08 Nights / 09 Days
PARO - THIMPHU - PUNAKHA - GANGTEY/PHOBJIKHA - BUMTHANG - PARO
DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO, PARO - THIMPHU (55 KMS / 1.5 HRS DRIVE)
Arrive Paro international airport. Meet and greet upon arrival. Pick- up and drive to Thimpu by Transport.
Upon arrival at Thimpu, check-in at hotel. Rest day at leisure.
In the afternoon visit to King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 02: Thimphu – Punakha (75 Kms/03 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast, visit some of the highlights of the capital, including one of the oldest temples in Thimphu, 12th century Changangkha Lhakhang (Lhakhang means temple) and the National Memorial Chorten, first initiated by the Third King as a protection from the negative elements of modernisation, and as a monument to world peace. Also visit Heritage Museum. After lunch drive to Punakha. Upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 03: Punakha
Morning drive to Yabesa village and hike to through rice fields and up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by her majesty the queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuk.Also visit Punakha Dzong, the “Palace of Great Happiness” built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. The three-story main temple of the Punakha Dzong is a breath-taking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver.
Later drive to Punakha valley for a short walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the Drukpa Kuenly, known as the Divine Madman. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time. He preached people that religion is an inner feeling and it’s not necessary that one should be an ordained monk. Devotees visit his temple for blessing of fertility and children.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 04: Punakha – Gangtey/ Phobjikha (75 Kms/2.5 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Gangtey, over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), here you can enjoy glimpses of an incredible view of Himalayan peaks. Phobjikha Valley also known as Gangtey Valley, is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black necked cranes (November – March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
DAY 05: Phobjikha Valley – Bumthang (170 Kms/05 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast, visit Phobjikha Sanctuary to view the majestic black necked cranes (Nov-Mar only) and Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), dating back to the 16th century. Later Afterwards drive by luxury 4WD over the Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range towards Trongsa. Enroute visit the beautiful 18th century Chendebji Chorten. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. Visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan and the Ta Dzong museum housing a collection of historical artifacts of the Royal Family.
Continue driving towards Bumthang (2.5 hrs), the spiritual of the kingdom. Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Palaces, Buddhist temples and monasteries.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 06: Bumthang
Morning after breakfast, visit Kurjey Lhakhang - one of the Kingdoms oldest & sacred temples, where Bhutan’s patron Saint Guru Rimpoche meditated. It dates back to the origins of Buddhism in Bhutan and is one of the Kingdoms oldest temples. Also visit Jakar Dzong and Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pemalingpa and containing interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 07: Bumthang – Paro
Enjoy a stunning mountain flight with incredible views over Bhutan from Bumthang back to the Paro Valley. On arrival visit Ta Dzong Museum, many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Also visit the Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 08: Paro
Morning after breakfast, hike to Taktsang Monastery. The track is a 02 hrs walking uphill. Who cannot hike, can hire a pony to reach viewing point. The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is also an important pilgrim site for the Buddhists. Also visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 09: DEPART PARO
Morning after breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for onward journey.