3 Nights/4 Days Stop Over Program

Day 01: Arrive Paro. Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan National Airline. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (Fort), The national museum and the Paro town. Your representative from Pristine Druk-Yul will be waiting for you at the airport. After completing the formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to Thimphu, the capital. The distance from airport to Thimphu is 55km and takes about 2 hours. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Sightseeing of Thimphu valley. Soon after your breakfast, you enjoy full day of sightseeing that includes: Memorial Chorten: This is a most impressive stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King by the order of Grand Queen mother Ashi Phuntsho Chhoden in 1974. National Library: It holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and also modern academic books. Handicrafts Emporiums: It displays wide range of products such as beautifully woven fabrics for man & women, crafted products & other decorative items. Painting School: It is famous for traditional thanka paintings. You can also buy from here if you like them. The price can be negotiated a bit. Traditional medicine Institute: It was established with the help of Italian government to improve traditional medicine. The rich herbal medicines abundant in the kingdom are prepared here. Tashichhodzong: The biggest fort of Bhutan built in 1648. It houses secretariat building, King’s throne room and other government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.

Day 03: Drive to Paro. The drive to Paro takes 2 hours following through the Valley of Thimphu River with rice fields, houses & orchards on either side. After lunch sightseeing of Paro valley that includes: Ta Dzong: The National Museum. It once served as the watchtower for Paro Dzong. It was built in 1646 by the order of Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel, the great builder of Dzongs and the unifier. Drukgyel Dzong: Meaning, the fortress of victory. It is now a ruined fort situated at the north end of the valley. It was built in 1647 by Shabdrung to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. Kyichu Lhakhang (Temple of god). It is one of the most sacred temples in Bhutan built in circa 636 AD by a Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo. From then on Buddhism was flourished in Bhutan. Drive to hotel. Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 04: Paro Depart: Early breakfast in the hotel and drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

5 nights/6 days Essential Program

Day 01: Arrive Paro: Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan National Airline. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (Fort), The national museum and the Paro town. Your representative from Pristine Druk-Yul awaiting you at the airport. After completing the formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to Thimphu, the capital. The distance is 55km and takes about 2 hours. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: At Thimphu: Soon after your breakfast, you enjoy full day of sightseeing that includes: Memorial Chorten: This is a most impressive stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King by the order of Grand Queen mother Ashi Phuntsho Chhoden in 1974. National Library: It holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and also modern academic books. Handicrafts Emporiums: It displays wide range of products such as beautifully woven fabrics for man & women, crafted products & other decorative items. Painting School: It is famous for traditional thanka paintings. You can also buy from here if you like them. The price can be negotiated a bit. Traditional medicine Institute: It was established with the help of Italian government to improve traditional medicine. The rich herbal medicines abundant in the kingdom are prepared here. Tashichhodzong: The biggest fort of Bhutan built in 1648. It houses secretariat building, King’s throne room and other government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.

Day 03: Drive to Punakha: 3 hours drive to Punakha, the winter residence of chief abbot. The climbs for about an hour till you reach a pass at Dochula at an altitude of 3050M. This pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. However, the peaks can be seen only on a clear day especially in the month of October to Mid-February. The road then descends a long way to Punakha & Wangdue through temperate forest of rhododendron & magnolia bloom in mid-March & last till May, then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees and cactuses are found in abundance. After your lunch at the hotel in Punakha, visit the outskirt of Punakha Dzong situated in the confluence of two rivers. Entering inside the courtyard of the Dzong can be permitted only if the head lama is moved to Thimphu for his summer residence. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 04: Drive Wangdue/Paro. After your breakfast, 15 minutes drive to Wangdue. Visit the town and the Dzong area and continue to drive to Paro via the same road to Thimphy until the road bifurcates at Simtokha checkpoint. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 05: At Paro: After your breakfast sightseeing of Paro valley that includes: Ta Dzong: The National Museum. It once served as the watchtower for Paro Dzong. It was built in 1646 by the order of Shabdrung Ngwang Namgyel, the great builder of Dzongs and the unifier. Drukgyel Dzong: Meaning, the fortress of victory. It is now a ruined fort situated at the north end of the valley. It was built in 1647 by Shabdrung to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. Kyichu Lhakhang (Temple of god). It is one of the most sacred temples in Bhutan built in circa 637 AD by a Tibetan King Songtsen Gompo. From then on Buddhism was flourished in Bhutan. Drive to hotel. Dinner & overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 06: Drive to Airport for onward destination.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

