Introduction
Guarded by gigantic mountains and primeval forests, Bhutan's culture and traditions have remained relatively intact inspite of modern day pressures. A myriad of religious art and architecture, landscapes, traditional villages, dense forests, and devout Buddhist people still await those seeking a rare glimpse of a world quite unlike our own.
ITINERARY:
Day 1 Paro On arrival at Paro airport transfer to Hotel Druk or similar. Paro at 2300 m is located in a beautiful wooded valley with terraced farmland nourished by the Paro Chu river.
Day 2 Paro After breakfast visit the Ta Dzong Museum and Drukgyel Dzong "The Victory fortress". This famous 17th century fortress repelled many a Tibetan invasion and its ruins provide an interesting study into the unique construction of Dzongs. Along the way visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the holiest shrines in Bhutan and Dungtse Lhakhang built in the 15th century. Later visit a typical farmhouse little changed over the centuries.
Day 3 Thimphu Visit the cliff monastery of Taktsang "tigers nest", sitting snugly among Himalayan cedars on a precipitous cliff face 800 m above the Paro valley. PM A 2 hour drive brings you to Thimphu, present day capital of Bhutan. Check into Hotel Druk on arrival.
Day 4 Thimphu Explore the Thimphu valley. Visit the Memorial Chorten built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the Painting School and the Goldsmith Workshop in nearby Dechencholing village. The Handicraft Emporium and the Market square are other places of interest especially for those seeking souvenirs of a memorable trip.
Day 5 Phobjika Valley A leisurely 2 1/2 hr drive brings you to Punakha the ancient capital of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong, winter residence of the Je Khenpo, religious head of Bhutan. Stop next at Wangdiphodrang Dzong, gateway to central Bhutan. This massive structure sits on a ridge overlooking the village and is the site of the annual Tsechu dance festival. Drive south through the mountains past golden fields of maize and grazing yaks to Phobjika.
Day 6 Punakha - Mendegang Begin the day touring this rustic farming community with a visit to the gold domed 17th century Gangtey Gompa, an active school for novice monks. This area is also home to the endangered black necked crane that migrate from Central Asia to pass the winter here. After lunch drive to Dechen Cottage at Mendegang and spend a leisurely afternoon hiking around the village or enjoy a traditional herbal stone bath.
Day 7 Paro Return to Paro after a 5 1/2 hr drive. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Hotel Druk.
Day 8 Departure Transfer to airport for departure for flight home on Druk Air.
Rates
Tashi Deleg Tour
4 or more person
Air Fare
Budget
$1330
$1680
Hotels In order to make the travel experience more convenient and confortable, we have selected the following hotels in the various stops.
Cities
First Class
Tourists
Paro
Hotal Pemaling
Gantey Palace
Thimphu
Hotel Peling
Druk Sherig
Punakha
Dechhen Cottage
Wangdi
Cost includes: All accommodation in Bhutan, transfers, meals on trek and one escort throughout the trip.
Cost does not include: Visa fees ($20 payable on arrival), expenses of a private nature, ie; laundry, drinks, telephone calls, meals (unless specified), insurance, airport taxes, excess baggage charges and all manner of gratuities.
Special Intructions: The Royal Government of Bhutan permits independent travel (not in an organized group), but with added surcharges for groups of less than four participants. The surcharges are:
» For one person traveling alone $40 per day
» For each of two people traveling together $30 per day
» For each of three people traveling together $20 per day
Himalayan Treasures & Travels will be required to add these surcharges to all tours, either group or independent less than four people. Group tour members who add an extra night at the beginning or end of their tour will also be required to pay these surcharges for the additional nights. Your trip deposit is an acknowledgement of your acceptance of these surcharges should they apply. With the addition of these surcharges, it remains possible for visitors to tour Bhutan independently without joining a group; and we are able to guarantee all our group tour departures even if there are less then four participants.
Optional Tours Based on minimum of two persons- Costs are per person
Tibet
4 nights/5 days
$895
Glimpses of the Himalayas ( Darjeeling/Sikkim )
4 nights/5 days
$995
Chitwan Jungle Safari
3 nights/4 days
$385
Mountain Flight ( closeup views of the Himalayas )
$135
NOTE: Airfares quoted are estimates only and are based on West Coast departures (Los Angeles or San Francisco). A High season surcharge of $200 will be charched for departure during the following months:
June-July-August & December 1- January 15.
