Bhutan Cultural Tour - 4 Days
4 Days
Easy
Private Vehicle
Hotel
The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is fast emerging from centuries of self imposed isolation. First opened to tourists in 1974 in very regulated manner upon the coronation of present Bhutanese King, this mountain kingdom is still perhaps the world's most exclusive tourists destination.Due to the Royal Government's far-sighted policy to preserve the countries pristine environment and its culture, the harmful effects to industrialization and mass tourism on the environment and the traditional lifestyle of Bhutanese have been carefully avoided. This makes Bhutan a truly unique destination. An unspoiled country with majestic mountains, a unique cultural heritage preserved for many centuries, an architectural style like no other, a landfill of warm hearted and friendly people, reveals a true paradise in the lost era of the present century
Itinerary details
Day 1: Arrive Paro Transfer To Thimphu (55 Km, Approx 2 Hours Drive
Fly into Himalayas with Druk Air, Bhutan's National Air Carrier. The green walls of the hills known as doors or gateways, in to Bhutan from the plains of India rise ever higher as the plane flies north towards the Tibetan border. Silvery rivers rush along the valleys, waterfalls plunge down the forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the heavens. Farm houses dot the hillsides on either side of the plane.
As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, look down and you will see the Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking Paro Chu (river) with Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, above it. Received by our representative at the airport and transfer to Thimphu, The modern capital town of Bhutan. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2: Thimphu / Paro (55 Km, Approx 1.1/2 Hour Drive)
After breakfast, sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit to the following: the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan's 13 traditional arts and crafts. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.
After lunch, visit King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan's third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
Then, visit the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.
Evening drive past Trashichhoedzong, "fortress of the glorious religion". This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch's throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Later, drive to Paro. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 3: Tiger's Nest Hike & Paro Sightseeing
After an early breakfast, drive to the trailhead and begin the hike to the iconic Paro Taktsang, Bhutan's most revered monastery. The hike takes approximately 3 hours uphill and offers spectacular views of the monastery, dramatically perched on a granite cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley. Spend time exploring this sacred site before descending back to the base.
On the return journey, if time and energy permit, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred temples, believed to mark the introduction of Buddhism to the country.
After lunch, visit Rinpung Dzong, the magnificent "Fortress of the Heap of Jewels." This historic dzong is renowned for its impressive Bhutanese architecture and beautiful wall paintings illustrating Buddhist legends, including the Four Friends, the Wheel of Life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount Sumeru, and intricate cosmic mandalas.
Continue to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruins of a fortress where Bhutanese warriors defended the kingdom against Tibetan invasions centuries ago. On a clear day, enjoy magnificent views of the sacred peak Jomolhari, known as the "Mountain of the Goddess."
Overnight at your hotel in Paro.
Day 4: Departure To Onward Destination
After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport to Kathmandu upon arrival Kathmandu we will have guide to pick you up. Upon arrival drive to Hotel afternoon sightseeing Kathmandu city.
The Cost Include(s)
- Flight Kathmandu- Paro-Kathmandu,
- Bhutan Tourist Tariff Royalty & Visa fees,
- All private excursions and transfers in superior air-conditioned vehicle,
- Local English speaking guide/tour leader,
- Experienced driver,
- Accommodation in carefully selected, highest standard goverment approved hotels & guesthouses,
- All meals in Bhutan,
- All entrance fees and permits
The Cost Exclude(s)
- All personal expenses such as bars, beverages, laundry, telephone and tips,
- Medical / Travel Insurance
Booking
Review
An Unforgettable Annapurna Base Camp Experience!
We had an absolutely incredible experience trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Nepal Social Treks and Expedition, and we cannot recommend them highly enough! From beginning to end, everything was exceptionally well organized, but what truly made this adventure unforgettable was our amazing team: our guide, Achut Pandey, and our two porters, Niran and Thirtna. Achut was an outstanding guide. He was knowledgeable, professional, patient, kind, and always attentive to how everyone was feeling. Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp can be challenging, and having someone we trusted completely made such a difference. Achut knew the mountains and trails incredibly well, kept us informed about what to expect each day, and always made sure we were comfortable, safe, and enjoying the experience. His warmth, encouragement, and sense of humor made even the difficult stretches of the trek enjoyable. Niran and Thirtna were equally amazing. We have so much respect and gratitude for them. They worked incredibly hard throughout the trek and always greeted us with kindness and a smile. If you are considering trekking in Nepal, we wholeheartedly recommend Nepal Social Treks & Expedition. And if you have the opportunity to trek with Achut, Niran, and Thirtna, consider yourself very lucky!
Nepal Social Treks helped us turn a dream into reality.
We have just completed the Annapurna Base Camp private trek with my husband, and it was truly a dream come true! Our guide, Urken Sherpa, was incredibly calm, caring, and supportive throughout the trek. We really appreciated the peace, silence, and privacy of having a private trek. Our porter, Milan, was always smiling and brought so much positive energy to our days. His kindness and cheerful attitude made a real difference throughout the journey. It was our first time in Nepal, and Nepal Social Treks helped us turn a dream into reality. We are so grateful for the wonderful experience and cannot recommend Urken, Milan, and Nepal Social Treks highly enough! Thank you for making this adventure so memorable. ❤️
Trekking Everest Base Camp
I booked the Everest Base Camp trek with this agency, and from the very beginning they were always available to answer any questions or doubts I had. Everything was extremely well organized from start to finish, my guide was fantastic, and we were lucky enough to have perfect weather throughout the trek. It was an absolutely amazing experience, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. Can’t wait to come back for another trekking ☺️ Highly recommended!
I booked the 5 day Around Kathmandu Valley tour for my family which was a great experience. Bhim was our tour guide and Deepak drove us around for the five days. The tour went very smoothly and didn't feel rushed at all. Since we went in the tourism off-season, all the stupas, temples, and UNESCO sites weren't very busy. We were able to finish the day's content by 4pm each day, giving plenty of time to rest for the next day. Bhim was very knowledgeable about each site, Nepali history, and was very receptive to our questions on Nepali culture. The hotels for this tour were also great. In particular, "hotel view point" in Nagarkot had a fantastic 360 view, as it actually is at the top of Nagarkot rather than a lot of other hotels down on the slopes. The view was incredible and we got to see some of the Himalayas, which we considered fairly lucky as we went during the cloudy, foggy monsoon season. Nepal Social Treks took complete care of everything from airport pick up to the hotels, and this was just an absolutely no-stress vacation to do some light cultural exploration of Nepal. Overall, would strongly recommend this tour and Nepal Social Treks!
I booked my trip through Nepalviaje (website in spanish) and from the first moment everything was perfect. Starting with Fernando that was answering really fast all our questions, when we arrive to Kathmandu the person waiting for us in the airport was absolutely fantastic, he wait over and hour for us cause it tooks a while to get out of the airport, the hotel for the first and last night is absolutely brilliant, when you arrive to the Office everything is super clear and they make you feel at home. The Trek is a experience of a lifetime, our guide Lhakpa IS the best guide ever and will not only guide you all the way to the base camp but show you things about culture and take care about every single details, lodges are always fantastic with a huge variaty of food. We made it with other girl and all of us reach EBC, Lhakpa will give you all the good advices to make it and the company will take care of everything, even the last day Basu(the manager of the company) call us to provide a helicopter service to come back to Kathmandu as the weather in Lukla was mean to be bad for a couple of days. 10/10 for this company and all the people involve on it
I completed the Everest Base Camp trek starting from Jiri, and it was simply an unforgettable experience. A long and authentic journey, away from the usual routes, that allowed me to experience Nepal in a deep and genuine way. From the very first day, the agency was fantastic: excellent organization, great support, and constant availability. I always felt well taken care of and never had to worry about anything. A truly special thanks to Anchal Magar, who was an outstanding guide in every sense. (A real friend) Always present, attentive, and highly professional, he showed great sensitivity in understanding my needs, adapting the pace and itinerary with care and intelligence. In the most challenging moments, he was a fundamental point of reference, providing reassurance and confidence. Beyond his skills, what stood out the most was his humanity, kindness, and dedication, rare qualities that made this experience even more meaningful. An experience I will carry with me forever!
Frequently Asked Questions
When Shall I Visit Bhutan?
You can visit Bhutan any time of the year. However, in autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) are the best seasons to visit Bhutan. During these time of the year, you can find clear warm weather with many important festivals of the country.
Will I Need A Visa To Travel To Bhutan? How Can I Apply For A Visa To Travel To Bhutan?
You must have a Bhutanese Visa to enter Bhutan. For visa application, you must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after you leave Bhutan. For further information follow the link http://www.mfa.gov.bt/?page_id=220
Will You Provide Any Documents That I Have To Take With Me To Bhutan?
Yes, we will provide the following documents.
Visa confirmation letter: Your visa for Bhutan will be organized by us prior to the start of your trip. For this, you must send us a color copy of your passport and two passport size color photographs.
Itinerary: You must take a copy of your tour itinerary with you.
How Can I Enter Bhutan?
You can enter Bhutan by two ways:
By air: You can enter Bhutan only through a Tour Company. We will arrange your visa for your trip to Bhutan. You can book online tickets available for Druk Air for your trip to Bhutan. Please check http://www.drukair.com.bt/ for the status of your tickets.
By land: You can use two overland points to enter/exit Bhutan. You can enter Phuntsholing in southwest Bhutan from the Indian state of West Bengal. From Phuntsholing, you have to take a 6-hour drive to Thimphu. You can also enter Bhutan from Samdrup Jongkhar in the southeast which is 110 km from Guwahati, India.
Will You Arrange A Private Tour For Me?
Of course. We will arrange you a private tour as per your demands. We value the wish of our customer and will try to fulfill all of your demands.
Can I Customize My Itinerary Of The Tour?
Of course. You can customize your tour and schedule as per your convenience. We will try to assist you to plan your itinerary based on your interest, limited time, and your suitability. We will manage your itinerary as per your demand.
Do I Need To Book My Tour In Advance?
Well, you will get to select your arrival and departure dates if you book your tour in advance. Similarly, if you’re planning for holiday trips, you must reserve your hotels several months before to find the best selection. So, it’s more advantage if you book in advance.
Will I Be Safe While Traveling To Bhutan?
Sure, you’ll be absolutely safe while traveling to Bhutan. The crime rate in Bhutan is very low.
