Tour route: Bhutan : Thimphu - Punakha - Gangtey - Paro
Welcome to Bhutan! Upon arrival, be greeted and transferred to Paro to visit Paro Dzong which was built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. Later depart to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, has a population of about 100,000 and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Upon arrival, check in hotel and have some free time.
Note: Driving time in the program is approximate, subject to the traffic, weather and road conditions.
Overnight: Thimphu
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, have a 45-minute drive towards the north of Thimphu valley and hike to Tango Monastery, which dates back to 16th century and now the national institute for higher studies of meditation and Buddhist Philosophy. After that, have a picnic lunch and continue your hiking to Cheri Monastery.
Overnight: Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On your way to Punakha, stop at Dochula Pass to have a coffee break and admire the grand 108 stupas. If in good weather, take in the enchanting views of Mt. Himalaya. You can also do a Dochula Natural trail hike (1.5 hours). Upon arrival in Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong, the beautiful Bhutanese architecture armed by the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, serving as the religious and administrative center of Bhutan until the mid 1950s.
Overnight: Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Head for a suspension bridge and start hiking up to Khamsum Yuelley Chorten, passing by nice rice terraces and pine forests en route. When reaching the stupa atop, take in the superb views. Later drive to Lobyesa and continue another 20 minutes' hiking to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the Devine Madman and now a sacred place where women pray for children. After that, drive to Gangtey.
Overnight: Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, drive to visit Gangtey Goempo, which holds the most scared relics of all monasteries in Bhutan and is famed for its amazing design. Later do a short hiking along the Gangtey Nature Trail (1.5 hrs) down to Khewa Lhakhang. En route visit the Semchubara Village and a square chorten, then drive to Paro.
Overnight: Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, hike to visit Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), be amazed by the view of this sacred temple hanging on the rocky cliff, and take in the beauty of Paro valley. After that, move to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, built to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over the Tibetan invaders. If in good weather, you'll see a great distant view of Mt. Chomolhari. Later, visit a local farm house for a close look the life of Bhutanese people, followed by Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Overnight: Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive up to the hiking point for an exhilarating hiking to Kila Goempa (Kila Nunnery), around 2 hrs. Then go through a forest of chir pine trees, fir trees and spruces that offers a chance to overlook the Paro valley and get back to the motorable road for a drive back to Paro.
The evening is at leisure. Enjoy the night of Paro or buy some souvenirs for your friends and family.
Overnight: Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Have some leisure time before being transferred to the airport for the flight to your next destination.
No hotel in Paro.
Meals: Breakfast
Recommended Accommodation for Your Journey
Good accommodation choice will in no doubt enhance your tour experience. Our well-established partnership network with key hotel chains in India, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri-Lanka will bring you the benefits of competitive hotel rate and guaranteed room availability.
We pick hotels for you based on:
Location: geographically convenience values for your precious holiday time. So properties we use are either in downtown area close to main city attractions and amenities, or convenient for sightseeing or transportation.Hotel Criteria for Each Tour Class
Note: Bhutan is less developed with fewer hotels criteria for choice, and most of the hotels there aren't as high standard as those in Western society.
Hotel Arrangement for Standard Tour Class
Usually conveniently located and meet the basic requirements of a comfortable stay: decorative lobbies and nice guest rooms with AC, TV, hot water, shower and private bathrooms. On-site restaurants may be average in size but offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. In most cases, staffs have basic command of English. Usually 3 star hotels are adopted.Hotel Arrangement for Comfortable Tour Class
Normally you'll stay at formal and large hotels conveniently located with shopping, dining and entertainment facilities nearby. Quality service, fully furnished rooms, restaurants, room service, fitness center and swimming pool (in some cases there is no pool) all together offer an above-average accommodation experience.
Usually good 4-star hotels are adopted or boutique hotels at request. Hotels best available will be arranged if no qualified choice, e.g. in remote area.
Hotel Arrangement for Superior Tour Class
Usually properties are conveniently located with shopping, dining and entertainment facilities nearby and offer a better service and hotel facility than that in hotels of Comfortable Tour Class. Usually 4-4.5 star hotels or boutique hotels are adopted.
Hotel Arrangement for First Tour Class
Deluxe hotels with high-end service and an extensive range of facilities for an excellent accommodation experience. Multiple restaurants on site with extensive menus for choice, room service available 24/7, fitness center and concierge service round out the experience. Usually 5 star hotels are adopted.
Hotel Arrangement for Deluxe Tour Class
The most luxury hotels are used and only available in some particular cities. These properties have top-notch service and unique location, such as a lake or a historic site, and usually incorporate some of the country’s most exquisite architecture traditions. Usually top 5 star or the best available hotels are adopted.
Meals
Normally, India Odyssey Tours put breakfast in your itinerary except for in Bhutan (all meals included). Lunch won’t be included for the sake of tour convenience, while dinner is also excluded as some travelers might want a little culinary adventure themselves. But surely your tour guide/driver is always glad to offer their advice.
It is normally served at the hotel where you stay. Depending on the hotel, the breakfast would be in western style, local style, or a combination.
Usually lunch won’t be included considering the fact that sometimes travelers may want to stay somewhere longer/shorter or need other minor changes during daily sightseeing, and it’s better to decide the lunch site then rather than pre-arranging it. For sure our tour guides/drivers will be happy to advice good places to you, and we strongly suggest qualified local restaurant or hotels around the scenic spots for the sake of your health.
Dinners will not be included in your meal plan unless you have that requirement. Enjoying the local food could be one of your best experiences in the incredible India & South Asia. This is why we offer you this flexibility of food choice, and you can always get advice from your tour guides/drivers.
If you have certain food allergies or special requirements such as vegetarian food, let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
Private Guide & Transfer
You will have a private tour guide, private driver, and an air-conditioned vehicle escorting you at every destination you travel across South Asia. This will provide you with maximized personal care, security, and flexibility.
All tour guides of India Odyssey Tours are qualified professionals and registered English Speaking Tourist Guides who are reassessed annually. All of our tour vehicles are clean and in excellent condition, manned with licensed & experienced drivers.
You will always be greeted punctually on arrival at each destination airport. At every departure, you’ll be escorted & assisted until you have checked in and passed through the security checkpoint.
All of our tour guides in every destination are locals. Knowing the area well, they are good at guiding you around and telling background stories of the tour sites, as well as showing you the secret spots for best photos.
If any change of itinerary is needed for unexpected reasons, your private tour guides will be more than accommodating in suggesting alternatives to ensure that you always have a wonderful experience.
With our comfortable and safe private transportation, your tour will be more relaxing and less tiresome, keeping you in the best spirits to make the most out of your journey across South Asia.
Your vehicle in each destination is air conditioned, insured, clean, and regularly maintained. Your private driver is licensed and always put your safety first.
Reviews on: Bhutan Sightseeing & Classic Hiking
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March 29th, 2017 Any part of this itinerary can be altered to fit your need, e.g. accommodation, add/skip city, tour length.
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