Trip Facts
- Price Start From: USD 1923
- Trip Duration: 09 Days
- Best Time for Travel: March and April, September through November
- Accommodation: Hotels/Resorts
- Activities: Cultural Exploration
- Trip Starting Point: Kathmandu
- Trip Ending Point: Kathmandu
Trip Highlights
Taktsang Monastery, clinging to the side of a sheer rock cliff
Ancient temples, monasteries and magnificent fortresses
Bumthang, Bhutan’s spiritual heartland
Winter home to the rare black-necked crane, Phobjikha Valley
Countless rare animals and endemic plants in National Parks
Inspiring landscapes of mountains, valleys, forests and streams
Testimonials
"It was really a wonderful visit to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Darjeeling through your agency."
Mr. Ram and Marron Staffs, Namaste and I would like to thank you very much for your kind support. It was really a wonderful visit to Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan and Darjeeling through your agency I travel to Nepal and many other countries and have found...
Bhutan »Bhutan Tour »Cultural Tour in Bhutan - 09 Days
Cultural Tour in Bhutan - 09 Days
- Trip Overview |
- Detail Itinerary |
- General information |
- Cost Include & Excludes |
- Equipment List
This trip is designed for those who are interested in seeing a greater part of the country. The tour provides an insight into the remoteness of the country’s Far East, where development is minimal due to the high passes and terrain. Your visit will feature an authentic look at the Bhutanese lifestyle. You will see firsthand and up close how people live and work.
OUTLINE ITINERARY
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Fly to Paro and drive to Thimpu.
Day 03: Thimphu valley sightseeing.
Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha PM Hike to Khamsum Yueley Chorten.
Day 05: Punakha - Wangdue - Paro.
Day 06: Paro sightseeing and hike to Taktsang.
Day 07: Paro - Kathmandu (By Druk Air).
Day 08: Free day in Kathmandu.
Day 09: Final Departure.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrival in Kathmandu Int’l airport, Marron Treks’ airport representative meets greets and transfers towards your designated hotel. Upon arrival in hotel you are served with a welcome drinks. Check in your room and rest of time free for your own exploration.
Day 02: Kathmandu- Paro fly with Druk Air - Transfer to Thimphu
The flight into Paro on Bhutan’s national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will be brief by our guide and transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. We then depart for Thimpu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1.5hours. Thimpu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the Handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold, overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Thimphu valley sightseeing.
After breakfast drive at Sangaygang, a field of Bhutanese prayer flags, perched high above the city. Colored flags send prayers to the heavens and white flags honor the dead. Visit the Motithang Mini Zoo where you can see the National animal Takin research centre where these odd animals graze peacefully in a small protected park. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery. Thimphu sightseeing continues with the Folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored Bhutanse farmhouse from the last century) and the National Painting School. Visit the Weekend market where vendors from throughout the region arrive on Friday afternoon and remain till Sunday. Here you will find indigenous goods, handicrafts, locally produced goods, etc. In the evening visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (a wonderful opportunity to mix with the local population). All the buildings in Bhutan conform to national building principals and are beautifully carved and decorated. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha PM Hike to Khamsum Yueley Chorten
After breakfast depart to Punakha. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, then enjoy an hour’s downhill walk through magnolia, hydrangea, vibernam and evergreen oaks, and through blankets of the wild orchids before once again reaching the road, where we board our transport and drive into the Punakha Valley. Lunch served at your hotel. Then we drive the short distance to Punakha Dzong, the winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, which is located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu. The dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thimphu. Je Khenpo is the highest religious office in Bhutan, and the formal head of the Drukpa sect. The (Central) Monk Body is Bhutan’s main monastic body of Lamas (monks). The dual system of governmental power in Bhutan is divided between the religious branch led by the Je Khenpo and the administrative branch headed by DrukDesi. PM take a hike to Khamsum Yueley Chorten (45 minutes one way) through the terraced rice fields and over looking the village to kabina. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Punakha - Wangdue - Paro
In the morning drive to Wandue and visit Wangdue Dzong. Then drive to Paro via Dochula Dochula pass (3,050 m), with a lunch stop at Thimphu. Dinner and stay overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 06: Paro sightseeing and hike to Taktsang
After breakfast, we drive to the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions, and also visit a Bhutanese farm house of a local family at Drukgyal for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive beyond Satsam Chorten to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around 1.5hrs. At the view point, you will enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and visit Kyichu Lhahang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Paro - Kathmandu (By Druk Air)
After breakfast our representatives will help you with exit formalities and bid you farewell and arrival in Kathmandu Int’l Airport by our airport representative and transfer to hotel.
Day 08: Free day in Kathmandu
Free day in Kathmandu and free time onwards for shopping and packing your luggage. Evening followed by farewell dinner. O/n in hotel.
Day 09: Final Departure
Marron Treks Airport representative drops as well as farewells you at airport or if time permits you, extend your trip for Everest Scenic Mountain flight, city sightseeing tours, Paragliding, Jungle safari tours or white water rafting tours.
Accommodation:
During Cultural Tour in Bhutan we opt you accomodate on 3 star or 5 star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (3 star), Hotel Manaslu (3 star), Radisson (5 star), Yak & Yeti (5 star) or similar in Kathmandu City.
While in Bhutan, you will be accommodated in 3-4 Star lodges and hotels in Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha,Wangdue etc as per your requirement.
Meals:
We arrange the best quality food for all trekkers while Cultural Tour in Bhutan.Basically we recommend you local community foods of Bhutan like local red rice served with dried meat cooked with very hot chilies, Ema Datshi (vegetarian dish made of cheese and chili) and variety of vegeterian foods so that you could enjoy the culture, the way of living of local people around there.You could easily find Non-Vegeterian foods as it available, Other than that many kind of Continental, Chinese, Italian and Indian cuisine like Pizza, Spaghetti, French Fries, Soups, Breads etc are also available in most of the places based upon your requirement.
Best Season
Spring and autumn are considered to be the peak seasons. Spring starts from April through June and autumn from September through November. Many festivals are held in these periods. It is best time for visitors to take advantage of pleasant climate and the festivals.
Our Guides:
The Guides play a very active role during the trip. Marron Treks has experienced and helpful treking guides who make your trip enjoyable as well as successful. To make our visitors journey fruitful, the team of MarronTreks has got number of guides who have good knowledge about the culture, language, location of Bhutan which would help our trekkers to enjoy the full potential of the trail and communicate easily with the people along the trail.
Access to enter Bhutan
Bhutan is well connected to the outside world through Druk Air (Royal Bhutanese Airlines), the national carrier which is the only airline operating flights in and out of the kingdom. The country's only airport is situated at Paro and two flights a week from Kathmandu (Nepal).
Travel Insurance:
Before starting your journey with MarronTreks it is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure your insurance covers you for both medical and evacuation costs. In some places it is not necessary but it would be better if you have the travel insurance with you all the time. That would make your trip save and hassle free.
Visa and Travel Arrangements
Marron Treks arranges Visa and travel permits. We need your tour confirmation and your passport details (Name, Sex, Nationality, Date of Birth, Passport Number, and Occupation).
For more queries, Visit our FAQ section or contact us directly at info@marrontreks.com
Following are the cost details that have been provided to you for your convinience. If you want to get more, then please dont hesitate to contact us
Cost Includes
- Airport Pick up and drop Service
- 5 nights standard hotel accommodation on BB basis in Bhutan
- 6 days tour with English speaking guide
- 3 Nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on BB basis
- All ground transportation as per the itinerary
Cost Excludes
- KTM-PARO-KTM Airfare: US$: 460.00 (subject to change)
- Visa Fee: US$ 20.00 ( Subject to Change)
- Tourism Development Fee (TDF) US$ 10.00 ( Subject to Change)
- Lunch & Dinner in hotels
- Hard & cold drinks
- Emergency rescue
- Entrance fees as per the itinerary
- Tips to guide and Staff
- Other expenses except mentioned in cost include section
Required Equipments
T Shirt
Trekking Trouser
Walking Boots
Water Proof Jacket
Pants and Shorts
Water Bottle
Binoculars
Sun Hat
Light Sandals
Toileteries
Small clean clothes
Torch
Batteries
Clothing and equipments Accessories for Tea House and Camping Treks
The equipments and clothing list below is for a relatively longer trek involving a cold high altitude destination in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. If you are doing a short trek to a relatively lower altitude you may not need all these. The list below is for a guideline alone, you may have your own check list as well. Duffle Bag and a good sleeping bag will by provided by Marron Treks P.Ltd, which you should return after completion of your trip. Please note that most of the trekking items are easily available for buying or renting in Nepal and you are suggested not to bring unnecessary items with you.
For Head
- Cap for sun protection during trek
- sunglasses/goggles
- sunscreen lotion/sun balm
For Body
- T-shirts and long sleeved shirts
- fleece or thermal shirts for colder areas
- fleece jumper/sweaters
- Down jacket
- wind /water proof outer garment
For leg and hand
- Casual troussers for walking
- Water proof trouser
- Thermal legging for colder areas
- Hand gloves
Trekking Shoes For foot
- woolen and cotton socks
- Trainer or casual shoes
- Waterproof hiking boot
- Gaiter for rain and snow
Others
- Day sack to carry personal goods
- Personal medicines and first aid kit
- water bottle and iodine tablets
- Torch (better head torch)
- Camera and extra batteries
- toiletries and towel
- Large handkerchief
Optional items
- compass, binoculars, altimeters,
- Playing cards , books, guide book
For Peak climbing we suggest the following gears except above mentioned accessories.
Suggested Climbing Gear
- Climbing boots, Crampons.
- Ice axe, Harness.
- Karabiners.
- Tapes/slings
- Rock pegs, Helmet (crash hat).
- Warm climbing trousers, Long cotton hiking shirts.
- Waterproof climbing jacket, Gaiters.
- Sun hat, Light cotton athletic socks and wool.
- Climbing socks, long sleeved cotton/woolen shirts.
- T-shirts, Wool long underwear.
- Down high altitude, Sleeping bag.
- Down jacket/ trousers/vest, climbing sunglasses.
- Sunscreen, Lip salve.
- Lightweight fleece, Fleece/wool for climbing.
- Head torch /batteries/bulbs, Lightweight thermal/ insulated ski gloves.
Please do write us at info@marrontreks.com for furthermore information except those mentioned in above.
FAQ
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