Bhutan
April 1 - 14, 2024
Overview
Highlights: Scenic, daily walks along trails and through paddies exploring the surreal and spiritual Bhutanese countryside; 7 nights in guesthouses and 4 nights in 5-star hotels in Bhutan; the tri-cities of Paro, Punahka and Thimphu considered the heartland and driving force of the country with its cultural legacies and inspired conservation of the country’s historical past; access to the country’s spiritual heart – its Dzongs (fortified monasteries) that serve as the country’s religious, military, administrative, and social centers; 3 nights in the spiritual Bumthang Valley, the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries; crossing the most scenic and auspicious mountain passes of Dochula (3,116 meters), Pelela (3,370 meters) and Yotongla (3,425 meters); the village of Hurchi that produces traditional woolen fabrics made from mountain sheep; Phobjikha Valley surrounded by pine forests and containing an alpine temperate and subtropical ecosystem suitable for a wide array of flora and fauna including the rare black-necked crane, wild boar, deer, clouded and snow leopard, and the Himalayan black bear; walk through the paddies to Chimi Lakhang or the Temple of the Divine Madman; a full day dedicated to the slow walk along a well graded trail up to Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest, the most famous and iconic monastery in all of the Himalayas. Oasis’ 14-day journey is a kaleidoscope celebration of ancient culture and natural history, and an enriched blessing of spirituality.
With Tour Director & Oasis Founder Richard Koegl
Bhutan is not an ordinary place. It lies along the lofty ridges of the eastern Himalayas, bordered by Tibet to the north and northwest, and by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal and Sikkim. It has one foot in the past and one in the future. Known as ‘Druk Yul’ or the ‘land of the peaceful thunder dragon’, it is arguably one of the most peaceful, serene and magical places left on earth. Not surprisingly, it is still referred to as ‘Shangri-La’ or ‘the Last Place on the Roof of the World.’ Bhutan offers spectacular mountain views, immense scenic beauty and a completely unique culture and lifestyle. It’s a place that allows you to see and experience firsthand a museum of magnificent Buddhist monasteries, intricately carved wooden houses and the fine and diverse crafts of age old tradition. The Bhutanese culture is one of the oldest, most carefully guarded and well preserved in the world, and with its Buddhist tradition of respect and reverence for nature, make it one of the most compelling and unique places in the world. It is the people of this small Kingdom that are the real draw: their revered values and ancient customs are inseparable from the air they breathe. Oasis’ journey will traverse the country in exploration of the authentic, with daily off-the-beaten-track walks highlighting intimate and up close interactions with families and individuals. We will indulge in cultural visits with backdoor access to some of the greatest monuments imaginable. The genuine hospitality of the Bhutanese makes it possible to visit their homes, share their stories, and home cooked meals. We do this all the while by taking our time to savor each moment and fully experience the magic of this very special place.
14 Day Itinerary
Days 1: Delhi
April 1, 2024
Guests arrive independently in Delhi and are transferred a short distance from the airport to the nearby airport hotel for overnight. JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity – Deluxe Rooms
Days 2 – 3: Thimphu
April 2 & 3, 2024
A thrilling Druk Air morning flight through the mountain peaks to Paro, Bhutan, and one hour transfer to Thimphu, the nation’s capital; welcome cocktail reception and trip orientation with Tour Director and Oasis Founder Richard Koegl; Thimphu sightseeing including the National Library, Institute for Zorig Chuseum where students learn the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, National Textile Museum which features a stunning display of ancient and modern textiles, and explores the rich traditions of Bhutan’s national arts of thagzo (weaving) and tshemzo (embroidery); National Memorial Chorten, the Handicrafts Emporium, Tashichhodzong, Thimphu’s grandest building by far, and served as the official seat of the Druk Desi, the head of the secular government that shared power with the religious authorities, from the 18-19th centuries. The dzong was the site of the lavish formal coronation of the fifth king in 2008; drive up the Thimphu Valley to Jigme Dorji National Park, one of Bhutan’s revered wildlife sanctuaries, and home to Cheri Goemba, the first monastery built in 1620 to house the first Bhutanese body of Buddhist monks.
