Bhutan
is a small, land-locked Himalayan country that completed its
transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in
April 2008; the country is now led by a king and a
democratically-elected government. The United States has consular,
but not full diplomatic, relations with Bhutan. There is no U.S.
diplomatic or consular presence in Bhutan. The U.S. Embassy in New
Delhi handles assistance to U.S. citizens.
Visitors are advised to
carry cash or travelers checks, since credit cards are not widely
accepted in Bhutan. When credit cards are accepted, usually during
bank hours, an extra service fee, usually a percentage of the
overall purchase, is often charged.
Druk Air, the only carrier servicing Bhutan, has rigid
restrictions on the amount and size of luggage passengers may carry
into the country. Passengers are advised to book bulky items ahead
as unaccompanied baggage, since the aircraft servicing Bhutan have
limited space available for large bags, and airline employees may
not load large pieces of luggage. Flights into and out of Paro
Airport are restricted to daylight hours and are dependent on
suitable weather conditions. Flights are sometimes delayed or
cancelled, particularly during the monsoon season between June and
August. Passengers are advised to allow at least 24 hours' transit
time for connecting flights from Paro Airport and to travel on
non-restricted air tickets so that they can be rebooked on the first
available air carrier if a connecting flight is missed.
Bhutan
Tourism in Bhutan was privatised by the Royal Government of Bhutan
in 1991 which adheres strongly to a policy of low volume, high value
tourism. The tourism industry in Bhutan is founded on the principle
of sustainability, meaning that tourism must be environmentally and
ecologically friendly, socially and culturally acceptable and
economically viable. The number of tourists visiting Bhutan is
regulated to a manageable level because of the lack of
infrastructure.
The Royal Government of Bhutan recognizes that tourism is a
world-wide phenomenon and an important means of achieving
socioeconomic development particularly for developing countries like
Bhutan. It also recognizes that tourism, in affording the
opportunity to travel, can help in promoting understanding among
peoples and building closer ties of friendship based on appreciation
and respect for different cultures and lifestyles.
Towards achieving this objective, the Royal Government, since
inception of tourism in the year 1974, has adopted a very cautious
approach to growth and development of the tourism industry in
Bhutan. Landlocked Bhutan is roughly the size of Switzerland. It is
bounded on the north and northwest by Tibet, with India nudging its
remaining borders. Virtually the entire country is mountainous,
peaking at the 7554m (24,777ft). North to south it features three
geographic regions; the high Himalayas of the north, the hills and
valleys of the centre, and the foothills and plains of the south.
Its great rivers helped sculpt its geography and their enormous
potential for hydropower has helped shape the economy.
Thanks
to centuries of isolationism, its small population and topographical
extremes, Bhutan's ecosystem is virtually intact, and boasts the
most varied habitats and a rich array of animal and plant species.
Under Bhutanese law, 60% of the kingdom will remain forested for all
time. There is currently a remarkable 72% forest cover and an
astonishing array of plants; more than 5500 species, including over
300 medicinal strains. There are 165 species of mammals, including
many rare and endangered animals such as the golden langur, snow
leopard and red panda. So far, 770 species of birds have been
recorded, including the rare and endangered black-necked crane.
Just over a quarter of the kingdom is in protected areas, all of
which encompass inhabited regions. A progressive integrated
conservation and development program reconciles the needs of the
community with environmental protection, the foundation of Bhutan's
entire economic ethos. National parks sustain important ecosystems
and have not been developed as tourist attractions. In many cases
you won't even be aware that you are entering or leaving a protected
area.
HIMPHU
Thimphu,
the capital, lies in a beautiful, wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside
on the bank of the Thimphu Chhu (river). It is the only world capital
without traffic lights. One set was installed several years ago, but
residents complained that it was impersonal and it was removed within
days.
Despite recent development, Thimphu retains its charm and is awash with
brightly painted, elaborately decorated facades which give the town a
captivating, medieval feeling. Thimphu is a cornucopia of Bhutanese
culture, brimming with things to see and do. Dominating the horizon, on
a hill just above the town, the imposing Trashi Chhoe Dzong (Fortress of
the Glorious Religion) was completely renovated in the 1960s to become
the symbol of the capital. It now houses the offices of the king and the
central monk body.
In the center, the most visible religious structure is the National
Memorial Chorten containing numerous sacred religious paintings and
tantric statues. For many, this is the focus of their daily worship and
people circumambulate the chorten throughout the day. The Weekend
Market, in the centre of Thimphu, is an ideal spot to experience an
urban and rural blend as villagers jostle with well-heeled Thimphu
residents for the best bargains. Nearby, the Changlimithang Stadium is
the national archery ground, where you can see competitors participating
in the kingdom's national sport, complete with traditional garb,
colourful behaviour and entertaining rituals. The National Institute of
Traditional Medicine is an interesting facility that uses over 300
different plants to make medicines that are distributed throughout the
kingdom.
