Bhutan Vacations
There is a reason why Bhutan is considered among the happiest countries in the world. If you are looking for peace of mind, you need to check out Bhutan travel packages. The tranquil little nation nestled among the breathtaking Himalayas is perfect for those seeking a summer holiday escape.
When it comes to nature, Bhutan has always been at the forefront. In fact, the government has made protecting the environment one of its biggest priorities. So, expect to see a lot of greenery throughout this tiny South Asian country. The Bhutan travel packages will take you along snow capped mountains and even blissful monasteries for a dose of positivity in your life.
Speaking of Bhutan travel packages, let us take you through some interesting facts. Did you know Bhutan only opened its doors to tourism in the 1960s? And ever since, the kingdom has now become one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world. Bhutan is fondly known as the Land of the Thunder Dragon. The reason for that nickname is not dragons but the fierce storms that occur in the Himalayas. The landlocked country is also quite small in size. For reference, it is only about half the size of Indiana.
If you are still unsure about your vacations, look no further than the Bhutan travel packages that promise to be an incredible getaway tucked away in the lush green forests and snowy mountains.
Vacations
Find more Vacations
These related tours can be tailored to perfectly suit your unique travel style.
The Must-have Dishes on Your Bhutanese Food Platter
Food or love? Obviously love for food. What's the best you can have when you are in Bhutan? No! We are not talking about the amazing traveling experience you will be having here but the food here must be on your bucket list for Bhutan vacation.
Your To- Do List For Your Bhutan Vacation
Bhutan vacation packages are a bundle of everything one wants to do on their vacation. One can never get back an empty hand from Bhutan.
Festivals Of Bhutan To Look Out This Year 2020
Experience a gala of Buddhists festivals if you are planning to spend your vacation in Bhutan. Most of the festivals are dedicated to Guru Rimpoche, one who is considered to be the pioneer of Buddhism here.
Explore Bhutan Vacation 2022 | Best Time To Visit | Top Places
Snuggled perfectly in the arms of Eastern Himalaya, Bhutan is one beautiful country located between Bhutan & China. Though, unimaginably beautiful, this small yet fascinating kingdom was not known to the outside world for the last many years. It was only in the 1960s that the Buddhist kingdom opened its arms to the outside world and became one of the most sought-after travel destinations.
Over the years, Bhutan has developed a unique charm with the perfect blend of great work towards the preservation of natural assets & making modern developments in all the sectors. Tourism is one of those sectors that had shown a great leap forward in terms of preservation of the tourist sites. If you are looking for Bhutan vacation packages then it’s undoubtedly one of the best decisions ever. But, before moving forward with this, you must be aware of certain aspects of the place. For your ease, we have created this list. Let Discover:
Location: Located in South Asia, Bhutan is a small nation that is particularly known among tourists for its idiosyncratic culture & tradition. The out-of-the-world location of the country between two bewitchingly beautiful nations Bhutan & China.
Visa Requirements: All other countries except for Maldivians, Bhutan's & Bangladeshians need a visa to enter the country. Maldivians, Bhutan's & Bangladeshians need just a visa with a minimum validity of six-months to fly across the borders of Bhutan.
A Brief History of Bhutan: It was around 4000 years back that the country was actually inhabited. Much archeological evidence indicates the settlement of Bhutan in around 2000 to 1500 BC. The main religion in Bhutan before Buddhism arrived was Bonism.
Language, Culture, and People: Dzongkha is the national language of Bhutan, which literally means “the language of the fort”. Each of the ethnic groups in Bhutan is separate and the reason is its difficult topography.
To discover more about this enchanting land, look for some of the best Bhutan vacation packages and make your dream come true.
If you are looking for your dream vacation in the hills then Bhutan, the Himalayan Kingdom is one of the best options ever. All laden with the extremely educating Buddhist culture & history, the place is truly a heaven on Earth. Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan is a part of the country, where one can witness the real charm of Bhutan its way of life. Occupying a valley, Thimpu is beautifully located in the western part of the country. There’s an unimaginably great variety of things to do in Bhutan with its plenty of monasteries, Buddhist sites & museums.
