Bhutan Enchantment
Overview
Facilities
Tour Features
- Round trip trans-airfare via China Airlines coach class
- Local airfare, coach class, as per itinerary
- Round trip airport transfers
- Overland transfers with sightseeing stops as per itinerary
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Century Park (FC) or Avani Riverside (D) in Bangkok
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Kisa Hotel (FC) or Taj Tashi (L) in Thimphu
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Ugyen Ling (FC) or Aman (L) in Jakar
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Zangthopelri (FC) or Uma (L) in Wangdi
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Olathang (FC) or Uma (L) in Paro
- Sightseeing tours with English-speaking guide and entrance fees: city tours of Thimphu; tour fo Bumthang Valley in Jakar; sgihtseeing at Punakha and Wangdi; either a city tour or a hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery in Paro
- Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Airline fuel surcharge (subject to change) and government taxes and fees
Sikkim Extension includes
- Overland transfers with sightseeing stops as per itinerary
- Local airfare as per itinerary with fuel surcharge (subject to change) and goverment taxes
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Druk in Phuntsholing
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Norkhill in Gangtok
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Martham Retreat in Martham
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Elgin in Darjeeling
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Pride in Calcutta
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Sightseeing tours with English-speaking guide and entrance fees: visit to Kharbandi Monastery en route to Phuntsholing, morning city tour of Gangtok, visit to the Natural History Museum and local market in Darjeeling, tour of the Tibetan Center and Lloyd Botanical Garden in Darjeeling, morning excursion to Tiger Hill
Rates do not include
- Any expenses of personal nature such as tips, laundry, table drinks, telephone calls, etc.
- Optional Travel Insurance
- Any item not mentioned above
Remarks
- If listed hotels or China Airlines are not available at the time of reservation, alternative hotels at the same category or airlines could be used. Prices may differ.
- During trade fairs season and during Christmas and New Year’s days, some hotels may require surcharges. The prices may increase.
- Ticket(s) must be issued and full payment must be received 90 days prior to departure
- Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required
- Change and cancellation penalty (₹20,968-₹50,323per person) apply once ticketed; Triwalk Tours’ general cancellation policy applies
- Hotel upgrades, air upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all Asian destinations and add-on air fares from various US cities are available
Itinerary
Depart from West Coast gateway city on China Airlines flight to Bangkok. Cross the International Date Line.
Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. (Century Park/Avani Riverside)
Fly to Paro on Druk Air, and enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. On arrival in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, transfer to your hotel. (Kisa/Taj Tashi)
Thimphu is a small city with about 35,000 inhabitants and no traffic lights. Today you visit the late King's Memorial Chorten, a traditional painting school, the handmade paper factory, and monasteries and nunneries, among other interesting sites.
In the morning drive east, climbing a series of high passes and descending into valleys through ever-changing vegetation, to the cultural heartland of Bhutan, the Bumthang Valley, Transfer to the hotel in Jakar. (Ugyen Ling/Aman)
A short hike brings you to the Tamshing Monastery complex in the Bumthang Valley. The balance of the day is spent visiting farms, local peasants, and Yatha weavers.
In the morning drive to Tongsa to view the impressive fortress, once the most powerful in the country. Continue the journey over Pela Pass to Wangdi in the Punakha Valley. The valley is warm, sub-tropical in climate and highly cultivated. If the head abbot is not in residence, you may visit the inner courtyards of Punakha Dzong. (Zangthopelri/Uma)
Morning sightseeing at Punakha and Wangdi. In the afternoon return to Paro, a rich agricultural area with huge farmhouses, monasteries and fortresses. You also visit the only museum in the country. (Olathang/Uma)
Hikers may be given an option to hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery. Partially burned in 1998, it is still under renovation. The hike is the highlight of the trip, combining nature, amazing scenery and sanctuary. Those who prefer not to hike are taken to visit temples, monasteries, farmhouses and other sights.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Bangkok. Afternoon, arrive and transfer to hotel. (Century Park/Avani Riverside) Or, take the 7-day overland extension to Sikkim, India.
Board China Airlines flight to the US, arriving home the same day.