PARO
When you fly to Bhutan, you usually land in Paro. Western Bhutan is the
heartland of the Drukpa people and you will be confronted with the
largest, oldest and most spectacular dzongs in the kingdom. You will
immediately realize you are off the beaten track of world tourism.
The town of Paro lies in the centre of the rich, fertile Paro valley,
with beautiful landscapes, scenic villages and historic buildings all
within a few kilometres. Immerse yourself in Bhutanese culture in the
National Museum close to the town center. The building itself was
completed in 1656. In April 1998 a fire destroyed the main structure of
Taktshang Monastery, perhaps Bhutan's most photographed and famous site,
perched on the side of a cliff 900m (2952ft) above the valley floor. It
is also known as 'tiger's nest' because Guru Rinpoche is said to have
flown to the site on the back of a tigress in the eighth century. It has
been one of the kingdom's most sacred sites ever since, and will be
rebuilt in its original style once an auspicious date has been chosen.
Paro airport is 7 km (4 mi) from Paro town and 53 km (33 mi) from
Thimphu.
PHOBJIKA
VALLEY
Phobjika is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black
Mountains and is a designated conservation area nudging the borders of
the Black Mountains National Park. It is one of the most important
wildlife preserves in the country because of the large flock of rare,
endangered black-necked cranes that winter there. These birds have a
special place in Bhutanese folklore, and one of the most popular folk
songs laments the time when the cranes leave the valley to return to
Tibet. You can learn more about the cranes at the Crane Observation and
Education Centre and view their roosting place. It is an awesome
spectacle at dusk when all the birds from the valley congregate for the
night.
Permanent residents of the valley include muntjaks (barking deer), wild
boars, sambars, Himalayan black bears, leopards and red foxes. WWF has
assisted in setting up the Khebethang Nature Study Centre in Phobjikha
village, near the foot of the valley.
Nearby, Black Mountains National Park is a vast area still in its
natural state. It has an impressive array of plant species, and animals
found there include tigers, Himalayan black bears, leopards, red pandas,
gorals, serows, sambars, wild pigs and golden langurs.
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL IDEAS
BHUTAN INTERLUDE
4 days
Day
1.Arrive
Paro.Welcome to the
Kingdom of Bhutan. You will be met and transferred to a local restaurant
for lunch. After lunch visit the National Museum and The Paro Dzong.
Later, drive to Thimphu, the capital, one hour away. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel.
Day 2.Thimphu.A
full day Thimphu sightseeing includes the National Memorial Chorten, the
Traditional school of Arts and Crafts, the National Heritage Museum, the
Nunnery and the Handicrafts Emporium. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3.Thimphu/Paro.Early
morning visit to the market after which drive to Paro. Enjoy a day's
excursion to Paro Takshang, the Tiger's lair. Horses can be arranged but
a hike is highly recommended. Lunch at the cafeteria. Later return to
Paro. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4.Depart
from Bhutanto your
next destination.
INDEPENDENT TRAVEL IDEAS
BHUTAN INTERLUDE
8 days
Day
1.Arrive
Paro.Welcome to the
Kingdom of Bhutan. You will be met and transferred to Thimphu, the
capital of Bhutan. The drive will take you about 1 hour. Check in to
your hotel followed by lunch. Visit the Town & main market. Dinner and
overnight at the hotel.
Day 2.Thimphu
and Wangdi.Morning
visit to the Weekend Market & the National Memorial Chorten which houses
a number of religious paintings and tantric statues. Early lunch and
depart for Punakha. The drive takes about 2 hours over the Dochu La
situated at 10,000 feet. If the weather permits, you can see the
Bhutanese Himalayas. Check in to your hotel in Wangdi.
Day 3.Wangdi-Gangtey.Visit
the valley of Phobjikha, one of the most pleasant valleys in Bhutan. It
is also the winter home for the Black necked cranes. Visit the Gangtey
Gompa and on the return, visit the temple of Khamsum Yulley Namgyal
Chorten. Overnight in Wangdi.
Day 4.Wangdi-Punakha-Thimphu.Drive
to Punakha and visit the Punakha Dzong, the winter residence for the
Monk body and the old capital of Bhutan. Drive Back to Thimphu. Dinner
at a local restaurant.
Day
5.Thimphu.A
full day's sightseeing includes the National Library which contains a
thousand manuscripts, both ancient and modern. Also visit the school of
Traditional Arts and Crafts and then the National Medicine Institute
Day 6.Thimphu-Paro.D
rive to Paro. Visit the National Museum housed in an ancient watchtower.
The museum contains a wonderful gallery of Thangkas (scrolls) and also
the Paro Dzong, the administrative centre for the valley of Paro. Dinner
and overnight at your hotel.
Day 7.Paro.Morning
departure for a full day excursion to the spectacular Takshang also
known as the Tiger's Nest, one of the most venerated sacred sites of the
Himalayan world. It clings to a sheer 3000-foot cliff above the valley
and the buildings enshrine a cave where the great saint Guru Rinpoche
meditated. A pilgrimage to Takshang is the dream of a lifetime for the
devout. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8.Depart
Paro for your next destination.
