Tour Overview

Bhutan, the last known Shangrila is home to museums, monasteries and dzongs. Paro which boasts of beautiful temples perched on the cliffs from the legendary Taktsang is a must watch when on Paro Holidays. It also houses Ta Dzong, a national museum which displays beautiful collection of art and religious Thangka painting. Thimphu, a beautiful blend of traditions and modernity can be visited for its Memorial Chorten and Mothinthang zoo with Thimphu Holidays. Wangdi which played a pivotal role during the unification of Bhutan should not be missed.

Daywise Tour Itinerary

Day 1 :ARRIVAL AT PARO - THIMPHU (65 KMS / 02 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts)

Arrive Paro by Druk Airways, the only national carrier. The flight offers you beautiful view of mountains and landscapes. On arrival and after visa formalities are completed, you will be received by our representative and transfer to Thimphu (65 KMS / 02 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts), the capital of Bhutan. Visitors can enjoy relaxing walk in the valley at evening. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 :THIMPHU

After breakfast go for Thimphu sightseeing tour. Visit Memorial Chorten, the Stupa built in 1974 in the memory of late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The paintings and images inside the monument provide a rare sight into Buddhist philosophy. Also visit Mothinthang zoo and Viewpoint. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 :THIMPHU - WANGDI (70KMS / 03 HRS, 1350Mts / 4430Fts)

After breakfast drive to Wangdiphodrang (70KMS / 03 HRS, 1350Mts / 4430Fts), the last town on the highway before entering central Bhutan. The drive over Dochu La pass is very scenic with fascinating view of mountains of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong which was built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel served as capital of Bhutan until 1955. (The Punakha Dzong is closed in the month of winter when the monk body is in Punakha. All visit to Dzong and Monasteries is limited till courtyard only) Further drive to Wangdiphodrang (70 KMS /03 HRS, 1350Mts / 4430Fts) the last town on the highway before entering central Bhutan. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 :WANGDI - GANGTEY - WANGDI (70 KMS, 2½ Hrs ONE WAY)

After breakfast go for full day Gangtey excursion. Gangtey Gompa in the Phobjikha Valley is a 16th century monastery. It is the only monastery in Bhutan, which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. The Phobjikha valley is home to rare Black Necked Crane, an endangered species, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau in winters. About 250-300 of these reside in this beautiful valley. Return to Wangdiphodrang in the evening. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 :WANGDI - PARO (135 KMS / 05 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts)

After breakfast go for drive (135 KMS / 05 HRS, 2134Mts / 7000Fts) to Paro via Lobesa and a short walk through farm houses and fields to Chimme Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 15 century and dedicated to the famous Lam Drukpa Kunley or divine mad man. He is one of the most famous saints in Bhutan and his temple is visited mostly by childless couples. Have lunch at Thimphu (optional) and drive to Paro to visit the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 :PARO

After breakfast go for Paro sightseeing tour. Visit the ruined fortress of Drugyel Dzong which still attracts visitors due to the strategic location of the fort. On clear weather Mount Chomolhari 7320 meters can be seen towering over the Dzong. Proceed through the beautiful valley to the watch tower or locally known as Ta-Dzong. Visit Ta Dzong, a national museum which was built in 1651 as a watch tower. The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 0900HRS TO 1600HRS & it is closed on Sunday, Monday & National Holidays. Since 1951 the Dzong has been re-established as the National Museum and holds fascinating collections of art and religious Thangka painting. Take a short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 :PARO DEPARTURE

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your journey back home.

Inclusions

Accommodation is on twin sharing basis
Meals : breakfast at all places
Transfers from one place to another
Sightseeing in private cars
Vehicle will be provided based on the itinerary
All current taxes such as hotel taxes and transportation taxes

Exclusions

Entrance fees at the monuments/ temples
Meals not mentioned in inclusions
Personal Expenses / Purchase of things
Any kind of insurance
Any increase in the govt. taxes and state taxes
Anything not mentioned in the itinerary.

Booking & Cancellation Policy

Your contract is with Bhutan Packages. A contract exists between us when we have confirmed you on our tour / hotel booking / or any other travel related services of your choice and we have received your booking request and deposits. All correspondence/s in respect of Tours / Travel Service bookings should be addressed to Bhutan Packages.

Payments

For the services contracted, 40 % advance payment should be made to hold the booking on a confirmed basis and the balance amount should be paid before commencement of your tour. We hold the right to decide upon the amount to be paid as an advance payment, based on the nature of services and the time left for the commencement of the services.

Payment Options

Payment can be made by Bank Transfer, Cash payment to our office or by Demand Draft / Cheque. All payments should be free and clear of any withholding tax and deduction. Bank charges, if any, for remittance (by remitting bank or by intermediary bank) would be strictly borne by payer.

Rights to amend the itinerary if required

Tour once commenced will strictly go as per the itinerary finalised. In case of events and circumstances beyond our control, we reserve the right to change all or parts of the contents of the itinerary for safety and well being of our esteemed passengers.

Policy Regarding Cancellation / No Show / Early Departure

In case of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reason/s we must be informed in writing. Cancellation charges would be effective from the date we receive letter in writing and cancellation charges would be as follows:

30 days & prior to arrival – 10% of the tour/service cost.
20 days to 18 days prior to arrival – 20% of the tour/service cost.
14 days to 16 days prior to arrival – 25% of the tour/service cost.
10 days to 08 days prior to arrival – 50% of the tour/service cost.
07 days & less, prior to arrival or no show – NO REFUND.

Please note – Irrespective of above mentioned cancellations slabs – in case of cancellation of tour services after the booking is made with us – a minimum 10% service charges would be applicable.

In case you cancel the trip after commencement refund would be restricted to a limited amount that too would depend on the amount that we would be able to recover from the hoteliers we patronize. For unused hotel accommodation, chartered transportation and missed meals etc. we do not bear any responsibility to refund.

Refund

In regard to refund of unused / unutilized services (which are paid for and cancelled in advance) the refund amount would be worked out on the basis of cancellation policy as described above and the money would be accordingly refunded to the person who has made the payment to us. Please note that the refund process may take 2 – 4 weeks due to banking procedures. If the refund is made to the credit card account OR to Bank account, the bank charges would be debited from the refund amount.