Wonders of Bhutan - 7 Days
Wonders of Bhutan - 7 Days
Wonders of Bhutan - 7 Days
7 Days Starting and ending in Paro
Visiting: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
18 yrs or 16 yrs with an adult
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact On The Go Tours with specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Uncover a nation untouched by modern civilisation with a week long journey through the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Set off from Paro to explore the capital city of Thimphu, the spectacular Punakha Valley and the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Paro
Location: Paro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Nak-Sel Boutique Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Saturday. Welcome to Bhutan and the start of your holiday! You’ll be met at Paro Airport and transferred to your hotel to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 : Thimphu
Location: Thimphu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Migmar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Paro - Thimphu. This morning we enjoy a guided tour of the National Museum, housed within the old watch tower Ta Dzong perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. After browsing the museum’s exhibits we head to the impressive Rinphung Dzong, the backdrop for the Hollywood film Little Buddha. Later this afternoon, we drive to Thimphu and visit the weekend market. From Friday onwards vendors from surrounding villages travel to Thimphu to display their wares until Sunday afternoon when the market ends.
Day 3 : Thimphu
Location: Thimphu
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Migmar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An intriguing blend of modernity and antiquity, Thimphu - Bhutan’s capital, allows travellers to step away from the typical tourist experience and be part of something wholly unique. Today we enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including stops at the Memorial Chorten - a beautiful stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King, and the National Library - which has a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and modern academic books. We’ll also visit the Drubthob Nunnery, Folk Heritage Museum and the Takin Preserve where you can spot Bhutan’s national animal.
For those that appreciate local crafts we’ll stop at various workshops to see a wide assortment of beautifully hand-woven and crafted products, including a visit to the Handicrafts Emporium.
Day 4 : Punakha
Location: Punakha
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Mo Chu River Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Thimphu - Punakha Valley. An early start this morning takes us on the road to Punakha, climbing up through oak, pine and rhododendron forest to reach Dochu La Pass (3050m). After a short break we continue onto the spectacular Punakha Valley, where we enjoy a scenic 1.5 - 2 hour walk up to Chimi Lhakhang Temple - dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (also known as the Divine Mad Monk). After our hike, we visit the impressive Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, and an exemplary masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture.
Later this afternoon we head to our campsite for some time to relax or explore the natural surrounds. In the early evening, you can opt for a hot stone bath served with local drinks, followed by dinner.
Day 5 : Punakha
Location: Punakha
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Mo Chu River Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Punakha - Paro. After an early breakfast, we hike for approximately 2 - 2.5 hours, up through rice fields and along the banks of the Mo Chu river to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning temple located on a hill with picturesque views of the valley below. We continue our exploration of the area with a drive to the charming villages scattered along a ridge above the Punakha Valley. Later this afternoon, we'll stop for a picnic lunch before visiting Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery, perched on a ridge with spectacular views of the Punakha and Wangdue Valleys. Apart from religious training, the nuns are also taught skills such as embroidery, tailoring and statue making. After our visit to the nunnery we drive to Paro.
Day 6 : Paro
Location: Paro
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Nak-Sel Boutique Hotel & Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Taktshang Pelphung Monastery or Tiger’s Nest Monastery as it is often referred to, is one of the most venerated and famous of Bhutan’s monasteries. It is located on the face of a sheer 900m cliff above the floor of Paro Valley. Today we embark on a scenic 4 - 6 hour hike, to view this spectacular and unmissable sight. The monastery is only accessible on foot or you can ride a pony part of the way (this must be arranged in advance by your guide).
From the trail (2600m) we take a steep one hour walk up to a cafeteria where you can enjoy refreshments and the wonderful views of Taktshang (2940m). Those who wish to proceed further must travel on foot, the trail continues uphill for another 45 minutes to a high observation point (3140m) where there is a Chorten (stupa). From this vantage point, the lookout to the monastery is incredible and seems almost close enough to touch. Continuing down a flight of cliff-hanging steps on the narrow trail you’ll reach a beautiful waterfall that plunges down the deep chasm and alongside is a retreat hermitage, jammed dramatically into a rock crevice. Then, the final climb up the flight of steep steps to the monastery. At any point during this walk, you can return if you find it too difficult, though we would like to note that client feedback highlights today's trek as one of the most rewarding and worth continuing to reach the top.
Once inside the monastery, there are several shrines and temples to explore, and you will see a few monks in residence too. After exploring the monastery, we walk back to the cafeteria for lunch before retracing our steps back to the road to journey back to Paro.
This evening we enjoy a traditional Bhutanese dinner at a farm house, giving you the opportunity to interact with a local family and learn about the local cuisine of Bhutan.
Day 7 : Paro
Location: Paro
Meals Included: Breakfast
Friday. After breakfast, our tour concludes and we bid you farewell, after transferring you to Paro airport to meet your onward flight.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3-4 star
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6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
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5 nights 3-4 star hotels and 1 night camping near the banks of scenic Mo Chu River
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Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 & day 7 (only)
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Guided sightseeing of Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and the Punakha Valley
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Traditional Bhutanese dinner at a farm house, giving you the opportunity to interact with a local family
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Escorted by a licensed English-speaking local tour guide
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All relevant transfers and transportation in private A/C vehicles
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Entrance fees to all included sightseeing
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All Bhutan government royalties and taxes
What's Not Included
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International flights, Bhutan visa administration fee payable upon arrival USD$20
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Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Age Policy
18 yrs or 16 yrs with an adult
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport arrival and departure transfer on day 1 & day 7 (only)
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
3-4 star
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
On The Go Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform on the go tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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