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NEW YEAR'S IN

BHUTAN

QUICK OVERVIEW

Date

Dec 25 - Jan 1

Arrival Airport

Bagdogra

Accommodation

3 star hotels

Duration

7 nights

Meals

7 breakfasts

Group size

18-24

SHORT ITINERARY :

DAY 01 : BAGDOGRA AIRPORT ARRIVAL. TRANSFER TO PHUENTSHOLING

Bhutan Backpacking

Upon your arrival at the airport, a cab will transfer the group to Phuentsholing – the Bhutan border town, 3.5 hours away from Bhagdogra. Enroute, we pass through a beautiful stretch, flanked by tea plantations and national parks on both sides of the road. We will reach the border by evening. The moment you step into Bhutan land, literally, when you take those footsteps, you will immediately see how different the two towns on either side of the border are.

DAY 02 : ROAD TRIP FROM PHUENTSHOLING TO THIMPU

After breakfast, we shall go to the permit office. The permit take some time processing and we shall leave Phuentsholing by 11 am. The drive to Thimpu is long, about six hours with stops including lunch. But it is very beautiful.

DAY 03 : VISIT BUDDHA POINT, TASHICHHO DZONG & POST OFFICE

Bhutan Backpacking

We'll first go to Golden Buddha Point. Then, visit the pretty which is a great place to click some photographs, see a lot of locals, and observe some Bhutanese traditions. We are here to celebrate our new years. Lets relax a bit today, Sit in a cafe. Get to know the local Dishes like:

  1. Ema - datsi : Ema means chili and datsi is a kind of cottage cheese, so ema-datsi is a kind of spiced-up Welsh rarebit.
  2. Kewa-datsi. A potato, cheese and chili dish.
  3. Shamu-datsi. A mushroom, cheese and chili dish.

We can also go to the post office and buy postcards. The fantastic thing here is that you can get yourself clicked, and get a customized stamp from the same place and send a post card to your loved ones.

Bhutan Backpacking

At 5 pm, we'll go to the beautiful Tashichho Dzong, overlooking the palace. And spend the later part of the evening in the bustling Thimpu market area.

DAY 04 : VISIT DOCHULA PASS. DRIVE DOWN TO PARO. ARCHERY

After breakfast, we make our way to Dochula Pass, an hour from Thimpu. Here, we are going to stop at the pretty 108 Dochula Chortens, which was built on the orders of the Queen Mother, as a sign of respect for the soldiers who died fighting the insurgents in the 2003 war. The area is beautiful, overlooks some of the highest mountains of Bhutan, and is usually shrouded in mist, giving the entire place a mystical surreal feeling.


If we make to Dochula on time, we can also visit Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility temple of Bhutan, Punakha.

Bhutan Backpacking

Later, we head to Paro. The route is beautiful, and as soon as you reach this village town, it’s almost as if you have been transported back in time. We shall stop enroute at Paro river, near a beautiful hanging rope bridge. A trip is not just about checking off sightseeing points, but also about the smaller prettier little moments that come along the way.

DAY 05 : TREK TO TIGER NEST MONASTERY

One in the orange jacket - Bhutan New year's Trip

It is the most exciting day of the trip, as we hike up to Tiger Nest Monastery. Built on the very edge of the cliff, it is a good 2 and a half hour hike up from the base. Dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava (widely regarded as the Second Buddha), Tiger Nest Monastery or Taktsang Monastery is easily Bhutan’s symbol of pride and respect.

The trek is not too difficult, and the best way to do it is to walk at a steady, comfortable pace. Most of the walk is through a hilly forest and as you keep walking, you will see rhododendrons, pines and a lot of prayer flags.

There is an aura around the monastery, and spend an hour or two by yourself, observing the monks, the rituals, the beautiful rooms, and listening to the stories of Bhutan’s most favourite monastery. This day is easily the highlight of the trip. As we descend back and reach the base, there is a small meadow and horses grazing.

DAY 06 : VISITING CHELE LA PASS (ONE OF THE HIGHEST PASSES IN BHUTAN)

Today, after breakfast, we shall go to Chele La Pass, one o f Bhutan's highest passes at 3880 odd metres above sea level (13,000 odd feet). On the way, there are prayer flags dotted on top of the hills, and they are fluttering away madly in the wind.

