Your travel to this enchanting kingdom will start with a flight over the Himalayas descending into the greener valleys of Paro. You will experience a spectacular sight as you descend into the Paro international airport. For most tourist, Bhutan will be a different experience, witnessing the view of the Paro valley surrounded by mountains. The Paro valley is home to many of the oldest monasteries in the country and also one of the highest peak – mount Jhomolhari (7300 meter), situated at the northern end of the valley.
At the airport, you will be received by our guide and then proceed to hotel for refreshment and check in. At the hotel, your guide will discuss with you on the itinerary.
Paro Dzong and National Musuem (Ta-Dzong) – Paro dzong also known as Rinpung Dzong, this 15th century massive fortress, is the administrative center of the dzongkhag and also home to the monastic body. Here, you can witness the fine woodwork and craftsmanship of the Bhutanese crafters.
The National Museum (Ta-Dzong) was once the watch tower for the Paro dzong built in the year 1968, this tower was converted into a museum. Today, the museum stands on a hill top overlooking the Paro valley.
Visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan on your way back to hotel. It is believed that this temple was one of the 108 temples built by a king in 629 A.D to subdue demons around the country. This temple also bears a sacred orange tree in the courtyard which bears fruits all seasons. This sacred orange tree is believed to be 600 years old.
After tea, take a walk around the peaceful town of Paro and head to Thimphu via the winding river of Pachu & Wangchu (53km/ 105hr).
You will now approach the most modern district of the country, Thimphu, which is the capital city of the country. Thimphu is located at an elevation of 2300 meters above sea level. Thimphu is the most modern city in Bhutan with an abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping centers.
Check in at hotel and take a leisurely walk around the streets of Thimphu. Overnight Thimphu.
Takin zoo and nunnery: Drive to the animal sanctuary where the national animal of Bhutan, the Takin, is found in captivity. Walk around the BBS tower which is also known as the “romantic point” and lovers often come here to look at the panoramic view of the Thimphu valley. En- route visit Nunnery temple. You can show your devotion here by praying with the Buddhist nuns.
Visit the National Library which has on display the world’s “largest Picture Book on Bhutan”. Ancient manuscripts and books on Bhutan are preserved and displayed at this library. Next, visit the Folk heritage museum which displays the cultural lifestyle of the ancient Buddhist.
Visit Zorig Chuksum and Textile Musuem: Visit the Zorig Chuksum “School for Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts” followed by s visit to Textile Museum, Handicraft Emporium and some local shops.
Visit the Traditional medicine center, which includes a hospital and herbal manufacturing unit based on ancient indigenous system of medicine. The center is also a training place for indigenous doctors.
Visit Tashichhodzong: the main secretariat building, the office of the King and Throne room and also the house of the State Monastic Body.
Visit the Bhutanese Paper Factory, This traditional handmade paper is still widely used around the country.
After evening tea, witness an archery match played by the locals. Archery is the national game of Bhutan and one of the best ways of expanding your public relation is by participating in it. Overnight Thimphu.
After breakfast, drive towards Trongsa. En-route stop for tea at Dochu La (3,100 meters above sea level). The pass is adorned with thousands of multi-colored prayer flags fluttering the wind borne prayers far and wide. The pass is also the place to find the Druk Wangyal, an impressive 108 beautifully built stupas that cover almost the whole pass. On a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Greater Himalayas and the highest mountain range of Bhutan, Gangkar Punsum that rises to 7520m, Masangang (7200m), Tsendagang (7000m) Kangphugang (7200m), Jejegangphugang (7200m), Terigang (7100m), Zongphugang (7100m).
On your way to Trongsa, you will pass the Pele La pass (3300m), which is marked by a chorten surrounded by prayer flags. From this pass, if the weather is clear, you can view the highest peaks of the country. You can also spot some yaks and herders if you are lucky. This pass separates the western part of the country from the central part of the country. As you journey towards your next destination, you will have the chance to spot some animals and birds along the journey. You will have the opportunity to take pictures as you travel and making stops as desired to capture pictures.
Driving along, you will now view the Longte valley where people mainly raise sheep and yaks. As you pass the valley of Rongto, you will arrive at Rukubji valley. This village is characterized by clustered houses with extensive fields of mustard, potatoes, barley, and wheat. Drive onwards through rhododendron trees and ferns, and your next destination is the Chendebji village. You will witness a white chorten (“stupa”) which is modelled after the Swayanbhunath stupa in Kathmandu.
The last village you will encounter before arriving at Trongsa is Tangsibji. From this village, you can view the spectacular view of the Trongsa dzong. Trongsa dzong was built in 1648, it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (“governor”) prior to ascending the throne. The dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built.
