Detailed Program
Your Bhutan travel experience will start much before your arrival at the beautiful Paro airport. Before the plane descends down on the Paro airport you will be welcomed by some of the highest mountain peaks of the world and by their breathtaking beauty. Upon arrival and clearing the airport formalities, the Truly Bhutan Team will directly take you to the capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu will greet you. Here you will be taken to your hotel to have lunch and after that, you can either choose to rest or take a stroll around the magnificent capital.
Attractions and places:
- 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:
Your Thimphu trip will commence by first visiting the Tashicho Dzong; a beautiful medieval fortress/monastery housing most of the government offices and the King’s throne room. This is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the chief Abbot of the Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan. You will continue the Bhutan tour by then visiting Zorig Chusum the school of 13 traditional arts and crafts. Here you will also be able to see pupils at work, immersed in traditional intricate weaving at the Institute of Tibet ology. The National Memorial Chorten, the handicraft emporium. National Library: this facility holds an extensive collection of Buddhist text and manuscripts dating back many centuries as well as some modern literature.
Attractions and places:
- 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:
Your Bhutan tour will now take you to Phobjikha and on the way, you will pass by Dochula Pass (3150) about 30 km from Thimphu, where you will have a coffee break. From here you can have a beautiful view of the Himalayan mountain range. Phobjikha valley is one of the widest valleys in Bhutan; this is a glacial valley and is winter home to the Black Necked Crane that migrates here to escape the bitter cold of Tibet. We will have some time to explore the valley. If black-necked cranes are still here or if you are here in the winter season, you can watch them foraging in the valley. One of the rare beauties of the 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:
Today on the fourth day with the Gangtey Gonpa, is an important monastery Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Gangtey Gonpa was established in 1613 by the first Peling Gyalse’ Rinpoche or Gangteng Trulku. Gangtey is also from where the descendant of the first king of Bhutan Ugyen Wangchuk of the Wangchuk Dynasty of Bhutan, which is also the present ruling dynasty, who took up the throne in 1907 A.D can be traced to the clan of the Dungkar Chojie, a subsidiary clan of Khouchung Chojie, the founder of this was this clan was Kunga Wangpo, the fourth son of Pema Lingpa. The Gangtey is the home to Nyingmapa’s most important monastery.
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:
After an early drive to Chamkhar or Choekhor Valley. This is considered to be the most beautiful part of Bhutan and is fondly referred to as the ‘Switzerland of Bhutan’. We will first visit the Jakar Dzong (fortress), which is located on a ridge above the Jakar village with a population of around 5,000. It was originally constructed in 1667 and was later rebuilt after it was immensely damaged in an earthquake in 1897. Jakar is known as the stronghold of Vajrayana Buddhism Jakar Dzong. Then you will be visiting Wangdicholing Palace built in 1857. The then summer residence of the first and second king. Although it’s not a very impressive structure as it lacks major salient features, it is definitely worth a visit. We will stay at a hotel in Gangtey for the night. We will also be visiting a few other monasteries like Kurjey Lhakhang and Jambay Lhakhang before calling it a day.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
At a distance of about 1.5 hours from Jakar lies the Ura Valley which is the highest of the four valleys known collectively as Bumthang. Ura village is a traditional village and is beautiful to be covered on foot, seeing around and discovering the typical Bhutanese ways of life that is much closely connected with nature. Then the guide will arrange for you to visit one of the local families, for you to have a first-hand experience of the true Bhutanese lifestyle which has remained unchanged for millennia if you so desire. In the late afternoon you will head back to Jakar and on the way take a rest at the Flaming Lake, which comes after you cross a wooden bridge over Tang Chhu (river), wherein 16th century Pema Lingpa a religious leader is said to have discovered hidden artifacts by Guru Rinpoche. It is possible to walk back to Jakar from Flaming Lake if you so desire.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
Today your travel takes you to Trongsa Dzong which is the three-hour journey to the largest Dzong of Bhutan. This Dzong is located against the imposing backdrop of the Black Mountains to the southwest and overlooking Mangde Chhu (river) valley. This is a powerfully built fortress and has exemplary traditional architecture. It has over 25 temples and is constructed on a different level. You will have the hand on experience to see this all.