The alpine flowers, the lush greenery, the prayer flags, the views of the valley make the views breathtaking. The wind is quite strong here, and if you spread out your arms you can almost feel as if you are flying.

One in the orange jacket - Bhutan New year's Trip

We will also head out to Archery: the national sport of Bhutan. Get ready boys and girls.

One in the orange jacket - Bhutan New year's Trip

DAY 07 : PARO DZONG. DRIVE FROM PARO TO PHUENTSHOLING

One in the orange jacket - Bhutan New year's Trip

After breakfast, we head to Paro Dzong, sitting prettily on a hillock, looking over the entire town.

In the sixteenth century Dzong was once the centre of administration of all of Bhutan. Later, we leave back for the border town of Phuentsholing.

DAY 08 : FLY BACK FROM BAGDOGRA

One in the orange jacket - Bhutan New year's Trip

We leave for the airport at Bagdogra, and go back to our home cities . Hope you had a great trip, and we shall meet some where some time gain soon!

FUN FACTS

  1. Bhutan is the only country in the world to officially measure national happiness. The index is known as GNH (Gross National Happiness). Rather than placing emphasis on GDP, Bhutan attempts to track the happiness of its population.
  2. Bhutan is still negotiating parts of its mountainous border with China. Aside from land disputes, the Bhutanese have very little diplomatic relations with their biggest neighbor. In 2005, Chinese soldiers began constructing roads and bridges — without Bhutan's permission — to gain better access to disputed territory. China also improved roads in Tibet before occupying.
  3. Bhutan's economy is growing very rapidly. Bhutanese currency, the ngultrum, is fixed to the Indian rupee — which is also widely accepted in Bhutan
  4. The Bhutanese Army consists of around 16,000 soldiers. The force is trained by the Indian Army and has a total annual budget of approximately $13.7 million. In comparison, a single M1A2 tank used by the United States costs $8.5 million.
Monali - Bhutan
Monali Pardeshi

Traveling with Vyshak is super fun. He is not just a superb organizer but an awesome human being as well. I had been to my very First trip with him to Bhutan and I am still awe struck. The whole journey was filled with so much fun and excitement which is difficult to describe in words. we had 5 birthdays on the trip n Vyshak had ensured he planned each birthday and is celebrated uniquely in a unknow land, which was truely amazing. Going on trip with Vyshak you are rest assured to be in happy space throughout. He has that zest to creat small moments in your life which you will be carrying with you forever like strolling around deserted roads to find perfect place to cut the cake, sitting by the river (which is not part of the itinerary), to new year celebration to having long night sessions of Mafia n connecting in the bus to assuring thay he is there for each one of us... all this is just the part of the unsaid itinerary... Just awaiting for the next trip together... As he always says "See you in the mountains".

GROUP TRIP DATES:

FLIGHTS CONSIDERATION :

Onwards : Before 11 am to IXB

Outwards : After 3pm from IXB

COST ( excluding 5% GST )

Rs. 35,500 / person ( Before Nov 5 )

Rs. 36,500 / person ( After Nov 5 )


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SLOTS AVAILABLE :

0

HOW TO BOOK A SLOT ?

You can block the slot by paying a token amount of 21,000 INR for this trip either by UPI or by Bank transfer. As discussed the total amount is 35,500 INR. Once it’s done, please share the payment details with us via the WhatsApp button on right bottom of the site. Choose UPI or Bank transfer by clicking on the tab below.


UPI
BANK TRANSFER

SCAN TO PAY

UPI : 9746721789.ibz@icici

BANK DETAILS :

A/C HOLDER'S NAME: Orange jacket Adventures LLP

A/c No : 169105000957

RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE : ICIC0001691

BANK NAME AND BRANCH: ICICI , Thoppumpady

Account type : Current account

UPI : oneintheorangejacket@icici

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE THE INCLUSIONS ?

