Itineraries & Information: Bhutan   

BHUTAN AT A GLANCE TOUR

Day 01: Arrival in Paro. Transfer to hotel. Cocktail and orientation evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing tour sin Paro Valley. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 03: Morning drive to Thimpu. Sightseeing tours in Thimpu. A cultural evening and overnight hotel in Thimpu.
Day 04: Morning drive to Paro Airport and departure.

CLASSICAL BHUTAN TOUR

Day 01: Arrival Paro. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight hotel.
Day 02: Morning drive to Drugyel Dzong, 18km away from your hotel. On the way back, you will visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse and sightseeing trip to Paro. After lunch, drive to Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum followed by a short walk to Paro Rimpung Dzong. Overnight hotel.
Day 03: A short drive to Satsam Chorten. From there 2 hour trek to Taksang Tea House for light refreshments. This will be followed by another 1-hour walk to Takshang Monastery. Lunch at the Teahouse followed by a short walk to Satsam Chorten from there 2 hours trek to Taksantg Teahouse for light refreshments. This will be followed by 1 hour walk to Taksang Monastery. Lunch at the Teahouse followed by a short walk to Satsam Chorten and 2 hours drive to Thimpu. Overnight at hotel Thimpu. Day04: Sightseeing of Memorial Chorten, National Library, Handicrafts, emporium and Tashichho Dzong. Overnight hotel.
Day 05: In the morning drive 3 hours to Punakaha, across the Dochula Pawss. On the way light refreshments will be served at Dochula Café. Lunch at Khuru camp. After lunch visit Punakaha Dzong. Overnight at Khuru Camp.
Day 06: Visit a typical farmhouse in the morning. You will be served a traditional buttered tea with "zaw" (Puffed rice). Visit Wangdi Fordrang Dzong and return to Khuru Camp. Day 07: Drive to Paro and fly from the country.

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF BHUTAN TOUR

Day 01: Arrival at Paro Airport. Transfer to hotel. Orientation evening and video show. Overnight hotel.
Day 2: Sightseeing tours in Paro Valley. Overnight hotel in Paro.
Day 03: Visit Ringpung Dzong & Ta Dzong in the morning. Picnic lunch at Satsam Chorten and excursion to the Taksang Monastery. Overnight hotel.
Day 04: Early morning, drive to Mendegang with breakfast at Dochula, from where a great view of the Bhutanese Himalayans can be seen on clear days. A visit to the Wangdi & Punakha Valley. Overnight at lodge.
Day 05: Drive to Jakar early morning, enroute view the Chendebje Chorten. Overnight at lodge.
Day 06: Bhumthang valley sightseeing. Overnight at lodge.
Day 07: Ura Valley excursion, drive back to Jakar. Overnight at lodge.
Day 08: Drive to Thimpu. Overnight hotel.
Day 09: Thimpu Valley Sightseeing. Afternoon cultural program and drive to Paro.
Day 10: Transfer to airport and departure.

THE MAGIC OF BHUTAN TOUR

Day 01: Arrival at Paro Airport. Transfer to hotel. In the evening an orientation talk & video show on Bhutan. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Paro valley sightseeing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Excursion to the Taktsang Monastery . Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Thimpu. Sightseeing of the valley. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: More sightseeing. Cultural program in the afternoon. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Drive to Mendegang. Sightseeing of the Punakha & Wangdi-valleys. Overnight at lodge.
Day 07: Excursion to the Phubjikha Valley. Overnight at lodge.
Day 08: Drive to Bumthang valley. Overnight at lodge.
Day 09: Bumthang valley sightseeing. Evening cultural program. Overnight in hotel.
Day 10: Drive to Mongar. Overnight at lodge.
Day 11: Drive to Tshigang. Sightseeing of the township . Overnight at lodge.
Day 12: Excursion to Tashi Yangtsi. View the highly revered Chorten Kora. Overnight at lodge.
Day 13: Drive to Samdrup Jongkhar. Overnight at lodge.
Day 14: Onwards to Guwahati for departure from the country.

