Day 01 Arrive Paro – Thimpu.
Arrive Paro, Bhutan’s only International airport. The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas; offering dazzling scenic views of some of world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter the Paro valley, you will pass forested hills with the slivery Pa Chu (Paro River) meandering down the valley below with the Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watch tower) on the hill above the town.
As you exit from the arrival hall of Paro airport, you will be met by your guide and chauffeured to your hotel in Thimphu (1 hrs). En-route stop to visit the Tamchogg Lhakhang and marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links from the famous Tibetan bridge-builder Thangtong Gyelpo.
On arrival drive to your hotel for check-in and lovely lunch made with local delicacies.
Afternoon at the property with a short walk around and polishing some archery skills.
Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 02 Thimpu.
Morning visit the Buddha Dordenma – a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue. The statue is filled with over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues, each of which, like the Buddha Dordenma itself is made of bronze and gilded in gold. At a height of 51.5 metres, it is one of the tallest Buddha statues on the world.
From here you will hike (2 hrs on an easy mostly downhill hike) on the trail that will take you through a beautiful forest patch towards Changankha Lhakhang. Changangkha Lhakang, with its high walls and prayer wheels, built in the 12th century, is said to be the oldest monastery in the capital city. This hike provides for magnificent views of Thimphu valley below. This trail is often used by His Majesty the fourth king as his mountain biking trail.
On arrival at Changankha, drive to a good restaurant in town for lunch.
After lunch, visit the Jungshi paper making factory. It is located approximately 1 km from Thimphu City. The factory uses the bark of two tree species, the Daphne tree and Dhekap tree in the manufacture of traditional paper. Visitors can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Here you will try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your very own as a souvenir. Deh-sho paper was originally used by monasteries for woodblock and manuscript books and also for writing prayer books as they are naturally insect proof.
Next drive to visit the National Institute for Zorig Chusum. It is also commonly known as Arts and crafts school or painting school. The institute offers courses ranging from 4 to 6 years on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. Followed by that then drive to visit the Voluntary artist’s studio. The impressive Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu is the capital’s main centre for artists. The goal of the studio is to promote both traditional and contemporary works of Bhutanese art, to provide vocational training for young artists and to act as a creative meeting venue for artists. It’s a great place to plug into the Thimphu art scene and chat with artists. Art by the students and instructors is sold at the Alaya Gallery, as well as at the Art Shop Gallery.
Return to your hotel for a restful evening.
Overnight at Thimphu.
Day 03 Thimpu – Paro – Bumthang.
After breakfast transfer to Paro airport to flight to Bumthang.
Paro – Bumthang Flight. Schedule to be advised.
Druk Air has not released schedule for this sector but it will be morning flight.
Bumthang is one of the most fascinating valleys in Bhutan, encompassing four major valleys. It is the religious heartland of Bhutan and home to many of the oldest and most sacred monasteries. The valley has plenty of opportunities for day hikes, many involving visit to remote Goenpas.
On reaching Bumthang, drive to your hotel for check in and lunch.
Later in the evening visit the Bumthang Red Panda brewery and the Cheese factory.
In the evening if you feel like a walk around Bumthang town, please let the guide know and he will be happy to assist you.
Drive back to your lodge for a restful evening.
Overnight at Bumthang.
Day 04 Bumthang.
After breakfast, drive towards Tang Valley with a packed lunch. On your way there, stop to visit Mebar Tsho (The Burning Lake).
A five-minute walk from the road, leads to a picturesque pool in the Tang River that is known as Mebar Tsho (Burning lake). In this lake the Terton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Padmasambhava, was supposed to have discovered religious treasure in the 12th century. Mebartsho is not a lake but a gorge in one of the rivers that runs through Tang valley. This lake is very sacred and is visited by many Bhutanese during the auspicious days to offer butter lamps. The importance of the site is indicated by the extensive array of prayer flags and is considered as one of the most holy places for Buddhist pilgrimage.
Tang is one of the remotest of Bumthang’s valleys and is a 10.5 Km drive on an unpaved road from the main highway. The people of this valley raise sheep and at higher elevations, yaks. In addition to its beautiful landscapes the valley also affords the opportunity to visit 16th century Naktshang (country manor)/Tang Ugyencholling Palace, which was built in 16th century and later renovated. Today the palace functions as a museum to preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious studies, research and solitude. The fascination and well-captioned exhibits offer real insights into the lifestyle of a Bhutanese noble family. The highlights include a book of divination, a dakini dance costume made of bone and the revelation that petrified yak dung was one of the ingredients for Bhutanese gunpowder were available in Bhutan itself.
We will be carrying a packed picnic lunch which will be laid out for you by the riverside in the valley.
Later after lunch, drive until the village of Bebzur from where you will go on a hike known as the Bushman trail. From this picturesque village you will start hiking up for about 30–45 minutes’ post which it is a pleasant and fairly easy hike all the way until Kharchu Dratshang. The hike is through beautiful pine forests and gives you good views of the Pemacholling nunnery and Zangdopelri (Paradise of Ugyen Guru Rinpoche). As you reach the end of the trail you will come across a large open meadow which is also a pasture land for the cows which provide for all the cheese that Bumthang is well known for. You will get great views of Chamkhar town and the entire valley from you. Your car will meet you at Kharchu Dratshang and drive you back to the lodge which is 10 minutes away.
The entire hike will take about 3–4 hrs mostly on an undulating trail.
Overnight at Bumthang.
Day 05 Bumthang – Phobjikha.
Breakfast, drive to Phobjikha.
On the way, if time permits, stop by to visit the Yathra weaving centre. It is the main outlet for about 240 households of the 13 villages in Bumthang who depend on the sale of traditional yathra for their livelihood.
