– Route –

Thimpu, Gangtey, Bhumthang, Punakha, Paro

Tour Detail:

Day 01:  Arrival Paro      

Arrival Paro airport and transfer to Thimphu.  On arrival, in Thimphu check-into the hotel. The capital town of Bhutan and the center of government, religion, and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with an unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu’s main street and market area. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu

After breakfast, proceed for the guided tour of the city’s main attractions that include: Textile Museum, National Library, Institute for Zorig Chusum, Changangkha Lhakhang, Simply Bhutan Museum, Memorial Chorten, Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Conclude the tour of the day with a visit of Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu – Gangtey (150 kms, approx. 5:30 hrs. drive)

After breakfast enjoy a dramatic drive over the high mountain pass of Dochu La (3O8O m)   and on to the Phobjikha Valley passing through dense forests and oak, rhododendron trees. In the afternoon take a walk around Gangtey village and visit Gangtey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region.  Explore Gangtey village and Phobjikha valley. Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

Day 04: Gangtey – Trongsa – Bhumthang (200 km, approx 7 hrs)

After breakfast drive to Bumthang crossing Pele-la pass (3300m/10830 ft) via Trongsa, The Pela La (pass) is marked by a large white chorten prayer flag. Stop en route at Chendbji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at four cardinal points. Then stop to visit Trongsa Dzong. Also, visit Ta Dzong, recently opened fort in Trongsa. Further 68 km drive across the Yutong-La pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft) finally brings you to wide open cultivated Bumthang valley. Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Day 05: Bhumthang                

After breakfast proceeds for the tour of Bhumthang valley: Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries. Visit Kurje Lhakhang, the Jambey Lhakhang (7th-century temple), Tamshing Lhakhang (housing some of the oldest wall paintings in Bhutan), and Jakar Dzong (administrative center of the region). Stroll in the village, visit the little handicrafts shop at the entrance to the town, in the afternoon take a short hike to LhodrakKharchhu Monastery. Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang

Day 06: Bhumthang – Punakha (200 kms approx.7 hrs drive)

After a short stroll around the town departs for the lengthy drive to Punakha along the scenic mountain highway. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 07: Punakha

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body. Later in the evening  excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the center of the valley, also known as the temple of fertility. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 08: Punakha – Paro (125 kms, 4hr drive)

After breakfast drive back to Paro descending back down from Dochu La, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley.  En-route visit Simtokha Dzong, the place of profound tantric teaching, this dzong now houses a school for the study of the Dzongkha language. Later in the day after checking into the hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 09: Paro

After breakfast excursion to Taktsang Monastery (5hrs hike):  It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by ShabdrungNgawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime. On 19 April 1998, a fire severely damaged the main structure of building but now this Bhutanese jewel has been restored to its original splendor. Evening an exploratory walk around the main street and market area. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 10: Depart Paro

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination.