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Bhutan: The Dragon Kingdom
Group Tour
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General Interest
12 Days & 9 Nights
Lead-in price: £3395
The remote Kingdom of Bhutan, with its fascinating cultural heritage and beautiful mountain scenery, was off limits to tourists until 1974. Today, the country continues to preserve its age-old traditions, as revealed in this tour, which travels through western Bhutan visiting the forts, monasteries and markets of the ‘Dragon Kingdom’.
The Cox & Kings signature experiences
- Witness Bhutan’s colourful festivals
- Bhutanese cooking class
- Explore Kathmandu’s medieval centre
- Meet with local monks
- Dinner with a local family
Tour variations
Discovery Private Journey Private Tour in brief
Day 1: Fly to KathmanduOvernight flight from London (regional connections available) to Kathmandu, via Doha, with Qatar Airways. (N)
Day 2: KathmanduAfternoon arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the Hotel Himalaya (or similar) for 2 nights. (N)
Day 3: KathmanduMorning tour of Kathmandu. Afternoon visit to the temple at Pashupatinath and Bodhnath. (B)
Day 4: Fly to Paro - ThimphuMorning flight to Paro. Drive to Thimphu. Afternoon tour including the Tashichho Dzong. Stay 2 nights at the Hotel Kisa (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 5: ThimphuMorning sightseeing in Thimphu, including the National Memorial Chorten, Simply Bhutan, Buddha Point and the Textile Museum. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner this evening with a local family. (B, L, D)
Day 6: PunakhaTravel to Punakha via the stunning Dochula Pass. Visit a traditional farmhouse for an authentic village experience. Stay 2 nights at the Meri Puensum (or similar). (B, L, D)
Day 7: PunakhaMorning tour of Punakha, including the Punakha dzong, a 17th-century fortress. This afternoon visit the Nalanda Buddhist Institute to meet with the Buddhist monks. (B, L, D)
Day 8: ParoDrive to Paro and stay 2 nights at the Village Lodge (or similar). Afternoon visit to Ta dzong, now the national museum. Later, enjoy a cooking class in spicy Bhutanese cuisine. (B, L, D)
Day 9: ParoMorning trek to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), a monastery perched on a rocky ledge. The return walk takes about 5 hours. Afternoon visit to Rinpung dzong. Later try your hand at Bhutan’s national sport – archery. (B, L, D)
Day 10: Fly to KathmanduMorning flight to Kathmandu. Stay overnight at the Hotel Himalaya (or similar). Farewell dinner at Brick Café. (B, D)
Day 11: Fly to London via DohaDay at leisure with late check-out of hotel. This evening fly from Kathmandu to London, via Doha, with Qatar Airways. (B)
Day 12: LondonEarly morning arrival in London. (N)
Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.
TOUR EXTENSIONS
Tour + Gangtey & Bumthang: 4 days & 4 nights from £895 This extension starts on Day 8 of the tour and diverts via Gangtey, taking in spectacular scenery and the beautiful Phobjikha valley.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Discovery tour: Hotel standards in Bhutan range from first class in Paro (available at a supplement on private travel only) to reasonably comfortable in western Bhutan. The tour involves some long drives.
Tour variations: Due to changes to seasonal schedules and opening times, there are minor itinerary variations for certain festival departure dates. Please check with your Cox & Kings travel consultant for details.
Tsechus (festivals): The 17 Feb 2022 departure coincides with the Punakha tsechu; the 19 Mar 2022 departure coincides with the Paro tsechu (slightly different itinerary to allow more time in Paro – please ask your travel consultant for details); and the 13 Sep 2022 departure coincides with the Thimphu tsechu. The 02 Nov 2022 departure and extension visits the Black-Necked Crane festival.
Private & tailor-made travel: This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you, for which guideline prices are shown. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements.
Discovery Private Journey private tour accommodation
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Hotel Himalaya
The Hotel Himalaya is a three-star tourist hotel. It is located along the northern bank of Lhasa River, only ten minutes walk from the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street - the business commercial centre in Lhasa and was opened in 1999. The hotel's 133 guest rooms are equipped with cable satellite television, direct dial telephone, writing desk, air-conditioning and bathroom. Guest services include a beauty salon, laundry and valet, currency exchange, in-room safe, shopping arcade, restaurants, coffee shop and a lounge.
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Hotel Kisa, Thimphu
Conveniently located with easy access to interesting sights, shops and markets, Hotel Kisa blends traditional Bhutanese architecture with contemporary style. All 35 rooms and suites are spacious, tastefully furnished, feature wooden floors and marble bathrooms. Facilities include a multi-cuisine restaurant and a lounge bar.
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Meri Puensum Resort
Accommodation in Bhutan is simple and clean, but cannot be compared to the standard of hotels in Europe. The Meri Puensum is situated high on a hillside with panoramic views of the fields, terraces and river below, approximately 5 kilometres outside Punakha, and offers simple accommodation, each room with an attached bathroom. Hotel facilities include a laundry, money exchange, a bar and a restaurant.
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The Village Lodge, Paro
Inspired by the typical lifestyle and rich Bhutanese culture, The Village Lodge presents true Bhutanese essence. Located only a few minutes' drive from Paro airport and set on the fertile farmland in the middle of vibrant Paro valley and encircled by richly forested hills, the lodge offers traditional experience and good accommodation in a peaceful Himalayan environment. The lodge has 9 suite rooms elegantly decorated in Bhutanese architecture, equipped with an underground heating system and comfortable bathrooms. The restaurant serves local, continental and Asian delicacies. NUTS Bar offers the selection of international and Bhutanese beverages. Guests are welcome to venture into the kitchen to learn the art of Bhutanese cooking or simply watch the chef prepare Chili Cheese Ema datshi, the fiery Bhutanese delicacy.
Dates & prices
BHI2022
Guideline Prices
Low season from £3120 per person
High season from £3250 per person
Vaccination Travel Policy
All clients must be fully vaccinated before travelling with us on a Cox & Kings (C&K)
group tour. This means that a customer must have received their full two doses of the
COVID‑19 vaccination at least 14 days before travelling with us. This does not apply
to our private tours or tailor-made travel. If you have any questions please call us
or visit our FAQs page on our website here
Flexible Prices & Itineraries
For a quote based on alternative accommodation standards or flight options, or to tailor this
itinerary, please call 020 7873 5000
or
send an email enquiry
Guaranteed Departures Where a tour date has ‘yes’ listed, this tour is guaranteed to run.
For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Terms & Conditions Guaranteed departures will run except in the circumstances where travel to the destination is advised against by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or entry restrictions relating to COVID-19 preclude travel.
Additional InformationPlease call 020 7873 5000 for more information or to make a booking.
Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. The prices which were valid at the time of publication, may be subject to change, particularly as a result of variable flight costs. You will be informed of any such changes prior to booking.
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- * International flights (and domestic flights if applicable)
- * UK departure and overseas airport taxes
- * Accommodation, itinerary & meal basis as described
- * Local Transfers in a private chauffeur-driven vehicle
- * The support (if required) of an English speaking local representative
- * Local guides and entrance fees where applicable
Destinations on this tour
© Cox & Kings 2021