BHUTAN OVERLAND & FLY OUT TOUR

INDIA PART
Day 01: Take overnight bus to Kakarbhitta to Silguri from Kathmandu. Overnight hotel in Silguri. (Or you can take early morning flight to Biratnagar and then drive to Silguri (4 hrs.) and further onwards to Phuntsoling (150kms from Silguri). Overnight stay in Phuntsoling. From Delhi, you will fly to Bagdora, near Silguri and drive to Phuntsoling.
BHUTAN PART.
Day 02: Arrival in Silguri. Take bus to Phuntsoling. Overnight in Phuntsoling..
Day 03: After immigration formalities, you will drive to Thimpu (179kms, 9-10 hrs.) Overnight hotel..
Day 04: Sightseeing in Thimpu. Drive to Paro (52kms). Overnight hotel in Paro..
Day 05: Sightseeing tours in Paro. Overnight hotel..
Day 06: Fly to Kathmandu or Delhi or Bangkok..

INSTRUCTIONS ON VISITING THE KINGDOM OF BHUTAN

Becoming one of our guests isn't hard, it is a very special thing. 
Just follow these steps... 

1. The first step in traveling to Bhutan is to decide which of the above tour or trek you would like to take. (You may also choose a custom or alternative excursion by contacting us.)

2. Once you decide on the excursion, choose the dates you wish to travel and for how long. (Your tour dates will depend on available openings with Druk Air, but our itineraries may be used for any dates you can be in Bhutan.)  Decide from which city you will fly from on Druk Air (Kathmandu, Bangkok, Calcutta, Delhi, or Bombay). Please visit: http://www.drukair.com. (Druk Air will require 60 days advance booking to hold your selection during the months of March/April/May and September/October/November.)

3. Contact us via email to notifying us of your intended excursion plans. This pre-booking procedure is to help ensure that all requirements get met. 

4. Submit a request to Druk Air for reservations and tour confirmation. This can be done on-line, or by contacting us so we can make your booking for you. (We will manage the ticket according to your choice.) Please see additional Druk Air Information (below).

5. Once Druk Air (or Adventure Karnali) confirms your reservation request, go to our Booking Page and submit your online booking/reservation form. Once we receive your booking information, you will then need to download this Bhutan visa application (or we will then send you a visa application if you are unable to) and then we will process it for you after it is completed and submitted to us*. Wait for an e-mail confirmation of your tour dates. When you receive your e-mail confirmation statement from us, you will need to make payment according to the instructions provided to you. Confirmation of your payment will also be sent to you. 

6. Then all you have to do is meet your tour guide at the airport.  

Druk Air Information

Druk Air operates flights to Paro with connections from Calcutta, Delhi, Bangkok and Kathmandu. Please visit http://www.drukair.com for their schedule. Please let us know your flight plans so that we may organize the ticket accordingly. Indian airlines operate a flight Delhi-Bagdogra-Delhi daily. You will be received at the airport and transferred overland to the gateway of Bhutan-Phuntsholing. (Note: If any of the group would like to come overland through India, add another two days for entry and exit via Phuntsholing, the border town. If transit visas for India have to be made, 2 weeks advance notice in required for processing.)

APPROXIMATE FLIGHT FARES: Flight fare from Kathmandu-Bhutan (Paro) - US$175.00 per person for each way. Delhi-Paro (Bhutan) - US$286.00. Paro-Bangkok - US$329.00.
KTM-PARO (Monday & Thursday)-Departure around 14.00 hrs. PARO-KTM (Monday & Thursday)- Departure around 07:30 hrs. PARO-BANGKOK (Tue., Thu. & Sat.) BANGKOK-PARO (Wed., Fri. & Sun.) As per Bhutan Government rules, it is mandatory to travel at least one-way by Druk Air. It can either be entry, exit, or both. Druk Air operates KTM/PBH/KTM flights only twice a week, Monday/Thursday. 

