Tour Journeys: Wonders Of Bhutan National Geographic Journeys

Meals

9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle, walking, hiking.

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours. The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour. There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour. Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date.

Others

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Meet a Buddhist Monk, Thimphu Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Family Farm Meal, Gangtey Gonpa Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Lecture on Gross National Happiness, Thimphu. Arrival and departure transfer. Sustainable Development Fees. Visit the Rimpung Dzong. Hike to Punakha Dzong monastery and fertility shrine. Visit the town of Wangdue and walk to Khamsum Yueley Chorten shrine. Visit the village of Khewa. Black-Necked Crane Centre visit. Hike to the monastery of Gangtey Goempa. Walk across Phobjikha and Khewa valleys. Visit the National Library, the Institute for Zorig Chusum (arts and crafts) and the Thimphu Chorten. Hike to Kila Goempa nunnery. Explore shrines and temples of the Haa Valley. Visit the fortress of Drukgyal Dzong and hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). Visit Kyichu Lhakhang Temple. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Guide

CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.

Accommodation

Hotel/lodges (9 nts).

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included.

Optional

Other activities and services are not included.

Others

1. CAMERAS Please note there may be times during your visit to Bhutan when the use of video and/or still cameras may be inappropriate. Local people may consider that filming is too intrusive and in these circumstances we will request that you do not film. At all times be aware and sensitive to the impact of photography and seek permission before taking photographs of people and respect their wishes if they refuse. 2. HIKING AND WALKING Please note that there is a lot of walking and light hiking on this trip and some of it at higher altitudes. Please ensure you are in decent physical condition and able to walk for extended periods of time. 3. EARPLUGS Bhutan, being a Buddhist country believes in ahimsa so the barking of dogs (and there are a lot of them) at night can be annoying. It’s advisable to bring earplugs. If you are able to travel with a lot of patience and a good sense of humour, then we know that you - like all of us - will be captivated by what Bhutan has to offer. 4. CLOTHING The prime requirement for clothes you bring on Bhutan trip is that they are comfortable and appropriate to the weather conditions that you are likely to meet. For protection against cold, particularly at night, a number of relatively thin layers is better than a few thick ones. Thermal underclothes, being small and light, can be very useful. Bhutan is very conservative and you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline, shoulders and knees should be covered at all times. The wearing of shorts is not allowed as it will restrict your entry into buildings of a religious nature and family homes. A water and windproof jacket, a hat and sunscreen are essential. 5. FLIGHT Your arrival and departure flights into/out of Paro, Bhutan, must be booked by you online. Please visit the following airline websites to do so: Druk Air http://www.drukair.com.bt/ Bhutan Airlines http://www.bhutanairlines.bt/ Flights can be booked from: Bangkok, Kathmandu, Delhi or Kolkata (please check Visa requirements if flying via India). Once your flights are booked, contact your G Adventures agent, who will be happy to assist in booking your International connections. 6. EXTRA NIGHTS If you are planning to extend your stay in Bhutan, pre or post-tour accommodation MUST be booked through G Adventures in order for us to issue a valid visa for the duration of your stay. These extra nights will include a guide and meals in addition to the accommodation. 7. LUGGAGE Please note that if you have extra luggage or bags you do not wish to bring along for the entire trip you will be able to leave them at the joining hotel and retrieve them at the finishing hotel when the trip ends. 8. ACCOMMODATION NOTE: Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.No optional activities

Flights

International flights are not included.

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Day 1 Day 1: Paro/Thimphu (1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Paro/Thimphu (1D)

Arrive at any time and transfer to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Time permitting, take a guided walk around town.
In clear weather, the flight over the Himalayas offers magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks as they give way to the lush green Paro valley. The first gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step off the plane. After clearing customs and visa control, an arrival transfer will take you to Thimphu, where we’ll be met by our local CEO who will conduct a welcome meeting and orientation.

Meals Included:
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle: Paro to Thimphu 01:30 - 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting

Additional Notes: Approximate Altitude: Paro 2,300m
Day 2 Day 2: Thimphu/Punakha (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Thimphu/Punakha (1B, 1L, 1D)

This morning, meet a Buddhist monk and scholar to discuss Buddhist beliefs and ways of life in Bhutan. Then drive to scenic Punakha, crossing the lofty Dochu La pass and enjoying stunning views of the Himalaya through flickering prayer flags. Settle into your hotel and drive to Lobesa after lunch. From here, hike up to Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th-century monastery dedicated to the Buddhist saint Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman.” Learn about his colourful, eccentric life, and witness women devotees who visit the monastery to receive blessings of fertility.
After breakfast, drive through dense forests of blue pine, oak, and rhododendrons and enjoy views of the Himalayan range and the valley beyond. After a lunch stop, the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass at 3,050m (10,007 ft). After stopping here for tea and panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain range, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 06:00 - 07:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Chime Lhakhang Visit
- Meet a Buddhist Monk

Additional Notes: Approx. Altitude: Punakha Valley 1,300m
Day 3 Day 3: Punakha (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Punakha (1B, 1L, 1D)

