Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Bhutan Information



Bhutan is located on the southern slopes of the eastern Himalayas, landlocked between the Tibet Autonomous Region to the north and the Indian states of Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to the west and south. It lies between latitudes 26° and 29°N, and longitudes 88° and 93°E. The land consists mostly of steep and high mountains crisscrossed by a network of swift rivers, which form deep valleys before draining into the Indian plains. Elevation rises from 200 m (660 ft) in the southern foothills to more than 7,000 m (23,000 ft). This great geographical diversity combined with equally diverse climate conditions contributes to Bhutan's outstanding range of biodiversity and ecosystems.

The major cities of Bhutan are as following:
Thimphu (Tibetan alphabet: ཐིམ་ཕུག་, Dzongkha: ཐིམ་ཕུ་), also in the past spelled as Thimpu, is the capital and largest city of Bhutan.  It is situated in the western central part of Bhutan and the surrounding valley is one of Bhutan's dzongkhags, the Thimphu District. The city became the capital of Bhutan in 1961. As of 2005 it had a population of 79,185,  with 98,676 people living in the entire Thimphu district.
The city is spread out longitudinally in a north-south direction on the west bank of the valley formed by the Wang Chuu, also known as the Thimphu Chuu River and is spread over an altitudinal range between 2,248 metres (7,375 ft) and 2,648 metres (8,688 ft). Unusually for a capital city, Thimphu is not served by an airport, but relies on the airport at Paro, connected by road some 54 kilometres (34 mi) away.


Phuentsholing is a border town in southern Bhutan, and is the administrative seat (dzongkhags, thromde) of Chukha District.  The town occupies parts of both Phuentsholing Gewog and Sampheling Gewog.  Phuentsholing lies opposite the Indian town of Jaigaon, and cross-border trade has resulted in a thriving local economy. For example, the town serves as headquarters for the Bank of Bhutan.
In 2005, Phuentsholing had a population of 20,537.

Punakha (Tibetan alphabet: སྤུ་ན་ཁ་) is the administrative centre of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu and it takes about 3 hours by car from the capital Thimphu. Unlike Thimphu it is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. It is located at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and rice is grown as the main crop along the river valleys of two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu. Dzongkha is widely spoken in this district.

Samdrup Jongkhar is a town and seat of Samdrup Jongkhar District in Bhutan.
The town is located at the south-eastern part of Bhutan and borders the Indian state of Assam. Though there is no clear historical record of the development of the town, it is said to have developed as a result of the construction of the Samdrup Jongkhar-Tashigang national highway in the 1960s. In the past  the Sharchops of Tashigang, Dundsan, Orong and yangtse used to trade in a small town called Gudama (current day Mela Bazaar). Today it is one of the most important trading towns for the eastern districts of Bhutan. Post-2003, due to insurgency problems , much of the business was halted, causing a ripple effect on the developmental and socio-economic life of the people of most of eastern Bhutan.
Samdrup Jonkhar Dzongkhag has a mix of population largely dominated by the Sharchops and by Lhotshampas in Bangtar. It is also an important economic center of the country where coal mining is an important contribution to the country's economy.

Paro valley
 Rinpung Dzong a fortress-monastery overlooking the Paro valley has a long history. A monastery was first built on the site by Padma Sambhava at the beginning of the tenth century, but it wasn't until 1644 that Ngawang Namgyal built a larger monastery on the old foundations, and for centuries this imposing five storey building served as an effective defence against numerous invasion attempts by the Tibetans.
Built with stones instead of clay, the Dzong was named Rinpung, meaning "heaps of jewels" but Rinpung and all its treasures were destroyed by the fire in 1907.  Only one thangka, known as Thongdel, was saved. The Paro Dzong was rebuilt by the penlop dawa Penjor after the fire. Housed within its walls is a collection of sacred masks and costumes. Some date back several centuries; others were contributed by Dawa Penjor and his successor Penlop Tshering Penjor in recent times.