Hotel Peaceful Residency & Spa
Days 4 – 6: Bumthang
April 4, 5 & 6, 2024
A scheduled morning flight east on Druk Air to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Bumthang (“beautiful valley”) is famous for its natural beauty and four valleys that mark the easternmost point of our journey. Among many handicrafts native to the area, Bumthang is renowned for woodcarving – especially masks – and yathra, a form of weaving unique to this part of the country. Visits to many of monasteries including the 1549 built Jakar Dzong, Jambey Lhakhang, built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gembo and believed to be the reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion; Kurje Lhakhang; dyeing plant where varieties of plant products are used to produce natural textile dyes; village water mill where locals still make flour from barley and wheat; full day Tang Valley excursion including a visit to the amazing private museum at Ugyenchoeling Palace which houses artifacts and well-captioned exhibits offering real insight into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family; Ura Village Walk; time to relax and reflect in possibly one of the most serene settings anywhere. Mountain Resort
Days 7 – 8: Gangtey
April 7 & 8, 2024
Head east overland to Hurchi, a village of hand woven woolen fabrics; walk through the mist shrouded forest at Yuto Pass; Trongsa Dzong, the largest fortified monastery in Bhutan and built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River. Established in 1543 by the Drukpa Lama, it is still a major monastic complex with around 200 monks in residence; Ta Dzong watchtower overlooking the entire monastery and housing an excellent museum. The five floors of displays tell the history of the monarchy through such varied treasures as the 500-year-old jacket of Ngagi Wangchuk, the second king’s saddle and a copy of the famous raven crown; Chenbebji Chorten, built in the 19th century and patterned on Swayambhunath Temple in Kathnmandu; Gangtey Goenpa, a 16th century monastic wonder overlooking the lush Phobjikha hills and wetlands; Black-Necked Crane Education Centre and time to wander in Gangtey Village.
Gangtey Lodge – Farmhouse Suites
Days 9 – 10: Punahka
April 9 & 10, 2024
Wangdue Phodrang Dzong and town, founded in 1638 as the country’s second capital; paddy walk to Chimi Lhakhang, the famous temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley, the 15th century Tibetan magician, saint and exponent of ‘crazy wisdom’; walk through terraced paddies, small villages and along well-worn paths to the Khamsun Yeuly Namgyel Temple; the spectacular Punakha Dzong, arguably the most beautiful in the country, especially in spring when the lilac-coloured jacaranda trees bring a lush sensuality to the dzong’s characteristically towering whitewashed walls. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan in 1637 and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s. All of Bhutan’s kings have been crowned here. The dzong is still the winter residence of the official monk body.
Days 11 – 12: Paro
April 11 & 12, 2024
Continue west crossing over the famous Dochu La pass where 108 memorial chortens or stupas have been built; Semtokha Dzong or “Palace of the Profound Meaning of Secret Mantras”, built in 1629 by the man who unified Bhutan; Paro’s Kyichu Lhakhang, Rinopung Dzong, archery ground, and National Museum; final walk along a well-worn trail up to Taktsang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest. Miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 meters above Paro, it is the most famous and iconic monastery in all of the Himalayas.
Como Uma Paro – Valley View Rooms
Days 13: Paro / Delhi
April 13, 2024
Morning schedule Druk Air flight to Delhi, and short transfer to the JW Marriott Airport Hotel. Return to airport for evening flights homebound or early morning April 14th.
Day 14: Departure Delhi
April 14, 2024
Tour Fees Include
13 nights’ accommodation as indicated and available; full breakfast daily, 11 lunches & 11 dinners with bottled water provided at all included meals; Welcome and Farewell Cocktail Receptions; all sightseeing, entrance fees to the monuments, museums, and temples while sightseeing; arrival and departure transfers and sightseeing by private car and motorcoach with professional English-speaking local guide throughout including bottled water while on excursion; baggage handling, taxes, service charges and gratuities to all local guides, drivers, representatives, and porters; Government Royalty and Tourism fees & taxes; Bhutan tourist visa fees; services of Tour Director Richard Koegl; Oasis pre-departure and final documents information.
