bhutan

Bhutan
Bhutan is an exotic land of Mahayana Buddhism, pristine environment, high mountains, alpine forests and lush valleys. Bhutan is a Himalayan Kingdom fascinated by the immense natural beauty coupled with its unique culture and ancient traditions - as yet, untouched by outside influences. It is fast emerging from centuries of self imposed isolation Bhutan, hidden in the eastern Himalayas. With a purpose to minimize external influences on their land and culture, Bhutan has chosen to stay isolated for years.

Bhutan has become the world's most exclusive tourist destination. Bhutan, approx the size of Switzerland, covers an area of 47, 000 sq. KM & has a population of less that 700, 000 inhabitants. These figures however do not reflect the incredible geographical & ecological diversity of the country nor its natural wealth. The range of altitudes revel its variety, rising from 300m on the Indian frontier to 7, 300m on the Tibet border. The land is reminiscent of a gigantic staircase.

With the emerge of modern transportation facilities; it has been easier and comfortable to experience the warm hospitality of its friendly people, the carefree Bhutanese lifestyle and the culture of the peaceful haven. Magnificent scenery, fortresses form the past that is awesome in design & monasteries with traditional & unique style.

TIGER’S NEST

Day 01: Arrival at Paro.
Fly from Kathmandu or Delhi to Paro, meet with our representative and check in at the hotel.
Day 02: Paro sightseeing
Visit Rinpung Dzong, the National Museum and walk around in the town. After lunch, and later visit Kyichu Lhakhang and time permitting, visit the ruins of Drugyel Dzong.
Day 03: Paro – Thimphu / sightseeing
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. En-route, visit the Semtokha Dzong. Continue to Thimphu city and visit the Memorial Chorten. Later, visit the Textile museum, handicrafts emporium, the General Post office and the shops to restock your supplies.

Day 04: Thimphu sightseeing
Drive to the BBS view point, and then visit the Takin Preserve, the Nunnery, the National Library, the School of 13 Arts and Crafts Zorig Chusum. Also visit the Folk Heritage Museum.

Day 05: Thimphu to Punakha
Continue after breakfast to Punakha and stop at Dochula (3280 mts / MSL) from where weather permitting, you will have a beautiful view of the snowcapped mountains. Enroute visit, Chimi Lhakhang. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong and the small town of Khuruthang. If time permits hike up to the Khamsum Yoelley Namgyal Chorten.

Day 06: Punakha sightseeing
Full day hike in the Punakha valley, visiting villages and farmers and witnessing their daily lives

Day 07: Punakha to Trongsa
Stop over at Wangdue Phodrang and visit the Wangdue Dzong. After crossing Pelela (3390 mts/MSL) enroute, stop at Chendepji.

Day 08: Trongsa sightseeing / Bumthang
In the morning, visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. Built on many levels of a ridge, it can be seen from every approach to Trongsa. Continue drive to Bumthang across Yotongla (3425 mts/MSL). Enroute, stop at Zhugney to see the traditional weaving of Yathra, the woolen fabric in numerous colors and patterns.Visit to the Jambey and Kurjey Lhakhang, the oldest monasteries in the Kingdom.

Day 09: Bumthang / sightseeing
Walk up to Tamshing Monastery, founded by Terton Pema Lingpa, where about 200 monks reside, then visit the Swiss farm and taste sweet cheese, apple brandy and locally brewed wine and bear. Visit other numerous temples in the valley.

Day 10:Bumthang / To Ura and back
Drive to URA valley, one of the four major valleys in Bumthang. The drive takes around 1.5 hrs approx. and is a place worth visiting. Visit Ura lhakhang and some local houses to see the daily lives of the villagers.
On your way back, enroute drive to Tang valley and visit Meebartsho (burning lake), where Terton Pema Lingpa was led by mystic forces to discover spiritual treasures at the bottom of the lake. This is considered one of the most holy places for Buddhist pilgrimage.

Day 11: Bumthang to Punakha
After breakfast, drive back to Punakha. Check in at hotel in Punakha and rest.
Day 12: Punakha to Paro
Drive leisurely to Paro and if need be, drive into Thimphu for shopping and supplies.

Day 13: Visit to Taktsang, the TIGER’S NEST
After breakfast, drive till base of Taktsang then hike up to Taktsang Monastery. Later, time permitting, drive till Chelela pass (3822 mts/MSL) . The highest pass you will be visiting in Bhutan during your current tour). Beautiful scenes can be viewed of the snow peaked mountains and the valley from here.

Day 14: Transfer to Paro Airport and fly to Delhi or Kathmandu

Day 15: Free for optional tour.

