Day 01 : Arrival at Paro (by Druk Air) – Thimphu
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. The 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 are met by your guide and a short drive will take you into Paro town for your lunch. Paro is a picturesque valley with quaint clusters of hamlets amid terraced paddy fields. Although the site of the nation’s first airport Paro still retains tradition by way of architecture and farming. Lunch will be served at your hotel. After lunch depart to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. Thimphu has a population of about 98,500. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Thimphu – valley sightseeing
In the morning visit the Institute of Traditional Medicine, where old healing arts such as acupuncture and herbal remedies are still practiced. Also visit the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in its color and design. Afternoon visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. In the evening visit Handicrafts Emporium, which has all types of Bhutanese handicrafts for sale. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : Thimphu – Punakha
In the morning visit the Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory, Zilukha Nunnery, Motithang Mini Zoo and Sangaygang viewpoint. Lunch served at a restaurant in Thimphu. After lunch depart to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. Leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Punakha – Gangtey
In the morning visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu and then drive to Gangtey via Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdiphodrang 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 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 ranges can be seen, particularly the peak of Chomolhari to the west and then finally to Gangtey, which lies on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa (under renovation) 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 Phobjikha is described as "the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas". This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. Evening take a walk around the beautiful valley of Gangtey which lies at an altitude of 3,000 m. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 05 : Gangtey – Paro
After breakfast drive to Paro via Thimpu and Dochola pass. Your lunch will be served at Dochola Cafeteria and then drive to Thimphu. In Thimphu we visit the Weekly Outdoor Market, where everyone goes to buy fruits and vegetables, rice, grains, chillis and other fresh foods. The crowded stalls offer many colorful local items such as yak tail dusters, butter tea cups, turquoise from Nepal and Tibet and musical instruments. After lunch we continue our drive to Paro via confluence. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 06 : Paro – valley sightseeing
After breakfast drive the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions and on your way back visit Kyichu Lhakhang one of the oldest temple in Bhutan (7th century). Lunch served at a restaurant in Paro town. After lunch visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. We also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. Dinner and overnight at hotel Olathang.

Day 07 : Paro – Departure from Paro (by Druk Air)
In the morning your Bhutanese escort will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye 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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