Enriching Bhutan Tour
Tour Overview : Enriching Bhutan Tour
Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive Paro (2,200 m) & Paro - Thimphu (2,334 m)
Paro arrival by the royal Bhutan airline, the Drukair flight. Your tour guide is ready to wait for you before picking you up and driving you from Paro airport to the capital city Thimphu. Along the entire route, you will visit the following sites:
Tachog Lhakhang
First pay a visit to Tachog Lhakhang (Tachong Temple). The 14th century temple is just located on the base of the mountain across the Pachu on Paro – Thimphu highway. Built by the great master level architect Thangtong Gyalpo, the temple houses some of the unique and precious statues. To get the temple, you may actually experience a thrill but nice walk over the iron chains that span over the Pa chu River.
Archery Match
Traditionally, the archery match is due to be held on each weekend and public holidays at Changlimithang National Stadium. For rest of the days, you may find Bhutanese men practicing the archery at this stadium. Strike up a conversation with the locals and talk about the Bhutanese archery.
Centenary Farmer’s Market (Open from Thu. to Sun.)
Held by the side of Wangchu River, the market bustling with commerce is a trade center for city residents and valley dwellers to do their businesses. A wide range of foodstuffs and local arts and crafts can be found on the market. It begins from Fri. afternoon till Sun. evening. Try bargaining with the locals and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Craft Bazaar
A unique shopping site to get an in-depth knowledge of Bhutan cultures and buy the handcrafts with Bhutan characteristics that you are interested in. At this Bazaar, crafts man and artists from the country display and sell their handicrafts in some handicrafts store you can choose to visit.
Dinner and stay over in Thimphu
Day 02 : Thimphu – Punakha (Punakha Bhutan Tour)
After breakfast, travel from Thimphu to Punakha and Wangdue through the Dochula Pass (3,140 m). At Dochula Pass, enjoy the draw-dropping panoramic view of the majestic Himalaya Range and overlook the gorgeous flower-clustered valley below.
The bus will make a temporary stop at the amazing 108 chortens built by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck (The Queen mother of Bhutan) for the safety and wellbeing of His Majesty (The king of Bhutan).
After the lunch served at the Dochula Pass, the bus will drive you onto Punakha, a place regarded as one of the most beautiful and significant regions in Bhutan culture and had once been the capital of Bhutan from 1637 to 1955 during which the 1st National Assembly was held there.
The bus also takes you to Metsina Village and makes a temporary stop to have the Devine Madman’s Monastery – Chhimi Lhakhang being sighted. The monastery has always been regarded as the fertility shrine by locals for a long time and you can receive an efficacious fertility blessing there.
Then visit the Punakha Dzong on the island of Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River) and appreciate the highest state of the wood crafts.
Never miss the stunning evening views of Punakha and Wangdue valley after you have visited the Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendup Lhakhang Nunnery in the evening.
Both Dinner and overnight at hotel in Punakha
Day 03 : Punakha Hike | Punakha - Trongsa
Visit the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang after hiking to the upper Punakha valley and crossing the hanging bridge through large tracts of paddy fields. It takes you about 1 hour to reach the temple and the view sighted from the temple is also stunning.
After lunch, the drive takes you through the oak and pine trees deep into the dense forest and pass the Nobding Village. Get a fantastic panoramic view from the Pele La Pass (3,300 m).
Along the route, distant view of local settlements scattering far from the road gives you fresh and deep impression on Bhutan’s rural life. Meanwhile, the open green meadows with yaks and rhododendron ridden valley are worth ceasing your moving steps to enjoy in Chendebji Chorten (Stupa).
On arrival at Trongsa, check in your hotel
Dinner and stay over at Trongsa
Day 04 : Trongsa - Bumthang
Distance: 68 km | Travel Time: 2.5 hrs
Set out early in the morning after breakfast and visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan and built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River.
Then take a pleasant walk by passing through Yotong La Pass (3,400 m). The route during this section takes you to the Yathra Waving Center at Zugney village where you can witness the locals waving Yathra, a name that refers to the colorful and woolen cloth with geometric design in Bhutanese.
On arrival at Bumthang, check in the hotel and visit the following sites after lunch: Tamshing Lhakhang, also known as the temple of Good message, is famous for its collections of printings which exemplify the region’s style. It is also well known for being one of the few institutions continuing the teachings of Pema Lingpa.
