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Western Bhutan Cultural Tour -8 Days

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Bhutan is well known for its distinctive cultural heritage. Despite being a small nation, it is home to over a thousand monasteries and Gompas. Bhutan offers you different antique visits to different traditional and overwhelming places having historical Significance.

Trip Duration : 8 Days
Best Time for Visit : All year round
Activity : Tour Sightseeing and short Hike
TRANSPORTATION : Flight and Comfortable rides
LOCATION : Bhutan
ARRIVAL ON : Paro
DEPARTURE FROM : Paro

Trip Overview

Bhutan is well known for its distinctive cultural heritage. Despite being a small nation, it is home to over a thousand monasteries and Gompas. Bhutan offers you different antique visits to different traditional and overwhelming places having historical Significance. Among several highly recommended tours in Bhutan, a cultural tour to the Western part of Bhutan is one of them. This tour lets you explore several places in Bhutan including the capital. The 8-day tour offers the rare side of Paro Thimphu and Punakha. The cultural tour to western Bhutan provides you with a glimpse of its rich religious and cultural heritage all along the way. Besides, the journey offers you Bhutan’s incredible landscapes, high mountain pass, Lush green valley, beautiful countryside, and alpine meadows.

 

Western Bhutan Cultural Tour

 

Western Bhutan Cultural Tour lets you explore some of the popular tourist destinations in Bhutan. Starting your Paro tour with places like Drugyel Dzong, Ta Dzong you will then go for a hike to Taktsang monastery. The 2-hour hike let us experience the wonderful platform of culture and heritage site in Bhutan. The monastery is located on the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. Then, we will explore the capital of Bhutan also, the largest city in Bhutan. Moreover, the capital offers us wonderful Buddhist monasteries and Gompas such as Memorial Chorten, Tashi Choe Dzong, cemetery farmers markets, crafts bazaars. Besides, you can visit Takins- home to Bhutan’s national animals. On the other hand, you can visit Punakha Dzong and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Wangdi Dzong, and explore Jigme Dorji National Park in Punakha.

The fabulous Tour is mostly favorable for anyone of any age group as it is one of the easiest tours in Bhutan.  This tour covers an area of scenic grandeur and cultural specificity displaying the best of Bhutan. Therefore, visitors are simply amazed by the splendor and cultural uniqueness that is offered by Bhutan. On the Other hand, the suitable season for this tour is all round the year. There is no specific time or season for this tour. Thus, this spectacular tour to Bhutan is one of the life-changing experiences for many people seeking cultural exploration.

SHORT ITINERARY

Day 01 :

Arrive at Paro Airport

Day 02 :

Drive Paro To Thimphu

Day 03 :

Thimphu Sightseeing

Day 04 :

Thimphu - Punakha

Day 05 :

Punakha sightseeing

Day 06 :

Punakha - Paro

Day 07 :

Paro-Taktsang Monastery

Day 08 :

Departure

itenary note

Note: B L D = Breakfast, Lunch;
Please let us know whether you would like to make your itinerary shorter or longer. It can be designed according to your preferences.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01 Arrive at Paro Airport

Your tour to Bhutan starts with your arrival at Paro International Airport. From the flight to Paro, if the weather is fine, you will experience the stunning view of the High Himalayas. Our Airport representative will pick you up from the Airport Terminal and transfer you to the hotel. Besides, you will be spending your night in Paro today so in the afternoon you will explore several places in Paro. Paro is the valley town in Bhutan known for several sacred sites in the area. So, the very first thing you will do in Paro is the drive to Drugyel Dzong, a ruined fortress (16km from Paro Town). It was built in 1646 to honor Bhutan’s victory over Tibetian invaders during the 1600s. Furthermore, if the weather is clear you can see the peak of Mt Chomolhari, which is the 2nd highest peak in Bhutan at 7,314m.

On the other hand, you can even visit Ta Dzong, a fortified outlook tower which is now a national museum. You can explore one of the oldest temples in Bhutan Kyichu Lhakhang. In Addition, you can make your way to observe the typical Bhutanese farmhouse. Therefore, You can spend your evening either resting in the hotel or going for a night out to explore the wonderful market of Paro. Overnight at Hotel in Paro.

