What our guest are saying
Starting From $.00 per person
This is a fantastic West-to-East traverse tour covering the best of both sides of Bhutan so you don\’t miss out on anything.
This trek covers the National museum, Dungtse Lhakhang, Kyichu Lhakhang, the absolutely out-of-this-world Taktsang Monastery perched on a sheer cliff, most of the important Dzongs (forts), then there\’s the Memorial Chorten built in memory of the third King of Bhutan.
We cover Bumthang valley like no other. Bumthang is one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan.
This tour also a visit to Meber Tso or “flaming Lake” and the lovely Ura valley with its old dzong and cobblestone paths giving it a unique medieval feel.
This is a unique lovely tour covering all the important “must see, must visit” spots in Bhutan
Day 1: Traditional welcome at on arrival & airport transfers.
Day 2: Sight seeing in Paro
Visit the National museum (“Ta-Dzong”). This was actually the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinchen Pong Dzong. (Fort) We visit the Rinchen Pong Dzong. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and it houses the Administrative seat of the district of Paro. Also visit Dungtse Lhakhang and Kyichu Lhakhang.
Day 3: Continue Sight seeing in Paro
After an early breakfast, drive up to Satsam Chorten (10kms) for a short trek to Taktsang Monastery. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest.” The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m. and overlooks the Paro valley and the river. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Sambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress.
Day 4: Paro – Thimphu
The drive to Thimphu (Capital) through the winding road along the Paro and Thimphu river takes about 2 hrs. On the way, we visit the Simtokha Dzong – one of the oldest Dzongs in Bhutan. It houses one of the largest monastic school in the country.
In the afternoon we visit the Memorial Chorten ( a huge Stupa ) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan. We also visit the Handicrafts Emporium where Bhutanese textiles and various other arts and crafts are displayed and can be purchased. No tour is complete without a visit to the Tashichho Dzong the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King, the Throne Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.
Day 5: Visit the National Library where a vast collection of ancient manuscripts are preserved, and also visit the Painting and wood craft school where children are taught the traditional art of wood craft and painting.
In the afternoon we proceed to Punakha/Wangdiphodrang (77kms) via Dochula Pass. Punakha was the former capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu which means ” Male river and Female river “. Built in 1637 A.D., it is one of the most important Dzongs in Bhutan and now houses the District Administration office of the Punakha district and the winter residence of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.
13kms from Punakha lies the town of Wandiphodrang with its massive Wangdiphodrang Dzong. This Dzong also houses the District Administration office of the Wangdi district and the office and the living quarters of the district monk body.
Day – 6 Punakha – Trongsa
After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa (142kms). Its a bit of a rough ride and because we drive slowly it takes about 6 hours to get there.
Day – 7 Morning: Visit the Trongsa Dzong and the Watch Tower.
Built in 1648 A.D., the Trongsa Dzong was the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. It is also the district administration office of the Trongsa district. The view from the Dzong extends for many kilometers and in former times nothing could escape the vigilance of its watchmen. Furthermore, the Dzong is built in such a way that in the old days gone by, no matter what direction a traveler came from, he was obliged to pass by the Dzong.
This helped to augment its importance. The Ta-Dzong, an ancient Watch Tower of the Trongsa Dzong is located on top of a steep hill about 1 km beyond the Trongsa Dzong. The watch tower displays many interesting armors used by the Bhutanese soldiers during the olden days. We dine at a hotel and leave for Bumthang. The Journey which takes about 3 hours, passes by some of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan.
Day – 8 Bumthang sight seeing:
Visit the historical Jakar Dzong – one of the biggest Dzongs in Bhutan. We visit several ancient and important monasteries such as, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, Kencho Sum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs.
Day – 9 Drive to Sengor.
On the way we stop at Meber Tso (The flaming Lake) which is considered one of the most important pilgrimage spots. Visitors can drive up to Ura and take a leisure stroll in the clustered village of Ura. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm houses which is worth seeing. You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pasture land of the Ura valley.
Day – 10 Drive to Mongar.
Mongar is a small town with a sprinkling of shops. On arrival we visit Mongar Dzong, a fort with impressive and beautiful architecture.
Day – 11 Drive over Korila Pass to Tashigang.
Tashigang is one of the largest district of Bhutan and an important commercial center. Indigenous people of Merak and Sakteng who are known for their exceptional features and for their costume made of Sheep skin and yak wool come to Tashigang for their daily requirements. You will be visiting Tashigang dzong which lies on top of a cliff and serves as the administrative center.
Day – 12 Excursion drive to Tashiyangtse and Gom Kora Temple.
Tashiyangtse is relatively a new town developed around Chorten Kora, one of the two chortens built in Nepalese style. Gom Kora chorten lies on the banks of the Gumri river. Guru Padmasambawa is believed to have subdued a demon in the form of a garuda at this place.
Day – 13 Drive to Samdrupdzongar.
On the way we visit Kanglung College (Bhutan’s only college), Zangtok Pelri and Khaling. Samdrupdzongar is a small, but important town of this region.
