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Overview

Tailor made trip to Bhutan

Dreaming of a vacation that enlivens your adventurous spirit? Walk with Uniktour in Bhutan, a mountain nestled between India and Tibet, that has been isolated and protected for centuries by mighty Himalayan peaks. Tradition and Buddhism infuse every facet of life from the jingling brass bells of prayer wheels to ornate monasteries perched high above terraced rice paddies. Change is coming to Bhutan, but the country isn't blindly adopting modern western culture.
Join us for the unique opportunity to see how the Bhutanese balance development and tradition, and to meet Namgay Tsering, our incredible local guide, who proudly shares his culture with us throughout the trip. Shangri-La may be a fictional land, but you'll find something akin to its wonders amid Bhutan's natural beauty, cultural richness and friendly people.
Highlights of this tailor made trip to Bhutan : Visitors taking this trip can observe the rituals of daily life in Bhutan that has remained sacred and enjoy the countryside. From jingling brass bells of prayer wheels to ornate monasteries perched high above terraced paddy fields, there is a lot waiting to be experienced.

Don'd hesitate to contact our Uniktour expert to get more information about this tailor made trip to Bhutan!

Itinerary

Day 1| International flight

Day 2| Fly to Paro (2,250m/7,382ft)
Paro is in Western Bhutan. Transfer for the flight by Druk Air, Bhutan's national airline, to Paro, the country's only airstrip. The flight gives fantastic views of the Himalaya, and particularly exciting is the section through the Bhutanese foothills and the thrilling landing. You will be met on arrival by your Bhutanese guide and then transferred to your hotel.
There may possibly be time to have an initial wander along the streets of the small township of Paro.

Day 3| Trek to view Taksang - 2-3 Hours walk
Acclimatization walk to Taksang Monastery. Taksang is one of the most respected places of pilgrimage in the Himalayan world. For people unaccustomed to the altitude it takes about three hours at an average walking speed to reach the temple. Follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels; the climb begins, up through a forest of oak and rhododendron to the Taksang tea house, a log cabin. The view over the Lhakhangs from this tea house is extraordinary, and the effort of climbing up to it is amply rewarded. The Taksang Monastery, tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, rebuilt, it is perched some 2950m up on a cliff overlooking the valley. The buildings cling to the black rock, overhanging the valley below by some 800m. It was said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. Lunch will be served at the view point cafeteria.

Afternoon: visit Kyichu Lhakhang. It is said to be one of the 108 temples built by the Buddhist king of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo, to subdue a demoness who sprawled across the entire Himalayan region and prevented the spread of Buddhism. The temples were built to pin down different parts of her body and Kyichu Lhakhang was built over her left foot. The Kyichu Lhakhang is composed of twin temples 1) the ancient temple and 2) the recent temple. The ancient temple is deeply respected for its antiquity and holds one of Bhutan's holiest statues of the Jowo, Buddha as a prince at the age of eight, which is alike to the one in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. The recent temple was built in 1968 by Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck. The two temples with their graceful golden spires now form a harmonious whole.
Visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of the Kingdom. Originally built as Watch Tower since 1967 it is the National Museum of the country and holding fascinating collection of art, artifacts, thangkha paintings and Bhutan's exquisite postage stamps.
Overnight hotel Paro.

Day 4| Shuttle to Punakha
Driving Distance : 135 kms
Driving Time : 4hrs
Altitude : 1350 m
Punakha is in Western Bhutan
4 hours drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (3050m) through magnificent forest of rhododendron and magnolia. From the pass, weather allowing, you have panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayan peaks, among them Mt. Masagang (7158m) and our highest peak, Mt. Gangkar Puensum. Lunch at Dochula cafeteria. Passing the magnificent group of 109 Chortens (stupas) at Dochula, the Druk Wangyel (or Great Victory) Chortens, the road curls its way down into the relative lowlands of the Punakha Valley. Before Thimphu was made the permanent capital of Bhutan, Punakha was the Winter Capital for 300 years because of its more temperate climate. The Je Khenpo (leader of Bhutan's religious order) and his council of monks still come to pass the winter months here.
Punakha Dzong, or Punthang Dechen Phodrang, was strategically built at the confluence, the river island between the mighty Phochu and Mochu Rivers in Punakha. While the rivers provided natural defense against invaders, it did not obstruct the view of the Dzong. The imposing structure, the biggest and the most magnificent of its kind at that particular point in time, was visible from all four sides. The construction of Punakha Dzong on the strategic location was completed in 1637 AD and it represented the supreme flowering Bhutanese art and architecture.