Visit Ta-Dzong, ancient watch tower which is now a museum, provides visitors with an insight into the significance of Trongsa in Bhutan’s history. As of date the Ta Dzong of Trongsa is the most fascinating museum of the nation.
Bumthang is the spiritual heartland of Bhutan. There are numerous other temples and shrines worth visiting in Bumthang and many of them are linked to Guru Rinpoche’s visit in 746 A.D. Entering into Bumthang, you will visit a Yathra weaving center. The “Yathra” is a locally produced hand woven woolen cloth with distinctive and multi-color pattern which is used widely for many purposes.
Check in at resort and visit the largest dzong/fortress in Bhutan, Jakar dzong. The Jakar Dzong or the “Castle of the White Bird” dominates the Chamkhar valley and overlooks the town. Constructed in 1549, by the Tibetan Lam Nagi Wangchuk, the Dzong played an important role as the fortress of defense of the whole eastern Dzongkhags. It also became the seat of the first king of Bhutan.
Visit the Kherchu dratsang, a monastery on the western slope of Bumthang valley. This is probably one of the largest Buddhist institution in the kingdom. Continue to walk down from the monastery to the river bank and stroll around Bumthang’s local town and experience the lifestyle of the local people. Overnight Bumthang.
Start of the day with a gentle hike to Tamshing Goemba, built in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa. We will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred monasteries in Bhutan. Built by the Guru Rinpoche in 1652, it houses a rock with his body imprint. Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche manifested as a Garuda to defeat the demon Shelging Karpo who had taken the form of a white lion. We will then visit Jambay Lhakhang, built in 659 by Tibetan King Sontsen Gampo to pin down a demon who was obstructing the spread of Buddhism.
Drive to Menbar Tsho (the burning lake). This holy lake is located about 20km from the town. It is believed by the locals that offering a coin draped in white scarf and thrown into the lake will make one’s wish come true.
Towards evening, take a walk in the remote valley of Bumthang to interact and experience the village life. Overnight Bumthang. (Altitude: 2580m)
Drive to Phobjikha after breakfast. Gangtey (Peak of the mountain) as the name suggests, is considered as one of the must see valleys of Bhutan and a halt there for a day or two is without a doubt an experience of a lifetime. You will not miss the sights of yaks and the herders that have descended to the valleys looking for greener pastures with hundreds of yaks.
Gangtey is also a well-known winter home of the endangered species of black necked cranes (Grus nigricolis) that immigrates to the valleys from Tibetan Plateau and Siberia. Bhutan is home to around six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places where the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. This rare, elegant and discreet birds can be observed from early November to end of March.
Afterwards, embark on a Gangtey Nature trail hike across the blue pine forest to the village farmhouse. Dinner served as traditional Bhutanese food made from corn and rice with homemade wine. Overnight Phobjikha. (Altitude: 2900m)
Rise early and take a walk along the valleys to observe the sunrise. We will then visit the spectacular Gangtey Gonpa (an old temple founded at the beginning of the 17th century).
Drive towards Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong – Built in 1637, the dzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of a medieval city from a distance. The dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.
On your way, short stopover to view the Wangdue dzong which was destroyed by fire and currently under construction.
Evening walk to Chhimi Lhakhang- A 20 minutes’ walk across terraced fields through the village of Sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metshina. Ngawang Chogyel built the temple in 15th century after the ’divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay built a small chorten there. This temple is known as the Temple of Fertility and it is believed that childless couple who pray for a child is usually blessed with a child. Overnight halt at Punakha.
After breakfast, drive to Paro. Check in at hotel and drive towards Sartsam Chorten to embark on your hike to the “Tiger’s Nest”. Taktsang monastery is one of the famous and scenic icon in Bhutan which is mystically built on a cliff. The hike is a steep climb and takes about four hour’s round-trip. The monastery which is built on a cliff is 900 meters above the Paro valley and the site provides you with an opportunity to take scenic photographs.
The story associated with this monastery is that a great Buddhist saint, Guru Rinpoche (a great 7th century saint) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse, in eastern Bhutan to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley.
After a sumptuous lunch midway at the cafeteria, we will retrace our steps back to the valley.
Evening visit at a typical local farm house for a traditional Bhutanese style dinner accompanied by local liquor called “Ara” which is brewed from rice grain and yak meat. After dinner, experience and relaxation with local “Jacuzzi” called “Chu Tse”. The Local Jacuzzi is a wooden tub of medicinal water heated with pre-heated river rocks. This type of bath is considered to have medicinal properties of healing. Overnight Paro.
Our guide will drop you at the Paro international airport and prepare you for departure. “Tashi Delek”