For the convenience of travelers, we have jotted down a list of some of the most top things to do in Bhutan and other parts of the country. Here we go:
1. National Library of Bhutan
Location: Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu, Bhutan
Timings: Monday to Friday (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
Entry fee: No charge
The National Library was built in 1967 in order to protect the ancient texts of Tibet & Dzongkha. It is the traditional dzong-like architecture of the building that attracts tourists from around the globe. In addition to that, the entire library is all laden with many significant scriptures that bring around positive vibes wrapped in clothes & stacked in clothes. And, there are plenty of pictures of reverberating stories from the past. On the top floor of the building, there are a copy of the preserved letters sent from the secular ruler to the British army in 1783. The sole purpose of creating this library was to preserve the ancient text. If you are planning for the best Bhutan vacation packages then make sure that it includes a visit to the National Library of Bhutan in its itinerary.
2. Trashi Chho Dzong
Location: On the bank of River Wang Chhu in the vicinity of Thimpu.
Timings: Saturday to Sunday: 9: AM to 5:00 PM
Friday to Sunday: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Entry fee: 300 NU
The site is also known as Thimphu Dzong and is one of the places that none of the well-planned Bhutan vacation packages can miss. Interestingly, the gigantic & beautiful fort serves as one of the most sought-after places to visit in the country. Although, it is not the original structure, as it has been destroyed around five times in the fire.
It is important to understand that since 1952, it has been the seat of Government. It presently houses the office of the king & the throne room, house of the ministries of home affairs, finance & home affairs. Also, in the vicinity of the building, the other government offices are located. The huge gardens and the well-structured lawns can sweep anyone off their feet. And, its beautiful location on the bank of the Wang Chhu River in the vicinity of Thimphu Town is altogether making it a travel destination that you cannot miss.
3. Rinpung Dzong
Location: Paro, Bhutan
Key attractions: Temples & Shrines
Opening hours: November - February: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Everyday)
March - October: 8:00 AM to 4:40 PM
Entry Fees: Free
Built-in the 16th century, this is one of the most beautiful structures in the country! Showcasing the architecture of the country most in the most interesting way, the fortress located on the heap of jewels is one interesting thing to see in Bhutan. It's impeccably fascinating evidence of the Bhutanese architecture and if you want to dive deeper into its charm look for the Bhutan vacation packages that include Rinpung Dzong in its itinerary. In addition to this, you will get this opportunity to see any temples & shrines including the protector’s shrine, Monk’s assembly hall, Kungarwa, Sandalwood stupa, and more. If you are visiting the temple during the festive season then this vacation is going to be way more interesting.
4. Weekend Market
Location: On the banks of River Wang Chhu, Thimphu
Opening hours: Only Saturday & Sunday (7:00 AM to 8:00 PM)
Entry Fees: N/A
This market is held on the banks of River Wang Chhu on the weekends. It is only on Thursday that shopkeepers from the neighboring cities & Thimpu, the capital city started coming to the city to set up their stalls in the market. If you really are visiting the country dive deeper into the culture, traditions & food then “The Weekend Market” is one of the best places to go for. From the local vendors, you could be picking some herbs, incense & saffron. And, you would get an opportunity to taste the local food including fish pork, red rice, wild honey, cheese. From the Handicraft Markets, souvenirs are very easily available. The place truly is a heaven for creative people!
5. National Memorial Chorten
Location: Thimphu (Chhoten Lam)
Opening hours: every day (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
Entry Fees: 300 Ngultrum/person.
There’s a special discount on producing a student ID card.
Without any doubt, the National Memorial Chorten is one of the best places to visit in Bhutan. For most natives of Bhutan, this place is quite a daily place of worship. Don’t worry, you will be educated about the Memorial with most of the Bhutan vacation packages. The structure is particularly known for its golden tiered roofs and whitewashed walls. It is built in the memory of Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third Bhutanese king, and mostly in the Tibetan style. The people have Bhutan consider one of their places of worship and everyday kids, elderlies & other people bow down their heads here. There are murals & manuals that look beautiful! Also, there are huge red-colored prayer wheels where people meditate every day.
The most ideal time when you can look for Bhutan vacation packages is between October to December! During this time, the air looks fresh & clear with the sky looking sunny overall. The colder months are January & February. After that, it starts becoming dry & pleasant and it remains the same till April. During late spring, the valley looks all laden with vibrant beautiful colors. From the month of May, the valley becomes all humid & hot. Later on, from June to September, there’s rain all through the mountains. It’s great visiting the Phobjikha Valley if you want to see the unique black-necked cranes and that’s best between late October to mid-February.