Day 14: After breakfast, drive to Gauhati (India) for your flight back home. [It\’s easier to catch your flight from Gauhati in India rather than travelling all the way back to Paro.
With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa.
Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC).
All other tourists must obtain a visa clearance prior the travel to Bhutan. Visas are processed through an online system by your licensed Bhutanese tour operator directly or through a foreign travel agent.
You are required to send the photo-page of your passport to your tour operator who will then apply for your visa. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) once the full payment of your holiday (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account. Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours.
At your point of entry you will be required to show your visa clearance letter, the visa will then be stamped into your passport.
Online Regional Permit System
In order to streamline and facilitate smooth visitation by tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility will be able to obtain their permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan similar to international tourists.
What our guest are saying
In December 2011, my husband and I did a 3 trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal followed by 3 days at Chitwan National Park with Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd. (Kuman Gurung). We’re in our mid-sixties and began to question our decision when various friends and family members said that it’d be way too cold and difficult at that time of the year. Actually November and December are excellent months to trek in Nepal as it is normally dry and sunny. Kuman is an excellent choice as he did all the planning, gaining of licenses, arranging for lodging and planning of the length of our trekking days. We liked that he not only planned, but accompanied our group of 6, along with two other wonderful assistants (porter and guide). One needs to understand that Nepal is a third world country, and electricity and warm water become an issue all over the country. Our days were very warm---how I wished I’d brought a short sleeved shirt---and the nights are cold. We hadn’t anticipated that we’d spend much of our time climbing up or down----but Nepal translates to the Himalayas so that’s what you do. (much is rock steps which can be difficult for some) The vistas make stopping often to rest a treasure,----it is beautiful---so beautiful. You are remote and everything is packed into the area---your meals come mainly from the gardens and are delicious! Kuman is willing to tailor the trip’s destination and length to your ability and time frame. He provides one with a most memorable experience, and you come away with a true appreciation of the country and people. He also arranged our stays in Katmandu and 3 days in the Chitwan National Park. You begin and end your trek in Pokhara and we recommend the Temple Tree Resort and the Moon Dance restaurant as a great way to end your trek. Thank you Kuman for making our adventure in Nepal so perfect!Namaste to Kuman and Lokenra,
I write as the expedition leader of a team of 6 (3 Canadians and 3 Americans) who recently traveled for 1 month in Nepal and Bhutan using the guiding and coordinating services of Everest Trail Walker P. Ltd., in particular Kuman and Lokendra. This was the second expedition which these gentlemen looked after us, the first being in 2010, another month long expedition which featured trekking through the Everest region, a jungle adventure in Chitwan and an extended whitewater rafting trip on the reverred Sun Kosiriver. Our October- November2013 trip featured trekking the Annapurna region, trekking for a week in Bhutan and whitewater rafting 2 rivers - the Kali Gandaki and the BhotoKosi rivers.
Needless to say, the care and expert attention provided by Kuman and Lokendra was exceptional. Every aspect of our trip was handled flawlessly and with good humor and insight of the Nepalese culture and traditions. Over the last 15 years, I have lead many trekking and rafting expeditions around the world and without any qualification I give the highest marks to both Kuman and Lokendra. Not only did we get full value for our money, but it was done with genuine TLC by both these wonderful gentlemen. Even when things went off track ( which in the 3rd world - in truly remote environments - can happen in technicolor - in this case a National Strike of workers) alternate arrangements were undertaken with ease and care - maintaining our schedule and achieving our expedition objectives.
I obviously think highly of Kuman and Lokendra and strongly recommend Happy Holidays as 'the go to' trekking/expedition/rafting company in Nepal.
In this regard, if you require further amplification of my comments I would be pleased to endorse this recommendation via email or telephone. Clearly, if Nepal offers a Tourism Award for best guides/guiding companies, Happy Holidays would be a first prize winner!Dear Kuman,
Happy New Year and Namaste. It has been more than a month since the Team Tim returned home from the experience of a lifetime—organized by you and your company. It was such an amazing trip with so many different aspects to it. We started our adventure in Nepal where you and I first met, then quickly off to Bhutan, and eventually back to Nepal and home. The trip you organized for us contained so many different elements--- hiking, rafting and learning about the cultural aspects of the two countries. It was an organizational nightmare, but everything ran so smoothly under your direction. Tim, Viv and I commented about how smooth the transition was between each activity and country. It really was one of our best adventures.
I was so impressed with the way in which the guides took such very good care of us. They were all so happy to teach us about Buddhism, their country and their politics. I thought it very special how you joined us on the trekking part of the trip. You also went that extra mile when we rafted in Nepal. You followed our route and met us at each stop along the way to feed us, take pictures, carry our “stuff”, or whatever else our team of 6 needed. We all became family ----Lakendra, you, and the 3 Canadian and 3 American travellers.
I know that you and Tim had thousands of emails between you as you planned this extensive trip. Tim you knew from his last trip. He was thrilled that you had opened your own office and that he was able to have you and Lakenda organize and guide the trip respectively.
I would be privileged to serve as a reference for you if a potential client requests it. You receive a five start rating from me.
Thanks again,