Active Fun in Bhutan, 7 days

Visit one of the world’s most mysterious, beautiful and inaccessible countries – the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Explore the beauty of Bhutan as we take you through the sights and take easy walks in the valleys around the beautiful Land of the Thunder Dragon. Come and experience it yourself.

Set amongst the majestic Himalayan mountain range, Bhutan is the perfect oasis away from the crowd. The perfect location for a leisure, relax active vacation.

The crystal-clear rivers fed by glacier-melt water offer river rafting thrills with its gentle rapids, easy enough to navigate for the no-experience too.

Take gentle walks in the valleys and countryside in pristine nature setting. Compliment the hike to the breathtaking Tiger’s Nest Monastery with a mule ride.

Duration: 7 days

This trip can be fully customised to suit your requirements or the needs of your group, please < Make An Enquiry > and tell us your requests. Thank you.

Itinerary

Key Highlights
~ in-depth sightseeing in Thimphu and Paro;
~ view the majestic Himalayan mountain range at Dochula Pass;
~ walk into the paddy field in Punakha Valley;
~ river rafting along Female River in Punakha;
~ dip in traditional hot stone bath;
~ relax and beer tasting in a traditional brewery;
~ watch a Bhutanese cultural show;
~ take a hike to Tiger’s Nest.

Day 1 Arrive Paro – Thimphu

Upon arrival into Paro International Airport, transfer to Thimphu. On the way, visit Iron Chain Bridge that is built over the Pa Chu (Paro River). The suspension bridge was built in 15th Century by Tibetan Master known as Thangtong Gyalpo who was a great Buddhist, a Yogi, physician, blacksmith, architect, and a pioneering engineer.

Continue to Memorial Chorten, a multi-storey Stupa built in memory of the late 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorj Wangchuck, popularly known as the father of modern Bhutan.

Takin is chosen as the National animal of Bhutan for its uniqueness and its association with the country’s religious history and mythology. See this unique animal at the Takin Zoo.

See one of the largest sitting posture statue of Buddha in the world, standing at 51 metres tall.

Watch a Bhutanese cultural show before we end the day with dinner.

Stay: Thimphu, 3* Hotel

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 Thimphu

Today, explore the day in the capital city of Bhutan.

Visit Changangkha Temple, one of the oldest temple in Thimphu valley that dates back to 12th Century. Every newborn baby in Thimphu is taken by parents to this temple for good health and protection.

The Folk Heritage Museum, set inside a 3-storey 19th Century traditional house, is a living museum to showcase the traditional Bhutanese lifestyle, in addition to artifacts from rural households. It also displays an impressive collection of typical households objects, tools and equipment.

Continue to the Traditional Medicine School to learn about traditional herbal medicine made of indigenous herbal plant in Bhutan.

Located in the heart of the town. observe the different stamps available in Bhutan and make your own personalized stamps (USD 4 for 12 stamps, at your own expense) at the Bhutan Post Office.

The private Weaving Centre frequently produces ceremonial textiles for Bhutanese Toyals, including the Gho and Kira (traditional attire) worn by the King and Queen for their marriage ceremony in October 2011. Watch the weavers at work and you may interact with them.

See the “Fortress of Glorious Religion” – Tashichho Dzong, built in 1641 and rebuilt by 3rd King of Bhutan in 1962. The dzong now houses some government ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat and the central monastic body.

Later in the afternoon, there is time to roam the city at leisure. Take a walk in the main street, the only city in the world without any traffic lights.

Stay: Thimphu, 3* Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Day 3 Thimphu – Punakha

Drive to Dochula Pass, at an elevation of 3,100 metres where it offers a stunning 360 degrees panoramic view of the eastern Himalayan mountain range (weather permitting). The view is especially scenic on clear days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens (religious monument to honour His Majesty the 4th King of Bhutan) when he visited the mountain pass in 2008.

Upon arrival in Punakha, take a leisure hike through the paddy fields and visit Chemi Lhakhang. This temple is popular for couples who seeks blessings for fertility.

Today’s lunch will be in a local farm house and sample local cuisine typically served in local Bhutanese families.