East – West Traverse (11 Days & 10 Nights)

Day 01: Arrive Paro. Arrive Paro. Flight into Paro with Druk Air, Bhutan National Airline. The flight takes you over the great Himalayas, offering the most beautiful scenery of the world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will see the Paro Dzong (Fort), The national museum and the Paro town. Your representative from Pristine Druk-Yul awaiting you at the airport. After completing the formalities, you will drive through fascinating valley of Paro to Thimphu, the capital. The distance is 55km and takes about 2 hours. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Sightseeing of Thimphu valley. Soon after your breakfast, you enjoy full day of sightseeing that includes: Memorial Chorten: This is a most impressive stupa built in the memory of Bhutan’s third King by the order of Grand Queen mother Ashi Phuntsho Chhoden in 1974. National Library: It holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist texts, manuscripts and also modern academic books. Handicrafts Emporiums: It displays wide range of products such as beautifully woven fabrics for man & women, crafted products & other decorative items. Painting School: It is famous for traditional thanka paintings. You can also buy from here if you like them. The price can be negotiated a bit. Traditional medicine Institute: It was established with the help of Italian government to improve traditional medicine. The rich herbal medicines abundant in the kingdom are prepared here. Tashichhodzong: The biggest fort of Bhutan built in 1648. It houses secretariat building, King’s throne room and other government offices. It is also the summer residence of Chief Abbot.

Day 03: Drive to Punakha: 3 hours drive to Punakha, the winter residence of chief abbot. The climbs for about an hour till you reach a pass at Dochula at an altitude of 3050M. This pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. However, the peaks can be seen only on a clear day especially in the month of October to Mid-February. The road then descends a long way to Punakha & Wangdue through temperate forest of rhododendron & magnolia bloom in mid-March & last till May, then a semi-tropical zone where orange trees, banana trees and cactuses are found in abundance. After your lunch at the hotel in Punakha, visit the outskirt of Punakha Dzong situated in the confluence of two rivers. Entering inside the courtyard of the Dzong can be permitted only if the head lama is moved to Thimphu for his summer residence. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 04: Drive to Trongsa. The drive to Trongsa via Wangdue is 145km and takes about 6 hours crossing the Pilela Pass (alt. 3.300m). After the pass, the road descends gradually till you reach Trongsa, en-route stop at Chendebji Chorten built in Nepalese style by Lama Sidha in the 18th century. The view of Trongsa Dzong is stunning from 16 km away. The dzong seems as if it a km away, but actual distance that you have to cover will be almost 16km. Overnight at the Sherubling lodge in Trongsa.

Day 05: Drive to Bumtnahg. Morning, visit the outskirt of Trongsa dzong, and also visit he Kuengarabten nunnery and the dzong. After lunch, 3 hours drive to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. 29km from Trongsa is the Yotongla Pass (alt, 3,400m) and after the pass the landscape looks different as dense forest of conifers stretches. Cross a small pass and then descend to the valley of Chamkhar. Overnight at the lodge in Bhuthang.

Day 06: At Bumthang. Bumthang is the general name given to a complex of 4 valleys viz: Chumey, Choekor, Tang & Ura with altitude varies from 2600m to 4000m. After your breakfast, visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred temples in Bhutan. It is believed that Guru Rimpoche came here in the 8th century and meditated for several days until his body got imprinted on the back of a rock. He then manifested into different forms and subdued Sheiling Karpo, the local deity of Bumthang valley and converted him into Buddhism. On your return, visit Jambay Lhakhang built in 7th century AD by King Songtsen Gompo of Tibet. It is one of the 108 temples built by him all over NEPAL, Tibet & Bhutan. After lunch, visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa, the treasure discoverer. It contains interesting Buddhist paintings and also visits Koncho Sum lhakhang, which is close to Tamshing. Overnight at lodge in Bumthang.