Day 02 Drive Paro To Thimphu

Today we will set out our destination to the capital of Bhutan, Thimphu. Thimphu is another popular tourist destination. The distance from Paro to Thimphu is 50km which is about 1 hr 30 min drive excluding stops. Thimphu is the largest city in Bhutan situated in the western central part of Bhutan. Thimphu is the political and economic center of Bhutan. It is fully reflected in Buddhist culture, religion, and monasteries. However, Thimphu also offers the stunning scenario of Bhutanese landscapes as well as the life of people in the city. The drive takes you to the winding road alongside the Paro Chu river to the river’s confluence at Chuzom. From Chuzom the road follows through an upstream direction, through the Wangchu river to the capital Thimphu. We will pass through several villages on the way such as Bondey, Shaba, Isuna, etc.

Besides, the notable villages you see on the way are Kharbije, on the opposite side of the river, small Sitsina, where you can see the small convent. On the other hand, you can see Khasadrapchu with Hydro plant and shops,l rice paddies, apple orchards, and several old houses. In the evening you can stroll around the market at Thimphu. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03 Thimphu Sightseeing

The 3rd day of the tour starts with sightseeing at the capital of Bhutan. Today we will spend our whole day at Thimphu. Thimphu is home to 100000 inhabitants including the royal family Thimphu has a lot to offer to visitors as it is popular for its Buddhist monasteries and culture. So, the very thing you can do in Thimpu is to visit the Buddha point for the incredible view of the whole Thimphu city. Next on the list to do in Thimphu is visit Takins-which is home to Bhutan’s national animals. Furthermore, you can see the animals gathered around the fences if you travel here early in the morning. In addition, you can visit the Memorial Chorten which is a huge stupa built-in memory of the third King. Besides, visit the National Library where ancient monuments are preserved and protected.

On the other hand, you can spare some time to Tashi Choe Dzong- the castle of illustrious religion originally constructed in 1641. It was later rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960s. After lunch, we will visit cemetery farmers markets, crafts bazaars as well as the institute of traditional medicine in Thimphu for you to explore. Another must not miss a place in Thimphu is a 300-year-old traditional house which is now converted into a museum. Your evening can be overjoyed by visiting the market in Thimphu. Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu.

Day 04 Thimphu - Punakha

When it is about cultural exploration Punakha is another great destination in Bhutan. Today we will drive from Thimphu to Punakha. The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 84km which takes about 2 and a half hours to drive excluding the stop. After breakfast, enjoy an early morning scenic drive to Punakha. After the half, hour drive to Punakha, climb up to the Mt road to Dochula pass at an elevation of 3140m. You can explore the wonderful panorama of the eastern Himalayas in case of nice weather. From the Dochula La pass, descend through the forest of Rhododendron emerging into the highly cultivated valley of Punakha. Besides, on your way to Punakha, you can stop at some point mesmerizing the beauty of nature, taking photographs for wonderful memories.

On the way, you can even stop at Metshina Village to take a short hike through the beautiful rice field to Chimmi Lakhang. Chimmi Lakhang is a temple dedicated to the Devine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Likewise, this temple has become a pilgrimage site for a Childless couple. After lunch, you can visit Punakha Dzong, situated in between male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Overnight at Punakha hotel.

Day 05 Punakha sightseeing

Early in the morning, we will drive to Punakha Dzong which is the most elaborated temple in the country. This is the must seen the temple in Bhutan which presents a fine example of Bhutanese Art and Architecture. So if you want to explore more, you can even hike right above the  Dzong. The short steep climb offers a great view of the valley with houses spread all around with turquoise river and its sandy bank. There is even another option, you can go for the hike in Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It is a beautiful monastery situated on the ridge above the Punakha valley. It is a four-story Bhutanese temple that offers a view of a splendid architectural and artistic vision of Bhutanese culture. If you are tired then you could stop at Wangdi province and have a short hike to ancient Rinchengang overlooking the ruins of Wangdi Dzong.

However, if you are not really into the hike, then you can go to Jigme Dorji National Park. It was built by 3rd Bhutanese King Jigme Dorji in 1974 which is 4316 km in the area. The park is second largest in the country and home to various endangered species such as Snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer, Asiatic wild dog, Red Panda, etc. Besides, you can feel nature in this park. Your evening can be more joyous by exploring the Punakha Market. Overnight at Hotel in Punakha.