En-route stop visits the Trongsa Dzong. Like almost all towns in the Kingdom, this Dzong architecture dominates the entire Trongsa horizon dwarfing the surrounding buildings. Built in 1648, it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second King ruled the country from this ancient seat. Protected from invaders by an impenetrable valley, Trongsa Dzong is an impregnable fortress. The Dzong itself is a labyrinth of temples, corridors and offices holding court over the local community. It is built on many levels into the side of the hill and can be seen from every approach to Trongsa heralding its strength as a defensive stronghold.
Next stop at a picturesque spot to have your packed picnic lunch.
Gangtey (Phobjikha) is one of the most beautiful valleys in the country and it’s the winter home of endangered black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate. These winged visitors begin arriving around the last week of September and early October and stay till the beginning of March. Phobjikha is at an altitude of 2900 m above sea level and on the periphery of the Black Mountain National Park. On reaching Gangtey check in to the hotel. Soak in the beautiful views of the Gangtey valley and relax.
On reaching Gangtey check in to the hotel, soak in the beautiful views of the Gangtey valley.
Overnight at Phobjikha.
Day 06 Phobjikha.
After breakfast, you will be escorted to the Gangtey Goemba (monastery), which enjoys the valley’s prime real estate, on a forested hill overlooking the green expanse of the entire Phobjikha valley. Pema Thinley, the grandson and reincarnation of Pema Lingpa, founded the Nyingma temple here in 1613 and today the Goemba is the seat of the 9th reincarnation of the body of the Terton (Treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa.
Then from the Goemba you will walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail (a downhill hike of 2 hrs), quite popular amongst the visitors to the valley. Crossing streams and rhododendron gardens you cross Sumchubara village, afterwards you enter the Pine covered forest, which opens at a canopy that affords fabulous views of the valley. Further down, the trial passes the village of Khewang and later you will cross the Nake Chu where you will be picked up by your car.
Return to your hotel in time for lunch. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at Phobjikha.
Day 07 Phobjikha – Punakha.
Leave at 9AM, you will be chauffeured to Punakha.
On arrival, you will be driven to your hotel for check-in and lunch. 2PM, you will be driven to the start of the valley and walk through paddy fields and the village of artists to Chimi Lhakhang (fertility temple), which is on a small hilltop. The temple was dedicated to the great Yogi in the 14th century, known as Drukpa Kuenley, also known as the “Divine madman.” He is known for dramatizing Buddhist teachings using songs. It is believed that this temple blesses women who seek fertility. If interested, you can also watch the Thangkha painters here in action.
Here you will have the option of doing a thangkha painting class.
Overnight at Punakha.
Day 08 Punakha.
07:30AM, early morning you will begin your hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (with a packed picnic breakfast). This three storey lhakhang was recently built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon for the protection of the country and the present King. It has an impressive view of the Punakha valley below. The deities represented here belong to a teaching cycle of Dudjom Rinpoche, a great Nyingmapa master (1904-87). The functions of the deities are to subjugate enemies and harmful influences and also to spread peace and harmony. We will carry a packed breakfast with us which you will enjoy at this serene setting.
Later hike down until you reach Changyul Bridge and drive towards Punakha Dzong. Constructed in 1637, this was the second of Bhutan’s Dzong and for many years its seat of government. From this spectacular setting you can look back to see the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Temple perched on the hillside far in the distance.
Afterwards drive back to the hotel in time for lunch.
03:30 PM, visit the Sangchhen Dorji Lhendrup Lhakhang Nunnery. Perched on a ridge amid pine trees gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang(temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans. The temple complex also houses a permanent higher learning and meditation center for nuns where, apart from religious trainings, it provides life skill training such as tailoring, embroidery, statue making and thangka painting.
Here you will have an hour-long interaction with the nuns who live in the nunnery. This will be followed by a Tshewang (blessing) ceremony. It is a prayer for personal empowerment, wish fulfilment and a healthy life. The prayer will last approximately 30 minutes, during which you will participate in the lighting up of butter candles as well.
Return to your hotel for a restful evening.
Overnight at Punakha.
Day 09 Punakha – Paro.
After breakfast, drive to Paro.
Stop on Dochu La to visit the 108 stupas built on this 3,150-metre-high pass in honor of the fallen Bhutanese soldiers.
Paro is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered through the area. It is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries, National Museum and country’s only airport. Mount. Chomolhari (7,314m) reigns in white glory at the northern end of the valley and its glacial water plunge through deep gorges to form Pa Chhu (Paro river). Paro is also one of the most fertile valley in the Kingdom producing a bulk of the locally famous red rice from its terraced field.
On entering Paro town, drive directly to your hotel for Check-in and lunch.
Afternoon, drive to visit the Ta Dzong or the National Museum. One-time watchtower was built to defend Rinpung Dzong during the inter-valley wars of the 17th century. Since 1967, the Ta Dzong has been serving as the National Museum of the country. It holds a fascinating collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings and Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps. The museum’s circular shape enhances its varied collection displayed over several floors.
End the day with a visit to the local farmhouse. It is a traditional village house. The beauty of Paro valley is embellished by cluster of old fashioned farm houses. Bhutanese farm houses are very colourful, decorative and traditionally built without the use of single nail. All houses follow the same architectural pattern. A visit to Farm House is very interesting and offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer.
Overnight at Paro.
Day 10 Paro.
After breakfast excursion to Taktshang 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 Shabdrung Ngawang 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.
On the way back to town stop at Drukgyel Dzong (visit from outside), a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Chomolhari, “mountain of goddess” can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong.
Along the way, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area.
Overnight at Paro.
Day 11 Paro – Departure.
After breakfast, on time transfer to Paro airport to flight back home.
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