In this tour package you will get the privilege to see the nature, culture and cuisine of Bhutan. Although Bhutanese cuisine is very spicy with lots of chillies and cheese, you would love to taste it. Bhutan’s pristine ecosystem is home to rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, making this last Buddhism flourishing country spellbindingly beautiful and different form of topography of the country add to it as well. In Bhutan, the people are practitioners of Mahayana / Vajrayana Buddhism and also home to several temples, monasteries and fortresses.
Activities: Tours & Sightseeing
Duration: 11 Nights 12 Days
Season: Almost all season except monsoon (June, July and August)
Day 01: Arrival in Paro and then to Thimphu
Drive: 1 Hour
Altitude: Around 2300m/7590 ft
Distance: 65 km/ 39 miles
On arrival at Paro International Airport, the representative of the company will receive you and transfer to Thimphu by Car/Bus. Take it easy today as you must be tired because of long hours of flight and do the sightseeing from the car. In the evening go around the Thimphu town and have the picturesque evening walk in and around town. Later, in the evening you will get the privilege for Q&A on any phenomena with Rinpoche.
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 02: Thimphu Sightseeing
Morning visit Memorial Chorten (Stupa) which was built in the memory of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (also called father of modern Bhutan) in 1974. Then visit Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point), which was completed and consecrated in 2015 coinciding with the Descending Day of the Lord Buddha and then further proceed to National Takin Preserve (where national animals are kept) and to the one of the most oldest Nunneries in Bhutan (also called Drubthob Goemba). Afternoon visit painting school (school of thirteen Arts and crafts), where the students learn thirteen different arts and crafts commonly used in Bhutan, then visit Royal Textile Academy (Textile Museum), next to handmade paper factory and later to the weekend market (Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday).
Overnight: Thimphu
Day 03: Thimphu to Punakha
Drive: 2 ½ Hours
Altitude: 1350m/4455ft
Distance: 76 km/45.6miles
Drive through Dochula pass, which is at the elevation 3140m above the sea level. When the weather is sky blue clear, you can enjoy a scenic view of the highest unclimbed mountain in the world in Bhutan and Himalayan ranges stretching almost 180 degrees. Sooner you can break for tea for some time and resume your way to Punakha via sub-tropical Forest. Afternoon, take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang (known as temple of fertility), which was built in 1499 by the cousin of Lama Drukpa Kuenley (Divine Madman) in his honour after he subdued the demoness of the Dochula with his ‘magic thunderbolt of wisdom’. Then take a visit to Punakha Dzong (the palace of great happiness) which is arguably the most stunning dzong in the country and construction was foretold by Guru Rinpoche. Then it was built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637 and was completed the following year. Later, visit Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery and take a chance to interact with nuns.
Overnight: Punakha
Day 04: Punakha to Trongsa
Drive: 5 Hours
Altitude: 2200m/7260 ft
Distance: 146 km/87.6miles
Off to Trongsa, you would get the clear view of ruined Wangdi Dzong (Fortress), which was burned down by the fire in 2012 and now it is under reconstruction. Further continue your way to Trongsa via Pelela Pass at 3420m/10945 ft, which forms the part of Black Mountain Range that divides the country into east and west. On the way to Trongsa you will get a glimpse of the difference in settlements and beautiful view of mountains which actually is the natural heritage of Bhutan. Evening relax at your hotel.
Overnight: Trongsa
Drive: 2:45 Hours
Altitude: 2650m/8745ft
Distance: 68 km/40.8miles
Morning, take a tour in the majestic Trongsa Dzong which has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. In 1541 a small meditation room on the site was carried out by Lam Ngagi Wangchuk after discovering the self-manifested hoof-prints belonged to the horse of the protector deity Pelden Lhamo. Later, the dzong was built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tenpa, the official who was sent by Zhabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan. Then visit the defunct Ta Dzong (watch tower), which now displays the statuary and royal memorabilia. Drive via Yutong La pass, which is at height of 3425 m/11302 ft. above the sea level. En route, visit the sacred holy place of Green Tara (Choeday Pung monastery) in Chumey, which was recently renovated and repaired by Choni Rangshar Rinpoche. On the way, stop at Yathra (wool weaving) weaving place, near the roadside. It is very typical to Bhutanese people living in Bumthang Valley. Have a total relax in the hotel.
Overnight: Bumthang
Day 06: Bumthang Sightseeing
In the morning, after breakfast, drive to the famous Ugyen Choling Palace which is around 33 km away from the main road. Ugyen Choling is the 16th century naktshang (country manor), built by Tsokye Dorje, the one-time governor of Trongsa and a descendent of the Terton (treasure discoverer) Dorji Lingpa. The family that owns Ugyen Choling has turned the complex into a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious studies, research and solitude. These traditional living quarters are recreated to exhibit the realistic atmosphere of the ancient lifestyles and living style of the people. En route, visit to the Mebar Tsho (flaming lake), where the Terton Pema Lingpa said to rediscover several treasures from the lake and then to the newly built paradise of Guru Rinpoche. Interior of the paradise was chiefly designed by Choni Rangshar Rinpoche.
