National Geographic Buthan / Search for happiness

Starting from 4399Euro per person

Ceļojums ļoti piemērots arī SOLO ceļotājiem (atlikušas 7 vietas)

Set out on an adventure through the remote Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, the only country in the world that measures its progress in terms of happiness. Explore timeless mountain villages, spectacular fortresses, and ornate shrines as you travel across this bastion of Buddhist culture, and meet local people from different walks of life to gain insights into the secrets of Bhutan’s well-being.

SERVICE LEVEL: UPGRADED

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

PHYSICAL RATING: 3 - AVERAGE

Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.

TRIP TYPE: SMALL GROUP

Small group experience; Max 15, avg 10.

AGE REQUIREMENT: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Cenā iekļauts:

• Naktsmītnes - 9 viesnīcas/safari nometnes
• Ēdienreizes - 9 brokastis, 8 pusdienas un 9 vakariņas
• Privāts grupas transports saskaņā ar programmu
• Pavadošais grupas vadītājs – Butānas eksperts un vietējie gidi
• STAGINGS Travel Design personīgās rekomendācijas
• Consultation by an Infectious Diseases Specialist, travel medicine or vaccination specialist.

Cenā nav iekļauts:

• Aviobiļetes uz/no Paro
• Ēdienreizes, kas nav aprakstā
• Vīza Butānā
• Personīgie izdevumi un apdrošināšana
• Programmas pagarināšana ar papildus dienām Butānā

Programma

DAY 1 PARO/THIMPHU

Arrive at any time and transfer to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. Time permitting, take a guided walk around town.

Meals included: Dinner

Accommodations: Namgay Heritage Hotel (or similar)

DAY 2 THIMPHU/PUNAKHA

This morning, meet a Buddhist monk and scholar to discuss Buddhist beliefs and ways of life in Bhutan. Then drive to scenic Punakha, crossing the lofty Dochu La pass and enjoying stunning views of the Himalaya through flickering prayer flags. Settle into your hotel and drive to Lobesa after lunch. From here, hike up to Chimi Lhakhang, a 15th-century monastery dedicated to the Buddhist saint Drukpa Kunley, known as the “Divine Madman.” Learn about his colourful, eccentric life, and witness women devotees who visit the monastery to receive blessings of fertility.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Meet a Buddhist Monk

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Lobesa (or similar)

DAY 3 PUNAKHA

Enjoy a full day of exploration in Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan, happiest country. Visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, or fortress, situated at the confluence of two important rivers. Hike to the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery, a meditation and training center for Buddhist nuns. Then drive to Wangdue Phodrang to discover the town’s dzong. In the afternoon, weave your way through rice terraces and pine forests to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a cheerful temple perched on a picturesque mountain ridge overlooking the Punakha Valley.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Lobesa (or similar)

DAY 4 PUNAKHA/GANGTEY

Travel to the Gangtey Valley—also called Phobjikha Valley—the winter habitat of rare black-necked cranes. If your trip falls between October and February, you’ll have a chance to visit the information center of the Royal So­ciety for Protection of Nature (RSPN) to learn about these graceful, vulnerable birds, which migrate from Tibet to Bhutan every year.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Dewachen (or similar)

DAY 5 GANGTEY

Set out to discover the stunning Gangtey Goempa, one of the oldest Nyingma monasteries in Bhutan. This 17th-century temple recently underwent an elaborate renovation. Afterward, we’ll walk across Phobjikha Valley to Khewa Valley, stopping at an old temple on the way to make an offering. This evening, explore Khewa village and enjoy a cooking demonstration and delicious home-cooked dinner at a family farmhouse.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Family Farm Meal

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Dewachen (or similar)

DAY 6 GANGTEY/THIMPHU

Return to Thimpu and take in the golden splendour of the Buddha Dordenma, a massive Buddha statue that graces a hill overlooking the city. Visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum, an arts and crafts school where we can watch students practicing traditional arts such as woodworking, painting, and ceramics. Later, enjoy a talk on Gross National Happiness, an index used by the Bhutanese to measure the nation’s progress.

Your Journeys Highlight Moment Lecture on Gross National Happiness

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Namgay Heritage Hotel (or similar)

DAY 7 THIMPHU/HAA

This morning, visit the National Memorial Chorten, one of Thimpu’s most recognizable landmarks and a focal point of daily spiritual life. Then venture off the beaten path towards the remote Haa Valley, stopping for a night in charming Haa town. Explore Lhakhang Nagpo, the “black temple,” and Lhakhang Karpo, the “white temple”—two ancient Buddhist shrines which are said to be among the 108 temples built in one day by the seventh century Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Rigsum Resort (or similar)

DAY 8 HAA/PARO

Drive into picturesque Haa Valley by way of the dramatic Chele La pass, one of the highest mountain roads in Bhutan. Hike through thick pine forests to the Kila nunnery, which clings to a rocky cliff. Later, return to Paro and visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful temples. Then head to a local archery ground to watch locals practice Bhutan’s national sport.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Olathang (or similar)

DAY 9 PARO

Today, we embark on a vigorous hike to Bhutan’s most iconic and revered site: the Taktsang Lhakhang or Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched high above the Paro Valley. Visible from afar, this architectural masterpiece straddles a vertical granite cliff 2,000 feet above the valley floor. Later, drive the winding road to Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined fortress that once defended Paro Valley from Tibetan invasions.