Trashigang (Dzongkha: བཀྲ་ཤིས་སྒང་།), or Tashigang, is a town in eastern Bhutan and the district capital of the  Trashigang Dzongkha  (district).
The town lies on the east side of the valley above the Drangme Chhu river just south of where it is joined by the Gamri River. Trashigang is the eastern terminus of the Lateral Road, Bhutan's main highway leading to Phuntsholing in the southwest.
The population of Trashigang was 2,383 in according to the 2005 census.
In October 2011,  Trashigang Dzong, under renovation since 2007, was on the verge of collapse. The dzong was built in 1659 by Trongsa Penlop  Minjur Tenpa and served for centuries as an administrative headquarters and monastery, though government offices mostly relocated by 2011. Its sinking eastern foundation and crumbling upper walls necessitated either relocation or total destruction and reconstruction, according to dzong officials. However, as of 2012, the Trashigang Dzong was still used for the town's yearly tsechu.
Trashigang is the largest district in Bhutan. it has two sub-districts and fifteen gewogs. It bears the first education college of the country, Kanglung College under Royal University of Bhutan.
Trashigang is served by Yongphulla Airport.

Bhutan Tours






Dragon city Tour
Day 01| Arrival in Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu (Drive 1 Hr)
Day 02| Thimphu – Punakha (Drive 2 ½ Hrs)
Day 03| Punakha – Paro (Drive 3 ½ Hrs)
Day 04| Paro Sightseeing
Day 05| Departure
Detailed Itinerary Bhutan Tour
Day 01| Arrival in Paro – Thimphu valley (1 Hr)
Early morning flight to Bhutan (Please check the flight timing) Upon your arrival in Paro airport our guide will be there to welcome you and transfer to Thimphu. Lunch in the hotel and later drive pass by Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley offering a nice view of the valley. Enclosure where national animal, Takins are kept and drive to visit the largest and newly built statue of Buddha offering magnificent view of entire Thimphu valley. Could walk down to the hotel.
Overnight: Thimphu | Altitude: 2300m
Day 02| Thimphu – Punakha (2 ½ Hrs)
Morning visit the traditional Hand Made Paper Mill, School of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan, Folk Heritage Museum, National Library and the Traditional Institute of Medicine. Drive to the Zilukha nunnery to meet the nuns and interact with them. Lunch in the town and drive to Punakha through Dochula pass (3200 mts) If the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a site that stretches almost 180 degrees. Walk around the 108 stupas and continue to sub tropical valley of Punakha. On arrival, if time permits hike to the temple of Chimi Lakhang, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus.
Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1350m
Day 03| Punakha – Paro (3 ½ hrs)
Morning drive to visit Punakha Dzong (fortress) which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. This is a fine example of Bhutanese rich Art and Architecture. Retrace the drive back to Paro. After lunch visit Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Continue further to stroll around the old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores. Could get some opportunity to see the traditional game, Archery match going on. Evening back to the hotel and enjoy the facility in the hotel.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m
Day 04| Paro Sightseeing
Morning drive to the base for the hike (2 hrs uphill) to Tiger's Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro valley. Lunch in the cafeteria. Most of the day will go on the hike. Back to the hotel and enjoy the facility. Hot stone bath for standard package. Farewell dinner in the town.
Overnight: Paro
Day 05| Departure:
Morning transfer (10 minutes) to the airport for your departure flight. Your guide will bid you farewell at the airport.
Cost Includes during Bhutan tours
  • All hotels with all meals in Full Board
  • Sightseeing fees, English speaking guide and transportation
  • Bhutan Tourist visa processing
  • Air ticket booking service to and back from Bhutan
Cost Does Not Include
  • Drinks, tipping to guides and drivers and other expenses of personal nature such as phone, laundry etc.
  • Extra expenses or loss due to nature and unforeseen events beyond the control of our management.
  • Travel Insurance
  • International airfares and airport taxes, visa fees
Visa processing
  • Bhutan visa is pre-process by our company we need to have your passport copy by scan on our e-mail. we will send you electronic visa on your mail. you need to print and carry to fly to Bhutan. at immigration authorities will stamp on your passport.
  • your passport must be valid more than 6 months at the time  of travel in Bhutan
* Notes: There are regular flights from Kathmandu Nepal, Bangkok Thailand, Delhi India to Bhutan By Druk air.





