BHUTAN ESCAPE **10 NIGHTS & 11 DAYS PACKAGE.
This TEN-night trip takes us to the heart of the ethereal kingdom of Bhutan. From the gravity defying Tiger’s Nest monastery to the temple of the Divine Madman, this trip combines spectacular drives, unique nature walks, and fascinating monastery visits. We journey deep into the Kingdom’s heartland exploring three distinctly different but important valleys; the bustling capital of Thimphu in a valley dotted with monuments, museums and markets; the almost tropical Punakha valley with its magnificent dzongs; and the emerald valley of Paro with its rice paddies, ancient temples.
Bhutan is located in the Eastern Himalayas. It is the world's only carbon-negative country, generating greater oxygen than what it consumes. Bhutan is an isolated country in Southeast Asia, located in the Eastern Himalayas. Bhutan is a mysterious country that appears to exist in a parallel universe.The first and foremost reason for the uniqueness of Bhutan is the happy people living in Bhutan. Perhaps, the concept of 'happiness' in the Kingdom is very much derived from the contentment that Bhutanese feel about their lives. It is also instilled through the Buddhist values of simplicity and compassion.
Arrival to Paro Thimphu The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air or Bhutan Airline, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks like Gangkar Puensum, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from*Royal Wheels India *– For Your Bhutan Experience! Will warmly welcome & greet you on arrival, and then drive you to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses, through peaceful countryside. It’s a small & charming capital city located in the heart of the Himalayas.
*Lunch will be served in Thimphu.
Sangaygang Cross Country Hike, the hike is through the pine forest and we can see Thimphu Valley and Tashichho Dzong so beautiful from this hike. The hike will take about 1hr 30mins.
Towards in the evening, we will visit Tashi Chho Dzong, seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Stroll around Thimphu town. * Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel, *Thimphu *Accommodation: Hotel Thimphu
After our breakfast at hotel, we will do sightseeing in the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu.Memorial Chhorten, built in 1974 in the memory of third king late Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy.Buddha Point, to see the tallest Buddha Statue in the world. Mothithang minizoo to see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin), Zulikha Nunnery, the Thangtong Dewachen nunnery was founded in 1976 by Rikey Jadrel and today it houses the sixty nuns engaged in Buddhist study and practices.Folk Heritage Museum, this Folk Heritage Museum is a showcase, the 19-century farmhouse and the living style of the Bhutanese family. Lunch in Thimphu town.
After lunch, visit Paper Factory, were Bhutanese Traditional Papers & paper products are made.Weaving Center produces hand-woven textiles on site and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. This is one of the few places where you can watch weavers at work,Then stroll around the town visiting to Authentic Bhutanese handicrafts.
*Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel. Accommodation: *Thimphu Hotel.
After our breakfast at hotel, we will drive to Punakha valley, the old capital of Bhutan over Dochula pass. The pass is adorned with 108 small stupas and with many prayer flags. On the clear days, you will see the panoramic view of Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges so beautifully. Then the road descends through lush forests to the fertile valley of Punakha & Wangdi Phodrang.
Visit to Chhimi Lhakhang – the temple of fertility. *Lunch will be served at Punakha.
Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. It was the winter capital of Bhutan until 1955 when the capital was permanently shifted to Thimphu. It still served as the winter resident for the central monastic body. Longest Suspension Bridge in Bhutan – walk over the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.Evening at leisure. *Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha/Wangdi Hotel.
Accommodation: Wangdi Hotel
After our breakfast at hotel, we will drive to Bumthang. The drive will take about 6hrs. The road will slowly ascend until Pelela pass (3400m). You may spot Yaks grazing along the roadside by Pele la Pass. The road descends through semi-tropical vegetation and alpine environment, with rhododendron trees and dark green dwarf bamboo. You will stop by at Chendebji Chhorten, the chorten is patterned after Swayambhunath in Kathmandu and was built in 19th century to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was killed at this spot. As you enter Trongsa valley, the huge fortress of Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan appears on the far side of a deep valley.
Diner and Overnight Stay inTrongsa
After our breakfast at hotel, we will do the following sightseeing before proceeding to Bumthang:Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong in Bhutan and it shows one of the most artistic and magnificent works of traditional Bhutanese architecture. Tower of Trongsa-Religion and Power in Bhutan. The Tower of Trongsa is a museum in which aspects of Bhutanese culture and history are explained by beautifully objects, while for others it is as scared place of encounter with the gods. Then continue the drive to Bumthang through the hairpin bends with the dense forest of rhododendron, conifers, alder and oak crossing Yotong La, 3425m. The road then comes out into a wide-open cultivated valley – which is the Chumey Valley, the first of Bumthnag’s four valleys. From here the road goes on straight until we see Jakar Dzong and then drops into bends before straightening out again in the main valley at Chamkhar. *Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang Traditional Farmhouse.
Today’s day begins with visiting * Jambay Lhakhang, which is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century. *Kurjey Lhakhang, is named after the body print of Guru Rinpoche which is preserved in a cave inside the oldest of the three buildings.
