Hotels Recommended Or Similar :

The following points are to be noted for Child Rate:-

Children above 10+ years will be charged 100% as per Adult Rate

Children of 5+ to 10 sharing parent’s room will be charged as per CWB or CNB.

Children below 5 years complimentary.

(Hotels are very strict with the child policy. Please carry the age proof so that it can be produced when asked) 

Day 01 :: Pick-up from Paro airport & transfer to Thimphu hotel. Half day sightseeing Thimphu.

Pick-up from Paro airport & transfer (65 kms–1.15 hrs drive) to Thimphu. After check in at hotel, half day sightseeing Thimphu. Thimphu the capital city of Bhutan.  Visit King's Memorial Chorten (Monument), Chang Gangkha Monastery (one of the oldest monastery in the valley), National Zoo (contains national animal takin), National Library (collections of holy scripts) & BBS Tower. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 02 :: Whole day sightseeing Thimphu. 

Visit Folk Heritage Museum, Textile Museum, School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school), National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Traditional Paper Factory (made from Daphne plant). Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 03 :: Morning transfer from Thimphu to Punakha/Wangdue (via Dochula Pass). Whole day sightseeing

Morning drive (70 kms/2.03 hrs) to Wangduephodrang, with a stop en route for tea at Dochu La Pass (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. In Wangdue, stop at Mehsina village & visit Chime Lhakhang - The Temple of Fertility built in 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kinley. (This monk is popularly known as the Devine madman for his philosophy, “Salvation through sex”). Afternoon drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 04 :: Day excursion to Phobjikha valley. Evening back to Punakha.Gangtey & Phobjikha- [alt. 3000m]

Gangtey & Phobjikha- [alt. 3000m] : The valley of Gangtey is one of the most beautiful spots in Bhutan. The surprise of finding such a wide, flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forests is augmented by an impression of vast space, and extremely rare experience in Bhutan where most of the valley’s are tightly enclosed. A few kilometers beyond the Gangtey Monastery, on the valley floor lays the village of Phobjikha. This place is the winter home of black necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. Phobjikha, at an altitude of 2900 m, falls under the district of Wangduephodrang and lies on the periphery of the Black Mountain National Park , the two rivers actually represent a snake and a boar. The two animals once raced each other with an agreement that if the snake (Nakay Chhu) won. Overnight in Punakha.

Day 05 ::  Morning transfer to Paro. Half day sightseeing Paro. 

Morning transfer (160 kms/4 hrs) to Paro. After lunch drive 12kms north of Paro to hike to Tango (Horse's Head) monastery. It will take about 45 minutes to hike to the monastery. Tango Monastery is a Buddhist college, and it's the residence of the Desi Tenzin Rabgye, a young boy who is the reincarnation of the 16th-century monk who built Tango. Overnight in Paro.

Day 06 :: Fullday sightseeing Paro

Visit the Ta Dzong, a circular fortress that once protected this valley from the Tibetan invasion. It is now the National Museum with an excellent collection of Bhutanese antiquities. A short drive back to the Paro Rinpung Dzong which was built and consecrated in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This Dzong is also the administrative seat of the district of Paro and it also contains a state monastic community of about 200 members. Afternoon will drive up to visit Drugyel Dzong which is located upstream to the end of the paved road.. While coming back from Drugyel Dzong visit 'Tiger's Nest' base camp & Kichu monastery. The evening ends with a walk through the Paro's main shopping district. The local shops sell a variety of goods-groceries, textiles as well as prayer flags.  Overnight in Paro.

Day 07 :: Day excursion to Chelela Pass. Evening back to Paro.

Morning drive to Chelela Pass. Enjoy the scenic vistas from Chelala Pass (3,988 mts.), among the highest motor able roads in Bhutan. Afternoon sightseeing of Paro & stroll down to the market. 

Day 08 :: Drop to Paro International airport

Depart Bhutan.-Tour end with sweet memories.

Note :-
Itinerary may change depending on the flight schedule/day leaving from CCU or DEL or IXB.  This is necessitated since visit to Punakha/Wangdue requires restricted area permit from the Home Ministry, Govt. of Bhutan. No charges for permit. Permits for Punakha/Wangdue are organised by us but is given only after pax has entered Bhutan. Permits not issued on Saturdays, Sundays & Govt holidays.

ABOUT BHUTAN

Bhutan, a country resting peacefully in the lap of eastern Himalayas, is one of those very few places that can probably take you back in time. The unadulterated nature, around 73% of the land drenched in wild greenery, the flag with dragon engraved on it, the rice that is born red, the place which is believed to be haunted by multiple demons and protected by multiple gods, the innocence of the locals that still believe that snowman exists and dragons spit fire, the land that has preserved the rarest of the nomadic tribes and fauna on the list of 'red-alert' is what Bhutan is made up of. Not very well known amongst the tourist crowd, Bhutan indeed offers some mystical, magical places to visit for the intrepid traveler. 

