Discover the once-isolated Kingdom of Bhutan by exploring landmarks such as Buddhist shrines, monasteries and fortresses and by dining with esteemed scholars that will offer cultural insights.
Important Visa Note: To participate on this program, guests must have a valid India Multiple Tourist Entry Visa in advance of the program start date. Details on Visa requirements are also shown further below.
**Guests will need to send a colour scan of their passport to our Reservation Team when booking this program for the Bhutan Visa. Cel phone photos cannot be accepted.
Hinweis: Guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour. This program is not recommended for guests with walking difficulty or those who utilize walkers, canes, wheelchairs or scooters.
DAY 1 – Thursday 14. April 2022
After disembarking the ship, you will transfer to the Colombo airport for a flight to Delhi.
Upon arriving, you will attend to immigration and customs formalities and then transfer to the Marriott Hotel or similar in nearby Aerocity. Dinner is included at the hotel.
DAY 2 - Friday 15. April 2022
After an early breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for a flight to Bhutan’s Paro Valley via Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. The flight to Bhutan will be visually spectacular as you will pass over the Himalayan mountain range.
As recently as 1961 all entry into Bhutan was still on horseback. Known as Druk-yul, the Land of the Thunder Dragon in Bhutanese, the country is only just emerging from the mists of its self-imposed isolation. Bhutan is a pristine, exotic land of high mountains with snow-clad peaks and lush valleys and a wealth of wildlife.
Its architecture is striking, as the buildings are characterized by their Buddhist style. The 17th-century fortresses known as dzongs are particularly stunning as they were constructed without a single nail and feature patterns of rich colors throughout.
Nestled deep in the eastern Himalayas between India and Tibet, Bhutan is overwhelmingly rural with 90 percent of the people engaged in agriculture or raising livestock. The country is predominantly Buddhist, with most people practicing the Tantric form of Mahayana Buddhism.
Upon landing in the Paro Valley, you will pass through immigration and Customs and then meet your Bhutanese guide. An hour’s drive through the picturesque countryside will bring you to the capital of Thimphu, a city situated in a large valley, traversed by the Wangchu River and overshadowed by high peaks.
Enjoy lunch at your hotel.
In the center of the city, you will find the golden-spired National Memorial Chorten. The royal grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Chagrin erected the stupa in 1974 in memory of her son. It contains a fine collection of Buddhist statues and is a center of Tantric Buddhism.
Continuing on, you will browse the Textile Museum that Melinda Gates co-founded. Its collection includes items and artifacts from various tribes around Bhutan.
Later, you will walk down Thimphu’s “high street” with its little shops of all description. You can expect to see a diversity of people that may include monks, businessmen and nomadic farmers that come to trade supplies.
Time will be allotted for you to relax at the hotel to refresh before attending dinner with the Venerable Mynak R. Tulku Rinpoche, Reincarnate, of the Lama of Mynak Rikhud Monastery in Tibet. A former Director of the National Library and Archives, he has represented Bhutan at many international conferences and written several books about the Bhutanese culture.
DAY 3 – Saturday, 16. April 2022
The day will begin with a moderate hike into the forested countryside through to the Tango Monastery that Lama Galway founded in the 12th century. Along the way, you will be treated to sweeping views of the Thimphu Valley. The hike is approximately 1 hour on a well-maintained path with some inclines.
The monastery’s main structure is a three-story tower with surrounding buildings that serve as classrooms and living quarters for more than 150 monks. In 1616, the venerated lama Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal is said to have meditated in a cave near this monastery.
You will return to the hotel around mid-day, after which you will drive to the Buddha Dordenma statue of Shakyamuni. From the elevated vantage point of this gold-gilded statute, you will enjoy panoramic views of the city.
Afterwards, you will visit the Drubthob Goemba and Zilukha nunnery to observe female monks going about their daily routines. It will be a rare and fascinating look into their lives.
The day’s sightseeing will end at Trashichhodzong, a beautiful medieval fortress and the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. The king’s throne room and government offices are also located within this massive complex.
DAY 4 - Sunday, 17. April 2022
Following an early breakfast, you will have two options. You may choose to spend your day with light activity by visiting highlights around Thimphu and in Paro. Or you may enjoy a hike up to Tigers Nest Monastery, one of the most revered pilgrimage spots in the Buddhist world.
