4 nights 5 days Glimpse of Bhutan -Tibet Odyssey Tours

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TOT: 4 nights 5 days Glimpse of Bhutan

Tour Type: Private Tour: Flexible Travel Date & Travel Routes

Guide & Driver: Chinese-English-speaking guide & air-conditioned

Highlights:

Have a glimpse of the highlights in Thimphu, Paro and Punakha
Hike to Taktsang Monastery to admire painting-like sceneries
Learn about local people's daily life by talking to them
Relax yourself via a traditional hot stone bath
Drink traditional red rice beer with unique local taste

Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Paro & Paro-Thimphu

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(Distance: 54 km, estimated driving time: 1 hr)

Fly into Paro by DrukAir / Bhutan Airline After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by our representative who will guide you throughout your tour.

Then drive to Thimphu,On arrival at Thimphu check into your hotel and after refreshment visit the following:

Kuensel Phodrang and visit tallest buddha point statue and enjoy the full view of Thimphu Valley below.

National Memorial Chorten, chorten literally means ' seat of faith' and Buddhists often call such monuments the 'Mind of Buddha'. Meet the elderly local in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.

Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.

Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion. It was built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and was reconstructed into present structure by the late King, His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

Craft Bazaar -A one stop place to witness Bhutanese culture and buy Bhutan made art and craft product. The Bazaar in its 80 stalls covers all aspects of the traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. At this Bazaar craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts. And also visit other handicraft stores.

Accommodation: Overnight in Thimphu

Day 2 Thimphu-Punakha

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( Distance: 71 km, estimated driving time: 2 ½ hours)

After breakfast, travel to Punakha through Dochula Pass 3140 m). In the clear spring sky, you can enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges. . Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (monastery) which was built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck ( the Queen Mother of Bhutan) as a tribute to His Majesty the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck and armed forces after His Majesty led a successful operation against Indian militants who had occupied certain areas of Bhutan. The gallery of the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang has beautiful murals depicting some of the important events in the reigns of the Kings of Bhutan.

Then travel onto Punakha. Punakha has been inextricably linked to some of the most momentous events in the Bhutanese history and deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful and significant regions at the heart of Bhutanese culture. Punakha had served as the capital of Bhutan from 1637 till 1907. The dzong is historically important and stands as the symbol for a unified Bhutan. On the way, stop for lunch at Metsina village and then visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.Then visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork. In the evening visit Rinchengang & Lobesa villages where you will take a short walk through the village and have free interaction with the villagers.

Accommodation: Over night at hotel Punakha

Day 3 Punakha-Paro

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After breakfast travel to paro. On arrival at paro check into your hotel and visit the following:·

National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Here an intriguing collection of artifacts provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.·

Paro Dzong, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture. It is also known as the Rinpung Dzong which means a “fortress that sits on a heap of jewels”. This imposing dzong located above the Paro River is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture with its inward sloping walls that rise to an impressive height. The dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche (who is regarded as the "second Buddha.") .From the dzong, walk further down to Nyamai Zampa, an oldest traditional cantilever bridge in Bhutan.·

In the evening stroll through the Paro town and visit local handicraft stores.Over night at Paro

Accommodation: Over night at Paro

Day 4 A Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

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After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk downhill back to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further downhill to the road point. Then drive back to hotel. On the way visit Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demon.Over night at Paro

Accommodation: Over night at Paro

Day 5 Paro Departure

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In the morning after breakfast your tour guide from our company will escort you to the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations.

Accommodation:

Price Includes.

Price Excludes.

Booking Information

1.The above routes accept Chinese people(people from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) and foreign visitors to attend the group booking, foreign guests and Taiwan tourists to Tibet, please contact us to apply for Tibet Permit!

2.Due to Covid-19, there has international travel restrictions for Tibet travel, so we can not guarantee travelers in one group are all English speakers. Our professional tour guide will provide Chinese-English service if there has English speakers in the join-in group. Therefore, we will not make any reimbursement for tour guide language reason.

3.June, July, August, September is peak season. Joining our group can guarantee the ticket of Potala Palace. The Potala Palace may be adjusted to the other days because of the current limitation of 2,300 visitors per day to protect the historic site.

4.Without affecting the original standards and scenic spots, we might change the sequences of scenic spots according to the actual situation on the day of the trip.

5.Patients with severe hypertension, asthma or heart disease should not join the group. Patients with colds should only go to Tibet after recovery.

