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.  In Bhutan these are examples of the mid-range hotels that are allocated to the majority of foreign tourists; please note that they are subject to change according to availability at the time of booking.

15 days from £2960

excluding international flights

BHUTAN FACTFILE

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 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. On reaching Thimphu drive up to a viewpoint overlooking the valley, before visiting the Takin Research Centre for a glimpse of Bhutan's endangered (and distinctly odd-looking) national animal.  Continue to the imposing Tasichho Dzong, the main secretariat building which houses the throne room of the King of Bhutan. There should be time to wander through the streets of Thimphu before checking in at your hotel.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Day 4 - Thimphu sightseeing.

Begin the morning with a visit to Thimphu's colourful Weekend Market. Close to the market is the stadium, where you can usually see an Archery match in progress (archery is Bhutan's national sport).  Sightseeing today will include the National Memorial Chorten, dedicated to Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (“the father of modern Bhutan”), and the National Library, which houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature.
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, and explore the valley, beginning with Punakha Dzong, which served as the seat of the Bhutanese government until the king decided to give this honour to Thimphu in 1955.  After the visit take a short walk, passing by quaint village houses, to Chimi Lhakhang, built by the famous 'Divine Madman', Drukpa Kuenley; the temple is a famous pilgrimage site for infertile women who wish to bear children. Overnight in Punakha.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 6 - Drive to Gangtey (Phobjikha).

Continue eastwards via Wangdephodrang (where you will have lunch), continuing 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 Goemba, sometimes referred to as 'Gangteng Monastery'.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

 

See the rare and endangered Black-Necked Cranes in the Phobjikha Valley.  These revered birds arrive here from the Tibetan plateau towards the end of October each year (usually between 23 and 26 October) and remain until mid-February.

 

 

DAY 7 - Gangtey via the Pele-la Pass to Trongsa.

In the morning explore Phobjikha Valley.  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 17th century Trongsa Dzong 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 time for a late lunch. 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.   You will visit Tamshing Monastery (housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan), and Jakar Dzong (the administrative centre of the region). You can decide in discussion with your guide how you want to spend the rest of your time here.  There are many fine monasteries and temples in the area, the most impressive being Jampey Lhankang, one of the most ancient in Bhutan (7th century) and the important temple complex at Kurjey Lhakhang.  Bumthang is also the ideal destination to do some walking and you may want to to incorporate some 2 or 3 hour walks into your schedule.
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 (pictured left) before finally reaching Paro in the early evening.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

 

 

DAY 12 - Paro.

The valley of Paro (left) contains a wealth of attractions. In the morning, visit Ta Dzong. a former watchtower which is now Bhutan’s National Museum.  Afterwards, walk down a hillside trail to visit Paro Dzong (also known as Rinpung Dzong). After lunch, drive up the valley to view the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, 18 km from Paro town on the north side of the valley. It was from here that the Bhutanese repelled several invading Tibetan armies during the 17th century. Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the kingdom.  In the evening before dinner, visit a traditional farmhouse for an opportunity to interact with a local family and learn something of their lifestyle.
Meals included: Full breakfast, lunch, dinner.

DAY 13 - Taktshang Gomba (the Tiger's Nest).

On your final day in Bhutan you will enjoy a walk up through pine forest to view Bhutan's most famous site, the Tiger's Nest Monastery to the north of Paro.  Later on, take a stroll along the main street of Paro, and perhaps visit a few handicrafts shops, or take refreshments at a local café or bar.

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 Delhi, Calcutta and Bangkok.

Bhutan Holidays: Bhutan Odyssey (Tour Reference: WDBT003)
2012 Departures
Price per person based on a minimum of two persons travelling together:

Departures on Wednesdays*	Price
2012 (all year)	£2960

* This itinerary would also work with a departure from the United Kingdom on a Sunday or a Friday but you would not be able to visit the Weekend Market in Thimphu.

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 (multiple visa required). This can be obtained before departure from Embassy of Nepal in London, or alternatively you can purchase the visa (current price US$25) on arrival at Kathmandu Airport (recommended).

A deposit of £500 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance of the price for your Bhutan holiday must be paid at least 3 months before your departure date.