Bhutan Heritage Tour

Bhutan Heritage Tour

Bhutan Heritage Tour Overview

Bhutan, the land of happiness and spirituality is a unique and beautiful destination in South Asia with great cultural beliefs and historical values. This small nation is located in the Eastern Himalayas between India and China. Bhutan Heritage Tour by Adventure Treks Nepal is a perfect fit for travelers willing to explore this smiling nation where you will be accompanied by the expert local tour leader.

As you explore Bhutan, you will come across many monasteries and fortresses which showcase outstanding architectural displays such as Tashichho Dzong monastery, Punakha Dzong and many more. These Dzongs (monasteries) were built by Bhutanese Kings and Spiritual leaders many centuries back and they are still preserved and used by today's citizens as well. Many religious and social ceremonies also take place in these monasteries.

Bhutan Heritage Tour planned by Adventure Treks Nepal includes three of the major and popular cities of Bhutan i.e, Thimphu, Paro and Punakha. After exploring Thiimpu, our team will head for a quick tour of Punakha where we will go to Wangdue Phodrang. Followed by a drive to Paro, the iconic Tiger Nest (Paro Taktsang) awaits us.

Moreover, Bhutan Heritage Tour is an ideal travel package with a very comfortable itinerary allowing travelers to soak in everything Bhutan has to offer. This tour is suitable and is also recommended for people travelling with their kids and are looking for a comfortable vacation in South Asia.

 Bhutan Heritage Tour Highlights

  • Mountain Flight to the Kingdom of Bhutan with outstanding views of the Himalayas.
  • The famous Tiger's Nest (Paro Taktsang).
  • Explore Tashichho Dzong monastery / fortress on the northern end of Thimpu.
  • Tour of the national library of Bhutan which holds ancient Buddhist scripts.
  • Visit to Memorial Chorten, which was built in the memory of Bhutan's Third King.
  • Crossing Dochula Pass (3,050 m) while our drive to Punakha.
  • Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress which played an important role shaping modern day Bhutan.
  • Ta Dazong, the national museum displaying Bhutan's national and cultural significance.
  • Wangdue Phodrang, built in 1638.

Why Bhutan Heritage with Adventure Treks Nepal ?  

  • 30+ years of experience of operating tours in the Himalayas including Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and India.
  • Experienced and Knowledgeable Guide, Tour Leaders, with friendly drivers and support staff.
  • Provides authentic Bhutanese experience with the best possible price.
  • Customizes every trip according to requirements of our valued customers.
  • Recommended in Lonely Planet, Trekking in the Nepal Himalayas, and many other travel books.
  • Socially Responsible by providing education related materials for children.
  • Government certified and trusted by thousands of visitors from across the world.

Trip Details

  • Itinerary
  • Cost Includes
  • Useful Info

Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival Paro drive to Thimpu: The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world. Upon your arrival, a Our representative will meet you at the airport and transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Sightseeing in Thimpu: After breakfast Thimphu sightseeing. Visit to Trashichhodzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Then visit National Library which has vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts.

After that drive to Painting School , famous for traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will see, students at work producing intricate design on cloth. Also visit to Traditional Medicine Institute is worthwhile where centuries old healing arts still practiced. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum , a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.

After lunch visit Handicrafts Emporium which displays wide assortment of beautifully handwoven and crafted products. Then drive to Memorial Chorten, the stupa built in the memory of Bhutan 's Third King who is popularly regarded as Father of modern Bhutan . The paintings and statues inside this monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimpu-Punakha (An easy Day): After Breakfast at Hotel in Thimpu we have a nice drive to Punakha across Dochula pass (3,050m ). Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 04: Punakha / Wangduephodrang / Paro ( 150 Km, 5 Hours): After breakfast visit to Punakha Dzong, the 17th century fortress which has played important role in building up of modern Bhutan followed by visit to local market. Also visit here, Khamsum Yu;;y Namgyal Chorten, the newly built stupa.