Day 16: Departure Transfer to Airport for your onward flight

NEPAL – SIKKIM – BHUTAN – NEPAL

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: Welcome by our representative and transfer to your Hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing of Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan called the City of Artist and three King’s City in the valley.

Day 03: Kathmandu: Sightseeing of Boudhanath – one of the biggest Stupa in the world, Pashupatinath – the Hindus Pilgrimage as well cremation place and Bhaktapur also called Bhadgaon – the city of farmers.

Day 04: Kathmandu – Darjeeling (India):
After breakfast fly to Bhdrapur and drive to Kakarvitta (Nepal-India border), after custom formalities drive to Darjeeling.

Day 05: Darjeeling: Early morning visit Tiger hill for sunrise view over the Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalaya. After breakfast short drive with toy train, visit tea garden, observatory hill which has Hindu and Buddhist shrines.

Day 06: Darjeeling – Pemayangtse:
After breakfast drive to Pemayangtse (118 km.) west Sikkim and visit Monasteries.

Day 07: Pemayamgtse – Gangtok (capital town of Sikkim):
After breakfast drive to Gangtok (112 Km.), on the way visit Rumtek Monastery – is the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa Lama.

Day 08: Gangtok :
Sightseeing of Enchey Monastery, Institute of Tibetology, Do-Drul Chorten an impressive stupa and Government Institute of Cottage Industries for carved low tables, thanka painting and carpets.

Day 09: Gangtok:
Half day sightseeing of north Sikkim and visit Phodong Monastery – one of the six major monasteries in Sikkim.

Day 10: Gangtok – Kalimpong:
Drive to Kalingpong (75 km.), visit Kalimpong’s famous flower nurseries and Kalimpong Art and Craft Center.

Day 11: Kalimpong – Siliguri:
After Sunrise views from monastery and the enchanting mountain views in the morning, drive to Siliguri.

Day 12: Siliguri – Thimpu (capital of Bhutan):
Early morning drive 3 hours to Phuntsholing (India – Bhutan border) and after breakfast & custom formalities drive to Thimpu.

Day 13: Thimpu:
Sightseeing of Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, Folk Heritage Museum Takin Sancturay etc.

Day 14: Thimpu – Paro:

Drive 2 hours to Paro and sightseeing of Paro Valley.

Day 15: Paro: Walk by foot or ride on horse up to Taktsang Monastery about two hours. Lunch in a beautiful rest house close to the monastery.
Day 16: Paro – Kathmandu:

After breakfast transfer to Airport for Kathmandu flight and transfer to your Hotel.

Day 17: Kathmandu – Chitwan:
After breakfast drive to Chitwan National Park by jeep or tourist Bus.

Day 18: Chitwan:
Ride on Elephant, Jungle walk, bird watching, sun set view etc.

Day 19: Chitwan – Kathmandu:
After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu. Afternoon free.

Day 20: Free for optional tour or shopping.
Day 21: Departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.

NEPAL – SIKKIM – BHUTAN – NEPAL

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: Welcome by our representative and transfer to your Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing of Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan called the City of Artist and three King’s City in the valley.

Day 03: Kathmandu: Sightseeing of Boudhanath – one of the biggest Stupa in the world, Pashupatinath – the Hindus Pilgrimage as well cremation place and Bhaktapur also called Bhadgaon – the city of farmers.

Day 04: Kathmandu – Darjeeling (India):
After breakfast fly to Bhdrapur and drive to Kakarvitta (Nepal-India border), after custom formalities drive to Darjeeling.

Day 05: Darjeeling: Early morning visit Tiger hill for sunrise view over the Kanchenjunga and the eastern Himalaya. After breakfast short drive with toy train, visit tea garden, observatory hill which has Hindu and Buddhist shrines.

Day 06: Darjeeling – Pemayangtse:
After breakfast drive to Pemayangtse (118 km.) west Sikkim and visit Monasteries.

Day 07: Pemayamgtse – Gangtok (capital town of Sikkim):
After breakfast drive to Gangtok (112 Km.), on the way visit Rumtek Monastery – is the seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa Lama.

Day 08: Gangtok :
Sightseeing of Enchey Monastery, Institute of Tibetology, Do-Drul Chorten an impressive stupa and Government Institute of Cottage Industries for carved low tables, thanka painting and carpets.

Day 09: Gangtok:
Half day sightseeing of north Sikkim and visit Phodong Monastery – one of the six major monasteries in Sikkim.

Day 10: Gangtok – Kalimpong:
Drive to Kalingpong (75 km.), visit Kalimpong’s famous flower nurseries and Kalimpong Art and Craft Center.

Day 11: Kalimpong – Siliguri:
After Sunrise views from monastery and the enchanting mountain views in the morning, drive to Siliguri.

