From an exhilarating flight to spectacular views of the architectural masterpieces of the Himalayan Kingdom, embodied in the scores of Dzongs (Fortresses) and monasteries, a virgin landscape preserved and unsoiled, including flora and fauna that will enthrall you, a journey to some of Bhutan’s most beautiful places is an experience you cannot forget. Taking you to Bhutan’s most sacred valley, this package has almost everything you would wish for.
Day 01 – Bangkok/ Delhi/ Katmandu – Paro - Thimphu
After an unforgettable flight into Paro International Airport, wherein you would have feasted on some of the wonders of the Himalayas, such as views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other famous Himalayan peaks, including Bhutan’s Jomolhari and Mount Jichu Drake, you will have a thrilling landing. At the airport, you will be received by representatives of our company, who will escort you to a Hotel. After lunch at the hotel, you will be driven to Thimphu.
Overnight at a hotel.
Day 02 – Explore Thimphu valley
The morning will be dedicated to sightseeing.
Memorial Chorten (Stupa): Your day will begin with visits to the Memorial Chorten, one of Bhutan’s most beautiful stupas built in memory of the Father of Modern Bhutan, Third King Jigmi Dorji Wangchuck.
Buddha Point: The next visit will be to Buddha Point, where the gigantic Buddha Statue stands.
Changangkha Lhakhang: A 13th century monastery, built by Phajo Drugom Shigpo and later embellished by his son Nyima, the monastery is believed to be the protector of all people born in the Chang valley.
GNH Centre: Established to propagate Gross National Happiness (GNH), and act as a fulcrum of practicing this unique philosophy, Thimphu’s GNH centre conducts meditation and other programs. We will be visiting the centre and if possible engage ourselves in one of the practices.
Others: We will also be visiting the Takin Zoo, drive to Sangaygang, a point from where you can have a bird’s eye view of Thimphu valley, Handicraft’s center, the Local Bhutanese Paper making factory, a Nunnery and the Arts and Craft School.
After lunch, visit National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved, the Folk Heritage museum and the Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building. This massive structure houses part of the government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot and the senior monks. Overnight at the hotel
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdue
Taking about three to four hours, the drive from Thimphu traverses thorough a constantly changing landscape of vegetation, waterfalls, flowers, mountains and meadows. After a 45 minutes drive, we will stop at the popular Dochula pass (3,100m), from where on a clear day, we can see the entire eastern Himalayan range, comprising snow-capped mountains with heights ranging from 6000m to 7554m. Apart from its wealth of extremely beautiful flowers, the 108 Buddhist stupas exquisitely built around a mound adds to the grandeur of the place.
The journey forward from the pass descends to the sub-tropical valley of Punakha, which served as Bhutan’s capital in the past and holds some of the country’s most priceless treasures, especially Buddhist relics. The Punakha Fortress is an architectural masterpiece and resembles a gigantic ship on an ocean floor from afar, and girdled by two (Male and Female) rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955 and is still home of the Chief Abbot in winter months. On the way to Punakha, we will hike for about 1 hour round trip to the monastery of Drupa Kuenley, “Divine Madmonk,” which was built in the 15th century.
Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal has played prominent role in civil and religious life of the Kingdom. Destroyed four times by fire and an earthquake in 1897, the Dzong has been now fully restored in its original splendour.
After Lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit Punakha Dzong and then drive for half an hour and hike to the Khamsumyuly chorten.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 04: Punakha/Wangdue - Trongsa
Early morning, we will drive to Trongsa via Wangduephodrang across the Pelela pass (alt. 3,300m), the traditional boundary between east and west. Large prayer flags mark the place. En-route, we will stop at Chendbji Chorten (Stupa), which was built in the 18th century by a lama named Shida. The stupa is Nepalese in style with eyes painted at four cardinal points.
Overnight at hotel in Trongsa.
Day 05: Trongsa - Bumthang
After breakfast walk by Tongsa Dzong, built by Shabdrung in 1647. Another majestic architectural masterpiece and once ancient Bhutan’s capital, it is very historic and every King, before ascending the Throne must, as the Crown Prince serve as the Penlop (Governor) of Trongsa.
We will also visit the Ta Dzong (watch tower) and then drive to Bumthang which is about 3 hours. 29 Kms from Tongsa we reache the Yutong La pass (alt. 3,400 m) and after a further 13 kms drive, the road enters into a wide, open and cultivated valley known as Chumey valley.
On arrival in Bumthang, check into a hotel
Day 06: Bumthang
One of the most sacred regions in the Kingdom, Bumthang valley is a blend of the abstract and concrete with innumerable legends surrounding the area.
You will be visiting Kurje Lhakhang where the Great Indian Saint Guru Padsambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock. The other is Jamphel lhakhang, which was built in the 7th century by Songsten Goembo, the Tibetan Buddhist King. Jakar Dzong (the fortress of white bird) built in the 17th century by Tenzin Rabgay (the fourth Desi) is another famous landmark.
You will also be visiting, Tamshing lhakhang built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa (the founder of religious treasures). Kunchosum lhakhang and Membertsho (the flaming lake) are other places. Legend has it that Pema Lingpa discovered several religious text from the lake.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 07: Bumthang - Trongsa - Gantey / Phobjikha
After breakfast proceed to Gantey/Phobjikha via Trongsa. The approach to Phobjikha valley is through a forest of Oak and Rhododendron. Phobjikha is one of the few glacial valleys in Bhutan and chosen home of black necked cranes which migrate from the central Asiatic Plateau to escape its harsh winters.
Overnight at a hotel.
Day 08: Gantey / Phobjikha - Wangdue – Thimphu- Paro
After breakfast, explore Phojikha valley and also visit Gangtey Monastery. Then we drive to Paro via Wangduephodrang. Overnight at the hotel
Day 09: Paro
We will visit Kyichu Monastery, one of Bhutan’s oldest, built in 659 A.D. by the Buddhist Tibetan King Songsten Goembo. A short drive from there will take us to the ruins of Drugyel Dzong (”Castle of the Victorious Drukpa”), which was built to commemorate the victory of Bhutanese forces over the Tibetans in the 16th and 17th centuries. You will also visit the National Museum and Paro Rimpong Dzong. You can take a stroll of the town after which you can call it a day.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Paro – Takstang monastery hike
One of Bhutan’s holiest shrines and an amazing structure that crosses all boundaries of architectural masterpiece, Taktsang (Tiger’s Lair) monastery is perched some 1000m/3000ft on a cliff overlooking a valley. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D. Taktshang monastery is the ultimate pilgrim site for all Buddhist, especially in Bhutan.
The hike to the monastery takes about 5 hours (up and down), and follows an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels.
Day 11: Paro – Delhi/ Bangkok/ Katmandu
After early breakfast, we drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
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