6.Due to force majeure factors in case of landslides, mud-rock flow, avalanche, flood, earthquake and other natural phenomena influence or airline flight delay, cancel to causes such as the increase of expenses or unable to follow a normal schedule, we shall not bear the liability for compensation according to the tourism related regulations, but we will actively coordinate processing, in order to ensure a smooth trip.

7.Any failure to complete the activities during the tour due to the guests' own reasons or early departure will be considered as a waiver and the fee will not be refunded.

8.Tibet is a borderland area inhabited by ethnic minorities with limited tourist reception conditions. We hope that visitors can have reasonable expectations, respect the cultural beliefs and living habits of ethnic minorities and live in harmony with each other.

9.If there is a single room due to gender reasons, we will arrange a triple room (or double standard room with and extra bed) or fill the single room difference by the guest.

10.The shops in scenic spots do not belong to the travel agency's shopping shop arrangement. Please consider carefully.

11.Self-paid items are considered according to the time and the proportion of the approved members on the day, and no mandatory consumption is made.

Warm Tips

1.Travelers with severe high blood pressure or heart disease should not go to Tibet. Please do not bring serious colds into Tibet. Don’t go before the serious colds recovered!

2.Tibet is located in the plateau and most of the travelers might have plateau reaction. Please pay attention to rest and have proper diet (do not eat too full, because it will increase the burden of the stomach). Travelers can be appropriate to take some drugs, such as: Gaoyuan An, Rhodiola, Nuodi Kang; travelers with serious can appropriately take oxygen or hanging saline.

3.Because of the long drive in Tibet, travelers will spend a lot of time in the car, and inevitably can not eat on time, please bring some snacks and biscuits during drive.

4.Due to the special conditions in Tibet, please pay attention to keep warm. On the first day of arrival, please do not try to take a bath. Taking a bath will accelerate blood circulation and increase the body's demand for oxygen.

5.Tibet has a strong sunshine, especially dry climate, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm and other essential are necessary.

6.From April to November is the best time for sightseeing.

Bhutan Tours FAQ

What is the voltage in Bhutan?

The voltage is 220/240 volts, using round-hole two-phase or three-phase sockets. If you take an appliance, please prepare the appropriate conversion plug. Conversion plugs can be bought in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, electronics store, but may not be available except Thimphu. Tourists are suggested to prepare a conversion plug before traveling to Bhutan, especially those who like photography should prepare it in advance.

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What clothes should I take?

1. Clothes: Be sure to bring warm clothes and jackets. Ladies are advised not to wear short skirts for climbing stairs when visiting temples.
2. Shoes: You'd better to wear casual shoes or cloth shoes, ladies should avoid wearing high heels. It is best to wear hiking shoes.
3. Daily items: This trip is relatively dry, please bring lotion care, sunglasses, hats, sunshade and rain gear, water pot, flashlight; please also take some snacks (because sometimes you can not eat on time).

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Will there be altitude sickness when traveling in Bhutan?

Although Bhutan is located at the southern of the Himalaya, the first impression is that it is as high as Tibet. However, actually Bhutan's altitude is not high. From latitude, temperature, and altitude, it can be compared with Lijiang, Yunnan. The climate is mild throughout the year and the temperature difference day and night is large.
Although Bhutan's altitude is not high, it can overlook the Himalayas from certain passes. In this way, Bhutan's trekking routes are also very famous. If you have plenty of time, you can choose a three-to-four-day trekking route when travelling in Bhutan. The scenery here is very good. Of course, this must be set in advance.

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How can I take transportation to arrive in Bhutan?

Because there is no diplomatic relations between China and Bhutan, it can only be transferred through a third country instead of direct flight. Currently, cities that open Bhutan flight routing are Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi, Singapore, and Caltutta. Tourists from Shanghai to Bhutan prefer to transfer in Bangkok, because this is the most nearest voyage, as long as you take two flight segments. Tourists from Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming prefer to choose the Kathmandu route, because a 19-seater twin-helix plane can be taken to overlook the entire Himalaya Mountains. Basically 80% of tourists fly from Bangkok to Bhutan, since there are daily flights and the airplane is relatively large, mostly Airbus 319 or Airbus 320.

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How is the security in Bhutan?

Because Bhutan has no diplomatic relationship with other countries, local people are very honest and kind. We can say that Bhutan is the most safety place in the world.