Compare Amazing Abu Dhabi and Dubai by Indus Travels vs Bhutan City Tours with Bumdra Trek and Homestay by Himalayan Glacier Adventure

Make your way to your own way to International airport for your flight to Dubai.  Enjoy in-flight meals and services on your overnight flight 

On arrival at Dubai International Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Dubai

Experience the sites of old Dubai and the ultra-modern attractions of the new city on a comprehensive full-day tour. Our journey starts at the world’s tallest building, ‘Burj Khalifa’, situated above The Dubai Mall one of the world’s largest shopping malls, where you will have the opportunity to visit the 50metre long aquarium and visualize the exotic wonders of aquatic life firsthand through breathtaking views. Our journey continues to Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, a manmade island that has become a potent symbol of our Emirate. We will have a photo stop opposite the ultra-luxurious Atlantis the Palm hotel. Your unforgettable journey will end at Souk Madinat Jumeirah, a colorful and vibrant market in an Arabian city. Winding paths and passageways will lead you through a real Arabic bazaar like ambience mixing high end boutiques, local artisans and delicious cuisines in an explosion of sensations that finish in beautiful views towards the canals of the resort Madinat Jumeirah and the stunning vista of the Burj Al Arab. Continue to experience the historic sites and vibrant cosmopolitan life of Dubai. See Dubai's famous landmarks like the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel and the beautiful Jumeirah Mosque, and learn interesting details about them from your local guide/driver. Take in views of the city's most picturesque palaces and residential areas, and venture into Al Bastakiya, Dubai's inspiring old quarter. Then visit the spice souk. You will also have free time to shop in the glistening gold souk! This evening, picked up by driver for Dhow dinner cruise on sharing basis with return transfer: Awaken your senses as you cruise gently along Dubai Creek - on board of an exquisitely decorated traditional Dhow. Lively Arabian music adds flavour to the buffet of Continental and Oriental dishes. Silhouettes of heritage villages against the bright city lights trace the merging of the past with the present. Revel in the traditional charm of Arabian dhow cruise in modern comfort (Dhow Dinner inclusive of water and soft drinks). Overnight at your hotel in Dubai

Enjoy this morning at leisure. At around 3.30 PM you will meet your safari guide and proceed on a dune drive at Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. The mysterious desert beckons you for a magical evening out – an adventure you’ll never forget. Leaving behind the bustle of the city in the afternoon, our safari guides will transport you for a thrilling journey over rolling dunes deep into the heart of the desert. From the crest of a high dune, watch the sun cast its orange glow over the vast expanse of rippling sand all round you as it sets. Like a shimmering mirage in the distance you will see the flickering lights of your camp where a traditional Arabian welcome awaits you. The encampment conjures up images of the Arabian nights. Relax on comfortable low cushions in Bedu tents and quench your thirst, have your hands painted with intricate henna designs, experience a short camel ride, or just enjoy the aromatic shisha. A feast of grilled meats, fresh salads and delectable Arab sweets is served and under a galaxy of stars, you will be entertained by the bewitching belly dancer swaying to the haunting strains of Arabian music. You won't want this enchanting evening to end. Overnight in Dubai

Enjoy this day at leisure or consider the following optional tour. Overnight in Dubai 

This morning enjoy your drive and city tour of Abu Dhabi; the capital of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of the Federal National Council. One of the world’s largest producers of oil, Abu Dhabi, has actively attempted to diversify its economy in recent years through investments in financial services and tourism. Your journey begins in Dubai, where you will travel past the world’s largest man made port at Jebel Ali and onward for the two–hour drive to Abu Dhabi. You will be mesmerised by the grandness of the new additions to Abu Dhabi’s skyline, as well as the majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, which is one of the largest mosques in the world. You will visit the Grand Mosque - This architectural work of art is one the world’s largest mosques, with a capacity for an astonishing 40,000 worshippers. It features 82 domes, over a 1,000 columns, 24 carat gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the world’s largest chandeliers –10 metres in diameter, 15 metres in height and weighing twelve tonnes.

You will then be driven through the heart of the city where you can see the famous Union Square, which houses symbolic themes inspired by the customs of the country. After a drive along the Corniche, you will visit the Heritage Village, specially designed by late HH Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan al Nahyan, as a reminder of the past for the younger generation. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy shopping at Abu Dhabi Marina Mall, home to a large array of luxury boutiques and souvenir stores. Overnight in Abu Dhabi

Enjoy your days at leisure or perhaps enjoy an optional tour. Overnight in Abu Dhabi

Enjoy your days at leisure or perhaps enjoy an optional tour. Overnight in Abu Dhabi

Today you will be transferred to the International Airport for your flight back home.