Day 07: Bumthang – Mongar: After your early breakfast, 8 hours drive (196km) to Mongar in the eastern part of Bhutan. The windy road traverses crossing Urala Pass, Thormsingla pass at 3,800mts. And passes through a forest of conifers with underbrush of rhododendron and descends till Limithang and further the road reaches its lowest point at the bridge over the Kurichu river. The road starts climbing again and after about 13km drive, the road branches. One goes to north to Lhuntse district (65km) and the other continues for about 12 km to Mongar. Overnight in lodge at Monager.

Day 08: Drive to Trashigang: After your breakfast, 31/2 hours drive to Trashigang (96km), crossing over the Korila pass (alt. 2,450m) lies 18km beyond Mongar. After the pass, the first village that you come across is the village of Nagtshang. From here the road descends rapidly through cornfields and banana groves abd arrives to another village called Yadi. After about 20km drive, the road reaches its lowest point at a Sheri river bridge. After a while the road follows Gamri River ultimately reaching to Trashigang. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.

Day 09: At Trashigang: Visit the Trashigang town located on a spur and backing on the side of a mountain, it defies any precise description. Also visit the Trashigang dzong stands at the extreme end of the spur, overlooking the Gamri River. This dzong was built in 1659 on orders from the Trongsa Penlop Minjur Tempa. This dzong is named Trashigang, meaning “ the fortress of the auspicious mountain”. This site had probably been occupied, when the king of eastern Bhutan settled and built a small fort. If time permits, the visit of Chorten Kora (50km) can be made. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.

Day 10: Drive to Shamdrupjongkhar: After your b/fast, 7 hours drive to the border town of S/Jongkher (180km). The road most of the time the road traverse ridge to ridge giving lovely glimpses of the surrounding countryside and also passes through villages of Wamrong and Riserbo hospital. Overnight at the hotel in S/Jongkhar.

Day 11: After breakfast drive to Gauwahati, the capital town of Indian state of Assam, for flight to Delhi/Calcutta or onward tour program.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

» S P E C I A L    T O U R S

Bird Watching

Bhutan is a paradise for a nature lover with its rare species of rhododendrons, orchids, medicinal plants, animals and especially it’s rich in bird species. But we have a poor knowledge about their occurrence, distribution and status. Bhutan with its magnificent mountains and lush valleys are abundance with rich natural resources. The forest still untouched and glamour with the gleaming of flowers and the chirping of birds. The abundance of wild flowers, birds and many more plants are yet to be named, so there are many exciting opportunities to discover more about flora & fauna of this fascinating Himalayan Kingdom. Besides our main interests we also focus our time to experience the cultural sites and the typical way of life of the people of this enchanted realm.

Bhutan has an impressive diversity of plants and animals because of its unique geographical location in the eastern Himalayas with its extensive altitudinal variation, from 200meters in the south to over 7000 meters in the north, which is accompanied by dramatic climatic changes. This variations makes home for different animals and plants, for example in the southern part of Bhutan we have Asiatic elephants, Greater one-horned rhinos, Gaur, wild water buffalo, Hog Dear, Tiger, Clouded leopard, hornbill, and other mammals and various species of birds. In the north we have Blue sheep, Takin, Musk deer, Snow Leopard, wolf and more adoptable species whose range extends to both tropical & temperate zones live between this two extremes like, barking deer, serow, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, wild dog, wild boar etc. etc.

Bhutan has a number of threatened species, such as Greater one-horned Rhinoceros, Tiger, Asiatic Elephants, leopard, Golden Languor, Wolf, Gaur, Musk Deer. Among the country’s threatened birds are Blyth’s Tragopan and the black-necked Crane. Threatened reptiles include the Indian python and Gharial. Unfortunately the knowledge of the status of these species is very limited because there have been no population surveys or field studies of Bhutanese wild life with the exception of black-necked crane, the population, their habitat is carefully monitored by the Royal Society for the Protection of Nature (RSPN).

