Classic Tour of Bhutan Overview
Classic Bhutan Tour is an enjoyable and exciting trip to enjoy the great combination in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. An 11-day tour from arrival to departure, enjoy the pristine environment. In the harmony of serene and scenic surroundings with colorful Bhutanese culture. A great experience in the country of Thundering Dragon known as Druk.
Classic Bhutan is a perfect moderate-grade tour, around beautiful Bhutan landscapes and traditional villages. Steeped with age-old cultural heritage as it were for hundreds of centuries, that still exists to observe in this wonderful Classic Bhutan Tour.
Classic Bhutan starts with an exciting flight with unparalleled views of the Himalayan mountain range to land at Paro, Bhutan’s International Airport.
Then an exciting drive to Thimphu, the capital for the interesting tour.
The journey continues with exciting moments and beyond the outskirts of Thimphu to Punakha via Dochu-La 3,200 m. reaching lovely areas of Trongsa with Jakar and Phobjikha villages and towns. Have time to marvel at the stunning country’s landscapes, in the comfort of local hospitality and its impressive sites and monasteries of great interest, and then back to Paro for an exciting tour of the famous Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Then complete the wonderful Classic Tour of Bhutan flying back to Kathmandu or for homewards bound.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Morning tour of Kathmandu and preparation for Bhutan.
Day 03: Fly to Paro airport 2,280 m and drive to Thimphu 2,300 m-03 hrs.
Day 04: At Thimphu with an exciting cultural and historical tour.
Day 05: Drive to Punakha 1,350 m via Dochu-La 3,200 m – 04 hrs.
Day 06: At Punakha with an interesting tour.
Day 07: Morning drive to Paro 2,280 m- 05 hrs.
Day 08: Sightseeing around Paro at places of interest.
Day 09: Depart for Kathmandu or to respective connecting flights.
Detail Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to a hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal international airport received by Brown Bear Trail staff for a short drive to your hotels. Situated in the hub of Kathmandu city, after getting refreshed, join with other members of Classic Bhutan Tour for briefing. The staff will provide information of Bhutan tour and cultures with do’s and don’ts.
Day 02: Morning tour of Kathmandu and preparation for Bhutan.
Morning after breakfast at a given time our guide will meet the group for an exciting tour of Kathmandu’s World Heritage Sites.
The holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries. Includes old Palaces and royal courtyard; after an interesting sightseeing back to hotel, preparation for the trip to Bhutan.
Day 03: Fly to Paro airport 2,220 m and drive to Thimphu 2,300 m-03 hrs.
On arrival at Paro, Bhutan’s International Airport our native guide receives the group. A few hours’ drive to Thimphu, the journey leads around the scenic countryside dotted with villages and farm terraces. A typical Bhutanese landscape of Buddhist heritage and culture. On reaching Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, at Thimphu in the best available hotels, afternoons at leisure have time for stroll around the market to observe the Bhutanese daily activities.
Day 04: At Thimphu with an exciting cultural and historical tour.
After a good breakfast, the native guide will take you for a tour to Memorial Stupa, and indigenous hospital. Where traditional medicine is still practiced, and the painting school. Enjoy the tour of Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King of Bhutan.
Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley offering a nice view of the valley. A short scenic drive to visit the largest and newly built statue of Lord Buddha. Includes grand vista of Thimphu and the valley, after an interesting tour of Thimphu and beyond. Drive back to the hotel, after lunch the tour continues visiting the Traditional Hand Made Paper Mills. As well School of Arts and Crafts where students get to learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan.
The Folk Heritage Museum, and National Library includes the Traditional Institute of Medicine. Then drive to the Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns, an interesting place with cheerful nuns to interact. From here back to the hotel, with evening free till dinner time.
Day 05:Drive to Punakha 1,350 m- 03 hrs.
After a pleasant and wonderful time in Thimphu, morning after breakfast, a scenic short drive to Punakha. The drive leads beyond Thimphu towards high Dochu-la pass at 3,200 m. Depends on the weather for clear views of Bhutan’s highest mountains Chomolhari / Jumolhari. As well as other snowcapped peaks, it is a great spot to soak within stunning scenery.
Walk around the 108 stupas, then continue to drive towards the sub-tropical valley of Punakha. On arrival, as time permits, hike to the temple of Chime Lhakhang, the temple of fertility associated with the religious art of phallus.
The rest of the afternoon enjoy free activities with short walks around Punakha to witness Bhutanese traditional activities. Overnight in nice homely lodges or guest houses.
Day 06: At Punakha with an interesting tour.
At Punakha, a short hike for a few hours to Tashigang Hongtso Monastery.
Located in a clearing at the edge of a forest, with views of Hongtso, Tashigang towns. The surrounding buildings are for the pilgrims to practice meditation, amidst peaceful locations. The monastery houses near 40 orphans, who get teaching of religion, with general education from the monks. Includes an interesting tour of the Gompa (monastery), to observe a ceremony of monks and priest chanting using ceremonial instruments. After an interesting day tour back to Punakha Valley, enjoy the afternoon browsing the town of Punakha.
Day 07: Morning drive to Paro 2,220 m- 05 hrs.
Moring an exciting long drive to Paro, through a superb scenery of Bhutan’s countryside and villages. On reaching Paro transfer into a nice hotel for overnight with the rest of the afternoon at leisure for short walks around the market.
Day 08: Sightseeing around Paro at places of interest.
The morning after breakfast, our expert guide will take you on a pleasant walk or short drive with an hour uphill hike to Bhutan’s famous landmark of the old Taktsang Monastery known as Tiger’s Nest.
A place for retreats and the meditation of many Buddhist monks and high priest of Bhutan, the monastery is located within the overhanging rock cliff with superb views of Paro town and snow-capped peaks towards the north, from here with steep downhill a short drive to visit 17th-century Ta-Dzong, later converted into the National Museum in 1967, afternoon free at leisure for stroll around Paro shops and markets.
Day 09: Depart for Kathmandu or to respective connecting flights.
As per flight time for Nepal or connecting countries after a wonderful experience in Bhutan, our Bhutanese guide will transfer you to Paro airport for the flight to the connecting Indian cities or fly to Kathmandu.
On arrival at Kathmandu airport, transfer back to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure for individual activities.
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