Himalayan Wonderland

• Visit to the largest Statue of Buddha in Bhutan
• Memorial Chorten
• Punakha Dzong (built in 1637)
• A Panoramic view of the Himalayas from the Dochula Pass (3140m)
• Chimi Lhakhang – “The Temple of Fertility”
• A farm house visit
• Excursion to Taktsang – “The Tiger’s Nest”
• Visit to Drugyal Dzong – “The fortress of victory” (built in1644)
• Kichu Monastery
• Visit to Phobjikha/Gangtey Valley – “The most beautiful glacial valley of the Himalayas and the roosting ground for the rare Black-necked crane.”
• Trongsa Dzong – “The most impressive fortress in Bhutan” (built in 1644)
• Jakar Dzong – “The Castle of White Bird” (built in 1667).
• Membartsho – “The Burning Lake”
• Jampay Lhakhang – “The most spectacular Jambpay Lhakhang festival is performed here every winter”
• Kurjey Lhakhang – “The body print of Guru Rimpoche is seen here”.
• Tamshing Lhakhang.

Day 01. Arrive Paro (2280 m) by Druk Air flight

One of our representatives will receive you at the airport and take you the to the hotel.

After lunch, visit the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. It is 16 km northward from Paro proper.

The Dzong was built in 1647 by  Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, the father and unifier of medieval Bhutan. The dzong was destroyed by fire and left in ruins. It was built to commemorate victories over Tibetan invasions.

On a clear day, you can see magnificent Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314m). On the way back, visit Kichu Lhakhang. It was built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gempo.

Dinner and overnight at Hotel.

Day 02. Paro – Thimphu (Altitude 2320 m  54 km), Excursion to Taktsang Monastery 

A special day with an excursion to the  spectacular Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery.

After breakfast,  a short drive takes us to Satsam Choeten, from there a 2- hour walk till the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags.

We stop to rest and for light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see the clear view of Taktsang monastery. The main Lhakhang at the monastery was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye.

This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tigress said to be his favorite consort.

After lunch, visit Ta Dzong (built in1656 and renovated in 1968), an ancient watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. Below the museum is Paro Rimpung Dzong ( meaning “Heap of Jewels,”) built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. A short walk takes you to the base of the dzong across a traditional cantilever bridge.

In the evening, drive to Thimphu. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 03. Thimphu Sightseeing (Altitude 2320 m)

The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Choeten built in 1974 in honor of the late third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang, a nunnery.  We then visit the National Library stocked with ancient Buddhist scriptures and the Institute of Zorigchusum. It is here where the tradition of Bhutan’s 13 arts and crafts are kept alive.

After lunch, we drive to the National  Institute of Traditional Medicine where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices and to Lungtenzampa to see the Royal silver smiths at work and Bhutanese paper factory.

Other highlights include a visit to Tashichho Dzong. The dzong houses the office of His Majesty the king and is the seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body. The dzong also serves as the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Finally, visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the capital city.

Overnight in Hotel.

Day 04. Thimphu – Punakha (Altitude 1310 m , 76 Km, 3 hours drive)

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula Pass. If the weather is clear, we stop for a while to get  a glimpse of the towering  Himalayas.

In Punakha, visit the Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It is situated at the confluence of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The place was once the capital of Bhutan.

The construction of the Dzong is believed to have been foretold by Guru Rinpoche. The small dzong called Dzongchung that exists even today   housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Zhabdrung ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue. While Palep was sleeping, the Zhabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri (Paradise) and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong. The design was never put on paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je Khenpo.

The third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, convened the first National Assembly in Punakha in 1952. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 05. Punakha – Gangtey – Trongsa (Altitude 2800 m, 157 kms)

Today, after early breakfast, we leave for Trongsa via Gangtey. On the way, we will see Wangduephodrang Dzong.

The dzong was built in 1638. Legend has it that as people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign representing the spread of Buddhism in the four points of the compass. The Dzong is situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Dang Chu rivers.

Drive further to Gangtey. visit Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the temple in 1613. And Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second reincarnation, built the temple. The present abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal, is the ninth re-incarnation. Gantey Gonpa is a Nyingma monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingma monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang.

Explore Phobjikha valley. It is the winter roosting place for the rare Black-necked cranes.

Lunch will be served at Gangtey.

After lunch, leave for Trongsa. Visit Trongsa Dzong, one of the most impressive dzongs in Bhutan. It was built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, who was sent by the Zhabdrung to unify the eastern Bhutan, and was enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgye. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family and the first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong.

Then visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower. Recently, it was turned into the Monarchy Museum.  The chapel inside the Ta Dzong is dedicated to Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal.  Overnight in Hotel.

Day 06. Trongsa – Bumthang (Altitude 2800 m, 68 km)

After breakfast, leave for Bumthang.

After lunch, visit Jakar Dzong which literally means “The Castle of White Bird”. The dzong was built in 1667. Then, visit Jampa Lhakhang. It is said to have been built by King Srongtsen Gempo of Tibet in 659 A.D on the same day of Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.  The temple was visited by Guru Rimpoche during his visit to Bumthang. It is also believed that Sindhu Raja renovated the temple after Guru Rinpoche restored his life force.

Underneath the temple, it is believed there is a lake in which Guru Rinpoche hid several terma (religious treasure or relic).

One of the most special and spectacular festivals called called  Jampa Lhakhang Drup is held in October every year.  It is here where naked dance is performed to ward off evil spirits. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 07. Bumthang Sightseeing: (Altitude 2800 m)

After breakfast, visit Kurjey Lhakhang. Kurjey means the “body imprint.” The temple is built around a rock on which Guru Rinpoche had left his body imprint while meditating. The temple is considered one of the most sacred of temples.

Then, visit Tamshing Lhakhang (temple of good message). It was established  in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa and is one of the most important Nyingmapa temples in the country.

After lunch, visit Mebartsho. Literally, it means  “The Burning Lake”. The lake is located en route Tang valley. Here, Terton Pema Lingpa displayed his supernatural power by diving into the lake with a butter lamp and came out with the lamp still lit and  a treasure. And it is believed that Pema Lingpa discovered several religious treasures hidden by Guru Rinpoche from the lake.

In the evening, visit Mathra  & Cheese factories. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 08. Bumthang – Wangdi Phodrang (Altitude 1325 m, 197 km)

Early breakfast, drive to Wangduephodrang.  Packed lunch will be served on the way. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 09. Wangduephodrang – Thimphu (Altitude 2320 m, 77 km)

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu. After lunch, excursion to Tango Monastery. Dinner and overnight in Hotel.

Day 10. Thimphu – Paro Airport: (Altitude 2280 m)

Early morning, drive to the airport and farewell.

• Hike to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling temple.
• Visit a Bhutanese farm house.
• Mountain biking in Thimphu.
• Rafting in Punakha.
• Hike to Gogona valley in Gangtey.
• Excursion to Shingkhar village / Ura valley.
• Hike to Tangbi Lhakhang and Thangbi village.
• Hike to Tharpaling Monastery.
• Excursion to Dzongdrakha Lhakhang
• Excursion to Chelila pass.

1. All Meals [Breakfast /Lunch/Dinner]
2. Accommodation [Twin Sharing] Single Room Supplement Extra US $: 40 per room per night.
3. All transportation within the country including airport transfers.
4. Royalty & Govt. Taxes
5. Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments only
6. Visa Fee.
7. Airport tax
8. Tourism Development fund
9. Sightseeing

• Druk Air fare.
• Insurance Premiums,
• Payments for service provided on a personal basis
• Cost for any services not mentioned in the “Cost Include head”.