Bhutan

Region: Featured Trips

Enquire Now

Transportation
-
Difficulty
-
Accomodation
-
Altitude
-
Duration
-
Activities
-

Overview

Overview

Area of Bhutan: 18,000 square miles

Position: Approximately between 26’45” and 28’10” north latitude and 88’45” and 91’10” east longitude

Population: 1,200,000 (approximately)

Capital: Thimphu

Government: Form of constitutional monarchy

State Religion: Mahayana Buddhism of the Drukpa Kagyupa Sect.

Languages: Dzonkha, Nepali, English and a number of dialects including Sharchopkha and Khen Kha.

Unit of currency: Ngultrum (Nu.) Rs. 1 of India

Visa and Entry Formalities

Entry is affected by Air and overland routes. There are 2 flights Kathmandu-Paro- every Mon/Wed/Fri and Paro-Kathmandu every Tue/Sun/Fri. All foreign nationals other than Indian nationals in groups of 1-3 pas or more may visit Bhutan. Applications for Visas should be made at least three weeks in advance. For Visa processing following details are to be forwarded at the time of booking

Full name (exactly as in passport)
Date and place of issue.
Date of expiry.
Nationality
Occupation
Date of birth
Passport number

A visa fee of U$ 20 per person will have to be paid on arrival. Two passport-size photographs are required.

Group size:

A minimum number of 2 persons is required for getting permits to trek in Bhutan. For Tours, 1-3 persons are considered as free individual travelers and 8 & above as a Group. A special discount is available, if you are traveling in a Group of 4 & above.

Climate:

Weather conditions are ideal for visiting Bhutan in all seasons except winter, which runs from December through February. Summer temperatures in Thimphu ranges from about 80C (460) to 200 C (680 F)

Temperatures in the south are tropical with high monsoon rainfall. Rainfall in the higher central region is not so heavy. The days are clear and warm with cool nights.

What to wear:

During most of the year light woolens and cottons are sufficient for day-wear, with warmer attire necessary in the evenings. Heavy woolen clothing is required during winter months.

Health:

All major towns in Bhutan have fully-equipped hospitals with all medical facilities, including specialists and ambulance services for emergencies. Certificates of inoculation against cholera and smallpox are required for entry, although Bhutan is free from these diseases.

Safety:

The crime rate is currently extremely low, making Bhutan one of the safer places in the world. It is rare to feel insecure within the kingdom.

Communication:

All major towns have basic communication facilities, including post, telephone, fax and telegraph. Television and Internet were introduced in 1999, and can be accessed from most towns and cities.

Transportation:

All places of interest in Bhutan are linked by road. We provide comfortable vehicles to transport our clients to and from various destinations. We use good condition vehicles to ensure safety and punctuality while making travel arrangements in the country.

Food and Drinks:

Food is mainly of local variety with Indian, Chinese and Tibetan dishes available at most of the places. Bhutanese food is a blend of Himalayan flavors with the modern cuisine. Traditional Bhutanese food is hot and spicy.

Favorite beverages include Chang, the local beer and arra, a spirit distilled from rice, maize, wheat or barley.

Entertainment:

The visitor has unique opportunity to see some of the spectacular ancient dances and music of the Himalayan region especially in the festival occasions.

Time:

Bhutan standard time is half an hour ahead of Indian standard time and 6 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Electricity and Plug type:

Current is 220-240 volts. The plug is round, 3 prong, British type.

