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Bus, Airlines
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3 Stars Hotels
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5,416 metres
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Paro Airport
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Feb, Mar, Apr & May
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Eco-Tour, Hiking
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All meals during the trek
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English, Spanish, French, Chinese
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Easy to Moderate
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2-15
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12
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65
Overview
Experience the highlights of Bhutan in a memorable journey through Thimphu, Punakha, and Paro. Discover magnificent dzongs, vibrant local crafts, breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, and the spiritual wonder of Tiger’s Nest, complemented by Bhutanese culture and warm hospitality.
Highlights
- Discover the giant Buddha Dordenma, vibrant Craft Bazaar, National Textile Museum, and majestic Tashichho Dzong.
- Enjoy Himalayan views at Dochula Pass and explore the historic Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.
- Stroll through the charming ancient market and experience the timeless beauty of Paro Valley.
- Hike to the iconic Taktsang Monastery, dramatically perched on a cliff and steeped in sacred legends.
- Unwind with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath after your Himalayan adventure.
Itinerary
Fly into Paro by DrukAir or Bhutan Airlines, where you will be welcomed by a representative from Bhutan Travel Services after completing immigration and customs formalities. Continue to Thimphu, check into your hotel, and enjoy some refreshments before exploring the city.
Visit Kuensel Phodrang, home to Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue overlooking the Thimphu Valley, followed by the Craft Bazaar, where local artisans showcase traditional Bhutanese handicrafts. Continue to the National Textile Museum to discover Bhutan’s rich weaving traditions and beautifully preserved textiles.
End the day at Tashichhoe Dzong, the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion,” originally built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1641 and reconstructed during the reign of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The dzong houses important government offices, the throne room, and the central monastic body. Dinner and overnight stay in Thimphu.
After breakfast, drive to Punakha via the scenic Dochula Pass, stopping to admire the Himalayan peaks if the weather is clear. En route, visit Chimi Lhakhang, the 15th-century Temple of Fertility associated with the legendary Lama Drukpa Kuenley, who is believed to have subdued demons with his “Magical Thunderbolt.”
After lunch in Punakha, explore the magnificent Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. The dzong served as Bhutan’s seat of government for many years and is linked to Guru Rinpoche’s prophecy of a hill resembling an elephant.
In the late afternoon, continue to Paro, crossing Dochula Pass once again and arriving in time to explore the charming Paro Ancient Market. Dinner and overnight stay in Paro.
After breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery, famously known as Tiger’s Nest. The climb to the viewpoint takes approximately 1½ hours, offering spectacular views of the monastery dramatically perched on the cliffside. After a short refreshment break at the viewpoint cafeteria, continue for another 1½ hours to reach the monastery.
According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to this sacred site on the back of a tigress in the 8th century and meditated in a cave for three months. The main monastery complex dates back to 1692 and was fully restored after a devastating fire in 1998. After exploring Taktsang, hike back down with lunch at the viewpoint cafeteria before returning to Paro.
In the evening, relax with a traditional Bhutanese hot stone bath. Dinner and overnight stay in Paro.
After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and your tour guide from Bhutan Travel Services will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your flight to your onward destinations.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Accommodation is on twin sharing basis.
- Meals : breakfast at all places.
- Transfers from one place to another.
- Sightseeing in private cars.
- Vehicle will be provided based on the itinerary.
- All current taxes such as hotel taxes and transportation taxes.
The Cost Excludes
- Entrance fees at the monuments/ temples.
- Meals not mentioned in inclusions.
- Personal Expenses / Purchase of thing.
- Any kind of insurance.
- Any increase in the govt. taxes and state taxes.
- Anything not mentioned in the itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
