Cultural Tour in Central Bhutan this 13-day cultural trip offers a couple of days trekking out from Bumthang, in the centre of Bhutan. You hike from Bumthang to Lhakhang and Ugyen Chholing, climbing a pass at Phephe La (3,350m), the highest point of the trek.
You need a reasonable level of fitness, even if a major part of this tour doesn’t require too much exertion. You camp for two nights, while the rest of the stay is in comfortable hotels along the way to and from Bumthang.
Especially sensitive to the environment, one of this operator’s success strategies has been in visiting schools and supporting green educational values such as planting of trees, gardening, and maintaining clean and green surroundings, through speeches, games and donations of environment-related teaching materials. Small monetary contributions are provided as rewards to conservation-based clubs.
These treks explore areas least visited by tourists. This allows you to capture a natural, undisturbed essence of the country’s way of life as well as enhance income-generation opportunities and provide employment to the locals. Farmhouses are used for night-halts, and some of the meals are taken in the company of the villagers. Often visitors donate school supplies such as computers, note-books, school uniforms and other basic requirements.
Short Program:
Day 1: Arrival at Paro
Day 2: Paro sightseeing
Day 3: Drive to Thimphu
Day 4: Thimphu sightseeing
Day 5: Drive to Trongsa
Day 6: Drive to Bumthang; sightseeing
Day 7: Bumthang sightseeing
Day 8: Trek to Ngang Lhakhang (4 – 5 hours)
Day 9: Trek to Ugyen Chholing (6 hours) via Phephe La pass
Day 10: Visit Ugyen Chholing palace; drive to Bumthang
Day 11: Drive to Trongsa; sightseeing
Day 12: Drive to Thimphu
Day 13: Return to Paro; departure
Especially sensitive to the environment, one of this operator’s success strategies has been in visiting schools and supporting green educational values such as planting of tree, gardening and maintaining clean and green surroundings through speeches, games and donations of environment-related teaching materials. Small monetary contributions are provided as rewards to conservation-based clubs.
These treks explore areas least visited by tourists. This allows you to capture a natural, undisturbed essence of the country’s way of life as well as enhance income-generation opportunities and provide employment to the locals. Farmhouses are used for night-halts, and some of the meals are taken in the company of the villagers. Often visitors donate school supplies such as computers, note-books, school uniforms and other basic requirements.
Trip highs!
- Two day trek in central Bhutan
- Bumthang dzong
- Ugyen Chholing palace
- Sightseeing in Paro and Thimphu
Trip watch-outs!
- Camping – a couple of nights are under canvas
Karma Wangdi comes from Tashi Yangtse, the eastern-most part of the country. Engaged in the tourism industry for over 14 years, he has invaluable knowledge and experience on religion, culture, history, the unique identities and lifestyles of the people, as well as about the flora and fauna of Bhutan.
Keen to share the benefits of tourism, Karma looks to help local people not only in terms of employment, but also through creating awareness on the importance of the environment and conserving the rich natural assets of Bhutan.
Ideal For Whom
You don’t need to be especially fit for this tour, though the two days of trekking do involve crossing a pass at 3,350m. Apart from the two nights of camping, accommodation is in hotels, which tend to be simpler the further away you move from Paro and Thimphu.
The trip would appeal to anyone who wants to do a little trekking and see the Himalayas, but also wants to take in the many highlights of Bhutan in Paro, Thimphu and Bumthang. Primarily a cultural sightseeing tour, this would be ideal for anyone wanting to sample a bit of everything.
When To Visit
Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, when the weather is warm, dry and fairly settled. There may be the odd showers in spring, while the skies tend to be clearer in autumn.
Winter is cold, but offers crisp, clear days and it gets quite warm during the day.
Summer is not the best time of the year to visit as this is when monsoon falls – but it usually only rains for a few hours each day.
Things To Bring
- Sun hat or cap to use during the day, along with a scarf for covering the neck
- Woolen hat or balaclava for evenings
- Sunglasses
- Water bottle – mineral water is available in plastic bottles, but it’s advisable to carry iodine, a filter or steripen to purify water and reduce plastic waste
- Walking boots, clothes for trekking – layers of warm clothes and waterproofs (it can rain any time)
By Air: Flights come into Paro Airport, the only international airport in Bhutan. It’s about a two-hour drive to Thimphu, the capital.
For foreigners other than Indian nationals, entry or exit into Bhutan has to be via a Druk Airways flight into Paro Airport. (Your visa will be arranged for you in advance by your operator). This means that a flight is needed at least one way, to enter or leave Bhutan.
By Land: It is possible for foreigners to enter Bhutan from Phuentsholing and to leave via Samdrup Jongar. There are no restrictions for Indian nationals, who in addition to the option of flying, can use either land border points.
Samdrup Jongar is a three-hour road trip to Guwahati in Assam, from where it is possible to fly to Kolkata, Delhi or Bangkok; or take a train to West Bengal, to Siliguri or Kolkata. This area is politically unstable, so it is wise to check in advance.
Phuentsholing, on the western border of Bhutan, is a few hours from Darjeeling, Sikkim and West Bengal. Siliguri is the main transport hub (169km). Buses leave Siliguri twice a day for Phuentsholing.
Panitanki (Ranigan), in north western Bengal, is opposite the eastern Nepal border town of Kakarbhitta. It is possible to arrange transport with the Bhutanese operator from here to Bhadrapur or Biratnagar for flights to Kathmandu. Panitanka is an hour away from Siliguri (35km) and buses run regularly.
Normal Payment Policy: At time of booking a non-refundable deposit of 10% is charged to your credit card in Euro equivalent by Travel To Care on behalf of the tour operator. Payment should be made 45 days in advance.
Normal Cancellation Policy: 50% refund if tour cancelled within 60 days from the start of the tour.
25% refund if tour cancelled within 45 days from the start of the tour.
No refund if tour cancelled less than 30 days from the start of the tour.
Payment Options: Bank draft to Bhutan National Bank, Bhutan.
Period(s) tour is not operational: N/A