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

Black-Necked Crane Festival

The first annual BNC festival that took place in 1998 mainly to create awareness and the involvement of the public in activities that can lead to conservation of the Black-Necked Crane, to foster and encourage understanding related to all phases of conservation of the rare and endangered Cranes and their critical habitat among the local population and visitors. To enhance opportunities for tourists to learn more about and better appreciate the local areas, natural & cultural heritage, to raise funds for ecologically sustainable and economic development of the local community.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

Meditation & Retreat

Bhutan or the “Land of Thunder Dragon” is the only country in the world to retain tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism. This sacred land had been visited by many Buddhist saints & scholars since the 7th century A.D and used this sacred land for meditation and retreat. Since then Buddhism got flourished all over Bhutan and many sacred temples, monasteries and Dzongs (fortress) had been built by these great saints which no doubt are the most unique feature in this present world where materialism has overruled spiritualism. Most of these sacred monasteries & temples are ideal place for those who want to go for meditation practice or for retreat. Since Bhutan being a small country with a handful of population, these sacred places kept undisturbed and are still revered by all Bhutanese people and even people from outside. There are also numerous monasteries & temples dating back to the 7th century onwards all over Bhutan which are equally sacred and ideal places for meditation & retreat.

Guru Rimpoche who came to Bhutan in the eighth century A.D., first introduced this tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism in the kingdom.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

Fishing Tours

The most common fish in Bhutan are the rainbow trout and salmon are found in fresh water, rivers and lakes.

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Pilgrimage Tours

Bhutan is a Buddhist country and offers plenty of holy places and shrines dating back to the 7th century. The Kichu in Paro and Jampa in Bumthang are few of the many to see.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

Botanical Tour

Almost 70% of Bhutan is covered with forests with verities of species from tropical to alpine. Bhutan is also known as the land of medicinal herbs and over 5000 species of plants are found in Bhutan. Some alpine and sub alpine flowers include lichens, mosses, tiny rhododendrons, nivale, edelweiss, blue puppy and verities of primula. The high altitude grazing lands are carpeted with a multitude of wild flowers and in the tropical and temperate regions we have varieties of pines, many broad leaf species, oak, chestnut, rhododendrons and many more.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.

Festival Tours

The festivals in Bhutan are numerous. Each district performs annual festival (tsechu & dromche) that falls on the 10th day of the month of the Bhutanese calendar. It is the spiritual occasion in honour of Guru Padmashambhava, “one who was born from a lotus flower” popularly known as Guru Rimpoche, “The precious Teacher”. Festivals are also social gatherings where people from all walks of life gathered to rejoice together, dressed in all their finery.

Tsechus or the festivals are not pageants or entertainment events. They are held as tourist’s attraction. They are the genuine manifestations of religious traditions thousands of years old which outsiders are given the opportunity to witness. We would like to see that the privilege retained, without in anyway impairing or infringing on the beauty and sacredness of the rituals. Most of the dances date back from beyond the Middle Ages and are only performed once or twice each year. Each dance has its own spiritual importance and can be performed by monks or lay village elders dressed in bright costumes. Certain festivals end with the unveiling and worship of huge religious appliqués or Thongdrols. The moment of the unveiling is shrouded in secrecy and creates great excitement among all the participants

The Dzongs come to life with colour, music and terrifying masked and sword dances and other rituals. Tourists are allowed into the Dzongs to watch the spectacle, but not the inner sanctuaries.

Photography should always be discreet. It is generally allowed to take photographs at Tsechus but not at Dromches.

Thimphu, Paro and Bumthang festivals are the most popular for tourists as they are given most importance. There are other regional Dromches and Tsechus around the year, taking place in different localities of the kingdom, which are equally fascinating. Check the Festival date list. The Tsechu at Bumthang is well known for taking place almost entirely during the evening and containing exciting fire dances.

Plese feel free to contact us for more details.