Bhutan, the land of Thunder Dragon, is positioned between India and Tibet. Traveling to the Himalayan Kingdom, Bhutan offers the mesmerizing natural treasures, pristine landscape, and diverse flora and fauna.
A land of deep vales and fortresses (dzongs) (fortresses)- Bhutan is balanced on perilous peaks. Travelers witness cultural burlesque as they see various dances, religious practices, and giant monasteries therearound. It is only a country in the world where selling tobacco is strictly banned and the capital does not have any traffic lights as well. These all make your vacation leisurely memorable.
This 8-day tour to Bhutan covers the destinations as Paro, Thimphu, Gangtey, Chelela, Bhumthang, and Punakha which are the most popular areas in the whole Kingdom. Visiting antique monasteries, chortens, dzongs, colorful prayer flags, sightseeing the pristine rivers and dazzling mountains is breathtaking. Visiting the zoo, museum and doing some short hikes around offers you to explore the culture, tradition and the way of living there.
| Day | Highlight | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Paro Arrival drive to Thimphu | Thimphu |
| Day 2 | Thimphu Sightseeing | Thimphu |
| Day 3 | Thimphu to Punakha | Punakha |
| Day 4 | Punakha to Gangtey | Gangtey |
| Day 5 | Gangtey to Paro | Paro |
| Day 6 | Day Excursion to Chelela | Paro |
| Day 7 | Hike to Taktshang | Paro |
| Day 8 | Paro Airport and Departure |
After picking up from Paro airport, you will directly drive to Thimphu. On the way to Tamchogang, we will stop to capture the glimpse of Taachog Lhakhang, a 15th-century magnificent temple. This temple was built by the great iron builder Drupthop Thangthong Gyalpo. Then we will take a short walk reaching the river to perceive a 15-century old iron chain bridge built by the same builder of the temple. Reaching Thimpu-the capital city of Bhutan, you can stroll around the town.
After the first meal, you will visit Memorial Chorten which was erected by Her majesty Ashi Phuntsho Choden in reminiscence of her late son His majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ("the father of modern Bhutan") the third king of Bhutan.
You will drive to Sangaygang in the afternoon to view the whole Thimphu town.
On the way there, we make you a visit to Mini Zoo where you can sightsee Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. After that, you will visit Nunnery followed by Trashichho dzong, the good-looking fortification which houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room. It is also the summer home of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Dinner at night halt at Thimphu.
After inhaling the first meal of the day, you will drive to Punakha which approximately takes 4 hours from Thimpu. On the journey, you will stop at Dochula (3150m) on the way where you can sightsee 108 Druk Wangyel Chorten. After the short break having some snacks in a café there, you will further drive down passing the semitropical range of orange and cactuses.
Upon reaching Punakha, we will glimpse Punakha dzong. This is built on the convergence of
Phochu (Male River) and Mochu (Female River). It is also the winter residence of the Je- Khenpo, the chief abbot and serves as the administrative center of the Punakha district as well. Then we will have a short hike spending around an hour to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten. This place offers an astonishing and panoramic view of Kabesa village and the Mochu River, with all paddy fields in the back of rivers. Overnight at Punakha.
Wangduephodrang after breakfast today. In transit, you will sojourn Chimi Lhakhang which was assembled by Lama Drukpa Kuenley in the 15th century (This monk is popularly known as the Devine Madman for his philosophy, “Salvation through sex”). He subdued the demons with his “Magical Thunder bolt”. The Temple is also acknowledged as “The Temple of Fertility”.
Then a drive will be continued to Gangtey. In the evening, you will pass the beautiful Gangtey Trail. Dinner and night halt at Gangtey
Taking breakfast, you will go to the Gangtey monastery. Exploring the monastery and therearound, will continue the drive to Paro. You will get lunch on the way. Dinner and Night halt at Paro.
Having the first meal, you will drive to Chelela, the motorable road in Bhutan elevating 3,988 meters from the sea level. It approximately takes 2 hours reaching there. On the pass, you can see snow in the winter. In the favorable weather, you will get the picturesque glimpse of some snow-clad peaks including Mt. Jomulhari, the second highest peak in Bhutan.
As we drive back to Paro now and have lunch there. Afterward, you will make a visit to Ta Dzong (watchtower) built-in 1951. During the time of war, this watchtower was used to defend Ringpung dzong and Paro valley. In 1967, it converted into a national museum which is enlisted in UNESCO world heritage as well.
In the earthquake of September 2011, the original museum was destroyed unfortunately however, you can see the splendid collection of Bhutanese artifacts like costumes, religious Thangka paintings, arm weapons, and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps in the new gallery. Next, you will pay a visit to Paro Ringpung dzong-one of the finest example of Bhutanese architecture. If you wish further, you can have a short hike downward reaching Cantilever Bridge. Dinner and Night Halt at Paro.
After breakfast, you will walk to Paro Taktsang. This is one of the most popular monasteries visited by travelers which was first built in 1692. It is situated about the Taktsang Senge Samdup, a cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three months in the 8th century. It is also believed that Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) flew to this location from Khenpajong, Tibet on the back of a tigress and subdued a demon. He then performed meditation in one of the caves here and emerged in eight incarnated forms (manifestations) and blessed the place. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the "Tiger's Nest". Guru Padmasambhava is known for introducing Buddhism to Bhutan. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen caves in which he meditated.
In the afternoon, you will visit Drugyel Dzong; a fort that was built to commemorate a victory over Tibetan and Kyichu Lhakhang; one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
In the evening we will leisurely walk around the Paro town. Dinner and overnight at Paro.
After the first meal, you will be shifted to Paro International airport for your flight to the next destination. Our driver and tour guide will bid farewell.
Bhutan, a religious, cultural, spiritual
This Journey combines the Eastern to Wes
Bhutan, the land of eastern Himalayas is
