Thailand, Bhutan
Thailand and Cultural tour of Bhutan
Thailand and Cultural tour of Bhutan
Experience 26 days cultural trip.
Timeless Tours is pleased to offer this 12 day tour of Thailand combined with a 14 day tour of Bhutan. You will spend twelve days exploring the rich culture and history of Thailand and 14 days exploring mystical Bhutan.
The main focus of this program will be to get away from the standard tourist trail and learn about the history, culture, religions and flora and fauna of Thailand and Bhutan.
There will be plenty of opportunities to sample local cuisine with meals at up-market restaurants. We will also have comfortable hotel rooms to return to.
We will be accompanied throughout the tour by a Tour Leader. There will sometimes be local guides with specialist knowledge to assist in the presentation of information.
Top 5:
- The Grand Palace in Bangkok with its emerald Buddha plus Wat Arun and Wat Pho to see the impressive reclining Buddha.
- Learning about the challenges facing elephants at the Ethical Elephant Jungle Sanctuary.
- Visit Bhutan’s Chimi Lhakang, a popular fertility temple honouring the “Divine Madman,” religious folk-hero Drukpa Kinley
- Climb through a forest and along a mountain side to visit Bhutan’s iconic ‘Tigers’ Nest’ (Taktshang) Buddhist monastery.
- Enjoy the spectacular Thimphu Drubchen festival.
Tour Program
Thailand
Day 1
Bangkok
We arrive in Bangkok and check into our hotel. In the evening we learn about traditional Thai massage, some basic language and practice Thai etiquette. We will have the opportunity to experience a massage. (no meals provided).
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Day 2
Bangkok
Today we transfer to Phra Arthit and board a Hop-on Hop off ferry for a journey up the Chao Phraya River. Our first stop is to view the Royal Barges Museum and learn about the use of these barges in ceremonial occasions. Our journey continues up the river and we disembark to do a self-guided tour of the Grand Palace complex. We next visit Wat Arun and Wat Pho before concluding our boat journey at Asiatique complex. It is here that we experience a traditional Thai buffet meal and enjoy an evening of Thai dance and music at the Thai Niramit show. This is an excellent introduction to Thai history and culture. (B and D)
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Day 3
Bangkok
Today we enjoy a Thai cooking class 9am to 1pm. After lunch we visit the house of a famous silk trader; Jim Thomson. We then explore Golden Mount before an evening walk through the noisy chaos of world-famous Khao Shan Road. In the evening we will have a dinner cruise up Chao Phraya River. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Day 4
Bangkok
Today we join a tour to the Damnoen Saduak floating markets and Maeklong rail track markets. We then enjoy a tour of the Thai ancient capital Ayutthuya; destroyed by the Burmese in the 15th century. Dinner at a traditional Thai restaurant. (B and D)
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Day 5
Bangkok
A coach will take us to the allied war graves at Kanchanaburi and the Dearth museum. We will learn about the Bridge on the River Kwai and treatment of allied POWs by the Japanese during World War Two. We will enjoy a ride in a wooden train carriage through fields of sugar cane. (B and L)
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Day 6
Bangkok
A free day in Bangkok. Enjoy a massage or watch Thai boxing. Maybe go shopping or visit a dentist for cheap dentistry (fillings 250 THB, Crowns from 750 THB – 20.2 THB to $1NZ). (B)
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Accommodation: Siamaze Hotel
Day 7
Chiang Mai
Today we journey by train north across Thailand to the city of Chiang Mai. We will see changes to the countryside as we head inland. Transfer to accommodation upon arrival. (B)
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel
Day 8
Chiang Mai
Today we enjoy the sights of Chiang Mai with a walking tour. We will see the city walls and gates plus Wat Pha Lat and Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara. In the evening we shall wander through the night bazaar. (B)
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Day 9
Chiang Mai
A day trip will take us to Chiang Rai, the white temple (Wat Rong Khun) and include a visit to the so-called ‘long neck’ Karen people. We journey into the Golden Triangle and stand where four countries (Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and China) meet. We will cross the border into Laos before returning to Chiang Mai for the night. (B and L)
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Day 10
Chiang Mai
Today we will visit an Ethical Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and learn about the challenges facing these majestic creatures. (B)
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Day 11
Chiang Mai
A day trip takes us to Thailand’s highest mountain Inthanon. We will enjoy the 360 degree views and walk through rice paddies. Our excursion takes us to traditional villages. Lunch is included. (B and L)
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gategaa Village Hotel or similar
Day 12
Bangkok
Today we return by flight to Bangkok and return to Siamaze Hotel. (B)
Tour Program
Bhutan
The Bhutan cultural tour is an unhurried journey to the mystical ‘dragon kingdom’. Bhutan is scenically magnificent with snow-capped mountains rising above jungle-covered hills and green river valleys where farms and villages are clustered. Centuries of Buddhist tradition inherited from Tibet helped shape Bhutan’s art, dance, medicine and music. A dignified and hospitable people, the Bhutanese will welcome us.
