BHUTAN BOTANICAL TOUR
| Minimum travellers | 2 |
| Maximum travellers | 10 |
Itinerary
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1
ARRIVE PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – PARO
The traveler will see Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan mountains from the left side of the plane and will be greeted by a Bhutanese friend upon arrival at Paro International Airport.
2PARO – A DAY EXCURSION TO TAKTSANG MONASTERY
Visit the Taktsang Monastery, known as the "Tiger's Nest", located on a 4000 ft vertical granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley and the river. The monastery is believed to have been the place of meditation of Guru Padma Sambhava in the 8th century. After lunch, visit Drugyal Dzong, a ruined fortress, and Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple built by King Songtsen Gompo in 659 AD to spread Buddhism. Visit the National Museum, which was converted into a museum in 1968, and the Paro Rimpong Dzong, built in 1646 AD. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
3THIMPHU – SIGHT SEEING
Visit Memorial Chorten, Mini Zoo, Sangeygang, Nunnary, School of Handicrafts and Wood Painting, Handicraft Trade Centre, National Library, Tashi Nancha Folk Studio and drive towards Dodena. Explore Thimphu Chu, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck Park and Tashi Nancha Folk Studio. Enjoy an early lunch at your hotel in Thimphu and then drive towards Dodena.
4THIMPHU – PHUNAKHA
The journey to Punakha includes a drive through the Dochula Pass (3150m), an amazing place with stunning views of the snow-capped mountains of the Eastern Himalayas and the Gasa Dzong. The pass is home to 16 species of Bhutanese rhododendrons, primroses, laurels, oaks, virburnum, magnolia, daphne, Arisaema spp. Gentian and Himalayan Acer. The journey continues through various green scenery to the town of Punakha, where Punakha Dzong, the winter residence of Je Khenpo, serves as the district administrative office.
5PUNAKHA – SIGHT SEEING
The largest park in Bhutan, Tashithang is home to a variety of subtropical vegetation including epiphytic orchids, terrestrial orchids, wild bananas and tree species. Overnight at Punakha Hotel.
6PUNAKHA – GANTEY VALLEY
After breakfast, we will drive to the Gangtey Valley where we will visit the Chhimi Lhakhang, a 14th century 'Temple of Fertility' where Devine Madman meditated. We go to Wangdiphodrang, Gantey Gonpa and Wangue Phodrang. We drive through the Pele La pass, we see rhododendrons, legumes, magnolias and weeping cypresses. Overnight in Phobjikha valley.
7GANGTEY VALLEY – BUMTHANG
The journey to the Bumthang Valley takes 6 hours via the Pelela Pass, 3340m above sea level, passing stunted bamboo, yak wintering grounds and rhododendron forest. Lunch is at Chendebji. After lunch, transfer to Trongsa where you can visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the royal family, and Ta Dzong. The journey to Bumthang Valley via Yutola Pass takes 3 hours and offers scenic beauty. Overnight in a guesthouse.
8BUMTHANG VALLEY – URA VALLEY
After breakfast, you will drive to the Ura Valley, an impressive village in the country, where you will stop at Mebar Tso to see different types of plants and trees. Visit Ura Monastery to witness the annual festival and spend the night in Ura Village.
9URA VALLEY – BUMTHANG
We will visit Thriumshing La National Park, established in 1998 in Bhutan, which includes districts such as Bumthang, Lhuentse, Zhemgang and Mongar. The park is home to endemic species, reptiles, amphibians and bird species. We will return to Bumtang and stay overnight.
10BUMTHANG – WANGDUE PHODRANG
Return to Wangdue. During the return trip, we will stop at many places to see what we missed, for a new flower, confirmation, etc. Overnight: Hotel in Wangdue
11WANGDUE PHODRANG – HAA VALLEY
After breakfast, we will drive to Thimphu for lunch and then to the Haa Valley, a tourist area in the temperate zone. Explore a variety of flora and fauna, including trees and shrubs. Overnight at a hotel in the Haa Valley.
12HAA VALLEY – PARO VALLEY
After breakfast, drive to the Paro valley through the Chele La pass, which divides the Haa and Paro valleys. This route was important for travelers visiting Bhutan from northwest India. British envoys and botanists mentioned Chele-la, a locality with extensive Bhutanese flora. Ludlow and Sherriff compiled a historical record of 21,000 Bhutanese plants passing through this pass. Overnight at Paro Hotel.
13PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT for departure
An early morning drive to Paro International Airport and your Bhutanese friends from Makalu Adventure will accompany you to head back home.
Services
Cost Includes
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- Accommodation: Usually based on twin-sharing in government-approved hotels (typically 3-star category). Upgrades to 4 or 5-star hotels are often available at an extra cost. Some tours might also include stays in traditional homestays for a more immersive cultural experience.
- Meals: Full board, meaning breakfast, lunch, and dinner are usually included daily, as stated in the itinerary.
- Transportation: All land transportation within Bhutan, including airport transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary, is provided in private vehicles (car, van, or bus depending on group size).
- Guide: Services of a licensed, English-speaking local tour guide who is knowledgeable about the flora, culture, and history of Bhutan. Some specialized botanical tours might also include a dedicated botanical guide.
- Entrance Fees: Entry fees to monuments, museums, botanical gardens, and parks as mentioned in the itinerary.
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) & Government Taxes: This is a daily fee mandated by the Bhutanese government for all tourists (except Indian nationals). As of early 2025, the SDF for international guests is typically USD 100 per person per night. This fee goes towards Bhutan's sustainable development, including environmental conservation, healthcare, and education. Government royalty and other applicable taxes are also usually included.
- Visa Fee: The one-time visa fee for Bhutan (currently USD 40 for most nationalities) is often included in the tour cost.
- Bottled Water: Some operators provide a certain amount of bottled drinking water daily during the tour.
- Cultural Show: Some tours might include a traditional Bhutanese cultural show with mask dances.
- Airport Transfers: Pick-up and drop-off at Paro International Airport.
- Support Crew (for some specialized tours): For tours that involve more extensive botanical exploration or hiking in national parks, the cost might include support staff like cooks and helpers.
Cost Excludes
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- International Airfare: The cost of flights to and from Paro International Airport is generally not included.
- Travel Insurance: It is highly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, evacuation
- Personal Expenses: Costs of personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, internet access, beverages (other than tea/coffee at meals), snacks, and souvenirs are not included.
- Gratuities (Tips): Tipping for the guide, driver, and other support staff is customary but not usually included in the upfront cost.
- Bar Bills: Alcoholic drinks and other beverages ordered outside of included meals are typically extra.
- Optional Activities: Some activities like hot stone baths, archery lessons, or extended hikes might be offered at an additional cost.
- Riding Pony Charges: If your itinerary includes a hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery or other locations where pony rides are optional, this cost is usually extra.
- Emergency Evacuation Costs: In the event of a medical or other emergency requiring evacuation, the costs are the responsibility of the traveler and should be covered by travel insurance.
- Costs Due to Unforeseen Circumstances: Expenses incurred due to flight delays, cancellations, road blockages, natural disasters, political unrest, or other events beyond the control of the tour operator are usually not included.
- Bank Transfer or Credit Card Fees: If you pay for your tour using a credit card or through an international bank transfer, any associated fees might not be included in the initial quote.
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