Explore the splendours and famous sights of the Kingdom of Bhutan in less than 11 days. This tour experience the breathtaking views of the scenery, mountains, charming villages, unique culture and living tradition: the Paro Taktshang, Thimphu (the young capital city of Bhutan) still without traffic light, the Farmer’s Market, Chhimi Lhakhang (Fertility Temple), the Punakha-Wangdue Phodrang valleys, Black Mountain that separate eastern and western Bhutan, the Phobjikha glacial valley, the impressive Trongsa Dzong (a masterpiece of the Bhutanese architecture), the Bumthang valley, the Mebar Tsho (Flaming Lake) and don’t forget the rare Black-necked cranes! This tour can be taken at any time of the year or can be tailored entirely to your needs.
Day 1: Arrive Paro
On arrival, you will be met by our representative and visit Ta Dzong (ancient watch tower) which now houses the National Museum of Bhutan and continue to the Paro Dzong (also known as the Rinpung Dzong), built in 1644 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. After lunch we will drive a distance of 65-km for about one hour journey to Thimphu and en route stop off at the 14th century Tachog Lhakhang on the base of a mountain across the Pachhu River on the Paro-Thimphu highway, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s great architect Drupthop Thangtong Gyalpo (builder of iron chain bridges). The evening is at leisure to relax – so why not stroll in the great atmospheric Thimphu town?
Day 2: Sightseeing in Thimphu
Today enjoy a full day guided tour of the best of Thimphu city, the capital of Bhutan at an altitude of 2,300m. First stop is at the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Next, visit the 13th century Changgangkha Temple and the Folk Heritage Museum, a showcase of the Bhutanese artefacts used in rural households. Later, drive up to the Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Point) offering a panoramic view of the Thimphu valley, the Mini Zoo for Takin (national animal of Bhutan) and the Centenary Farmer’s Market on the banks of the Wangchhu River selling farm produces, local arts and crafts, etc. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
Today begin the day by travelling a distance of 77-km for about 3 hours journey to Punakha via Dochu La Pass at 3,050m. En route visit the Chimmi Lhakhang, which is located near Lobesa on a round hillock. The temple is revered as a sanctum of fertility, built by Lama Drukpa Kinley (the Divine Madman), who was fond of women and adopted unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism. Legend has it that the couples wishing to have a baby from across Bhutan and occasionally from overseas are blessed with a child after visiting the temple – Japanese and several American couples visited this temple and were blessed miraculously with children. Punakha, at an altitude of 1,300m, was once the old capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955. Visit the Punakha Dzong (also known as the Pungthang Dechen Phodrang Dzong) built in 1637, which is strategically located at the confluence of the Phochhu (male) and Mochhu (female) Rivers. Now the dzong serves as the administrative centre of Punakha district and the central monastic body. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 4: Punakha – Gangtey via Wangdue Phodrang
After breakfast, take a 45-minute walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten built by the Queen Mother of the 5th King to bring universal peace in this world, which lies 7-km up the Punakha valley. It is majestically located on a ridge with stunning views of the country side. There is no temple in Bhutan built as elaborately as this, which took 9 years to build it. A 30-minute drive from the Punakha Dzong takes us to the base of the hill and then cross a suspension bridge and walk through rice fields before climbing a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees. In the afternoon, drive a distance of 78-km for about 3 hours to Gangtey via Wangdue Phodrang. Phobjikha valley is one of the winter roosting grounds of the rare Black-necked Cranes, where they come in hundreds after spending their summer in Tibet and then migrates to the Himalayas of Bhutan to spend their winter – they arrive in the months of September and October and fly back to Tibet between February and March. Along the highway to Gangtey, you’ll photo stops as there are loads of breathtaking views during the journey. Tonight you will stay in Gangtey.
Day 5: Gangtey – Bumthang
After breakfast, we travel a distance of 120-km for about 5 hours to Trongsa via Pele La Pass at an altitude of 3,300m. This pass is an important dividing range that separates the western from central and eastern Bhutan. En route stop off at the Chendebji Chorten located below the road. Continue the journey for a further distance of 68-km for about 2 hours to Bumthang at an altitude of 2,600m, the most beautiful valley and cultural heartland of Bhutan. En route we stop for a quick visit to the Yathra Weaving Centre at Chumey, where they use yak and sheep wools for yathra products with patterns unique to Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 6: Sightseeing in Bumthang
After breakfast, we set out for a full day sightseeing to experience more of this spiritual heartland of Bhutan. You will visit the following legendary monasteries, temples and dzong: the Jakar Dzong, the Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songsen Gampo of Tibet, the Kurjey Lhakhang, built in 1652 and named after the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche who introduced the Buddhism in Bhutan, the Tamshing Lhakhang, built in 1501 which is the most important Nyingma temple in Bhutan. If time permits, visit the famous Swiss Cheese Factory and Diary Farm in Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 7: Bumthang – Ura
Today we will travel to Sheltang La and walk down hill to Ura Lhakhang. Admire the diverse flora and fauna along the short trek. En route you’ll visit the Mebar Tsho (flaming lake) located on the way to Tang village, where the renowned treasure reveller, Terton Pema Lingpa, discovered treasures from the lake in the late 15th century. Later, we drive back to Bumthang for overnight.
Day 8: Bumthang – Trongsa
This morning we head back to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the present Royal Family of Bhutan. Sightseeing today includes a visit to the magnificent Trongsa Dzong where the first two Kings ruled from this dzong and also visit the Ta Dzong (ancient watch tower). The evening is at leisure to relax, enjoy & explore the delightful surroundings of Trongsa town at an altitude of 2,200m. Spend the night in Trongsa.
Day 9: Trongsa – Paro
Today is a day-long journey heading back to Paro via Trongsa and Wangdue Phodrang. The journey passes through the awe-inspiring mountains and lush vegetation along the highway and will photo stops during the journey. Enjoy some leisure time in Paro town in the evening, one of the beautiful valleys in Bhutan and home to the famous Paro Taktshang (also known as Tiger’s Nest), National Museum and Drukair (Royal Bhutan Airlines). Spend the night in Paro.
Day 10: Hike to Paro Taktshang
This morning you’ll take a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest). No visit to Bhutan would be complete without a trip to Taktshang. The monastery is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 m above the Paro valley and takes about a 2-hour climb on a well-maintained trail through beautiful pine forest, trees festooned with Spanish Moss and fluttering prayer flags. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to Paro Taktshang cliff in the form of Guru Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming tigress in the 8th century. Afterwards, there may also be time to visit the Kichu Lhakhang, which is one of the oldest 7th century temples in Bhutan. Your last overnight in Paro.
Day 11: End of Tour
Your tour ends in Bhutan with a departure transfer to the Paro Airport for your onward journey. Your guide from Bhutan Green Travel will see you off. Goodbye and Good Luck!