  • Homestay / Lodging
  • Accommodation on Twin Sharing Basis
  • All Transport within Bhutan by Minibus
  • Transportation : IXB to IXB airport
  • Tiger Nest Trek
  • Entrance fees to all scenic spots listed in the itinerary
  • Fees for archery
  • Government taxes and services charges except tips for tour guides and drivers
  • Breakfast Bed tea/ coffee with “Wake uuuuup guys” call from me
  • Permits
  • A Trained Outdoor leader to keep you safe. I Promise 🙂

WHAT ARE THE EXCLUSIONS ?

  • Mineral Water or any other room service
  • Camera Charge
  • Cost of any Extra Day
  • Flight tickets to Bagdogra and back to home city
  • Lunch and dinner
  • Any expenses due to deviation from itinerary
  • Tigers nest monastery entrance fee ( 25$ ). Hack : If you aren’t entering the monastery and just want to take the pic from the hill. Then this fee isn’t applicable.

DO YOU HAVE A CANCELLATION POLICY ?

  • Before 45 days of trip, there will be 10% cancellation charge.
  • Before 30 days and within 44 days of arrival, there will be 25% cancellation charge.
  • Before 15 days and within 29 days of arrival ,there will be 50% cancellation charge.
  • Within 14 days of trip there will be 100% cancellation charges.


All this been said if you or me can find a replacement for the slot. I will be happy to refund the entire amount. 🙂

WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING ?

  • *Mandatory : Original ID Proof
  • You need to bring your voters ID / Passport (with at least 6 months validity remaining) for getting the permit along with 2 passport size photographs.
  • Clothes : 2 Fleece jacket , 3 Synthetic / cotton pants ,4 Full sleeves tees , Sunhat , Woollen head-scarf/ muffler ,Towel , 2 pair of thermals , 1 down jacket ( zero degree equivalent ), Water proof jacket or poncho.

  • Shoes & socks: High ankle shoes , cotton socks

  • Skin care essentials : Sunglasses with UV protection ,Lip balm Cold cream, Sunscreen lotioniv)Other accessories : LED Torch/ headlamps (If already bought)



I AM COMING SOLO. IS THAT A PROBLEM ?

Most people come alone for my trips. About 25% of the people bring a friend or partner.Honestly It really doesn't matter. I have seen on all the batches I have lead. Most people really gel with everyone, even the ones who thought wouldn't gel up, surprise themselves always with the way they got comfortable with everyone.

YOUR ITINERARY LOOKS DIFFICULT FOR ME. CAN I DO IT ?

Each trek/ trip is rated according to the number of days we spend outdoors . If you aren't sure where to start, go with an easy trip or trek.

For trips,

I dreamed of trips where we could go out hike , get exhausted , come back to hotel and have a great evening. This is exactly why some of my trips have Day hikes in it. It is a perfect chance for people who have never hiked in their entire life. Don't worry, We are there :).

For treks,

you can start with Sandhakphu or Chandrashila . You can also benchmark yourself for the treks.

  • If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3-3.5 km , then you can go ahead with an easy trek
  • If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 3.5-4 km , then you can go ahead with an moderate trek
  • If you can run for 30 mins and cover around 4-5 km , then you can go ahead with an difficult trek

If you have never done a high altitude trek, then start with a easy or Easy- moderate trek. That way you will understand how your body reacts to high altitude and you can check you cardio strength too.

WHAT ARE TRIPS LIKE ?

Usually, most batch sizes are between 12-20 people who are aged between 16-38. Most people come alone or with a friend. The trip would feel like you are travelling more with college friends than strangers. We tend to do more outdoorsy things than regular trips .

For example : If we find a very pretty waterfall/ a beautiful sunset / Rainbow on the way. We would stop the vehicle right away to catch the beauty of it.

We usually sleep very late on these trips as we play a lot of group games and most people feel they will miss the precious time with the group members and decides to stay awake.

I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT THIS COMPANY BEFORE, WHERE CAN I READ MORE ?

Here are few places you can read more about the brand and trips

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Want to be somewhere far far 🌍away on ✨ your Birthday ? 🎁

Choose your birthday month below & We will send you trips / treks around your B'day. You can even donate to a school as part of your birthday.

Made with in the mountains | © 2023

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