Agent Portal

Brochures

Luxury small ship river cruises in Asia

To Book Call TOLL FREE 1-877-872-6329

ANCIENT KINGDOM OF BHUTAN PRE TOUR 6 NIGHTS

Combine your Pandaw river expedition with a visit to the ancient Kingdom of Bhutan, one of the world’s most intriguing countries. Discover Bhutan’s famous cliff-top monasteries, soaring mountain peaks and unique way of life.

This is a private tour.

Medium fitness is required for a soft hike on day 5.

DAY 1

ARRIVAL PARO

Welcome to Bhutan! Pick up at Paro international airport. After Lunch in the city, drive on a winding road to Thimphu (one hour), the capital of Bhutan.

Visit Tashichho Dzong, Bhutan's most impressive building and seat of the Druk desi or ‘Dharma Raja’, the head of Bhutan's civil government which has been combined with the kingship since the creation of the monarchy in 1907. It houses the throne room of His Majesty the King of Bhutan and is the summer residence of the venerated monastic community. The current Dzong is the impressive result of a redesign of the original medieval structure sanctioned by the Third King, His Majesty King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, when he moved the capital to Thimphu from Punakha.

Meals: lunch depending on arrival time

DAY 2

THIMPU

After breakfast visit the Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, a large Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery with golden spires and bells. It was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Continue to the Folk Heritage Museum, National Institute of Zorig Chusum and the National Library of Bhutan, Junghi Paper Factory, National Institute of Traditional Medicine and Bhutan Postal Museum.

Meals: breakfast at hotel

DAY 3

THIMPU - PUNAKHA

After breakfast, we take the Dochula pass, located 30 km from the capital, on the way to Punakha which offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of the Himalaya mountain range. Visit Chimi Lhakhang, a monastery dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley or ‘the Divine Madman’. An accomplished master of Mahamudra Buddhist Tradition, he is also known as the ‘Mad Saint’ for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior.

Continue to Drukpa Kinley, also a cultural icon in Bhutan around whom countless yarns, fictions, stories and legends have been spun. In founding the site, it is said that Lama Kunley subdued a demon of Dochu La with his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom” and trapped it in a rock at the location close to where the chorten now stands.

Meals: breakfast at hotel and lunch box

DAY 4

PHUNAKA – PARO

After breakfast, visit the Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong (meaning ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’), the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag. Constructed in 1673, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures.

Drive to Paro then and visit the National Museum and Paro Dzong. The National Museum of Bhutan is housed inside the revamped circular Ta-dzong building, an ancient watchtower above the Paro Dzong. This unusual round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell. The original building was constructed in 1656 and then converted into a museum in 1968, housing some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings gathered from different parts of the country.

Meals: breakfast at hotel

DAY 5

PARO TAKTSANG SOFT HIKE

Drive to Satsam Chorten for a soft hike to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m, overlooking the Paro Valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.

The hike takes about 4 hours back and forth. Once you reach the view point of the monastery you have the option to visit the monastery which takes another hour hike.

After visit a Farm House where your dinner will be arranged with the local family.

Meals: breakfast at hotel and dinner with local family

DAY 6

PARO - GUWAHATI

After breakfast transfer Paro International Airport for your flight to Guwahati. Free time in the evening to relax.

Meals: breakfast at hotel

DAY 7

DEPARTURE

After breakfast, transfer to your ship.

Meals: breakfast at hotel

Le Meridien, Thimpu

Located in the heart of the capital city, Thimphu, the Le Méridien Thimphu invites the discerning guest to engage and discover the legendary 'Land of the Thunder Dragon', Bhutan. The 78 spaciously appointed guest rooms & suites are culturally inspired, yet decidedly chic and contemporary. With cosmopolitan surroundings amidst the bustling commercial streets of the city-centre, and a convenient location to many of the city's myriad attractions, the Le Méridien Thimphu is the perfect jumpstart to that long awaited leisurely holiday.

Classic Room

Chorten Lam, P.O. Box 01286, Thimphu, Kingdom of Bhutan

Tel: +975 2 337788

Visit Hotel Website

Dhensa Resort, Punakha

Dhensa Boutique Resorts sits in the heart of the verdant and lush Punakha Valley. Flanked by thick pine forests, it overlooks the Punakha river and hundreds of paddy fields that stair-step down to the valley floor. It is surrounded by plentiful walking and trekking trails. From Dhensa Punakha, it is just a five-minute trek up the mountain to the magnificent Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery, which houses one of the biggest bronze statues of Chenrigzig (Avalokiteshvara) in the country. Dhensa Punakha marries contemporary design with this Himalayan Kingdom’s ancient and alluring ways. At the core of the Dhensa Punakha philosophy lies the sense of innocence and peace that permeates everything about Bhutan.

Suite Room

Wolakha, Punakha, Bhutan

Tel: +975 2 584434

Visit Hotel Website

Zhiwaling Heritage, Paro

Venture beyond the empty beauty of a hotel chain and experience the warmth and comfort of Zhiwa Ling Heritage - a 5 star hotel living in harmony with nature, culture and tradition. Zhiwa Ling Heritage is set on 10 acres in the Paro Valley, within easy reach of Bhutan’s most revered temples and monasteries. The hotel was envisioned by a local Bhutanese businessman and handcrafted by local Bhutanese artisans. To this day, Zhiwa Ling Heritage is wholly Bhutanese owned and staffed.

Junior Suite Room

Satsam Chorten, Paro, Kingdom of Bhutan

Tel: +975 2 336486

Visit Hotel Website

Radisson Blu Guwahati

Set in a tranquil sector of Assam, the elegant Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati offers stellar amenities and a peaceful location a short drive from the city center. Located on NH-37, our hotel provides easy access to Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) and the nearby railway station.

National Highway 37, Gotanagar, Tetelia, Guwahati, Assam 781033, India

Tel: +91 1800 108 0333

Visit Hotel Website

Rates include

Six nights accommodation at advertised hotels (or similar), including breakfast and meals as advertised, excursion and entrance fees as per itinerary, one flight Paro – Guwahati including check-in luggage of 20kg, Bhutan visa and permit fees.

Price per traveller in USD

Accommodation Type	Price per Traveller
Sharing (2 Pax)	US$4,043.25
Single (1 Pax)	US$5,271.75

Extension Code: LTID-BH-VAR-GUW-PRE

Note

Please advise arrival/departure flight details in order to arrange the transfer accordingly
The Bhutan visa is included in the price, please send us your passport scan for the application
If you are staying in India before and after Bhutan then a multiple entry visa is required for India
Check in time 14.00 / Check out time 11.00

* Please note that your hotel will be confirmed after we have received your deposit payment. Prices are subject to change. Hotel subject to availability. We will try to offer you an alternate accommodation if the requested hotel would not be available.

Passport Information

Please ensure you send Pandaw a copy of your passport at least 50 days prior to your travel date. Your passport must be:

Ensure that it is the same passport that was used for the Bhutan visa application
The passport validity can't be less than six months
All passport will require at least 2 blank pages in their passport for Bhutan entry and exit stamp