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Bhutan: The Last Shangri-La

Price: 
From RMB 22800
Travel days:  9 days
 /  8 nights

  • All flights mentioned in the program are in economy class including airport tax and fuel surcharge.
  • All transfers mentioned in the program with air-conditioned vehicles.
  • First entrance fee for all sights mentioned in the program.
  • Accommodation in mentioned hotel with breakfast (except in Bangkok).
  • English speaking local guide for all mentioned sightseeing. Other languages are available on request.
  • All meals mentioned in the program (B: breakfast, L: lunch, D: dinner).
  • 24 hour TUI China telephone hotline (German or English): +86 13910187388.
  • Visa service to Bhutan.
  • Tips.
  • Personal expenses.
  • All expenses not mentioned above.
  • Bangkok 
    Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel 4*
  • Thimphu 
    Namgyal Heritage Hotel 4*P
  • Unakha 
    Meripuensum Hotel 4*
  • Paro 
    Hotel Rinchenling 3*
  • Airport hotel in Bangkok is excluding breakfast.
  • If you are booking during the peak season, it is advised that you make your reservation four months prior to the travel date. This is necessary in order to secure the flight and hotels.
  • The above mentioned rates are subject to availability. Kindly note that no reservation has been made at this moment.
  • Please note that tourism fees are comparatively high for trips to Bhutan in order to encourage high quality tourism. A daily surcharge is therefore included in any quotations.
  • Bhutanese hotel star ratings act as a guide only, as Bhutanese hotels have not yet been officially categorized.

Travel content

The Kingdom of Bhutan has managed to successfully balance modernization with its ancient culture and traditions. Visit this fascinating Kingdom, situated between the giants of India and China, to learn more about the Bhutanese people and their efforts to develop high end tourism in order to preserve the national culture, identity and environment with their guiding philosophy of 'Gross National Happiness'. Your itinerary will include an insight into the unique Bhutanese way of life, including excursions to a number of important Buddhist Monasteries and temples.

