BHUTAN DRAGON PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR
8 Days and 7 Nights
Day 01 -Paro-Thimphu: Altitude 2300 m/68 km/1.5 hours drive: During the journey by Druk Air ( Bhutan’s National Airline), one will experience spectacular view of Mt. Everest (of Nepal) and other famous Himalayan peaks, including the revered Mt. Jumolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake of Bhutan. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Mozilla Bhutan Tours and Treks. Drive to Thimph.The distance of about 65kms from Paro airport takes more than 1 hour. Drive south following Pachu River to the river confluence at Chuzom, which is also the hub of road network going to Paro, Ha, Thimphu and Phuntsholing. From Chuzom, the drive takes about less than 1 hour, staying close to the Wangchu River in the valley floor, as you pass through villages and suburbs to the capital, Thimphu. En-route, you can stop to view Tachogang temple and to take good shot of the iron chain bridge and temple.
Thimphu (2,300m): was a wooded farming valley until 1961, when it became Bhutan’s official national capital. The massive Tashicho Dzong, about 700 years old, was carefully revamped in the 1960s by the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk to house the royal and main government offices. Even today, it still only has a few streets and no traffic lights with estimated population of 150,000 people. on arrival check in hotel and takes a short rest.Visit important places, visit weekend market, if day fall on week day, visit town to see the city life) (Stay in Hotel).
Day 02 -Thimphu – Punakha: Altitude 1500m /75Kms/3 to 4 hr drive. The road climbs from Thimphu to Dochula Pass (3050m) and descends through ever changing forests into semi-tropical valley of Punakha at around 1250m.En-route stops at dochula Pass (3050m) where you can view the eastern Himalayas, including Bhutan’s highest mountain, Gangkhar Punsum (7550m).
Visit Chime Lhakhang:(Visit chime lhakhang,famous temple of fertility(Short hike through the village)there we can see young monks chanting prayer The monastery and fertility temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, a Tibetan Buddhist saint known popularly as “the divine madman” and considered a folk hero in Bhutan for his unconventional ways. Drukpa Kuenley originally built a chorten on the site in the 14th century, on which a temple was later built in 15th century. The temple, flanked by nearly 100 tall prayer flags, sits atop a picturesque hill. It has long been a pilgrimage site for childless couples. This easy walk takes about ½ hour each way.
Day 03 -Punakha-Phobjikha: Altitude 2700m/70km/3-4 hours drive. After breakfast drive to Phobjikha: Phubjikha valley is one of the beautiful valleys in Bhutan. Drive to Phobjikha via Wangdue valley. From Wangdue, the road gradually winds up about 2 to 3 hours, almost till Pele La Pass (which divides central from western Bhutan) crosses the Black Mountain. Before reaching to pass the road diverges and we take the road least traveled by. This eventually leads into the beautiful hidden Phobjikha Valley. Phobjikha is part of conservation area with in Black Mountain National Park. It is the winter home of migratory Black Necked Crane. Gangtey is the name of the Monastery that sits on top of a conical hill in the middle of the valley. It is also one of the oldest and largest monasteries in western parts of Bhutan. Nature walk trail: This nature walk trail is beautiful walk to the valley. On the ways make a visit to farm house, to see the people living in rural village. Short hike to the valley. Hot stone bath in farm house (Stay in farm house).
Day 04 -Phobjikha -Paro: Altitude 2200m/140km/5 to 6 hours drive
Paro is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country with Bhutan’s only airport located here, among the terraced fields, and elegant farm houses. Willow trees line many of the roads, contrasting with bright colors of the fields and the most popular and important sites also found within Paro district. Paro town (2,280m) is still a small with one main street and less than one hundred small family-run shops. Visit important places, walk in town. (Stay in hotel or farm house) .On the way stops at wangdue and visit very old village of Rinchengang date back to 15 century. There one can see very old traditional architecture and way of life. Continue drive to paro.Overnight in hotel/farm house.
Day 05 -Paro-Paro: Witness full day festival. (Stay in farm house or hotel)
Day 06 -Paro-Paro: Full day witness the festival. After lunch visit one of the oldest temples we have in Bhutan, There we can see old man and women praying, sitting and walking around the temple. The first King of Tibet Songtsen Gampo built Kyichu Lhakhang in 7th century to introduce Buddhism into our country, while our country was still influenced by the Bon beliefs. Overnight in hotel.
