BHUTAN –
Happiness is a Place !
OUR TOUR
Which We find
In Bhutan
_______________________________________________________
Thimphu-Trongsa-Bumthang-Punakha-Paro
10 Days / 09
Nights
Date: 12 Apr –
21 Apr’ 2017
Following Itinerary especially designed for Patel’s
By Deepak Tamang. of Raven
Tours and Treks in Bhutan
ABOUT BHUTAN
About the size of Switzerland,
this
kingdom of Bhutan of just over
750,000 people is the first and
the
only country in the world that
measures its development through
the happiness of its people.
Bhutan
follows a development philosophy
called Gross National Happiness
(GNH), which values environment,
culture, tradition and its
distinct way
of life more than economic
development.
Bhutan is a country where magic
and
the occult meets reality. This
country
is a bound with stories of
flying
dragons, mountain gods, and
local
deities residing in lakes,
ponds, rocks and even trees.
MONEY
Bhutan’s currency is the
Ngultrum (Nu.) It is at par with the Indian rupee which is accepted as legal
tender in the
country.
ATMs are located within all main
towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or
MasterCard. For concerned
travelers a list of ATM locations throughout Bhutan is found
here: http://www.bob.bt/contact-us/atm-locator/.
In addition, POS (Point of Sale)
services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at
most
hotels and handicrafts stores.
VISA
Tourists must obtain a visa
clearance prior to travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online
system by
your licensed Bhutanese tour
operator, directly or through a foreign travel agent.
You are required to send the
photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your
visa.
The visa will be processed by
the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday
(including a
USD $40 visa fee) has been wire
transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received the visa
clearance
will be processed within 72
working hours.
At your point of entry you will
be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped
into your
passport.
LANGUAGE
English is the medium of
instruction in schools in Bhutan. Apart from the monastic schools where
Dzongkha and the
Tibetan languages are the medium
of instruction, all modern schools teach in English. As such English is the
most
used official language of
communication although the government is making serious attempts to popularize
the use
of Dzongkha.
CLIMATE
Bhutan’s generally dry spring
starts in early March and lasts until mid-April. Summer weather commences in
mid-
April with occasional showers
and continues to late June. The heavier summer rains last from late June
through late
September which are more
monsoonal along the southwest border.
Autumn, from late September or early
October to late November, follows the rainy season. It is characterized by
bright, sunny days and some
early snowfalls at higher elevations.
Snow Capped Mountains from
Dochula Pass Picture with kids near fertility temple
Best Months March, April, October, November
Good Months January, February, May, September, December
Lean Months June, July, August
WHAT TO BRING
DURING YOUR TRIP TO BHUTAN
Fleece Jacket/Warm winter
jackets
Hiking shoes
Warm clothes
Sun block cream
Sun Hats
Sun glasses
Sneakers
Long sleeve and short
t-shirts/wicking
Trekking poles
Day Pack
Rain Jacket
CHECK LISTS TO
BHUTAN
Passport (valid for six months
from the date of travel) and a photocopy of the picture page to carry
separately.
One other picture ID, such as
driver’s license (in case of emergency and for use as a substitute passport).
Copies of e-Tickets.
Copy of Visa (to submit to the
Immigration on your arrival)
MasterCard, Visa and debit cards
are accepted in Bhutan. However traveler’s cheques and some cash are highly
recommended. ATM’s are available
in Thimphu and Paro.
Mobile Phone: if your cell phone
is from T-Mobile USA or AT&T (USA) then your phone will work in Bhutan.
DRESS CODE FOR
VISITING FORTRESS AND MONASTERIES
Shirt (either half or full
sleeve)
Full pants/long skirts
Any type of shoes with socks
No Hats, No Umbrella, No
Slippers/sandals, No t-shirts, No short skirt and No half-pants
Photographs allowed in the
courtyard only.
AVERAGE
TEMPERATURE DURING YOUR TRIP
Max: 25 Degree Celsius
Min: 15 Degree Celsius
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Overview
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Thimphu: Largest Sitting
Budha, Memorial Chorten, Tashichho Dzong Fortress, Takin, Weekend Market,
Authentic Craft Bazar, Post Office,
Tango Monastery Hike, Hand Made
Paper Factory and stroll around the town of Thimphu.
