Roundtrips
Bhutan-Travels does not squeeze you into predefined tours.
By providing comprehensive information we offer suggestions for planning a visit according to your preferences. Once we receive your travel dates and requests we send you an individual proposal, even for single travellers as well as for groups.
A final and confirmed booking has to be made well in advance (2-3 month, for popular festivals even longer) to secure seats on DrukAir and hotelrooms.
The map shows developed areas
and destinations with good
touristic infrastructure.
Individual travellers to Bhutan can only obtain visas through a tour operator licensed by the government (only exception: if you are officially invited by the government). The visa will only be issued once you have transferred the full ammount for the length of your stay. DrukAir will only issue tickets to tourists which have a "visa clearing", the actual visa form will be stamped into your pasport once you have landed in Paro or cross the border at Phuentsholing.
We will handle all the necessary administrative paperwork for you, free of charge and also provide your DrukAir airtickets at cost.
Following are some hints for planning:
Usually one reaches Bhutan by air. DrukAir flies from New Delhi, Kathmandu and Bangkok to Paro, the only international airport of Bhutan. Preferably take the route from New Delhi/Kathmandu as it carries you along the Himalayas and let you savour the exceptional panoramic views (lefthand seats) of the world's highest mountains for the lenght of one hour.
After touch down at Paro we recommend to explore the area for a few days. Paro valley offers a number of interesting spots (see West-Bhutan/ Paro) as well as some nice excursions to nearby surroundings and a spectacular climb to Tiger's Nest, the holy monastery Taktshang at 3.000m (for 3/4th of the climb you may rent a horse, which is not faster but less exhausting for untrained visitors). The National Museum within the Ta Dzong (watchtower) requires a few hours to see all the exhibits and so does the Rinpung Dzong further downhill at the traditional bridge spanning the Paro river. Here at the Dzong the famous mask dances of Paro Tshechu are taking place each year in early spring.
The road leading to Thimphu (65km, enlargement under way) passes gorges and steep ricefields and requires appr. 2 hours, depending on traffic, weather or restrictions due to construction work.
The TV-tower, high above the city, provides an excellent view and may be combined with a glance at the Takins (special, large himalayan animals) roaming the nearby minizoo.
The Memorial Choerten is an impressive monument, build in 1974 in memory of the 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Still in his lifetime the king wanted to demonstrate the 3 main pillars of Buddism - word, body and spirit of Buddha - in a comprehensible manner, but he passed away unexpectedly. Later, his mother realised the project.
The Choerten offers an exceptional introduction into the complexity of tantric Buddhism, although it is advisable to have an experienced guide in this matter.
Archery teams can often be observed on the flat banks of the river. Interesting sights, apart from the Trashi Chhoe Dzong, are also the Post Office and National Bank at the city center.
Driving from Thimphu to Punakha (77km) the road passes first the Simtokha Dzong (opposite hillside), the oldest Dzong of the country and continues to climb up to Dochu La pass. The teahouse behind the many Choertens provides a wonderful view (weather permitting, preferably in autumn) over the Himalayas.
Zongphu Kang 7.100m and Gangkar Puensum 7.540m.
Paro-Thimphu 65km/2Hrs.
Thimphu-Punakha 77km/3,5Hrs.
Punakha-Wangdue 21km/50Min.
Wangdue-Trongsa 130km/4,5Hrs.
Trongsa-Jakar 70km/2,5Hrs.