The Last Shangri - La 07Nights/08 Days Tour

Package Overview

Experience the best of Bhutan with our 08 days itinerary and explore all the sacred Buddhist monasteries and monuments. Discover the beautiful landscapes of lush valleys, snow peaked high mountains and pristine countryside villages. Bhutan, ‘The Land of The Thunder Dragon’ beckons the traveler in you to visit this mystical hidden country and rediscover the paradise on earth, ‘The Last Shangri-La’.

Itinerary Outline
Day 01. Arrive Paro (Elevation 2280 m) – Thimphu (2320 m) (Distance: 54 km, 1 hr drive).
Day 02. Thimphu Sightseeing: (Elevation 2320 m).
Day 03. Thimphu – Punakha: (Elevation 1310 m) (76 Km, 3 hrs drive).
Day 04. Punakha – Gangtey (Elevation 3120 m) (66 km, 3 hrs).
Day 05. Gangtey – Thimphu: (Elevation 2320 m) (143 km – 6 hrs.)
Day 06.Thimphu – Paro: (Elevation 2280 m, 58 km, 1hr.drive).
Day 07. Paro Sightseeing: (Elevation 2280 m).
Day 08. Departure: (Elevation 2280 m).International & domestic flight fare
Personal insurance
Airport departure tax
Drinks & personal expanses
Laundry & Tipping

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Arrival at Paro (Elevation 2280 m) (By Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines) – Thimphu (Elevation 2320 m)

  Our Guide from Bhutan Mystical Tours will receive you at the Airport and drive you to Thimphu, the capital city. On the way, you will be stopped at the Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 1500 A.D. Further drive to the capital city. Check-into your hotel.
  Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.
• Day 2 : Thimphu Sightseeing: (Elevation 2320 m)

  After lunch at Thimphu, first of all you will be driven up towards a view point known as kuensel Phodrang where sits a massive sized statue of Buddha. From this point you will be able to view the entire scene of the capital city, Thimphu. After the view, you will visit National Memorial Chorten, a monument dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
  
  On moving down towards the city you will visit National Postal Museum, which is worth a visit for you can get your own picture on a Bhutanese postal stamp right then and there. You can post a cards or letters to your families and friends back home or anywhere else with your personalized stamps. After the lunch we will visit the national zoo where the Takins, Bhutan’s national animal is been Preserved followed by a visit to Tashichhodzong, the capital’s fortress.
  Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.
• Day 3 : Thimphu – Punakha: (Elevation 1310 m, 76 Km, 3 hrs drive).

  After the breakfast we will drive to Punakha valley, via Dochula pass which is situated on an altitude of 3100m and if the weather is clear we will stop for a while at Dochula pass to view the stunning view of Himalaya ranges of Bhutan. We then drive further down and visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi. The Royal Botanical Park, which is also known as the Rhododendron Garden at Lamperi, is about a half a hour drive towards Punakha and Wangdue valleys, a nature reserve rich in flora and fauna and beautiful in itself.
  
  After Lunch we will visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal which is situated at the confluence of the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo Chu (Female River). The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battles with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of the Je-Khenpo (the spiritual head of Bhutan) and this city served as a capital of the nation until 1955. After the visit to Dzong, we have a short excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery.
  Dinner and overnight in Punatsangchhu Cottages or similar.
• Day 4 : Punakha – Gangtey (Elevation 3120 m, Distance 66 km, 3 hrs drive)

  In the morning, drive to Gangtey. On the way you will see a fortress known as Wangdue Phuodrang Dzong which is under the renovation as it was destroyed by the fire in 2012. This Dzong is situated at the confluence of Punatsangchu river and Tang Chu rivers. Then we drive further towards Gangtey.
  After reaching Gangtey you will visit Gangtey Gompa built in the year of 1613. After lunch, explore beautiful Phobjikha valley, where you will be able to witness the rare Black-Necked Cranes especially during winter time. For more information on this magnificent bird you can also visit the Crane Information center, under the supervision of Royal Society for Protection of Nature. Check-in to your hotel/resort or farm house as well.
  Dinner and overnight in Yuo – loke resort or farm house.
• Day 5 : Gangtey – Thimphu: (Elevation 2320 m, distance 143 km, 6 hr drive)

  After breakfast, drive toward Thimphu, as today will be your longest drive of your entire tour. Lunch, will be served on the way. In the evening stroll around the town.
  Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.
• Day 6 : Thimphu – Paro: (Elevation 2280 m, Distance 58 km, 1 hr drive)

  After the breakfast, you will visit the Painting School, famous for carving and free hand art and followed by the National Library, which holds a massive collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts followed and the Folk Heritage Museum.
  
  After the lunch visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative offices. After that we will visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower for the Paro Dzong, which has been since 1967, converted into the national museum of Bhutan. In the evening, visit to a traditional Bhutanese farm house.
  Dinner and overnight in Metta Resort or similar.
• Day 7 : Paro Sightseeing: (Elevation 2280 m)

  After the breakfast, you will have a hike to the Taktsang Monastery which is around 15 km from the Paro town and is elevated at around 900m above Paro valley. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we clearly see the legendary Taktsang monastery.
  Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the tantric mystic who introduced Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, who is believed to be his favorite consort. You can also request the lamas to pray for you.
  
  In the evening, you will visit the Drugyel Dzong, the fortress of the victorious Drukpa people, which is now in ruins. After that, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 800 A.D.
  
  At the end of the day we recommend you to have a traditional hot stone bath to get relaxed after a tiring day. It is not only practiced as a comforting leisure but also to treat various diseases.  
  Dinner and overnight in Metta Resort or similar.
• Day 8 : Paro Departure: (Elevation 2280 m) 

  Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• A minimum of 3 star accommodation (4 & 5 star may require an additional premium).
• All meals (Catered to personal taste & order)
• Excellent transportation services within Bhutan (both A/c & Non A/c cars & coaches)
• All monument entry fees
• Sightseeing & religious festivals (If available)
• Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
• A licensed Bhutanese tour guide for the extent of your stay
• All internal taxes and charges
• A sustainable tourism Royalty of US$ 65. (This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure)

Exclusions

• International & domestic flight fare
• Personal insurance
• Airport departure tax
• Drinks & personal expanses
• Laundry & Tipping

Package Start From

• Paro, Bhutan, Asia

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• P.o. Box 887, Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan - 11001
• XXXXXX7722 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@tourtravelworld.com View Mail ID

Intested in This Tour?

• Requests are send directly to the tour operator
• We recommend to reqest quotes from 3 operators (Learn why)