Day 01 : Arrival at Paro - THIMPU
The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world's highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will be brief by our guide and transferred to Paro town for lunch.

After lunch, we will visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that is now known as the National Museum (converted in 1968). The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

We will also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as and administration centre and school for monks.

We then depart for Thimpu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1.5hours. Thimpu has a population of about 65,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the Handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold, overnight at Hotel Jumolhari or similar.

Day 02 : THIMPU - PUNAKHA
In the morning, we will visit the Weekly Outdoor Market, where everyone goes to buy fruits and vegetables, rice, grains, chilies, and other fresh foods. The crowded stalls offer many colorful local items such as yak tail dusters, butter teacups, turquoise from Nepal and Tibet as well as musical instruments. We will also visit the folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved though exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in it colors and designs. Other highlight include visit to Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory. After lunch, depart for Punakha, where the road climbs steeply though a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for a tea and view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (female) Chu and Pho (male) Chu. The Dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thuimpu, overnight at Hotel Meri Puensum or Similar.

Day 03 : PUNAKHA - TRONGSA - BUMTHANG
Today we start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Bumthang via Trongsa is about 7hours crossing over Pele La Pass (3300m) and Yotongla Pass (3400m). The Central Road, across the Black Mountains was completed 30years ago, and it bough about great changes to the people in central Bhutan.

We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass (3300m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between west and east Bhutan. If the weather is clear, the Himalayan range can be seen, particularly the peak of Jhomulhari (7314m) to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon. After lunch, we go out to view the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the Dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. We then drive to Bumthang valley (described as one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalaya across the Yotongla Pass (3400m), overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or Similar.

Day 04 : BUMTHANG
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley.

In the morning we hike to visit the Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration).

In the afternoon, hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century, overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or Similar.

Day 05 : BUMTHANG - GANGTEY - WANGDUE
The drive to Wangdue takes about 7hours via Gangtry. Gangtey lies towards the East of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. These is and old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hillsides of Phojikha are described as the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas. This is the winter home of black0necked cranes that migrate from arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate, overnight at Resort in Wangdue.

Day 06 : WANGUE - THIMPU - PARO
After breakfast, we drive to Thimpu over the Dochola Pass and visit National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; Zilukha Nunnery and then depart to Paro, overnight at Hotel Olathang, (situated on a spur admits dense forest of pine trees) or Kyichu resort.

Day 07 : PARO
After breakfast, we drive to the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions, and also visit a Bhutanese farm house of a local family at Drukgyal for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive beyond Satsam Chorten to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger's nest). The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around 1.5hrs. At the view point, you will enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and visit Kyichu Lhahang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, overnight at Kyichu resort/Hotel Olathang or Similar.

Day 08 : PARO - DEPARTURE
In the morning, Bhutanese escort will bid farewell at Paro Airport, Goodbye and happy journey back home.

This Trip Queries and Answers

Do I need a visa to enter Nepal?
All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, need visas to enter Nepal. You get Nepalese visa from Nepalese Embassy or consulate in your home country.

Can I get a VISA on arrival at Kathmandu airport?
Yes, you can obtain your entry visa at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu upon your arrival.

What do I need to get my visa?
You need a valid passport, two passport size photos and the visa fee.

How much should I pay for visa?
Visa Valid for Fee
15 days US$ 25
30 days US$ 40
90 days US$ 100

Where are we received after arrive at Kathmandu airport?
You are met just outside the arrival lounge of the Kathmandu International airport by our officer.

How do I identify your Officer?
Our officer can be identified easily. They are standing with your name play card. After meeting you are taken to our private vehicle then transfer to the hotel. He also helps you in the hotel check in formalities.

Do they carry their luggage themselves?
According to airport rule as the visitors can meet our officer only outside the arrival lounge, you have to carry your luggage in the trolleys through the custom lobby up to the exit point on your own. After meeting our officer you can hand over it to him. He takes care of your luggage till your check in at the hotel.

What type of vehicles are used for transfer and sightseeing?
We use private vehicles for your airport transfer and sightseeing. The type of vehicle depends upon the number of people in your group. We use car for 1- 2 people, van 3- 6 people, hiace 7- 11 people, coaster 12- 18 people, bus 19- 27 people.

What about accommodations?
We choose accommodation options based on the following criteria: standard of hygiene, standard of service, location, food standards and cost. In Kathmandu and Pokhara there are five star levels to standard hotels. Normally we offer accommodation according the type of package you have bought.

How will be our tour guide?
We offer you experienced government license holder tour guide. He has excellent command of English language with broad knowledge of culture, place of the destinations included in your tour.

If our departure flight needs reconfirmation do you assist us?
The onward flight of all our clients are duly reconfirmed by our staff in time and the status is informed to them.

Whom should I contact during their stay in Nepal?
We assign one of our officers to look after you, who constantly stay in touch with you during your stay in Nepal. We give you his mobile number. Or you may directly contact to our office number also.

Travel Insurance

We advise travel insurance to all travelers are interested of trekking in Nepal. Trekking in Nepal is walking in the trail (path) of mountains. In mountain areas health treatment facilities are not standard. There are less available of good hospitals and doctors. So if in case the trekker suffers from severe sickness, he should bring to Kathmandu by helicopter for better treatment. And the helicopter charter fare is expensive in Nepal. If you have already travel insurance, your money will be saved.

When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. We Himalayan Smile Treks and Adventures Pvt. Ltd. shall have no liability for loss, theft of or damage to baggage or personal effects.

We also let you know that Nepalese Insurance Company does not have travel insurance policy for foreign nationals. They have this policy only for Nepalese citizens. So we advise you do your travel insurance with Insurance Company in your own place.

If in case the insurance company in your place do not have such insurance police you may contact Ihi Bupa, the Insurance Company based in Denmark. They sell such insurance policy to foreigners. You may visit their website: http://global.ihi.com and contact them online. You can buy their policy online.

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