Day 12: Siliguri – Thimpu (capital of Bhutan):
Early morning drive 3 hours to Phuntsholing (India – Bhutan border) and after breakfast & custom formalities drive to Thimpu.

Day 13: Thimpu:
Sightseeing of Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong, Folk Heritage Museum Takin Sancturay etc.

Day 14: Thimpu – Paro:
Drive 2 hours to Paro and sightseeing of Paro Valley.

Day 15: Paro: Walk by foot or ride on horse up to Taktsang Monastery about two hours. Lunch in a beautiful rest house close to the monastery.

Day 16: Paro – Kathmandu: After breakfast transfer to Airport for Kathmandu flight and transfer to your Hotel.

Day 17: Kathmandu – Chitwan:
After breakfast drive to Chitwan National Park by jeep or tourist Bus.

Day 18: Chitwan: Ride on Elephant, Jungle walk, bird watching, sun set view etc.

Day 19: Chitwan – Kathmandu:After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu. Afternoon free.

Day 20: Free for optional tour or shopping.

Day 21: Departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight.

NEPAL – BHUTAN – NEPAL

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu: Welcome by our representative and transfer to your Hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing of Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan called the City of Artist and three King’s City in the valley.

Day 03: Kathmandu: Sightseeing of Boudhanath – one of the biggest Stupa in the world, Pashupatinath – the Hindus Pilgrimage as well cremation place and Bhaktapur also called Bhadgaon – the city of farmers.

Day 04: Kathmandu – Paro (Bhutan): Transfer to Airport and fly to Paro (Bhutan) and transfer to your Hotel.

Day 05: Visit to Taktsang, the TIGER’S NEST
After breakfast, drive till base of Taktsang then hike up to Taktsang Monastery. Later, time permitting, drive till Chelela pass (3822 mts/MSL). The highest pass you will be visiting in Bhutan during your current tour). Beautiful scenes can be viewed of the snow peaked mountains and the valley from here.

Day 06: Paro –Thimphu / sightseeing
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. Enroute, near Thimphu, visit the Semtokha Dzong. Continue to Thimphu city and visit the Memorial Chorten.

Day 07: Thimphu to Punakha
Continue after breakfast to Punakha and stop at Dochula (3280 mts / MSL) from where weather permitting, you will have a beautiful view of the snowcapped mountains. Enroute visit, Chimi Lhakhang. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong and the small town of Khuruthang. If time permits hike up to the Khamsum Yoelley Namgyal Chorten.

Day 08: Punakha – Bumthang( 2600 m.): Drive to Bumthang via Trongsa is 220 Km. and takes approx. 7 hours. There will be short break at Trongsa for refreshment and the lunch will be provided Pelela (3300 m.) and drive to Bumthang.

Day 09: Bumthang / sightseeing
Walk up to Tamshing Monastery, founded by Terton Pema Lingpa, where about 200 monks reside, then visit the Swiss farm and taste sweet cheese, apple brandy and locally brewed wine and bear. Visit other numerous temples in the valley.

Day 10: Bumthang to Thimpu (2350 m.):
After breakfast, sightseeing of Trongsa valley and drive to Thimpu.
D
ay 11: Paro – Kathmandu:
Early breakfast at Hotel, transfer to Paro for Kathmandu flight. Arrival transfer to Hotel.

Day 12: Kathmandu – Chitwan:
Breakfast at Hotel, transfer to Chitwan National Park – The Asia’s finest national parks is only 150 meters above sea level.

Day 13: Elephant ride, Canoeing and Jungel Safari:
Inhabitants include over 40 species of mammals, including tiger, leopard, gaur, wild boar, sambar deer, jungle cats, sloth bear etc. The one horned Rhino sightseeing are expecially common around Sauraha, where they occasionally wander onto the grounds of lodges.

Day 14: Chitwan – Kathmandu:
Early morning jungle trek for bird watching, after breakfast drive to kathmandu.
Day 15: Departure transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight

NOTES:

1. National Museum - Paro: Opening Hours:
Tuesday-Saturday: 9A.M - 4P.M.
Sunday: 11A.M. - 4P.M.
Monday & National Holidays- Closed.

2. The School of Arts & Crafts (Commonly known as the Painting School)- Thimphu: Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 2P.M. - 4P.M.
Saturday: 9A.M. -12A.M.
Closed on Sundays, National Holidays and winter holidays ( 17 Dec - )

3. The National Library - Thimphu: Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9A.M. - 5P.M.(Summer): 9AM – 4PM(Winter).
Saturday/Sunday & National Holidays- Closed.

4. National Textile Museum - Thimphu: Visiting hours
Monday – Sunday: 9a.m - 4p.m (summer timing)
Monday – Sunday: 9a.m - 3p.m (winter timing)

Closed on National holidays.

