HMB is pleased to present a choice of 3 supersaver 7 nights/8 days Bhutan itinerary. Book your FITS with our guaranteed departure trips. Also provided an optional Nepal extension.

Maximum group size: 8 persons (Average size: 3-4 persons) Fully escorted, no hidden fees, accommodations are in the best available Hotels and lodges in the country. For details on the trips, any clarifications please contact Peter by e-mail.

Scheduled Dates for Arrival in Bhutan 2008 & 2009

•  **Departures with festivals in Bhutan. Itinerary may be revised in order to coincide with festivals.
• Please add on Flight Net fares per person one way:

This is a combination of easy and moderate trek starting from Phobjikha valley. Phobjikha valley at 3000m is one of the few glacial valleys and is chosen home of the rare Black Necked Cranes which migrate here in the winter from Tibetan plateau. The trek visits the nomadic villages of Gogona and Khotokha passing through meadows, fields, through forests of Juniper, Magnolia and rhododendrons finally descending to sub-tropical vegetation in Punakha and Wangdi valley. This is one of the finest low level treks in Bhutan.

Day 01: Paro /Thimphu (D)

Arrive by Druk Air flight and transfer to Thimphu. (Hotel Wangchuk) Welcome Dinner and briefing.

Day 02:  Thimphu/Gantey (B/L/D)

Morning drive to Gantey via Simtokha Dzong, Dochula pass and Richengang village. In Gantey visit the Gantey Gompa monastery. (Village Lodge) 3000m.

Day 03: Start trek to Gogona. (B/L/D)

Morning explore around and watch the rare back-necked crane (seasonal) and after breakfast begin trekking to Gogona Village. The trail passes through forests of juniper, dwarf bamboo, magnolia and rhododendrons. Evening free to explore around. Distance covered: 15 kms/ in 6hrs. Camp alt. 3400 m.

Day 04: Trek to Khotokha (B/L/D)

Today we climb a pass and descend downhill through the changing vegetation to the wide and temperate valley of Khotokha, the summer home for nomads of Wangdi region. Distance: 16 kms in 6/7 hrs. Camp alt. 2800 m.

Day 05: Trek or Ropeway to Wangdi/Punakha (B/L/D)

Short trek from your campsite brings you to the village of Tashila, from here a rope way operates to the road head near Wangdi. You can choose to take the lift or walk downhill for 3 hours. Much of the vegetation on today’s trek is a sub-tropical and moist. Transfer to the hotel and in the afternoon visit Punakha & Wangdi-Phodrang. (Hotel Dragon Nest)

Day 06: Drive to Paro via Thimphu. (B/L/D)

More sightseeing in the morning and drive to Paro via Thimphu (en route). Visit Paro Museum, Dzong and the local farmhouse.

Day 07: Paro Sightseeing. (B/L/D)

Clients are given an option to hike to Taktsang and others will taken to visit local villages, monasteries, and farmhouses. (Olathang/Pelri Cottages)

Day 08: Departure. (B)

Transfer to airport for departure flight.

This is a moderate trek crossing the chain of mountains, which separate the valleys of Paro and Thimphu. A classic walk past ruined forts and wonderful lakes teeming with fishes, sometimes a yak herders tents/camp will be seen and you will also visit temples and holy places in Phajoding which contains some of the rare Thanka paintings in the country. For most part the route stays on the ridge affording views of snow capped peaks, the valleys and remote villages and it is sparsely inhabited.

Day 01: Arrive Paro (D)

Arrive Paro by Druk Air flight and transfer to the hotel. Welcome dinner and briefing on tour. (Olathang/Pelri Cottages) Alt. 2200m.

Day 02: Paro Sightseeing (B/L/D)

Today we visit the Paro valley, site of the famous Tiger’s Nest, the Taktsang Monastery where the legendary Guru Padmasambhava is believed to have flown from Tibet on the back of a tiger to defeat the demons who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan. The walk is long, and can be steep in places, but the views are stunning. Afternoon visit, Paro museum, Dzong and a farmhouse. (Olathang/Pelri Cottages)

Day 03: Trek to Jangchulakha (via Jele Dzong) (B/L/D)

Trek starts today. The trail is rather gradual climb up till the ruined fort of Jele. From here the views are stunning with the snowcapped mountains as the backdrop. Distance covered: 16 kms in 7/8 hrs. Camp alt. 3200 m.

Day 04: Trek to Simkota (B/L/D) 

Today’s trek follows the ridge and there are superb views in all directions, including the Paro valley below, Jumolhari and many of the high peaks- the views without the slog – and absolutely magnificent. You may come across some yak herder’s camp and get an idea of how these people live. Camp by the lake of Simkota and try some lake trout for dinner. Distance: 17 kms in 7/8 hrs.

Day 05: Trek to Phajoding (B/L/D)

A short trekking day today and you begin with a gradual climb to view Mt. Gangkar Puensum, the highest mountain in Bhutan and also the other peaks. The trail slowly descends till the campsite at Phajoding. Evening free to wander around and visit Phajoding Monastery. Distance: 12 kms in 4/5 hrs. Alt. 3200 m.

Day 06: Trek to Thimphu (B/L/D)

The trek today is all the way down through a forested area of mostly blue pine. Taking a leisurely pace you reach Thimphu in about 3 hours.  Visit Memorial Stupa, handicraft center. (Hotel Wangchuk) 2500m.

Day 07: Thimphu sightseeing. Drive to Paro.

Whole day will be spent in the capital, visiting National Library, School of Thangka painting, traditional medicine institute, the gold & silver smith, Drubthob nunnery and handicraft center. Evening transfer to Paro. (Olathang/Pelri Cottages) 

Day 08: Departure (B)

Transfer to airport for departure flight. 

