Take a 10-night trip and travel to Bhutan, one of the most isolated places on earth. After a night in Bangkok en route, fly to Paro, with its panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. Next, travel to the Thimphu Valley and visit the King’s Memorial Chorten and local monasteries and nunneries. From there, travel to Jakar and visit the Tamshing Monastery complex and Yatha weavers. Next, travel to Wangdi, in the Punakha Valley, where you see the Punakha Dzong. Finally, travel back to Paro to visit the Taktsang Monastery, with an option to go on a scenic hike or visit temples and monasteries. Spend a night in Bangkok before returning to the US. Or, take the optional Sikkim Extension. Starting from $4615, including air, with guaranteed weekly departures.
Day 1 - USA/Bangkok
Depart from West Coast gateway city on China Airlines flight to Bangkok. Cross the International Date Line.
Day 2 - Bangkok
Arrive in Bangkok and transfer to your hotel. (Century Park/Avani Riverside)
Day 3 - Bangkok/Paro/Thimphu
Fly to Paro on Druk Air, and enjoy the panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. On arrival in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, transfer to your hotel. (Kisa/Taj Tashi) (B/D)
Day 4 - Thimphu Valley
Thimphu is a small city with about 35,000 inhabitants and no traffic lights. Today you visit the late King's Memorial Chorten, a traditional painting school, the handmade paper factory, and monasteries and nunneries, among other interesting sites. (B/L/D)
Day 5 - Thimphu/Jakar
In the morning drive east, climbing a series of high passes and descending into valleys through ever-changing vegetation, to the cultural heartland of Bhutan, the Bumthang Valley, Transfer to the hotel in Jakar. (Ugyen Ling/Aman) (B/L/D)
Day 6 - Jakar
A short hike brings you to the Tamshing Monastery complex in the Bumthang Valley. The balance of the day is spent visiting farms, local peasants, and Yatha weavers. (B/L/D)
Day 7 - Jakar/Tongsa/Wangdi
In the morning drive to Tongsa to view the impressive fortress, once the most powerful in the country. Continue the journey over Pela Pass to Wangdi in the Punakha Valley. The valley is warm, sub-tropical in climate and highly cultivated. If the head abbot is not in residence, you may visit the inner courtyards of Punakha Dzong. (Zangthopelri/Uma) (B/L/D)
Day 8 - Wangdi/Paro
Morning sightseeing at Punakha and Wangdi. In the afternoon return to Paro, a rich agricultural area with huge farmhouses, monasteries and fortresses. You also visit the only museum in the country. (Olathang/Uma) (B/L/D)
Day 9 - Paro
Hikers may be given an option to hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery. Partially burned in 1998, it is still under renovation. The hike is the highlight of the trip, combining nature, amazing scenery and sanctuary. Those who prefer not to hike are taken to visit temples, monasteries, farmhouses and other sights. (B/L/D)
Day 10 - Paro/Bangkok
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Bangkok. Afternoon, arrive and transfer to hotel. (Century Park/Avani Riverside) Or, take the 7-day overland extension to Sikkim, India. (B)
Day 11 - Bangkok/USA
Board China Airlines flight to the US, arriving home the same day.(B)
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| Departure Dates | Land & Air *
Los Angeles | Land Only * | Single Supplement |
|---|
- Land & Air prices are per person based on double occupancy and include government taxes and fees. For weekend travel to and from the US (Fri, Sat & Sun), add $60 each way.
- Land & Air prices are per person based on double occupancy and include government taxes and fees. Hotels are FC (first-class) and L (luxury), as indicated.