For visitors to Bhutan seeking a whistle-stop introduction to this ancient Buddhist land, we recommend our 3Nights/4Days Himalayan Escape package. Your accommodation is included on a full-board basis, excluding beverages. Our professional experienced guides will lead our guests attractively throughout their stay in Bhutan.
Day 01:Arrival, Drive to Thimphu and check-in,
Himalayan Abode guide will welcome you at the airport, once you have settled in your first foray into the Kingdom begins with sightseeing on the way to Thimphu. Before Lunch you can visit: Semtokha Dzong (Forttress) which was built around 17^th century. It was built by one of the great Lama called Zhabdrung. It was built in on the hill top for defensive purpose. Than after Lunch you can proceed for Lunch .Than later visit Memorial chorten in the main city which was built in 1974 in momeory of our late third king of Bhutan.
Thimphu City: Since you all are staying just one night in this little capital city. You can explore the city but you will come to know that though Thimphu is the capital city but you will find without a traffic light. So Thimphu is the only Capital city in the world without a traffic Light.
Tashi Choedzong: Later in the evening around 5:30pm, Tourist is allowed to visit this dzong. This Dzong was built around 17^th century for defensive purposes but now it functions as an entire district administration and also home for monastic body.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 02:Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast visit the following sightseeing:
Buddha Point: Today after breakfast visit the biggest Buddha statue that’s stand on the hill overlooking Capital city. The construction was started around 2008 and yet some work is still need to be done. It was built spending 30 million US Dollar and it is 169ft tall, perhaps might become 8^th wonders of the world. Now yearly great teachings by our chief abbot of Bhutan are held out here where many devotees around the country gather to listen his teaching about Buddhism.
Zilukha Nunnery: It has been housed in drubthob Goemba (monastery). There are about 70 nuns who live and pray every day in the monastery. The beautiful view of Tashicho Dzong can be seen from the nunnery. Over here in this nunnery we have around 50 nuns who stays nearby and they always makes prayers for the world to have peace and prosperity. Some of the nuns over here very young and some are very old too. They spend whole life as a nun.
Changangkha Monastery: It is one of the oldest monasteries in Thimphu built in 12^th century by Phajodrugom Shingpo, who came from Tibet and brought Drukpa Kagyu and spread his teaching. Inside the monasteries the main figure is (Avolokiteshwara) God of compassion and other deities. It was in 2011 when there was an earth quake in India, In Bhutan also we felt and some parth of this temple was fallen down. Upon the Royal command, it was again rebuilt immediately and now looks new outside but however you will see the old morals of great Buddhas painting inside.
Later drive to Paro and enjoy Paro Sightseeing: After Lunch visit Kychu Lhakhang: This temple was built around 7^th century and it is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. It is taken care under the patronage of our Royal grandmother and yearly we do have annual teaching about Buddhism in this temple. Attached with this temple you will also visit another temple with Guru Rinpoches Statue which was built in 1968 and dedicated to the late Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. He was a teacher and the master of our Royal grandmother.
Dumtse Lhakhang: Later visit this old temple built around 15^th centry. You will see the old morals painted on the walls by the great taechers and masters who brought Buddhism in our country. It is a 3 story tall building.
Overnight: Paro
Day03: Drive to Paro for Taktsang Hike(6-7 hours)
Highlights of the Paro Valley—Taktsang Walk One of the most amazing and important pieces of architecture in Bhutan, Taktsang Goemba defies logic, gravity, and reason. Legend has it that this cliffside was where Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) landed on the back of a flying tigress, bringing Buddhism to Bhutan from Tibet. To avoid the hot sun an early start is advisable for the two-hour climb to the Tiger’s Nest viewpoint. Descend steeply, and then climb up to the monastery, passing a waterfall and entering through the main gates which are filled with murals. Retrace our steps or alternatively (if time and energy levels allow) head further up to several remote temples and monasteries. Return to hotel in the afternoon for some time to rest and relax and enjoy the facilities.
Overnight: Paro
Day 04: Depart Bhutan
Druk Air or Bhutan airline departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions so after breakfast, your transfer to the airport will be arranged for between5am and 9am depending on the flight schedule

Day 01:Arrival, Drive to Thimphu and check-in,
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 02:Thimphu – Paro
After breakfast visit the following sightseeing:
Buddha Point:
Zilukha Nunnery:
Changangkha Monastery:
Dumtse Lhakhang:
Overnight: Paro
Day03: Drive to Paro for Taktsang Hike(6-7 hours)
Overnight: Paro
Day 04: Depart Bhutan