OVERVIEW

HIGHLIGHTS
Trip Style: Road Trip (Self Drive / Chauffer Driven)

Duration: 10 nights / 11 days

Route: Paro – Thimphu – Punakha – Bumthang – Phobjika – Paro

Tiger’s Nest/TaksangMonastery(Paro)
Buddha Dordenma/Statue(Thimpu)
TashichoDzong(Thimpu)
Handmade Paper Factory(Thimpu)
Dochu La Pass (3100 mts)
PunakhaDzong(Punakha)
Thrumshing Pass (4050 mts)
ACTIVITY
Tsechu Festival (23-25 September 2015)
Trekking & Hiking
Art & Craft Workshops
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
Accommodation (Standard 3*/4*/5* )
Meals: As per Hotel reservations.
Bhutan Visa
Certified English speaking guide
All monument fees
All royalties and taxes applicable in Bhutan
Self Drive Car or Chauffeur Driven Car (if required)
Driving Permits/permission
Useful Road Maps.
Towing strap and air pump.
Toilet Tent.
Wireless Radio Sets.
First Aid Kit
Crew Vehicle (For big groups)
Fuel
TOUR EXCLUSIONS:
Meals not included in Hotel reservations.
International Driving License (A must carry)
Alcoholic Drinks
Insurance, tips, Personal phone calls
Airfare/train fare
Refundable Security Deposit for self Drive vehicles (USD 2000/per vehicle)
Travel Insurance.
Entry fees (Any kind)
Any cost arising out of unforeseen circumstances like ill health, Vehicle Breakdown, landslide, roadblocks, bad weather etc.
Any charges for carrying a video camera, still camera etc

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ITINERARY
DAY 1
Fly to Paro
Take a flight to Paro, site for the only International airport of Bhutan. Here your Self Drive/chauffeur Driven cars will be waiting for you to begin this exciting tour. Start driving towards Thimphu, the mystical capital of Bhutan. Overnight in Thimphu.

DAY 2
Thimphu
Start your day with a city tour accompanied by a local guide visiting famous sites like National Library that preserves ancient Tibetan texts, Buddha Dordenma that is a huge 50m tall steel statue of Buddha, zoo to see Tekin, the National animal of Bhutan. The splendid TashichoDzong that hosts the city’s biggest annual festival and an intriguing Handmade paper factory where you can buy souvenirs to take home.

DAY 3
Thimphu – Punakha (77 Kms/3hrs)
Start driving along the national highway from the cool heights of Thimphu via the Dochu La pass at 3100 mts from where you get a fantastic view of the Eastern Himalayan Ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan, Mt GangarPunsum (7520 mts), and reach the balmy, lush landscapes of Punakha valley. Once here check into the hotel and visit the town markets at leisure. Overnight in Punakha.

DAY 4
Punakha to Bumthang (90 kms/3 hrs)
Drive through valleys and pine forests overlooking breathtaking views of the Himalayas. You visit a few monasteries enroute namely the TrongsaDzong and some more and reach Bhumthang. Once there visit the Chume weaving centre before checking in at the hotel by evening.

DAY 5
Bumthang
This charming town has an individuality that separates it from other regions. It is deeply religious with legends of Guru Padmasambhava lingering in nooks and corners. Visit a few Monasteries on foot and shop at the local markets for its famous woolen material known as Yathra. Dinner will be at the hotel.

DAY 6
Bumthang –Phobjika Valley (180 kms, 5hrs)
It’s a long but scenic drive to a bowl shaped glacier valley that is home to the migratory and rare black-necked cranes and is also the most important wildlife preserves in the country. Reach the beautiful valley by evening and check into your hotel for rest & dinner.

DAY 7
Phobjika Valley
The Phobjika Valley (3000m) is home to the 15th century Gangtey monastery perched on a hillock rising from the flat valley floor. A large village whose inhabitants, Gomchens take care of the monastery surrounds it. It’s hardly touched by modernization as electricity only reached here a couple of years ago. Explore this beautiful monastery that also boasts of the largest prayer hall in Bhutan. Overnight in Phobjika.

DAY 8
Phobjika Valley–Paro (185kms/8 hrs)
Get prepared for a long but smooth drive through misty mountains and beautiful trails to enter the enthralling city of Paro. Check in at the hotel and post refreshments take a hike into the city for some sightseeing. Evening at the hotel.

DAY 9
Paro
The day can be spent visiting the Ta Dzong/National Museum which holds beautiful art & paintings representing Bhutan’s rich culture & Buddhist History. A short walk downhill will take you to the RinpungDzong that is a school for monks. Dinner will be at the hotel.

DAY 10
Paro
Today you go hiking at the most sacred spot in Bhutan called the Tiger’s Nest /Taktsang Monastery where legend says their guru Padmasambhava flew from east to west Bhutan on the back of a flying tigress to subdue the evil spirits that hindered Buddhism. Refreshments will be taken at small joints on the path. Evening will be spent at the hotel.

DAY 11
Fly Out
Time to say goodbye to our humble hosts. It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end. Hope you made great memories. Catch a flight to your desired destination from Paro.

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