Private tour of Thimphu, Punakha/Wangdue & ParoWindow to Bhutan

W i n d o w t o B h u t a n

2 s a l e s @ w i n d h o r s e t o u r s . c o m

Duration: 6 nights/ 7 days

Arrive: Paro Depart: Paro

Lodging: 6 nights in hotelsMeals: All Included:Group Size: Any size group for Inde-pendent travel.Trip Type: Cultural tour with optional walks

Cost Information Based on the group sizes.• Single traveller: $2050• 2 pax: $1820 Per Person• 3 - 4 pax:1640 Per Person• 5-7 Pax: $1560 Per Person• Single room supplement $210Single traveller cost includes single room supplement

If travels are within 1st Dec till 28 Feb and from 1st June till 30 August, fol-lowing discounted rates apply.• Single Traveller $1740• 2 pax: $1500 Per Person• 3-4 pax $ 1320 Per Person• 5-7 Pax: $1250 Per Person • Single room supplement $190Single traveller cost includes single supplement.

Included:Bhutan Royalties, tourists fees, Visa fees and taxes.Accommodations in listed or similar hotels (pleasant hotels 3-4 star type)All meals, including evening tea/coffee etc through-out the tour in Bhutan.All land transfers, sightseeing with entrance fees.Experienced English Speaking Bhuta-nese Tour Guide.Bottled water in the vehicle and other comp. services.

Not Included:Flights into and out of BhutanOptional Travel/Medical InsurancePersonal expenses such as bars, bever-ages in the hotel, telephone, laundry, trips, and others

With customs and traditions still going strong after centuries, and environment so rich and diverse, there is nowhere quite blessed like Bhutan.

For those who have limited time, this 7 days Window to Bhutan is good choice.It covers Thimphu the capital, with a youthful exuberance that constantly challenges the country’s conservatism and proud tradition. The ever-present juxtaposition of old and new is just one of its appealing qualities. Then drive east across spectacular Dochula pass to semi-tropical valley of Punakha-Wangdue, once a former winter capital of this Kingdom. Then visit emerald green Paro valley, one of the loveliest, from where we also hike up to famous Taktsang (Tiger’s nest) monastery, an quintessential Bhutan travel experi-ence.

Day 1: Arrive in Paro – Thim-phu Upon arrival in Paro, you are met by Wind Horse Guide & driver and trans-ferred to Thimphu, which takes around 1hr from the airport. This afternoon visit attractions of Thim-phu according to your interests and avail-able time. This may include Tashicho Dzong, which is the main Govt center with kings’ throne room. Visit Farmer’s market, which is more vibrant during the weekends. Overnight in the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 2: Thimphu Valley TourThe capital of Bhutan also has most things to see for visitors. A full day tour of Thimphu’s cultural sites and monuments may include Memorial Chorten, Traditional Art school (Painting school), Indigenous Hospital, Nunnery at Zi-lukha, a short drive up to a view point for aerial view of the capital and its sub-urbs. Along the way, visit Takin Sanctuary, the national animal of Bhutan. Also visit giant Buddha statue (Doderma). There are others like Zangdopelri temple, Changangkha monastery, Simtokha Dzong, Crafts workshop, Textile museum which can be visited as per available time or based on your interests. Overnight in hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue The spectacular drive from Thimphu to Punakha across spectacular Dochula takes about 3hrs. From Thimphu, road climbs up to Dochula pass (3,050m), where you have opportunity to view the peaks of the eastern Himalayas. Descend into Wangdue/Punakha valley. Punakha-Wangdue valley is lower (about 1450m above sea leel) and it enjoys sub-tropical climate. In the after-noon, visit impressive Punakha Dzong at the confluence of the two rivers. Later drive short distance north through the idyllic countryside and walk short dis-tance uphill to Khamsum Chorten on Nyenzangang hill. The views from here of the terraced rice fields, dotted with traditional houses, the river and the valley surrounded by mountains is amazing ! On the way to the hotel, stop to visit the township of Punakha at Khuruthang. Overnight in hotel.