This place caters to the need of all kind of people, let it be a photographer, a trekker, a pilgrim or a researcher or any one else. There are uncountable temples that narrate their unique stories, uncountable dzongs that echo histories, and uncountable treks that tickle your adventure bone to come up for the challenges. The best feature of Bhutan is that it is ages away from all modernization and the chaotic lifestyle. If one is looking for peace of mind and a few days away from the world, then this is where he would get it.

The tourism/travel sector has been picking up well in the last few years and it has especially become a very popular biking destination within the motorcycle touring community in India. On another note, Bhutan has also been rated as one of the happiest countries in the world (Bhutan's former King Wang chuck coined the term Gross National Happiness) and with a population of less than a million, it is usually a very safe, crime free place to visit.

Geographical Features

Location : Southern Asia, between China and India.

Geographic coordinates : 27 30 N, 90 30 E

Area :

total: 47,000 sq km 
land: 47,000 sq km 
water: 0 sq km

Land boundaries :

Total : 1,075 km.

Border Country : China 470 km, 605 km

Coastline : 0 km (landlocked)

Climate: varies across the region; tropical in southern plains; cool winters and hot summers in central valley’s;Severe winters & cool summers in Himalayas.

Terrain: Mostly mountainous with some fertile valleys and savanna.

Elevation extremes:

Lowest point: Drangme Chhu 97 m

Highest point: Kula Kangri 7,553 m

Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, calcium carbide,mica etc.

Land Use :

Arable land: 2%.  Permanent crops: 0%

Permanent pastures: 6%.  Forests and woodland: 66%

Other: 26% (1993 est.)

Natural hazards: violent storms coming down from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as  Land of the Thunder Dragon frequent landslides during the rainy season.

Topography: Rugged, mountainous, snowcapped or glaciercovered terrain in north, part of Himalayas; high mountains in center, southern spurs of Himalayas; foothills and subtropical plains in south. Highest point Kulha Gangri (7,554 meters). Numerous, rapidly flowing rivers largely unnavigable, but provide water for irrigation and hydroelectric-power generation.

Climate: Varies with altitude. Year-round snow in north, heavy monsoon rains in west, drier but temperate central and eastern areas, humid and subtropical in south.

River System:  Bhutan has four major river systems: the Drangme Chhu; the Puna Tsang Chhu, also called the Sankosh; the Wang Chhu; and the Amo Chhu. Each flows swiftly out of the Himalayas, southerly through the Duars to join the Brahmaputra River in India, and thence through Bangladesh where the Brahmaputra (or Jamuna in Bangladesh) joins the mighty Ganges (or Padma in Bangladesh) to flow into the Bay of Bengal

As such Bhutan has earned the prestigious tag of “The Last Shangri-La” and “The Last Bastion of Vajrayana Buddhism” in the world. Today Bhutan is considered as one of the top ten tourism hotspots in the world.

Dos & Don'ts in Bhutan

Dos

1) Although Bhutan welcomes foreigners these days especially for those on their last minute all inclusive holidays, the country is extremely conscious regarding its culture.

2) The greeting in the Bhutanese language Dzonkha for hello is Kuzu Zangpo la, and say Tashi Delek for good bye or good luck.

3) All the citizens, except India and Bangladesh, need VISA to enter into Bhutan.

4) VISA should be applied minimum 30 days before you plan to visit Bhutan.

5) One needs Route Permits to travel in Bhutan and this is provided by the Immigration office at Thimpu.

6) Either carry Nu(Bhutan's currency) or INR (Indian Rupees).Both are accepted in Bhutan, though 500 and 1000 Indian rupee notes might not be as easily accepted. 

7) Use right hand while giving or receiving something. Pass the holy sites keeping them on your right side.

8) US dollars are pretty widely accepted in Bhutan, but you are still advised to exchange some of your currency to Bhutan's currency i.e ngultrum (Nu) or Indian Rupee for buying small items and for the really remote places. There are not many ATM machines nearby except major cities like Thimpu, where also international ATM/credit cards might or might not work.

9) Do bring MasterCard - NOT Visa or other credit cards. Banks, ATM's will NOT give cash on a Visa credit card in Thimpu or Paro and other areas as well and only a few merchants will take credit cards.

Don'ts

1) Tobacco is absolutely prohibited in Bhutan. The tourists might use it, but extra care should be taken. Selling or giving tobacco to the locals is also a crime. 

