Come and experience the wildlife on offer, 56 species of mammals including the one horned rhinoceros, Bengal tiger, leopard, sloth bear, wild elephant, striped hyena, Gang tic dolphin and wild bison.
The best quality bargains available in Nepal with a wide choice of outlets to include carpets, trekking equipment, gems, jewellery, shoes, Pashmina, Mandalas (Thankas), Gurkha Khukuri Knives, wooden carvings, custom made suits and gifts.
Want to be in camera range of the highest peaks in the world, fly above the clouds, over glaciers, lakes, rivers while cruising so close to the awe-inspiring massifs of rock and ice an out-of-this world experience.
Rafting is inarguably the best way of exploring and experiencing Nepal’s natural thrill with rivers crashing down through the foothills providing the best white water rapids with many exciting moments.
Punakha Domchoe 2008 - 7 Days.
The highlight of this tour is the Punakha festival consisting of typical masked dances which are very colourful and interesting, the events and enactments are different on each day. Punakha Dromchoe is a five day long festival dedicated to the goddess Mahakala. The religious aspects are performed in the same manner as in early times. On the last day, a play of warriors going off to war is enacted.
The contrast between the climate and vegetation in Punakha at 1,800 metres and Thimphu and Paro valleys at 2,400metres will be clearly felt as you spend a few days in Paro at the beginning of your trip and a few days in the capital city, Thimphu, at the end of the tour. In Paro you will visit the dzong, the museum, temples and farmhouses. The excursion to Taktsang Monastry is well worth the effort it is classed as Paro’s most famous and most deeply revered religious site. In Thimphu, you will spend a full day of sightseeing.
Itinerary in Details
February 11 - Arrival at Paro Airport. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel to settle in. After the formalities we take a short drive to Paro town to stroll through Bazaar. We visit the Ta Dzong which houses the National Museum and visit Paro’s Rimpung Dzong , on the way down we cross the 16th century cantilever bridge. Also visiting the Drugyel Dzong victory fortress, built in 1647 which is 18 kilometers from the Paro town. Explore the magnificent ramparts of the erstwhile fortress which defended the country against several incursions. On a clear day one can also view the sacred Mount Jomolhari, from the northern battlements. We take a visit to a farm house and observe the traditional Bhutanese way of life & living. Overnight at hotel.
February 12- Scenic drive from Paro to Thimphu. Early morning we take a scenic drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, approx 90 mins drive from Paro. Sightseeing in and around Thimphu valley we visit the National Library, which holds a collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, as well as the institute for Zorig Chusum commonly known as Painting School, textile and Folk Heritage Museum which provides an insight into Bhutanese material culture and everyday way of life. Also visiting the National Memorial Chorten, Trashichho dzong an impressive monastery, Bhutanese Handicrafts displaying a wide range of beautifully hand-woven textiles and craft products. In the evening we explore the vibrant Thimphu Bazaar. Overnight at hotel.
February 13- Drive from Thimphu to Punakha. Driving about 3 hours, leaving Thimphu the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges on a clear day. You will see Rhododendrons, Magnolias, Junipers and pine forests with chirping sounds of the many rare species of birds found in Bhutan. We then drive onto Lobesa where you take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is on a hill top and it is dedicated to the great Yogi known as Drukpa Kuenley or popularly known as “Divine madman” of the 14th century. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. Overnight at hotel.
February 14- Festival activities in Punakha. Enjoy the festival of Punakha Domchoe. Overnight at hotel.
February 15- Punakha Morning hike to Khamsum Yulay Namgyel. A temple built by the queen mother of Bhutan for peace and harmony best exemplifies the representation of Bhutans unique arts, crafts & architecture. This afternoon enjoy the festival of Punakha Domchoe. Overnight at hotel.
February 16- Sightseeing in and around Paro. Excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tigers Nest).The trail to the monastery climbs through beautiful Pine and rhododendron forests. We stop at the tea house for rest and refreshments ,the tea house offers magnificent up close view of the tigers nest and continue the hike for short while until you see, clearly and seemingly within reach, the imposing Taktsang monastery. Built in 1600s, this incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. History states that Guru Padmasambhava, the Tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, landed here on the back of a flying tiger and meditated here for three months. It is regarded to be one of the most venerated cultural heritage sites in Bhutan. People from all over the Himalayan Diaspora frequent this place on the pilgrimage trail to Bhutan. Overnight at hotel.
February 17- Transfer to international airport for your final departure. After breakfast our Airport Representative will drop you to the Paro International Airport for your flight departure from Bhutan.
NOTE: The above information is a guide and standard template of what we provide. The tour can be customized at your request to accommodate your specific requirements.