W i n d o w t o B h u t a n

3w w w . w i n d h o r s e t o u r s . c o m1 . 8 8 8 . 8 3 . H O R S E ( 4 6 7 7 3 )

Itinerary

• Be transported to another world on the streets of peaceful Paro• Step back in time while visiting the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong• Learn about local legend at the Buddhist temple of Kyichu Lhakhang• Experience Bhutanese art and culture in the museums of Thimphu• Be awestruck by panoramic views of the Bhutan Himalaya from Dochula Paa• Join a pilgrimage trek to the remarkable ‘Tiger’s Nest’ Monastery• Explore Bhutan’s remote valleys, towns and villages• Buy authentic Bhutanese handicrafts from a local workshop.

Day 4: Wangdue /Punakha - Paro Check-out of the hotel. Take a short walk into the village and visit Chimi Lhakhang temple, dedicated to Lam Drukpa Kuenley, affectionately known as “Divine Madman,” for his unconventional ways of teaching using dirty jokes. He is a folk hero and a cultural icon around whom countless yarns of facts and fiction, stories and legends have been spun. Make a brief tour of Wangdue Phodrang; view the ruins of its Dzong, drive through the town area, and return drove to Thimphu recrossing magnificent Dochula pass, with one more opportunity to see the panoramic views of the Eastern Himalayan peaks. (If you are interested in walking, you can skip Chimi Lakhang & Wangdue this morning and instead take a beautiful hike for about 3hrs from Dochula to Trashigang monastery via Lungchuzekha monastery. The hike is quite easy or moderate. From Trashigang meet the vehicle and drive to Thimphu).After Thimphu, continue 1hr drive to Paro. Along the way, there is a nice small nunnery at Sitsina that you can visit. Upon arrival in Paro, stroll around the town and the check-into you hotel for dinner and overnight. Overnight in hotel in Paro.

4

W i n d o w t o B h u t a n

Taktsang

Lungchuzekha & Trashigang Trail

Cheri or Tango Trail

Wangdu Phodrang

ThimphuParo

Punakha

Wangdu Phodrang

Window to Bhutan

Khamsum Chorten

= Road

= Walking trail

= Rivers= Optional tours

Thimphu

Paro

Punakha

s a l e s @ w i n d h o r s e t o u r s . c o m

5

Accommodations

Thimphu: Hotel Druk, Khang Residency, Jumolhari or similar Punakha/Wangdue: Meri Phuensum, Punatsangchu or Dragon rootsIn Paro: Tashi Namgay, Tenzinling, Gangtey Palace, Janka Resorts or similar.

Hotels used are rated 3-4 star. As the hotels in Bhutan have few rooms and de-mands during the festival period is high, we are unable to specify the exact name but our objective is to provide the best in the category. With our reputation, and many years of good relationship with the hotels, we normally get our preferred hotels. Our preference is listed above in sequence.

Day 5: Paro Valley Tour Paro valley is one of the loveliest in Bhutan. The willow trees and apple or-chards line many of the roads. Large whitewashed farmhouses and temples complement the terraced fields with for-ested hills rising on either side to create a beautiful, organic and peaceful whole. Paro is also excellent agricultural land and the people here are better off than many elsewhere in Bhutan. We’ll tour by short drives and walks to see its many attractions such the Drugyal Dzong ruins, Ta Dzong (watchtower) which houses the museum, Rinphung Dzong fortress, the beautiful 7th century Kichu Lhakhang temple, local farm house, and also cover Dumtse Lhakhang temple, known to hold some of the finest murals in the kingdom. Overnight in Paro.

Private Journeys Wind Horse private Journeys in Bhutan are flexible touring based on your interests. With your own private guide and driver, you can visit as much or little, walk instead of driv-ing, so long as the place of stay does not change. On the first day of your arrival, our guide will listen to your interests and try to incorporate them as possible.

Day 6: Paro Valley (Takstang) Our journey in Kingdom culminates with a hike to the most famous pilgrimage site in Bhutan: Taktsang Goempa (tiger’s nest) monastery (at about 3100m/10,100ft). Visible from afar, this magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 1,000 feet above the valley floor, defying logic, gravity, and reason in the quest for spiritual enlightenment. It is one of the most amazing and impor-tant pieces of architecture in Bhutan. If for some reason, some of the members wish to skip hike to Taktsang, our Guide and driver can arrange other interesting alternatives for them. You can also hire pony for the uphill part, till the first view point & cafeteria but you must be able to walk back downhill on return.The steep hike to the first view point or cafeteria (at 2940m/9,650ft) takes between 1-2hrs (ascending about 300m/1,000ft) from the starting point. From here it is another half hour or so to higher spectacular lookout point after ascending another 200m/650ft that puts you eyeball to eyeball with the monastery. From this vantage point, Takstang seems close enough to touch but it is on the far side of deep chasm and takes a knee breaking descent and ascending of another 40 minutes or so to the monastery. While some will probably not make it all the way to the monastery, but even to get to the first view point is really worth all the effort. Upon return from the hike, we may have time to visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong. Farewell dinner. Overnight in the hotel, in Paro valley.