Then after the suspension bridge, you meet the “Body Imprint Temple” Kurjey Lhakhang. Not far from Kurjey Lhakhang sits the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet in the 7th century. With his effort in the propagation of Buddhism, the Tibet king had an ambitious plan to build a total of 108 temples in Tibet and Bhutan.
Continue your Bumthang tour and arrive at Jakar Dzong after about 10 minutes’ drive. With a circumference of more than 1,500 meters, the majestic Jakar Dzong is definitely a wonderful piece of architectural art in Bhutan. The name Jakar is derived from the word “Bjakhab”, meaning “The white bird”.
According to Jakar’s foundation myth, a bird signals the proper and auspicious location to found a monastery. Now, the fortress is served as an administrative center of the valley as well as the summer residence of Trongsa monks.
Experience the primitive life of Bhutan locals and enjoy the traditional dinner at one of their houses in Bumthang valley. Feel free to mingle with them.
Stay overnight at hotel in Bumthang valley
Day 05 : Bumthang - Phobjika
Travel to Phobjikha valley by passing through Trongsa and Pelela Pass. Phobjikha valley serves as one part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park and one of the most important nature sanctuaries.
During the winter, a large flock of black-necked cranes, the endangered species, gather there to escape from the chilly weather. Besides, the forest covered mountains around the valley have been widely accepted as the most remote areas where only the rarely seen nomadic shepherds and yak herders can find the trails.
You are expected to reach Phobjikha valley in the evening. Upon arrival, check in the hotel and pay a special visit to the farm house. Enjoy the traditional Bhutanese dinner and experience the farmer’s life.
Stay overnight in Phobjikha valley
Day 06 : Phobjikha sightseeing | Phobjikha - Thimphu
Leave off early in the morning after breakfast and hike to Gangtey Monastery, a can’t-miss monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. Enjoy the beautiful sceneries along the route and end at the Black Necked Crane Center. Take a leisure walk in this eminent center and pay a visit to the local’s house. Feel free to interact with the people residing around and ask whatever you are interested.
After lunch, continue your drive to Thimphu by passing through Wangdue Phodrang and Dochula Pass.
You are expected to reach Thimphu in the evening. Upon arrival, check in the hotel and have the well-served dinner, then visit the National Memorial Chorten (Stupa) which was constructed in memorial of the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, in 1974.
The King was generally regarded as the father of modern Bhutan and widely esteemed by the Bhutanese. “Chorten” in Bhutan literally refers to the “seat of faith” and Buddhists often call such monuments the “Mind of Buddha”.
Stay overnight at hotel in Thimphu
Day 07 : Thimphu - Paro | One Day Hike to Taktsang Ghoempa
Drive to the base of Taktsang Ghoempa in early morning after breakfast, and then embark on the hike to Taktsang Ghoempa.
Climb up to the viewpoint (1.5 hrs) to enjoy the stunning view of the monastery clinging to the side of the sheer vertical cliff.
After a temporary refreshment stop at the view point (3,140 m), you continue to ascend higher to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery (1 hr) and get a closer look of this miraculous monastery. Take an overlook to find amazing sceneries underneath.
The principal Lhakhang (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.
After seeing the Monastery, you begin your return downward trip and drive back to Paro. On the way back, pay a special visit to Kyichu Temple, one of the beautiful 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.
Visit a farm house in Paro valley and experience the lifestyle of a farmer in Bhutan. Try a traditional Bhutan hot stone bathing and have dinner in Paro
Stay overnight at hotel in Paro
Day 08 : Departure from Paro airport.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the onward flight. Bid farewell to the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappearing again behind its guardian mountains. Tashi Delek.
What's Included in Package
- Bhutan visa fee
- Government royalty & taxes
- Dedicated English speaking tour guide
- Dedicated tour vehicle and driver
- 3-star accommodation (twin sharing)
- Daily 3 meals (B/L/D)
- Airport transfers
- Bottled water
What's Not Included in Package
- Flights to and from Bhutan
- Personal expense/shopping
- Alcoholic Beverages
- 4 or 5 star accommodation (extra charges will apply)
- Travel insurance
- Entry fees to parks and monuments
- Tips for guide and driver
VISA
Visas are required for travelling to Bhutan, and applications are processed through Truly Shangri-La Travels Company in Conjunction with tour.
TOUR PAYMENTS
Advance tour payment in full for your entire tour must be sent to Truly Shangri-La travels by bank transfer at least 30 days in advance to conform your reservation. For more detail mail us at info@trulyshangri-La