Bhutan, Land of happiness

$5500 per person

The small yet impressive Kingdom of Buthan, « land of the Thunder Dragon », fascinates visitors with its mysteries. It is the last great Himalayan kingdom, shrouded in mystery and magic. With high altitude trekking trails and stunning landscapes, « Drukh Path Trek » is one of the short hikes in Bhutan, connecting the valleys of Paru & Thimphu.

The clear mountain lakes offer a breathtaking sight and a splendid view, quite uninhabited. This surprising country features 3 valleys on its Western coast with 2500 m peak rise, Thimphu, Paro & Punakha, dominated by prime position & majestic Fortress-Monasteries named Dzongs, palaces of great bliss, houses of administrative & monastic institutions as well as artistic & religious.

10 days/ 9 nights

Destination

Bhuthan
Included

Bhutan, Land of happiness
Not Included

Nuits en hôtel 4*

Le billet d’avion

Departure Taxes

Assurance

Les taxes d’aéroport

Personal Guide

Breakfast

Day 1:

Departure from Beirut towards Paro
Flight to Bhutan transiting in Delhi, Calcutta or Kathmandu

Day 2:

Arrival to Paro with DrukAir & transfer to Thimphu (55 km, 1:30 h by car)
Travel to the Himalaya with DrukAir, the official Royal Bhutan Airlines. While flying on top of Paro valley, you will see the impressive Paro Dzong, a massive Bhutanese architecture with high walls towering over Paro Chu valley & Ta Dzong, once used as a fort defending from invasions and later on transformed into a National Museum.
Once immigration formalities are completed in the airport of destination, our guide will assist you for the transfer to Thimphu, the capital and only city of the kingdom of Bhutan.
Night stay in Thimphu

Day 3: Thimphu

After breakfast, start your city tour with the visit of the National Library & Archives, house to an impressive collection of Buddhist manuscripts. Continue your visit with the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly known as « the painting school » providing 6 years of long instruction courses to Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts. The showroom sells good-value pieces made by students.
Proceed with the National Textile Museum exhibiting the national art of weaving, from techniques to material and books.
After lunch, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten, one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu, daily place of worship for dedicated people who pay homage, reciting prayers, circumambulating and whirling the large red prayer wheels. This landmark was built to honor the 3rd king of Bhutan Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who wanted to build « a Chorten to represent the mind of the Buddha ». Erected in 1974 after the early death of the 3rd Druk Gyalpo, the Chorten is held in great religious fervor and represents a monument for peace and a seat of faith.
Visit the National handicraft Emporium with typical traditional Bhutanese artisan arts. You will find hand-made woven textiles and material, Thangka painting arts & crafts, traditional masks and other Bhutanese handcrafts.
In the afternoon, Visit the famous Trashi Chho Dzong, the Buddhist Monastery, seat of the Druk Desi, the head of Bhutan civil government. The hall houses the thrones of the past king Je Khenpo and the current king. Acquired in 1641, it was renamed and arranged to house both monks and civil officials in the Dzong. In the sixties, the entire Dzong was rebuilt in traditional fashion, without nails or architectural plans.
Night stay in the hotel in Thimphu

Day 4 : Thimphu – Punakha (75km, 3 h by car)

After breakfast, the tour will take you to Dochula Pass, a mountain pass from Thimphu to Punakha, located at an elevation of 3,088 m or 10,130 feet. Enjoy the stunning 360 degree panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain range. The view is particularly scenic on clear days with snow-capped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the Chortens gracing the mountain pass. From left to right, the peaks are visible : Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m),Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7,060 m), the isolated Lunana and the highest mountain peak of Bhutan at 7,497m high.
Later, visit Punakha Dzong, at the junction of Pho Chhu & Mo Chhu rivers. It is the most beautiful Dzong in the country, second to be built in Bhutan. It served as the capital and seat of the government as well as the winter residence. Erected in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it caught four catastrophic & demolishing fires and was completely renovated by the current king.
The tour end with the visit of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and the commanding view of the valley below.
Visit the region and its local market famous for its traditional Bamboo crafts, slate tiles and stones.
Night stay in the hotel in Punakha.

Day 5 : Punakha

After breakfast, head towards Chimi Lhakhang, a small hill standing out and dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley known as « the mad saint » or « the divine madman », with the unorthodox way of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior.
Known as « the fertility temple », childless women come in pilgrimage and seek blessing from the saint of the temple. The temple is accessible through a 30 minutes hike as the trail cuts through rice paddies, flat fields and gentle slopes.
The trail goes through Yoaka and goes back to Chimi Lhakhang.
In the afternoon, explore Punakha exotic village and local market.
Night stay in the hotel in Paro.

Day 6 : Punakha – Paro (125km, 4h by car)

After breakfast, the tour starts with Simtokha Dzong, on the way to Paro. Built in 1929, it is the first in its kind in Bhutan; it houses one of the premier Dzongkha language learning institutes.
In the afternoon, you will visit Ta Dzong in Paro, built in 1649 to protect the undefended Dzong and renovated in 1968 as the National Museum.
Later, the trail will lead to Rinpung Dzong though the typical open bridge Nemi Zam. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it is a high point of Bhutanese architecture, formerly the meeting hall for the National assembly and now houses both the monastic body & district government offices Dzongda and local courts Thrimpon.
Night stay in Paro.

Day 7 : Paro

After breakfast, walk up the valley till Drukgyal Dzong located in the upper part of Paro. Built in the 17th century, the Dzong, now in ruins, commemorate victory over the invasion from Tibet.
The excursion continues towards Taktsang Palphug Monastery also known as the « tiger’s nest » after Guru Rinpoche used it for his meditation and came on a tiger’s back. It has become the cultural icon of Bhutan and a prominent sacred site. The excursion takes about 5 hours.
On the way back, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan oldest and most beautiful temples.
Night stay in the hotel in Paro.

Day 8 : Mystic Tiger’s nest

The day starts with the visit of the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, hanging on a 900 m cliff and standing above a beautiful forest of pines. It is blessed and sanctified as one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious sites. It is known that Guru Rinpoche visited and sanctified Bhutan in the 8th century when evil spirits harmed people. Legend has it that he flew to this site on a tigress’ back to attack the demon.
It caught fire in 1998, was completely destroyed and got today restored. It is today a site of pilgrimage. It takes 2 hours of fast walk where the ascent reveals the fantastic sight of the Dzong most often surrounded by waves of clouds.
Spend the afternoon at your own leisure.

Day 9 : Departure from Paro and return to Beirut

Wake up for an early breakfast and head to the airport for your return home or your next destination. You will be assisted by our designated guide.

Price per person :5500 USD basic double room .

OUR PRICES INCLUDE:

Accommodation in Hotel 4 * basic double rooms.
The plane ticket in economy class.
Breakfasts and dinners.
Guided tours mentioned in the program.
Transfers : Airport / Hotel / Airport

Our price does not include:

Personal expenses (bar, laundry, telephone ...)
Tips
Any services not described in our program
Visas

October to December is the ideal time to visit Bhutan as the air is clear and fresh with sunny skies. January and February are colder, but from then until April the climate remains dry and pleasant and in late spring the famous rhododendrons bloom spectacularly, flooding the valleys with colour.

Bhutan, Land of happiness