About this tour

EXPLORE BHUTAN 

Duration: 9Nights10 Days

Day 1: Arrival in Paro, Bhutan 

After a scenic mountain flight, you will arrive at Paro International Airport. Our representatives will be already there to pick you up with your name on a board. You will then have one and a half hours of drive to Thimphu. The driving will give you the time to acclimatize in the Bhutanese environment and you will also get the amazing views of the landscapes along the way. Once you reach Thimphu, you will check into a hotel and set out to explore the city. You will first have a 15 minutes’ drive to Kunesel Phodrang which is a famous viewpoint in Thimphu. Enjoy the amazing view of the city and surrounding landscapes. You will also get to see a large statue of Gautama Buddha. The viewpoint is also known as Buddha’s point. You will then visit Memorial Chorten which showcases the brilliant Bhutanese architecture and the Buddhist artifacts like prayer wheels, mani walls, images, statues, flags, etc. After that, you will visit Tashichho Dzong/Fortress which is another prominent heritage site in Thimphu. The fortress works both as a monastery and administration. The throne room and the office of the King are also here. Later, you can either rest or stroll around the city.

Day 02 Thimphu Sightseeing

Thimphu Tour. Visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. We then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch we drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). We finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu. Over night in Hotel.

Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha

You will head towards Punakha after the early morning breakfast in Thimphu. It takes about 3 hours of drive to get to Punakha. Stop by Dochula Pass to get the stunning view of the Himalayas and Landscapes. There are 108 Chorten in the Pass, built in the memory of the departed soldiers, which look amazing against the mountains. Once you reach Punakha, you will check into a hotel, rest for a while. For the rest of the day, you will spend sightseeing Punakha. You will first visit Punakha Dzong situated at the confluence of Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers. It is a beautiful fortress, the summer residence of the monks and the administration office of the Punakha district. Then you will go to the suspension bridge over Pho Chu river which is the longest suspension bridge and  a beautiful viewpoint., After that, you will hike for an hour to visit Khamsum Yuley temple. You will get a spectacular view of the Punakha and the surrounding landscapes from there.

Day 04 Punakha to Gangtey

Gangtey tour. Drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. Enroute sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes: visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. Drive further to Gangtey. On arrival check in to Gangtey Gompa House. Visit Gangtey Gompa Monastery, from outside. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth re-incarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang.

Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. Dinner and overnight at the Guest House.

Day 05 Gangtey to Trongsa

Trongsa Tour.We start early today. After breakfast drive to Trongsa via. Gangtey.  Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. Packed lunch will be served at Gangtey. After Lunch, drive to Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Then Visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is said to be dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal. Over night in Hotel.

Day 06 Trongsa to Bumthang

Bumthang tour. Drive to Bumthang. Lunch at Bumthang. After lunch, visit Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”. The current structure was built in 1667 and is said to be the largest Dzong in Bhutan and then visit Lamey Goemba, a large palace and monastery built in 18th century by Dasho

Phuntsho Wangdi. Visit Jambay Lhakhang said to have been built by King

Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang and was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rimpoche restored his life force. Under the temple is said to be a lake in which Guru Rimpoche hid several Terma. In October one of the most spectacular festival, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup” is staged here. Over night in Hotel.

Day 07 Bumthang Tour and Ura Valley Excursion

Bumthang to Ura Valley Excursion. Ura is a town in Ura Gewog

In Bumthang District in northeastern Bhutan. Matsutake Festival. The town is famous for the Matsutake Festival that takes place every year.

Day 08 Bumthang to Haa via Paro

The flight takes about 25 minutes from Batpalathang to Paro airport. Our team will be waiting outside the airport and drive you to Haa and on the way visit Chelela Pass the highest road point in Bhutan. Overnight at Ugyen Farm House. 

Day 9 -Paro – Tiger nest (Hike to Taktsang Monastery)

Today, you will get to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Bhutan’s most popular destination. It is also known as Paro Taktsang or just Taktsang Monastery. There are three major temples here and a cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated. It is located on a cliff that is only accessible by foot. If you want, you can get up to the cafe on a horse but after that, you have to hike. It takes about 5 hours to get to the top and return with some gentle and steep slopes. After reaching the top, you can get an amazing view of the whole Paro valley and beautiful landscape. You may take your time to explore the monastery, its beautiful architecture, Tibetan Buddhist art, and craft.

Day 10: Departure 

You will wake up in a hotel in Paro, have your breakfast and head towards the airport. We will guide you through the procedure and wish you farewell.