Meals included: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Accommodations: Hotel Olathang (or similar)

DAY 10 PARO

Depart at any time. Airport transfer is included.

Meals included: Breakfast

Payment/Cancellation terms 

Deposit

At the time of booking, a non-refundable deposit in the amount of 350.00 Euros per person per Tour is due to the Tour Operator. If the booking is made 60 days or less prior to departure, full payment is due at the time of booking. The non-refundable deposit should be sent to the Tour Operator or authorized agent, as applicable.

For certain products or services offered by the Tour Operator, including TailorMade, alternative deposit terms apply. Deposits paid for TailorMade will not be held as a Lifetime Deposit.

Certain products or services offered by the Tour Operator may require you to make full payment at the time of booking. The Tour Operator will advise you of any such requirements prior to confirmation of the applicable booking.

Lifetime Deposits: If you cancel your booking, and that cancellation is not a result of nonpayment or any other breach of these Terms, the deposit amount will be held as a “Lifetime Deposit” with the Tour Operator, subject to these Terms. Lifetime Deposits have no expiry and may be applied towards payment of a deposit on any other Tour offered by the Tour Operator. The Lifetime Deposit is transferable and may be transferred by you to another individual of your choosing by providing notice to the Tour Operator in writing.

For the avoidance of doubt, only the deposit amount will form part of the Lifetime Deposit. The Lifetime Deposit has no cash value. Only one Lifetime Deposit may be applied per person per product booked. A Lifetime Deposit must be applied to a new Tour booking that is of equal or greater value to the cancelled Tour for which the Lifetime Deposit was originally received. A Lifetime Deposit may not be applied to the same or similar dates of travel.

Payment

The confirmation sent by the Tour Operator or your travel agent will contain details of final payment required for any booking. Payment of the balance of the price for any products or services booked (excluding Expedition (see 29(C) below and Private Travel -- see 29(E) below) is due 60 days before the departure date of the first product or service included in the applicable booking. If full payment is not received by the applicable due date, the Tour Operator may, at its sole discretion, change the rate payable for the booking, or treat the booking as cancelled and retain the deposit paid on booking as a cancellation fee. If a booking is made less than 60 days before the departure date of the first product included in the applicable booking, then the full amount must be paid at the time of booking. If, for any product or service booked, payment terms differ from those outlined in this section, the applicable terms will be communicated to you prior to booking and will also be detailed on the applicable invoice.

The Tour Operator is not responsible for any charges levied by third parties or financial institutions and payable by you as a result of credit card or other payment transactions and will not refund or return any fees charged by third parties or financial institutions in connection with payments made by you to the Tour Operator.

Cancellation by the participant before departure 

You may cancel your booking by notifying the Tour Operator. Cancellation fees, if any, will be determined with reference to the date on which notice of cancellation is received by the Tour Operator and are expressed as a percentage of the total price paid for the cancelled Tour, product or service (excluding any insurance products).

Cancellation of a Tour:

(a) Cancellation received 60 days or more before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the cancelled product will be refunded.

(b) Cancellation received 30-59 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, an amount equal to 50% of the remainder of the payments made to the Tour Operator in respect of the cancelled Tour will be refunded.

(c) Cancellation less than 30 days before departure of first product or service in relevant booking: Lifetime Deposit will be held by the Tour Operator in accordance with these Terms, and no further refund will be payable.

For certain products or services offered by the Tour Operator, including bookings on or related to the Expedition (see 29(C) below and TailorMade (see 29(E) below and Day Tours (see 29(F) below), alternative cancellation terms may apply. The Tour Operator will advise you of any such requirements prior to confirmation of the applicable booking.

Cancellation of Arrival Transfers, Pre and Post Night Accommodations, My Own Room and optional activities booked directly with the Tour Operator:

(a) Cancellation 31 days or more before departure: you will receive a full refund in respect of cancelled Arrival Transfers, Pre and Post Night Accommodations, My Own Room and optional activities.

(b) Cancellation 30 days or less before departure: No refund will be payable in respect of any cancelled Arrival Transfers, Pre and Post Night Accommodations, My Own Room and optional activities.

The cancellation charges above have been calculated as a genuine pre-estimate of the losses the Tour Operator would incur in the event you cancelled your holiday within the stipulated time period, taking into account the charges the Tour Operator will incur from its suppliers (some of which will be up to 100%) and the expected cost savings and income from alternative deployment of the travel services (if possible) calculated as an average charge over a period of time.

Important note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

The Tour Operator will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to the Tour Operator.

Cancellation by You due to Unavoidable & Extraordinary Circumstances You have the right to cancel your confirmed holiday before departure without paying a cancellation charge in the event of “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” occurring at your holiday destination or its immediate vicinity and significantly affecting the performance of the holiday or significantly affecting the transport arrangements to the destination. In these circumstances, the Tour Operator shall provide you with a full refund of the monies you have paid but will not be liable to pay you any additional compensation. Please note that your right to cancel in these circumstances will only apply where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has changed its advice to warn against travel to your destination or its immediate vicinity after the date of your booking. For the purposes of this clause, “unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances” means warfare, acts of terrorism, significant risks to human health such as the outbreak of serious disease at the travel destination or natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes or weather conditions which make it impossible to travel safely to the travel destination.