Although the best seasons to visit Bhutan are Autumn & spring however, planning vacations winter & summer have their own pros and cons. To help you understand the best time to visit Bhutan in more details you can refer to the table below. Let’s explore:
|
Season |
Month |
Festivals |
|
Spring |
March, April, May |
Gomkora (Festival in Trashigang) |
|
Fall |
September, October, November |
Black-Necked Crane Festival & Thimphu Tshechu |
|
Summer |
June, July, August |
Nimalung Tshechu |
|
Winter |
December, January, February |
Punakha Dromche & shechu |
We have prepared this list of upcoming events that you can add to your list before finalizing best from the best of Bhutan vacation packages. Here are the upcoming events for your upcoming Bhutan vacation:
Events to take place in 2020 in Bhutan:
- 4th April to 8th April: Paro Tshechu
- 4th May to 8th May: Ura Yakchoe
- 30th June to 1st July: Nimalung Festival
Landlocked between the Himalayas, Bhutan is one of the Asian countries that has not that popular among travelers. It has its own unique tourism environment! There’s a unique story of tourism in Bhutan making a strong emphasis on the atmosphere created around. In an endeavor to keep the surrounding flourishing, the number of people visiting the country is limited.
There is an unimaginably great number of places to visit in Bhutan. Most of the tourist places are located in the central & western parts of the country and mostly in the popular cities of Punakha, Thimphu, and Paro. You will discover plenty of cultural sites, Buddhist sites & the Himalayan trekking sites. We have created this comprehensive list of the top sites to visit on your Bhutan vacation.
Thimphu - Bhutan’s Capital City
Thimphu is the largest city & the modern capital of Bhutan! Located in western Bhutan, Thimphu attracts thousands of tourists every year. Thimphu have had taken the place of Punakha, which used to be the ancient capital of Bhutan in 1955.
Although, you will not get to see a very vibrant nightlife in Thimphu yet it is on a rapidly growing to become the cultural center of Bhutan. And, most of the artisans of the country reside here in Bhutan.
Important Tourist Sites of Thimphu: The unique Motithang Takin Nature Preserve! The wildlife area has been built to protect the national animal of the country, Takin. The wildlife reserve was built after the Government of Bhutan identified that it is a sin for a Buddhist nation to imprison animals.
Other areas of interest for tourists in Thimphu: National Library of Bhutan, Changangkha Lhakhang, National Memorial Chorten, National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Weekend Market, Dechen Phodrang, and more.
Paro - Beautiful valley
Paro is one of the cities in Bhutan that houses some of the most beautiful temples & monasteries. Paro is truly a heaven and is the hub for traveling through the country. Paro is the second-largest city and the only International Airport is located in the city. Therefore, even if it's not included in the Bhutan vacation packages you have shortlisted, you are going to get a glimpse of the city. It’s particularly the wealth of monasteries & the temples that make the place one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Bhutan.
Most popular tourist Destination in Paro: The Taktsang monastery (or, the Tiger’s Nest Monastery). This is believed to be the place where Padmasambhava landed on his odyssey to spread the teachings of Buddhism. While it is not an easy trek, however worth climbing up on the hills.
Other places to visit in Paro: Rinpung Dzong, Zuri Dzong Fort, Dasho Nishioka Chorten Museum, Kyichu Lakhang, Dzongdrakha Goemba, Kyichu Lakhang, Zuri Dzong Fort, Paro Weekend Market, and more.
Punakha - the capital of Bhutan (former)
Punakha City once used to be the capital city of Bhutan until 1955! With its beautiful location at a height of 4265 feet, Punakha makes for one of the most magical locations for travel enthusiasts. Its charismatic location, beautiful sites, it will definitely bring out the hidden traveler within you. You have unimaginably plenty of things to do in the valley - Just soak in the fascinating beauty of the valley or enjoy the wonderful view of the Himalayas, or take time to listen to the wonderful sound of the Rivers Po Chhu & Mo Chhu - every bit of it has something that is hard to find anywhere else.
Most popular tourist Destinations in Paro: Punakha Dzong, Chimi Lhakhang, Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Ritsha Village, and Talo.