Upon booking any festival holidays in Bhutan please allow at least 40 days as the Bhutanese government has strict Tourism policies. Please see our Visitor Facts for more information.
Trip cost as per above program
Group Size
1 (Solo Trip)
2 – 5
6 - 9
10 - 15
Cost per person in USD
1820.00
1710.00
1610.00
1435.00
Cost per person in GBP
1008.00
950.00
890.00
795.00
Cost per person in EURO
1505.00
1415.00
1330.00
1190.00
Cost per person in AUD
2425.00
2280.00
2145.00
1915.00
Single Supplementary (if require) US$ 180, GBP 100, EURO 150, AUD 240 per person
Please contact us for Druk Air Flight booking
The above cost Includes
1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & drop by private car / van / bus (all airport transfers).
2. Standard government approved accommodation (in twin share rooms) for the duration of tour.
3. Service of licensed English speaking Bhutanese Tour Guides.
4. All sightseeing tours, Monument /Museum, Festival events entrance Fees as per itinerary.
5. All meals fixed breakfast, lunch & dinner with Tea and Coffee for whole duration of your stay in Bhutan.
6. Country Presentation & Tour Briefing on Day 1 evening with welcome drinks.
7. Cultural afternoon/evening consisting of traditional mask dances & folk dances (with beverages) ~ For Group Tours
8. Mineral water supply for the trek or tour.
9. Government Royalty (which is 35% of $200) this goes to the country's health & education projects.
10. Private Transport & Driver within Bhutan. (Imported Prado’s, Micro Buses & Toyota Coaster Buses)
11. Toyota 4 X 4 luggage vans & light trucks for group travel
12. All our government taxes.
13. Tourist service charge, vat.
14. Official expense.
15. Bhutan Visa Fees and Visa Processing assistance
The above cost Excludes
1. Bottled/alcoholic/cold drinks, room service and al a cart meals.
2. Your travel insurance (compulsory).
3. International airfares and airport departure tax.
4. Photography charges (if and when applicable).
5. Items of a personal nature such as laundry.
6. Personal Equipment.
7. Tips to guides, restaurants, hotel lobby. (Tipping is expected.)
8. Any others expenses which are not mentioned on Price Includes section.
Frequently Asked Questions for Punakha Domchoe
Q. What type of shape do I need to be in, is this trip for me? A. This tour is suitable for anybody that is moderately fit and in good health condition. Persons suffering from a pre-existing medical condition must seek medical consent/advice before considering this tour.
Q. What sort of accommodation can I expect during the tour? A. Hotels vary in style and quality. All Government approved hotels are clean and well maintained with hot and cool water, telephones with international dialing and fax facilities.
Q. What sort of food can I expect in tour? A. Most of the restaurants serve Bhutanese, Indian, Chinese and Continental cuisine always plenty to choose from.
Q. What sort of transportation you use? A. We use comfortable and reliable Japanese Toyota SUV's, micro-buses and coaches to transport our guests. The cost of transport is already included in the daily tour cost. All our drivers are licensed by the Road surface transport authority (RSTA). Our vehicles are also certified and inspected by the RSTA frequently to comply with the road worthiness and safety standards. The guests will have a vehicle, guide and driver at their disposal at all times.
Q. What is the best season for this tour? A. As the Punakha Domchoe tour is festival related you can only see this once in a year (February) for this particular festival.
Q. What is the weather & temperature like? A. During the days the weather can range from 15 to 24, but at night it is generally cooler. It is also important to make sure that you can stay warm and dry in just about any conditions. Expect the unexpected! The temperature could be as high as 24 degrees C during the day to 2 degrees C low at night.
Q. Can I charge my digital camera or other batteries on my trip? A. These facilities are available in most of the hotels. Remember to bring your adapters!
Q. Is there any Photography restrictions? A. You will have many photo opportunities please ask if it is ok to take someones photo. Photography in, monasteries, shrine rooms of dzongs and religious institutions is generally not permitted but outdoor photography is permitted. To be sure when visiting such places, you may ask your guide.
Q. Can I use credit cards in the places visit in tour? A. In Bhutan there are no ATM machines for the use of credit or debit cards, you are required to bring travelers cheques or cash.
Q. Is the water OK to drink? Do I need to bring purifying tablets/filter? A We provide you mineral water whiles your stay in Bhutan which is 100% safe to drink.
Q. Are the Ace the Himalaya Agency's staff insured? A. Our company insures all our trekking staff, including guide, cook, sherpa and porters. Please, Click on LEGAL DOCUMENT page (Company) to view insurance details.
The above cost Includes
