What’s Included in a Thimphu Tour Package?
The vibrant capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu, is widely popular for being a unique city that blends spirituality, tradition and modernity. It not only offers scenic experiences but also offers a new perspective on Bhutan as a spiritual retreat. The bustling markets of Thimphu are crowded and somehow still seem to follow a rhythmic pattern which calms you down. This makes Thimphu the perfect destination to rewind and slow down from the rush of metropolitan city life.
The best way to get the true experience of this city is by booking a proper Thimphu tour package. While all the destinations you want cannot be found in a singular package, you can make flexible changes with the right travel agency. In this article, we will be discussing the various things you can expect while travelling in Thimphu with a travel agency package.
Airport Transfers and Local Transportation
As you arrive at the Paro International Airport, the pick-up service included in your travel package will be ready to receive you. Since Paro is quite far from Thimphu, it may take about 11 hours to reach the city. However, the winding paths and the pine tree forests are a great way to start your journey.
Tour operators for Thimphu also tend to provide chauffeur services for you to explore destinations within and around Thimphu. This will allow you to explore the nearby monasteries or go on short day trips. With their experience in navigating through the city, the experienced drivers will provide you with safe rides.
Accommodation According to Your Preference
Most accommodations in Thimphu focus on providing a cultural as well as comfortable experience to all its visitors. These range from boutique lodges as well as modern hotels, which travel agents let you choose from, for your Thimphu tour package. Along with comfortable rooms, your package also usually includes breakfasts and dinners. Based on your budget and preferences, you receive accommodations rated three-star or four-star, which can also be enhanced. These lodges often have wooden interiors, traditional decor, and views of the mountains. Staying at one of these comfortable accommodations can also add a tinge of culture immersion to your trip.
Meals Featuring Local Cuisine
While you explore and stay in Thimphu, your travel packages would definitely include cultural dining experiences. Meals tend to include traditional staple dishes such as ema datshi (chilli and cheese stew), red rice, and jasha maru (spicy chicken curry). However, if you wish to eat things according to your palate, these hotels will also provide you with other dishes. Some tour packages also include a traditional Bhutanese dinner with cultural performances.
Professional Guide Services
To ensure an authentic cultural experience and gain insight into the traditions of local communities, all Thimphu tour packages include an experienced local guide. They not only help you to explore more, but also act as translators, allowing you to connect with locals.
Travel guides are the best travel companies as they share proper insight into the beliefs snad rituals of the temple, which most generic travel guides tend to ignore. You also wouldn’t have to worry about getting permits or permission in special locations, such as dzongs and monasteries, which require tourist access permission.
Entry Fees and Permits
The tourism model of Bhutan is very structured and controlled, which requires permits to access some of the cultural sites and districts. With the help of a package, you can let go of the hassle related to getting entry permits, entry fees for museums, monasteries, as well as other cultural centres.
Additionally, the Bhutanese government also charges a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) on tourists. This fee is collected to contribute to the sustainable ventures of the government.
Cultural Sightseeing and Heritage Sites
While Thimphu is an important administrative destination in Bhutan, it is also a vibrant cultural hub. Most of the generic itineraries provided by travel agencies for Thimphu will include destinaitons ike the Buddha Dordenma and National memorial Chorten.
If you are looking for an educational explorer, some Thimphu tour packages also include destinations like the Folk Heritage Museum and the National Library of Bhutan. Regardless of the categories, they are separate in all these places that offer a mix of historical, religious, and artistic experiences.
Day Hikes and Nature Trails
Numerous Thimphu packages feature brief day hikes that intertwine nature and spirituality. The outskirts of Thimphu are filled with various trails, which are perfect for adventure enthusiasts. Some of the major ones are the
- Wangditse trail – This trail leads to Wangditse after crossing the valleys of Thimphu
- Tango and Cheri Monastery Trail – The trail to Tango and Cheri Monasteries are located in the forest, and takes about 30-45 minutes to reach
Shopping and Free Time in the City
No trip to Thimphu is complete without some time in the city’s vibrant weekend market or craft bazaar. Packages often include guided visits to these local spots where you can shop for handwoven textiles, incense, prayer flags, and wooden crafts. The city is also packed with various cafes, bookstores and art galleries which are perfect for unwinding and picking up souvenir that reflects Bhutan’s unique culture. While most tour operators provide very structured tour experiences, you will get a lot of free time to explore Thimphu. During this time, you can enter the city and stroll around at your own pace or even revisit a place that left a strong impression.
Conclusion
To explore Thimphu to its fullest, a Thimphu tour package is perfect as it offers so much more than just simple sightseeing. Its uniqueness blends the Bhutanese culture, spirituality, nature, and human connection and offers a glimpse to the visitors. By choosing a thoughtfully designed tour package, you can be sure to experience Bhutan as more than just a destination. You engage with its rhythm, listen to its stories, and walk through its living traditions.
