Glimpse Of Bhutan (trip)
Glimpse Of Bhutan
- Paro International Airport , Paro, Bhutan
- Active & Adventure
| from $990* per person | 5 Days | Year-round |
| Comfort accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Bhutan Dragon Adventures | 12 people max | |
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Locations visited/nearby
Bhutan, Asia
0 testimonials about this trip.
3 testimonials about the provider, Bhutan Dragon Adventures:
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Reviewer: Aditya Rao & Sirisha Rao
located in
Hyderabad ,
Andhra Pradesh
India
“On the onset we feel that our Bhutan trip was definitely a “Dream come true,” a big thanks to Bhutan Dragon Adventures and Karma and his team for making our trip the most impressive. We visited Bhutan in May ’07 for our honeymoon. All the planning started way back in January ’07 when I touched base with Karma. Karma was lightening fast in responding to our queries, which really helped us mutually build a flawless schedule. Being Indians, we were a little apprehensive initially to register with a travel agent since we could not find any agency tailored to meet the needs of Indian tourists. But Karma was quick enough to come up with a great plan for us and we immediately decided on traveling with Bhutan Dragon Adventures.
Karma also ensured that we got one of his best guides – Sonam – who had a vast experience of nine years and he ensured that our experience scaled to greater heights. We were really fortunate to have Sonam as our guide. Karma also ensured that we were given one of the best drivers (Sonam – coincidently), adept with the Bhutanese terrain. We were provided with a comfortable Toyota car.
Being vegetarians we were also a little anxious about getting quality vegetarian food, but Sonam and Karma ensured that we were provided with either Indian or Bhutanese vegetarian dishes. Karma and Sonam also ensured that we get permits to visit restricted places like Tiger’s Nest, Phunaka Dzong and the Haa Valley. We were also accommodated a value locations which made our stay very comfortable. We were so impressed with the hospitality and the stay that we cancelled our onward trip to Darjeeling and decided to stay in Bhutan for an additional day.
We will not hesitate to mention that the trip was “a great value for the money’ and we will treasure the moments we spent in Bhutan for our entire lives – thanks to Karma, Sonam and their team. We strongly recommend Bhutan Dragon Adventures for Indians and other national alike.”
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Reviewer: Dr. Paul L. Jokiel, Ph.D.
located in
University of Hawaii Kaneohe, HI 96744,
USA
“Karma Gyeltshen is a remarkable person with a strong background in all aspects of the culture, religion, history, art and natural resources of the Kingdom of Bhutan. Moreover, he is extremely knowledgeable about the travel regulations and potential pitfalls of touring this country. Last November, Karma saved my travel group from a difficult situation with another tour company. We had already sent the money to this company for our Druk Airline tickets. We did not receive the tickets or our visas and were asked to pay for the rest of the trip, which included excessive surcharges and an extra day of billing for the day of departure that amounted to a total overcharge of several thousand dollars for our group. There was great potential for a disaster as the company would not give us our tickets or a refund. Karma was able to intervene. He obtained our tickets and visas and immediately mailed them to us. He went on to lead our tour of Bhutan.
We requested a tour on the spiritual aspects of their culture and we were not disappointed. Karma arranged permission for many special visits to temples and holy places and provided much insight and information on the practice of Buddhism in Bhutan. Karma had obtained special permission for us to visit the sacred areas of Tiger’s Nest, which was very important to me.
Karma was sensitive to our needs as vegetarians and made special arrangements for us. As senior citizens with extensive travel experience in India and Nepal we were astounded at the high standard of accommodations, food, transportation and service provided in Bhutan by Karma. My experience in Bhutan was totally wonderful and positive. I highly recommend Karma Gyeltshen as a travel guide with high integrity and am looking forward to my next trip with him in the Kingdom of Bhutan.”
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Reviewer: Regards Hugh
“Dear Karma,
We did indeed enjoy our holiday in Bhutan. We were so pleased that you where able to put the trip together for us at such short notice, it is difficult to believe that it was all arranged in just 3 weeks and at no time did we feel that there was going to be any problem. I am sure that you had to work very hard in the back ground to get everything sorted out. Can you thank both Jigme and Kezang for making the trip go as well as it did. Jigme has a vast knowledge of Bhutan and was able to answer all of our questions and although he said he did not know any birds this was not the case. Kezang was a wonderful driver and we always felt safe even when travelling on the roads over the various passes, and both Linda and I appreciated the calm and patient way he stopped to allow us to look at birds and take photographs as we travelled along. It was as if nothing was too much trouble. Your kind donation of the bird book of Bhutan made all the difference to our bird watching and we hope to be able to find time to come to Bhutan again to visit the East of the country and concentrate on a little more Bird watching.
Thank you once again for a very enjoyable Holiday.”
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
Itinerary
Day 01. Arrive at Paro:You will be received by the representative from Bhutan Dragon Adventures at the airport and driven to Thimphu. On the way we will visit Simtokha Dzong, built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1627. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 02. Thimphu – Punakha – Thimphu: (72 kms, 3 hours drive).
After breakfast we will drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, we will stop for at the pass to view the higher Himalayas. While in Punakha we will visit Punakha Dzong, situated between Pho Chu, “Male River,” and Mo Chu, “Female River.” It was built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and for many years, until the time of the second king, served as the seat of government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant.” At the time there was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu, “Small Dzong,” that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue. While Palep was sleeping; the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From this vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang, “Palace of Great Happiness.” Here the war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and, in 1952, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here.
After lunch, we will drive to Wangdi Phodrang stopping enroute to view Chimi Lhakhang, the “Temple of Fertility,” built in 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as “Devine Mad Man.” This will be followed by sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang, where we will visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. We drive back to Thimphu in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03. Thimphu – Paro:
After breakfast, we will be sightseeing in Thimphu. First a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, a monument dedicated to the Third King of Bhutan, His Late Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The inside paintings and statues provide a very rare insight into Buddhist Philosophy. Then we browse through the National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, followed by visit to Painting School, famous for carving and free hand art. Lastly we visit the Folk Heritage Museum.
The afternoon features an excursion to Cheri Monastery. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, “Fortress of the Glorious Religion,” built in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and reconstructed in 1961 by the Late King, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is regarded as Father of modern Bhutan. The last stop is the Handicrafts Emporium to see the exquisite artistry of traditional crafts and textiles. In the evening, we drive to Paro. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.
Day 04. Paro Sightseeing:
This will be a very special day, with an excursion to view the spectacular Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery. After breakfast a short drive takes us to Satsam Chorten and from there a two hour horse ride to the viewpoint point of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. We stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktshang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktshang monastery. The primary Lhakhang was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in the 1684 by the Penlop of Paro, Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, said to be his favourite consort.
After lunch, we tour Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been, since 1967, the National Museum of Bhutan, followed by a visit Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative offices. Then we make a stop at the Drukgyel Dzong. Now in ruins, it was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; the Dzong name’s means “victorious Druk.“ Until 1951, it was used as an administrative center when a fire caused by butter lamp destroyed it. Lastly we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 05. Departure:
Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.
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