Introduction to Bhutan Private tour introducing the main places in Western Bhutan

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Lillian Patterson
5 years ago
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1 Private tour introducing the main places in Western Bhutan

2 Duration: 7 nights/ 8 days Arrive: Paro Depart: Paro Lodging: 7 nights in hotels Meals: All Included: Group Size: Any size group for Independent travel. Trip Type: Cultural tour with optional walks Cost Information Based on the group sizes. Single traveller: $ pax: $2050 Per Person 3-4 pax:1820 Per Person 5-7 Pax: $1700 Per Person Single room supplement $250 Single traveller cost includes single room supplement If travels are within 1st Dec till 25 Feb and from 1st June till 25 August, following discounted rates apply. Single Traveller $ pax: $1730 Per Person 3-4 pax $ 1510 Per Person 5-7 Pax: $1440 Per Person Single room supplement $230 Single traveller cost includes single supplement. Included: Bhutan Royalties, tourists fees, Visa fees and taxes. Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type) All meals, including evening tea/ coffee etc through-out the tour in Bhutan. All land transfers, sightseeing with entrance fees. Experienced English Speaking Bhutanese Tour Guide. Bottled water in the vehicle and other comp. services. Not Included: Flights into and out of Bhutan Optional Travel/Medical Insurance Personal expenses such as bars, beverages in the hotel, telephone, laundry, trips, and others With customs and traditions still going strong after centuries, and environment so rich and diverse, there is nowhere quite blessed like Bhutan. For those who have limited time, this 8 days/7 nights introduction tour of Bhutan is the perfect choice. It covers Thimphu the capital, with a youthful exuberance that constantly challenges the country s conservatism and proud tradition. The ever-present juxtaposition of old and new is just one of its appealing qualities. Then drive east across spectacular Dochula pass to remote Gangtey, Phobjikha valley, in the heart of Black-mountains National Park. On our way back, we stop in semi-tropical Punakha-Wangdue valley, once a former winter capital of this Kingdom. Then visit emerald green Paro valley, one of the loveliest, from where we also hike up to famous Taktsang (Tiger s nest) monastery, an quintessential Bhutan travel experience. 2 sales@windhorsetours.com

Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Paro Thimphu Upon arrival in Paro, you are met by Wind Horse Guide & driver and transferred to Thimphu, which takes around 1hr from the airport.

Visit Farmer s market, which is more vibrant during the weekends. Overnight in the hotel in Thimphu. Day 2: Thimphu Valley Tour The capital of Bhutan also has most things to see for visitors.

3 Itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Paro Thimphu Upon arrival in Paro, you are met by Wind Horse Guide & driver and transferred to Thimphu, which takes around 1hr from the airport. This afternoon visit attractions of Thimphu according to your interests and available time. This may include Tashicho Dzong, which is the main Govt center with kings throne room. Visit Farmer s market, which is more vibrant during the weekends. Overnight in the hotel in Thimphu. Day 2: Thimphu Valley Tour The capital of Bhutan also has most things to see for visitors. A full day tour of Thimphu s cultural sites and monuments may include Memorial Chorten, traditional Art school or Painting school, Indigenous Hospital, Nunnery at Zilukha, a short drive up to a view point for aerial view of the capital and its suburbs. Along the way, visit Takin Sanctuary, the national animal of Bhutan. Also visit giant Buddha statue. There are others like Zangdopelri temple, Changangkha monastery, Simtokha Dzong, Crafts workshop, Textile museum which can be visited as per available time or based on your interests. Overnight in hotel in Thimphu. Day 3: Thimphu Gangtey The spectacular drive from Thimphu to Gangtey or Phobjikha valley takes bit more than 5hrs, covering around 125km. From Thimphu, road climbs up to Dochula pass (3,050m), where you have opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Descend into Wangdue/Punakha valley at 1400m. After Wangdue, the road begins to climb again, through Jigme Singye National Park, passing through some roadside villages. Just above Nobding village and below Pele la pass, the road makes a turnoff from the main East-west highway. Crossing over Labanla pass, wide-spectacular Phobjikha valley with Gangtey monastery atop a hill appears. Gangtey or Phobjikha valley at an average altitude of 3,000m is a beautiful valley, designated as conservation zone within the Jigme Singye National Park, a natural habitat for wildlife. It is the winter nesting grounds for rare and endangered Black-necked cranes that migrate in large numbers from Tibetan plateaus (around late October and stay on till March). This afternoon visit ancient Gangtey Gompa monastery, located atop a hillock. From there, you can choose to take a walk following a nature trail down till your hotel. Overnight in pleasant Dewachen Lodge in wooded acreage. Please note that if this hotel is not available, the alternative accommodation is petty basic HORSE (46773) 3

Thimphu Punakha Gangtey Paro Wangdu Phodrang Tak t Kha m san g sum Cheri or Tango Trail Thimphu Paro = Walking trail = Road = Rivers Cho rten = Optional tours ha Punak Wa ngd u Lungchuzekha &

Punakha-Wangdue valley is lower (about 1450m above sea level) and it enjoys sub-tropical climate. View Wangdiphodrang Dzong (now in ruins and undergoing reconstruction).

