Bhutan Cultural Tour

Trip Facts

Trip Name: Bhutan Cultural Tour

Trip Activities: Sightseeing and Hiking

Trip Grade: Easy

Best Season: All the round the year (autumn and spring are the best)

A cultural heart of groundbreaking art, historic architecture and enticing history, Bhutan is one of world’s famous travel destination. Bhutan exudes a fascinating and diverse culture identity, evident in the extensive spectrum of trip available. We offer the Bhutan’s top tour experience that covers the Kingdom’s enthralling landscapes of art, literature, design, Thankas, Paintings, music and festivals.

Enjoy your Bhutan Cultural Tour to the Fullest:

Dream Bhutan offers the exclusive tours full of personal touches, class and culture. The cultural tour package are expertly planned with special itineraries, luxury hotels, fine dining and expert tour managers.
Our carefully planned Bhutan cultural tour itinerary not only offers multiple exploration opportunities but also allows you to discover wonderful places and culture. The cultural tour includes the sightseeing of Thimpu, Paro, and Punakha. During the tour, you will discover the true spirit of the Bhutanese and explore myriad of sacred sites, Dzongs, temples, landmarks, monasteries, markets, farmhouses, schools & museum.

Witness the Intact culture of Bhutan

The Bhutan Cultural Tour provides country’s unaffected Buddhist culture and highlights the symbiotic relationship between people and its culture. The kingdom has able to retain its ancient culture while embracing global development. The limited foreigner policy of Kingdom has able to protect its fragile culture and eco-system. It is also known as the country of “The Last Shangri La”.

Itinerary

Day01: Arrival at Paro via Airway and transfer to Thimpu (55km/1.5 hours approx...)

The flight to Paro is one of the most exciting trans-Himalayan flight in the world. Whether you are flying along the Himalayan chain from Kathmandu or over the foothills form Kokatta, the air trip offers tantalizing views. As soon as you step out of your plane, you will quickly notice the clean fresh mountain air. After all the visa formalities and immigration procedures, the Dream Bhutan airport representative will meet you out the terminal hall and transfer you to the Thimpu, the capital city of Kingdom. On the way, we stop at Chuzom - the juncture of Thimpu and Paro rivers. Here you will witness three different types of stupa – Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese.
On arrival Thimpu, you check-into the hotel and take well-deserved rest. Enjoy the evening time with an exploratory walk around the city.

Overnight in Thimpu

Day02: Sightseeing of Thimpu

After breakfast, we drive to explore the Memorial Chorten which was built in 1974 to honor the legendary Third King Jigme Dorje Wangchuk, also known as the father of modern Bhutan.

Then we proceed towards Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Here we explore the largest Buddha’s statue in the country towering 169 feet (51.5m), made of bronze and gilded in gold. You can also get the fascinating view of Thimpu valley from this point.

Then we visit Changangkha Lhakhang. The temple was built in 12th century by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo and is ideally located above the central Thimpu. Local visits this religious sites to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessing from the protector deity “Tamdrin”.

Next we drive to upper Motithang to explore the Takin Sanctuary. The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan. Local believes that the animal was formed by the Buddhist Yogi, Drukpa Kuenley and is found only in Bhutan and nearby areas.

After lunch, we will proceed to visit the National Library that protect the collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the painting school) where students takes 6 years training of 13 traditional arts and crafts, Textile Museum which offer close peek to distinct art form, Folk Heritage Museum that displays Bhutanese tradition and rural history.

We conclude our day with a visit of Trashichhoe Dzoong, also referred as the fortress of the glorious region. It is one of auspicious Dzong located at the right side of Thimpu River and built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified Bhutan. It was reconstructed by the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in 1962. This building serves as Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty, the King and various government offices.

In the evening, explore the local crafts Bazaar to discover the Bhutan’s fine arts and architecture.

Overnight in Thimpu

Day03: Thimpu – Dochula Pass – Punakha (95km approx. 2- 3 hours drive)

After breakfast, we drive to Dochu-La Pass located at 3,088m/10,130ft to enjoy the magnificent Druk Wangyal Chortens with colorful prayer flags surrounding the area. The Chortens were built to honor His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo and his people for their victory in the war fought in the southern region of Bhutan in 2003. In clear weather, you can get the beautiful sight of Masgang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongphugang (7,060m) (a table mountain that dominates the isolated Lunana region) and Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan at 7,497m.

From pass, we drive downhill through the forest rhododendron, fir and hemlock and then pass through rick fields along the river banks to reach Punakha. After lunch, we visit Punakha Dzong which was built in between 1637 – 1638, the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan.

Overnight in Punakha

Day04: Punakha – Paro – 120km, 4 hour

After breakfast, we drive to Paro valley via Dochu La Pass. Here we will explore the Druk Wangyal Monastery, 108 memorial chorten built by Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk, the eldest queen mother. We continue our drive to Thimpu and stop there for lunch. Then we head for Paro.

Overnight in Paro

Day05: Hike to Tiger Nest Monastery (3,180m/10,430ft)

The Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Paro Takstang), is one of the most popular religious and touristic spot in Bhutan. Even people on the short tour in Bhutan visits this site. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is small collection of building majestically located on a sheer rock face towering around 900m from valley floor.

Today we hike to Takstang which takes 4 – 5 hours of round trip. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery is located. After brief exploration, we hike down to the valley floor and return back to the hotel in Paro.

Overnight in Paro

Day06: Final Departure

Your India to Bhutan overland tour adventure comes to an end today. The airport representative from Dream Bhutan will drive you to Paro International Airport on scheduled time for your final departure.

Cost Info

Cost Include

  • All the ground transportation on private vehicle as per itinerary
  • An English speaking professional Bhutanese guide and driver
  • Accommodation on Twin sharing/single room basis
  • Sightseeing and monumental entrance fees as mentioned in itinerary
  • Meals plan: Break, Lunch and Dinner during the tour
  • Bhutan Government Royalty Fee (USD 65 per person/per day)

Cost Exclude

  • Insurance of any kind
  • Final departure flight
  • Nepal entry visa
  • Additional cost due to any unforeseen circumstance like natural calamities, unfavorable weather, strike etc.
  • Emergency evacuation (in case)
  • Personal nature expenses – alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone bills, internet
  • Tips for guides and driver