Most people visit Bhutan by road and cover the bright lights of the capital Thimpu, the Paro valley and Punakha visiting the major sites. This tour has been designed to take one away from the beaten track and visit some of the lesser visited trails in Bhutan like the Chele pass. WE stay two nights in the Paro valley and then move to Thimpu for two nights and and cover three day walks – two in the Paro valley and one in the Thimpu valley. This is the first trip we are doing in Bhutan after covid as the country was locked in for a long time. It is a spectacular outing in both summer and post monsoon offering verdant forests, flowers, ferns and snow peaks.
A five day four nights holiday in unspoilt Bhutan in a covid free environment.
Walk 4-5 hours a day ( 8-10 km) and return in the evening to our beautiful resorts in Paro and Thimpu. with comfortable rooms, hot showers, good meals and great views.
Verdant forests of the Eastern Himalaya rich in bird life flowers, ferns and orchids.
Monastic and village walks give a flavour of Bhutan away from the crowds of the cities.
Ideal for those of you thinking of a longer trek but need to build confidence with short day walks.
If you wish to extend your stay for more than four nights you are most welcome to do so. Our partners in Bhutan can assist you with accommodation, transport and an itinerary.
Day 01 – Fly into Paro in the morning – rest of the first day is spent visitng the Paro Dzong and the National Museum with a break for lunch. This day helps also in acclimatisation. Paro is at 2200 metres ( 7200 feet).
Day 02: Chele la pass to Kila Nunnery walk – 3 to 4 hours
It takes about one and half hour (65 Km) drive from Paro town to reach Chelela (Pass) 3810 metres. . The drive from Paro to Chelela would be through a winding road over the dense pine forest, the view is spectacular and takes you up to the high altitudes. From the pass you begin the trek to the Gompa 3500 metres through forests of rhododendron and magnolia. After visiting the nunnery and the spectacular view the car will pick us up and drive us back to Paro town for a late lunch in the market place.
Day 03: Tigers Nest trek 5 to 6 hours
This is one of the most spectacular walks in Bhutan and takes you up to the monastery perched on a crag side on a high hilltop – the walk uphill will take around 3 to 4 hours of steady climbing and then we come down after visitng the monastery. We stop for lunch at the monastery café and then head back to the roadhead from where we drive to our hotel in Thimpu. Evening dinner at the hotel.
Day 04: Phajoding Hike from Thimpu 5-6 hours
We drive from Thimpu town to the Takin preserve and then start a three hour hike to Phajoding on top of the hill with a spectacular view of Thimpu town. We return to Thimpu in the late afternoon and the evening is free for shopping or going around the town.
Day 5 : Drive Thimpu to Paro and fly out of Paro aiport
We leave Thimpu in the morning and drive directly to Paro airport for our flight to India. The driving time from Thimpu to Paro airport would be around 1 hour 15 minutes or so.
For Indian Nationals Indian Rs 68,650 /- per person including taxes. For foreign nationals US $1500 for 4 nights / 5 days all inclusive
The cost is per person for Paro to Paro (5 days ) as per the itinerary given.
Costs given above are at current rates and may change without notice. Changes if any will be notified 3 months before the tour.
Costs include
All necessary permits to enter Bhutan as per the current rules.
Four nights hotel stay at Ghonday Village Resort Kaluk/Rinchinpong on a twin sharing basis.
All meals on the tour are covered if we are travelling during the day then packed lunch will be provided.
Cost of guides and support staff as needed
All transport Paro to Paro is covered.
Costs not included
Flight Cost/Train costs to reach Paro/New Jalpaiguri
Breakfast or lunch on the way Paro to Rinchinpong and back is not covered.
Medical insurance of any kind.
Personal clothing and equipment; medicines for personal use etc.
Air fare from residence country to India and back
Cost of covid negative test if needed and any other test like rapid antigen test in Bhutan if required – presently no covid test is needed for Bhutan.
Tips at hotel and to local staff at the end of tour – we will give a guideline on this before the tour.
Sujoy Das [email protected] +919831054569 +9779818037020
CANCELLATION POLICY
The cancellation policy and refunds available are given below:
0-7 days before the start of the tour =100%
8 -15 days before the start of the tour = 75%
16-30 days before the start of the tour = 50%
31-45 days before the start of the tour = 30%
46 days and above = 20%
IN CASE OF LEAVING THE GROUP
If due to illness or any other reason a client has to leave the group and go down or wait at a lodge for the group to pick him/her up on the way back, all expenses including lodging, fooding and any porter/guide related expenses if any are to be borne by the individual client over and above the tour fees paid for the tour. There are also no refunds for leaving a tour before completion.
LODGES/CAMPING SITES ON THE TOUR
The choice of lodges/camping sites to be used on the tour will be decided by South Col and clients will have to stay at these designated lodges/camps. Clients are not permitted to choose their own lodges on the route.
TOUR ROUTE AND ITINERARY
The tour route and day wise schedule will be fixed by South Col and will have to be followed by the client.
RISKS AND LIABILITY
The tour is in a mountain area and has certain additional dangers and risks, some of which include: physical exertion for which the client should be prepared; weather extremes subject to sudden and unexpected changes; remoteness from normal medical services - In the event of injury or illness South Col Expeditions (Sujoy Das) or its Staff can, at the clients cost arrange any medical treatment and emergency evacuation service as it or they deem necessary for the health and safety of the client.