*VISA INFORMATION 

Fax, mail or e-mail this Bhutan visa application. If you mail this application to us, include a photo copy of the 1st page of passport along with a standard size passport photo to Adventure Karnali. We will need at least 2 weeks to facilitate this for you. If you submit your visa application via fax or email, the photo copy of your passport information along with your photo can be submitted upon arrival to Paro. After your visa application is received at Adventure Karnali, we will submit your application to the Bhutan authorities and obtain your VISA CLEARANCE NUMBER for you which is required to finalize your visa requirements once you reach Paro.

IMPORTANT. All passport details should be forwarded at least 4 weeks prior to the date of arrival and can be mailed or faxed. Actual visa is stamped on arrival in Paro, Bhutan while it is cleared in advance and a visa clearance number is issued. There is a U.S. $20 fee for the 14 day visa at the airport when you arrive. (Visas can be extended.) You will also need to bring a total of 4 passport size photos for each member of your group (3 for the initial visa requirements, and 1 for backup.) 

EMAIL - Karnali@topden.wlink.com
TEL: +977-1-4428689

FAX - +977 1 4440659
ADDRESS: Adventure Karnali, P.O.Box No.9058, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal

For all travellers entering Bhutan by Druk Air, the Visa clearance number is forwarded to the concerned overseas Druk Air stations. Without clearance number, passengers will not be allowed to board the flight. Visa clearance number is also required while issuing Druk Air tickets.

BOOKING CONDITIONS: It would help to book at least 60 days in advance, as the infrastructure in Bhutan can handle only a limited number of tourists. The months of April, May, October and November normally have many festivals being celebrated at that time. And tourism is at its height at this period. However, at least four weeks prior to your tour, a booking with full passport details (including occupation), home address and full payment of tour should reach us. There will be a cancellation charge of 50% for confirmed booking 10 days prior to departure. Whereas, no refund thereafter. No refund for no shows and delay arrivals of the clients whatsoever reason.

TERMS OF CONTRACT: Adventure Karnali (P) Ltd. makes every efforts for your smooth and pleasant journey. However, all the Bhutan programs are conducted strictly by the rules governed by Tourism Authority of Bhutan. Hence, Adventure Karnali or its Agents are not responsible for any change or alteration of programs and sightseeing points beyond its control or through blockage of roads, flood, landslides, snow, unrest cancellation of flights, delayed arrival of clients, sickness or accidents etc. Any extra cost caused in above cause should be borned by the clients personally on the spot. No responsibility taken for changes in the printed programs and its duration, type of vehicles used personal belongings, luggage and changes of hotel/guesthouses. Cost does not include any insurance against accident/injuries/sickness/evacuation (in case of need) trip cancellation etc. Therefore, it is highly recommended to insure covering such incidents at their home country. A separate form of contract has to be signed by clients accepting the above conditions at the time of booking.

CLIMATE: Temperatures will vary with altitude and warm clothing each advice for unpredictable conditions. Generally the spring is warm (20-25 degree Celsius approx.) There is light monsoon rainfall in the summer (22-28 degree Celsius approx.) The autumn is warm but nights are chilly (17-27 degree Celsius) with snow in the mountains. The monsoon season usually lasts from May to August. (The above temperatures are during the day.) If you would like to view the current climate in Bhutan, please click here: http://weather.yahoo.com/regional/Bhutan.html

CLOTHING: In the winter months warm clothing is required. However, a warm pullover and a jacket are always required in case of unpredictable weather conditions. More detailed information on clothing and related matters will be provided upon booking your tour.

HEALTH: All major towns in Bhutan have fully-equipped hospitals with all medical facilities, including specialists and ambulance services for emergencies. Certificates of inoculation against cholera and smallpox are required for entry, although Bhutan is free from these diseases. For trekking, you are recommended to consult doctor before booking the trip.

PHOTOGRAPHY: 16-mm film-cameras and video cameras are not allowed in Bhutan. Taking photographs inside the monasteries and Dzongs is generally not allowed.

If you would like more detailed information , please email us.