Arrive at Paro International Airport / Transfer to Thimphu (2334m)
National Museum of Bhutan འབུག་གཧ་གར་ས་པ་གང་་ - On arrival at the Paro International Airport, our guide and driver will receive and escort you to visit the National Museum and then transfer to Thimpu, the capital city. The distance is 55km and takes about 1.5 hours.
The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of the Paro district). It is housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watchtower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snapshot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. We then drive to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu.
Thimphu - Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main center of commerce, religion and government in the country. It is the only capital city in the world without traffic lights and even commercial billboards.
National Institute for Zorig Chusum - The National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Zorig Chusum means 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts) was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access in learning Zorig skills by Bhutanese youths. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).
Lunch will be arranged either in Paro or Thimphu depending on flight arrival time.
National Library and Archives of Bhutan - Just located nearby is the National Library & Archives of Bhutan considered as the national treasure and is the fundamental source of history, medicine, arts & culture. Both Institute of Zorg Chusum and National Library opens during weekdays and on Saturdays from 10 am - 12 pm.
- Visa fee & e-Visa processing within 4-5 business days
- Experienced English-speaking licensed tour guide
- All meals included (breakfast, lunch & dinner) plus light snacks
- Twin-sharing accommodations at certified 3-star hotels
- All ground transportation, including airport transfers
- Entry fee to national museum
- Comprehensive medical treatment at Bhutanese hospital for injuries
- All internal taxes for included services
- Travel insurance is mandatory
- International flights. Let us know if you need help with arranging flights to and from Bhutan.
- Alcoholic beverages, laundry services, telephone call charges
- Tips to guide and driver
- Emergency evacuation
- Guide speaking other major languages can be arranged for an additional fee.
- Any other expenses of personal nature
- All Entry fees except for National Museum
This journey of five days and four nights will offer you a real taste of Bhutan, allowing you to comprehend how a small Buddhist Kingdom has risen to become a unique place for tourists worldwide. The expedition will traverse through the core of three western districts of Bhutan – Paro, the capital city Thimphu and the fertile Punakha valley - all flaunting the resilience and robustness of a nation renowned for safeguarding its age-old Buddhist culture and coexisting with its untouched natural surroundings.
You’ll explore prominent historical and religious spots, including a four-five hour round-trip hike to Paro Taktsang, the most awe-inspiring tourist site established in 1692 on a sheer 800-meter rock edifice. Then, there’s a 2 hour march through the captivating valley in Punakha. On the way to Punakha, pause at the sacred Dochu La mountain pass (at 3,150m/10,335ft altitude), from where, weather permitting, you would be greeted with a breathtaking panoramic sight of some of the highest snow-capped peaks in Bhutan.
- This tour can be customized and run on a private basis just for you and your group.
- We highly recommend booking at least a few months before the departure date so that we have enough time to ensure the flights are available. If you already have flight tickets to and from Bhutan, we can take bookings up to a week before the departure date. To process visa, it only takes 4-5 business days.
- There are only two airlines that connect Bhutan with the outside world and so securing air tickets can be difficult especially during the months of high season. Currently, Bhutan is connected with these cities - Bagdogra, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Guwahati, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Singapore. We recommend you book your international flights a few months in advance especially if you plan to visit during the high season months of March to May and September to November. If you need help in arranging flights to/from Bhutan, please let us know much in advance.
- After you book the tour, kindly send us clear passports copies of all the participants. A biodata page including the machine-readable zone must be seen clearly. Passports should have a minimum of 6 MONTHS validity from the day you depart from Bhutan. You may also want to check the passport requirements by your next destination country after Bhutan. A copy of your e-Visa will be emailed to you once it is approved. It only takes 4-5 business days to get visa approval and it is 100 percent guaranteed as long as we receive clear passport copies of all the participants. The actual visa will be stamped on your passport upon arrival. Send the passport copies to the Local Supplier E-mail address.
- Youth between the ages of 13-18 MUST send us a copy of their valid Student Photo ID Card/Document to keep the discounted price. Without a copy of valid Student Photo ID Card/document, the full adult price will apply.
- Participants below the age of 18 years old MUST be accompanied by at least one full-paying adult.
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
