09 Informative Things You Have to Know Before Planning Your Bhutan Tour.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] 1. You need visa to enter Bhutan The first and foremost thing that you should know while visiting Bhutan is to obtain a Bhutanese visa. Every tourist must obtain a Bhutanese visa to enter and exit Bhutan, unless if you are from a visa-free country to Bhutan. Moreover, to obtain a Bhutanese visa, it costs around $40 and should be paid in advance through your travel agency. You just have to give your passport photocopy to your tour company along with the total tour payments and they will do all the necessary things and confirm your visa. 2. You must plan your tour with a Bhutanese tour company If you want to visit Bhutan, you must hire a Bhutanese tour company/travel agency to get your visa to Bhutan approved, unless, if you are from a visa-free country to Bhutan. Besides, you also need to have a guide which will be provided by your tour company and cannot visit different cities/places independently without that guide because the officials at different checkpoints between different cities will check the company’s documents (the company that you hired). Therefore, you must hire a tour company and can just relax and enjoy your stay in Bhutan as other things will be taken care of by the tour company. 3. Don’t be surprised to see the Phallus Lama DRUKPA KUENLEY was also the saint who advocated the use of phallus symbols as paintings on the walls and as flying wooden phallus on the housetops at four corners of the eves. These phalluses are used to drive away from the evil spirits, eyes, and malicious gossip. This is also used to bring blessing for fertility. You will see a lot on the wall paintings as you walk through the Bhutanese house. 4. Challenge the Bhutanese food When you visit Bhutan, you must try the most famous curry of Bhutan that is the EMA DATSHI (chilies with cheese) with red rice. It is extremely delicious and hot and can even make you warm if you try this curry at cold places. Moreover, there is also another unique Bhutanese cuisine like JASHA MARU (spicy chicken), PHAKSHA PAA (pork with red chilies), KEWA DATSHI (potato with cheese) and many more. Furthermore, you can even try the local alcohol called ARA, which is a fermented drink made from rice, maize, millet, or wheat and it is extremely strong and many tourists have tried and enjoyed it. If you are a person, who is very particular about your diet, then you must inform your tour company or your guide in advance as they can make arrangements as per your choice. 5. Dress up well when you visit DZONGS and MONASTERIES DZONGS and monasteries are some of the truly famous architecture of the Bhutanese. Most of the tourists visit Bhutan to witness the very aesthetic architecture of the DZONGS and monasteries. As DZONGS and monasteries serve as a workplace for high officials, study place for monks, and to perform annual festivals and other Buddhist rituals, anyone who wants to visit these places must wear the national dress of Bhutan (GHO and KIRA). Tourists don’t need to wear the Bhutanese traditional dress while visiting DZONGS and monasteries, but you are only allowed to wear long-sleeved clothing. Shorts and hats are not allowed inside the DZONGS and monasteries. 6. ATMs and cash in Bhutan In Bhutan, there is the availability of ATMs in every town and it accepts visa cards as well as master cards. Bhutanese currency is Ngultrum and even accepts the Indian currency. Moreover, there is no need to worry about the currency because you can always exchange the foreign currency for Bhutanese currency with the bank as per the exchange rates of the banks in Bhutan. Furthermore, a foreigner can bring only up to a maximum of USD 10,000. 7. Your tour will be guided tour only Once you reach Bhutan, your tour will be a guided tour only. You cannot travel on your own in a taxi or cab to visit places and you will be guided by a tourist guide throughout your tour. You will be guided by your guide while going for sightseeing and visiting other places like museum, DZONGS, and monasteries and even while going for trekking and hiking. Furthermore, your meals will also be ordered by your guide as per your choice or your diet. 8. There are luxury tours in Bhutan. Apart from the common tours, Bhutan also provides luxury tours to foreigners/tourists. It is similar to the common tour, but a luxury tour involves living in a luxury environment like living in a 4-star hotel and above. In addition, the luxury tours in Bhutan include staying in, UMA PARO, AMANKORA, Bhutan Helicopter AdventureSIX SENSES, and many more. During these tours, you can discover and experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the environment, have fun with Bhutanese friends, grasp or understand about the Bhutanese philosophy that is guided by the principles of GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS, opportunity to see the magnificent DZONGS, MONSTRIES and ANCIENT TEMPLES and even have a practical understanding about the Bhutanese culture that is rich in tradition, religion and benevolence monarchy. 