Bhutan Cultural Tour

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Facts
Duration
9 Days
Trip Grade
Easy
Maximum Altitude
2,800 m.
Group Size
1+
Best Time
Tour
Wishlist

The Bhutan Cultural Tour is an exclusive program where you will experience the rich culture and tradition of the Bhutanese people in the shortest possible time. It takes you to four major cities in Bhutan, namely Paro, Thimpu, Punakha, Gantey, Trongsa, and Bumthang.

After having two full days of sightseeing in Thimpu, you will visit many monasteries, such as 7th-century Kichu Lhakhang, 17th-century Drukgyal Dzong, Tiger’s Nest monastery, Tadzong Dzong National Museum, and National Memorial Chorten, among others.

The Bhutan cultural tour is designed to make you familiar with the high cultural and religious values of this country, Bhutan. It will make you aware of the various places of religious importance. Also, it will make you familiar with the changes in its cultural, traditional, and religious significance. We have planned this Bhutan short tour itinerary to match all of your expectations.

Highlights

  • Explore Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Trongsa and Bumthang
  • Experience well preserved Buddhist culture and tradition of Bhutan
  • See black necked cranes in Phobjikha valley
  • Visit Taktsang monastery, Kichu Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Trongsa Dzong, Jambey Lakhang etc.
  • Learn about traditional Bhutanese handicraft
  • Enjoy beautiful panorama of Himalayan mountains including Mt. Jomolhari

Bhutan Cultural Tour Itinerary Outline

  • Day 01: Fly to Paro (2280m)
  • Day 02: Sightseeing Paro. Afternoon drive to Thimphu (2320m)
  • Day 03: Thimphu Sightseeing
  • Day 04: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1310 m) via Dochula pass (3100m)
  • Day 05: Sightseeing drive from Punakha to Gangtey and Trongsa (2800m)
  • Day 06: Drive from Trongsa to Bumthang (2800m)
  • Day 07: Bumthang Sightseeing
  • Day 08: Drive back from Bumthang to Thimphu
  • Day 09: Final Departure

Itinerary

 Fly from Kathmandu to Paro that takes about 1 hr 35 min. GAT staff will receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax. Following lunch, Bhutanese tour guide will take you on a guide tour of 17th century Drukgyal Dzong and 7th century Kichu Lhakhang. Overnight in hotel.

After early morning breakfast, go on a half day sightseeing of Paro. You will explore Satsam Chorten and Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery. Taktsang Monastery is where Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came on the back of a flying tiger. Next is the ancient watchtower of Ta Dzong and Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, 15th century Tamchog Monastery. Aftewards drive to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.

The whole day today is reserved for Thimphu sightseeing. We begin by visiting National Memorial Chorten and Zilukha nunnery of Dupthop Lhakhang. Thereafter the National Library which is stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, Painting School and Traditional Medicine Institute. Lungtenzampa and Handicrafts Emporium offers you a history and artistic excellence of royal silver smiths and Bhutanese craftsmen. You will end your tour by calling on Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government. Overnight in hotel.

Take an early morning breakfast and drive to Punakha. En route you will go over Dochula pass (3100m) which allows beautiful views of Himalayan peaks including Jomolhari (7326m). You will also visit Chime Lhakhang, or ‘the Temple of Fertility’ and 17th century Punakha Dzong. The road further ahead passes through the popular Pho Chu (Male) and Mo Chu (Female) rivers. By late afternoon you will have reached Punakha, which is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo. Overnight in hotel. 

Rise up early for warm breakfast and drive to Wangdiphodrang, situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. In Gangtey you will visit 17th century Gangtey Gompa whose present Abbot is the ninth re-incarnation of Pema Lingpa. Seeing black necked cranes in Phobjikha valley is one of the delights of the journey. After having packed lunch, you will head towards Trongsa. Trongsa hosts Trongsa Dzong, built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa and the ancestral home of the present Royal Family. Overnight in hotel. 

Following breakfast drive to Bumthang where you will explore Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang built by Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. Overnight in hotel.

You will have a full day sightseeing in Bumthang. Places of interest include Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, along with Cheese Factory and Bhutanese Farm House. Overnight in hotel.

Early morning drive to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel. 

You will be driven to the airport to catch a flight to back home. 

Cost Details

Includes

  • Pick up from and drop off at the hotel and the airport on a tourist car/van.
  • Standard government-approved three stars accommodation (in twin sharing rooms) for the duration of the tour.
  • Full-board meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner and tea & snacks - for the duration of your stay.
  • Drinking water for the duration of the tour.
  • Licensed English-speaking Bhutanese tour guides.
  • Private transportation and a designated driver within Bhutan.
  • Monument and museum entrance fees at all sightseeing locations detailed in the itinerary.
  • Cultural afternoon/evening sessions with traditional masks and folk dances (with beverages). Only for group tours.
  • Bhutan visa fees and processing assistance.
  • Government royalty (35% of $250), which goes to the country's health and education projects.
  • All route access and monument entry permits and fees.
  • Flight to Paro and back
  • Bhutan Visa
  • All government taxes, official expenses, and tourist service charges.

Excludes

  • Your travel insurance mandatory for the trip,
  • Expenses of personal nature, such as laundry.
  • Alcoholic and cold drinks.
  • Personal clothing and equipment. 
  • Tips for tour guides, porters, driver, hotel lobby and in restaurants. (Tipping is expected)
  • Other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section

Essential Information

Punakha Tshechu 5-7th March 2020

Punakha Drubchen 2-4th March 2020

Tharpaling THONGDROL 9th March 2020

Paro Tshechu 4-8th April 2020

Zhemgang Tshechu 1st-3rd April 2020

Gasa Tshechu 1st-3rd April 2020

Talo Tshechu 1st-3rd April 2020

Gomphukora 1st-3rd April 2020

Chhorten Kora 8th April & 22 April 2020

Ura Yakchoe 4-8 May 2020

Domkhar Tshechu 3-5 May 2020

Matsutaki Mushroom Festival Ura, Bumthang ---

Mushroom Festival Genekha, Thimphu------

Kurjey Tshechu Kurjey Lhakhang, 30 June 2020

Nimalung Tshechu 30 June-1st July 2020

Tamshing Phala Chhoepa 26-28 September 2020

Gangtey Tshechu 28th September-1st October 2020 thongdrel on last day

Wangdue Tshechu 24-26 september 2020

Tashi Chhodzong, Thimphu 22 september 2020

Dechenphu Tshechu 26 October 2020

Jakar Tshechu 23-27 Ocober 2020

Thangbi Mani 29 September -2nd October 2020

Jambay Lhakhang Drup 31st October-3rd November 2020

Jambay Lakhang Singye Cham 30th November 2020

Trashigang Tshechu 22-25th December 2020

Mongar Tshechu 21-24th November 2020

Black Necked Crane Festival 11 November 2020

Prakhar Duchhoed 1-3 November 2020

Jambay Lakhang Singye Cham 30th November 2020

Trashigang Tshechu 22-25th December 2020

Mongar Tshechu 21-24th November 2020

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