The monastery perches precariously on a sheer rock face 3,000 feet above the valley floor. The initial ascent is along a mule track that passes through pine forests colorfully festooned with prayer flags. After visiting the monastery, you will enjoy a hearty lunch at a restaurant with views of the monastery across the ravine. After lunch the group will make their way to Paro.
HINWEIS: As there are inclines and steps to reach the monastery, this option is not recommended for guests with walking difficulty.
If you choose the less strenuous sightseeing option, you will first drive to Dochula Pass, a gap in the mountains that offers stunning views of the Himalayas. You will also see Dochula Monastery, a cluster of more than 100 chortens or Buddhist shrines that serve as a tribute to the service and leadership of His Majesty. The queen inspired its design.
On the way to the Paro Valley, you will stop at Simtokha Dzong, a fortress built in 1629 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, who was responsible for the unification of Bhutan. It is now a school where scholars teach the national language of Dzongkha and English, as well.
Upon arriving in Paro, you will check into the Zhiwa Ling Hotel. Set amid 10 gorgeous acres, the hotel combines the sensibilities of a fine Bhutanese guest house with traditional architectural details such as hand-carved wooden cornices and masterful stonework.
Following lunch, you will visit Kyichu Lakhang, one of the kingdom’s oldest and most sacred shrines. The complex is composed of two temples. Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo built the first one in the 7th century. H.M. Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother of Bhutan, built the second temple in same original pattern much later.
You will then visit a typical farmhouse for an insight into the unique Bhutanese lifestyle and cultural practices, where little has changed over the years.
You will also visit Paro Dzong or Rinpong Dzong, the so-called Fortress of the Heap of Jewels. The central tower and galleries are among the most beautiful in Bhutan and feature superb woodwork and classical paintings of Buddhist cosmology representing the universe as seen by two different philosophic streams. The bridge you cross on the way out was typically removed during war time to protect the fortress.
Later, you can meander down Paro’s main street and interact with the local Bhutanese while browsing the shops that line the thoroughfare.
The last event of the day for both groups will be a dinner with Khenpo Tashi, Director of the Paro Museum and one of the kingdom’s foremost scholars. He will offer a fascinating discourse on the unusual aspects of Bhutan’s GNP or Gross National Happiness.
DAY 5 - Monday, 18. April 2022
After breakfast, you will transfer to the airport for a flight to Mumbai via Delhi. Upon landing in Mumbai, you will transfer to the pier and re-board the ship.
Land Program Step by Step
Die Reihenfolge der besuchten Sehenswürdigkeiten kann abweichen, um Verkehrsstaus zu vermeiden. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Direktflüge können nicht garantiert werden. Final itineraries with up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Bitte sehen Sie sich Ihre finale Reiseroute genau an, falls weitere Änderungen vorgenommen wurden.
Tag 1
10:30 Uhr Disembark in Colombo, clear immigration and custom formalities and transfer to Colombo airport
11:30 Uhr Arrive at the airport, check in and proceed through security
14:10 Uhr Depart Colombo by Sri Lankan Airlines flight (flight details subject to change) Snacks with refreshments are served aloft
17:45 Uhr Flight arrives Delhi. After clearing immigration and customs transfer to your hotel
18:30 Uhr Arrive and check-in
19:30 Uhr Abendessen im Hotel
Overnight at the Marriott Hotel, Delhi Aerocity or similar hotel
Tag 2
04:30 Uhr Continental breakfast erved in the lobby
05:00 Uhr Transfer to the airport
05:15 Uhr Arrive at the airport, check in and complete security formalities
07:40 Uhr Depart Delhi on a Bhutan Airlines flight (flight details subject to change) to Paro (via Kathmandu)
Breakfast is served aloft
11:15 Uhr Upon arrival into Paro clear Immigration and Customs and transfer to Thimphu
12:45 Uhr Arrive Thimphu and check-into your hotel