HOTELS:
Hotels are one of the several delightful surprises visitors can expect
in the Kingdom. The hotels ensure their guests a consistent style and
comfort level throughout their stay. Each property is designed in the
traditional Bhutanese style, yet each retains its own character and is
set in unusual and dramatic locations: from the Hotel Olathang in the
foothills of the Paro Valley surrounded by blue pine forests to the
Hotel Motithang (Bhutan's first hotel) overlooking Thimphu's skyline to
Trongsa's Sherubling Lodge, with its alpine feel and remarkable vista
over the golden roofs of Trongsa Dzong. A restaurant serving traditional
Bhutanese cuisine tempered to western tastes can be found in all of the
hotels. Many of the hotel chefs have been trained at hotel schools in
Europe and are very comfortable preparing food to please the western
palate. Meals are usually served in buffet style.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Bhutan's changeable climate means you have to bring an assortment of
clothes including rain gear. A layered wardrobe makes the most sense.
Good walking shoes or hiking boots are essential even if you are not
hiking. Because of the altitude, a hat or cap and a good pair of
sunglasses are essential. Warm clothes are recommended for the evening.
Because of the long distances between towns and villages, bring the
medicines you will need along with some first-aid supplies. A good
flashlight (torch), water bottle and polarizing filter for your camera
will also come in very handy.
TIPPING:
Hotel and restaurant bills include service charges amounting to 20%.
There is no need to add anything further to this.
* Required Fields
Free Quote - No Obligation - Fast Response
Vacation resort shopping can be daunting but it doesn't have to be.
We pride ourselves on the personalized service
provided to each of our clients and trust you will value our
assistance with your holiday arrangements.
Simply complete the form below and one of our Travel
Specialists will work with you to tailor the perfect holiday to suit
your needs.
Complete for each family or friends traveling on the same dates,
sharing the same room or condo AND if the air is also being requested, on
the same flights both directions. Please fill out this form
as completely as possible!
* Required fields must be filled in before submitting.
General Information:
Email Accurate email
required for a response
*
Day Phone:
* Required
Total Number of Adults:
* Required
Total Number of Children:
(ages 2-17) * Required
In order to lock in the best price, we need names and if children 17 and
under, their age Also if senior, sometimes there is benefits available,
so please indicate.
For more than 8 passengers, use the Notes are at the bottom. Most rooms will not allow more than
6 per room.
Legal Names of Travelers
Age
* Required
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Air: Include
Airfare?
Departure City:
From: Departure Gateway
Departure State:
Flexible on dates?
* Required
TRIP INFORMATION (Required)
Preferred Date of departure:
/
/
*
Total Number of nights in
Asia :
Which of the following are you interested in?
City
StopoverRailCruises
Coach
ToursSoft
AdventureSmall
Group Tours
Beach
ResortTrekkingDiving
Other:
Tours
Number of nights
Number of nights in
BHUTAN :
Other Resort
Asia Areaschoice: -
additional choices may be listed in the notes section at bottom
Are you looking for a resort that is:
5 Star,
4 Star,
3 Star.
Budget Currency:
Vacation investment:
This rate is per person
including internal transfers, meals if all inclusive and general activities.
Rate not to exceeded:
Which of these activities would you be
interested in doing?
Scuba diving
Number of Divers
Snorkeling
Surfing
Whitewater rafting
Golf
Number of Golfers
Shopping &
dining
Eco tourism
Sailing or
cruising
Deep sea
fishing
Cultural
activities
Other
What is the occasion of your trip:
Wedding
Honeymoon
Romantic Getaway
Family Holidays
Group Traveling
Anniversary
Birthday
Action - Adventure
OPTIONAL INFORMATION
Is there any other thing we
could do to make this your perfect vacation ?
Bhutan
is a small, land-locked Himalayan country that completed its
transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in
April 2008; the country is now led by a king and a
democratically-elected government. The United States has consular,
but not full diplomatic, relations with Bhutan. There is no U.S.
diplomatic or consular presence in Bhutan. The U.S. Embassy in New
Delhi handles assistance to U.S. citizens.
Bhutan
Thanks
to centuries of isolationism, its small population and topographical
extremes, Bhutan's ecosystem is virtually intact, and boasts the
most varied habitats and a rich array of animal and plant species.
Under Bhutanese law, 60% of the kingdom will remain forested for all
time. There is currently a remarkable 72% forest cover and an
astonishing array of plants; more than 5500 species, including over
300 medicinal strains. There are 165 species of mammals, including
many rare and endangered animals such as the golden langur, snow
leopard and red panda. So far, 770 species of birds have been
recorded, including the rare and endangered black-necked crane.
Thimphu,
the capital, lies in a beautiful, wooded valley, sprawling up a hillside
on the bank of the Thimphu Chhu (river). It is the only world capital
without traffic lights. One set was installed several years ago, but
residents complained that it was impersonal and it was removed within
days.
PARO
PHOBJIKA
VALLEY
Day
1.
Day
1.
Day
5.
