Overview
Bhutan, is also known as the “Land of the Thunder Dragon”. This Himalayan Kingdom is blessed with beautiful valleys and snowcapped mountains, which provides a majestic landscape for the country's ancient sites and Buddhist temples. Besides its natural beauty, Bhutan also boasts a unique culture and famously happy people, which sets Bhutan apart from the rest of the world.
This tour will show you the unusual geography of Bhutan, with tropical plains in the south and views of the Himalayas peaks in the north. Visit Thimpu, the only capital in the world with no traffic lights, historical museums with national treasures that date back centuries, and soak in the breathtaking sceneries of the country. This trip will surely give you a wonderful experience of mysterious Bhutan.
Elevation Chart
Itinerary
Click on title for itinerary detail
- Day 1: Arrive at Paro and drive to Thimpu (2320m)
breakfastlunchdinnerWelcome to Bhutan!We will check in to the hotel, followed by sightseeing in Thimpu.
Kuenselcholing View Point (Buddha Point) - You can a good overview of Thimpu this viewpoint. The Buddha statue here is also the largest statue in the country.
Memorial Chorten - Constructed as a memorial to the third King of the country who is regarded as the father of modern Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk.
Tashichho Dzong - This the secretariat building, which houses the throne room and is the office of the King and the central monk body.
Free and easy around the city in the evening. - Day 2: Punakha (1400m) breakfastlunchdinnerThimpu to PunakhaAfter breakfast, we will drive to Punakha to visit the mighty Punakha Dzong. We may also hike to Chimi Lhakhang.
Chimi Lhakhang was built in 1499 by Llama Drukpa Kunley and is also known as the temple of the Divine Madman. The locals believe that the effigy in the temple will bless childless women. The temple is surrounded by a row of prayer wheels with very beautiful slate carvings.
- Day 3: Paro (2320m) breakfastlunchdinnerPhunaka to ParoWe will drive west via the Dochula Pass @ 3080m. On days where the weather is good, you can enjoy spectacular views of the Bhutan Himalayas which soars above 7,000m.
Reach Paro in the afternoon. Visit the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong.
- Day 4: Paro (2320m) breakfastlunchdinnerParo SightseeingWe will go to the Tiger's Nest Monastery and a farmhouse today.
The Tiger's Nest Monastery is the most iconic structure of Bhutan, an architectural marvel perched high above the valley, on the side of a sheer cliff. The trek up to the Monastery will take five hours to and fro. The terrain ranges from gentle to steep, but it is manageable by most.
We will visit a local farmhouse to experience what it is like to live like the locals. Note that hot stone bath and meal at the farmhouse will cost an extra US$25 (approx.).
Free an easy around the town in the evening. - Day 5: Paro (2320m) breakfastSee You Again!All good things must end as we come to your final day in Bhutan. You can squeeze in some last-minute sightseeing before our transport arrives to send you to the airport for your flight. We bid you farewell, and may you leave with beautiful memories and a wonderful experience of Bhutan.
Highlights
- Visit Thimpu, the capital with no traffic lights
- See the mighty Punakha Dzong
- View the awe-inspiring Bhutan Himalayas
- Go to Bhutan's iconic Tiger's Nest Monastery
- Experience Bhutan's unique culture and lifestyle
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
COST INCLUSIONS
All our packages are inclusive of:
- Airport Pickup & Drop off
- Deluxe hotel accommodation in city area, which includes breakfast, Wi-Fi, 24 hours hot water supply.
- All mountain guest house stays.
- City tour(s) with an English-speaking tour guide.
- A highly experienced, government-licensed trekking Guide.
- Porters (1 porter for 2 trekkers)
- Trekking Permits1
- TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
- All domestic air transportation, if mentioned in itinerary.
- All ground transportation will be by Private Car/ Jeep/Luxury Tourist Bus.
- All government taxes, VAT and other applicable fees.
- Celebratory dinner on the last night
- Necessary equipment - first aid kit, duffle bags to put your belongings to be carried by our porters.
EXCLUSIONS AND EXTRA EXPENDITURES
We would like to highlight that there are items that are not included within our package cost. Kindly budget for these extra expenditures according to the duration of your trek. This includes the below:
- Lunch & dinner in city areas
- Rental of equipment such as sleeping bags and winter jackets can be arranged, if required.