Then drive to Wangdiphodrang visiting Dzong and local market. The district of Wangdiphodrang is also famous for its bamboo products, slate and stone carvings.
After lunch drive to Paro with a short stop at Dochula pass. Later enroute visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627, it now houses the School for Buddhist studies. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 05: Sight Seeing in Paro: Morning take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism, arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery. Taktsang was severely damaged by fire in year 1998 and now has been restored in its original grandeur. After lunch, visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum. The museum collection includes ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons and country’s exquisite postage stamps. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong situated at commanding height, overlooking Paro valley. This Dzong is symbolic as the religious and secular centre of all affairs of the valley.Evening visit a traditional farm house to get an idea on lifestyle of local people. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Breakfast at Hotel. Today you will be transferred to the airport to fly back home, taking with you the memory of a life time.

Note: If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences.

Cost Include:

* Arrival and Departure and all private transport.
* Hotels in Bhutan with Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
* Sightseeing tour with English Speaking Guide in Bhutan.
* Monuments Entrance fees.
* Bhutan Visa, Tourism Development fund (TDF) and All Permit Fee.
* All Government taxes.
* Office service charge.

Cost Exclude:

* Your Travel Insurance
* Items of a personal nature like postage and laundry
* Tips for Guide and Driver.
* All expenses of personal nature,
* Other fees due to nature.
* Flight Ticket to/from Paro.

Visa/Entry Permit: 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 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 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.

Travel Requirements: All tourists (excluding Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian passport holders) who wish to travel to Bhutan require a visa and must book their holiday through a Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners. The tour operator will take care of Visa arrangements for visitors.

In keeping with the Tourism Council of Bhutan's policy of "High Value. Low Impact" tourism a Minimum Daily Package is required for tourists. To learn more about the Minimum Daily Package, please follow the link below:

Getting Into Bhutan: The Kingdom of Bhutan remained largely cut off from the rest of the world up until the early 1960’s. Entering the country was difficult as it was only accessible by foot from two main entry points, one in the North and another from the South. The Northern route was through Tibet, crossing high mountain passes that were inaccessible throughout the winters. The second entry route from the South came through the plains of Assam and West Bengal. The high frozen passes in the North and the dense jungles in the South made it extremely difficult to enter the country.
However, carefully planned economic development has made the country much more accessible and there are now a network of roads entering and traversing the country, as well as one international and multiple domestic airports.

Today the main roads entering the country are through Phuentsholing in the south, linking Bhutan with the Indian plains of West Bengal through the border towns of Gelephu, in the central region and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east, that link Bhutan with the Indian state of Assam.

Travel by Land: Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are the only land border areas open to tourists.

The town of Phuentsholing in south-west is located approximately 170 km east of the Indian national airport at Bagdogra. After crossing Phuentsholing, you begin your journey to Thimphu, the capital city with travel time of about six hours for the 170 km stretch.

Gelephu, in south-central Bhutan, is another entry point to Bhutan. It is approximately 250 kms from Thimphu and the journey will take you through the sub-tropical areas of Bhutan before entering the alpine zone and then finally into Thimphu. One will have to traverse across three districts and the travel time will be about ten hours.

The district of Samdrup Jongkhar in south-east Bhutan borders the Indian district of Darranga, Assam and is approximately 150 kms away from Guwahati, the capital city of Assam. The journey from Guwahati is about three hours. Tourists entering Bhutan through Samdrup Jongkhar will take you to Trashigang, and from there over the lateral route to Mongar, Bumthang, Trongsa, Wangdue Phodrang and then finally into the capital, Thimphu. The distance is about 700 kms and will take you a minimum of three days to reach Thimphu.

Travel by Air: There are flights to destinations that include Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodh Gaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati, Singapore and Mumbai.

Paro is situated at a height of 2,225m (7300ft) above sea level and is surrounded by mountains as high as 4,876?m (16,000?ft). At present two carriers operate to Bhutan, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines. There are also domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan.

Flying into Bhutan’s Paro International Aiport is typically an exciting experience as the descent into Paro valley brings you closer to the mountain tops than most other flights in the world. The flight between Paro and Kathmandu is one of the most exciting ones as the aircraft passes over four of the five highest mountains in the world. In fine weather, as you soar higher up, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kangchenjunga at their best.

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.

Guides: There are over 1000 licensed and active tour guides working in the country.
In order to ensure that visitors receive high quality professional service, every guide must complete a training course. Guides are trained to specialize in either cultural or adventure tours. Many guides complete language courses in German, Japanese, Thai and other languages so that they can easily communicate with guests and all are proficient in English. All tour operators must employ only registered and certified guides.