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Seniors Explore Bhutan (22-28 September 2024)

Bhutan – The Land of the Thunder Dragon, the Kingdom in the Clouds or the Last Shangri La on Earth – whatever be the epithet you use, Bhutan will leave you spellbound. Our Himalayan neighbour and a country with pristine landscape, where people live in harmony with nature, where simplicity of living is ingrained in the way they conduct themselves and where

We are adept at organising trips catering specifically to the needs of seniors. The trips are planned to suit your pace of travel as well as your preferences for cuisine. Indian veg food will be made available for those who need it.

A word on how we do our pricing – When you go through our pricing, you’ll realise that we have given you an all inclusive cost. This is done to ease your travel experience – so you don’t have to worry about a thing. All you have to do is pack your bags, reach Bhutan and enjoy the country and carry enough money for shopping. Everything else is taken care of!

bhutan-seniors-explore-2024-tour

The itinerary for the trip is as follows –

22 September – Day 01:

– Arrival in Paro and transfer to Thimphu. Sightseeing (most places we will go to will be at ground level with a maximum climb of 10-20 steps). National Memorial Chorten (iconic temple in the heart of Thimphu built by the Queen Mother) and the famous Buddha Statue. Evening is free.

– Relax in the hotel in the evening. Those who wish to venture out can do so, with car and driver. Overnight in Thimphu.

23 September – Day 02:

– More sightseeing today – We start sightseeing with the famous Buddha statue and move to see the National Textile Museum (a veritable treasure trove of Bhutanese textile history – has about 20 steps), the Clock Tower and National Institute for Zurig Chusom (where the youth are being skilled in the traditional arts of Bhutan) and CSI market.

– For lunch, we drive you 16 kms outside Thimphu to a place called Dodeyna. We’ll organise a picnic lunch by a riverside. The lunch served here will be catered based on your meal preferences – snacks like sandwiches etc. or a proper Bhutanese/Indian/Combination meal. Chilling a bottle of wine in the ice cold water of the river and then drinking it with lunch, surrounded by nothing but peace and quiet, is one of the finest experiences we can offer you in Thimphu.

– Evening to roam in the city. You’ll probably also cross the country’s only traffic island manned by a traffic policeman. Overnight in Thimphu.

24 September – Day 03:

– We check out of Thimphu and head to Gangtey, which is home to Bhutan’s ancient glacial valley called Phobjikha and is the gateway to central Bhutan. Distance is 125 kms and drive time is 3.5 hrs.

– Guests will be staying in a stunning property with a view of the glacial valley.

– If the breakfast is had early, then we could stop at a fortress called the Simtokha Dzong (one of the oldest in Bhutan, has about 15 steps). Next stop would be the Dochu-La (a high altitude pass where 108 chortens have been constructed).

– Reach Gangtey and spend the evening by a bonfire. Overnight in Gangtey.

25 September – Day 04:

– After breakfast, visit the Gangtey monastery. We call this the prettiest monastery of Bhutan. Leave for Punakha soon after. Distance is 70 kms and drive time will be 2 hrs.

– Punakha is the erstwhile capital of Bhutan and has the grandest fortress of the country called the Punakha Dzong. This is the fortress where the the Kings of Bhutan are coronated.

– Visit the longest suspension bridge of Bhutan in the evening. Overnight in Punakha.

26 September – Day 05:

– After breakfast, check out and visit the famous Fertility Temple (the only one in Bhutan) called Chime Lhakhang. The temple was built for the Divine Madman, a monk whose symbol, the phallus, is painted all over the homes in the villages around it, and has an interesting legacy. This temple is located at an elevation and a slow, meandering, unhurried walk to the top will take about 15 minutes.

– After the visit, leave for Paro. The journey will take 3 hrs.

– We reach hotel, check in and leave to see visit the oldest monastery in Bhutan called Kichyu. Guests may also want to visit the stupa like unique monastery called Dungtse, the one that has no lights inside.

– Have a relaxed evening roaming the main street or explore Bhutan’s only microbrewery located a stone’s throw from the hotel. Their Red Rice beer is worth sampling.

– Overnight in Paro.

27 September – Day 06:

– After breakfast, take a drive across Bhutan’s highest motorable Pass called Chele-La (3988 metres above sea level).

– Come back to Paro and go shopping on the Main Street.