13:00 Uhr Lunch is served
14:30 Uhr Visit Memorial Chorten
15:30 Uhr Visit the nearby Textile Museum
16:30 Uhr Walk down Thimphu’s `high street’
17:15 Uhr Return to your hotel
18:30 Uhr Cocktails are served during a lecture followed by dinner
Overnight at the Taj Tashi or similar hotel
Tag 3
07:00 Uhr Breakfast at your hotel
08:00 Uhr Drive to the base of Tango Monastery - moderate hike
08:45 Uhr Moderate hike to to reach the Tango Monastery (Goemba)
09:45 Uhr Visit the Monastery
10:15 Uhr Begin walking back to base
11:00 Uhr Drive back to Taj Tashi
12:00 Uhr Lunch at your hotel
14:30 Uhr Drive to visit Buddha Dordenma Statue
15:00 Uhr Photo opportunity at the statue and view of Thimphu Valley
16:00 Uhr Drive to Zilukha Nunnery and visit
16:45 Uhr Transfer to Trashichhdzong the Secretariat, which houses the central Monk body
17:15 Uhr Visit the Trashichhodzon
18:00 Uhr Return to your hotel
19:00 Uhr Dinner at the hotel
Overnight at the Taj Tashi or similar hotel
Tag 4
05:30 Uhr Breakfast at your hotel
Option 1:
06:45 Uhr Check out and drive to Paro and onwards to Ramthanka base
08:15 Uhr Arrive at the base & begin the trek to Tiger’s Nest
10:30 Uhr Stop briefly at a local cafeteria for tea and crackers
11:45 Uhr Arrive and visit the monastery
13:30 Uhr Return to the cafeteria for a hot lunch, before descending to Ramthanka base
15:30 Uhr Transfer to the Zhiwa Ling Heritage hotel, Paro
16:00 Uhr Arrive at the hotel and check-in
17:30 Uhr Depart the hotel to take a walk down Paro’s main street
18:30 Uhr Return to the hotel
Option 2:
07:00 Uhr Drive to the Dochula Pass and its Monastery.
08:00 Uhr Arrive and visit Monastery
08:30 Uhr Continue onto the Simtokha Dzong
10:15 Uhr Depart Thimphu for Paro
11:30 Uhr Arrive at your hotel and check-in
12:00 Uhr Lunch served at Lingka Restaurant or similar venue
14:00 Uhr Explore the Paro Valley with a visit to the Kyichu Lakhang and a typical Bhutanese farmhouse
15:30 Uhr Continue to the Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpong Dzong
16:30 Uhr Cross the traditional wooden covered bridge which spans the Paro river and return to your vehicle
16:45 Uhr Transfer to Paro’s main street where you will have a short stroll through town
18:00 Uhr Arrive at your hotel
INKLUSIVE
19:00 Uhr Cocktails, lecture and meeting with Khenpo Tashi followed by dinner
Overnight at the Zhiwa Ling Heritage or similar hotel
Tag 5
06:30 Uhr Breakfast at your hotel
09:00 Uhr Transfer to Paro airport
09:30 Uhr Arrive at the airport, check in, pass through immigration and customs & proceed through security
11:30 Uhr Depart Paro on a Druk Air flight (flight details subject to change) to Delhi. A light lunch is served aloft
13:40 Uhr On arrival in Delhi, complete immigration and customs before proceeding to departures for an onward flight to Mumbai
17:45 Uhr Vistara airlines scheduled flight (flight details subject to change) departs for Mumbai
20:10 Uhr Arrive Mumbai and transfer to the pier
23:10 Uhr Arrive at the pier and re-board the ship
Voraussichtliches Wetter:
Days are expected to be sunny and evenings pleasant. The average daytime temperatures are around 17°C or 62°F whereas the minimum temperatures are about 4°C or 39°F. However, the early mornings and evenings can sometimes get a bit chilly and recommend guests carry a light sweater or jacket.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can have an effect on some guests. AMS is caused by going too high too fast and, in extreme cases, can be fatal. It is important to take care and allow your body time to adjust to the smaller quantities of oxygen. Acclimatization varies from person to person. Paro lies 2.300 meters above sea level.
Was Sie mitbringen sollten:
Casual clothing through the trip along with comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses, hat, sunglasses and sunblock. Don’t forget your cameras and chargers.
Währung:
Bhutanese ngultrum (approx. 70 ngultrum = 1 USD). The hotel has an exchange facility, however US Dollars are widely accepted.
Stromspannung:
220 – 240 volts. Die Hotelzimmer verfügen über Wandler.
Gepäck:
Light luggage would be most suited for this trip. 1 suitcase per person is permitted on the flights (maximum weight 15kg or 33lbs) and 1 carry-on (maximum weight 7kg or 15lbs).