5. Institute of Traditional Medicine – Thimphu
Monday – Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM (summer), 9 AM – 4 PM (winter)
Saturdays & Sundays and Public holidays - closed.
Visits allowed only till museum and the library. Therapy and pharmaceutical unit are restricted.

6. Folk Heritage Museum - Thimphu
Monday – Friday : 9a.m. – 5 p.m. (summer)
Saturday : 10:30 am – 1 pm
Sunday : 11:30 – 4 pm

7. Punakha Dzong: closed in winter when monk body is in Punakha

8. All visits to Dzongs and Monasteries limited till courtyard only.

9.Visit to Tashichodzong allowed only after office hours (after 4 pm) in winter when monk body is not in Thimphu

DRIVING TIME BETWEEN VARIOUS PLACES IN BHUTAN:-
Mode of transport within Bhutan is by motor vehicles only. There are no domestic airlines and trains. However, motor roads are well maintained and connected to all major sightseeing places. The main lateral highway runs from west to east connecting all the major towns. The mountainous terrain and winding road restrict the average speed of vehicles to less than about 40 Km/hour.
During the monsoon months, sometimes rains could disrupt the road conditions, and unexpected changes might occur, but every effort within BTCL’s capacity will be made to stick as close to your program as possible.

FROM

DISTANCE (Km.)

DRIVING TIME appr.

Thimphu

Paro

2hrs

Thimphu

Phuentsholing

179

6hrs

Thimphu

Gangtey

133

5hrs 30 min

Thimphu

Wangdue Phodrang

3hrs

Thimphu

Punakha

3hrs. 15min

Paro

Chelela

Haa

Punakha

Gangtey

3 hrs

Punakha

Wangdue Phodrang

45min

Punakha

Paro

143

5 hrs

Wangdue Phodrang

Trongsa

129

4hrs. 30min

Trongsa

Bumthang

2hrs. 30min

Punakha

Bumthang

210

7 hrs. 55 min

Bumthang

Mongar

198

7hrs

Mongar

Lhuentse

3hrs

Mongar

Trashigang

4hrs

Trashigang

Chorten Kora/

Tashi Yangtse

1hr. 30min

Trashigang

Khaling

1 hr 45 min

Phuentsholing

Bagdora (India)

175

5hrs

Phuentsholing	Siliguri (India)	150	4hrs
*Trashigang	SamdrupJongkhar	180	6hrs
* SamdrupJongkhar	Phuentsholing	380	10 hrs
Phuentsholing	Gauhati	342	9 hrs
Paro	Haa	65	2.30 hrs
Thimphu	Haa	110	4 hrs

* Note: Road closed due to security reason.

Passes along the way

1. Thimphu to Punakha - Dochula Pass - 3280 mts. / 10,758 fts.

2. Punakha to Trongsa - Pelela Pass - 3390 mts. / 11,119 fts.

3. Trongsa – Bumthang - Yotongla Pass - 3425 mts. / 11,234 fts.

4. Bumthang – Mongar - Thrumsingla Pass - 3554 mts. / 11,657 fts.

5. Paro – Haa via Chelela - Chelela Pass - 3822 mts. / 12,536 fts.

Of the above, Thrumsingla Pass on the east-west national highway is considered the highest motor able road in Bhutan. Chelela is not counted because it does not lie on the national highway.

CLIMATE

Bhutan has four distinct seasons. Spring is the most beautiful time of the year in the Kingdom. The fierce cold that characterises the winter months tends to subside towards the beginning of March (around the Bhutanese New Year, Lhosar). Rhododendrons begin to bloom. At the height of spring, the forests comes to life with spectacular colours of the rhododendron blossom.

The annual monsoon from the Bay of Bengal affects the south and the central regions. The mountainous north is inhabited in the summer months when nomads return to the higher pastures to tend to their yak herds. The monsoons often disrupt roads and flights during the rainy months of late June, July, August and September.

The end of the monsoon, also a popular time to visit, marks the beginning of autumn. The days are filled with fabulous cobalt skies and warm weather. October and November bring shorter days and cooler evenings. The days remain lovely with crisp clear blue skies. Views over the high Himalayas are usually only possible from October to March. Come end of November, and the weather takes on its winter coat. The days remain crisp and sunny, and the nights turn cold.

The southern plains close to the Indian border are warmer and more tropical than the higher central valleys. Being much lower, a more temperate climate and considerably warmer winters prevail.

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE:- (In Degree Celcius)

Source: Meteorology Unit, Department of Power, Ministry of Trade and Industries, Thimphu.

Telephone: 00975-2-323703

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