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12-Day A Sojourn of Bhutanese Flora

Customisable Itinerary
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Trip Overview

This Bhutan flora tour is guided by a master botanist. The tour is kept broad to allow for variation depending on the season.

An astonishing array of plants grow in Bhutan: over 5,400 species, including 500 species of medicinal plants, some hardy species thriving even at 3,700 metres above sea level. There are also 82 unique orchids and 48 unique rhododendrons species.

The tropical vegetation below 800 metres has forests of oak, birch, maple, magnolia and laurel. Above 2,400 metres in altitude, the land is home to spruce, yew, and weeping cypress. Higher still is the east Himalayan fir. Interestingly, Bhutan’s national flower, the blue poppy grows 3,500 metres above sea level
Outdoors & Nature
Hiking & Trekking
Sightseeing
Culture & Arts

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Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Paro and Sightseeing

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Arrival in Paro and Sightseeing

Your flight into Paro will be very memorable with the dramatic view of the Himalayas. Our staff will meet you and take you into the city to your hotel. After lunch, we will visit the Paro Dzong and the Museum.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Dharma Lodge

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Paro Ta Dzong National Museum

    Rinpung Dzong

    Ta Dzong

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro International Airport to Paro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 2

Taktsang Hike

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Taktsang Hike

Today hike up to the Taktsang Monastery perched some 3900 metres on a cliff overlooking the valley. This monastery is one of the most highly revered buildings in Bhutan. Tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, it has been rebuilt to its original glory. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 AD. Hence, the name, Taktshang or the “Tiger’s Lair.”

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    Accommodation

    Dharma Lodge

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hike to Tiger's Nest

    Kyichu Lhakhang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

Day 3

Drive to Thimphu

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Drive to Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu via Chelela and Haa. Chelela is roughly around 3988 metres above the sea level and is one of the highest passes in Bhutan. The pass has an alpine ecosystem with several endangered and endemic species. Nearly all flora species found here are medicinal and most are quite rare. From this point, on a clear day, you can see both Paro and Haa valley as well as Mt. Jumolhari and Jichu Drake. After that drive to Thimphu through Haa, a beautiful untouched valley.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bhutan Suites3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in ThimphuOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Paro to Thimphu

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

    Thimphu

Day 4

Thimphu Sightseeing

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Thimphu Sightseeing

Today your sightseeing will be dedicated to the preservation of Bhutan's national biodiversity as you visit Thimphu's botanical garden which boasts about 500 species of plants. Later in the afternoon, you will meet with people who practice traditional method of healing by using herbal plants found in the Himalayas and finish the day off with a visit to the Takin preserve, home to Bhutan's national animal and Tashichho Dzong.

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    Accommodation

    Bhutan Suites3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    National Biodiversity Centre

    Institute of Traditional Medical Services

    Motithang Takin Preserve

    Tashichho Dzong

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Babesa Village Restaurant

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Motithang

Day 5

Drive to Wangdue

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Drive to Wangdue

Today we will drive to Wangdue with a stop at the Dochula Pass and Lamperi Botanical Park. Dochula is considered a conservation area and has about 16 species of Rhododendron amongst other medicinal and non-medicinal plants. We will take a hike around at the Dochula Pass, have lunch at the cafe and then drive to Lamperi Royal Botanical Park, which has about 46 species of Rhododendron.

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    Accommodation

    Wangdue Ecolodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Dochula Pass

    Royal Botanical Park

    Chimi Lhakhang

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Thimphu to Wangdue Phodrang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Thimphu

    Dochula

    Punakha

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 6

Jigme Dorji National Park

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Jigme Dorji National Park

Today the whole day will be spent in the national park. With an area of 4,349 sq. km, it is the second-largest protected area in Bhutan. It covers three climate zones with elevation ranging from 1400 to over 7000 metres with rich plant and animal diversity. This may be the only place in the world where the Royal Bengal tiger and snow leopard habitats overlap.

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    Accommodation

    Wangdue Ecolodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Jigme Dorji National Park

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

    Gasa

Day 7

Drive to Phobjikha Valley

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Drive to Phobjikha Valley

We will drive to Phonjikha Valley and have a hike through the valley and scattered forest past villages where friendly locals will welcome you. The valley is home to black-necked cranes, an endangered bird species, which migrate from Tibet every winter. Surrounded by the Black Mountains, this region is scenic, peaceful and seemingly endless, you'll take great joy in discovering the plants found here.

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    Accommodation

    Dewachen Hotel & Spa3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Phobjikha Valley

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Wangdue Phodrang to Phobjikha Valley

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

Day 8

Drive to Bumthang

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Drive to Bumthang

We will drive further north to Bumthang which will take up most of the day with a stop for lunch and to stretch your legs in Trongsa. This valley is considered one of the most beautiful and serene. It has one of the oldest temples and sacred sites in Bhutan, making it a hotspot for travellers willing to this far. You'll arrive late afternoon.

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    Accommodation

    The Village Lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time in Bumthang

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Yangkhil Resort Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Phobjikha Valley to Bumthang

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    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Wangdue Phodrang

    Trongsa

    Bumthang

Day 9

Bumthang Valley

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Bumthang Valley

This morning visit Burning Lake, a sacred pilgrimage site for the Bhutanese people. Make a butter lamp offering and then explore Ura valley and Thriumshing La National Park guided by the senior expert botanist. This park has one of the oldest Chir Pine trees and has numerous endangered species. The pristine forests ranging from alpine to subtropical, are home to snow leopards, tigers, red pandas and rare plants. The park has diverse climatic variations and habitats unlike anywhere in the world.

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    Accommodation

    The Village Lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    The Burning Lake

    Phrumsengla National Park

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bumthang

    Zhemgang

Day 10

Hike in Bumthang Valley

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Hike in Bumthang Valley

Today, hike in Bumthang Valley and you be guided by a senior expert botanist to discover more Bhutan flora. More details will be provided depending on the season of the tour booked.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    The Village Lodge3 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Hiking in Bumthang

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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    Destinations

    Bumthang

Day 11

Drive to Paro

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Drive to Paro

We will drive back to Paro today. It will take up the majority of the day with some stops to eat, stretch the legs and take in the beautiful views that we will drive through. Today's drive will pass by some of the towns that we have already visited, as well as small villages and stretches of land filled with forests. When you arrive in Paro, check in and relax - travelling is tiring!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Kichu Resort Paro3 star

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Bumthang to Paro

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Bumthang

    Paro

Day 12

Departure

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Departure

If you have some free time in the morning, you may wish to check out the arts and crafts village in the town centre. We take you to the airport for your onward journey.

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    Transportations

    Private Driver from Kichu Resort Paro to Paro International Airport

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Paro

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What’s included?

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 17 activities
  • 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 11 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Ground transportation

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Licensed English speaking guides
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Notes

To enter Bhutan, all travellers must pay $65 per person/day as a sustainable development fee.
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