Airline & type of aircraft that may be used (subject to change):
Sri Lankan Airlines – Airbus A319/320
Bhutan Airlines / Druk Air – Airbus 319
Vistara Airlines – Airbus A319/320
Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has its own regulations).
1. Guests must obtain a doctor’s certificate stating their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on flights.
2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications, especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type).
3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via the Reservations Team at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).
4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which the neither cruise line nor our local ground operator will be responsible for.
Erforderliche papiere und visa
Guests must bring their passports – valid for at least 6 months after travel - and it is essential to have a valid India Multiple Entry Tourist Visa. Please consult with your local India Embassy several months prior to travel for the most up to date requirements for your nationality and to secure the proper documentation that is valid for both the cruise and this land program.
A) A Multiple-entry India visa is required. This can be obtained at the nearest Indian Consulate or via the E. Visa Facility. These visas need to be secured before the cruise starts.
B) For Bhutan, visas are issued on arrival, for which the application process and approval is obtained in advance. Clear, scanned copies in colour of everyone’s passports will be requested in advance of travel. Cel phone photos of passports cannot be accepted.
VERY IMPORTANT. The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last names. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.
Failure to have the required documents ahead of time or incorrect names on flight tickets will result in either denial of travel or ticket re-purchase and guests will be responsible for any fees incurred.
HOTELS
Marriott Hotel, Delhi Aerocity
Asset Area 4 - Hospitality District Delhi, Aerocity, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
Telefon: +91 11 4521 2121
Taj Tashi, Thimphu
Samten Lam, Chubachu Thimpu, 11001, Bhutan
Telefon: +975 2 336 699
Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Paro
Satsam Chorten, Paro, Bhutan
Telefon: +44 20 3355 6302
*We will only substitute a hotel in unforeseen situations. If a hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards, and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes prior to departure, the hotels listed in this program will be used.
IM PROGRAMM ENTHALTEN:
•1 night at the Marriott Hotel, Delhi Aerocity or similar hotel in deluxe rooms
•2 nights at the Taj Tashi, Thimphu or similar hotel in deluxe rooms
•1 night at the Zhiwa Ling Heritage, Paro or similar hotel in junior suites
• Tägliches Frühstück
•Lunches and dinners to include house wines, beer, bottled water and soft drinks
•Sightseeing and transfers between hotels and the airport in Bhutan using a Toyota Coaster with mineral water available at all times
•An accompanying Bhutanese guide
•Porterage at the airports and hotels
•All entrance and camera fees wherever applicable
•Visa fees for Bhutan
•The mandatory Bhutanese Tourism Development Tax
•Baggage van in Sri Lanka, India and Bhutan
•Local tour escort from Colombo until Mumbai
•Economy-class flights per the itinerary – direct flights not guaranteed
•Private lecture and cocktails with Venerable Mynak R. Tulku Rinpoche, Reincarnate in Thimphu and Khenpo Tashi, Director of the Paro Museum in Paro
NICHT IM PROGRAMM ENTHALTEN
•Any meals or beverages not listed in the itinerary
•Hotel incidentals including mini bar, room service and laundry
•Gratuities to drivers, guides and tour escort
•India Visa
•Excess or overweight luggage fees for flights
Hinweis: Mehrtägige Landausflüge umfassen in der Regel ausgedehnte und längere Unternehmungen, während kürzere Ausflüge ein moderateres Programm bieten. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel or natural paths. There may be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Rollstuhlfahrer und Gäste mit eingeschränkter Mobilität wenden sich bitte im Voraus an die Kreuzfahrtgesellschaft und erkundigen sich, ob die gewünschten Ausflüge ganz oder nur teilweise für ihre individuelle Situation geeignet sind.
Alle Programme an Land sind beschränkt und gelten vorbehaltlich der Verfügbarkeit. Programme, bei denen nicht die Mindestanzahl an erforderlichen Teilnehmern erreicht wird, können gestrichen werden. Die aufgelisteten Preise unterliegen Änderungen aufgrund von unerwartet eintretenden Kostensteigerungen für Transport, Landprogramme und Währungsschwankungen.
Einmal erworben, ist der Preis garantiert und unterliegt keinen weiteren Änderungen. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Stornierungen, die 60 Tage oder weniger vor dem Abfahrtsdatum erfolgen, unterliegen einer Stornogebühr von 100 %.
