Treks and Expeditions
Bhutan Tigers Nest Tour
Trip Duration : 4 Night 5 Days
Price Starts from : US$ 1378 per person
Bhutan Tigers Nest Tour
Trip Facts
Highlights of this Trip
Transportation : Private Jeep
Type of Tour : Cultural
Taken Care by : Guide
Himalayan view of Bhutan, Haa valley sight seeing, Tiger nest monastery and many other monastery
Itinerary - Bhutan Tigers Nest Tour
Day 1 Fly from Kathmandu to Paro
Fly onboard Druk Air to Paro, Bhutan. On a clear day the panoramic views of the Himalaya are sensational, including Everest, but particularly exciting is the approach through the Bhutanese foothills and the landing, including a few steep turns to land at the tiny airstrip of Paro. On arrival, once you have cleared any airport formalities, you will be met and transferred to Thimphu, the least visited of all the Himalayan capitals (2 hrs. drive). On arrival in Thimphu, check into your hotel.
This is a lovely drive through spectacular mountain views and peaceful countryside. Thimphu is a small, charming capital city sandwiched in the heart of the Himalayas. It is nothing like what a capital city is imagined to be. All houses and buildings are painted and constructed in traditional Bhutanese style.
Overnight at Hotel Yeedzin or similar, Thimphu.
Day 2 THIMPHU- Local Sightseeing
The capital of Bhutan is situated on west bank of the river Thimphu, (Thimphu Chhu) in a wooded valley at an elevation of 2320m. Prior to 1961 Thimphu was only an insignificant village, but since the country emerged from isolation its importance has grown and it has many official buildings. The Secretariat, King's offices and some ministries are housed in the Tashichho Dzong, next to which one of the world's highest golf courses (9 hole) has been made. With a population of no more than 65,000, Thimphu is an easy place to wander around, and will enable the visitor to appreciate the detail of Bhutanese architecture. A few miles south of the capital is Simtokha, one of the oldest complete Dzongs in the country, dating from the early 1600's, a period when Shabdrungs, the line of religious rulers originally from Tibet, ruled the country.
Places to visit in Thimphu are:
Vegetable market- this is the weekend vegetable market where farners from the surrounding valleys and shopkeepers some to sell their products. This is an interesting place to visit and one can buy varied goods ranging from vegetable items to handicrafts to religious instruments.
King's Memorial Chorten - every day many Bhutanese come to this Tibetan-style chorten to honour the memory of the third king. Inside there are numerous religious paintings and statues of different Buddhist deities.
Semtokha dzong – This is the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1629 A.D. by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It also houses the largest monastic school in the country.
Folk Heritage Museum - an outdoor museum that gives an insight into rural life is centered around a mud and timber farm house.
National Textile Museum - a brief introductory video explains the complexities of Bhutanese dress before entering the exhibition of dress and textiles front around the country.
Mini -zoo - this large grassy and treed enclosure holds several takins, the unusual-looking national animal that normally migrates to high alpine valleys in summer.
Paper Factory which produces traditional Bhutanese paper for the local use and export. Tashicho Dzong which houses office of the King, seat of the central Government and winter residence of central monastic body is accessible to tourists in the evening.
Also visit Nunnery at Zilukha and Handicrafts Emporium where one can buy Bhutanese textiles and other arts and crafts. Overnight at Hotel Yeedzin or similar in Thimpu
Day 3 Drive to Paro, Local Sightseeing
The journey of some 65km takes approximately 2 hours, passing Simtokha village and dzong.
In the afternoon in Paro, visit the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). Once the watchtower for the Rimpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The Museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley in all its glory.
Then visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. A flagstone path rises gradually from a beautiful wooden bridge with shingle roofing anabutted by two guardhouses, to the dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with the superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. The Dzong was built in 1645 A.D.
Drugyel Dzong, although in ruins, can also be visited. This site holds great historical significance. It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. The name means the victorious Bhutanese. This spot offers a magnificent vista of Mount Chomolhari, "Mountain of Goddess" (Alt.7329 mtrs). Also visit Kyichu Lhakhang and a typical Bhutanese farmhouse on the way back
Overnight at Hotel Holiday Home, Paro.
Day 4 Paro- Hike to Tigers Nest Monastery (Taktsang)
In the cool of morning you will drive 12km out of town towards Takstang, or the Tiger's Nest Monastery. The monastery is possibly the most famous in Bhutan, having been founded in the late 1600's, and perched on a high rocky ledge 900m above the valley floor allegedly at a place where Guru Rinpoche rested, travelling on a flying tiger. The monastery suffered a disastrous fire in April 1998, but great efforts are being made to repair the extensive damage. From the parking area it is a two hour walk, mostly through coniferous forest, up a steep path to the view point from where there are spectacular views of the monastery.
The walk to a viewpoint and small café takes around 2 hours each way. The route is steep in places but straightforward. Some areas of the track are exposed to the sun so make sure to wear a hat. At the café, you can rest and a buffet lunch will be served. From this point, there is a superb view of the cliff face and monastery. For an even better view, there is a further one hour walk up a steepish track to a point closer to the monastery. Return to Paro and stroll around Paro town. Overnight at Hotel Holiday Home, Paro.
Day 5 Fly Paro to Kathmandu
You will be collected from your hotel and taken by private transfer to the airport in plenty of time for your onward flight to Kathmandu.
Package Cost Includes - Bhutan Tigers Nest Tour
• Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car / van / bus (all airport transfers).
• Standard government approved accommodation (in twin share rooms) for the duration of tour.
• Service of licensed English speaking Bhutanese Tour Guides.
• All sightseeing tours, Monument /Museum entrance Fees as per itinerary.
• All meals fixed breakfast, lunch & dinner with Tea and Coffee for whole duration of your stay in Bhutan.
• Country Presentation & Tour Briefing on Day 1 evening with welcome drinks.
• Cultural afternoon/evening consisting of traditional mask dances & folk dances (with beverages) ~ For Group Tours
• Mineral water supply for the trek or tour.
• Government Royalty (which is 35% of $200) this goes to the country's health & education projects.
• Private Transport & Driver within Bhutan. (Imported Prado's, Micro Buses & Toyota Coaster Buses)
• Toyota 4 X 4 luggage vans & light trucks for group travel
• All our government taxes.
• Tourist service charge, vat.
• Official expense.
• Bhutan Visa Fees and Visa Processing assistance
Package Cost Excludes -Bhutan Tigers Nest Tour
• Bottled/alcoholic/cold drinks, room service and al a cart meals.
• Your travel insurance (compulsory).
• International airfares and airport departure tax.
• Photography charges (if and when applicable).
• Items of a personal nature such as laundry.
• Personal Equipment.
• Tips to guides, restaurants, hotel lobby. (Tipping is expected.)
• Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section.