- For Current prices of this tour program please call Pacific Holidays 1-800-355-8025 or email sales@pacificholidaysinc.com
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Tour Features
- Round trip trans-Pacific airfare via China Airlines coach class
- Local airfare, coach class, as per itinerary
- Round trip airport transfers
- Overland transfers with sightseeing stops as per itinerary
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Century Park (FC) or Avani Riverside (D) in Bangkok
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Kisa Hotel (FC) or Taj Tashi (L) in Thimphu
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Ugyen Ling (FC) or Aman (L) in Jakar
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Zangthopelri (FC) or Uma (L) in Wangdi
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Olathang (FC) or Uma (L) in Paro
- Sightseeing tours with English-speaking guide and entrance fees: city tours of Thimphu; tour fo Bumthang Valley in Jakar; sgihtseeing at Punakha and Wangdi; either a city tour or a hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery in Paro
- Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
- Airline fuel surcharge (subject to change) and government taxes and fees
Sikkim Extension includes
- Overland transfers with sightseeing stops as per itinerary
- Local airfare as per itinerary with fuel surcharge (subject to change) and goverment taxes
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Druk in Phuntsholing
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Norkhill in Gangtok
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Martham Retreat in Martham
- 2 nights stay in a double occupancy room at Elgin in Darjeeling
- 1 night stay in a double occupancy room at Pride in Calcutta
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
- Sightseeing tours with English-speaking guide and entrance fees: visit to Kharbandi Monastery en route to Phuntsholing, morning city tour of Gangtok, visit to the Natural History Museum and local market in Darjeeling, tour of the Tibetan Center and Lloyd Botanical Garden in Darjeeling, morning excursion to Tiger Hill
Rates do not include
- Any expenses of personal nature such as tips, laundry, table drinks, telephone calls, etc.
- Optional Travel Insurance
- Any item not mentioned above
Remarks
- If listed hotels or China Airlines are not available at the time of reservation, alternative hotels at the same category or airlines could be used. Prices may differ.
- During trade fairs season and during Christmas and New Year’s days, some hotels may require surcharges. The prices may increase.
- Ticket(s) must be issued and full payment must be received 90 days prior to departure
- Major credit cards accepted; credit card authorization required
- Change and cancellation penalty ($250-$600 per person) apply once ticketed; Pacific Holidays’ general cancellation policy applies
- Hotel upgrades, air upgrades, additional hotel nights, extensions to all Asian destinations and add-on air fares from various US cities are available
For more information of these hotels, please click the hotel name.
Sikkim Extension
7 Days/6 Nights
Day 10 - Paro/Phuntsholing
Drive south, descending from the scenic temperate forest through wet and rich rainforests. En route visit Kharbandi Monastery, to enjoy a fascinating view of Phuntsholing at the end of the Himalayas and the vast Indian plains beyond. (Druk) (B/L/D)
Day 11 - Phuntsholing/Gangtok
After immigration formalities, drive through the lush Duars Tea Estate. (Norkhill) (B/L/D)
Day 12 - Gangtok/Martham
The morning tour includes Enchey Monastery, a flower show, the Institue of Tibetology, Phurba Chorten and the Deorali Monastery complex. Afternoon, travel overland to the huge Rumtek Monastery. Inspect paintings, books, statues and Buddhist relics. A short ride brings you to the beautiful village of Martham. (Martham Retreat) (B/L/D)
Day 13 - Martham/Darjeeling
A 4- to 5-hour drive through villages and tea plantations brings you to Darjeeling. Visit the Natural History Museum and the local market. (Elgin) (B/L/D)
Day 14 - Darjeeling
Today, visit the Tibetan Center and Lloyd Botanical Garden, observe the making of the famous Darjeeling tea at a tea plantation, ride on a toy train to Ghoom, and visit Yiga Choling Monastery. (B/L/D)
Day 15 - Darjeeling/Bagdogra/Kolkata (formerly Calcutta)
On a morning excursion to Tiger Hill, the highest point in Darjeeling, view the sunrise over the eastern Himalayas. Transfer to Bagdogra for flight to Kolkata. (Pride) (B/L)
Day 16 - Kolkata/Bangkok
Transfer to the airport and fly to Bangkok. Arrive and transfer to hotel. (Century Park/Avani Riverside) (B)
Day 17 - Bangkok/USA
Board China Airlines flight to the US, arriving home the same day.(B)
Departure Dates & Rates
For Current prices of this tour program please call Pacific Holidays 1-800-355-8025 or email sales@pacificholidaysinc.com
