Glimpse of Bhutan

You'll be received by our guide and the driver at the only International Airport in Bhutan located in Paro. You'll visit the National Museum of Bhutan to get a snapshot of Bhutan's rich culture and history and the transfer to the capital city Thimphu.

Visit National Museum of Bhutan – Ta Dzong: The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of Paro district) was established in 1968. It is housed in an ancient watchtower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watchtower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.

Transfer to Thimphu: Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and home to approximately 115,000 residents and the only capital city in the world without traffic lights. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country.

National Institute of Zorig Chusum: The National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Zorig Chusum means 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts) was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access in learning Zorig skills by Bhutanese youths. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (woodturning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving).

These thirteen arts and crafts are an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage that has been practiced from time immemorial. If the class is in session when you arrive, you will be allowed to enter the classroom and observe students as they get hands-on training.

Just located nearby is the National Library & Archives of Bhutan considered as the national treasure and is fundamental source of history, medicine, arts & culture. Both Institute of Zorg Chusum and National Library opens during weekdays and on Saturdays from 10am-12pm.

Leisure time to explore streets of Thimphu.

Distance 55km | Time 1.5 Hours | Thimphu Altitude 2,334m/7,655ft | Paro Altitude 2,195m/7,200ft

Overnight at Kuenphen Rabten Resort or Hotel Amodhara.

Today, you'll visit one of the largest sitting Buddha statues overlooking Thimphu valley and then transfer to Punakha valley via the sacred mountain pass, Dochula.

Buddha Dordhenma Statue – Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang: The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. From here you can see a nice view of Thimphu city. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also for the purpose of bringing peace in the world. The giant Buddha statue houses more than 100,000 8-inch tall Buddha statues of the same type. 

Then we drive to Punakha Valley via Dochula Pass.

Dochu La Pass – 3,150m/10,335ft above sea level: About 45 min drive from Thimphu towards Punakha is a mountain pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level from where you can see, on a clear day, some of the highest peaks of Bhutan. Before the construction of these beautiful 108 Druk Wangyal Choetens (stupas) in 2004, this mountain pass remained only as a sacred place blessed by a famous Buddhist saint, Lam Drukpa Kuenley in late 15th century. From Dochu La Pass, we will continue driving towards Punakha, passing through some villages, the elevation drops gradually and the road winds through the pine trees. As you reach the lower subtropical valley, you will feel the drastic change in altitude from 3,150m just an hour and a half ago to subtropical valley at 1,200m.

Just about 11km before arriving Punakha town, visit the 15th-century Chimi Lhakhang – The Temple of Fertility: Chimi Lhakhang is located on a gentle hilltop near the village of Sopsokha. To reach the temple, you have to walk 20 – 30 minutes through beautiful terraced paddy fields and traditional farmhouses. The history of Chimi Lhakhang is associated with 16th century Lama Drukpa Kuenley who was affectionately known as “Divine Madman” for his obscene behavior and outrageous ways of cleansing people from religious dogmatism and egoistic self-possession by exhibiting his strong desire for sex. He would often use phallus as a tool to subdue malevolent spirits. Using the phallus was also intended to free up the social inhibitions enforced by the socially established values. Today, one of the relics of Chimi Lhakhang is a phallus. The blessing of the phallus is considered sacred particularly to women who are unable to conceive a child as it brings fertility to women, giving them the ability to bear offspring. Because of this belief, people like to call Chimi Lhakhang as “Temple of Fertility”.

Then we drive to Punakha town and visit the historic Punakha Dzong: The historic Punakha Dzong was originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang, meaning the “Palace of Great Bliss”. It was built in 1637 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (Tibetan Buddhist master who came to Bhutan in 1616 and founded the nation-state of Bhutan) on a small stretch of land where the rivers Phochu and Mochu converge. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate wood works and the architectural structure of the dzong displays a fine example of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence Bhutanese architecture even today.

From there walk to Bhutan's longest suspension bridge that runs over glacial-fed Phochu (male) river and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial-fed rivers - Phochu (male) and Mochu (female) rivers.

Distance 74km | Time 2.5 Hours | Punakha Altitude 1,200m/3,935ft

Overnight at Meri Puensum Resort or Hotel Lobesa.

Today, before we drive back to Paro, you will do a wonderful hike to a Buddhist temple known as Khamsum Yuellay Namgyel Chorten located on a serene hilltop overlooking the Punakha valley.

Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten: Located on a mountain ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (Copper Coloured Mountain). It was built over a period of almost 10 years under the command of Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, one of the Grand Queen Mothers of Bhutan and was consecrated in 1999.

It takes only about 20 minutes drive from the main town of Punakha to the nearest road point. From there you cross a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu (female) River and the trail takes you through paddy fields. The round trip hike usually takes less than 3-hours hours.

Picnic lunch can be arranged by the bank of the Mochu river on the way back. After lunch, drive back to Paro.

On arriving back in Paro, visit the 7th-century Kyichu Lhakhang which is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue spirit of a giant demoness causing harm to the propagation of Buddhism in the Himalayan region. In order to subdue this demoness, King Songtsen Gampo was required to built 108 temples across the affected region. Bhutan is blessed with two of these 108 temples, the other one is Jampa Lhakhang located in the district of Bumthang in central Bhutan. Both the temples were believed to have been built overnight.

Leisure time to explore Paro town.

Distance 115 km | Time 3 hours |Thimphu Altitude 2,195mm/7,200ft

Overnight at Khangkhu Resort to Bhutan Mandala Resort.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will hike to the famous Paro Taktsang Monastery popularly known as Tiger's Nest and later in the afternoon, visit a beautiful farmhouse to enjoy a savoury home-cooked local cuisine.

Hike to Taktsang Monastery at 3,120m/10,235ft feet above sea level:

The round trip hike to Taktsang normally takes about 4-5 hours. Taktsang Monastery is built precariously on the rock cliff some 800m above the valley floor. The history of Taktsang is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the 8th century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew into the cave from Kurtoe Khenpajong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. It is not only considered as one of the most sacred pilgrimage site in Bhutan but also “a must visit” place for tourists.

Oneway horse riding is available on your way up to the mid-point (Taktsang Viewpoint Cafeteria) for a fee of about USD20 per horse per person. Horse riding is not recommended on your way down and most owners will not allow it.

Towards the late afternoon, visit a beautiful farmhouse and experience the traditional Bhutanese way of life. If you are interested, you can soak in a therapeutic and revitalizing traditional hot stone bath for an additional fee of about US$15 per person. Specially selected river stones believed to contain minerals are heated in a wood-fired fireplace and dropped into a chamber of wooden tub releasing minerals. Delicious home-cooked local cuisine will be served.

Overnight at Khangkhu Resort of Bhutan Mandala Resort.

After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Paro Int'l Airport for your onward journey.