Short Bhutan Tour 6 Days

The difficulty of the Short Bhutan Tour

The Short Bhutan Tour is average in difficulty and can be done by most tourists who are of average fitness. This is a trip that is concerned more with culture and tourism as opposed to strenuous hiking.

The majority of days are associated with strolls, sightseeing and easy drives across valleys. The Bhutan Tour Short is physically challenging only because of the walk to the Tiger Nest Monastery at 3120m (10236 ft). The path is steep and requires some hours, though it is a gradual climb and not very technical. You are free to take your time and have breaks.

The elevation of the Short Bhutan Tour is average. The summit of the tour is the Dochula Pass at an altitude of 3,100m (10,171 ft), achieved when taking a drive. These altitudes are not so high that severe altitude sickness does not occur. You can experience some breathlessness when walking uphill. Light exercise and good walking shoes also assist in travelling.

In general, when you are in good physical shape and can walk couple of hours and use stairs, this Short Bhutan Tour will not even seem challenging.

Bhutan Travel Visa and Permit Requirements

Travel regulations are not complex in case you engage short Bhutan tour with Nature Explore Treks. The company takes your visa and approves it beforehand. A Bhutan visa is required by most of the international travelers and it is granted in advance. You are given a visa clearance letter and stamped the visa at the Paro Airport. Your Short Bhutan Tour package also includes the visa fee.

Bhutan levies a Sustainable Development Fee to fund conservation of both culture and nature. Such a daily fee is included in the Short Bhutan Tour, which means that you do not pay separately.
One has to have special travel permits to visit places such as Punakha and major monasteries. Nature Explore Treks does everything in advance to secure all necessary permits. The part of the tour service is that you have a licensed guide with you throughout Bhutan.

Due to the arrangement of all papers in advance, you can rest and relax in your Short Bhutan Tour without bothering about paperwork or traveling formality.

Food & Drink During the Tour

The Short Bhutan Tour is an enjoyable experience of food. The package includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Hotels or local restaurants serve meals that consist of Bhutanese dishes, Indian, and international ones.

Rice, vegetables, meat curries, and the popular ema datshi, chilli and cheese, are part of the traditional food. When you are not fond of spicy food, there are always milder foods in the program of the Short Bhutan Tour.

Water is served, and one should take bottled/boiled water. Coffee and tea are served on a regular basis. Bhutanese butter tea or local milk tea can be tasted during your Short Bhutan Tour.
During the evenings, you would be able to have local beverages such as ara (rice wine) or the Bhutanese beer at your own expense.

Nature Explore Treks may be able to organise vegetarian meals or special meals if you inform in advance. It is hearty food that provides you with sufficient energy to explore the Tiger Nest hike.

Language & Communication

During the Short Bhutan Tour, communicating is not a problem. Dzongkha is the official language of Bhutan, and English is a popular language in the tourism industry. Your Nature Explore Treks guide is fluent in English and understands culture, history and lifestyle. There are quite a few locals who know simple English in towns and tourist spots, and simple conversations can be made.

Tourist sites, museums and hotels use English to identify and convey information. This renders the Short Bhutan Tour comfortable even to first-time travellers. There are also Bhutanese who can speak Hindi or Nepali because of the association with the area.

You can learn some local words, such as Kuzuzangpo la (hello) or Kadrinchey (thank you). Your guide assists in translations when necessary. It is due to this support that language will never act as an obstacle, and you will enjoy the culture, people and beautiful scenery during your Short Bhutan Tour.

Mobile Network, Internet and Charging Facilities

In towns, you should not have a problem keeping in touch during your Short Bhutan Tour. In Paro, Thimphu and Punakha, the mobile coverage is good. The international roaming, or you can purchase a local SIM card on arrival. There is a local SIM, which is cheap for data and calls in the Short Bhutan Tour.

Hotels offer Wi-Fi that is good when responding to messages, mail, and photos, but the speeds could be slower than at home.

The supply of electricity is consistent in the areas covered by the Short Bhutan Tour. Bhutan operates at 230 volts, and plug points or adapters are common in the hotels. It is easy to charge phones, cameras, and power banks on a regular basis.