Day 5| Hike to Chorten Nebu
40 minutes shuttle to Kabjisa trail head, and 3 hours hike uphill will reach you to Chorten Nebu. It is a beautiful walk to a lovely village surrounded by orange groves to a temple, which dates back to the time of 'The Divine Madman' Drukpa Kunley. According to legend, the area around Chorten Nebu was once a dense forest where evil sprits dwelt. One day the revered Drukpa Kinley, the Divine Madman, arrived here when all the demons were gathered together in conclave. He hurled a blazing log into the gathering and all the evil sprits were scorched to death. The great oak tree is said to have grown out of the blazing log that Drukpa Kinley threw and, intriguingly, its bark is still a dark, burnt brown. This tree is much venerated by people who live in the villages around. Hike back on a different trail through rice fields to the road head. Overnight at hotel, in Punakha.

Day 6| Punakha/Wangdi Phodrang Hike
Driving Distance : 21 kms
Driving Time : 30 minutes
Altitude : 1350 m
Wangdi Phodrang is in Western Bhutan
21 kms drive to the 17th Century Wangdi Phodrang Dzong, dramatically straddling the crest of a ridge, with the Punatsangchhu River flowing far down below. En-route 25 minutes walks to Chime Lhakhang, a beautiful fertility monastery, and learn about the famous saint known as Drukpa Kinley the -divine madman,- who remains one of the best-loved saints in Bhutan. He spread his teaching through his unorthodox and often shocking behavior, using songs and poems, earthy jokes, and his legendary sexual prowess, to draw attention to true Buddhist values After visiting the Dzong and lunch at Wangdi Phodrang we will take a leisurely walk (3 hrs) to the hotel through paddy fields and beautiful villages. Overnight at hotel, Punakha.

Day 7| Shuttle to Thimphu the Capital city
Driving Time : 2.5 hrs
Altitude : 2350m
Thimphu is in Western Bhutan. The drive is around 2.5 hrs from Punakha Bhutan's old capital to Thimphu, our present Capital. Afternoon sightseeing includes visits to the late king's memorial chorten, the Textile Museum, the Heritage Museum, the silversmiths and pottery workshops and possibly the National Library. There will also be plenty of time to continue exploring the streets and emporiums. Overnight at hotel, in Thimphu.

Day 8| Thimphu Valley Hike
Shuttle 40 minutes to Begana village and hike for around 5 hours through pine forests, field, and village and finish behind the King's palace and back to the hotel through town. More time to explore the streets for shopping. Overnight at hotel, Thimphu.

Day 9| Thimphu to Paro
More time to explore, sightseeing and shopping in Thimphu. Afternoon 2 hours drive to Paro. Overnight at hotel, Paro.

Day 10| Departure Paro
Transfer to the airport to catch your international flight back home.

Budget

**Rates published on this website are for information purposes only and are not legally binding (since departure dates are not given). Prices on this website are known to fluctuate frequently in relation to changes in currencies and hotel pricing. In order to obtain a definite quote, please click here.

Other fees

Lodging

PLACES ON ROUTE
WESTERN BHUTAN
Western Bhutan is comprised of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang and Phobjika valleys separated by high passes or "La" - Cheili La (3900m / 12,795ft.), Dochu La (3,050m / 10,007ft.) and Pele La (3,500m / 11483ft.). Western Bhutan is known for its stunning scenery with rice paddies cascading down magnificent mountains, the pristine rivers that flow through the main towns of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, and unique two-story houses with brightly painted window designs. Below are described the main areas of Western Bhutan.

PARO VALLEY
Altitude: 2,250m
A trip to Bhutan normally begins and ends at Paro .and there can be few more charming valleys in the kingdom. As you disembark your Druk aircraft and take your first breath of Bhutanese air, you will be struck by the clean air and peaceful atmosphere.

National Museum.
The museum's collection includes ancient Bhutanese arts and artifacts, weapons and stamps, birds and animals, and an incredible collection of silver tea ware. This is typical of the eclectic beauty of Bhutan - its prized objects bear little relation to each other but as a whole stand together as a history of one of the world's most pristine people.

Taksang Monastery
It is said that Guru Rinpoche (Precious Master), the father of the Bhutanese sect of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived in Paro Valley more than a millennium ago on the back of a legendary tigress. He meditated for three months in a cave where a monastery was later built and called Taktsang Lhakang or Tiger's Nest Visitors to Paro can take a closer look
at the monastery by ascending either on foot or by pony for about three hours to Tiger's Nest. Walkers can enjoy a rest at the Taktsang Teahouse situated at a wonderful vantage point overlooking the monastery. On clear days you can get a clear view of mount Jhomolhari the sacred peak of Bhutan

PUNAKHA VALLEY
Altitude: 1,310m / 4,300ft.
The first stop after leaving Thimphu on the journey east is Dochula (la means pass) at 10.007ft. Only an hour's drive from Thimphu, it offers visitors their first glimpse of the Eastern Himalayan range. The best time to reach Dochu La is early morning when the mountain views are clear and one can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Bhutanese Himalayas.