Wangdue Phodrang - Bhutan’s Beauty
Wangdue Phodrang district located in the central part of Bhutan is another impeccably clean & beautiful tourist destination in the country. There’s an interesting story on how it got its name! It was in the year 1638 when Ngawang Namgyal, the first Zhabdrung Rinpoche was found playing near the River. The place particularly one of the most popular destinations among the trekkers. In particular, those Bhutan vacation packages that are designed for trekkers include Wangdue Phodrang in their itinerary. The Phobjikha Valley is the most sought-after area among tourists. In addition to that, there are other spots to visit with respect to tourism - there is the Gangtey Monastery, which is one of the best monasteries in the country.
Top Tourist Attractions Wangdue Phodrang: Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, Army Training Centre, Radak Neykhang, Archery Ground, Eight Chortens, and more.
Bumthang - Buddhist Guru Pema Lingpa’s Home
The Bumthang valley is the home to some of the best monasteries & Buddhist temples. For the serenity it spreads around, the valley is also known as the “spiritual heartland of Bhutan”. In addition to this, Bumthang is also known for being the producer of apples, honey, woolen materials, and cheese. For the beauty, serenity, and the magic that Bumthang spreads, it is also known as the Switzerland of the East. Although most people consider spending most part of their tour in Paro and Thimphu, if you really want to sink in the spirituality of Buddhism then going to Bumthang is worth it. And there are plenty of tourist spots to visit on your Bhutan vacation.
Top Tourist Attractions in Bumthang: Jakar Dzong, Ura Valley, Wild East Rodung La Trek, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurje Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, Mebar Tsho, and more.
The Best Bhutan Vacation Packages
7 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - The Cultural Tour of Bhutan
Destinations: Paro, Thimphu, Wangduephodrang & Punakha.
Minimum Price: $1234
Maximum Price: $1398
Vacation Duration: 7 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Arriving in Paro.
-
Going on sightseeing in Thimphu.
-
On the way to Wangduephodrang at Dochu enjoy a magical view of the Himalayas.
-
Visit Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan.
-
Take a rejuvenating walk at the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang at Metshina Village in Punakha.
-
Visit Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monaster, in Paro.
-
And, there’s much more to do with all of such Bhutan vacation packages.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
10 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - A Comprehensive Tour of Bhutan
Destinations: Thimphu, Punakha, Trongsa, Bumthang, Wangdue & Gangtey.
Minimum Price: $1834
Maximum Price: $1967
Vacation Duration: 10 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Explore the Himalayas Kingdom of Bhutan.
-
Enjoy a short hike to Chimi La Khang.
-
Discover the monasteries & temples of Thimphu, Punakha & Paro.
-
Explore the incredible cliff-hanging monastery (or, Tiger’s Nest).
-
Know about Bhutanese history through ancient weapons, handicrafts, and costumes in and around Paro.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
5 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Thimphu & Paro
Destinations: Thimphu & Paro
Minimum Price: $1178
Maximum Price: $1345
Vacation Duration: 5 Days
Activities on the Trip:
- Explore the city of Paro with most of such Bhutan vacation packages.
-
Explore the city of Paro.
-
Discover how Buddhism got spread in Bhutan and what is it all about.
-
Sightseeing tour of Paro (visit Dungtse Lhakhang, Kichu Lhakhang, and the National Museum of Bhutan).
-
Travel to Thimphu. Hike through the Tiger’s Nest.
-
Visit the folk heritage museum, a paper-making factory, the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, and more in Thimphu.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
7 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Discover the Three Jewels of Bhutan
Destinations: Paro, Thimphu & Punakha
Minimum Price: $1167
Maximum Price: $1319
Vacation Duration: 7 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Get a spectacular look at the Himalayas while driving through the Dochula Pass.
-
Explore Chimi Lhakhang which is also called the Temple of fertility.
-
Visit Punakha Dzong.
-
Visit the popular Tiger's Nest Monastery.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
10 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Punakha Trek
Destinations: Paro, Thimphu, Shong Pang, Dopshing Pang, Zomlingthang & more.
Minimum Price: $2678
Maximum Price: $2823
Vacation Duration: 10 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Trek through Tiger's Nest monastery.
-
Visit Simtokha Dzong, the ancient fortress in Thimphu.
-
Visit Dechencholing Palace.
