OVERVIEW

This tour in Bhutan will take you to see the part of eastern Bhutan, besides Central and Western Bhutan. In doing it you will experience all its culture richness and natural splendor, besides understanding the life of one of the happiest people on earth.

ITINERARY

Day1: Arrival at Paro airport
Upon your arrival to Bhutan, we will first take you to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses, through peaceful countryside. We will arrange a perfect meal for you in Thimphu after which we will take a stroll around the Thimphu town.

Day2: Thimphu Sightseeing

We will give you a tour of whole Thimphu exploring the most famous tourist spots around, most famous of all being The Memorial Chorten, Buddha point, Farmers’ Market, Folk Heritage Museum, Thimphu Tashichho Dzong and more.

Day3: Trip Phobjika – Gangtey Valley
After our early breakfast, we will drive to Phobjikha. The road climbs steeply through forests of pine, hemlock spruce and rhododendrons. At Dochula Pass (3150m) you will have a breathtaking panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges. On reaching Gangtey, we can see the valley so panoramically. We can visit the Gangtey Goenpa Monaestry. We can visit Black Neck Crane Information Center. Take an evening stroll around the Phobjikha Valley and prepare for an overnight stay after a splendid dinner.

Day4: Trip to Bumthang via Trongsa
In this trip, we get to see the resplendent Trongsa Dzong in the valley center. Its labyrinth of temples, corridors, offices and living quarters for the monks add up to a masterpiece in Bhutanese architecture. We also get to visit the Chendebji Chorten. This large white chorten is patterned after Swayambhunath temple in Kathmandu. It sits at a lovely spot by a river confluence.

Day5: Bumthang to Mongar
The drive will take about 6 hours. After 2hrs drive, we will reach to Ura Valley and then the road ascends till the Thrumsing La pass (3800m) through the forest of Rhododendrons. Then the road descends passing many rural villages. On reaching Mongar, we will visit Mongar Dzong, which houses the district headquarters and monastic community. Then stroll around the small town of Mongar before calling the night for a splendid dinner and a good night sleep.

Day6: Mongar to Lhuentse – Day Excursion
Today we will make a day excursion to Lhuentshi with picnic lunch. As you drive, the scenery is quite dramatic. It seems deserted by any human inhabitations as all the villages are hidden high up in the mountains. As we reach to Tangmachu were you cross to the right bank of the river and continues upstream. Suddenly the Lhuentshi Dzong appears, as if blocking the horizon. After visiting the dzong, we will arrange for a picnic by a river bank at the Khoma village. We will drive back to Mongar later that evening and enjoy our dinner in Mongar.

Day7: Mongar to Bumthang
After our breakfast, we drive back to Bumthang with picnic lunch. On reaching Tang, we will visit the Mebar Tsho, (Burning Lake) This is a very scared lake for Bhutanese people. Terton Pema Lingpa discovered several of Guru Rinpoche’s hidden religious treasures from this lake.

Day8: Bumthang Halt
This day begins with visit to Jambay Lhakhang. Followed by visits to Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang and Nyingma Goenba. After lunch, we visit Jakar Dzong, (the Castle of white bird). In the evening, we will visit a Farmer’s House for Bhutanese Tea, Alcohol and Traditional Hot Stone Bath (Dhotsho). We can also organize overnight stay in Farm House. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel, Bumthang or Farmer’s House.

Day9 Bumthang to Punakha
Early in the morning drive to Punakha.Lunch will be served at Nobding or Wangdi. We will hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, which is located at a hill top. The temple is also known as ‘the temple of fertility. The hike will take about 30minutes from the road end then continue the journey to Punakha. At Punakha we will viist the most magnificent Punakha Dzong. Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha.

Day10 Punakha to Paro
Drive to Paro. On reaching Paro, we will make a hike to Taktshang, Tiger’s Nest. We have to walk about 2hours 30minutes upsteep. On our way back, it will just take about 1hour 30 minutes, downstream. Lunch we will have at Taktshang cafeteria. On our way back to hotel, we will visit Kyichu Lhakhang and we will stroll around the Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay at Paro, Hotel

Day11: Departure
After breakfast, we drive you to airport for your departure. We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! We look forward to seeing you again

MINIMUM DAILY PACKAGE

The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan. These must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan.

The minimum daily package applicable per tourist per night halt in Bhutan for tourists travelling in a group of 3 people or more is as follows:

     •  USD $200 per person per night for the months of January, February, June, July, August, and December.

     •  USD $250 per person per night for the months of March, April, May, September, October, and November.

The minimum daily package covers the following services;

     •  A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an premium payment).

     •  All meals

     •  A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay

     •  All internal ground transport 

     •  Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours

     •  USD 65 Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

Surcharges

Tourists travelling in a group of two (2) persons or less shall be subject to a surcharge, in addition to the minimum daily package rates. These are as follows; 

      •  Single individual – US$ 40 per night  

      •  Group of 2 persons only – US$ 30 per person per night

The surcharge will not be applicable to representatives of foreign travel agents on business study or promotional visit duly approved and cleared by TCB.

Delayed Arrivals 

There is no charge for delays in arrival and departure because of weather conditions disrupting flights or road blocks. The tourist must however bear the cost of food, accommodation, transportation, and other services required.  It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance prior to travel.

Cancellations

Individual tour operators has their own cancellation policy. Please discuss with your own service provider (tour operator) on the cancellation policy. 

Wire Transfer

Prior to your trip to Bhutan, you will be asked to wire the full payment for your holiday to the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

You must wire the tour payment calculated by your tour operator as well as USD 40 (one time visa fee) to the Bhutan National Bank through one of their certified international partners with the Bhutanese tour operator specified as the ultimate beneficiary.

VISA PROCESS

With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa. 

Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).  

All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior the 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.  

Online Regional Permit System

In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan similar to international tourists. 

PAYMENT PROCESS

Payment System in Bhutan

Bhutan’s currency is the Ngultrum (Nu.) It is at par with the Indian rupee which is widely accepted in the country. ATMs are located within all main towns throughout Bhutan, where money can be withdrawn using a Visa or MasterCard. In addition, POS (Point of Sale) services are available nationwide, meaning visitors can pay by credit card at most hotels and handicrafts stores.

How to make the payment?

All payments shall be made in US dollars via bank wire transfer to the Tourism Council of Bhutan’s bank account at the Bhutan National Bank, with your tour operator shown as the ultimate beneficiary of the funds. Please note that it is not possible to make the payment by credit card as the payment has to be routed through the government account in order for your visa to be authorized and is not paid directly to us.

Wire Transfer: In order to make your payment, please request your bank to remit money to the bank as follows via wire transfer only. It takes 3 – 7 working days to get your money in Bhutan.

Standard Chartered Bank Ltd, New York, USA
Standard Chartered Bank Ltd.,
One Madison Avenue, New York,
NY 10010-3603
SWIFT Code: SCBLUS33
CHIPS ABA: 0256
FED ABA: 026002561
Beneficiary Bank Account : 358-202-171-9001 (USD A/C)
Beneficiary Bank : Bhutan National Bank
P.O Box 439, GPO Building, Chang Lam, Thimphu
Bhutan SWIFT Code: BNBTBTBT
Ultimate Beneficiary:

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