A journey across Bhutan

17 days
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Private Guided
Largely untouched by the modern world, Bhutan is an enigmatic mountain kingdom of green valleys crowned with dzongs (fortresses) and chortens (shrines). As the country operates a strict entry policy, it’s essential that your trip is planned thoroughly. Our specialists will use their extensive knowledge to create a carefully arranged itinerary that’s tailored ...
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

What's this trip about?

    Largely untouched by the modern world, Bhutan is an enigmatic mountain kingdom of green valleys crowned with dzongs (fortresses) and chortens (shrines). As the country operates a strict entry policy, it’s essential that your trip is planned thoroughly. Our specialists will use their extensive knowledge to create a carefully arranged itinerary that’s tailored to your interests. We have also worked hard to find the best drivers and guides (the government requires all visitors are accompanied), who can enhance your holiday to Bhutan. A journey through Bhutan will take you through rich forests, over high mountain passes and to some of the most biologically diverse national parks in the world. The cliff-hugging Tiger’s Nest is one of many white-walled monasteries that overlook yawning valleys, which burst into bloom with wildflowers in spring. And, you’ll find the Bhutanese welcoming in showing you their deeply Buddhist and traditional way of life, where Gross National Happiness is more important than gross domestic product.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)
Start CityDelhi
End CityDelhi

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Local Immersion & Homestays

Destinations

  • Asia
  • Bhutan
  • India

Attractions

  • Bumthang Valley
  • Delhi
  • Punakha

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature
  • Relaxing Retreat

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Itinerary

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Delhi.

Day 2 : Delhi

On arrival spend the rest of the day at leisure to recover from your international flight. If you have time you might like to take a taxi into central Delhi to explore the markets or visit Delhi's Red Fort.

Day 3 : Samdrup Jongkhar

Fly to Guwahati in northeast India and travel to the Bhutanese border with a guide and driver. You have the night in the border town of Samdrup Jongkhar, an important trading post.

Day 4 : Trashigang

Continue by road to Trashigang. The drive will take most of the day but you will have the opportunity to stop and take in the scenery along the way. You will check in to your hotel in Trashigang which sits above the Drangme Chhu River.

Day 5 : Trashigang

Visit Gom Kora a temple filled with colourful Buddhist carvings as well as Chorten Kora. In the afternoon, explore Trashigang which is filled with traditional wooden buildings and original architecture.

Day 6 : Mongar

Continue west to Mongar by road via the biggest and most important monetary in eastern Bhutan: Drametse Goempa. You will also have the chance to visit Mongar Dzong, a more modern monastery.

Day 7 : Jakar, Bumthang Valley

A full day drive to the Bumthang Valley in the heart of Bhutan. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to stop and explore.

Day 8 : Jakar, Bumthang Valley

Take a walking tour of Thangbi Temple and visit Jakar Dzong. One of the largest dzongs in the country, it is set on a ridge above Jakar town with views right across the valley.

Day 9 : Phobjikha

Travel by road to Gangtey, stopping at Trongsa Dzong en route. Trongsa is a huge monastery complex which prints most of Bhutan's Buddhist texts.

Day 10 : Phobjikha

Walk the Tenkhor Yuetshe Sum Trail which links together many local villages and hamlets today. You will also visit the black-necked crane research centre with the chance of spotting some of the black-necked cranes themselves.

Day 11 : Punakha

Continue by road to Punakha. On arrival you will check in to your hotel and have time to relax. You might like to take a walk around the grounds of your hotel which has views across the valley.

Day 12 : Punakha

Take a half day walk from Nobgang to Punakha, a particularly picturesque valley route. In the afternoon, visit the Punakha Dzong which is located at the confluence of two rivers.

Day 13 : Thimphu

Head to the capital and take an afternoon tour of Thimphu. Key points of interest include the King's Memorial Chorten, which is a Tibetan-style chorten or stupa built to honour the memory of the third king. Inside, there are numerous religious paintings and statues of...

Day 14 : Paro

Drive to Paro and visit Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong. Paro Dzong is located right up on the hillside and was used to defend Paro from Tibetan invasions.Spend this evening in Paro. You might like to eat in the hotel's pretty courtyard.

Day 15 : Paro

Full day excursion to Tigerâs Nest Monastery and Drukgyel Dzong. A highlight of the trip, it's possible to climb up halfway to simply view Tiger's Nest Monastery if you are not able to climb the entire route.

Day 16 : Delhi

Fly from Paro to Delhi. After checking in to your Delhi hotel, you might like to simply relax or explore Delhi a little. The markets are an excellent place to shop before heading home tomorrow.

Day 17 : International return flight

Transfer to the airport in time for your onwards flight. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,055
Price per day$415
Last Updated: 0/12/2022

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Audley Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Our trips don’t come off the shelf. There’s no set recipe. Each itinerary is tailor-made down to the finest detail, built around your tastes and interests. Quite simply, we listen to what you want and then carefully design an individual trip to match, working to your budget and with an absolute commitment to quality.

We have experts for each and every one of our destinations, with the knowledge that comes from having visited many times or even lived there. Our specialists will design a trip around you, show you the highlights from a different angle, and introduce you to places and experiences that others might miss.

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As the world adjusts to travel in times of uncertainty, we want you to be able to look ahead to your next trip knowing you can change your plans if needed. And, with specialists who are experts in their destinations and remain your single point of contact before and while you travel, we promise you can book with us in absolute confidence.

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Change your plans free of charge up to 30 days before departure

We’ll move your travel dates or switch the value of your booked trip to another destination at no expense to you up to 30 days before you’re due to depart. You’ll receive a 100% travel credit equivalent to the amount you paid toward your original booking.

Valid for new bookings made on or before October 31, 2020, for travel by Dec. 31, 2021. Travel dates may be moved to departures up to December 31, 2022. Excludes select cruises and airfare. Additional charges may be incurred based on changes to your trip such as accommodation and/or seasonality.

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14-day cancellation policy for trips to the US, Canada or Caribbean

We want to help you navigate the uncertainty that remains around travel by giving you the flexibility to book a trip to any of our destinations in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean this year in complete confidence. With our 14-day cancellation policy, you can cancel your trip up to two weeks before you’re due to depart for any reason and receive a full refund, when you book your trip on or before October 31, 2020 for travel before December 14, 2021**.

Valid on new bookings within the US, Canada or Caribbean made on or before October 31, 2020 for travel by December 14, 2021. Certain policy variations may apply dependent on property selection and dates. Specific details will be provided by your specialist. Any portion of a new booking paid with an existing travel credit will be refunded in the form of a travel credit. Excludes flights and select properties.

 

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Talking face to face with your specialist can be an invaluable starting point for sharing thoughts and ideas as you begin to imagine your next trip. You can take as much time as you need to speak to your specialist and discuss all your plans with one of our video appointments. Just think of it as your own personal webinar — your specialist will share a wealth of insight, aided by images, maps and other visuals, to inspire you and provide advice for your trip, based on what you want to experience.

It's easy to arrange

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Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
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Age Requirements
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Trip ID
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