BhutanTours and Travels

Contact – Thinley Choden at

EWC Alumni Cultural Trip to Bhutan

November 17th to November 22nd 2008

5 nights,6 days

Day 1 – November 17th
Leave Bangkok for Paro (7480 feet)at 7:10am

Arrive Paro –9:30am
Drive to Thimphu(7611 feet)– A 2 hour mountainside scenic drive

Thimphu is the capital of Bhutan and the temperature will be a high of 65 degrees and a low of 41 degrees

After lunch sightseeing:

  • Memorial Chorten – built in a stupa style in memory of the 3rd King. It is always filled with devotees spinning prayer wheels or circumnutating the Chorten.
  • School of Arts and Crafts (or "painting school") – the traditional crafts and art skills are taught here and students have their handiworks for sale – good place to purchase souvenirs
  • Walk and/or drive through Thimphu town

*Hotel – Wangchuk Hotel

Day 2 – November 18th

Thimphu

After breakfast hike Chari Monastery – BuddhistMonkCollege. It is located in the outskirt of Thimphu town and it is around 1.5 hour hike. Situated on the mountainside, it offers beautiful view. There are also several monks in meditation here with their hermitages tucked away in corners of the mountains (not allowed to disturb them).

After lunch sight seeing:

  • TextileMuseum – in downtown Thimphu – showcases beautiful textiles of Bhutan
  • The Heritage Museum- One of the oldest homes in Thimphu preserved to showcase life as it was in Thimphu in the olden days.

Towards the evening, drive to Sangaygang and stop over at the Takin zoo. Sangaygang also known as the BBS tower or “lover’s point”- is on hilltop that overlooks Thimphu valley with hundreds of prayer flags blowing in the wind. The Takin Zoo is on the way to this location. Takin is the national animal of Bhutan.

*Hotel – Wangchuk Hotel

Day 3 – November 19th

Punakha(4265 feet, temperature – high of 72 and low of 54 degrees)
After breakfast leave for Punakha (almost 2.5 hours drive). Punakha used to the old capital of Bhutan.

On the way stop at Dochu-la pass (10, 449 feet) is one of the most traveled mountain pass. On a clear day, one can see the Himalayan mountain range. Here is also the 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten (108 stupas) built by the Queen for the protection and prosperity of the King, the people and the country.

After lunch in Punakha, sightseeing:

After breakfast, leave for Punakha –

  • The magnificent Punakha Dzong (fortress like edifice, now used as administrative offices and monastic schools for monks), situated in between the confluence of two rivers –Po Chu (male river) and Mo Chu (female river)
  • Drive through Kuruthang town

*Hotel – Meri Puensum Resort

Day 4 November 20th

Punakha toWangdiphodrang (4429 feet, temperature – high of 73 and low of 50) to Paro

After breakfast, leave for Wangdiphodrang which is around 45 minutes drive. On the way stop and take a short hike to the Chime Lhakgang – the temple of Lam Drukpa Kuenley, or the Divine Mad Man – this temple is also known for its fertility power, and couples from Bhutan and abroad come to request/pray for children.

After lunch in Wangdiphodran, visit the Wangdi Dzong – located on a ridge.

Drive through Wangdi town

Drive back to Paro (3 hours drive)

*Hotel – GangteyPalace

Day 5 November 21st

Paro

Paro sight seeing includes:

  • The NationalMuseum at the Ta Dzong – previously a watch tower for Rinpung Dzong, it is the first and premier Museum in Bhutan
  • Rinpung (Paro) Dzong – the administrative/religious headquarters of Paro
  • Walk around Paro town
  • Drukgyal Dzong – the ruins still stands as majestically on the hilltop. The name means the “victorious fortress” and is one of the oldest and historically significant dzongs.
  • Local farm house – a walk through

*Hotel – GangteyPalace

Day 6 – November 22nd

Leave for Bangkok

*The hotels are not confirmed and may change based on availability but other options will also be just as good.

COST

Tourist Tariff - $1000 ($200/day for 5 days, includes all meals and lodging expenses)

Airfare (BKK-BHT-BKK) = $783 (Economy); $ 943 (First Class) – the airfare may change without any notice

Airport Tax - $13

Visa fee - $20

Tourism Development Fund - $10

Wire Transfer and processing fee - $40

Total Cost per person for 5 nights:

  • Economy airfare - $1866
  • First Class airfare - $2026

The cost includes:

  • Airfare (BKK-BH-BKK)
  • Accommodation (twin sharing basis), single room supplement $50 per day
  • 3 meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • English speaking guide
  • Vehicle with driver
  • Mineral water
  • Government taxes

Cost does not include:

  • International flight to BKK
  • Travel insurance
  • Soft and hard drinks
  • Laundry and miscellaneous expenses and
  • Other personal expenses, calls overseas, laundry, excess baggage charges, etc
  • Tip

CANCELLATION

Tour Cancellation Policy

You will be subject to a cancellation fee for paid tours as follows.

  • 45 days or more prior to arrival date in Bhutan--no penalty
  • 45-30 days prior to arrival date in Bhutan--20% penalty
  • 22-29 days prior to arrival date in Bhutan--30% penalty
  • 15-21 days prior to arrival date in Bhutan--50% penalty
  • Less than 15 days prior to arrival date in Bhutan--no refund
  • After arrival in Bhutan (or without notice)--no refund
  • An administration fee of $75 will be applicable for all canceled tours

Druk Air Cancellation Policy

Druk Air tickets are valid for one year from the date of issue, and are subject to the following cancellation and refund rules.

  • 100% refund for tickets canceled more than 45 days prior to arrival date in Bhutan
  • 50% for tickets canceled between 30 and 45 days prior to arrival date in Bhutan
  • No refund for tickets canceled within 30 days of arrival date in Bhutan
  • An administration fee of $25 per ticket will be applicable for all canceled tickets
  • Passengers who fail to show up for a flight will not be eligible for a refund
  • Rescheduling is permitted, but once rescheduled, tickets are non-refundable and not re-routable

Processing and wire-transfer fees are non-refundable. BhutanTours and Travels will not be held liable for any changes in the Department of Tourism's or Druk Air's cancellation policies.

PAYMENT INSTRUCTION

Please remit the payment as follows:

Name – Thinley Choden

Checking Account Number – 48362168

Routing Number – 121301015

Bank Name and Address – First Hawaiian Bank, Manoa Branch