9. Is it safe for solo travelers/ solo woman Bhutan is safe for solo travelers/ solo women and is one of the safest destinations in the world. You just have to book your tour package with one of the tour companies in Bhutan and you will be provided with a driver and a guide which makes it more secure. Unfortunately, regarding the daily tariff cost, it will be higher than traveling in groups as you have to pay the FIT Surcharges of USD 40 night for the single traveler and USD 30 per person per night for the 2 people traveling together [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
6 Nights Bhutan Best Tour
6 Nights Bhutan Best Tour detail informations A Brief Description 06 Nights / 07 days in Bhutan Welcome to Bhutan – The Land of Gross National Happiness. Bhutan is a land of magic, fairytales, mysticism and traditions. It is a country rich in Culture, fluttering prayer flags, majestic monasteries, mountains and undisturbed ecology. Bhutan never fails to charm its beholders be it cultural, history, lifestyle, or environment. Bhutan is an exceptionally remarkable destination. It is also the only country that has embraced the principle of Gross National Happiness, which lays importance to Happiness over haphazard economic growth. Bhutan is also a Carbon negative country and absorbs more carbon than it produces. Thank you very much for choosing to travel with Authentic Bhutan Tours. We will ensure you all have a most memorable and wonderful trip. We not only provide you with the best itineraries to perfectly suit your holiday requirements but make every possible attempt to show you the best hospitalityWe take pride in having a team of experienced and professional in this service and hospitality Industry in Bhutan. A dedicated English speaking Bhutanese guide and a chauffeured driven SUV car will be with you throughout your trip in Bhutan. We wholeheartedly welcome you to Bhutan, perhaps the last Shangri-La and experience Bhutan like never before, with our customized tour packages and return back doubling your Happiness Quotient. Book Now Overview Detailed Itnerary Plan Your Trip Value-Added Option This 6 Nights Bhutan BestTour offers you an exciting, unusual, and memorable journey, showcasing Bhutan’s unique culture, historical sites and archaeological masterpieces, natural wonders, and greenery landscape. Bhutan is never short of charms and beauties. Your journey is never completed without visiting the spiritual landmark of Paro Taktshang (Tiger’s nest), the archaeological piece of Punakha Dzong and Tashichho dzong (fortresses), the scenic countryside of Phobjikha valley, and other similar fancy sightseeing. These are the most visited and photographed of all the monuments in Bhutan. You get not just fancy pictures and exclusive experience but a feeling of deep sensation and new insight into a different experience. Visit such places and make the best of your holiday during your 6 Nights Bhutan Best Tour. Day 01. Arrival at Paro Airport – Thimphu. The flight into Paro (Bhutan) is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks like Gangkar Puensum, give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. Your Bhutanese escort from Authentic Bhutan Tours- For Your Bhutan Experience! will warmly welcome & greet you on arrival, and we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses, through the sound of the peaceful river -flow of Paa chu and Thim-chu. It is a small & charming capital city located in the heart of the Himalayas. On reaching Thimphu, we can have lunch in one of the restaurants. After lunch, visit Memorial Chorten, built-in 1974 in memory of third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. The temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhists and its philosophy. Then we will visit the Big Buddha Statue – a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue in the mountains of Thimphu valley. The Buddha Dordenma is located amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, and the thirteenth Druk Desi. It is one of the largest Buddha in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). In the evening, stroll around Thimphu city, then visit Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu Hotel. Day 02.Thimphu Stay. After our breakfast at the hotel, we will do sightseeing in Thimphu – Like the visit to the Mothithang minizoo to see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin). We will drive to BBS tower, and do the Sangaygamg Cross Country hike. This hike will take about 1hr 30mins through the pine forest. We can see Thimphu valley so beautifully from this hike. Then visit Zulikha