Overnight: Bumthang
Day 07: Bumthang Sightseeing
Visit Jampay Lhakhang. Jampay Lhakhang is believed to have been built in the year 659 by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. When he married the Chinese princesses Wencheng in 641, her dowry included the Jowo Shakyamuni, a priceless statue of the Buddha as a size of a small baby. As the statue was transported via Lhasa, it became struck in the mud and no one could remove it. The princess divined that the obstruction was being caused by a huge supine demoness, lying on her back. In order to pin down the ogress to the earth forever and to convert Tibetan people to Buddhism. It is believed that he has established 108 temples in a single day. This is the home of the naked dance which is still performing annually. Then further take a way to Kurjey Temple. The temple complex is named after the body imprint left by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century after taming the local deity and turning him into the protector deity of Bumthang valley. Then, take a walk across the suspension bridge and visit the Dorji Bee Farm house. Afternoon, visit Tamshing Goemba, it was built by Terton Pema Lingpa in 1501 and is the most important Nyingma Gonpa in the country. Finally end your day with a walk towards the Swiss farm. Evening take a leisure spree in Jakar town and try some typical local food in the restaurant.
Overnight: Bumthang
Day 08: Bumthang to Phobjikha
Drive: 7 ½ Hours
Altitude: 2900 m/9570 ft
Distance: 188 km/112 miles
Retrace and enjoy the way back to the roosting ground of black-necked crane in Phobjikha valley. Black-necked cranes are one of the most endangered species of the birds in the world. These birds winter in south-central Tibet, north-eastern Yunnan province in China and in some parts of Bhutan as well. After you enter Phobjikha valley, visit Gangtey Goenpa, in 15th century treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa prophesied that a Goenpa named gang-teng (hill top) would be built on this site and that his teaching would flourish far and wide from here. Gangtey is the only Nyingma monastery found in western Bhutan. After a tiresome journey, relax in the hotel.
Overnight: Phobjikha
Day 09: Phobjikha to Paro
Drive: 7 ½ Hours
Altitude: 2200m/7260 ft
Distance: 153 km/91.8miles
In the morning, take a Phobjikha Nature Trail hike from the Goenpa which takes around 1 ½ hours. It is simply a very beautiful hike and you can have a breathtaking view down in the valley and suppose you are lucky and in the right season you could see the black necked cranes in the valley. Bid farewell to the valley and take onward to Paro. In the evening stroll through old Paro town and look for some souvenirs. You can also venture into Bhutanese cuisine in a farmhouse.
Overnight: Paro
Day 10: Paro Sightseeing
In Paro visit the defunct Ta Dzong (Watch Tower). It was renovated in 1968 to house the National Museum and it is the first of its kind which has a collection from natural history to religious paintings. Originally, it was established and completed in 1656 as a watch tower of Paro Dzong, which lies undefended below. Then visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (Fortress on the heap of jewels). In 1644, its construction was ordered by Zhabdrung Rinpoche on the foundation of the monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. Take a leisure walk down from the dzong cross through the oldest wooden cantilever bridge which is still in use. In the afternoon, visit Kichu Lhakhang, which is as old as Jampay Lhakhang in Bumthang and then drive to the ruined historic Drukgyal Dzong. Later, leisurely evening and preparation for the tiger’s nest hike.
Overnight: Paro
Day 11: Taktsang Hike
After breakfast, the car will drop you to the basement of the excursion to view spectacular and the most famous Taktshang monastery. You can climb up to the monastery through beautiful pine forests, many of the trees with the beautiful hanging of mosses (also called Old man’s beard) and pass through an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Stop at Taktshang Cafeteria for a stunning view of the monastery and break for coffee as well. Then after some time resume your hike and continue until you see clearly within reach of the monastery. It is believed that in 8th century, Guru Rinpoche, the tantric mystic flew here on the back of a tigress from Sangye Dzong in Kurtoe to Taktshang to subjugate demons and all evil spirits obstructing to flourish Buddhism and blessed them as the protector of the doctrine. It is also believed Guru Rinpoche has meditated here for three months and took his last manifestation in the form of Guru Dorje Drakpo (fierce thunderbolt) during subjugation. Later in the evening go around in the town and grasp some souvenirs from Bhutan.
Overnight: Paro
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast drive to the Airport for your onward destination. Our team will bid you farewell from the Airport.
