Bhutan Highlights Tour

Summary

This is a tour of a country that you are bound to fall in love with, as it measures its success in Gross National Happiness. It means you are sure to get a very warm welcome anywhere you go. A little Himalayan kingdom, where your journey will take you through its majestic landscape, and make you marvel at the exotic culture that is so carefully maintained. You will start your trip in Delhi, where you get a day full of admiring the awe-inspiring historical architecture in this city, and the serene surroundings in which the memorial for Gandhi is built. Explore the city of Thimpu, with a hike to the Cheri Gompa monastery & Tashichho Dzong monastery. You will drive across the Dochula pass (3, 080m), where you will get clear views of the eastern Himalayas, and see how the Bhutanese mark the passes with Chortens and prayer flags. A hike of about 5 hours will take you to the Taktsang Monastery (The Tiger's Nest), one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan, which is perched on a cliff face 900m above the valley. Hike up to Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the "Divine Madman", an eccentric monk who is famous for many Rabelaisian folklore stories. Visit the picturesque Punakha Dzong built on the confluence of 3 rivers, and is the 2nd largest & oldest Dzong in Bhutan.

 Duration

10 Days

 

Price

From $4,873.79 per person based on sharing [Guide Price*]

Best time to go

The best time to visit Bhutan is in spring and in autumn when there are many Buddhist festivals.

Tour Highlights

  • Visit the Tiger's Nest monastery perched on a cliff at 10,000ft
  • Enjoy a historical tour of Delhi including Qutab Minar A UNESCO World Heritage site
  • Visit the picturesque Punakha Dzong, the 2nd largest & oldest dzong in Bhutan
  • Drive through the beautiful Dochula pass
  • Enjoy the Rabelaisian folklore stories at the Chimi Lhakhang temple

 


Day 1: Departure

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Delhi.

Day 2: Arrival

Upon arrival at Delhi airport meet your local guide for a private transfer to your hotel to check-in for a 2-night stay. The afternoon is free for you, to refresh yourself from the trip.

Overnight: Hotel Maidens

Day 3: Old & New Delhi

This morning after breakfast, enjoy a  full day private city tour of Delhi. The highlights include India Gate, Qutub Minar a UNESCO World Heritage site, Humayun’s tomb, the Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India, an entertaining rickshaw ride in the narrow markets of old Delhi and the Raj Ghat.

Overnight: Hotel Maidens

Bhutan holidays qutub minar delhi

 

Day 4: Thimpu

Your morning will start with a transfer to the airport to board a short flight to Paro. On arrival at Paro airport meet your local guide for a private transfer from Paro to Thimphu, which is approximately 1 hour. In the evening drive to Kuensel Phodrang, (Buddha Point) to get a complete birds-eye view of the town of Thimphu. The point has the largest statue of the Buddha.

Overnight: Hotel Le Meridien

Day 5: Thimpu

Enjoy a  full day of a private tour of Thimphu. Highlights include a 90 minute Cheri Gompa monastery hike, National Memorial Chorten, the Handicrafts Emporium and Tashichho Dzong monastery.

Overnight: Hotel Le Meridien

Bhutan Tashichoe Dzong - Thimpu

 

Day 6: Punakha

After breakfast depart on a 3-hour drive to Dochula pass stopping briefly to take in the view and admire the chortens (a Buddhist shrine) Mani walls and prayer flags. Check into your hotel, and after lunch, hike to the nearby Chimi Lhakhang, a temple dedicated to the "Divine Madman", an eccentric monk from the 16th century famous for many his many amusing, Rabelaisian folklore stories. Later visit Punakha Dzong, the Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative centre of the region. In the evening, take a stroll along the town’s main street.

Overnight: Hotel Uma by Como

Hotel Uma by Como in Punakha Bhutan

 

Day 7: Paro

After breakfast take a 4-hour drive to Paro. In the afternoon drive towards the north end of the valley to view the Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum. Later walk down the hillside trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) overlooking Paro valley. Visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight: Hotel Uma Paro

Day 8: Paro

This morning, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest.  It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, founding father of the Bhutanese form of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery.  The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. In the evening visit a Traditional farmhouse to interact with a local family and learn something of their lifestyle. Later, take a stroll along the main street for a few handicrafts shops.

Overnight: Hotel Uma Paro

Uma Paro in Bhutan

 

Day 9: Depart to Delhi

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for a short flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport a private transfer to your hotel to check-in for a 1-night stay. Afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Hotel Holiday Inn Aerocity

Day 10: Departure

A private transfer to Delhi airport for your flight home.

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Tour Excludes: Meals not mentioned in the itinerary, beverages, visa, Travel Insurance, gratuities or other personal expenses

These itineraries are just samples of what we have already done for our guests. Speak to one of our travel experts to create your perfect holiday based on your travel requirements.

* This is a guide price, based on travel in low season


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