Basic Itinerary for 18 Days
Tentative Dates for 18 Days, starting Oct.11-Oct.29 (departure day)
- Day 1 Arrive to Paro International Airport, over night Paro
- Day 4 -15 Day Laya Trek Begins(Detailed Itinerary attached below) Royal Highlander Festival Oct.24.
- Day 16-17 Punakha Chimmi Lhakang, Punakha Dzong, river rafting (optional)
- Day 18 Thimphu, Buddha Dordenma
- Day 19 Departure Day from Paro International Airport
What’s Included in the Tour Cost?
What’s not Included?
- The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is not included in the Tour Price, but is paid separately to the Royal Government of Bhutan and Immigration. This is a $100 USD per day per person fee that goes to pay for free healthcare and education for the Bhutanese.
- Your International Flight into Bhutan via Kathmandu, Bangkok or New Delhi, India.
- We do not arrange for your transiting Visa, per the route you choose to enter Bhutan. Bangkok, Nepal or Delhi.
- Suggested tips for the guides, driver and for the Trek (cook staff, horseman and helper)
- Personal Gear (read Laya Gear-What to bring)
Trek and Tour Costs 2026
- Tour Cost for 18days, including Laya Trek is $4,800 USD paid to Cypress Himalaya via wire transfer or Credit Card (4.99 % charge)
- *SDF $1,800 USD paid to the government of Bhutan Immigration for the daily $100 USD royalty.
- $40 Visa Fee
- Round Trip Airfare into and out of Bhutan via your choice of 3 International hubs, Kathmandu, Nepal ($460 usd), New Delhi, India ($560) and Bangkok, Thailand ($935)
Visa & E tickets
- We will process your Visa through Immigration, 18 days *SDF
- Your E-ticket and your Visa will be emailed to you to you one month before travel time
- You will be responsible for obtaining a Visa for any other countries you will be transiting on your way into Bhutan
Email us for Total Costs: Cypresshimalaya@gmail.com, To Register, please email us your photo page of your valid passport, the validity within 6 months of travel.
Detailed Itinerary for Laya Trek
Laya Gear-What to bring
Food/Meal Options (at the Hotels)
- Breakfast will be a choice of continental, breads, pancakes, eggs, coffee and teas.
- Lunch and dinners consist of freshly cooked organic vegetables, a meat dish and either Bhutanese red rice or white rice, and a noodle dish.
- Veg and Non Veg options at each meal, sometimes influenced by the cuisine of India, Nepal, chefs will try to incorporate traditional dishes of Bhutan.
- None of the main dishes are spicy.
Traditional Bhutanese foods
- Bhutan is almost 100 percent organic, we will visit some incredible market places in Paro and Thimphu if time permits.
- Red Rice is by far the most popular exported grain, (pictured)
- The main dish for the Bhutanese is a chili cheese dish called Ema Datshi, and also momo’s which are a dumpling influenced from Tibet and Nepal.
- Beef, chicken and pork are the most popular meats, there is no butchery in Bhutan, it’s imported from India.
Helpful Links about Bhutan
- Tiger’s Nest Monastery– Paro Taktsang, the most famous destination in Bhutan and in the Buddhist world. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paro_Taktsang
- About Bhutan-The Land of the Thunder Dragon. Editorial Highlights, Monarchy, Heritage, Policies and more https://bhutan.travel/about
- History of Gross National Happiness (GNH) https://www.gnhcentrebhutan.org/history-of-gnh/
- Buddha Dordenma-2nd Largest Seated Buddha in the world https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Dordenma_statue
- Bhutanese favorite pastimes, Hot Stone Baths: https://www.dailybhutan.com/article/hot-stone-baths-the-bath-culture-of-bhutan
Our Cancellation Policy
Our Cancellation Policy
Cancellation must be approved by us in an email–these dates apply if you have already sent us your wire transfer plus an admin fee. The refund wire transfer charges are covered by the receiving beneficiary. Your SDF can be refunded at anytime. The airlines have their own cancellation Policy Updated July 2025.
What’s included
All ground transportation (including airport transfers)
Guide and driver
All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including non-alcoholic beverages and snacks. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options
Visa Processing
Booking of your flights into and out of Bhutan
3 Star hotels
Museum and monument fees
What’s not included
$100 SDF – Sustainable development fee, daily royalty paid to the Govt. of Bhutan
International fights into Bhutan
4 – 5 stars hotel (Can add for extra charge)
Travel insurance
Medical insurance
Excess luggage
Visa fee ($40), passport and taxes fee
Laundry service
Staff tips
Alcoholic Beverages (may be purchased separately)