Travel Itinerary

  • Day 1:
    Beijing / Shanghai – Bangkok
    • Flight from Beijing / Shanghai to Bangkok.
    • Overnight in Bangkok
  • Day 2:
    Bangkok - Thimphu (L, D)
    • Flight from Bangkok to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. You will be met by your tour guide on arrival at the airport.
    • You will start your visit in Bhutan from Paro Rinpung Dzong, also known as the "fortress on a heap of jewels ". It was built during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646. The Rinpung Dzong now houses the Paro monastic school and the office of the civil administration. It is also the venue of the great Paro Tsechu (festival) held once a year in spring.
    • Later visit Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan. Ta Dzong offers a unique collection of specimens ranging from ancient armor to textiles and THANGKHA paintings. Ta Dzong was originally built as the watch tower of Paro Dzong, in 1968 it was converted into a museum. The museum offers a great view of the surrounding Paro valley.
    • Lunch will be served at a restaurant in Paro.
    • After lunch you will drive to Thimphu and on arrival check into the hotel to relax and recuperate.
    • In the evening you can stroll around the city at leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
    • Overnight in Thimphu
  • Day 3:
    Thimphu (B, L, D)
    • Breakfast at the hotel.
    • Sightseeing in Thimphu, visit the local zoo where you can see the national animal of Bhutan, the TAKIN, which is a goat-antelope that lives in the Eastern Himalayas and is often described as having the head of a goat and the body of a cow.
    • Traditional Hospital: Take a tour around the hospital grounds and learn how they make and distribute traditional herbal medicines.
    • School of Traditional Arts and Crafts: The school of arts & crafts teaches young children how to master the 13 types of arts and crafts of Bhutan.
    • Folk Heritage Museum: This is a replica of a medieval farm-house; it provides a fascinating glimpse into the traditional Bhutanese way of life. The artifacts on display inform visitors about how the rural Bhutanese still live today.
    • Textile Museum: Established to protect the textile heritage of Bhutan. There are some old collections showcasing Bhutanese clothing and weaving techniques, along with displays of vegetable dyes and materials used for Bhutanese textiles.
    • The National Post Office: A national institution, famous for its beautiful stamps.
    • Traditional Paper Factory: Witness the ancient Bhutanese art of paper-making.
    • Tashichho Dzong: This is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimpu, it is also known as the "fortress of the glorious religion." The Dzong was initially erected in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1965. Tashichho Dzong serves as the office of the King, ministers and various government organizations. It is also the headquarters for the central monastic body of Bhutan.
    • Dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant
    • Overnight in Thimphu
  • Day 4:
    Hike from Thimphu to Tango and then drive to Punakha (B, L, D)
    • Have breakfast at the hotel and then drive for 12 km to start your hike to Tango Goemba Monastery. The hike to the monastery will take around 45mins.
    • Tango Goemba Monastery: Lama Gyalway Lhanampa founded the monastery in the 12th century. The present building was built in the 15th century by the divine madman "Drukpa Kunley". In 1616 Shabdrung Nawang Namyal visited Tango Goemba and meditated in a cave nearby. The head Lama, a descendent of Lama Drukpa Kunley, presented the Goemba to the Shabdrung, who carved a sandalwood statue of Chenresig, the Buddha of compassion, which he installed in the monastery. Today Tango is the residence of an important young trulku (reincarnate Lama) who is recognized as the 17th reincarnation of the highly respected fourth Desi (secular ruler of Bhutan), Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye.
    • Visit the temple and then return to Thimphu.
    • Lunch will be served in one of the restaurants in Thimphu.
    • After lunch drive to Punakha via the Dochula Pass (3,050 meters) which offers great views of Bhutan's Himalayan peaks. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. The religious establishment still uses Punakha as their winter capital.
    • Check into the hotel and dinner will be served.
    • Overnight in Punakha
  • Day 5:
    Punakha (B, L, D)
    • Punakha sightseeing
    • After having breakfast you will first hike to Kamsum Yueling temple, an excellent example of present day Bhutanese architecture built by the Crown Prince's mother Ashi Tsering Yangdon Wangchuck. The hike will not take more than two hours.
    • Punakha Dzong: This is the winter home of the Bhutanese Central Monastic Body built at the strategic junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region. In the past, Punakha Dzong has been damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, but the Dzong has now been fully restored by the present King.
    • After lunch you will take a short 45 minute walk to visit Chimi Lhakhang.
    • Chimi Lhakhang - is a very popular and revered temple that lies on the periphery of the fertile valley of Lobesa. It is also commonly known as the temple of "The Divine Madman" after the Buddhist Master Drukpa Kunley. He inherited the Divine madman title after he revolted against orthodox Buddhism. He taught the people that religion is an inner feeling and it's not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. He is believed to be a symbol of fertility and many childless couples go to his temple for blessing.
    • Return to the hotel and dinner will be served.
    • Overnight in Punakha
  • Day 6:
    Punakha – Paro (B)
    • After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will travel to Paro.
    • Lunch will be served at the restaurant in Paro.
    • After lunch you will visit the following places:
    • Kyichu temple is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness 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. Up to now, only three of these temples have survived, two in Bhutan (including Kyichu) and one in Tibet, known as the Jokhang in Lhasa.
    • Drukgyel Dzong, or the Fort of Drukpa Victory is almost 10 miles north of the main town of Paro. From this fortress, the Bhutanese repelled several invasions by Tibetans throughout the course of history. On a clear day, you can see the snowcapped peak of Mount. Jhomolhari from here.
    • Check into the hotel and dinner will be served.
    • Overnight in Paro
  • Day 7:
    Paro – Taktsang - Paro (B)
    • After breakfast, hike to the Taktsang Monastery which was built on the cliffs. The entire hike (to and from) will take about three hours at average walking speed from Ramthangkha (the end of the main vehicle road).
    • Taktsang monastery is one of the most venerated pilgrimage sites of Bhutan. The dramatic monastic complex clings to the rocks towering 900m above the valley. Taktsang is located at 2950m above sea level. In accordance with the prophecy of Guru Rinpoche, Khandro Yeshi Tshogyal, the consort of Guru Rinpoche, meditated at Taktsang, transforming herself into a tigress to protect herself from harmful humans and wild animals. People who happened to be in the vicinity of Taktsang in those days witnessed a real tigress residing in the cave. The cave thus came to be known as "Taktsang" meaning "the tigress's lair". The monastery was built in the year 1692 with the command of the fourth Desi (secular ruler of Bhutan) Gyalsey Tenzin Rabgye. Today the 13yr old boy who is recognized as his reincarnation is residing in the Tango Monastery.
    • After visiting the temple, hike back to Paro and lunch will be served in a restaurant.
    • After lunch you will have time to explore the town of Paro by yourself.
    • Return to the hotel and dinner will be served.
    • Overnight in Paro
  • Day 8:
    Paro – Bangkok (B)
    • Have breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport.
    • Flight from Paro to Bangkok.
    • Overnight in Bangkok
  • Day 9:
    Bangkok – Beijing / Shanghai
    • Flight back from Bangkok to Beijing / Shanghai.
    • End of service