– We would also recommend taking the famous hot stone bath at a Bhutanese home. This invigorating bath is taken in a wooden tub where riverbed stones heated on an open fire are dunked into the tub at one end. The water, replete with minerals of the stones is said to have curative and healing properties.

– Overnight in Paro.

28 September – Day 07:

– Departure day from Paro after breakfast.

PACKAGE COSTS 

Rs. 1,15,000* per adult – Ex-Delhi

Rs. 1,00,000* per adult – Ex-Kolkata

(*Prices inclusive of 5% GST; 20% TCS Extra)

Air tickets in economy – a) Delhi-Paro-Delhi b) Kolkata-Paro-Kolkata

Accommodation in 3 star properties on twin sharing basis

All meals (explained below)

Registered English speaking Guide

Vehicle at disposal (explained below)

Driver charges, parking charges etc.

All entry fees to museums, monuments mentioned etc.

One 500ml bottle of mineral water, per person, per day

Hot stone bath

Picnic lunch, homestay meal etc.

5% GST

SDF (Sustainable Development Fee) for Indian Nationals

Travel Insurance for Indian Nationals

Cultural Programme

Domestic travel expense

Alcoholic beverages, shopping, laundry and expenses of a personal nature etc.

20% TCS

1. Bhutan is charging an entry fee called Sustainable Development Fee. Indians have to pay Rs. 1200/day/person.

Total SDF Outflow – 1200 X 6 nights = Rs. 7200/- is included in the cost quoted

Travel Insurance of Rs. 522- per head is also included

2. We have considered air arrival (landing at Paro International Airport) as of now as it is the most convenient way of getting to Bhutan. The land route entails nearly 7-10 hours of travel time which is best avoided.

Average airfare from Delhi to Paro for an adult in economy is Rs. 48,000 and from Kolkata is Rs. 35,000. This cost is included in the quoted cost.

3. We are happy to offer 5% discount to two people/friends/couple sharing a room.

4. When you see the itinerary you will see that almost everything there is to see in Bhutan is covered in the trip, barring for the famous Tiger’s Nest monastery climb (from the base to the top is about 900 metres and it takes about 3-5 hours to hike up) and some of the other day hikes

5. Hotels – We lodge our guests in 3 star category hotels on twin sharing basis. They will have heating, hot water and provision for extra blankets. Wi-fi may or may not be available given weather conditions. All the hotels have excellent views, are senior friendly (have only about 10 steps to access or no steps at all) and have good service standards

Hotels chosen –

Thimphu – Tashi Yoedling
Gangtey – Hotel Phobjikha
Punkaha – River Valley
Paro – Tashi Namgay Resort

6. Food – The pricing is inclusive of all meals. All breakfasts will be buffet style and lunches will be Bhutanese fare and buffets in most places. Dinners will be a blend of outside dining and in-house. Mid day and evening tea/coffee and snacks will also be provided

7. We will travel by an 18 seater Toyota Coaster Bus/10 seater Toyota Hiace (depends on group size) through the country. Since it is a mountain country, travelling time between two districts is quite high as we cover about 25-30 kms per hour.

8. Bhutan has hospitals and medical centres across the country. Thimphu, the capital city, where we spend 2 days has the main hospital. All hospitals have emergency service as well. Treatment to tourists is rendered free of cost as per the policy of the Government of Bhutan

For senior citizens on medications, it is recommended to carry them on their person

9. In terms of personal safety, Bhutan is one of the safest countries. In the 11 years our founder has been exploring the country (over 21 trips so far) as a solo backpacker, never has she been pick pocketed, robbed or molested

10. We will need Voter’s IDs or Passports of travellers to confirm the booking

11. This cost is valid only for Indian Nationals

We’ve Got Love !!!

Rajkumari Maheshwari, Bengaluru

Ease India Travel organiser is v good they take care personally v well & organise nicely. I would recommend this & experience it, you will really feel happy.

Rajkumari Maheshwari, Bengaluru

This excellent experience was possible only because of dear Ritu. You can check her site www.easeindiatravel.com Those who wish travel on unbeaten path, right person is Ritu.

Shashikant and Shubhada Dalvi, Pune

Ramakrishnan Iyer, Mumbai

I was surprised to see the clinical precision by which you had arranged the Bhutan trip. Arrangements did not flop even once. Wonderful. That also in another country of culture, climate and administration. I was very happy after the trip. Congratulations.

Ramakrishnan Iyer, Mumbai

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