Detailed Program
You will fly to Paro. On your flight, during clear weather, you can view many magnificent peaks. Our representative will greet you upon your arrival. After having their introduction, we will escort you to Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest monastery in Bhutan. We will have lunch in Paro town and start our drive towards Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan.
Once you are in Thimphu, we can visit National Memorial Stupa, Tashichhodzong, and Zulikha, and then drive to Sangaygang hilltop for a birds’ eye view of the capital city of Bhutan. On the way, we will visit Motithang mini-zoo to watch the national animal of Bhutan – Takin. Drive to the hotel for dinner.
The overnight halt in the hotel in Thimphu.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After breakfast, we will head north of Thimphu valley to visit the Pangri Zampa monastery, the monastic institution where Buddhist astrologers are trained. Drive back to main Thimphu city to visit the Bhutanese traditional medicine center, Bhutanese arts & crafts institute, and National library house. We will stop for lunch in Thimphu town.
After lunch, we will visit the Bhutanese handmade paper-producing unit, textile museum, and handicrafts emporium to see the wide range of Bhutanese handicraft products including splendid paintings and exquisitely woven textiles. Drive to Kuensel Phodrang to visit the largest Buddha statue erected for world peace and happiness. In the evening, we will drive to Namseling village to have dinner in the traditional farmhouse that will allow you to taste local cuisines and as well to experience the hot stone bath.
Overnight halt 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:
After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel. We will experience a dramatic drive through winding roads that will lead us to Dochu La pass, 3050m above sea level. Sights on the way include one of Bhutan’s first Dzongs of Bhutan, Semtokha Dzong. On clear days, towering Himalayan peaks are visible from the pass and the pass is beautified with 108 stupas.
We will descend from the pass that will lead us through dense forests and give way to a village called Lobesa village. We will visit the monastery of fertility – Chimi Lhakhang. We will stop for lunch and after lunch; we will drive along the banks of the Mo-Chu (female river) through terraces of rice, chilies, and cabbages. We will pass by Puntsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the royal family on the upper end of the valley to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, another stunning monument recently.
Returning down to the valley, we will have plenty of time to visit the magnificent Punakha fortress – which served as the capital fortress till the 1960s, and today it served as the winter residence of the chief abbot, the central monastic body, and as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region.
Drive back to the hotel for dinner and overnight halt in Punakha valley.
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, we will start our drive to the land of hidden treasures, Bhey Langdrag valley. Upon arrival in the valley, visit some of the sacred sites like Guru Kurjee (body imprint left by Guru Rinpoche); Khandro Sangphug (a cave where a million dakinis made offerings to Guru Rinpoche); Khandro Bum Gee zhabjay (footprint left by million Dakinis on the rock); and the monastery of Terton Dorji Lingpa.
In the evening, if time permits, we will have a brief stroll around the Bhey Langdrag village and farmhouses.
The dinner and overnight halt will be arranged at the camping site or in a local farmhouse.
Places and attractions:
After having breakfast, we will start the spiritual hike to the main monastery, which is more than 2 hours uphill hike from our campsite. Upon reaching the main monastery, we will light the butter lamps and make prayers for world peace and prosperity. The main spiritual attractions are the site of the hidden treasure with a seal, and the miracle signs and prints left on a rock by Guru Rinpoche.
The lunch will be packed and by late afternoon, we will hike back to our campsite. In the evening, hoist some of the prayer flags and make prayers.
The dinner and overnight halt will be arranged in the camping tent or the local farmhouse.
Places and attractions:
After breakfast, we will start driving to Paro, which is more than 5 hours driving. The lunch will be served on the way. When we arrive in Paro valley, we will visit the National Museum, housing a collection of artifacts that provide a wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.
Thereafter, we will take a short walk downhill to see Paro Dzong. The dinner will be hosted in one of the finest restaurants in Paro town.
The overnight halt will be in the hotel in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
After having early breakfast, we will drive to experience a spiritual hike to the mystical Tiger Nest, which is more than 2 hours uphill hike. Taktsang Monastery is the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the base of Paro valley.
Taktshang means ‘tiger nest’ and it got this name because Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of a flaming tigress. He then meditated in a cave here for three months. Many people all over the world visit this sacred site for pilgrimage and blessing.
After visiting the site, we will travel back to the base of the valley and visit the ruined Drukgyel Dzong – a fortress built by Zhabdrung Rinpoche in 1646 to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. We will drive back to the hotel and have our farewell dinner.
Spend the last night in Bhutan in a hotel in Paro.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Our representatives will take you to Paro International Airport and see you off.
Tashi Delek.
- 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.