2) Make sure you take off your footwear before you enter into any religious place. 

3) You are advised to dress discretely and modestly in Bhutan. If you’re visiting any Bhutanese temple(Tsechu), they’d admire you if you wear their national dress gho & kira. Also make some donation to Tsechu.
4) Foreign nationals are not permitted to carry Indian rupees across the border to and from India.

5) Buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.
In general, please observe the local traditions and customs, it is a place with many of those. Refer to the DO's and DONT's of your planned destinations for more specific information.

6) Don't jump to give toys or treats to children in exchange for photo offers. Locals are careful not to breed a generation of children who beg tourists, as happens - but adults likely will not object out loud out of politeness.

Local Shopping : Local handicrafts, handmade wooden cups and bowls, fine silk embroidery items, colorful dresses, handmade jackets, rugs, bags and carpets, woven hats, dry fruits, wall hangings etc. are just some of the items you can buy from Bhutan. One can find many hand-woven textiles and textile carved masks of various animals, woven baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, handmade paper products etc here.
Shopping can be done for Thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps which are in great demand of tourists. Remember that buying and selling of antiques is strictly forbidden in Bhutan.
More information is available for each of the getaways you are planning to hit.

Food :  While traditional Bhutanese food is hot and spicy, hotels and restaurants in Bhutan serve a variety of cuisine such as Indian, Chinese and Continental. If the visitor has special dietary preferences, we can make arrangements for your special meals. Letting us know in advance is most welcome.

VISA NOTE: Please use your complete name exactly as it appears on your passport. We must use your full name to process your visa and to issue your Druk Air tickets. Kindly make sure the validity of your passport is 6 months to one year valid from the date of Travel.

Language : While Dzongkha is the national language, English is the medium of instruction in schools and is widely spoken and understood by most of the population.

Time Zone : Bhutan’s standard time is six hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and there is only one time zone through out the country. Bhutan’s time is 30 minutes ahead of India, 15 minutes ahead of Nepal and one hour behind Thailand. When it is noon in Bhutan, it is 6am in London, 4pm in Sydney and 1am in New York. The country dialing code is +975.

Gratitude And Safety Issues

Gratitude : Tipping is not a must nor is there any fixed amount. Depending upon your wishes, it is good to tip how much the individual concerned made your stay worthwhile in Bhutan but it is normally expected and greatly appreciated.

Safety Issues : There is very little crime in Bhutan, and it is safe for women travelers and individual travelers.

Prime Places of Interest 

Thimpu, Paro, Punakha, Phunetsholling, Wangdiphodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang And many more remote site for Trekkers and Camping.

Cancellation

All cancellations are to be communicated in writing, & will attract a sum of INR 1500.00 minimum. Beside the forfeiture of the deposit amount, a further charge will be levied if notice of cancellation is received within 15 days prior to the operation of the booked tour as per the following.  

All cancellation charges will be furthermost subject to the consideration of those engaged in arranging the itinerary. We will use all our powers to erase the cancellation charges and negotiate for the lowest possible charges.

Classified Informations on Service :

• For Extra adult in the room we will provide an extra bed (wherever possible), but some hotels only provide a roll out bed and have no provision of an extra bed Operator reserves the right to re-arrange itinerary to suit hotel availability without changing the total number of days in each destination and without compromising any services.
• The vehicle used is NAC and is available for point to point services only and is not at disposal. Clients are requested to follow the specific schedule of respective program.
• In case any services are miss due to delay in departure, the operator will not be responsible for any refunds.
• Child sharing parents room will not be provided an extra bed.
• All prevailing State and Government taxes applicable on accommodation and transport. In case of any hike in the taxes a surcharge will be applicable.
• Suggested hotels are subject to availability at the time of booking. In case the same is not available, then the best similar category will be provided
• The tour cost is not refundable at any cause, once tour starts necessary due to bad weather, bad road, strike or band and security reason.
• Tourist will carry their luggage at own risk and responsibility; East Wind Holiday Tours Pvt.Ltd does not hold any responsibility for any loss of luggage during the tour.

Special Note :

The above Packages are designed in good faith are subject to standard Force Majeure conditions. We will not be responsible for any delay of flight or cancellation for any reason whatsoever. All the additional expenses on this account by the pax towards boarding, lodging & transportation will be borne by the client directly. We shall not be responsible for any death, personal injury, sickness, accident, loss, delay, discomfort, increased expenses, consequential loss, and/or damage or any misadventure howsoever caused. We are not responsible for any sort of baggage mishandling/loss/damage.

Supplement Meal Cost (in INR)