Walk across one of the longest suspension bridges (160 metres) in Bhutan. The bridge provides a good view of the river and the valley. Take some of the most beautiful pictures with background of mountain and picturesque valley here.

Visit one of the most beautiful fortresses in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, built by the Master known as Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal who unified Bhutan in the 16th Century. The fortress plays a vital role in the history of Bhutan’s founding.

Stay: Punakha, 3* Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Punakha

Start the day with a hike to Khamsum Yuley Namgyal Chorten. The temple was built by the Queen Mother of the current King and took 12 years to complete. As you walk, see the rural houses and farms dotted over the valley.

Enjoy a picnic lunch by the river.

The afternoon is spent along Female River in a river rafting experience. Enjoy the thrill as the boat drift down the gentle river rapids.

Stay: Punakha, 3* Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Punakha – Paro

Head to Paro via Dochula Pass. The Paro Valley (2,200 metres) is more than beautiful; it is visually stunning and historically fascinating. This beautiful terraced valley is home to many Bhutan’s oldest temples and known for growing red rice in Bhutan which is main staple diet for the people.

Visit Ta Dzong built as a watch tower to defense the valley from Tibetan invaders. In 1968 His Majesty the 3rd King of Bhutan convertedit into a National Museum to exhibit the cultural and artistic artifacts of Bhutanese civilization,

heritage and tradition.

Cross a traditional cantilever bridge to Paro Rinpung Dzong, also known as “Fortress of the Heap of Jewels”. The walk across the bridge to the Dzong offers a good view of the architecture wonder of the Dzong.

The Kychu Temple is one of the oldest temples in Paro Valley that dates back to the 7th Century. It is believed the temple was built over the left foot of ogress who was stopping the King from spreading the Buddhism over Himalayan region.

Take a stroll at leisure around Paro town, where you can find plenty of handicraft shops and some good coffee shops to relax before dinner.

Stay: Paro, 3* Hotel

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Paro

This morning, hike to Taktshang Paro (Tiger’s Nest Monastery) located at an altitude of 2,950 metres, the most famous landmark of Bhutan Kingdom. Be amazed by the view of this sacred temple hanging on the rocky cliff, and take in the beauty of Paro Valley. The Monastery was built in 8th century by Guru Padmasambhava, also known as Lotus Born and refers as second Buddha in Mahayana tradition.

After the hike, rejuvenate in a traditional hot stone bath in a local Farm House to sooth your joints after the hike.

This evening, relax at Namagy Artisanal Brewery with locally produce beer made of locally grown grains. Enjoy dinner with majestic view of Paro dzong that is lit up beautifully during the night.

Stay: Paro, 3* Hotel

Meals : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Depart Paro

Say goodbye to Bhutan. Transfer to the Airport for your return flight back to Singapore.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ 6 nights accommodation basing on twin sharing;

~ 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners, including drinking water, coffee and tea;

~ tourist visa to Bhutan;

~ provision of English Speaking licensed tour guide;

~ land transfer in air-conditioned/heated vehicle;

~ entrance/admission fees where necessary.

Exclusions

~ return airfare to Paro, Bhutan;

~ personal comprehensive travel insurance;

~ tipping for the Guide, Driver and Hiking Crew;

~ anything of a personal use;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary.

Important Notes

~ Non – refundable deposit, 20% of total tour price is required at the time of booking. Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ This trip is good for minimum 3 persons to go. <Submit A Query> for quotation.

~ Most travellers to Bhutan require a tourist visa. Travellers are required to provide a clear image of the traveller’s passport information page in colour in JPEG format in order to process the visa application.

~ Because hiking require certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it is not suitable for travellers with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Travellers must ensure they are medically and physically able to hike.

~ Trip grading is an indication on the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the travellers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due to (not limited to) bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the travellers and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Included experiences and activities may change due to seasonality. Travellers will be informed at the time of booking confirmation. Once the alternative experience(s) is/are accepted, cancellation fee may apply should you decide to change the alternative inclusion.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Activity	Hiking
Country	Bhutan
Hiking Grade	Grade 2 – Beginner
Season	04 – April, 05 – May, 06 – June, 07 – July, 08 – August, 09 – September, 10 – October

Active Fun in Bhutan, 7 days