Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan

106th on my continuing saga beyond the #lakbay100 journey
November 01-02, 2019

My 83rd solo backpacking trip, 42nd country to visit in Asian continent, 106th country visited on my journey beyond #lakbay100, 6th continent on my list and of course and usual budget do-it-yourself itinerary from arrival to departure. I did not research that much for this country due also on limited time and laziness.

Bhutan is a small country in the Himalayas between the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and India. Bhutan is the only Vajrayana Buddhist nation in the world, and the profound teachings of this tradition remain well preserved and exert a strong influence in all aspects of life. Due to its pristine environment and harmonious society, the tiny Kingdom of Bhutan has been called "The Last Shangrila and The Land of Thunder Dragon"
https://wikitravel.org/en/Bangladesh

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (Taktsang Monastery / Tiger's Nest)

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (Visa Stamps)

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (Customized week-end itinerary)

KINGDOM OF BHUTAN
timezone - UTC +0600H    capital - Thimphu  language - Dzhongkha  currency - Ngultrum (BTN)
visa - applied only through travel tour

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT BHUTAN
1. “Bhutan” translates to “Land of the Thunder Dragon”, because of the fierce storms from the Himalayas.
2. Thimpu is one of two capital cities in Asia that does not have a single traffic light. (The other is Pyongyang)
3. Bhutan is the only nation in the world where the sale of tobacco is banned
4. At 7,571 masl, Gangkhar Puensum is the highest point and the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.
5. Bhutan is one of the last countries in the world to introduce television to its people. The government lifted a ban on TV—and on the Internet—only 11 years ago.

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (Paro Fortress)

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (Paro Fortress)

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (inside Kyichu Lakhang)

WEEK-END SOLO TRIP IN AUTUMN BHUTAN (NOVEMBER 2019)

​Preparation:
DrukAsia 2D/1N tour including visa and return flights $870 (rebooking fee $195)
Nov. 01-02 flight Abu Dhabi - Calcutta - Kathmandu 850 AED ($230)
Subtotal: $1,325

Day 0: October 31, 2019 Thursday
1800H ETD Home; bus to Abu Dhabi Airport
1900H ETA Abu Dhabi Airport; check-in
2100H ETD Abu Dhabi UTC +0400H; flight EY 256

Day 1: November 01, 2019 Friday
0330H ETA Calcutta; 4 hour transit
0805H ETD Calcutta UTC +0530H; flight B3 707 Seat 21A (LH side)
0915H ETA Paro UTC +0600H; $50 = 34,400 BTN
0945H ETD Airport; pick-up to Takstang
1035H ETA Taktsang Base; start trekking 2,300 masl
1130H ETA Taktsang Cafeteria 2,700 masl; lunch buffet
1215H Continue trekking
1330H ETA Taktsang Monastery 3,050 masl; photo ops
1430H ETD Taktsang Monastery; hiked-back
1600H ETA Taktsang Base; souvenir magnet 300
1630H Paro downtown; souvenir shirt 530
1800H Farmhouse dinner
1900H ETA Meta Resort
Subtotal: 830 BTN

Day 2: November 02, 2019 Saturday
0700H wake-up / bag pack-up; breakfast
0900H ETD Hotel; Paro morning trip
Kyichu Lhakhang (Lho Kyerchu), Paro Dzong (Ringpung Dzong),
Old Bridge, Archery watching, Airport Overlooking
1130H drop-off to airport; tip 1,500 BDT; Exchange back $15 = 1,110 BDT
1340H ETD Paro UTC +0600H; flight B3 771 Seat 21F (RH side)
1445H ETA Kathmandu UTC +0545H; 1hr transit visa fee $5
1710H ETD Kathmandu; flight EY 291
2025H ETA Abu Dhabi UTC +0400H
Subtotal: 1,500 BDT +$5

TOTAL: $1,325 + 830 BDT + 1,500 BDT $5 = $1,365

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (Taktsang Monastery / Tiger's Nest)

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (souvenir fridge magnets & shirt)

Expensive Solo Week-end Trip in Autumn Bhutan (Meta Resort room)

Sightseeing the Himalayan Mountain Range on Flights to Bhutan

Paro Morning Tour before departure
Afternoon Hike to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest)