Bhutan trip ”Dance of the Demons“

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, Airport pick up,  Drive to Hotel,  Overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 02: Sightseeing Kathmandu (Swayambunath, Durbar Square), Welcome Dinner in the evening, Overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 03: Sightseeing Kathmandu (Pashupatinath, Boudanath), Overnight stay in Kathmandu 
Day 04: Flight  Kathmandu to Paro, Airport pick up, Drive to Hotel, Discovering the Paro Valley (e.g. Kichu Lhakhang, Dzongdakha), Overnight stay in Paro 
Day 05: Drive from Paro to Thimphu (approx. 1 h) with short photo stop at  Tachogang Lhakhang (riverside of Pro Chhu, approx.. 6 km away from Chuzom), Sightseeing in Thimphu, Overnight stay in Thimphu 
Day 06: Drive to Dochula Pass (3,115 m) with great views to mountains above 7,000 meters., Drive to Wangdue Phodrang Valley, Visit  Punthang Dechen Phdrang Dzong, Overnight stay in Wangdue Phodran 
Day 07: Visit the festival with colorful costumes and Buddhist rites in Talo above Punakha Valley. Drive via Pele La Pass (3,392 m) to Trongsa, Overnight stay in Trongsa 
Day 08: In the morning visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta Dzong. After that drive via Yotong  La Pass to Central-Bhutan. The landscape is very nice in Chumey Valley, passing Zugney and Prakhar till reaching Choekhor Valley, Overnight stay in Jakar
Day 09: Visit wonderful monasteries like Jambay, Kurje and Tamshing as well the pilgrim site „Membartsho“. You will get traditional food in a very old farmers house, Overnight stay in Jakar 
Day 10: Drive via Yotong La (3,425 m) and Pele La (3,392 m) to Phobjikha Valley.   Visit the monastery in Gangte, which belongs to the Nyigma line, Overnight stay in Gangte
Day 11: In the morning walk through the fascinating nature in Phobjikha Valley. Then drive to Thimphu. Overnight stay in Thimphu
Day 12: Drive from Thimphu to Paro, visit the Tshechu festival close to the Dzong. The highlights of the festival are the special ritual dances. Overnight stay in Paro
Day 13: Early in morning during sunrise the holy Thangka ceremony takes place. After that drive via Chele La Pass (3,882 m) with view to  Jhomolhari (Jhomolhari I 7,326 m and Jhomolhari II 6,942 m) and Jichu Drake (6,990 m) to Haa Valley. Visit the small village Haa and drive to the three holy hills, Overnight stay in Haa
Day 14: Walk through amazing landscape and small farmer villages as well as visit of a very remote monastery. In the afternoon drive to Paro, Overnight stay in Paro
Day 15: Early in the morning walk to Taktshang monastery, the most visited pilgrim place in Bhutan. Horse ride to monastery is also available (approx. EUR 10), Drive to Drukgyel Dzong at the end of the valley. Overnight stay in Paro
Day 16: Flight from Paro to Kathmandu, Pick up from the airport, Drive to Hotel, Overnight stay in Kathmandu
Day 17: Free day, Welfare Dinner in the evening, Overnight stay in Kathmandu
Day 18: Drive to airport, flight back to home country

Additional information

Tour- Highlights:

• Discover Nepal´s capital city Kathmandu (UNESCO-World Heritage)
• Visit and discover the festival with costumes and ritual dances in Talo (Punakha Valley)
• Visit and discover the colorful festival in Paro (Bhutan)
• Insight into Buddhism and visit of various  monasteries in Bhutan

 NEPAL

The Kathmandu Valley is divided into three regions:  Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan) and Baktapur. In contrast to Kathmandu, Baktapur and Lalitpur are ancient regions. Each of these regions has its own cultural heritage and they are of equal historical importance.

Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the main centre for hotels, restaurants and shops. In this city, the modern, the ancient and the historical stand side by side. Modern restaurants, bars, hotels with swimming pools, sauna and Internet can be found, but also old squares with narrow roads, tiny little shops, old temples that are 2,000 years old, stone gods and old houses with wonderfully carved peacock windows.

BHUTAN

Thimphu (2,320 m):
The capital of Bhutan lies in the west of the country at the river Wang Chu.  The seat of the government is accommodated in the monastery building Trashi Chhoe Dzong.  The king of the country resides in the Dechencholing palace.

Punakha (1,300 m):
Punakha has a subtropical climate and is therefore ideal for agriculture (cultivation of rice, potatoes, vegetable).  The Punakha Dzong (monastery) is one of the most outstanding examples for the monastery architecture in Bhutan.

Paro (2,280 m):
The international airport of the country is located in Paro. Most important economy factor beside of tourism is agriculture. The Tsechu festival, which is celebrated every year, attracts lots of international visitors. 

Includes / Excludes

Included:

• All transport in Nepal according to tour plan  
• All transport in Bhutan according to tour plan
• Accommodation (in double room) in Kathmandu (Nepal) and Bhutan *)
• Visa for Bhutan
• English speaking travel guide in Kathmandu
• Entrance fees in Kathmandu
• English speaking travel guide in Bhutan
• Entrance fees for museum or any other institutions in Bhutan
• Public dues for the Dep. of Tourism according to governmental rules in Bhutan
• Full board in Bhutan
• Breakfast in Kathmandu (Nepal)
• Flights Kathmandu – Paro -  Kathmandu
• Welcome and Welfare Dinner in Kathmandu

Excluded:

• Visa for  Nepal (incl. Re-entry Visa)
• Food (lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu
• All kind of drinks in Kathmandu and in Bhutan
• Domestic flights in Nepal and Bhutan
• Travel and Health insurance
• Emergency transport / emergency evacuation
• Tips (especially for guides and driver)
• Personal expenses
• Flight from home country to Kathmandu and back

*)  single supplement has to be added, if requested.