Trongsa: Trongsa
Fortress, museum and trongsa town.
Bumthang: Bumthang
village, Tamzing Temple, Kurjey Monastery, town.
Punakha: Dochula Pass,
Rhododendron Festival, Punakha Fortress, Fertility Temple, Nunnery, Kham Sum
Yule Hike, Talo village
Paro: Paro
FestivalHike to Tiger’s Nest, Paro Museum, Farm House, Stroll around the town
of Paro, Day excursion to Haa valley
Destination
Nights Basis
Thimphu 2 FB+
Trongsa 1 FB+
Bumthang 2 FB+
Punakha 2 FB+
Paro 2 FB+
B&B: Bed and breakfast I FB+:
Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities
daily I
12 APR 2017:
PARO - THIMPHU (1 Hour Drive). Altitude: 2320m/7656ft above sea level
Thimphu is a bustling town on
the banks of the Thimphu Chhu and set gloriously in the hills of the Thimphu
valley. It
is home to the Bhutanese Royal
Family, the Royal Government to several foreign missions and development
projects. Bhutan’s only golf
course, a nine-hole circuit is also located in Thimphu. Thimphu is the only
capital city in
the world that has no MacDonald,
star bucks, bill boards and traffic lights. A must see city that has truly set
an
example. It is also a place for
trekking, bicycling, motor biking and bird watching.
Memorial Chorten in Thimphu
Scenic view of Thimphu valley from the view point
Later after your check in
formalities are over you will visit, Memorial Chorten, Kuenschholing View
Point(Largest
sitting
Buddha),
Wekend Market: People from all
walks of life come to buy vegetable and fruits from farmers across
the country,
Tashichho
Dzong(Fortress), It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office
of the
king, and the central monk body.
13 APR 2017:
THIMPHU
Today you will hike to Kuensel
Phodrang Nature Hike: The hike starts from the largest sitting budha for
about 45
minutes and it passes through
the chirpine forest . You also get a chance to see the Thimphu valley., Mini
Zoo: Here
you can see just one animal -
Bhutan’s national - the Takin General Post Office: Get an insight into
Bhutan through
its stamps and get your stamps
out of your own picture. Hand Made Paper Factory: The handmade paper
making in
Bhutan stemmed from the age old
tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history,
Authentic Craft
Bazar,
Later stroll
around the city of Thimphu.
Overnight in Thimphu.
14 APR 2017:
THIMPHU – TRONGSA (8 Hours Drive). Altitude: 2200m /7260ft above
sea level.
Trongsa forms the central hub of
the kingdom and is historically the place from where attempts at unifying the
country where launched. This
town is situated on a steep ridge and offers spectacular views of the deep
valleys
surrounding it. The various
hotels, guesthouses and restaurants all offer stunning views from their
balconies.
Trongsa also boasts an
impressive museum. The watchtower of Trongsa has been converted into a museum.
It is also
an heaven for birdwatchers and
hikers.
Early morning after breakfast
drive to Trongsa valley. On the way stop at Dochula Pass: Whereby you
can take
pictures of snow capped
Himalayas and take pictures over a cup of tea or coffee, Visit the Royal
Botanical Park for
the Rhododendron
Festival: It is the country’s first recreational Park which is within
accessible distance from the
capital city, Thimphu. The park
attracts lots of visitors which include birdwatchers, travelers, picnickers.
Continue your drive to Trongsa
via Pelela Pass, beautiful landscapes and villages.
Overnight in Trongsa.
Dochula Pass Trongsa Fortress
15 APR 2017:
TRONGSA – BUMTHANG (4 Hours Drive). Altitude: 2600m/ 8580ft above sea
level.
This fascinating valley is the
religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist
temples and
monasteries. Its gentle sloping
hills offer plenty of walking opportunities to the many temples that dot this
valley.
The valley is also famous for
its production of honey, cheese, apples and the yathra- a woolen material that
has
multiple uses. It also has some
famous villages that boast of ancient history and hikes. Horse ride, naked
festival,
treks, hikes and camping are
some of the activities we can do here.
