayas reflected in Fewa Lake in Pokara, you have seen one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The monasteries in Bhutan were stunning, especially Tiger's Nest. The guide and driver in Bhutan were very well educated and knowledgeable. The guide in Chitwan took us to see baby elephants, on an elephant ride and a boat trip with numerous bird sightings. There were excellent vegetarian choices in the hotel in Chitwan. Thank you to Friendship Tours for a GREAT TRIP!

Bhutan Cultural Tour

Chris Wells & Stephene Goodrich

United States

2009-05-06

My sister and I traveled in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan for 2 weeks with Friendship Tours. The trip, including all the internal airflights, visas and accommodations was arranged by Roka, the manager of Friendship Tours.  He certainly did his very best to make this an enjoyable adventure.  Our hotel in Kathmandu, Yak and Yeti was first rate with a great outdoor swimming pool, health spa and beautiful gardens.  The Potala Palace tour was the highlight of our 3 days in Tibet.  However, the accommodations at the Manasarovar Hotel in Lhasa left a lot to be desired.  We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the kingdom of Bhutan, our guide and driver were exceptionally friendly and informative about their country's culture. 
 
The last stop on our adjenda was the Royal Chitwan National Park.  Although the accommodations at the Machan Paradise View were rather spartan, we enjoyed the elephant safari ride, looking for rhinos and other big game. Roka and his staff of guides and drivers made this an exciting and enjoyable trip to be remembered. 

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What is Included in the Cost

    • Warn welcome in airport & transfer hotel
    • Airport pick-up and drop-off using private vehicle
    • Twin share hotel accommodation at respective hotels on BB (Bed & Breakfast) basis 
    • Lunch & Dinner
    • All sightseeing with local English speaking guide
    • All transfer by private vehicle; it is depend on group size
    • Necessary entrance fees as per itinerary

What is Excluded in the Cost

    • International flight ticket.
    • Bhutan visa fee US$ 40.00 and TDF US$ 10 per person
    • Beverage and expenses of personal nature.
    • Any Optional Sightseeing Tours and extension of tours, hotel accommodation etc.
    • Tips to guide, porters, drivers etc.
    • Personal Insurance.

personal information

  • Mr.
  • Ms.
  • Dr.

trips information

  • Mt. Everest Flight
  • Air Ticket
  • Airport Pickup

Trip Facts

  • Trip Code: ftb004
  • Trip duration: 7 Days
  • Grade: Easy
  • Group size: 12
  • Max-Altitude: 2890m.
  • Activity: Sightseeing Tours
  • Starts in: Paro
  • Ends in: Paro
  • Accomodation: Hotel
  • Transportation: Private Transport
  • Best Time: Feb - Jun & Sep - Nov.
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Cell: +9779851081841 (Wechat/Whatsapp/Viber etc.).

E-Mail: sales@friendshiptravels.com or tournepal@gmail.com