Cultural Wonders of Bhutan

Daywise Tour Plan

• day1

  Arrival at Paro and Transfer to Thimphu

  On arrival at Paro airport, you will meet our representative and will be transferred to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, approximately 90 minutes away.

  Although the Thimphu Valley has supported small settlements for many centuries and a dzong has existed there since 1216, the city didn't really develop until the King declared Thimphu the new capital in 1961.

  Thimphu has a youthful exuberance that constantly challenges the country’s conservatism and proud tradition. The ever-present juxtaposition of old and new is just one of its appealing qualities, and today it is Bhutan’s most modern and developed city.

  On arrival in Thimphu, there will be some free time to settle in and relax after an introductory briefing.

  Later you may relax at the hotel.

  Overnight stay at the hotel. 

• day2

  Thimphu Sightseeing

  We have a whole day to explore the capital, and among the sites we will visit are the Cultural Heritage Museum, Takin Park to see Bhutan’s national animal, and the Dechen Phodrang Monastery.

  The Post Office is an unusual and enjoyable visit too, as it displays and sells a wide range of philatelic items. If time permits, we will also visit the National Memorial Chorten, dedicated to the third King, which is a pilgrimage site for the older generation of Bhutanese people.

  We may be able to witness an archery tournament down by the river. Our final visit of the day will be to the Tashichho Dzong, which is the spiritual and governmental heart of the city.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day3

  Thimphu - Gangtey (By surface)

  This morning post breakfast, we leave the capital city behind us and head over the Dochu La Pass, which stands at 3,140 meters. If the weather is kind to us, we will be greeted with a panoramic view of the Himalayas with a hill of 108 chortens in front of us. Here we will also visit the newest temple built in Bhutan, featuring wall paintings of monks using laptops, airplanes, mobile phones, and satellite dishes.

  The winding road will continue through mountain forests, taking us on to Gangtey in the Phobjikha Valley, our destination for the next couple of nights.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day4

  Gangtey Sightseeing

  Today post breakfast, we will take a hike in the Phobjikha Valley, starting near Gangtey Monastery.

  We will stroll gently uphill and visit the charming local villages of Gophu, Dogsena Pana, and Jangchub Lhakhang, taking in some traditional old village life in a rural and agricultural part of the country, surrounded by beautiful landscapes. From here, we will start to descend, completing the circuit towards Khewa Lhakhang village. During winter months, we may have the opportunity to see black-necked cranes in the valley.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day5

  Gangtey - Bumthang (By Surface)

  Post breakfast, we’ll drive to Bumthang today via Trongsa for lunch, and then visit the dzong. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Bumthang, stopping en route at the Chumey Yatha textile industry’s outlet before checking into our hotel.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day6

  Chokhor Valley

  After breakfast, we will have a short drive to Kharsumphe village before beginning our gradual ascent on foot to Tamshing Lhakhang, with good views of Kurje Lhakhang on the other side of the Chamkhar River. Returning to our hotel via a suspension bridge across the river, we may also have time to wander along the main street in Jakar and have tea in one of the local cafes.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day7

  Chokhor Valley - Tang Valley (By Surface)

  Today we have a full day’s hike between two of the famous valleys in Bumthang. We will follow a path that climbs up towards the Padselling Monastery, starting above the Swiss Guesthouse. The highest point at Padselling is 3,200m.

  The hike uphill is rewarded with the beautiful view of Jakar Valley from the monastery. After a visit to the monastery and a cup of tea with the monks, we continue our hike towards Kunzang Drak village. We cross the Batela pass at 3,000m and then descend through the meadow into the beautiful pine forest. We will then continue onwards to the Tang Valley situated at 2,760m. Later move to your accommodation where we can rejuvenate ourselves by immersing in a hot stone bath followed by a glass of locally brewed ara.

  Overnight stay at a homestay/farmhouse.

• day8

  Tang Valley Sightseeing

  We have a good hike today, which is both challenging and rewarding, to the revered and sacred site of Thowadra Monastery. The name means ‘highest rock’ and stands at an altitude of 3,400m. It was blessed by the presence of Guru Rinpoche who meditated here and left his footprints in the stone. The walk itself starts from the north end of the Tang Valley, at 2,750m on a dirt road along the riverside until it crosses the river by a wooden bridge.

  The trail starts to climb up before a short descent and crossing another bridge. Upon reaching a chorten/stupa, the trail again ascends through pine forest and past several monuments in the mountainside. For the last section, the trail is very steep, but the monastery hangs above you on the cliff and motivates you to climb the last stone steps to the top. From here, we will enjoy the fabulous view of the Tang Valley on the horizon and visit the temple which is built directly into the cliff walls. This is a beautiful yet challenging hike to a mysterious and exceptionally holy temple. We will then retrace our steps down to the first bridge, where our host will be waiting with a hot picnic and a cup of chai before returning to the delights of our homestay.

  Overnight stay at a homestay/farmhouse.

• day9

  Tang Valley - Punakha (By Surface)

  After breakfast, we’ll drive to Punakha, the old capital city, passing through the Trongsa Valley. We will also make a quick stop at the Chendebji Chorten situated at a river confluence. We’ll cross Pele La pass at 3,400m, before descending to the valley floor at 1,200m and into Punakha.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day10

  Punakha Sightseeing

  This morning, we take a beautiful walk up to the Khamsum Namgyal Chorten, a small temple built for the present king by his mother. Wandering back down through the villages and along the riverbank takes us through an idyllic rural setting. Later, we’ll visit the Dzong, former capital of Bhutan, spectacularly positioned at the confluence of two thundering rivers and noted for its huge prayer hall with three giant Buddhas and wonderful painted thangkas.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day11

  Punakha - Paro (By Surface)

  Today we will retrace our steps and head for Paro – the starting point of our journey in Bhutan. But first, we will have an early morning visit to the famous Divine Madman’s temple, Chime Lhakhang, in the beautifully tranquil Lobesa Valley.

  Arriving in Paro late afternoon, we can visit the Paro Dzong built in 1644 under the order of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Paro Dzong’s full name is Rinpung Dzong, which means ‘the fortress of the heap of jewels’. It is one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture and contains fourteen shrines.

  To end the day, there will be some free time for exploring and shopping in Paro town.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day12

  Paro Sightseeing

  This morning, we will walk up to the Taktsang Gompa, known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery and standing at 3,010m, stopping en route at the viewpoint and teahouse to which we will return for lunch. This is without doubt the most spectacular monastery in Bhutan, built on a rock ledge a thousand meters above the valley floor.

  The first and main temple was built where Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tiger to meditate in this cave on a rocky ledge. The walk to the viewing point takes about 1½ hrs with another 2½ hrs to get to the monastery and back.

  In the afternoon, there is an opportunity to visit our last Bhutanese temple, Kyichu Lhakhang, an auspicious 8th century temple built over the left foot of a mythical demoness who had been preventing the spread of Buddhism over Tibet and the whole of the Himalayas. This evening, we will celebrate our achievements and enjoy our final dinner of the tour.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day13

  Paro Airport Departure

  Depending on your flight departure time, there may be an opportunity to have a look around Paro town and buy some last-minute souvenirs before transferring to the airport.
  
  

  'TOUR ENDS WITH MEMORIES'