-
Trek through Chorten Ningpo.
-
Traverse dense forests, rice fields, and the passing villages.
-
Visit Limukha & Chungsaka.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
10 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - An Adventure Trip of Bhutan
Destinations: Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, Punakha
Minimum Price: $2834
Maximum Price: $2989
Vacation Duration: 10 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Discover the charm of the masticating yourself culturally at one of the local farms.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
8 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Discover the Wonders of Bhutan
Destinations: Thimphu, Gangtey Gonpa & Punakha.
Minimum Price: $2798
Maximum Price: $2890
Vacation Duration: 8 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Meet and enjoy a lecture with a monk. Sink in the Bhutanese culture.
-
Meet a local farm family and learn to cook ema datshi.
-
Hiking through the tranquil fascinating cliffs & nature trails.
-
Discover the charm of shrines & the beautiful mountain village.
-
Visit the Taktsang Monastery.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
8 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Discover the Best of Bhutan
Destinations: Paro, Punakha & Thimphu.
Minimum Price: $1798
Maximum Price: $1899
Vacation Duration: 8 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Hike through Paro Taktsang (or the Tiger's Nest).
-
Sightseeing tour of Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
-
Savor the breathtakingly beautiful scenery of the Himalayas.
-
The DochuLa Pass.
-
Learn about the story of Buddhism & how it blossomed in Bhutan.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
10 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Scenic Tour of Bhutan
Destinations: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha
Minimum Price: $2001
Maximum Price: $2132
Vacation Duration: 10 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Hiking through the Tiger’s Nest.
-
Visit Punakha, Paro & Thimphu.
-
See the 108 stupas 7 visit the Dochula Pass.
-
Discover the ancient monasteries, temples or fortresses.
-
Visit the Ta Dzong, Memorial Chorten, the 12th-century Changangkha Temple & more.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
10 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Nepal & Bhutan Tour
Destinations: Nepal & Bhutan
Minimum Price: $1789
Maximum Price: $1987
Vacation Duration: 10 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Discover the culture of Nepal & Bhutan.
-
Experience watching the spectacular sunrise from Nagarkot.
-
Hike through the Taktsang Monastery.
-
Visit the UNESCO Heritage sites of Bhutan & Nepal.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
15 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Mystical Tour of Bhutan & India
Destinations: Bhutan & India
Minimum Price: $4821
Maximum Price: $4453
Vacation Duration: 15 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Tour starts in Paro & ends in Guwahati.
-
Visit Paro, Bumthang, Samdrup Jongkhar, and more through India & Bhutan.
-
Discover the magical charm of the Himalayas, Dzongs, and Dragons.
-
Visit the ancient monasteries & medieval fortresses.
-
Learn about the local history of Bhutan in Paro.
-
Meet deeply spiritual people and experience their mysticism.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
15 Days Bhutan Vacation Package - Bhutan & the Jambay Lhakhang Festival
Destinations: Bhutan
Minimum Price: $3999
Maximum Price: $4341
Vacation Duration: 15 Days
Activities on the Trip:
-
Experience the vibrant festival of Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang.
-
Visit the ancient monasteries & dzongs including the Tiger’s Nest.
-
Explore the city of Bumthang located in the cultural heart of Bhutan.
-
Experience the beautiful view of Chomolhari, which is one of the most sacred mountains of the country located at a height of 7326 m.
Hotel Type: 4-star to 5-star
Payment mode: Cash/Card Payment
Leisure.com is an online travel planning website that works dedicatedly towards helping people with their Bhutan vacation packages and in other parts of the world. The US-based website meticulously assesses travel agents from different parts of the country and then they are listed together to help people who want to travel. Leisure with its realistic & deeply studied approach brings together travel agents & ardent travelers who are actually in search of each other. The US-based travel planning website establishes its credibility with its transparent method of assessing the travel agents. It also helps travelers with travel packages giving an overall idea of cost and everything else associated with the vacation. Leisure gives all kinds of assistance to its clients including 24/7 customer care service till the end of the trip, guides in remote areas, tour managers, and more. And, travelers are helped with air ticketing, hotel booking, activities on vacation, visa requirements, and more. At Leisure, we help with everything from the trivial to the bigger requirements of the travelers. Show your trust in our service and we will make sure to help with your dream trip ever.
