The flight into Bhutan is spectacular with views of the snow capped Himalayas of Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim and checking through immigrations at the Paro International Airport is quick and hassle-free. At the Airport exit gate your tour guide and driver will be waiting for you and a few minutes’ drive will bring you to the Paro town where you can have your lunch or tea/coffee.
You can start your magical experience of Bhutan by first visiting the impressive Rinpung Dzong/fortress of Heaped Jewels which is a fine example of the ostentatious Bhutanese art and architecture evident everywhere. Located above the Dzong is the National Museum showcasing various artifacts and relics of ancient Bhutan.
Enjoy the one and half hour drive to Thimphu through the beautiful landscape and during holidays you can stop over and watch an archery match in progress. Thimphu is one of the few capital cities in the world not having traffic lights and the traffic is still manned by traffic policemen. You can either check into your hotel and relax or go for an evening stroll through the town and and market areas.
Overnight at the exclusive Aman Kora Lodge and enjoy their luxurious and hospitable service and facilities.
After a leisurely breakfast explore the capital Thimphu and visit the main sites. Soak in the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley from the site of the gigantic Buddha Shakyamuni, one of the largest statue of Buddha at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). You can also enjoy a short hike around the Buddha, and then a stopover at the Memorial Chorten/stupa in town is another favorite with the tourists and elderly citizens as they circumambulate the Chorten chanting prayers and pulling at their beads. The main statue of the Buddha inside the Chorten is said to grant wishes for the earnest and honest hearted!
If you want to mingle with the Bhutanese people and jostle with local farmers amongst the aroma of organic fruits and vegetables, the Centenary Farmers Market is the place to be. Smiling tourists watch in awe as locals bargain with the vendors and you could even stock up on your organic fruits for the coming days.
In the evening visit the impressive Tashi Chho Dzong / Fortress of the Auspicious Religion. The Dzong houses the office of our King, few government offices and the Central Monk Body.
There are many other places of interest if you are not too tired, or you can rest and relax at your hotel Aman Kora.
Drive for an hour till you reach the scenic Dochulaa Pass (3150 meters) from where you can enjoy spectacular views of the snow capped Himalayan Mountains and the mini 108 stupas built over a hill.
Drive back to Paro which will take about 2 hours from the Pass and enroute you can stopover to visit the Semtokha Dzong, the first Dzong built in 1629, Tachogang Temple across the iron suspension bridge, and back in Paro you can check into the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary and enjoy their hospitality.
The Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is the latest addition to the high-end hotels in Paro and offers many interesting activities like archery, pottery, cooking classes, traditional doctor consultation, unlimited spa, massage and hot-stone baths, yoga/meditation class, other wellness treatments and visits to nearby villages and temples.
After an early breakfast drive for about 30 minutes to the base of the Taktsang Monastery, and while there are options to ride a pony till halfway, we’d suggest you to walk all the way to the Monastery. It is about 3 hours uphill and 2 hours down, and enroute there is a cafeteria, however we can either arrange a picnic lunch or depending on your walking pace you maybe able to come back to your hotel for lunch.
Since the Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary offers many activities you have the choice to stay at your Hotel and enjoy these facilities, or you can visit few temples located in the town and enjoy a stroll through the market places and numerous small handicraft shops.
After breakfast and as per your flight time your tour guide and driver will drive you to the Airport. We hope you had a pleasant stay and we hope to see you again in Bhutan.
Visa formalities is smooth and hassle free for tourists as only registered tour companies/operators can apply for tourist Visas with the Tourism Council of Bhutan. As your chosen tour company, once we confirm your travel dates, flights and logistics we will apply for your Bhutan Visa. All tourist Visa approval is 100% guaranteed and Visa approval only depends on your imminent travel dates. Visa usually gets approved 1 month prior to your arrival date to Bhutan.
You can either purchase your flight tickets online https://www.drukair.com.bt or we can do on your behalf. It will be more convenient for you and for us if we purchase your flight tickets, as there is no difference in the price whether you or we purchase. However, as a Registered Ticketing Agent of both the Airlines in Bhutan, we will be the first ones to know if there are any changes in the flight timing or schedule, and we can immediately liaise with the airlines for the next best options and reschedule accordingly the hotels and itinerary.
The second advantage is if there are any promotional rates we can avail the offer and pass it on to you which is not possible if you buy online.
Yoga is gaining popularity in Bhutan and there are few yoga centers offering scheduled sessions by professional yoga teachers at no cost or a minimum fee. Also luxury premium hotels like Uma by Como, Six Senses and Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary offers free yoga classes for their in house guests as per their schedule. For walk in guests the additional cost for a 1 hour yoga session with their in-house teacher at Uma by Como in Paro is USD 120.00 for 1 person.
However, if you do not need a teacher, then we can provide yoga mats which will be kept in your car all times and whenever you want you can ask your guide to take you to a good spot to do your yoga. There are many scenic spots and plenty of opportunity for outdoor yoga session by yourself or with your traveling group.
We also arrange special wellness and Yoga retreat trips on request.
Tourism in Bhutan is managed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan and as per the Tourism Policy any tourists wishing to visit Bhutan must tie up with a local tour operator for Visa and all logistics. The policy also mandates that each tour group irrespective of the number of people in a group, must have a tour guide and a driver. While all this sounds restrictive, suffocating and almost like traveling to North Korea where they also have the guided tour policy, however please be assured the similarity ends at these words. Bhutan is a liberal country and one of the safest places to visit and live in. Tour itineraries are customized as per the interests of the guests and the guests has the liberty to choose their duration of travel and places to visit. Guests have the liberty to start their day at any time they choose, spend extra time at a site or skip any sight if not interested.
The tour guide and driver are more like local companions showing you the places and providing local insight into the culture of Bhutan, while also taking care of all logistics and ensuring you have a hassle free comfortable holiday in Bhutan.
Our Cancellation Policy
Tour programmes booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
After Booking – receipt of funds - 10% of the rate
Within 30 days from the start of the program - 15% of rate
Within 14 days from the start of the program - 50% of rate
Within 7 days from the start of the program - 75% of rate
Less than 7 days or without notice - 100% of rate
After arrival in Bhutan - 100% of the rate
No Refund will be extended for early departure
Our tour itineraries are flexible and customized as per the guests’ interests, hobbies and preferences. At the onset of our communication we always inform our guests of the same and to let us know their interests and accordingly we discuss and finalize the itinerary. There are many places to visit and numerous things to do, and it may not be possible to visit all the places, therefore we provide the options and our guests choose the same as per their interests.
Additionally, our website has a complete list of attractions and things to do, so guests can pick and choose their preferred places and activities.
No you do not have to eat at preselected restaurants. For breakfast you can eat at your hotel, and for lunch and dinner you can try out the many restaurants that serve traditional Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and continental cuisines. We also do not like to limit our guests to eat only at the hotels and buffet. Your guide will take you to these restaurants as per your food preference. As long as the restaurants are not 5 star, all 3 meals are included in the tour package.
Changangkha
Thimphu, Bhutan
Mobile - 00985-17131261