Visit, Trongsa
Dzong: Built in 1648, it was the seat of power over central and eastern
Bhutan. Both the first and
second kings of Bhutan ruled the
country from this ancient seat, Trongsa Museum: Situated strategically
above the
Trongsa dzong, the Ta Dzong
served as the watch tower for centuries. It was built in 1652, Kunga Rabten:
It used to
be the winter palace of the 2nd
King. The building has a superb wood work and decorations and presently part of
the
palace is used as a library, On
the way visit Chumey village where you will find collection of textiles made
out of
sheep wools. Kurjey
Monastery:Means body print. It dates back to 8th century when Guru Rimpoche
first visited
Bhutan, Tamzing Monastery: “Temple
of good message”. It was built by Terton Pema Lingpa (Treasure Discoverer) in
1501AD.
Overnight in Bumthang.
16 APR 2017: IN
BUMTHANG
Day excursion
to Ogyenchholing Palace: The village of Ogyen choling is located in the
upper part of Tang valley in
the Bumthang district in the
central part of Bhutan.
Overnight in Bumthang.
Kurjey Temple Mask Dance
17 APR 2017:
BUMTHANG – PUNAKHA/WANGDUE ( 8 Hours Drive). Altitude:
1350m/4455ft above sea level
Punakha narrates lots on the
histories of Bhutan. It served as the capital of the country from 1637 to 1907
and the
first national assembly was
hosted here in 1953. It has the second oldest and second largest dzong in
Bhutan and
one of the most majestic
structures in the country. On October 13, 2011, the wedding of the 5th King of
Bhutan, was
held at the Punakha Dzong. This
place boasts of low altitude trek, rafting, kayaks, camping, bicycling and
birdwatching.
Morning drive to
Punakha/Wangdue. On the way visit Gangtey valley and its Monastery.
Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
18 APR 2017:
PUNAKHA/WANGDUE
Morning hike
to, Kham Sum Yule Lhakhang (Monastey), Talo Village: The village of
Talo (alt. 2,800m/9240ft) which
is scattered along the hill
slopes, known for its cleanliness and hygiene among Punakha villages, Punakha
Dzong(Fortress):
Built
in 1637 this majestic fortress is built in-between two rivers. The fortress
also boasts about
displaying itself of unique
Bhutanese architecture, Punakha Nunnery: Perched on a ridge amid pine
trees and
overlooking valleys of Punakha
and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Nunnery Temple.
Overnight in Punakha/Wangdue.
19 APR 2017:
PUNAKHA/WANGDUE TO PARO. (4 HOURS DRIVE). Altitude: 2280m/7524ft above sea
level.
This beautiful valley is home to
many Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and temples. The country’s only airport is in
Paro.
The valley is also home to Mount
Chomolhari(7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose
glacier
water forms the Pachu flowing
through the valley. This is also the home to some of the famous Treks such as
Jumolhari and Druk Path trek. It
is also a destination for bicycling, motorbiking and birdwatching.
Punakha Dzong(Fortress) Farmer
at the Tiger’s Nest Temple
Morning drive to Paro and later
visit National Museum: It houses a fine collection of Bhutanese art,
relics, religious
thankas, Kichu
Lhakhang(Temple): It is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples
in Bhutan. It was built in
7th century by Tibetan King
Songtsen Gampo. Farm House visit: Picturesque farm houses dot the valley
amongst
fields and hillsides. We welcome
you to enjoy the hospitality of the Paro farmers.
20 APR 2017: IN
PARO.
Morning Hike to
Tiger’s Nest (This is Bhutan’s most recognizable cultural icon perched
800m/2640ft up a seemingly
sheer cliff.) and visit Farm
House visit(Picturesque farm houses dot the valley amongst fields and
hillsides. We
welcome you to enjoy the
hospitality of the Paro farmers.), Archery Practice: Archery is the
Bhutan’s national game
and the distance of the target
is around 150 meters.Hot Stone Bath: Dip into traditional hot stone bath
to realx your
muscle after a long and tiring
hike.
21 APR 2017:
DEPART FROM PARO AIRPORT
You representative/guide will
drive you to the airport and bid you farewell for your onward journey.
We wish you a
safe flight with a good memory of Bhutan....
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#Thimpu #Trongsa #Bumthang #Punakha #Paro #miliriri #tours#travel
#archery #hotstonebath #Tiger’sNest #WANGDUE #nexsal #GrossNationalHappiness #GNH
