Enchanting Bhutan Tour
Tour Highlights
THIMPHU
- Tschogang Lhakhang
- King’s Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten)
- Tashichho Dzong
- Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park
- Local Bazaar
PUNAKHA
- Punakha Dzong
- Chimi Lhakhang
BUMTHANG
- Chendebji Chortern (en route)
- Jakar Dzong
- Jambay Lhakhang
- Kurjey Lhakhang
- Namkhe Nyingpo Goemba.
GANGTEY
- Gangtey Monastery known as Gangtey Goempa
PARO
- Simtokha Dzong (en route)
- Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong)
- Hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
- Kyichu Lhakhang
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Paro - transfer to Thimphu
Welcome to Bhutan, the land of the “Thunder Dragon”!
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometres, it will take about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro.
On the way, you will first encounter a private temple – Tschogang Lhakhang, the temple of the excellent horse. Keep driving to Thimphu, you will have a short stop at Chuzom, a confluence where the Paro Chhu and Wong Chhu meet. It is decorated with three different styles of stupas, namely Tibetan, Nepalese, and Bhutanese. After arriving in Thimphu, you will check in at the hotel.
Later, you will head to visit the King’s Memorial Chorten (National Memorial Chorten), a stupa built in memory of the third king in 1974. The display inside shows good statues of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy. Then, you will explore Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan. After that, you will visit Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park, where you can see the 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, one of the largest Buddha statues in the world, as well as the Vajra Throne Buddha. Stay overnight in Thimphu.
Day 2 : Thimphu to Punakha
In the morning, you will take a drive from Thimphu to Punakha. The distance from Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometres, and it takes around 3 hours to complete. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to appreciate the panoramic view of the Himalaya Ranges in Bhutan and take photos of the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass.
After arrive in Punakha, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favourite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honourable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.
After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will continue to visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery. Standing on a small hillock close to the village of Lobesa, it is a beautiful Buddhist monastery that was built in the 14th Drukpa hierarchy, Ngawang Choegyel. Later, you will drive back to Punakha. Stay overnight in Punakha.
Day 3 : Punakha to Bumthang
After breakfast, you will start the journey to Bumthang, the spiritual heart in central Bhutan. It takes approximately 7 hours to travel the 197 kilometers from Punakha to Bumthang. You will enjoy the stunning scenery of lush forests of oaks and pine trees along the way. En route, you will visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Nepalese-style chorten that sits quietly by the side of the road. Modeled after the Swayambhunath in Kathmandu, this chorten was built in the 19th century by Lama Zhida to conceal the remains of an evil spirit that was said to have been slain at this very spot. After arriving in Bumthang, your guide will help you check in at the hotel. Stay overnight in Bumthang.
Day 4 : Bumthang
In the morning, you will first visit Jakar Dong in Bumthang Valley. With a circumference of more than 1,500 meters, Jakar Dzong is one of the most majestic dzongs in Bhutan and is widely accepted as a wonderful piece of architectural art all over the country. Then, you are going to worship the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 AD. It is one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred temples, which was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rinpoche restored his life with his magical powers. After that, you will continue to visit the nearby Kurjey Lhakhang. It houses the imprint of Guru Rimpoche who meditated in a cave where the monastery was built. Finally, you will explore Namkhe Nyingpo Goemba, a large Nyingmapa monastery located on a hill to the east of Jakar. Built in the 1970s by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche, it offers a serene and spiritual experience. Stay overnight in Bumthang.
Day 5 : Bumthang to Gangtey
After breakfast, you will start your journey to Gangtey, located 163 kilometers from Bumthang. Also known as Phobjikha, Gangtey is one of Bhutan’s most stunning destinations and serves as the winter home for a group of endangered black-necked cranes that migrate annually from the Tibetan Plateau.
Upon your arrival, you will visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. Situated atop a hill at an altitude of 2800m, the monastery offers a stunning view of Phobjikha Valley. Stay overnight in Gangtey.
Day 6 : Gangtey to Paro
Getting up early this morning, you will say farewell to the charming Gangtey Valley and take a 5-hour drive back to Paro. En route, you will visit the Simtokha Dzong. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.
Upon your arrival in Paro, you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. Nowadays, it serves as an administration center and school for monks. Stay overnight in Paro.
Day 7 : Taktsang Monastery Hike in Paro
After breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery). Perched on the side of a cliff 900 meters above the Paro Valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory. The hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery is about 3 km one way and takes around 5 to 6 hours for the round trip. After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro.
In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century. Stay overnight in Paro.
Special Notice
You’re not allowed to take photos inside Taktsang Monastery, but you can take a nice shot on your hiking road to the monastery. At the temple entrance, you have to deposit all belongings, like cameras, phones, other electronic equipment, etc.
Day 8 : Departure from Paro
After breakfast, you will checkout from the hotel and transferred to Paro International Airport for your next destination.
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