- Nepal entry visa fee (USD40)
- Visa can be applied upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport (Kathmandu). 2 passport sized photos will be required.
- Tips for the Driver, Guide and Porters. We suggest a range between USD8 – USD10 per day, any more will be very much appreciated.
- City sightseeing entry fees in Kathmandu valley & Pokhara.
- Drinking water along the trek. Water is sold at around USD1 – USD3 per bottle by the mountain lodges. You can also choose to buy water tablets at about USD2 in the city to treat water.
- Wifi (if any), hot showers and charging of batteries may cost extra at some mountain lodges. Wifi is usually between USD3 – USD5, charging batteries around USD1.50/hr and hot water for showers around USD4.
- Travel insurance (compulsory)2
- Extra hotel stays and meals in the city that arise due to unforeseeable circumstances, such as flight cancellations/delays, bad weather conditions etc, are not included in the package cost.3
- International flight tickets
- Any other activities and/or items not mentioned or stated as optional in the itinerary
1Trekking Permits
There are restricted areas in Nepal which issue trekking permits for a limited no. of days. If you opt to stay in the restricted area longer than the permit period, additional charges will be levied for every day thereafter. These additional charges are not included in the cost of the trip.
2Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential to ensure our trekkers are covered in case of any mishaps, especially if helicopter evacuation is required. Do note that standard policies cover emergency evacuations up to 4000m only, so please ensure that your policy covers you up to 6000m. Your policy information must be submitted to us before we begin trekking.
3Flight Delays
If flight delays or cancellations are between Kathmandu and Lukla, we can arrange a chartered helicopter if you are agreeable to the charter hire cost. Bad weather in the mountains may carry on for more than a day. In order to avoid affecting your international flight out of the Nepal, you are strongly advised to buffer a few more days towards the end of your trip.
CANCELLATION
We will try our best to accommodate postponements and reschedule your trip if we are notified at least one month in advance.
However, if you need to cancel the trip, please understand that cancellation fees will be imposed as the necessary manpower, logistics and accomodations would have been arranged.
The cancellation fees will be based on the cancellation notification period given:
- over 30 days before the trip – 100% refund on deposit.*
- under 30 days before the trip – 50% refund on deposit.*
- under 15 days before the trip – no refund.
*exclude bank/transfer charges.
DISCLAIMER
First Himalayan is representing Himalayan Scenery Treks & Expedition Pvt Ltd as an e-platform & e-marketing arm. In the unlikely event where official claims and/or disputes arise due to any trekking and/or tour related matters, for example insurance matters, travel agency law matters or company registration matters, Himalayan Scenery Treks & Expedition Pvt Ltd will be the agency in charge and official party to liaise with.
Fixed Departures
Show all fixed departure datesFAQs
Generally trekking is a wonderful activity for anyone who is reasonably fit. If you enjoy nature and like a challenge, we would say it is for you.
You don’t have to be super fit, but be prepared to walk on uneven terrain for 5 to 6 hours a day. We recommend that you prepare for a trek by going on regular jogs, swims or climbing stairs for some physical training. Go on walks or hikes that stretch for a few hours are great ways to prep. You can also take the opportunity to try out your trekking gear to make sure they are comfortable and working fine. If you have any doubts, visit your physician to assess your physical condition to ensure you can handle the trek you are planning to go on.
It is not necessary, but it will be an added bonus if you do have. It is more important for you to engage in some form of cardio training to make sure you have a good level of stamina, and to arm yourself with a positive mindset for the trek.
Trekking difficulty depends on the specific route, and our treks typically involve multiple days of walking on rough terrain. Generally, the longer the trek and higher the altitude the tougher the trek will be. Other factors for assessment include terrain, amount of ascending and descending, expected climate. For treks listed as strenuous, it can be manageable if you are physically fit and have maintained a suitable level of activity up to the trek. We can also customise treks to try to best match your fitness concerns.
We would say there’s no real age limit, as long as you are confident in handling the trek. We have groups of parents with young kids, and elderly trekkers who have completed their journeys. Generally, we suggest more days on the trek if you are concerned, so that we can spread out the amount of trekking per day and adjust the pace according to the group.
The recommended period is from February to May, and September to December. It is possible to trek during the monsoon season in the rain shadow zones such as Upper Mustang and Dolpo, where it gets warmer and flowers are in bloom.