The views from here are astounding of the river, valley, paddy fields, surrounded by verdant hills with backdrop of peaks. Later in the evening, take a short stroll around Punakha town.

Take a short walk into the village and visit Chimi Lhakhang temple, dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kuenley, affectionately known as Divine Madman, for his unconventional ways of teaching using dirty jokes.

4 Thimphu Punakha Gangtey Paro Wangdu Phodrang Tak t Kha m san g sum Cheri or Tango Trail Thimphu Paro = Walking trail = Road = Rivers Cho rten = Optional tours ha Punak Wa ngd u Lungchuzekha & Trashigang Trail Day 4: Gangtey - Wangdue Punakha In the morning, visit the Park Visitor Center, and other places. Then drive back to Wangdue, which takes around 3 hrs. Punakha-Wangdue valley is lower (about 1450m above sea level) and it enjoys sub-tropical climate. View Wangdiphodrang Dzong (now in ruins and undergoing reconstruction). In the afternoon, visit impressive Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the two rivers. Later drive short distance north and walk for 45 mins uphill to Khamsum on Nyenzangang hill. The views from here are astounding of the river, valley, paddy fields, surrounded by verdant hills with backdrop of peaks. Later in the evening, take a short stroll around Punakha town. Overnight in hotel in Punakha/Wangdue. 4 Gangtey, Phobjikha Pho dra ng Day 5: Punakha - Paro Check-out of your hotel. Take a short walk into the village and visit Chimi Lhakhang temple, dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kuenley, affectionately known as Divine Madman, for his unconventional ways of teaching using dirty jokes. He is a folk hero and a cultural icon around whom countless yarns of facts and fiction, stories and legends have been spun. Drive back to Thimphu, re-crossing the magnificent Dochu La Pass, with one more opportunity to see the panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayan peaks. Lunch may be at the Cafeteria at Dochula or in Thimphu depending on arrival time. After Thimphu, continue drive to Paro. In Paro, visit Rinphung Dzong and take a short walk down hill till the town area, and stroll. Overnight in hotel in Paro. sales@windhorsetours.com

5 Day 6: Paro Valley Tour Paro valley is one of the loveliest in Bhutan. The willow trees and apple orchards line many of the roads. Large whitewashed farmhouses and temples complement the terraced fields with forested hills rising on either side to create a beautiful, organic and peaceful whole. Paro is also excellent agricultural land and the people here are better off than many elsewhere in Bhutan. We ll tour by short drives and walks to see its many attractions such the Ta Dzong watchtower Museum, beautiful 7th century Kichu Lhakhang and also cover Dumtse Lhakhang temple, known hold some of the finest murals in the kingdom. In the afternoon drive short distance and take a short walk to visit Dzongdrakha cave temples. Overnight in Paro. Day 7: Paro Valley (Takstang) Our journey in Kingdom culminates in a hike to the most famous pilgrimage site in Bhutan: Taktsang Goempa (tiger s nest) monastery (at about 3100m/10,100ft). Visible from afar, this magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 1,000 feet above the valley floor, defying logic, gravity, and reason in the quest for spiritual enlightenment. It is one of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan. If for some reason, some of the members wish to skip hike to Taktsang, our Guide and driver can arrange other interesting alternatives for them. You can also hire pony for the uphill part, till the first view point & cafeteria but you must be able to walk back downhill on return. The steep hike to the first view point or cafeteria (at 2940m/9,650ft) takes between 1-2hrs (ascending about 300m/1,000ft) from the starting point. From here it is another half hour or so to higher spectacular lookout point after ascending another 200m/650ft that puts you eyeball to eyeball with the monastery. From this vantage point, Takstang seems close enough to touch but it is on the far side of deep chasm and takes a knee breaking descent and ascending of another 40 minutes or so to the monastery. While some will probably not make it all the way to the monastery, but even to get to the first view point is really worth all the effort. Upon return from the hike, we may have time to visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong. Farewell dinner. Overnight in the hotel, in Paro valley. Day 8: Departure After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport in time for your departure flight. Private Journeys This Wind Horse Private Journeys in Bhutan is flexible touring based on your interests. With your own private guide and driver, you can visit as much or little, walk instead of driving, so long as the place of stay does not change. On the first day of your arrival, our guide will listen to your interests and try to incorporate them as possible. Accommodations Thimphu: Hotel Druk, Hotel Osel or Khang Residency Punakha/Wangdue: Meri Phuensum, Punatsangchu or Drupchu Gangtey, Phobjikha: Dewachen hotel, Yu -loki Guest House or similar In Paro: Tashi Namgay, Tenzinling, Gangtey Palace, Janka Resorts or similar. Hotels used are rated 3-4 star. As the hotels in Bhutan have few rooms and demands during the festival period is high, we are unable to specify the exact name but our objective is to provide the best in the category. With our reputation, and many years of good relationship with the hotels, we normally get our preferred hotels. Our preference is listed above in sequence HORSE (46773) 5