Enjoy a full day of exploration in Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan. Visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, or fortress, situated at the confluence of two important rivers. Drive to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery, a meditation and training center for Buddhist nuns. Then drive to Wangdue Phodrang to discover the town’s dzong. In the afternoon, weave your way through rice terraces and pine forests to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a cheerful temple perched on a picturesque mountain ridge overlooking the Punakha Valley.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 06:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Punakha Dzong Visit
- Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery
- Wangdue Phodrang Visit
- Hike and Visit Khamsum Yueley Chorten
Day 4 Day 4: Punakha/Gangtey (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Punakha/Gangtey (1B, 1L, 1D)

Travel to the Gangtey Valley—also called Phobjikha Valley—the winter habitat of rare black-necked cranes. If your trip falls between October and February, you’ll have a chance to visit the information center of the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) to learn about these graceful, vulnerable birds, which migrate from Tibet to Bhutan every year.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 - 04:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Black-Necked Crane Centre Visit

Additional Notes: Approx. Altitude: Gangtey Valley 2,900m
Day 5 Day 5: Gangtey (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Gangtey (1B, 1L, 1D)

Set out to discover the stunning Gangtey Goempa, one of the oldest Nyingma monasteries in Bhutan. This 17th-century temple recently underwent an elaborate renovation. Afterward, we’ll walk across Phobjikha Valley to Khewa Valley, stopping at an old temple on the way to make an offering. This evening, explore Khewa village and enjoy a cooking demonstration and delicious home-cooked dinner at a family farmhouse.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle

Included Activities:
- Gangtey Goempa Monastery Visit
- Phobjikha and Khewa Valley Hike
- Khewa Village Visit
- Family Farm Meal
Day 6 Day 6: Gangtey/Thimphu (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Gangtey/Thimphu (1B, 1L, 1D)

Return to Thimpu and take in the golden splendour of the Buddha Dordenma, a massive Buddha statue that graces a hill overlooking the city. Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, an arts and crafts school where we can watch students practicing traditional arts such as woodworking, painting, and ceramics. Later, enjoy a talk on Gross National Happiness, an index used by the Bhutanese to measure the nation’s progress.
Please note that on occasion the Institute for Zorig Chusum art school is closed due to school breaks and holidays. If it is not open on the day of your visit, another activity will be arranged.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 - 04:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Buddha Point Visit
- Institute for Zorig Chusum Visit
- Lecture on Gross National Happiness

Additional Notes: Approx. Altitude: Thimpu 2,300m
Day 7 Day 7: Thimphu/Haa (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Thimphu/Haa (1B, 1L, 1D)

This morning, visit the National Memorial Chorten, one of Thimpu’s most recognizable landmarks and a focal point of daily spiritual life. Then venture off the beaten path towards the remote Haa Valley, stopping for a night in charming Haa town. Explore Lhakhang Nagpo, the “black temple,” and Lhakhang Karpo, the “white temple”—two ancient Buddhist shrines which are said to be among the 108 temples built in one day by the seventh century Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 06:00 - 08:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Haa Valley Temples and shrines
- Memorial Chorten Visit

Additional Notes: Approx. Altitude: Haa Valley 2,600m
Day 8 Day 8: Haa/Paro (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Haa/Paro (1B, 1L, 1D)

Drive into picturesque Haa Valley by way of the dramatic Chele La pass, one of the highest mountain roads in Bhutan. Hike through thick pine forests to the Kila nunnery, which clings to a rocky cliff. Later, return to Paro and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful temples. Then head to a local archery ground to watch locals practice Bhutan’s national sport.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:00 - 03:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Kila Goempa Nunnery Hike
- Kyichu Lhakhang Temple Visit
- Local Archery Grounds Visit

Additional Notes: Approx. Altitude: Paro 701m (2,300 ft)
Day 9 Day 9: Paro (1B, 1L, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Paro (1B, 1L, 1D)

Today, we embark on a vigorous hike to Bhutan’s most iconic and revered site: the Taktsang Lhakhang or Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high above the Paro Valley. Visible from afar, this architectural masterpiece straddles a vertical granite cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor. Later, drive the winding road to Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined fortress that once defended Paro Valley from Tibetan invasions.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle

Included Activities:
- Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery Hike
- Drukgyal Dzong Visit

Additional Notes: Due to the altitude, this climb can be tough. Be prepared to spend about 5 1/2 hours to get up and down with stops, including lunch. Remember to stay hydrated and take your time.

The hike is gradually uphill and takes about 2 hrs to reach the first stop at the cafeteria, where you can enjoy views of the monastery. If you choose, you can stop here and wait for the group who choose to continue up to the Monastery.
Day 10 Day 10: Paro (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Paro (1B)

Depart at any time. Airport transfer is included.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle: Paro to Paro Airport 00:30 Hr(s)

10 days tour

Journeys: Wonders Of Bhutan National Geographic Journeys

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Journeys: Wonders Of Bhutan National Geographic Journeys

Day 1: Paro/Thimphu (1D)

Day 2: Thimphu/Punakha (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 3: Punakha (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 4: Punakha/Gangtey (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 5: Gangtey (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 6: Gangtey/Thimphu (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 7: Thimphu/Haa (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 8: Haa/Paro (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 9: Paro (1B, 1L, 1D)

Day 10: Paro (1B)

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