Day 7: Departure After breakfast, transfer to Paro airport in time for your departure flight.

W i n d o w t o B h u t a n

w w w . w i n d h o r s e t o u r s . c o m1 . 8 8 8 . 8 3 . H O R S E ( 4 6 7 7 3 )

O ver 15 years, we have been doing an hon-est business and in that time, we have seen travelers bridging gaps between faiths and

cultures and proving thereby that we live in a small world, a world with both constructive similarities and fascinating differences. For us travel is about ex-perience; the experience of becoming involved with a place and its people and therefore bringing you closer to cultures, cuisines, traditions, natural beauty and change. It is more than a way to unwind oneself, but to discover new places and on the way to discovering oneself. Our small group journeys are created keep-ing these in mind. They are escorted by finest local guides who share our passion and values.

At Wind Horse, we are committed to maintaining our inherent belief in the core values that continue to inspire our being and business today. These core values are to provide legendary customer support, to be honest and to provide competitive price without sacrificing the comfort and quality. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in the culture and daily operation of our offices and field staffs. We expect our staff to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and environments; in the good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sus-tainable development.

WIND HORSE TOURS?

OUR COMPANY

With a small group of fervent guides and travel experts,

Wind Horse Tours was officially launched in Bhutan in 1998. Since then we have expanded cautiously; with office in Minneapolis, followed by operation office in Delhi and Gangtok, Sikkim. We have also recently added Sales and Support team in Phuntsholing, at the border of India and Bhutan, which is also conveniently close to Nepal and Sikkim. With network of offices, our guests receive round-the-clock fanatical support before and during the trip.

As a cost effective measures, we refrain from mass advertising, and instead focus on guest services. We believe in building satisfied customer; that spread word for us. It’s the way we do business, and it has been working for us

Customer Service 24/7 Our commitment to exceptional service means that our CEOs and Top Managers are on standby—24/7. Once you have booked the trip, you will be provided with urgent contact numbers and email addresses of the CEOs and Managers of your trip.

Powered by Caring People...Powered by Service - Since 1998

S ince the inception, the mandate of Wind Horse has been to establish a structural and opera-tion values based within the realm of demo-

cratic framework. We are owned and managed by lo-cal partners, an attempt to devolve and allocate the work to the grassroots level, therefore getting the best out of person and the region. Besides our staffs being well paid, the company also dispenses large portion of proceeds as bonuses which has enabled us to retain and attract the best staffs and guides.In these years, we have realized that “big is not al-ways beautiful” Nor being too small adds too much of value. Plainly speaking, oscillating between two extremes poses serious structural deficiency and therefore following on the middle path, our guests’ highlight that they are glad for the attention to the details and a personalized touch to their trip.One element that cut us above the rest is our zeal to guard our f lexibility in order to meet our guests’ in-terests and needs, at the same time embedding an el-ement of fun and joy in what we do without it being perfunctory.Join us in the odyssey of lifetime in company of pas-sionate guide and caring company for authentic and unforgettable life-changing experience.

OFFICES ♦ Minneapolis, MN, USA ♦ Thimphu, Bhutan ♦ Phuentsholing, Bhutan ♦ Delhi, India ♦ Darjeeling, India

FOR RESERVATIONSWind Horse Holidays, Inc6415 Vincent Ave. SMinneapolis, MN -55423USA

sales@w

indhorsetours.comw

ww.w

indhorsetors.comPhone+ 1 612.869.4949 Fax. 1. 612.861.1996Find our U

K, Australia, India

phone numbers on our w

eb site.

Recognition & Memberships : Wind Horse is consistently recognized by many organizations for leadership and out-standing business practices. We are members with highest rating of Better Bureau of Business, Tourism Council of Bhutan, Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators and In-dian Association of Tour. Operator and many tourism re-lated organizations in the region. We are recommended travel company in the Himalayas, and you will find us listed in all major guide books and travel resources.