From the pass the road curls its way down into the relative lowlands of the Punakha Valley. Before Thimphu was made the permanent capital of Bhutan, Punakha was the Winter Capital because of its more temperate climate. The Je Khenpo (leader of Bhutan's religious order) and his council of monks still come to pass the Winter months here.

Punakha Dzong was strategically built at the confluence of the Pho Chu (male) and Mo Chu (female) rivers by the first Shabdrung of Bhutan, Ngawang Namgyel in 1637. It has been damaged by four fires and an earthquake in 1897 and has been devastated by flood water coming from the great northern glaciers. The Dzong has now been fully restored to its original splendor.

WANGDUE PHODRANG
Altitude: 1,310m / 4,300ft.

Wang due Phodrang is the last western town on the highway before central Bhutan. Wang due Phodrang (or Wang due) is a typical small Bhutanese town. It has a bustling market with well stocked shops and a pretty view of the valley and dzong.

THIMPHU VALLEY
Altitude: 2,350m / 7,710ft.
Thimphu is a small, charming capital city sandwiched in the heart of the Himalayas. It sits in its own valley fanning out from the river. The skyline hardly changes as new buildings are all constructed under zoning regulations. Thimphu's development is strictly monitored and buildings cannot exceed a certain height, nor can they be designed in anything but the traditional Bhutanese style. In fact, Thimphu's first and only traffic light was enshrined in a chorten ! (a small Buddhist temple). Not being suitable to the nature of Thimphu, the traffic light was removed on the King's orders.

Only a sprinkling of cars is found along the main street and the capital's population is not immediately visible. But, if you look inside the bank or the shop, you will find Thimphu's people and Bhutan's heart. Dressed in gho or kira (a wrap-around robe), Thimphu people go about their work methodically, quietly bringing their nation through the growing pains of development and into its own definition of the modern world.

One of the most enjoyable ways of passing time in Thimphu is wandering through the town. Full of wonderful restaurants and delightful shops stocked with items from all over Bhutan. Hand woven textiles, woodcarving, tailor made clothing, jewelry. Thimphu's weekend market is another chance to watch the way life in the kingdom. Here, every weekend, Thimphu's residents break from whatever it is that they are doing to stock vegetables, a copy of Kuensel (the weekly newspaper) and to exchange the week's gossip. For visitors who can't share in the gossip, a wander through the stalls reveals mountains of bright red chilies, eggplants and okra, asparagus in season and rice of many types. Traditional Bhutanese masks, incense, hand made knives, jewelry are also sold here. It's an incredible experience for the visitor.

Another of Bhutan's loveliest exports is its wide and diverse collection of stamps. These are best seen in commemorative books at Thimphu's central post office. Other places of interest in Thimphu include the traditional painting school where the age-old styles of Bhutanese painting, including thangkha painting, are taught and the Memorial Chorten build in memory of His Majesty, the Third King of Bhutan. The National Library houses a vast collection of books and research documents of Buddhist studies.
 
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TRIP FACTS

WALKING
Hours of walking, which may vary from person to person, means hours of actual walking
And does not include stops for lunch, Sightseeing and rests.

On certain days our walk takes us into more rugged terrain. Please make sure that your
Footwear provides sufficient ankle support. If it is not possible to do a walk due to bad weather, an alternative will be organized. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.

CLIMATE
Bhutan's climate varies from tropical in the south, to temperate in the centre and can be
cold in the north. The weather can also vary dramatically from day to day and place to place. The winter months of December to February can be cold, but are generally clear and dry, with snow at the higher elevations. The most popular times to visit Bhutan is during spring and autumn as the weather is mild, there are spectacular flowers in spring and skies are clear and blue during autumn.

SPECIAL FEATURES
During spring and autumn many of the largest festivals take place. In the autumn the skies are clear and blue; affording views of the high Himalayas from passes and various other vantage points. Autumn is also the time of year when the black-necked cranes migrate to central and eastern Bhutan for the winter. The skies are less clear during the spring, but the flowers are in bloom.

