Detailed Program
After you land at Bhutan’s International Airport located in Paro valley at 2280 meters above sea level, our Host (English speaking) will welcome and receive you by offering a white scarf (Khadar) at the exit of the airport. It will be followed by an hour and a half drive by Pachu and Wangchhu river valleys to the capital city, Thimphu (2320m). On your way to the capital city, you will come across a magnificent 15th-century temple called Tachog Temple (Lhakhang), which was built by a great iron builder Drupthog Thangtong Gyalpo. You can stop at this site to take pictures and take a short walk down to the river and walk across the 15th-century old iron chain bridge built by the same builder.
On arrival in Thimphu city, sightseeing will begin after Hotel check-in and a short lunch break. The first place to visit will be a Memorial Stupa (Chorten) built in 1974 by her majesty Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuk in memory of late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It will be followed by a 108-butter lamp offering ceremony, which is meant for the well-being of all sentient beings and is believed to bring good fortune. After completing the offering ceremony, you will visit a 169 feet Buddha statue one of the largest in the world.
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, you will be assisted to wear a traditional dress of Bhutan (Gho & Kira) and will have an audience with a Buddhist Master. In the morning Buddhist Master (Rinpoche) will make a discourse Introductory talk on Buddhism followed by Calm Abiding Meditation (Samantha Yoga) and Breathing Yoga.
After lunch, you will be in a yoga dress (regular dress which will be comfortable for yoga and exercises) and there will be a practical demonstration of Yoga by the Master.
The day will end with a blessing ceremony.
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:
The third day of the visit will be spent self-practicing Samantha & Breathing Yoga until lunch in Rigdel Temple in a calm and peaceful location. After lunch, you will visit the Changangkha temple built in the 12th century. Inside the temple, one can see the original old wall paintings and a unique statue of the god of compassion in the form of 11 faces on seating posters and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold. Following this, you will visit to see the artwork of Zorig Chusum (13 traditional arts and crafts) at a nearby painting school.
You will also visit the folk heritage museum to see a typical example of traditional farmhouses and visit the textile weaving Centre. There, one can see the traditional weaving style of our national dresses. If time permits, a visit will be made to the Tashichhodzong, which houses some ministries, the office and throne room of His Majesty the King, and the Central Monk Body. In the evening you can have a spa/massage experience.
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:
The day will begin with a drive to Bhutan’s old capital Punakha which is approximately 2hrs drive from the capital. On the way, you will come across 108 Buddhist stupas and also visit Druk Wangyel Temple. From the same site, you will have a paranoiac view of the eastern Himalayas in fine weather. The drive will continue down to the low-lying valley of Punakha at 1220 meters above sea level.
At Punakha, you will visit Punakha dzong (palace of great happiness) one of the most beautiful dzongs in the country of Bhutan. Built-in 1636, it stands beautifully at the confluence of two rivers, Mo Chu and Pho chu.
After lunch, you will hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Stupa for around one hour and practice yoga for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You can also enjoy a valley view of Nyinzergang and Kabesa village
Places and attractions:
- Punakha Dzong
- Khamsum Yulley
- Talo Goenpa
- Nalanda Buddhist College
- Chorten Nyingpo Lhakhang
- Sangchen Dorji Lhuendrup
- Limukha Village
- Ritsha Village
Accommodation options:
On the way back to Paro, you will take a pleasant walk through terraced fields on the way to chime Lhakhang (temple of fertility) built in the 15th century by the first cousin brother of divine madman lama Ngawang Chogyal. The visit will take about an hour.
On arrival in Thimphu, you will stop to have lunch at one of the local restaurants. After lunch then continue the drive to Paro for 1 hour. Cultural sightseeing at Paro will start with a visit to Ta dzong (watch tower), which was built in 1951, and it was used as a watchtower to defend Rimpung dzong and Paro valley during the time of war and converted into a national museum in 1967. It is also a UNESCO world heritage.
The museum was partially destroyed by an earthquake in September 2011 and is under renovation but one can still see a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artifacts like costumes, religious Thangka paintings, arm weapons, and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps in the new gallery. You will also visit Paro Rimpung dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture. If still feel energetic you can take a short walk down to the cantilever bridge.
After 5 pm you will move to Kyichu temple, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in the 7th Century, and do Yoga for around one hour.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
The last day of the tour will be a hike to the sacred Taktsang Goenpa (tiger nest monastery), which was built on the rock face 900 meters above the valley floor.
Legend says Guru Rinpoche during his second visit to Bhutan in the 8th century has flown to the place riding on a tigress to subdue the demon Singye Samdrup and meditated here for three months. Later temporary ruler of Bhutan Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay built a monastery in the 16th century at the same location. It is one of the most highlighted holy sites of the tourist as well as a place where Bhutanese believe to be a must-visit site once in a lifetime.
In the evening, you will visit a farmhouse and have experienced a traditional Bhutanese dinner and have a hot stone bath.
Places and attractions:
- Rinpung Dzong
- Drukgyel Dzong
- Taktshang
- Kyichu Lhakhang
- Kila Gompa
- Dungtse Lhakhang
- Tachog Lhakhang
- Dzongdrakha
Accommodation options:
Today we will bid a fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back to our onward destination.
We hope by now you would have made some friends and also kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments!
- 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.