The Last Sangrila - 6nights/7 days
Day 01| Arrival in Paro, Bhutan – Thimphu (1 Hr)
Day 02| Thimphu – Punakha (2 ½ Hrs)
Day 03| Punakha sightseeing
Day 04| Punakha – Phobjikha (6 Hrs)
Day 05| Phobjikha – Paro (8 Hrs)
Day 06| Paro Sightseeing
Day 07| Departure
Detailed Itinerary Bhutan Tour
Day 01| Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1 Hr)
Early morning flight to Bhutan (Please check the flight timing) Upon your arrival in Paro airport our guide will be there to welcome you and transfer to Thimphu. After Lunch visit the Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King. Visit Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley offering a nice view of the valley. Enclosure where national animal, Takins are kept and drive to visit the largest and newly built statue of Buddha offering magnificent view of entire Thimphu valley. After 5PM, visit the fortress of Thimphu, Tashichho Dzong, which houses the throne of the king.
Overnight: Thimphu | Altitude: 2300m

 
Day 02| Thimphu – Punakha (2 ½ Hrs)
Morning visit the School of Arts and Crafts where students learn 13 different arts used predominantly in Bhutan, walk to Folk Heritage Museum which is located next to the school and end with the visit to nearby National Library. After lunch drive to Punakha over Dochula pass, at 3150m, if the weather permits one can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a sight that stretches almost 180 degrees. Walk around the 108 stupas and enjoy the view and the fresh air. Continue your drive to the warm valley of Punakha.
Overnight: Punakha | Altitude: 1350m 

Day 03| Punakha sightseeing
Morning drive to visit Punakha Dzong (fortress), which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. This is a fine example of Bhutanese rich Art and Architecture. Drive further up to visit the Souvenir Making Center for girls supported by Youth Development Fund. Interact with the students and back to the hotel for lunch. After lunch could relax in the balcony of the hotel to enjoy the view and the nature. Or could go for an hour hike to the temple of Khamsum Yuley Lakhang or the temple of Chimi Lakhang, the temple of fertility associated with religious art of phallus.
Overnight: Punakha
Day 04| Punakha – Phobjikha (3 Hrs)
Check out from the hotel, drive to the isolated valley of Phobjikha. The valley is protected for the endangered Black Necked Cranes migrating to Bhutan every winter (early Nov to End of February). The drive is very picturesque and worth every turn and climb. On arrival visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Ningmapa monastery which is largest in the western Bhutan. Phobjikha valley is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Later in the afternoon could relax in the hotel or could go for a nice short hike in the valley. This valley got electricity only recently. Farm house stay optional.
Overnight: Phobjikha | Altitude: 2900m

Day 05| Phobjikha – Paro (8 Hrs)
Retrace the drive back to Paro. After lunch visit Paro Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Continue further to stroll around the old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores. Could get some opportunity to see the traditional game, Archery match going on. Evening back to the hotel and enjoy the facility in the hotel.
Overnight: Paro | Altitude: 2200m

Day 06| Paro Sightseeing
Morning drive to the base for the hike (2 hrs uphill) to Tiger's Nest, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff over looking the Paro valley. Lunch in the cafeteria. Most of the day will go on the hike. Back to the hotel and enjoy the facility. Hot stone bath for available on Clients personal cost. Farewell dinner in the town.
Overnight: Paro

Day 07| Departure from Paro
Morning transfer to the airport (10 mins) for your departure flight. Our tour staff will bid you farewell at the airport.

Cost Includes during Bhutan tours
  • All hotels with all meals in Full Board
  • Sightseeing fees, English speaking guide and transportation
  • Bhutan Tourist visa processing
  • Air ticket booking service to and back from Bhutan
Cost Does Not Include
  • Drinks, tipping to guides and drivers and other expenses of personal nature such as phone, laundry etc.
  • Extra expenses or loss due to nature and unforeseen events beyond the control of our management.
  • Travel Insurance
  • International airfares and airport taxes, visa fees
Visa processing
  • Bhutan visa is pre-process by our company we need to have your passport copy by scan on our e-mail. we will send you electronic visa on your mail. you need to print and carry to fly to Bhutan. at immigration authorities will stamp on your passport.
  • your passport must be valid more than 6 months at the time  of travel in Bhutan
* Notes: There are regular flights from Kathmandu Nepal, Bangkok Thailand, Delhi India to Bhutan By Druk air.