Day 06 Punakha - Paro

Early in the morning, we will go for a hike to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery in Punakha. The Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery sits atop a hill and provides us with a view of the wonderful Punakha valley and Wangdeuphodrang valley. Moreover, you will even get an opportunity for bird watching and witnessing the rare and interesting natural phenomenon. Later, we will drive to the city where we have started our journey, Paro. The drive today will be the longest of all. The distance from Punakha to Paro is about 125km which takes about 3 and a half-hour of drive. However, we can stop at Thimphu for the lunch as well as visit the place that we have missed before. We will pass through several villages in Bhutan, explore several monasteries and Gompas on the way.

Similarly, the scenic drive from Punakha to Paro presents you with a splendid view of lush green valleys, High Himalayas views, etc. Moreover, you can explore the typical life of Bhutanese people on your way. Upon reaching Paro, we can either rest in the hotel and get ready for the next short trek or can even stroll around the market in Paro. Overnight at Hotel in Paro

Day 07 Paro-Taktsang Monastery

Our tour today is to one of the finest monasteries in Bhutan Taktsang Monastery. When it comes to traveling to Bhutan, A tour is incomplete without visiting Taktsang Monastery Early morning after breakfast, we will drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to Taktsang monastery. Taktsang Monasteries are also known as Tiger’s nest is one of the ancient monasteries in Bhutan. The 2-hour hike let us experience the wonderful platform of culture and heritage side that Bhutan offers. The monastery is located on the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. It is the sacred site of Buddhist which was 1st built-in 1692. However, it is said that Guru Padmasambhava had flown on the back of the Tigress to meditate in the cave in the 8th century thus, giving it the name Tiger Nest. This place is the cultural icon of Buddhism.

After exploration of this monastery, you can hike back to the road and drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, a seventh-century temple. Later, visit Rinpung Dzong which is a Buddhist fortress featuring several Shrines and Chapels, as well as wall paintings and grand architecture. In the evening you can explore the Paro market. Overnight at hotel in Paro.

Day 08 Departure

Today will be the last day of your Central Bhutan Cultural tour. Bidding farewell to the Kingdom of Bhutan, our Airport representative will drop you off at Paro International Airport wishing for your safe and happy return.

Price Includes

  • Private transportation
  • Necessary Bhutan travel permits
  • English speaking Bhutanese guide and Driver
  • Accommodation on Twin sharing/ Single room basis.
  • Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per the itinerary
  • Meal plan: Full Board Basis
  • Bhutan Government Royalty fee ($ 65 per person / per day)
  • Bhutan Visa fee
  • Flight fare for Kathmandu- Paro- Kathmandu or from other destination.

Price Excludes

  • Insurance of any kind.
  • Additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstance
  • Personal expenses such as drink, guide tips & etc.

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TREKKING EQUIPMENTS, GEARS & SOME MEDICINES

  We do recommend following equipment's for trekking and Hiking in Nepal.

Head

  • Sun hat
  • Scarf
  • Light balaclava
  • Warm wool hat
  • UV protection one Sunglasses
  • Head torch with extra batteries.

Upper Part Of The Body Upper

  • Tshirts
  • Shirts
  • Sleeveless or body warmer type fleece.
  • Long sleeve shirts
  • Thermal Vest
  • Down Jacket
  • Fleece Jacket
  • Pullover
  • Sports bras (women)
  • Waterproof outer jacket
  • Rain Coat
  • Hand wear
  • Fleece gloves.
  • Warms mittens or gloves.

Lower Body

  • Long Under Wear
  • Short Under Wear
  • Lightweight Cotton Long Pants
  • Warm Trousers
  • Tracksuit pants
  • Lightweight thermal trouser
  • Fleece pants
  • Cotton paints

Footwear

  • Thin inner socks
  • Thick warm wool hiking socks
  • Walking boots with ankle support
  • Trainers or trail shoes
  • Gaiters
  • Micro spikes

Electronics

  • Camera and Accessories
  • Phone
  • Power Bank
  • Solar Panel
  • Travel Adapter

Miscellaneous

  • Book
  • Playing Cards/Games
  • Journal and Pen
  • Snacks and Specialist Food

Hygiene & First Aid

  • Sunscreen
  • Insect Repellent
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Toilet Paper
  • Wet Wipes
  • Pocket Hand Warmers
  • Moisturizing skin cream and Lip balm
  • Toiletries
  • Water purifier
  • First Aid

