Detailed Program
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities.
After lunch enjoys afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art, and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the Rimpung Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centers, which were once strategic forts.
Afterward, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours) following the Pachu River. Before dinner at the hotel, there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by our Host. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Begin your day with a visit to the handmade paper factory. Paper has been made in the Himalayas for a long period of time, traditionally to supply the Buddhist monasteries with paper for woodblock and manuscript books. The most common and popular papers of Bhutan are made from the bark of the Daphne plant, a variety of Daphne. It is a dark woody paper fiber found only in Bhutan. Bhutanese Handmade Paper is made without environmental damage to the land.
If your visit to Thimphu coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market to see the variety of food of Bhutan, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and a variety of fresh greens. In addition, many stalls contain Bhutanese handicrafts and household items. (This market is open only from Friday until mid-Sunday). Later visit the Folk Heritage Museum featuring an exhibition of items and artifacts of Bhutanese villages and rural households. The museum also organizes demonstrations of rural traditions, skills, habits, and customs, educational programs for children, and research and documentation on rural life in Bhutan. In the evening, your guide will demonstrate how to wear our national costumes (gho for men and Kira for women). It is an opportunity for the clients to try our national dress. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Tashichho Dzong
- Semthoka Dzong
- Dochu La Pass
- Memorial Chorten
- Changangkha Lhakhang
- Zangdopelri
- The Tallest Buddha Image
- Tango And Cheri Monasteries
- The Handicrafts Emporium
- Traditional Medicine
- Zorig Chusum Institute
- National Library
- Weekend Market
- Botanical Garden
- Thadrak Goemba
- Tashigang Goemba
- Chizhing Samtencholing Lhakhang
Accommodation options:
Transfer to Phobjikha Valley (5.5-6 hrs). Drive over the Dochula pass (3,100 meters) which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into balmy Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdoms.
Continue on through the bustling market town of Wangduephodrang, and up winding mountain roads through mixed forests and over high passes before descending down into the wide and picturesque Phobjikha Valley. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black-necked cranes (November – March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau.
Overnight in Phobjikha Valley.
Places and attractions:
- Dargay Goemba
- Gangtey Gompa
- Temple Of Sha Radap
- Gaselo & Nahee Village
- Adha And Rukha Village
- Shaa Region Of Wangdiphodrang
- Bhey Langdrag Nye
Accommodation options:
Following breakfast visit the Phobjikha Sanctuary to view the majestic black-necked cranes (Nov-Mar only) and Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), dating back to the 16th century. Afterward, drive by luxury 4WD over the Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range towards Trongsa (4.5 hrs). En route visit the beautiful 18th-century Chendebji Chorten. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan, and the Ta Dzong museum houses a collection of historical artifacts of the Royal Family.
Continue driving towards Bumthang (2.5 hrs), the spirit of the kingdom. Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Palaces, Buddhist temples, and monasteries.
On arrival enjoy an optional Spa Treatment before dinner. Overnight in Bumthang.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
In the morning visit Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan’s patron saint Guru Rimpoche meditated and 7th-century Jambay Lhakhang. It dates back to the origins of Buddhism in Bhutan and is one of the Kingdom’s oldest temples.
After lunch continues sightseeing including Jakar Dzong and Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa and containing interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Overnight in Bumthang.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Depart for Punakha stopping along the way at Trongsa for lunch.
Overnight in Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. Visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Zhabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’ as predicted by the great Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambhava). It is the winter headquarters of the Je Khenpo and hundreds of monks who move en masse from Thimphu to this warmer location. The three-story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. It was here in 1907 that Bhutan’s first king was crowned.
After lunch to Habesa village and hike through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions. In the afternoon you have an option of returning to Uma Punakha for the time at leisure, or a short excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of Drukpa Kuenly. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against orthodox Buddhism in his time.
Overnight in Punakha.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
Drive back to Thimphu where you will have an opportunity to visit handicraft and souvenir stores and enjoy lunch. Afterward, proceed to Paro and check into your luxury hotel.
The remainder of the day is free to explore the Paro township or enjoy the spa treatments available at your accommodations.
Overnight in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After breakfast hike to Taktsang temple. The walk of approximately 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometer above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to the viewing point). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the valley floor is a spectacular sight.
The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. Refreshments and lunch will be arranged in the tent specifically pitched on the path to Taktsang Monastery.
On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. The afternoon is at leisure. Overnight in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Breakfast in the hotel then drives to the airport for the flight to your onward destination.
- Inclusion
- Exclusion
- Insurance
- Airport pick-up and drop-off by private vehicle.
- 3-star accommodation (4 & 5 stars may require an additional premium update).
- Bhutan visa fee – including all necessary processing
- Route Permit
- Three meals per day during your stay in Bhutan
- A licensed Bhutanese tour guide
- All land transportation by private vehicle
- Camping equipment and haulage for trekking tours
- Sightseeing as per itinerary
- Monuments entrance fees where applicable
- Drinking water
- All internal taxes and charges
- A sustainable development fee of $200. (This sustainable development fee goes towards free education, free healthcare, and poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.)
- Airfare & Travel Insurance
- Expenses of personal nature, Tips to guides and drivers
- Expenses occurred due to unavoidable events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