CUISINE
Spicy chilies mixed with a cheese sauce called ema datse is the national dish of
Bhutan. The main staples of the Bhutanese diet are rice (red or white) and chilies,
served with a variety of fresh vegetables. Meat, fish and poultry are also served
(often as stews). Bhutanese food tends to be spicy, since many dishes are made with
chilies, but the spiciness can be reduced to your liking. Tibetan dishes such as momos
and noodle dishes are also popular, and you will also find Indian, Continental, and
Chinese foods.

WATER
Pure spring water, locally bottled from the high mountains is available at most shops. Imported bottled water from India is also widely available.

RESTAURANTS
Meals will be taken in the hotels with picnics or meals in local restaurants at lunchtimes.
if there is anything else that you would prefer, you only have to ask.

SHOPPING
Brightly colored and patterned hand made textiles are a specialty of the region, often
made into long flowing garments of silk or cotton called kira which is the national dress of
women in Bhutan. Traditional jewels, baskets, paintings and woodcarvings are also
popular. Thimpu is a good place to shop and has a large weekend market.

FACILITIES EN ROUTE
Banks: VISA, ATM, MasterCard etc does not exist in Bhutan. Only a few selected shops accept MasterCard/visa. Traveler's cheques can be enchased at the banks in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha.

EQUIPMENT/EXTRA ITEMS
Bring all possible protections against the sun, including a hat and sunglasses, warm and
waterproof clothes as the climate is changeable, walking shoes or boots, camera film, insect repellant, a torch and a capacious water bottle (possibly the collapsible sort)

LUGGAGE
The weight limit on Druk Air is 20kg for economy class and 30kg for business class. It's possible to pay for excess baggage, but there is a chance that the luggage will have to be sent on the next flight. Also, there is not a great deal of cabin space; so carry-on luggage should be kept to a minimum.

HEALTH
For the most accurate up-to-date information we recommend that you visit your National Health Service. You can of course also consult your doctor. The altitude in Bhutan is higher than many people are used to. Though most visitors will have no problem adjusting, altitude sickness may be a problem for certain people.

VISAS
All visitors traveling to Bhutan are required to obtain a visa, except for Indian nationals holding a valid Indian passport. You cannot obtain a visa prior to arrival in Bhutan. Our ground handlers in Bhutan will complete the necessary documentation to ensure that you have visa clearance in order to board Druk Air. Please ensure you give us the following details:

1. Name as on passport
2. Date of birth
3. Place of birth
4. Date of passport issue
5. Date of passport expiry
6. Passport number
7. Place of issue of the passport
8. Permanent address
9. Occupation
10. Nationality


Be sure to give us your name and other information exactly as it appears on your passport, or Druk Air will not allow you to board the plane.

The cost of the visa is US$20 per person. You will pay this fee together with your trip payment. Your visa will then be issued and stamped in your passport. If you intend to travel via India, you will also need an Indian visa.

TRAVEL TO BHUTAN
The recommended destination airport for this trip is Paro. It is a good idea to check the destination on the luggage tag that is stuck onto the ticket at the check-in desk; this helps lessen the possibility of luggage going astray. The recommended check-in time is 2 hours. For those who have requested a vegetarian meal on the plane, it is a good idea to reconfirm this at the check-in. Please collect your luggage before proceeding
through Customs. In the unlikely event of finding on arrival that your luggage has gone
astray en route, please inform us as soon as possible.

MEETING AT THE AIRPORT
The meeting point is at the arrivals area of Paro airport. Our guide will receive you.

Personal medical kit
FIRST AID KIT
We carry a First Aid kit with us at all times.
It is however a good idea to take a small supply of medicines for minor ailments. We suggest /anti blister ‘Second Skin' or ‘Competed' plasters, antiseptic cream, sunscreen, Chap stick, aspirin /paracetamol, throat lozenges, glucose sweets, Insect repellent, indigestion tablets etc.

You should keep plasters or Elastoplasts for blisters in your knapsack for immediate use.

Walking Aids
Trekking poles: These are becoming almost a standard piece of equipment for hill walkers, and a valuable safety item. They make walking less tiring. By using a stick/pole (or even two) you increase the number of points of contact with the ground, aiding balance on rough ground. They are also useful when fording streams, or descending steeper slopes.
They take a great deal of stress off the ankles, knees and lower back, making injuries less Likely.

Clothing: Because the temperatures in Bhutan are subject to extreme fluctuations you need to think in terms of layered clothing that you can peel off and put on with ease.

Dietary Supplements
Although we take care of all your main meals, you may prefer to carry some supplements to vary the diet. Some people like to carry freeze-dried meals and instant soups. You may also bring your own energizing drink, as well as high-energy muesli bars and chocolates etc.