Discover the hidden gems of Bhutan with this exclusive 8 Nights 9 Days Best of the Bhutan Tour! Unveil the secrets of the Land of the Thunder Dragon and explore its stunning landscapes, ancient monasteries, and lush valleys. This specially designed tour package is perfect for senior citizens and families with ‘young-at-heart’ to experience the serene beauty of Bhutan and its unique culture. From renowned cultural and heritage landmarks in Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, and Haa Valley to hiking around the countryside, you will have the chance to explore the country of gross national happiness (GNA) and meet its happy people.
The highlight of this journey is undoubtedly the famous Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery) hike. Take in the breathtaking views of the valley and learn about the spiritual significance of this historical site, said to have been named “Mystical” by Guru Padma Sambabha. Join us for this incredible 9-day journey and immerse yourself in the captivating beauty of Bhutan!
We offer small group tours for mature-age senior citizens that cover the major cities of Bhutan in just 9 days. Our itineraries are designed with short drives, slow travel, and easy walking so that seniors can explore Bhutan in comfort. If you have specific points of interest, the tour can be customized to your liking. Just let us know what you’d like to see and how many days you’re hoping to spend, and we’ll create the perfect itinerary for you.
You can access Bhutan from various airports, including Kathmandu, Bangkok, Singapore, Dhaka, Delhi, and Kolkata (Calcutta). Alternatively, you can also enter the country by crossing one of its border towns, such as Phuentsholing, Gelephu, or Samdrup Jongkhar.
You will be landing in Bhutan enjoying amazing views of the Himalayas including the Jhomolhori and Jichu Drake Peaks. You will be welcomed by our guide and driver at the airport outside of the terminal. After lunch, you will be taken to visit Rinpung Dzong (Fortress of the Heap of Jewels), and next, you will visit Kychu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Bhutan. Next, you will drive to Drugyal Dzong (Victory Fort of Bhutan) which was built in 1646. If the day is clear, you will see Mt. Jhomolhori, also spelled as Mt. Chomolhori, Bhutan’s second-highest mountain towing at 7314m.
After breakfast, you will drive to Haa Valley crossing Chele – La Pass at 3810m. The pass is decorated with a colorful Buddhist Prayer Flag and offers wonderful backdrop views of Mt. Jhomolhori and the valley below. You will hike further to Kila Gompa Nunnery which is balanced precariously along the rock face. Then drive to Haa Valley.
After breakfast, you will drive back to Thimpu from Haa Valley through scenic villages and pine forests. You can stop on the route to enjoy watching local farmers sitting by the roadside and selling apples, dried cheese, and vegetables.
After breakfast in the morning, drive to Memorial Chorten, the nunnery temple, the Zoo where you encounter with national animal ‘Takin’, and the radio tower for a great view of Thimpu Valley, you can also observe the great view of Thimpu Valley Buddha Point (Recently built).
After Lunch, you will explore the landmarks of Thimphu Valley including Thimphu Dzong, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, the Bhutanese traditional painting school, paper factory.
Early in the morning drive to Punakha passing over Dochu-La Pass (3100m), from where you can have a stunning view of the Himalayans. You will drive down through rhododendron, hemlock forests. You will stop at Lobesa and hike through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang – the temple of fertility. After you reach Punakha, drive to Punakha Dzong located between Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu (rivers).
In the morning after breakfast, we start the hike to a village connected by the longest bridge in Bhutan. We walk on the plane trail along the Mo Chhu River and reach a local village where we meet families and farmhouses who offer local drinks or butter tea or local wine made of rice or wheat. Next, you will hike further to Khamsum Valley Namgyel Chorten, a wonderful 3 storied Chorten that looks down on the upper Punakha.
You will be back to Paro via the same route as Dochu-La Pass. It is about 4 to 5 hours of drive to Paro.
In the morning drive for about half an hour to hike to Taktsang Monastery. Also known as “Tiger’s Nest”, is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (also known as Guru Padmasambhava) meditated. The eighth-century monastery is perched on a rock overlooking a sheer drop and clings seemingly impossibly to a cliff of rock at 9678 feet above the valley floor.
After breakfast drive to the airport for the flight to onward destination.
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Payment: A deposit of 30% of the total tour cost is required to book the tour with Himalayan Windows (HW). The remaining balance is to be paid three days prior to the departure date. Payment can be made via Wire Transfer or Credit Card. All credit card payments are securely processed and a bank fee applies.
Cancellation: For cancellations more than 30 days before the Tour Start Date, there will be no cancellation fee. If the cancellation happens within 29-4 days prior to the Tour Start Date, a charge of 30% of the total invoice amount will be applied. Cancellations occurring within 3 days or less of the start date or in the case of a no-show, 100% of the total invoice amount will be charged. Learn more about Terms and Conditions.
Accommodation: Accommodation is typically provided in twin rooms in cities, though a single supplement can be requested for an additional fee. During peak season, it can be difficult to find single or twin rooms in the mountains, so our lodges usually offer dormitory-style accommodation. Our priority is always to provide clean and safe rooms for our guests.
Meals: Our packages in Bhutan include full board meals, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. For treks, all meals are provided, but you will need to pay extra for drinking water and snacks.
Nepal Visa: If you are planning a trip to Nepal, you must have a valid passport and Nepal Visa. Depending on your country of origin, you may need to obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa before your arrival. To be eligible, your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months from your Tour Start Date. If you are planning on traveling to multiple countries on your trip, make sure to get a multi-entries Nepal Visa.
Bhutan Visa Clearance: All visitors to Bhutan must have a valid Bhutan Visa Clearance before their trip. To obtain it, you must submit a color-scanned copy of your passport, which must be valid for at least 6 months from the start date of your tour. Your tour operator will send you a Visa Clearance prior to your departure, which you must present at the Druk Air/Bhutan Airlines counter during check-in. Once you arrive at Paro Airport, your passport will be stamped with the original visa.
Tibet Group Visa (TGV): All travelers from any nation intending to go to Tibet from Nepal must obtain a Tibet Group Visa (TGV) in Kathmandu with the help of a tour operator. To ensure the successful application of the TGV, you should plan to arrive in Kathmandu 3-4 working days before your travel date. If you are coming from China, you will not require a TGV; instead, you will need a Chinese Visa and Permit. To find out more about the process of entering Tibet, please look into the Tibet entry procedure.
Nepal & Bhutan: Visiting Nepal and Bhutan at the same time is ideal as they share a similar climate. From high mountains to low land sub-tropical plains and jungles, the two countries have similar weather. The best time to visit is from March to April (spring) and October to December (autumn and early winter). During these months, the air is clean and fresh with sunny skies. January and February are colder months, while June, July, and August (summer) are typically monsoon seasons.
Tibet: It is best to visit Tibet between April and October when the weather is warm and the skies are clear. However, from November to March, it is still possible to explore certain areas like Namtso, Everest Base Camp, and Mount Kailash, as long as the roads are not blocked by snow. Temperatures during this time may be quite cold.
HimalayanWindows strongly recommends that anyone planning to travel in the Himalayas purchase Travel Insurance. This policy will provide coverage in the case of medical emergencies, evacuation, theft, loss of belongings, and last-minute tour/ticket cancellations. Having this protection in place will help ensure that your trip is safe and enjoyable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Bhutan tour Where is Bhutan? Bhutan is a small, landlocked country situated in the eastern Himalayas between China and India. Its landscape ranges from Subtropical plains and forests in the south to subalpine forests and the snowy Himalayas in the North. Bhutan is a principally Buddhist country, and it is recognized as the last stronghold of Mahayana Buddhism. Do I need to use a… Read More »