This trip offers the perfect introduction to Bhutan! The itinerary has been designed to give you a wide variety of experiences though it will be an adventure enjoyed in comparative comfort because every night is spent either in a hotel or a comfortable lodge. The hikes are gentle as compared to trek and every day hike has an interesting objective taking you to many temples, hermit retreats, old palaces, and villages or simply into lovely scenery. There are also exciting road journeys taking you slowly on twisting mountain roads, over passes and when it gets monotonous, we will make stops to take incursions into the roadside villages and come in contact with the people and nature.

Day 01: Arrive Paro – Thimphu (D)

Arrive Paro by Druk Air flight and transfer to Thimphu. (Hotel Wangchuk) Welcome dinner and briefing on tour.

Day 02: Thimphu sightseeing (B/L/D)

There are a good many things to see in the capital, which has a very relaxed, laid-back feel about it. Thimphu is relatively small, no traffic lights and the streets are wide and tree lined. The most important sights include; the national library, Thangka painting school, traditional medicine hospital, Drubthob nunnery, Memorial stupa, Tashichhodzong, gold and silver smith’s workshop, handicraft centers. Try also a cup of coffee in the Swiss Bakery! (Hotel Wangchuk)

Day 03: Drive to Jakar (B/L/D)

This is a long day’s drive of 7-8 hours but it is a journey you are not likely to forget. The road winds over high mountain passes and the scenery are certainly stunning. We make occasional stops in the course of the journey to take incursion into the roadside villages, temples, weaving centers and any special events that may be taking place. (Gongkhar Lodge)

Day 04: Jakar s/s (B/L/D)

Bumthang valley is one of the most sacred in the Kingdom and innumerable legends surround the area. It is here that the kings are cremated and the present royal family traces their ancestry back to the famous saint, Pemalingpa. Visits to; Jambay, Kurjey, Tamshing temples, castle of the “White Bird”. Also worth seeing are the woodcraft workshop, Traditional hospital, and the cheese factory. (Gongkhar Lodge)

Day 05: Jakar-Tongsa-Punakha/Wangdi (B/L/D)

Leaving Jakar, we return west, stopping to visit Tongsa and then Chendebji Chorten, a large Stupa said to conceal the remnants of an evil spirit vanquished here. Continuing across the spectacular Pelela pass we come to the valleys of Punakha and Wangdi. Explore Punakha, Bhutan’s old winter capital, which lies at the confluence of Pho and Mo rivers. The large fortress with its temples and towers sits between the two rivers and look like a giant ship. (Hotel Dragon Nest)

Day 06: Drive to Paro (B/L/D)

More sightseeing in the morning and drive to Paro via Thimphu (en route). Visit Paro museum, Dzong, and the local farmhouse. (Olathang/Pelri Cottages)

Day 07: Paro s/s (B/L/D)

Clients are given an option to hike to Taktsang Monastery and others will visit local villages, farmhouses, and monasteries. (Olathang/Pelri Cottages)

Day 08: Departure (B)

Transfer to airport for departure flight.

TERMS & CONDITION

TOUR FEATURES

• Tour Includes: Druk Air fare, economy class, ex Kathmandu
• All meals (AP)
• Accommodation, twin sharing basis, at hotels indicated.
• All hotel tax and service charge.
• All required transfers.
• All transportation by suitable vehicle
• Daily sightseeing with English speaking guide
• Entrance fees where applicable.

Excludes: Visa fee (US$ 20 per person) & local airport departure tax.

REMARKS:

• Deposit of US$250 per person to secure seats.
• Final payment due 60 days prior to arrival of group.

CANCELLATION CHARGES:

• Within 30 days of start of tour: No Cancellation (but $25 handling fee)
• Within 21 days :                       10% of tour cost
• Within 14 days                     :    15% of tour cost
• Within 7 days                       :     30% of tour cost
• Less than 7 days or without notice                   :    50% of tour cost
• After arrival in Bhutan          :   100% of tour cost

NEPAL EXTENSION

a) KATHMANDU EXTENSION: (Land only: $325 p.p Single supplement: $235)

• Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu. Walking tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square. (Manang Hotel)
• Day 02: Kathmandu (B) Sightseeing tour of Kathmandu includes visit to Pashupatinath, Boudhanath and Bhaktapur city.
• Day 03: Kathmandu (B) Free day at leisure to pursue your own interest.
• Day 04: Departure Transfer to the airport (B) Includes: Return airport transfer, accommodation at class hotel indicated, daily breakfast and one & half day sightseeing with Guide and entrance fees.

b) JUNGLE SAFARI EXTENSION (Land only: $299 p.p Single supplement: $212)

• Day 01: Kathmandu/Chitwan (L/D) Transfer from Kathmandu after breakfast to Chitwan National Park. Upon arrival at the Jungle resort, lunch is served. Visit the local village or see the Elephant bathing. Briefing of the program and in the evening Tharu Stick Dance/slide show. Dinner and overnight in Gaida Wildlife Resort/Chitwan Jungle Lodge.
• Day 02: Chitwan Jungle safari (B/L/D) After breakfast a Dug out canoe trip followed by jungle trek. After Lunch Elephant Safari or Jeep Safari program.
• Day 03: Chitwan/Kathmandu (B) Early morning bird watching program and after breakfast drive to Kathmandu. Includes: Return Land transfer Ex. Kathmandu, accommodation in first class Jungle resort with all meals, jungle safari and activities.

E-mail: hmb@wlink.com.np