Country Vacation - Bhutan Scenic Tour

DAY 01: ARRIVE AT PARO, PARO – THIMPHU (55KM/1 HOUR)

The flight into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas, offering dazzling scenic views of some of the world’s highest glacial peaks. As you enter Paro valley, you will sweep past forested hills with the silvery Pa Chu (Paro river) meandering down the valley below. Paro Dzong (fortress) and Ta Dzong (watchtower) on the hills above the town will be a fine sight. Our representative will receive you and will drive to Thimphu with sightseeing along the way.

Drive towards the capital city, Thimphu.

• Stop at Tachhog Lhakhang and visit the temple and the bridge built by handmade iron chain.

• Visit National Memorial Chorten: The building was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

• Evening visit Tashichho Dzong the impressive fortress which houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and central monk body. Witness the Flag lowering ceremony before you enter the Dzong.

• Free to explore at Thimphu town. If you are interested to buy Bhutanese souvenir, strolling around Craft Bazaar could be fun.

Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu.

Please note if your flight arrival is after 12 noon 

DAY 02: THIMPHU- PHOBJIKHA (135 KMS/5-6 HOUR)

• Drive to Phobjikha via Dochu-la pass (3,088m/10,130ft). We can stop over a cup of coffee and enjoy the panoramic view of Mountain range. If skies are clear, the high Himalayan peaks towards the north east will be revealed in all their glory. On a clear day, the following peaks can be seen from this pass (left to right): Masagang (7,158m), Tsendegang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158m), Kangphugang (7,170m), Zongaphugang (7,060m) a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana, and finally, Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m.

Simultaneously you can also enjoy the view of 108 Stupas(Druk Wangyel Chortens)

• On the way stop at Punakha/Nobding for Lunch.

• After Lunch, proceed to Phobjikha, one of the most pleasant glacial valleys in Bhutan 

• We can try out Gangtey Natural trail hike. This is one of the most beautiful and shortest of the existing nature trails in Bhutan. The trail hike starts from the Mani (like Chorten) stone wall to the north of the Gangtey Goenpa and ends in Khewa Lhakhang. The hike takes about 1hr 30minutes through the pine forest and small bamboo plants. You can see the Phobjikha valley so beautifully from this hike. It is one of the best hike places for the Nature lovers. During the winter months, we can see the endangered species of birds – Black Neck Cranes.

• Rest of the day at leisure. You can explore the valley or soak yourself in a traditional hot stone bath! 

Overnight at Hotel at Gangtey/Phobjikha

DAY 3: PHOBJIKHA- TRONGSA-BUMTHANG (188 KMS/ 7 HOURS)

• We will visit striking Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. If you wish you can light butter lamp, hoist prayer flags or offer incense & get the feel of Buddhist wonderland.

• We journey onward to Jakar (Bumthang) which is perhaps long, but certainly memorable with dramatic landscapes of terraced farmland, deep river valleys and precariously perched farmhouses viewed from the only east west highway that has been ingeniously carved out of the mountain faces. 

• Following a brief stop at Chendebji Chorten, which according to belief was built to cover the remains of a demon spirit, you will carry on to what was the original home of the royal family. 

• Upon reaching Trongsa you may take time to stroll this quaint village and official business permitting, perhaps visit the Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home to Bhutan’s monarch where you will often find novice monks reciting mantras or practicing on sacred horns, flutes or drums. 

• Then visit Ta Dzong on the hillside above the town, built as a watchtower to guard Trongsa Dzong.

• The drive onward to Bumthang takes you over the picturesque Yotong La and down into the Chumey Valley, home of Bhutan’s famous Yatra weaving. 

Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang.

DAY 04: BUMTHANG 

• Bumthang is the general name given to a group of four valleys – Chumey, Choekor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000m (8,530-13,125ft).  This area is home to many ancient Buddhist temples and monasteries.

• You start to visit Choekor valley, approximately 1 ½ hr drive from the lodge. You have choice to further explore our neighboring palace, Wangdichhoeling, home to the 2nd King, and the auspicious prayer wheels next door. Heading up valley, you will take in the grand Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambey Lhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro).

• After lunch, we will visit Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa.  It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings.  Later on, we will visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”, then take a stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the lodge. 

Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang.

DAY 05: BUMTHANG 

Today you will explore further in Bumthang district with an excursion the stunningly beautiful Tang Valley. This seldom visited valley offers a treat in revealing some off the beaten track Lhakhang and monasteries, and the amazing museum at Ugyen Chhoeling Palace.

A short hike takes you up to this well maintained Palace and it cultural treasures inside. Along way you will stop for a traditional picnic with breathtaking views of the pristine surroundings. Way back, just below the main road junction visit Tang Mebartsho (Burning lake), where the Terton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Padmasambhava, is supposed to have discovered religious treasure in the 12th century. This lake is very sacred and is visited by many Bhutanese during auspicious days to offer butter lamps. The important of the site is indicated by the extensive array of prayer flags and is considered as one of the most holy places for Buddhist pilgrimage.

Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang

DAY 06: BUMTHANG- PUNAKHA (210KMS/8HRS) 

After Breakfast proceed to Punakha. Today’s journey back to Punakha will be a lengthy one, taking lunch en route. We will then drive on through the mountains.

Overnight at Hotel in Punakha

Day 07 : PUNAKHA-THIMPHU (77KMS/3HRS)

Today, after Breakfast in the morning we can begin the day with hike up through fields of rice along the banks of the Mo Chhu to the upper end of the valley to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a stunning monument recently built by the Queens and consecrated in 1999.

OR 

- Visit Wolakha Nunnery located on top of a hill, spectacular view from the hill.

- Visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. Punakha was Bhutan’s capital until 1955 and Punakha Dzong still serves as the winter residence of the central monk body. Bhutan’s first king, Ugyen Wangchuck, was crowned here in 1907. The fortress has withstood damage from fire, earthquake and flood over the centuries. The latest flood, in October, 1994, caused great damage to the fortress but miraculously spared its most holy statue.

-if interested you can try white water rafting

Drive to Thimphu 

Overnight at hotel at Thimphu

DAY 08: THIMPHU- PARO: PARO TAKTSHANG HIKE (4-6 HOURS) 

Early morning start for Paro 

• Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger’s Nest) is the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Accessible only by foot, we follow a trail decorated with colorful prayer flags along the way to protect travelers from evil spirits. Built over the caves that Guru Padmasambhava meditated in for three years, this eighth-century father of Bhutan Buddhism is said to have been brought there on the back of a tigress. One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan it offers breathtaking views to those energetic enough to make it to the top.

• Visit One of the oldest temples in Bhutan- Kichu Temple

Evening free or can visit the Paro town with a street of typical Bhutanese traditional buildings.

Overnight at hotel in Paro

DAY 09: DEPARTURE  

• Our team will see you off from Paro international Airport.