Not Included:
International airfare to / from India; India tourist visa fees; non-medical / accident + health / baggage / cancellation insurances; baggage overage costs on domestic air flights if applicable; anything not mentioned in inclusions; any items of a personal nature.
Tour Fees
US$10,675.00. Estimated land cost based on minimum 8 guests in shared accommodation.
US$1,390.00. Domestic air flights on Druk Air in business class including departure taxes on the following sectors: Delhi / Paro / Delhi, Paro / Bumthang. Due to the instability and fluctuation of fuel costs, fuel surcharges and rates on domestic air flights are subject to increase until ticket issuance.
US$1,755.00. Single Supplement.
Trip Health Insurance is mandatory for this journey: Call Kathii Benn at 416 934-0994 extension 4 for a health & cancellation insurance quotation.
**Reserve your spot now to ensure participation in this exclusive journey**
Accommodations
Most guesthouses in Bhutan are of a similar comfort and standard and are often built in classical Bhutanese style. These accommodations offer rare family hospitably while experiencing the unique and traditional Bhutanese lifestyle. We will be staying 7 nights in the best, hand-picked 3-star guesthouses in Thimphu, Bumthang and Punahka. We will also be staying 4 nights in two luxury 5-star accommodations, in Gangtey and Paro – our last hotel in Bhutan. The subtle and understated luxury of 5-star hotels now offered in Bhutan provide a unique and sumptuous refuge of contrasts, properties that blend harmoniously into the environment. They are authentic, sustainable and leave a low carbon footprint. Both styles of accommodations embody the spiritual, natural world around them.
Delhi: JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity – Deluxe Rooms.
The JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity is a 5-star hotel situated 2 ½ kilometres from Delhi airport. It offers 511 stylish accommodations where guestroom are outfitted with indulgent bedding, mini-bars, marble bathrooms, ample workstations, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. Besides the requisite restaurants and bars, the hotel offers the sumptuous Quan Spa, a heated outdoor swimming pool and modern fitness center.
Thimphu: Hotel Peaceful Residency & Spa
Construction on the Hotel Peaceful Residency & Spa began in 2018, but because of pandemic restrictions, just opened in September 2022. This family run, premium 3-star guesthouse is situated in the blue pine forest in the upper reaches of Thimphu Valley, near the Takin Reserve Centre. There are 22 rooms and a spa that features two treatment rooms and two steam rooms. There is an excellent family-run restaurant and bar, and complimentary WiFi. Guestrooms have soundproof windows, spacious en suite facilities, cable TV, and a safe.
Gangtey: Gangtey Goenpa Lodge
The Gangtey Goenpa Lodge is a wood-and-stone 2013-built 5-star construction situated on a hill top with sweeping views over the entire Gangte Valley. The 12 room lodge has warm and welcoming suites all with in-room fireplaces. There is laundry service and complimentary WiFi.
Punahka: Dhumra Farm Resort
Dhumra Farm Resort is a pioneering 3-star farm guesthouse focusing on high-end agro-tourism. Their philosophy is to offer guests a window into a traditional, Bhutanese rustic home, and who want a peaceful setting with the highest standard of cleanliness and safety. The resort is situated on a hill overlooking Punahka Dzong. Guestrooms are spacious and comfortable. No TV but a kitchen that offers organic food mostly grown on the farm.
Paro: Como Uma Paro
Just 10 minutes from Bhutan’s main airport, the 29-room 5-star Como Uma Paro perches proudly on a Himalayan mountainside, flanked by thick pine forest with views over laid-back Paro town. One of the remote kingdom’s only boutique hotels, it offers elegant interiors, amazing food with locally sourced produce, and mind-bendingly scenery in all directions. The hotel’s quiet, compact pool is set into a chic stone-walled space with windows looking out over the pine-clad valley of Paro. The excellent Como Shambhala spa is set apart from the main lodge, encircled by forest. There’s an Ayurvedic focus, and the signature Traditional Bath, warmed with hot, mineral-rich stones and chased up with a massage, is worth climbing Tiger’s Nest for! Guestrooms have a TV, DVD player, minibar, and complimentary WiFi.
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