Places and attractions:
Accommodation options:
From Trongsa, a four-hour drive will bring you to the Punakha valley, a scenic valley with long stretches of terraced rice fields on the beautiful mountain slopes. It is also one of the top most districts in Bhutan that produces the largest amount of rice. Post lunch you will be visiting Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of the divine mad man, who was a spiritual monk who taught dharma in a unique way. . One of Bhutan’s most treasured figures, the temple is in a picturesque location across paddy fields. Punakha Dzong (fortress) or Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong (the place of great happiness or bliss), built in the early 17th century, this is the second oldest and the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. This is located in a beautiful setting at the confluence of two rivers Pho Chhu (Father River) and Mo Chhu (Mother River). You will stay the night at Punakha and have a wonderful end of the 8th day.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
Today you will start your Bhutan trip to some of the traditional villages of Punakha and observe how different the life here is from our own. Post lunch you can take a 45-minute walk to scenic Khamsum Yul-le Namgyel Chorten. The construction of this Chorten took over 9 years to complete and as in Bhutanese architecture, no engineering drawings were used. However, Buddhist scriptures were consulted.
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
After breakfast, you will begin your journey back to Paro. We recommend that after reaching there and having had your lunch at the designated hotel you take a look around Paro’s local market where various Bhutanese traditional handicrafts, jewelry, and textile are sold. You will also have time to explore the Paro valley in much the way you have desired.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Your second the last day of your Bhutan travel package is to Paro, to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. It’s a moderate hike to the monastery that takes about two hours to reach the top. This is almost a mile up from the valley floor. The monastery is open to visitors. One can go inside the many temples here and pray, or ask for their wishes to be granted. It’s customary for Bhutanese to offer currency as part of the prayer, but not crucial for a visitor to do the same. In one or the other temple one can see a number of monks chanting Buddhist chants with hundreds of butter lamps lit, the whole experience is surreal and so divine. Once you visit this site it is also believed that your bodily sin will be cleansed. From the grounds of the monastery, the view of the valley below and the Himalayan peaks around is breathtaking. On the way back you will have lunch in the cafeteria located slightly off the hiking path. In the afternoon you will visit Rimpung Dzong or the Paro Fortress. You can take the rest of the day for yourself, maybe to do last-minute shopping, whatever your plan our guide would be happy to assist you.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Your fairy-tale-like Bhutan travel has come to an end, we at Truly Bhutan wish you a safe journey back home. Our guide and a driver will see you off to the Paro International Airport.
While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you’ll have plenty of scopes for you to be able to choose places to visit, as well as drop a few places on the itinerary if you so desire. Also, all the packages can be custom-made to suit your need. Feel Free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Truly Bhutan is a travel agency that offers a 12-day luxurious travel package to Bhutan, a land of fairy tales and mystery, where centuries of isolation have left the Himalayan kingdom virtually untouched by modernization.
Bhutan fiercely safeguards its ancient culture and heritage, carefully preserving it for centuries. Its seclusion from the modern world has left this Himalayan kingdom unscathed by progress. Furthermore, any modernization is under strict monitoring, with all new construction adhering to the traditional Bhutanese architectural style. Citizens are also mandated to don the national dress while in public.
The 12-day travel package includes visits to various places such as Tashicho Dzong, Zorig Chusum, the school of 13 traditional arts and crafts, the National Memorial Chorten, the handicraft emporium, the National Library, Phobjikha valley, the Gangtey Gonpa, Jakar Dzong, Wangdicholing Palace, Ura Valley, Trongsa Dzong, Punakha valley, Chimi Lhakhang, Punakha Dzong, Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, and Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
While the itineraries are pre-planned, there is some flexibility, and packages can be customized to suit the needs of the guests.
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is a sacred Buddhist site located in Paro, Bhutan. It is a moderate hike to the monastery that takes about two hours to reach the top. Once you visit this site it is also believed that your bodily sin will be cleansed. From the grounds of the monastery, the view of the valley below and the Himalayan peaks around is breathtaking.
- 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.
