Compare UAE: The 7 Emirates by Great Value Vacations vs Bhutan The Last Shangri La Tour by Himalayan Glacier Adventure
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
4 | Great
|
5 | Excellent
|
| Duration | 7 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 1,739 | $ 2,440 |
| Price Per Day | $ 248 | $ 349 |
| Highlights |
|
|
| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
| Physical Level |
|
|
| Travel Themes |
|
|
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
|
|
| Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
|
|
| Meals Included | N/A |
|
| Description |
This is an escorted tour. It’s perfect if you prefer not to do your own driving and want to see as many sights as you can during your vacation.
Your escorted trip begins in the glitzy city of Dubai, home to the Burj Khalifa, Gold Souk, Dubai Mall and so much more. Enjoy a half-day city tour before heading outside the city on a desert safari adventure! You'll then travel by coach to the capital of the UAE, Abu Dhabi. Stroll the beautiful grounds of Sheikh Zayed Mosque and tour the Formula 1 racetrack on a city tour as you take in this stunning city. From Abu Dhabi, enjoy a full-day tour of Al Ain, an oasis city filled with beautiful relics of the past. Your next adventure takes you to Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE that's home to countless grand mosques and colorful souks where you can pick up unique souvenirs. Your final day is spent in the "Norway of Arabia," the Musandam Peninsula in Oman. Helpful links for travel to the UAE: |
Bhutan The Last Shangri-La Tour is our effort to introduce you to the rich cultural heritage of this tiny Himalayan kingdom also known as the last Shangri-La. Our week-long tour in Bhutan begins with sightseeing in the country’s capital, Thimphu, where we visit the Memorial Chhorten, mini- zoo, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, folk heritage museum and the majestic Tashichho Dzong (fortress). Next, we travel to Punakha via Dochu La pass (3,100m) and tour the Chimi Lhakhang temple on the way. We also visit the Punakha Dzong and explore the amazing Gangtey village before heading to Paro. In the beautiful Paro valley, we visit Rinpung Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang temple. Our tour ends with a hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery which is a perfect way to end one’s journey in the last Shangri-La. |
Day 1 Welcome to Dubai!
Say hello to the glamorous city of Dubai! Arrive at Dubai Airport, and meet with a representative, ready to help you navigate your way to your airport transfer. Once settled in, celebrate your first night in the United Arab Emirates by sampling a staple dish; indulge in a serving of iconic shawarma or perhaps something more exotic like camel.
Day 2 Dubai
Today is packed with culture and natural wonders. Embark on your city tour today, then enjoy a thrilling adventure to the Arabian Desert.
Day 3 Dubai - Abu Dhabi
Say goodbye to Dubai for now as you transfer to Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. Enjoy a comprehensive half-day tour taking you to the city's iconic sights like the Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
Day 4 Abu Dhabi - Al Ain
This morning, visit a unique Camel leather tannery factory. It is the first tannery to produce an exclusive range of leathers tanned using the most advanced environmentally friendly technologies, guaranteed metal-free, sustainable and biodegradable. Unlike traditional leathers universally produced with synthetic oils to gain their required softness, the natural oils used in the process consist of vegetable sustainable extracts. After, continue to Al Ain, known as the "Garden City of the Gulf." The birthplace of the United Arab Emirates' founder Sheikh Zayed was once a vital stop on the caravan route between Oman and the Gulf. At the end of the afternoon, you'll check into your hotel, eat a delicious dinner, and stay overnight.
Day 5 Al Ain - Sharjah - Dubai
In the morning, embark on a half-day tour to Sharjah, the cultural capital of the UAE. Visit mosques, a heritage museum, and two colorful souks! You'll end your day back in Dubai.
Day 6 Dubai - Fujairah (Dibba) - Musandam Cruise (Oman) - Dubai
Leave the United Arab Emirates for a day as you travel to the Musandam Peninsula in Oman. Known as the "Norway of the Arabia," Musandam is filled with fjord-like inlets, pebble beaches and sheltered bays.
Day 7 Depart United Arab Emirates
Your Emirates vacation ends today. Spend the morning at leisure before transferring to the Dubai airport for your flight home.
Day 1: Arrival in Paro then transfer to Thimphu
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Travel Distance: 54 km Driving: 1 hour
Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft
As your flight nears Bhutan, you can enjoy amazing views of the Himalayas including the sacred Chomolhari and Jichu Drake peaks. At the airport, you will be greeted by a representative from Himalayan Glacier who will take you to your hotel in Thimphu for a good night’s sleep. However, if your flight arrives early and you want to visit a few places in Thimphu then it can be arranged too. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Namgay Heritage)
Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft
In the morning, we visit Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), nunnery temple, mini zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Today, we also visit other landmarks of Thimphu including the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Bhutanese traditional painting school, folk heritage museum, the majestic Tashichho Dzong and the traditional paper factory. However, some of the landmarks are closed in the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekends, we explore the Weekend Market instead. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Kichu Resort)
Travel Distance: 76 km Driving: 2-3 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 1,250m/4,101ft
After breakfast, we drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass (3,100m), where on a clear day we get spectacular views of the Himalayas. Next, we drive downhill through rhododendron, fir and hemlock forests. On the way, we visit Chimi Lhakhang, a fertility temple dedicated to the Divine Madman or Lama Drukpa Kuenley. After reaching Punakha, we also visit Punakha Dzong which was built between 1637-1638 and is the second oldest and the second largest dzong in Bhutan. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 4: Excursion to Gangtey
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Kichu Resort)
Travel Distance: 164 km Driving: 5-6 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 2,900m/9,515ft
In the morning, we explore Wangduephodrang. The nearby villages are known for their slate and stone carvings. We then drive through dense oak and rhododendron forests to Gangtey, a beautiful village surrounded by amazing snow-capped mountains. From here, we enjoy views of the picturesque Black Mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. Gangtey Monastery is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. We explore Phobjikha villages before driving back to Punakha for an overnight stay.
Day 5: Punakha to Paro
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Travel Distance: 130 km Driving: 4 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft
After breakfast, we begin our drive to the Paro valley. In Paro, we visit Rinpung Dzong which means “fortress made from a heap of jewels.”We will also visit Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country and Drugyal Dzong, built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. Overnight in Paro.
Day 6: Hike to Tigers Nest Monastery
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)
Hiking: 4-5 hrs
Maximum Altitude: 3,180m/10,434ft
After breakfast, we hike for 4 to 5 hours to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery situated at 3,180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where the Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up the mountain. After having explored the monastery, we hike down to the valley floor. Overnight in Paro.
Day 7: Final Departure
Meals: Breakfast
Today we bid farewell to the tiny Himalayan Kingdom and her friendly people. Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions. Therefore, after breakfast, we will be taken to the airport in the morning for final departure.
