Bhutan Odyssey

 

Kathmandu	Radisson Hotel	1 night
Thimphu	Hotel Pedling	2 nights
Punakha	Hotel Zangthopelri	1 night
Gangtey	Dewachen Hotel	1 night
Trongsa	Yang-Khil Hotel	1 night
Bumthang	Mountain Lodge	3 nights
Paro	Olathang Hotel	3 nights
Kathmandu	Radisson Hotel	1 night

Click on the name of the hotel for details

15 days from £2940

excluding international flights

DAY 1 - Depart UK.

DAY 2 – Arrival in Kathmandu.

On arrival in Kathmandu you will be met by a representative of World Discovery outside immigration and customs. You will then be taken by private car direct to your hotel. Recommended flight from London: Qatar Airways from London Heathrow via Doha to Kathmandu (see below). If you are travelling from a country other than the UK we would be happy to give you guidance on your flight options.

STOPOVER IN NEPAL: Don't forget you can break your journey with a few days in Nepal either before or after your visit to Bhutan.  We would be happy to arrange this and give you a quotation.

DAY 3 – Fly to Paro. Drive to Thimphu.

Transfer to the airport for the morning flight via Kathmandu to Paro, gateway to Bhutan. In clear weather, Druk Air’s flight to Bhutan provides a wonderful view of the Himalayan scenery, culminating in an exciting descent past forested hills into the kingdom. On arrival at Paro airport, you will be met by a World Discovery representative. On completion of airport formalities, there will be an interesting drive of about 2 hours’ duration to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 4 - Thimphu.

Morning and afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 5 - By road to Punakha.

After an early breakfast drive up to the Dochu-la Pass (3,088m/10,130ft) from where on a clear day you can view the glory of the high Himalayan peaks including Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. Continue to Punakha [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

 

Pictured: Prayer Flags at the Dochu-La Pass.

 

 

DAY 6 - Via Wangdephodrang to Gangtey.

Continue eastwards, reaching Wangdephodrang in time for lunch. In the afternoon drive through dense forests of oak and rhododendron trees to the town of Gangtey (Phobjikha). In the evening take a walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Monastery.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 7 - Gangtey to Trongsa.

In the morning explore Phobjikha Valley, which is famous during the winter months for black-necked cranes. The cranes migrate here from the Central Asiatic plateau to escape its harsh winters (roughly October to February). After lunch drive to Trongsa across the Pele-la Pass (3,300m/10,830ft), the traditional boundary between east and west Bhutan. The pass is marked by a large white chorten and prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo. Arrive at Trongsa in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 8 - Trongsa to Bumthang.

After breakfast there will be a visit on foot to the Trongsa Dzong (built in 1647) before you set off for Bumthang, a journey of about 3 hours, over the Yutong-la Pass (3,400m/11,155ft). The road winds steeply up to the pass, then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open, cultivated valley known as the Chumey Valley. Arrive in Bumthang in the early afternoon. There is ample time today to stroll in the village, visit the little handicrafts shop at the entrance to the town, and perhaps take refreshments at a local restaurant.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAYS 9 and 10 - Bumthang.

Two days of sightseeing and relaxation in the beautiful Bumthang region [more].
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner each day.

DAY 11 - Bumthang to Paro.

A long journey today as you return westwards along the central highway to Paro. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant in Trongsa, then visit the imposing Wangdephodrang Dzong [more] before finally reaching Paro in the early evening.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 12 - Paro.

A day to explore the valley of Paro [more].In the evening, visit a traditional farmhouse for an opportunity tointeract with a local family and learn something of their lifestyle.Later on, take an evening stroll along the main street, and perhapsvisit a few handicrafts shops, or take refreshments at a local café orbar.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 13 - Paro. Tiger's Nest.

This morning you will walk up the steep hillside, through a pine forest, to view the spectacular 'Tiger's Nest' Monastery, perched precariously on a sheer cliff face overlooking the Paro Valley. This 300 year old monastery is visited by pilgrims from all over Bhutan. The afternoon is at leisure.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 14: Fly to Kathmandu.  Special 6-course Nepali dinner.

After breakfast, drive to Paro airport for the flight to Kathmandu.The rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening you will be taken to the unique Dwarika's Kathmandu Hotel for a special farewell banquet.
Meals included: Full breakfast, dinner.

DAY 15 – Homeward flight.

Private transfer to the airport for your homeward flight.
Meals included: Full breakfast.

International Flights.

There are no direct flights between London and Kathmandu. We recommend the services of Qatar Airways from London Heathrow to Doha with a good onward connection to Kathmandu. Flights are daily throughout the year. Current timings (subject to possible change) are as follows:
Heathrow/Doha. Depart at 15.05; arrive Doha at 23.89
Doha/Kathmandu. Depart at 01.05 (next day); arrive Kathmandu at 08.30
Kathmandu/Doha. Depart at 09.30; arrive Doha at 11.45
Doha/Heathrow. Depart at 12.30; arrive Heathrow at 17.55
Bhutan can also be reached by flights from Calcutta and Bangkok.

Bhutan Odyssey (Tour Reference: WDBT003)
2010 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Thursdays and Saturdays	Price
All Year	£2940

Single Room Supplements on request.

The price includes:

• Scheduled regional flights on Druk Air between Kathmandu and Paro (and v.v.) including airport taxes
• Hotel accommodation as listed above in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities
• 13 full breakfasts 12 lunches and 13 dinners as shown in the itinerary
• Private transportation throughout
• All sightseeing as shown, including entrance fees
• The services of private drivers throughout
• The services of a private English-speaking guide for the included sightseeing
• A visa for Bhutan. This must be obtained before departure from the United Kingdom (we will organise this on your behalf).

Not included in the price:

• International flights (see our recommendation above). We are happy to discuss the flights with you and give you further guidance
• Optional sightseeing
• International airport taxes
• Tipping. We will be pleased to give guidance in this often sensitive matter
• A Nepal Visa. This can be obtained before departure from Embassy of Nepal in London, or alternatively you can purchase the visa (current priceUS$25) on arrival at Kathmandu Airport (recommended).

A deposit of £400 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your travel arrangements must be paid at least 8 weeks before your departure date.