Nunnery, the Thangtong Dewachen nunnery was founded in 1976 by Rickey Jadrel and today it houses about sixty nuns engaged in Buddhist study and practices. Lunch will be served in Thimphu town. After lunch, visit Paper Factory, where Bhutanese Traditional Papers & paper products are made. Weaving Center produces hand-woven textiles on-site and has a selection of cloth and ready-made garments for sale. This is one of the few places where you can watch weavers at work. Then stroll around the town visiting Authentic Bhutanese handicrafts. Dinner and overnight stay at the Thimphu hotel. Day 03. Thimphu – Punakha After having breakfast, we will drive to Wangdi/Punakha, over Dochula Pass. At Dochula Pass (3150m) you will have a breathtaking panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayan Mountain ranges. The pass is adorned with 108 small stupas and many kinds of prayer flags. The drive will take around 2 hours and 30 minutes and lunch will be served on the way to Wangdi Phodrang/ Punakha. On reaching Lobesa, hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, which was founded in the 15th century by Devin madman Drukpa Kuenley. The hike will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes to and fro. Then, we will continue our journey to Punakha, on reaching Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan. It was built in the year 1637 by the great unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. The seat of the administrative and religious body, including the winter residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner and overnight stay at Punakha Hotel. Day 04. Punakha – Phobjikha After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive to Phobjikha Valley – which is the winter roosting place for the Black Neck Crane birds. From Punakha, the road will slowly ascend till Lawala Pass (3280m) above sea level. Then the road
Taktshang Monastery
It is located on the edge of a 3100m tall cliff overlooking the Paro Valley. The hike up this monastery is about two and half hour accent and is worth climbing or hiking to this monastery. It was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated in the 7th century A.D. Legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since and many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it.. We Bhutanese believed one must visit once in their lifetime to this sacred monastery. Almost every tourist who visit Bhutan will visit this very famous and cultural icon of Bhutan – Tiger’s Nest. Your visit to this monastery will be unforgettable experiences in your lifetime. On Sunday night 19, April 1998, a huge fire, probably caused by butter lamp destroyed the temple almost completely. Yet we were so lucky that the main relics and statues were nothing happen. The government undertook the reconstruction in 2000 with funds also received from outside donors. The monastery was recreated to its original splendor and competed in 2005.Welcome one and all and visit this temple once in your lifetime.
Paro Rinpung Dzong
Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel built Paro Rinpung dzong in the year 1645. Paro Rinpung Dzong’ (the fortress of a heap of jewels). It is one of Bhutan’s most impressive and well-known dzongs. It serves as a central monastic and administrative seat of the Paro district. This dzong houses one of the most impressive and scared religious banner know as the ‘Thongdrol’ the size pf which is 20sqm. It is only displayed once a year to the public during the Paro Festival (annual festival at Paro). Scenes from the 1955film Little Buddha were filmed in this Dzong.
Drukgyel Dzong
Drukgyel Dzong is located at the end of the paved road, 14kms from Paro town was built in the year 1649 to commemorate the victory over Tibetan invaders in 1644. Once the Tibetan invasions are over, this Dzong became a major trade route with Bhutanese and the Tibetans. Drukgyel Dzong was use as an administrative center until 1951, when the fire destroyed it. On clear days, the view of Mt. Jhomolhari can be seen. The meaning of this dzong ‘Druk’ (Bhutan) ‘gyel’ (victory). …dzong of victory. In 2016, to celebrate the birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, as well as to commemorate two other significant events, namely, the arrival of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to Bhutan in 1616 AD and the birth year of Guru Rinpoche, the Prime Minister Lyonchen Tshering Tobgay announced that the Dzong will be rebuilt and reinstated to its former glory. The announcement and ground breaking ceremony took place a day after the Prince was born and now the construction work is in full swing. Anyone who visit Bhutan must spare some time to visit this dzong and get to know the history and importance associated wit it. Your guide will explain you in details and we wait for your visit to this Dzong – Drukgyel Dzong.