Day 07 -Paro: Hike to the Tiger-nest: One of the famous and secret monasteries in Bhutan. Drive to famed Taktsang (Tiger’s lair) monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a 1,000m seemingly impossible sheer, vertical cliff, above Paro valley. The trail begins near the Satsam (2650m) and climbs steeply uphill to the Cafeteria (2,940m), an area of exposed ridge with panoramic view of Takstang. This takes little more than an hour. (Ponies are provided on request to ride up till this Cafeteria, but rest of way, including return downhill must be on foot.) You can get a good view from the Cafeteria or hike further uphill for another hour or so to the temple itself. There are several other temples and sites within the vicinity. Lunch is served at the tea house. The return trek to the road head is quite steep downhill, where you will be met by the transport. (Stay in hotel or farmhouse).
Day-08 Departure: After breakfast, transfer to the airport in time for your departure.
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What People Says
I get known Bhutan this country thru the article in the newspaper. After reading the article, the impression in my mind that, this country is a gross national happiness country. If I got a change I will visit this country, although I don’t know where this country location is.
This year Dec 2014 I have join a tour to visit Bhutan which organized by agency Indostan Viajes Tours. for 4 day 3 night, but unfortunately the flight from Nepal to Paro have cancelled due to the technical problem and this have make me very upset cause my Bhutan trip have cut short and the next day the flight delay and I keep on asking myself and I able to go Bhutan? Thank for the blessing of Buddha, finally I arrived Bhutan.
We get passionate reception from agency Indostan Viajes Tours guide and he have showed us the clear sense of the friendliness, openness and genuineness of the Bhutanese people. During my short trip at Bhutan, everyday is full of happiness and joyful; our group members very enjoy the trip although our time in Bhutan is very limited. The tour guide is very professional in introduces the beauty, the historical and the culture of his country and he also well arrange for us to explore as much as the place we can visit in 3 day 2 night. The schedule is well arrange and also flexibilities due to the current conditions.
The person who like blue sky, white clouds, huts, Dzong, Temple, the natural beauty, forest, culture and historical, can make a plan to visit Bhutan, the holy Heaven.
The service provided by Indostan Viajes Tours is Excellent. Those who visit Bhutan. I highly recommend Indostan Viajes Tours and Treks
— Li Mee Yean, MALAYSIA
Bhutan is a country I have been wishing to visit for many years. I have read and watched a long list of documentaries about Bhutan. My will to visit the country increased more and more. When I finally visited Bhutan, it was better than I had imagined it to be. People are really kind and friendly. Children are “so cute and friendly.” Everybody respects each other and values and takes care of nature. The Bhutanese perception of time is slightly laid back.
Bhutanese are slower. Nobody is in hurry. People just live and enjoy the present. Culture is highly valued and respected. You can enjoy the dances, architecture, clothing and costumes. There are also many historical and beautiful temples. The landscapes are filled with amazing mountains, rivers, pine forests, under an incredible blue sky with the most pure and clean air I have ever breathed. A fresh breeze is always present and moves thousands of colorful prayer flags of good wishes that you can find in valleys, towns, forests and even in the capital city Thimpu.
I have a great time in Bhutan! I really recommend a visit to this country if you want to have a great and different experience. I exclusively recommend local travel agent (Indostan Viajes Tours) that provided me this satisfying opportunity. The tour guide was brilliant and I was exposed to original Bhutan.
— Regards, Laura Mo (Uruguay)
Due to flight cancel, delay, schedule change, we only have a short n rush visit to Bhutan in dec 2014.but I m very impress with the trust worthiness n sincerely of the tour agency Indostan Viajes Tours. They assisted us everything that we need and dedicated us executing their duties n all places of interest of the area.
Vim, he is really good jolly fellow, friendly, sincere. He do all his best for us, remember the 1st night we arrived Thimphu, he invited us to his house n have a typical Bhutan food dinner, and lets us wear their national costume "Gho" n "kira" .Before the depart night, in the hotel, he invite the Bhutan traditional dancer to perform the local culture, to entertain us..Under his bill. I am very much touched n appreciate. Over all they provided excellent services.
I highly recommended them... 2 thumbs up!
— Yen Yoon Chong, MALAYSIA
Thank You for all the travel arrangements to Bhutan. Bhutan would remain one of my most memorable holidays. I was received and welcomed by Mr. Bhim at the Paro Airport in a traditional Bhutanese style with a silk stole. Its amazing that there is such strong emphasis on the promotion and preservation of Bhutan's unique culture across the country. I gathered from Bhim about the Gross National Happiness, and the country's deep routed Buddhist faith and their sense of contentment is due to their self-sufficient lifestyle. Bhutan is a must visit for all nature lovers. The travel & Hotel arrangements were great - my personal favourite would remain 'Mandala Resort @ Paro' with breathtaking views of mountains from the room. Bhim was extremely courteous and was an excellent tour guide! Thanks to guide for the hospitality extended - Kaadinchhey La Bhim ! I would surely recommend Indostan viajes Tours to all friends who plan to visit Bhutan.