Trek Essentials

  • Passport and Copy
  • Travel Insurance Details
  • Trekking Permit(s)
  • Waterproof Document Wallet
  • Cash

Recommended Medications

  • Guide will take a group first aid kit but please bring personal medications and other items you might use regularly such as
  • Any personal medications
  • Malaria prophylactic tablets
  • Blister treatment
  • Rehydration powder
  • Analgesics (Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin)
  • Plasters and zinc oxide tape
  • Throat lozenges
  • Diamox

Other Equipment

  • Duffel Bag or Suitcase
  • Day pack
  • Sleeping bag
  • Water bottle
  • Trekking poles
  • Towel

FAQ

Q. Do you provide any gears for trekking?

A. Yes, we do provide roughly 65 liters one duffel bag, sleeping bag and down jacket to use for trekking without extra charge, if you do not have.

Q. Can I rent or buy gears in Kathmandu?

A. You can buy or rent trekking boots and rest of the gears, you need to need to buy.

Q. How much weight does porter carries?

A. We do provide one porter between 2 trekkers. One porter carries 25 to 30 kg respectively.

Q. How much weight does airplane allow to Lukla?

A. Twin Otter and Dornier planes are the primary mode of transport to and from the airstrip at Lukla. It allows 15kg per passenger, including had bag.

Q. Can I take some more gears for paying extra charge?

A. It is hard but some time, they do allow 2 to 3 kg with paying extra charge US$ 2 per kg

Q. When Should I pack my gears?

A. You will have pre-trip meeting in Kathmandu that night you pack trekking gears.

Q. What equipment should I carry at Daypack?

A. Most of our day packs have a capacity of roughly 20 to 24 liters. You need to carry only day use things like water bottle, light jackets, some extra shocks, sun hat, sunglasses, raincoat, light glove, scarf, toilet paper, and small towel, camera, some personal medical, Sunscreen, Passport, money, camera, trekking poles and some snacks. Rest of the gears will be carried by porter.

Q. Can I store suitcase and other unnecessary gears in hotel in Kathmandu or at your office?

A. Yes, you can store either at the hotel in Kathmandu or at our office without extra charge.

 TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel insurance is compulsory for all Clients undertaking any tour. It should provide adequate protection for the full duration of the tour to cover personal injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, helicopter evacuation, loss of luggage, etc. For your kind information, we would like to give a list of the insurance companies, please inquire with them.

  •  USA and Canada: Tugo, United Health Care, World Nomad, Blue Cross
  • Australia and New Zealand: Fast Cover, Allianz Australia
  • Singapore: Ergo, World Nomad (Explore plan level 3)
  • Europe: Europe Assistance, Austrian Alpine Club, Allianz Europe
  • India: ICICI Lombard

 ALTITUDE AND TEMPERATURE IN NEPAL

Altitude (in meter) & Temperature (in degree Celsius) in Nepal over 2000m/6056ft. Trekking areas are only situated over 2000meter in Nepal.

Altitude Spring Summer Autumn Winter
March, April, May June, July, Aug Sept., Oct,  Nov Dec, Jan, Feb
Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min. Max. Min.
2000m -2500m 27 5 29  9 25 2 20 -2
3000m – 3500m 12 -5 20 -1 17 -2 14 -7
4000m – 4500m 10  -7 14 -3 12 -7 7 -10
4500m- 5500m 9 -10 12 -5 10 -15 5  -20