From the moment we arrive at Paro’s airport we enter a different world. You will be impressed by the majestic architecture of Bhutan’s traditional centres of religious and political power. You will admire its huge Dzongs (fortresses) and be fascinated by the Buddhist artworks within these and smaller temples.
Further afield you will visit botanical gardens to view Bhutan’s exotic fauna. You will see and learn about the creation of Bhutan’s distinctive woven fabrics. Visit markets where trade continues almost unchanged with the passage of time. You will have a guided tour of a traditional medicine hospital. You can also walk through a beautiful river valley to see an old manor house that hosts a museum of life in earlier days.
The Bhutan cultural tour is a unique opportunity to see one of the most exotic lands on earth. Bhutan boasts an ideology of Gross National Happiness and selects those aspects of the modern world that it wants while retaining its own colourful and fascinating culture.
Day 13
Paro
After flying from Bangkok, we have a day of sightseeing in and around Paro. We visit Rinpung dzong (a Buddhist monastery and fortress). We also visit a “Dhapa” workshop and see the making of wooden bowls. (L and D)
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Day 14
Thimphu
This morning we drive to Thimphu, stopping at Tamchhog Lhakhang – (1.5 hour drive). We will visit the National Textile Museum and a handmade paper factory. In the afternoon, we will visit the postal museum as well as the Thimphu Chorten dedicated to the 3rd king, Changangkha temple and the Golden Buddha that overlooks the city. Today we also learn about Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin. (B, L, D).
Accommodation: Jomolhari Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Jomolhari Hotel or similar
Day 15
Thimphu
This morning will experience one of the highlights of the tour to Bhutan, the Thimphu Drubchen festival. We enjoy a few hours at the festival set inside the massive Tashi Chhodzong. Later in the day we visit Cheri Gompa monastery and cross a bridge that spans the Wang Chhu to climb steeply to the monastery. We will also visit a bustling weekly market and watch archery at a nearby stadium. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Jomolhari Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Jomolhari Hotel or similar
Day 16
Punakha
In the morning, we drive east, where, weather permitting, there are panoramic views of the Himalayan snow-peaks. The drive takes approximately 4 hours. We will visit the modern Victory Temple at Dochu-la, built to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian insurgents in the early 1980’s. In the afternoon, we visit Punakha Dzong, perhaps the most photogenic of Bhutan’s Dzongs, situated at the confluence of two fast-flowing rivers. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel Vara or similar
Accommodation: Hotel Vara or similar
Day 17
Punakha
This morning we walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten (1.5 hours, moderately easy) and cross the famous Suspension Bridge. In the afternoon we visit Chorten Ningpo. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel Vara or similar
Accommodation: Hotel Vara or similar
Day 18
Punakha
This morning we drive from Punakha to Trongsa via Pele La (5-hour drive). In the afternoon we visit Trongsa Dzong and the Royal Heritage Museum in Ta Dzong. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Yangkhil Resort or similar
Accommodation: Yangkhil Resort or similar
Day 19
Bumthang
A 4 hour drive brings us to Bumthang, Bhutan’s second biggest town and an ancient centre of religious beliefs. Spread out widely over a valley, Bumthang is an ancient trading centre and has a number of sacred sites associated with Guru Rinpoche, who is believed to have introduced Buddhism into Bhutan in the 8th century. In the afternoon we will visit Jakar Dzong situated on a ridge above the valley. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Gongkhar Guesthouse or similar
Accommodation: Gongkhar Guesthouse or similar
Day 20
Bumthang/Tang Valley