— Sushma
I had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Bhutan with Indostan Viajes Tours. They provided courteous and friendly service. The tour guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, and was a pleasure to have as a guide through spectacular scenery in this most unique country. The guide gave a clear sense of the friendliness, openness and genuineness of the Bhutanese people.
Everything, every last detail, was well planned, and there was also room for flexibility and spontaneity in activities. The guide really made the trip an exceptional experience in such a spectacular country. I would very highly recommend Indostan Viajes Tours to anyone interested in an experienced, personable tour of Bhutan
— Carol Freund New Jersey, USA
2014/09/27==在一次難得的機緣下，我終於踏上這夢想已久的不丹之旅!!
數年前即已從各種管道中得知不丹這個全世界最快樂的國家!!
雖然看過旅遊書，查過網路上的相關旅遊資料，甚至也看過不丹文學作者的作品。但因語言及經費等種種問題，並未積極進行相關旅程之規劃。
某天在背包客棧討論區上看到包友推薦的不丹當地旅行社(Inostan Viajes Tours)資料，抱著姑且一試的心態發了封Mail詢問相關資訊。(因先前發信問過其他包友推薦的旅行社，結果均石沉大海...)
真的沒想到!!Bhim居然在20分鐘內就回應了我的Mail!!
在後面的信件問答往來之中，雖然告知Bhim因為經費關係在短時間仍無法成行，但Bhim仍積極協助解答各式疑問，甚且仔細的了解個人喜好及身體狀況後提出其專業建議!!最後在這難得的機緣下，即便需要借錢，也要盡快湊足旅費踏上這夢想之旅!!
每個人對旅遊的看法及需求不同，我喜歡拍照(只是隨便拍拍)、喜歡大自然、喜歡鄉村、喜歡接觸人們，更喜歡吃當地人吃的食物!!因此在最初跟Bhim討論行程規劃時，就規劃了一般景點、策秋節慶及簡易的高山健行。(還好Bhim有確認過我的狀況，建議了1條最簡單的健行路線，不然肯定走到掛點...)
在策秋節慶典上，Bhim安排了3個不同城鄉的策秋節，原來每個城鄉都會辦自己的策秋節慶典，且時間不同。在不同規模的城鄉所辦的慶典上，慶典規模也就相對的不同了，從首都的人山人海無法動彈，到小鄉鎮的慶典近到離舞者僅有數公尺之距離!!在短短兩週的時間內參與不同規模的慶典，帶來了相對不同的感受，這機會真的少有!!
不丹的規定是觀光客必須有旅行社全程招待，但平常自助習慣了，總喜歡自己一個人閒晃。Bhim知道後在慶典上就讓我自己一個人自由閒逛拍照，也因此讓我可以自己接觸到當地人，並且交了一個朋友，還推薦其他景點給我參考，只可惜因為語言不通，沒辦法聊太多.......，但很感謝這位爸爸讓我拍了他女兒的照片!!(可惜這位爸爸的Mail沒有抄對，導致沒辦法寄照片給他...)
可愛的小女孩
通常我不太喜歡太多觀光客的地方，但在這旅遊旺季下各個景點到處都是觀光客...，對此Bhim帶著我漫步在田野之間，周遭只有美好的天氣、純樸的農田景觀、悠閒吃草的牲口以及辛勤工作的農民們!!
到了一個不同的國家，除了不同的風俗民情之外，最重要的就是不同的飲食習慣!!不丹的飲食習慣偏辣，因此旅行社會提供觀光客不辣的食物。在跟其他觀光客一樣吃了幾餐觀光客餐後，跟Bhim聊天希望能多嚐試不丹不同的飲食。此後我們都到當地人的館子用餐，周遭除了我之外沒有任何觀光客，只要有機會Bhim都會儘量讓我嚐試到不同的食物以及飲品。想想我在不丹試過的酒類包括啤酒、傳統米酒、威士忌、白蘭地以及利口酒...等等，為數近20種!!。我想應該不會有其他觀光客能有跟我一樣的體驗吧!!
不丹!!擁有著原始的大自然景觀，純樸的田園風情，熱鬧的慶典氣氛，以及善良且熱情的人們!!
最後，如果沒有Bhim的服務及幫忙，就沒辦法在這一次旅程中充份享受並體驗到以上種種非凡的體驗!!
— Best wishes, Peter Chang (Hong Kong)