The treks bring you to remote places in the mountains and high altitudes and having a guide will make it much safer for your travels. Our experienced guides can share stories and culture of the area you are trekking in, giving you deeper connection and make your trip more enjoyable.
We will send you a suggested packing list as items vary according with season and trek you are going on.
Keep in mind the rule of layering. It is best to use several thin layers than one or two thick layers. This helps you control your body temperature, where you can put on or take off layers according to the weather. Base layers should wick away moisture and be quick drying. Outer layer should be wind-proof and rain-proof regardless of the season you are trekking in.
We will recommend the equipment to bring in the packing list for your trek. You will find an extensive range of trekking equipment for sale in Kathmandu city, so you have the option of buying equipment right here in Nepal.
We advise you to bring along 1L to 2L of drinking water, waterproof jacket, some snacks for energy boosting, sunblock, portable headlamp/ flashlight, hats and sunglasses for sun protection. Sun protection is important for trekking as the sun’s rays get stronger in high altitudes. Make sure the weight of your day pack is comfortable for you to carry throughout a 6 – 7hours trek.
Our porters can carry up to about 25kg. One porter is assigned for every 2 travellers.
We will arrange storage in the city for your luggage and belongings that you do not want to bring up to the mountains.
There are teahouses or guest lodges along most of our treks where we will stay. On the few trekking routes that have no lodges, we will sleep in tents.
We will stop at the various teahouses along our trekking route for lunch and dinner.
We strongly advise against buying bottled water in the mountains as plastic bottles are one of the biggest source of pollution in the mountain areas. Bring your own bottles and you can buy boiled water from the tea houses ranging from USD1 – USD3 per liter. Alternatively, you can fill your bottle from various drinking spots and purify them with water tablets.
Mobile coverage will be spotty, and less available the higher we trek. Coverage may be stronger when we enter bigger mountain villages. Some of the teahouses have wifi and usually charges a rate of USD 3 - USD5/hr for usage.
Altitude sickness can occur as your body system is not used to the lower oxygen air in high altitudes. Symptoms can range from headaches, lack of appetite to acute mountain sickness where you have seek medical attention immediately. We try to help you prevent these by pacing the elevation of our treks, and sometimes staying at a certain place for a day instead of moving upwards (acclimatization days). On these days, you can take the time to explore the area where we are acclimatizing.
In the event if you fall sick or gets injured, please approach our guides who are all first-aid trained and experienced in dealing with emergencies. If your condition requires professional medical attention, our guide will call a rescue helicopter using your insurance to fly you to a city hospital.
Weather can be unpredictable and flights may be canceled for the entire day if it is unsafe to fly. It is advisable that you buffer a day towards the end of your trekking trip, to avoid affecting your international flight out of Kathmandu. We will rebook your flight for the next day. A chartered helicopter may be arranged if you are agreeable to the charter hire cost.
We will arrange for the accommodation required due to flight delays, but extra costs incurred will not be included in the package price.
Travel insurance is required for all our trekkers and you should buy one that covers for all the days of trekking. Check your insurance that it covers trekking activity and emergency helicopter evacuation up to 6,000m. Many policies cover up to 4,000m only. Please diligently check that you are well insured.
Tips are always greatly appreciated by our guides and porters. As a guide, we advise about USD8 – USD10 per day as a way to appreciate their hard work for their care and guiding during the trek.
A deposit of 25% of agreed trek package fees is required before your trip to Nepal. The deposit amount must be paid through PayPal via your account on www.firsthimalayan.com, unless a prior agreement is made for other modes of payment. Payments are subjected to transfer fees of 3.9% charged by PayPal, or any other transfer fee amounts charged by other modes of payment. The remaining amount is to be paid in cash (USD/Nepalese Rupees) at our office when you arrive in Kathmandu.
We will try our best to accommodate postponements and reschedule your trip if we are notified at least one month in advance. However, if you need to cancel the trip, please understand that cancellation fees will be imposed as the necessary manpower, logistics and accomodations would have been arranged. The cancellation fees will be based on the cancellation notification period given:
- Over 30 days before the trip – 100% refund on deposit.*
- Under 30 days before the trip – 50% refund on deposit.*
- Under 15 days before the trip – no refund.
*Exclude bank/transfer charges.
- Over 30 days before the trip – 100% refund on deposit.*
- Under 30 days before the trip – 50% refund on deposit.*
- Under 15 days before the trip – no refund.
*Exclude bank/transfer charges.