Day 1: Arrival and sightseeing in Paro

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)

Maximum Altitude: 2,250m/7,382ft

After we land at the international airport in Paro, a Himalayan Glacier representative will pick us up from the airport and drop us off at our hotel. We then freshen up at the hotel and have lunch. Afterwards, we visit Rinpung Dzong followed by Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country. From here we will go to the Drugyal Dzong (Bhutan Victory Fort), which was built in 1646 to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Tibetan invaders during the 1600s. On a clear day we can see Mount Chomolhari, Bhutan’s second-highest mountain, at 7,314 meters. Overnight in Paro.

Day 2: Paro to Punakha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Driving: 4 hrs

Maximum Altitude: 3,100m/10,171ft

We drive to Punakha via Dochu La Pass. From the pass, we see amazing views of the Himalayas on a clear day. 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 visit the Punakha Dzong built in the local architectural style. While here we also enjoy a collection of Buddhist items. After the tour, we also visit the suspension bridge nearby which is in fact the longest bridge in Bhutan.  Today we stay at a home of a local resident. This will let us experience the everyday lives of the Bhutanese people. Overnight homestay in Punakha.

Day 3: Punakha to Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Driving: 3 hrs

Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft

We begin our scenic drive to Thimphu after breakfast and pass through Dochu La pass and forests. After reaching Thimphu, we visit the ‘Bhutan Post Office Headquarters’ which showcases Bhutan’s postal history and houses a museum. We can even make our own personalized stamp! Next, we tour the Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point) which has the tallest Buddha statue in the world at 51 m. The sheer beauty of the statue and the location is magnificent. We can spend some time here in quiet solitude before returning to our hotel. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 4: Sightseeing in Thimphu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Migmar)

Maximum Altitude: 2,320m/7,612ft

We tour a lot of Thimphu’s landmarks today beginning with the Memorial Chorten. Today we also visit the nunnery temple for Buddhist monks, the mini-zoo to see Takin, the national animal of Bhutan.  We also tour the Changangkha Monastery and the Thimphu Dzong. After lunch, we visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, a Bhutanese traditional painting school, a folk-heritage museum, Tashichho Dzong and the traditional paper factory. However, some of the landmarks are closed on the weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Therefore, if we are in Thimphu during the weekends, we explore the Weekend Market instead. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 5: Drive to Sang Choekor Buddhist University then hike to Bumdra

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Camping

Hiking: 4 hrs

Maximum Altitude: 3,500m/11,484ft

We drive to Sang Choekor Buddhist University via Paro. We meet our ponies here before ascending for around two hours on a forested ridge which will bring us to a clearing. From here, we get good views of both Paro and Do Chhu valleys below. We continue on our trail and reach Chhoe Tse Lhakhang (temple) which boasts commanding views of the snow-capped Himalayas. Next, we climb through ruins, prayer flags and a forest before reaching a meadow dotted with sacred chortens and prayer flags. We set our camp on a location just under the Bumdra Monastery (Cave of a Thousand Prayers) and enjoy unhindered views of the Himalayan range. Overnight camp in Bumdra.

Day 6: Hike Bumdra to Paro via Tigers Nest Monastery

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel (Hotel Tashi Namgay Resort)

Hiking: 6 hrs

Maximum Altitude: 3,180m/10,434ft

After breakfast we start our trek on a winding trail that takes us to an ancient pine and rhododendron forest. As we are descending for some time, we see begin to see the golden roofs of the monasteries below. Our path snakes across the mountainside between these monasteries before reaching the gardens of Zangto Pelri (Heaven on Earth). From here we can peer over the edge, straight down onto the ornate rooftops of Taktsang Monastery perched against the cliff-face far below. We descend on a steep trail to a waterfall then ascend to the most venerated Bhutanese monastery, the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). After touring the monastery, we descend to Paro Valley floor. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Day 7: Final departure

Meals: Breakfast

Our ‘Bhutan City Tours with Bumdra Trek and Homestay’ ends today. A Himalayan Glacier representative will drop us off at the airport after breakfast for our early morning flight out of Bhutan as Druk Air generally departs in the early morning to avoid adverse weather conditions.