Being a smart user, it is still a good idea to carry a universal adapter. Can be limited in mountain passes such as Dochula Pass, which is at 3,100m (10,171 ft), but as you arrive in towns, you have a connection back again.

Do’s and Don’ts on This Trip

The thing that should be respected during your Short Bhutan Tour is the culture.

Bhutan has powerful Buddhist customs, and a visitor is expected to dress minimally at monasteries and dzongs. Put on long trousers and cover your shoulders.

Take off your shoes when entering temples. It is always good to seek consent when taking a picture of an individual or inside a religious hall. There are places where photography is prohibited, and your guide will let you know.

Smoking is limited in public, and littering is highly discouraged. Bhutan conserves a clean environment; you should use your trash until you get to a bin. When you are on your Short Bhutan Tour, you should talk highly about religion and the royal family, since people hold them in high esteem.

It is not a society of displaying public affection. The prices in stores are normally constant, hence there is no bargaining. Courtesy and friendliness are a long way. These are just some of the rules that will guide you to have a good and respectful Short Bhutan Tour experience.

Trip Extension Options for a 6-Day Bhutan Tour

You can also extend your Short Bhutan Tour to see more of Bhutan if you have ample time. It is possible to add additional nights in Thimphu or Punakha to relax and have nature walks. You can hike to monasteries in Thimphu or the countryside in punakha valley 1, 200m (3, 937 ft). All these are inclusions to make your Short Bhutan Tour more captivating.

The other alternative is to go to Phobjikha valley, a place of natural beauty and rare cranes during winter. Ancient temples make Bumthang another great cultural addition. The Short Bhutan Tour can be supplemented with walks by travellers who like them.

Nature Explore Treks manages everything for you if you want to extend your tour. Other tourists visit Bhutan as an addition to Nepal or India tours. With extensions, you can explore more countryside, scenic views and more history and make your Himalayan trip even more enriched when compared to the typical Short Bhutan Tour.

Travel Insurance for Bhutan Tour

Travel insurance is highly essential for your Short Bhutan Tour. It covers you against surprises like sickness, delays in trips or even lost baggage. Your policy must address the medical services, emergency evacuation, and cancellation of the trip.

Although Bhutan is considered to be safe, hiking tours such as Tiger Nest 3,120m (10,236 ft) have minor risks, including slips or altitude problems.

Some insurance policies do not cover altitude sickness; make sure your insurance covers the risks and evacuation beyond 3000m. Remote area transportation in cases of emergency can be an expensive affair without insurance. A good insurance will provide comfort when you are exploring your Short Bhutan Tour.

Carry a copy of your insurance with you. Through insurance, you are able to enjoy an all-inclusive experience related to culture, scenery and experiences without thinking of the hidden costs that may arise during your unforgettable Short Bhutan Tour.

Extra Expenses on a Short Bhutan Tour

The Short Bhutan Tour package includes the hotels, foods and guide services, transport, and entry fees, but you are supposed to spend on personal expenses. This does not include international flights and travel insurance.

In the Short Bhutan Tour, you can spend additional money on snacks, soft drinks, alcohol, laundry, and souvenirs. The popular shopping goods are handicrafts, textiles, and paintings. Little gifts are cheap, whereas art might be expensive.

Always keep money in the local currency since not all other stores will take cards. In big towns, there are ATMs, but they do not necessarily operate with foreign cards.

Tipping is not mandatory, but is welcome. Most visitors tip off the guides and drivers who provide services at the end of the Short Bhutan Tour, depending on the quality of the services.
Nature Explore Treks does most of the logistical work, and thus it often has minimal additional expenditure. It is good to maintain a small emergency budget. In general, the additional costs on the way to the Short Bhutan Tour can be overlooked because the majority of the necessary services are covered.

Health and Safety on a Short Bhutan Tour

Bhutan is an extremely secure country, and your Short Bhutan Tour will be in quiet places with minimal crime rates. The primary safety issue is the altitude, and the heights are average.

Thimphu is located at an altitude of about 2,334m (7,657 ft), Punakha at an altitude of about 1,200m (3,937 ft), and Tiger Nest at an altitude of about 3,120m (10,236 ft). The majority of the travellers are okay; however, you might have a little trouble when hiking because you breathe more. Take a drink of water, walk slowly and inform your guide in case you feel unwell.

