Bhutan Tour and Trek
9 Nights / 10 Days

Destinations: Paro, Jele Dzong, Jangchulakha, Jimilangtso, Phajoding Thimphu, and Punakha.
Trip Grade: Easy to moderate
Best Season: (March, April, May, September, October and November)

Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrive Paro On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by your tour guide and transferred to hotel. Check in at hotel and lunch.

Full day Paro sightseeing
Start the day by visiting the National Museum (Ta-Dzong).
Once the watch tower for the Rinpung Dzong (Fortress), it was converted into the national Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory.

Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing and abutted by two guard houses to the Dzong. Today, this massive fortress built in 1645 AD is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation.

Next drive to Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress 16kms away from Paro Town). The Dzong, although in ruins today, holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means " The victorious Bhutanese". This spot also offers a magnificent vista of Mount Jomulhari, "Abode of Goddess Jumo" (7,329m).

If time permits, visit a typical Bhutanese farm house to experience famed Bhutanese hospitality. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2 Taktsang Monastery
Drive up to Satsam Chorten (10 km from Paro Town) and from there walk to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means "Tiger's Nest ". The Monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 4000ft. and overlooks the Paro Valley. Taktsang is one of the most venerated pilgrim sites in the Himalayan world and it has 13 holy places. However, most people can only visit the main site called Taktsang Pelphug. According to the legend, Taktsang Monastery was founded by Guru Padamasanbhava in the eighth century. It is believed that the Guru came to this place on the back of a tigress from Khengpajong in the Kurtoe region and meditated for three months in a cave at Taktsang and converted the Paro valley to Buddhism.

Day 3 Trek to Jele Dzong
Paro to Jele Dzong Distance approximately 7Kms. 2576m. This is a short trekking day. The trail is rather gradual till the camp and if the weather is clear, the Paro Valley can be seen with the snowcapped mountains behind the valley.

Day 4 Jele Dzong to Jangchulakha trek (Distance 10Km, alt. 2879m).
You begin with about an hour and half climb and then ascend gradually up.
The trail takes you through thick alpine forest and dwarf rhododendron trees. You may see yaks and yak herders around your camp site.

Day 5 Jangchulakha to Jimilangtso (Distance 11Kms)
The trail follows the ridge and on a clear day the view of the mountains and valley are beautiful. The campsite is close to the Lake Jimilangtso. These lakes are known for their giant sized trout and if lucky you may enjoy a well-prepared lake trout for dinner.

Day 6 Jimilangtso to Phajoding (Distance 15Km, alt. 3,485m).
The trail takes you through dwarf rhododendron trees and lake of Janetso. You may come across some yak herders camps where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of a nomadic life. The campsite is close to Simkota lake, where you can do some trout fishing! If you are lucky, you may catch one for dinner. So, if you are a keen fisher, don't forget to bring your fishing tackle along.

Day 7 Phajoding to Thimphu (Distance 8Km, Alt. 2,439m)
The trek to Thimphu is all the way down hill through a forested area of mostly blue pine. The walk is at leisurely pace, and takes about three hours. Back to hotel for a hot shower and delicious lunch. Remaining time at leisure.

Day 8 Thimphu
Visit the National Library, which has a vast collection of ancient manuscripts and religious artifacts.
Visit the Institute of painting and arts and crafts.
Visit the Indigenous Hospital where traditional medicine is made.
Visit the Bhutanese handicrafts emporium which has a wide collection of Bhutanese handicrafts.
Visit the Textile museum which has a very good collection of Bhutanese textiles.

Drive to the Sangyegang view point from where you can view the entire Thimphu valley. On the way back, stop at the mini zoo to see the Takins (Bhutan's national animal).
Also visit the Zilukha Nunnery, the only nunnery in the Thimphu and Paro region. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 Punakha
After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha (77kms, and takes about 3 hours drive). On the way, stop at Dochula pass (26kms away from Thimphu, Alt. 3100m). From this pass, one can enjoy the most beautiful view of the entire eastern Himalayan mountain range.

In Punkaha, visit the historical Dzong of Punakha, which is strategically located between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu, which means "Male river and Female river".

This massive fortress was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the founder of Bhutan in 1637AD. Today, as all other Dzongs in Bhutan, this Dzong also houses the office of the district administration as well as the district monk body. It is also used as the winter residence of the central monk body and its Chief Abbot (Je-Khenpo) who migrate here from Thimphu Dzong during the winter months and return to Thimphu Dzong in the summer.
Take a short hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yule Namgyel Monastery.
Later in the evening, drive back to Paro and check into hotel.

Day 10 Depart Paro Early breakfast at the hotel, drive to Paro International Airport to connect your flight to onward destination. We will help you until you depart Paro.

Package price valid until June 2008 Bhutan Tour and Trek 9 Nights / 10 Days High Season: (March, April, May, September, October and November) TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS:
GROUP SIZE:	TOUR COST:
1-2 persons	US$2025
3-6 persons	US$1953
7-15 persons	US$1890
16+1 persons	US$1890 (One tour leader free of charge)

Low Season :(January, February, June, July, August, and December) Bhutan Tour and Trek 9 Nights / 10 Days TOUR COST PER PERSON IN US DOLLARS :
GROUP SIZE:	TOUR COST:
1-2 persons	US$1827
3-10 persons	US$1764
11-15 persons	US$1692
16+1 persons	US$1692 (One tour leader free of charge)

Single Supplement: US$35 per night per person.
Festival Surcharge: US$30 per night per person based on festival days.

Tour Cost Includes:
Nine nights accommodation in quality hotels in Bhutan on a twin sharing,
full-board meal plan (3 meals a day),
all ground transportation including arrival and departure,
English speaking local tour guide,
entrance fees to temple and monasteries,

Tour Cost Excludes :
Visa fees, international airfares, airport departure tax, personal clothing, personal insurance, alcoholic beverages, telephone, laundry, charges for delays caused by situations beyond our control such as bad weather, natural disasters, civil unrest, and emergency rescue costs.

The prices are same for cultural tours, treks or any other special interest tours.
Visa Fee: US$20 + US$10 as Tourism Development fee payable directly on arrival in Bhutan with 3 passport photos.
Visa Processing Time: Two weeks

High Season: (March, April, May, September, October and November)
Full particulars of all participants should be provided at least 60 days in advance in order to hold all services on confirmed basis. These months are peak seasons and flight seats and other related services are very difficult to confirm.
Low Season: (January, February, June, July, August, and December)

The minimum daily package prices include the following services: Accommodations on twin sharing basis, all transfers and sightseeing within Bhutan, services of accompanied guide, all meals, royalty and taxes to the government, riding ponies and pack animals on treks, fees to temples and monuments.