In the morning we drive through the beautiful Tang valley (2 hours’ drive, each way) where there are several small temples and relics beside a flowing river. We walk across fields and up hill to Ugyen Chholing Palace, an old manor house that is now a richly endowed folk museum. The palace is located on top of the hill at the village of Kizum. The walk takes approximately 45 minutes each way. We will have lunch in the gardens overlooking the valley before returning to Bumthang late afternoon. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Gongkhar Guesthouse or similar
Accommodation: Gongkhar Guesthouse or similar
Day 21
Bumthang
Today we take a three-hour walk to the Buddhist monastery Ngang Lhakhang (3 hours walk but also accessible via our vehicle if needed). We also visit Ngang Lhkahng, built in the 16th century by a Tibetan Iama (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Gongkhar Guesthouse or similar
Accommodation: Gongkhar Guesthouse or similar
Day 22
Paro
Today, we drive to Paro (approximately 8 hours), stopping on the way to visit Chimi Lhakhang, a temple built in the 15th century by Bhutan’s famous religious folk-hero, the “Divine Madman” Drukpa Kinley. This popular temple is considered a fertility temple and many young couples visit it in order to be blessed with children. We have some free time to walk around and do some souvenir shopping. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Day 23
Paro
This morning we enjoy some more sightseeing in Paro and visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakang, one of Bhutan’s most sacred sites. After this we spend some time at the National Museum of Bhutan. We also visit the 17th century Drukgyel Dzong and admire its vivid wall paintings. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Day 24
Paro
This morning we drive 30 minutes to do the Dzongdra kha hike. The walk takes 15 minutes from the road to the main temple, Dzongdra kha. This is a sacred place of Guru Rimpoche dating back to the 8th century. In the 14th century, the treasure-hunter Gonpo Dorji discovered a crystal stupa and relic of the Buddha on this site. In the afternoon we drive to Sangchen Choekor and have a picnic lunch before returning to Paro. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Day 25
Paro
We rise early for what will be another highlight of our visit to Bhutan. Today we climb 900 metres to the spectacularly situated Taktshang monastery (the ‘Tiger’s Nest’). A hike of 3-4 hours brings us to the monastery which is set on a mountain side at 3,120 metres. Some people may prefer to hire a horse to go up to the halfway point. There is a tea-shop here which provides excellent views of the monastery. Some visitors are content with reaching this site while others make the climb. We return in time for lunch with the rest of the day at leisure in Paro. (B, L, D)
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Accommodation: Gangtey Palace Hotel or similar
Day 26
Bangkok
We depart Bhutan from Paro airport. On arrival in Bangkok, we say our farewells and the tour comes to a close. We recommend you stay overnight at Siamaze Hotel and return home in the morning. (B)
Inclusions / Exclusions
What’s included in our Tour:
- International airfares in economy class – Bangkok- Paro-Bangkok with Druk Air.
- 25 nights of hotel accommodation. 16 dinners, 17 lunches, and 25 breakfasts
- Services of a Tour Leader for the duration of the tour.
- Bhutan guide throughout the tour from arrival to departure.
- All excursions, entrance fees and tipping as per itinerary.
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure and all overland transport within Bhutan.
- Transport in coaches or taxis as required.
- Detailed preparatory material
What’s not included in our Tour:
- International flights New Zealand or Australia to Bangkok.
- Items of a personal nature such as telephone, drinks, alcohol, laundry, and tips.
- Comprehensive travel insurance.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any requests for further information about this tour or any others offered by Timeless Tours.