6 Wind Horse Tours? Customer Service 24/7 Our commitment to exceptional service means that our CEOs and Top Managers are on standby 24/7. Once you have booked the trip, you will be provided with urgent contact numbers and addresses of the CEOs and Managers of your trip. Our Company With a small group of fervent guides and travel experts, Wind Horse Tours was officially launched in Bhutan in Since then we have expanded cautiously; with office in Minneapolis, followed by operation office in Delhi and Gangtok, Sikkim. We have also recently added Sales and Support team in Phuntsholing, at the border of India and Bhutan, which is also conveniently close to Nepal and Sikkim. With network of offices, our guests receive round-the-clock fanatical support before and during the trip. As a cost effective measures, we refrain from mass advertising, and instead focus on guest services. We believe in building satisfied customer; that spread word for us. It s the way we do business, and it has been working for us Over 15 years, we have been doing an honest business and in that time, we have seen travelers bridging gaps between faiths and cultures and proving thereby that we live in a small world, a world with both constructive similarities and fascinating differences. For us travel is about experience; the experience of becoming involved with a place and its people and therefore bringing you closer to cultures, cuisines, traditions, natural beauty and change. It is more than a way to unwind oneself, but to discover new places and on the way to discovering oneself. Our small group journeys are created keeping these in mind. They are escorted by finest local guides who share our passion and values. At Wind Horse, we are committed to maintaining our inherent belief in the core values that continue to inspire our being and business today. These core values are to provide legendary customer support, to be honest and to provide competitive price without sacrificing the comfort and quality. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in the culture and daily operation of our offices and field staffs. We expect our staff to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and environments; in the good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.

7 Powered by Caring People...Powered by Service - Since 1998 Offices Minneapolis, MN, USA Thimphu, Bhutan Phuentsholing, Bhutan Delhi, India Darjeeling, India For reservations Wind Horse Holidays, Inc 6415 Vincent Ave. S Minneapolis, MN USA Find our UK, Australia, India phone numbers on our web site. Fax Phone sales@windhorsetours.com Recognition & Memberships : Wind Horse is consistently recognized by many organizations for leadership and outstanding business practices. We are members with highest rating of Better Bureau of Business, Tourism Council of Bhutan, Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators and Indian Association of Tour. Operator and many tourism related organizations in the region. We are recommended travel company in the Himalayas, and you will find us listed in all major guide books and travel resources. Since the inception, the mandate of Wind Horse has been to establish a structural and operation values based within the realm of democratic framework. We are owned and managed by local partners, an attempt to devolve and allocate the work to the grassroots level, therefore getting the best out of person and the region. Besides our staffs being well paid, the company also dispenses large portion of proceeds as bonuses which has enabled us to retain and attract the best staffs and guides. In these years, we have realized that big is not always beautiful Nor being too small adds too much of value. Plainly speaking, oscillating between two extremes poses serious structural deficiency and therefore following on the middle path, our guests highlight that they are glad for the attention to the details and a personalized touch to their trip. One element that cut us above the rest is our zeal to guard our flexibility in order to meet our guests interests and needs, at the same time embedding an element of fun and joy in what we do without it being perfunctory. Join us in the odyssey of lifetime in company of passionate guide and caring company for authentic and unforgettable life-changing experience.

Tour Fare : US$ 990 per person group exceeding more than 3 person

5 Days Trip to Bhutan Essence of Bhutan Tour Fare : US$ 990 per person group exceeding more than 3 person Day 01: Paro- Thimphu(1.30 hrs drive, 65km, 2230m above sea) The flight to Paro is one of the most