Day 1: Arrival in Paro
Welcome to the land of happiness, also known as Druk Yul (country of the Drukpa Lineage, the Dragon People, or the Land of the Thunder Dragon.) Upon arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be greeted in our traditional style by our guide and driver, who will be accompany you throughout the tour.
After that, we will gradually start with the tour and drive towards Thimphu (capital city, 1hr drive). On the way, we will stop for a short sightseeing at Tamchog lhakhang (Temple built by the famous saint from Tibet called Thangtong Gyalpo in 13th century.)
Then we will be moving directly towards the capital.
First we will visit the Memorial Chorten (Built in the year 1974).
Then the famous 51.5m Buddha point (built in the year 2006).
Lunch will be at Simply Bhutan (to experiment the traditional life style of the Bhutanese).
Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (is a national textiles museum)
Tashichho Dzong (Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952)
Day 2: Thimphu
Today we will be visiting the Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress to ever build in the country by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal)
Changangkha Lhakhang (It was first built by Lama Phajo Drugom Zhigpo(12-13 century) the founder of Drukpa Kagyu school in Bhutan.)
Takin Preservation Centre (located in the Mothitang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan.)
Lunch will be at Folk Heritage (experience the authentic traditional style Bhutanese cuisine)
National Institute of Zorig Chusum; (Commonly known as ‘the painting school’, operates four to six years courses that provide instruction in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts.)
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory; You will witness the art of papermaking. Craftsmen demonstrate how Deh-sho paper is made using the bark of two local tress species. Buddhist monks use Deh-sho to write prayers and for woodblock printing.
Centenary Farmers’ Market Is where most of the locals gather on the banks of the river every weekend. Villagers from the nearby valley come here to sell agricultural products and handmade crafts to the locals.
Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha
Today you will be driving to Punakha district (the old capital of Bhutan till 1985). In the morning you will be driving across the Dochula Pass (Elevation 3100m) there you will stop for a short sightseeing for about 30minutes. Then you will drive down at the elevation of 1242m and reach Punakha.
Then have a lunch at a local traditional restaurant.
Then visit the famous Punakha Dzong (also known as Punthang Dechenphodrang) to witness the famous Drubchen Festival.
Later you will be checked in your hotel.
Day 4: Punakha
After breakfast, you can go witness the Punakha Drubchen Festival.
Or if you would like to visit other places, then you can visit the following;
Punakha Dzong/Chimi Lhakhang/The long suspension bridge
Day 5: Punakha
After breakfast, you can go witness the Punakha Drubchen Festival.
Or if you would like to visit other places, then you can visit the following;
Punakha Dzong/Chimi Lhakhang/The long suspension bridge
Day 6: Punakha to Gangtey
Today you will drive to Gangtey. (It’s a beautiful vast U-shape valley which is a winter residence of the famous endangered bird called “The Black Necked Crane”. It will take around 2hours 21 minutes to reach.
You can go visit Gangtey Goenpa. Generally known as Gangtey Monastery, is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism built in 17th century.)
Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
After lunch you can go for a short hike through Nature Trail, walk around the Phobjikha valley.
Then you can visit the Black Necked Crane Center.
Later you can check in the hotel and have a look around the beautiful valley of Phobjikha.
Day 7: Gangtey to Trongsa to Bumthang
Today you will drive to Bumthang through Trongsa. You will first cross the Chele La pass (3420m).
Then towards Trongsa district. Before reaching Trongsa, you will stop for awhile to take picture across the other side to see the largest dzong (Trongsa fortress) in the country.
Then move on to visit the dzong and the watch tower (museum of Trongsa district).
Then have lunch at the local restaurant and move towards Bumthang.
Get checked in the hotel and rest for the next day tour.
Day 8 & 9: Bumthang
Today after having breakfast, you will go visit Jakar Dzong.
Jambay lhakhang (The 2nd oldest Jowo temple was built by Songtsen Gampo the first dharma king of Tibet)
Kurjey lhakhang (Kurjey the name has been derived from the body print of Guru Padmasambhava that has been left after the subjugation of the Shelzen Karpo.)
Tamzhing monastery (The foundation has been done by Terton Pema Lingpa from (1501-03) and it is the second temple built by him.)
Kenchosum lhakhang (Kencho sum lhakhang means the temple of three times Buddha (past, present and future)
Mebartsho/Burning lake (It was prophesied by a Terton Dorji Lingpa that one day the boy will come from this village and discover a treasure from this river. So as prophesied a Terton Pema Lingpa is born to a father Dondrup Zangpo and mother Pema Dolma and he was born with many miraculous birth sign. Later he gathered all the people in the village and discovered a treasure from the river. The legend says that he went into a lake with a burning butter lamp and came out without putting off the light and came out with a text and treasure so it was named as a burning lake.)
Day 10: Bumthang to Lobesa/ Wangdue
Today you will start your journey back to Paro; you will need to halt a night at Lobesa or Wangdue since it’s a long journey back.
Day 11: Lobesa/ Wangdue to Paro
Today you will drive to Paro. It will take around 2 hours 33 minutes to reach Paro.
Then you will first visit National museum / Ta Dzong / Watch tower. (Ta Dzong actually means a watch tower to look after the province of Paro valley and served as a regional administrator as well as a store house which would ensure supplies in the event of warfare.)
Then Paro Dzong / Rinpung Dzong (It was built by Gyalchog (brother of Gyalzom) the family of lama Pha Dung Dung in 15 centuries. He surrendered himself to the local deity Jawang Nep and built a 5 storied building and named as Hungrel Gampo.)
Lunch at a local restaurant at Paro town.
After lunch you will visit Kichu lhakhang (Kichu it actually means the peaceful palace. There are three temples built by a very renowned person with different dates. The first temple was built by a 1st Dharma king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in 7th century. He has built a 108 structure in a Himalayan region to ogress the evil spirits and out of those two temples was now in Bhutan and they are Kichu lhakhang in Paro and Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang.)
Then will you check in your hotel and rest.
Day 12: Tiger’s Nest Paro
Today you will be visiting the most iconic structure in the valley of Paro, the Tiger’s Nest. In the morning, you guys need to have a good set of meal for the total of 5 to 6 hours round trip hike to the tiger’s nest. Take all the necessary things which your guide will brief you beforehand so that later you guys won’t have any problems with anything. It will be an amazing and a good hike so be sure to take your cameras as well to take memories back home.
Lunch will be at the tigers nest cafeteria (Serves only vegetable meals) or back to Paro town at the local restaurant.
Later it will be optional for you guys, you can dip in the hot stone bath to relax your body from hike you did or skip that and just relax at the hotel.
Day 13: Departure from Bhutan
Our guide and driver will bid farewell to you all and have a pleasant flight back home. We will be looking forward to seeing you again in future for another place to tour around.