Eats freshly prepared food in the Short Bhutan Tour. Use bottled or boiled water. There are basic clinics in towns, and first aid kits are carried by guides of Nature Explore Treks.

You should be vaccinated regularly before travelling. There are mountain roads, and seatbelts will be necessary. When trekking, ensure that you walk on marked paths. Stray dogs are typical, and most of them are harmless. Your Short Bhutan Tour is safe, healthy, and comfortable with just a few precautions and with the help of the guide.

Side Trips & Trails for a Short Bhutan Tour

You could also upgrade your Short Bhutan Tour by having side trips, if you have time. Close to Paro, there is Chele La Pass, which consists of prayer flags with a wide view of the mountain at 3,800m (12,467 ft).

On a walk of a short distance out of the pass is Kila Nunnery, a structure constructed on the face of the precipice.

In Thimphu, every nature enthusiast has an opportunity to go on a forest-covered hill hike to monasteries, where there are serene paths and religious places. These extensions provide more cultural and natural experiences in the course of the Short Bhutan Tour.

Adventure-loving people will have an opportunity to experience rafting in Punakha Valley (at 1,200m (3,937 ft)) in mild rivers. One can also walk or go on cycling tours in the village.
Nature Explore Treks organises these activities according to your interests and time. These are optional experiences that will enhance diversity but not alter the primary attractions. A Bhutan Tour as Short as this may be, adventure, quiet walks and other encounters with the locals can be added to your trip, and your journey will be more individual and personal than the standard sightseeing program.

Photography & Drone Rules in Bhutan

One can enjoy photography at the Short Bhutan Tour, though the rules should be followed. Landscape and outdoor photos are normally permitted at locations, towns and markets. Photography is not allowed in temples and monasteries. Your guide will tell you where cameras are to be kept. When visiting Bhutan, religious places should be respected as part of the Short Bhutan Tour.

Never shoot without asking people, particularly monks. A lot of locals will deny, but courtesy is important.

There are strict rules for drones in Bhutan. The use of drones does not have an official allowance, and numerous zones are prohibited. Drones should not be utilised without authorisation.
The majority of travellers use ordinary cameras and phones to remember the places they have visited. The beauty of the valleys, monasteries, and mountain passes, such as Dochula Pass at 3,100m (10,171 ft), has sufficient gracious photography during the Short Bhutan Tour.

Cultural Festivals in Bhutan

The religious events in Bhutan known as Tshechus are colourful festivals that will help to fill your Short Bhutan Tour. Every year, these festivals take place in various districts.

Paro Tshechu is typically organised during spring in western Bhutan, and Thimphu Tshechu during autumn. In Tshechu, monks and dancers put on bright silk robes and masks in order to dance sacred dances in the monastery courtyards. The locals come out in their traditional attire, which makes the whole experience a happy and spiritual one.

In the case your travelling dates coincide with a festival, Nature Explore Treks offers the option of changing the itinerary of your Short Bhutan Tour to attend the festival. The masked dances and blessings are very insightful to see the Bhutanese faith and culture.

The festivals can be celebrated in such locations as Paro Valley (2,200m (7,218 ft)) or Thimphu (2,334m (7,657 ft)). During festivals, the towns are more active, hence early booking is a very good thing. A Tshechu is a bright, traditional and memorable cultural experience that would complement your Short Bhutan Tour.

Tips for First-Time Visitors to Bhutan

Some basic points can assist you in making your Short Bhutan Tour enjoyable. Pack your clothing according to the season and changes at altitude. At 2,200m (7,218 ft) in the morning and evenings, it is cool in Paro, whereas it is warmer at 1,200m (3,937 ft) in Punakha. Good walking shoes are necessary, particularly when it comes to walking the Tiger Nest.

Take local currency, since small stores do not always take cards. When you go on a Short Bhutan Tour, be friendly to everyone and observe regional practices.

It is not acceptable to take photos of people without their permission, and one should never take photos in temples. Show respect to religious places and dress up.

The Bhutanese lifestyle is a slow-paced one, and one should therefore relax and savour the serene rhythm. Nature Explore Treks guides will assist you with culture-related guidance and practical assistance.

Being open-minded and respectful is a better way to make your Short Bhutan Tour easier, more substantial and memorable.