Tamshing Lhakhang – which was established by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501 and is the most important Nyingma Goenba in the country. Lunch in the Bumthang
After Lunch we will visit Mebertsho (Burning Lake) – This is a very scared lake for Bhutanese people. Terton Pema Lingpa discovered several of Guru Rinpoche’s hidden religious treasures from this lake.
Evening we will visit to Hot Stone Bath (Dhotsho) and try Traditional Archery at Farmers house.
*Dinner and overnight stay at Bumthang – Traditional Farmers House
After the breakfast, we will drive to Gangtay, Phobjikha. The drive will take about 4hours. On the way back offers another chance to view the amazing Himalayan ranges. Stop along the way to take photos wherever you find the best spot for the photography, Lunch will be at Phobjikha hotel/Pack lunch. ,Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang, which his one of the most important Lhakhang in Nyingpa Sect of school., Gangtey Natural Hike. The hike will take about 1hr 20 minutes through pine forest and farmhouses where we could see the Phobjikha Valley so beautifully. Phobjikha Valley is a glacial valley and is the winter home of the black-necked cranes. This valley is a designated conservation area and borders to Black Mountain National Park.Stroll around the Valley.
*Dinner and overnight stay at hotel, Phobjikha. Accommodation: Phobjikha Hotel.
After the breakfast, we will drive to Haa. The drive will take about 6hours. At Wangduephodrang we will visit, Wangduephodrang Dzong, founded in 1638 by Lama Zhabdrung.
The continue the journey to Haa.
Lunch will be served on the way.
Visit to Lhakhang Karpo (White Temple) – one of the 108 monasteries built ine day bye the Tibetan King Songtshen Gampo in the 7th
Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple) – one of the two monasteries in Haa valley built by Tibetan King Songtshen Gampo in the 7tStorll aroud Haa valley.
*Dinner and overnight stay at Haa Hotel. Accommodation: Haa hotel.
After our breakfast at hotel, we will drive to Paro Valley over Chelela Pass – the highest pass that the motorcar can take us in Bhutan. You will see the mountains so beautifully from the pass on clear days. The pass is adorned with so many prayer flags. Walk around the pass and enjoy the freshness and the scenic beauty of Bhutan.
Visit toKila Goenpa Nunnery– The young girls and woman pursuing the religious goals in their life. Interaction with nuns here, which is a memorable experiences in your life.
Lunch at Paro. Visit to Paro National Museum– is a cultural museum of Bhutan. Stroll around the Paro town.
*Dinner and over night stay at Paro . Accommodation: Paro hotel.
Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “TigerNest” named after Guru Rinpoche reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2hours and 30minutes up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at Taktshang cafeteria.
While coming back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (the 33rd Tibetan king, who is also the manifestation of avoloketeshivara, commonly known to Bhutanese as Chenrize). Evening at leisure, *Dinner and overnight stay at Paro Hotel.
After our breakfast, we will drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport. We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.
Flights to and from Paro are allowed under visual meteorological Conditionsonly and are restricted to daylight hours from sunrise to sunset, with additional restrictions in the afternoon during windy seasons.Paro airport was the only airport in Bhutan .
Inclusions:
➢Accommodation on a full-board basis (Breakfast & Dinner) (excluding beverages) in for 10 nights/11 days.
➢Privately day excursions with experienced Bhutanese English Speaking guide.
➢Transportations throughout the stay in Bhutan in luxury Toyota
➢Free flow of mineral water during sightseeing per person
➢Private Airport Pick up and Drop off in luxury Car
➢Wearing of Traditional Bhutanese dress (Kira) for men and (GHO) for women take a family photo while at Paro as well as departure gift.
➢A Traditional Bhutanese game (An archery) lesson for two hours while at Paro.
➢One Bhutan Sim card for each family member.
➢Daily SDF/Visa Fee
➢Lunch
➢Fare well dinner with traditional Bhutanese cultural program on the last day.
➢Long life blessing for the family while at Paro in one of the oldest temple in Bhutan.
Package Does Not Include:
➢International Air fare beside above mentioned.
➢Refreshments and bottled drinks and alcohol.
➢Tips/gratuities
➢Cost arising out of Flight Cancellation/road blockades/ landslides and events beyond our control.
➢Expenses of personal nature and any other expenses not mentioned in the above cost.
➢Sightseeing/monument entrance fees
TRAVEL INSUARENCE
It is strongly recommended that you be insured against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services) and that you also take out cancellation insurance. You should be aware that some policies restrict coverage or do not cover travel to Bhutan and may not cover activities such as trekking (and mountain bike). Please ensure that your policy provides a sufficient level of protection and covers you for the activities involved. You must carry proof of insurance (e.g. your insurance certificate) with you to Bhutan.
PLEASE NOTE
This itinerary is intended as a guide only. Local conditions and weather may necessitate variations to the programmed which can affect the availability of views and panoramas described. Please be aware that all times stated are approximate, and may vary with individual and group fitness and interest levels.
