What our guest are saying
Starting From $.00 per person
This is a great trip that visits all the important sights in Bhutan including the towns of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Additionally it offers a great trekking experience into the countryside of Bhutan where simple Buddhist folks live a joyous and contented life full of vigour and simplicity.
Highlight of the trek would be a relaxing dip in the Gasa hot springs relaxing every bone in your body, and the memories of the special trek will stay with you for a lifetime.
This is a great trip that visits all the important sights in Bhutan including the towns of Paro, Thimphu and Punakha. Additionally, it offers a great trekking experience into the countryside of Bhutan where Buddhist folks live a simple but joyous and contented life. Highlight of the trek would be a relaxing dip in the Gasa hot springs.
Day 1 Arrival Paro by Druk Air
On landing at Paro you will be met by our representative. After Customs and Immigrations formalities, you will be escorted to the hotel.
Day 2 Sightseeing at Paro
Drive the winding road northwest up the Pa-Chu to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined Fortress which once defended this valley from Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was built in the 17th century by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel, the spiritual leader of Bhutan. On a clear day one can view Mt. Jumolhari the sacred Mountain. On the way back we visit one of the Typical Bhutanese farm house. After lunch at the hotel, we drive to Ta-Dzong which was once the watch tower for Paro valley, now it houses the National Museum and then walk down hill pass the Paro Dzong and crossing the typical traditional roofed bridge to Paro town
Day 3 Paro – Taktsang – Thimphu
After an early breakfast, drive for an excursion to Taktsang. It is a 2-3 hours hike to Takshang. Riding ponies can arranged. Visitors are permitted to go upto the view point from where they can see the monastery built on a cliff. It is said that the 8th century the great tantric master Guru Padmasambhava flew from Tibet on a Tigress bringing Buddhist teachings to Bhutan.
Today this is a very important place of pilgrimage for the local people. Lunch will be arranged at the Takshang cafeteria. After lunch, walk down hill to the bridge and then drive back to the hotel. After refreshment we drive to Thimphu the capital.
Day 4 Thimphu – Punakha
After early breakfast and a 3 hour leisurely drive, we arrive via the Dochula pass (10,000 ft. ) to Punakha. Enroute you will see some of the highest peaks in Bhutan including the Gangkhar Puensum (24\’000 ft).
The descent through the temperate forest colored with Rhododendrons and Magnolias takes you to the semi-tropical zone of orange, bananas and cactuses and to the valley of Punakha. We visit the sleepy town of Punakha and the Dzong. Campsite will be in Punakha.
Day 5 Punakha – Tashithang – Geon Damji
Trek Day 1 : Distance 16 km and walking time 5-6 hours.
After an early breakfast, you will be driving through the valley of Punakha on the Mo-chu side to Tashithang which will be approx. 18 km and 1-1/2 hours drive. We start your trek at Tashithang (1840m) with a gradual climb up above the Mo-chu into the lush semi-tropical forest filled with banana trees, creepers and different kinds of orchids. If you are lucky Takin the national animal can be seen on the other bank of Mo-chu. Geon Damji is a large village with rice terraces along side.
Day 6 Geon Damji – Gasa Hotspring
Trek Day 2 : Distance 16 km and walking time 4-5 hours.
Starting at Geon Damji (2430m), we will be trekking through oak forests seeing different and beautiful varieties of orchids. While on this trail to the Gasa Hot springs, you will be descending through thick forest and mini bamboo forests.
Day 7 Gasa Hotspring Halt
Trek Day 3 : The day will be at leisure and to try out the hot spring located by the bank of a stream . The day can also be spent going up to Gasa Dzong. (We shall pack a lunch for you). The trek to Gasa Dzong will be quite a tough climb and will take you about 2 hours upto an elevation of 2770m.
Day 8 Gasa – Geon Damji
Trek Day 4 : Distance 18 km and walking time 5-6 hours.
Starting at Gasa (2770m), the days trek winds through rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and Oak and Pine forests. Todays walk takes you through small settlements and finally on to camp of Geon Damji village – a large village with rice terraces on the hillsides.
Day 9 Geon Damji – Tashithang
Trek Day 5 : End of Trek : Distance 16 km and walking time 5 hours.
Today we start at Geon Damji (2430m) and end at the vehicle point which is at Tashithang (1840m) From here it is a rattling 18 km (1 hour drive) to Punakha.
Day 10 Punakha – Thimphu
Visit Chhimi Lhakhang – the temple of the devine madman (roundrtrip 1-1/2 hours walk ). Visit Wangdue and after lunch drive on to Thimphu.
Day 11 Thimphu Sightseeing
Morning start the sightseeing with Zelukha Nunnery, National Library, Memorial Chorten of Late King, Handicrafts Emporium, Post Office and walk around Thimphu city for shopping of souvenirs from Bhutan. If this day falls on a Saturday or Sunday a visit to the Weekend Market is a must. After lunch drive to Paro enroute we visit Simtokha Dzong and then continue the journey following the Thimphu river towards Paro.
DAY 12 Farewell and Departure.
● Bhutan permit, entrance fees.
● Airport transfers.
● Daily guided sightseeing tours.
● Privately guided tours & transfers as per given itinerary.
● Twin sharing accommodation.
● All meals.
● Complete camping, cooking gears & camping staffs.
● Pony/porters for transporting luggages during camping.
● Anything not mentioned under Services Included.
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,