Reviews

EXCELLENT rating
Based on 26 reviews
Unique path trekking company has excellent staff on ground to make the trekking experience very enjoyable and memorable. The guide and porters go out of their way to make each and every member of the team feel safe and secured. Mr Babu the founder owner of the company is very responsive and is able to assist every member of the team with their individual needs. I would recommend engaging Unique Path for Himalaya trekking.
Sandeep Dasgupta
Sandeep Dasgupta
2023-09-30
I like trekking with Unique Path, the guides of this company many times made my way comfortable and safe. I traveled with them to Lobuche, Mera, Island and other places solo and in the groups with my friends. Unique Path is a reliable partner and I plan to trek with them again in Langtang region this autumn.
Andrey Oktyabrev
Andrey Oktyabrev
2023-05-29
I have used Unique Path three times and each time the team were all helpful, friendly and informative. Every aspect of our trip to Nepal was taken care of - Pick up at the airport to take us to our hotel. Next day the excitement of getting our trekking details and depending on the trip setting out with our guide and porter. My husband and I prefer to hike on our own, so we did no group options. Our itinerary was always followed exactly. When I go hiking in Nepal this company is my first point of contact. They are a great team and are totally recommended by me and my husband.
Sylvia Schillings
Sylvia Schillings
2023-05-29
Unique Path is a great choice for anyone who wants to explore the Himalayas. My wife and I made several treks with Unique Path to Manaslu, Kangchenjunga, Tilicho Lake, and Mustang. It goes without saying, that the scenery in Nepal is stunning. Lots of opportunity to learn about the culture and religion and traditions of Nepal. The people we met along the way were engaging and wonderful. Unique Path's staff was fantastic throughout all the trips. They were very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. They arranged everything from transportation to accommodation to food. They also provided all the necessary equipment and guidance and handled all the permit applications. I highly recommend Unique Path trekking to anyone who loves adventure and nature. These were once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I will never forget. I am available as a reference. David
DaveBessie Parsnick
DaveBessie Parsnick
2023-05-22
I have yet to conclude this trip due to the Pandemic but Babu's response and tour guide plan has been exemplary - I cannot wait to make the trip!
Rachel Glaysher
Rachel Glaysher
2023-05-19
Myself and 2 buddies hired Unique Path Trekking to coordinate an EBC trek back in 2014. We couldn't have been more happy with the results...Everything went flawlessly and we had the adventure of a lifetime. Babu and his staff / guides / porters were top-notch and I highly recommend them to anyone who may be reading this.
Marc Ferrari
Marc Ferrari
2023-05-18
As with all treks, there will be unforeseen circumstances and you’re always beholden to nature. So you want a guide and an agency that is not only experienced enough but also sensitive and quick to changes on ground. I am very grateful for the deep experience that our guide, Dambar had. He made us feel safe and constantly had everything under control despite the weather and some early sickness some of us had. Coupled with his sharp wit and deep knowledge, this became such an enjoyable climb that was filled with priceless stories that I can’t wait to tell the kids about. The porters too were a lively bunch that ultimately became friends and we shared lots of fun moments on the mountain together. Babu ensured that our arrivals, arrangements and any administrative hassles were smooth and out of our minds so we could focus on the climb ahead. Thank you Unique Path trekking & expedition. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a great time while knowing you’re in safe hands!
Josiah Ng
Josiah Ng
2023-05-16
We were very fortunate to have Unique Path Trekking for our EBC with 3 Himalaya passes expedition, we were so happy/satisfied with Unique Path trekking. Babu ( owner of Unique Path Trekking) is so kind, knowledgeable and mellow personality so does their staff ( all guides and porters ). We had great time during this expedition in terms of lodging/food. We had large group ( ~ 18 ppl ) and believe or not no one had any single complain of food. Their guides and porters are so knowledgeable, smart, humorous made our entire expedition lots of fun. They take care of us with positive attitudes with smiley face in entire trip. I definitely recommend Unique Path Trekking for any expedition in Himalaya ( we're looking forward to go with them in Annapurna expedition in near future ). You will very glad/happy if you choose Unique Path and Trekking.
Umesh Patel
Umesh Patel
2023-05-16
Babu and his group are exceptional We have done 2 trips organized by Babu We went to Everest base camp and recently to chitwan, Pokara and part of Annapurna cercuit Their guides are very good We will definitely use Babu and his guides again
Guru Motgi
Guru Motgi
2023-05-06
I just returned from a wonderful hike to Everest base camp with helicopter return. I was traveling solo am so grateful to Manager Babu and guide Suresh for looking after me. It is a trip I will remember the rest of my life. We started with a half day tour of Kathmandu and then flew to lukla on the next day to begin the trek. All the arrangements were made ahead of time and the folks unique path team constantly got on the phone to make sure the logistics went smoothly. Suresh kept a moderate pace and a great sense of humor. We made good time throughout the hikes and always got to the lodges on time and in daylight with energy left for the next day. The weather also cooperated this March and we had beautiful sunny skies and gorgeous Mountain View’s throughout the trek. I really could not ask for anything more and would very much recommend unique path
Janice Cheng
Janice Cheng
2023-05-06
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