Welcome to the land of the Thunder Dragon. Our ground team will welcome you and we will be heading towards Thimphu, the Capital city of Bhutan. The drive takes around an hour following the Wangchu river upwards passing through several villages. Thimpu is a unique city which maintains a balance between the esoteric and espresso with a warm soul. On our way to Thimpu, the biggest attraction of our sightseeing is Tacho Goemba Monastery, which dates back to the early 15th century built by the saint who is popularly known as the Iron chain maker. To go to the temple, one must cross an iron bridge dating back to 15th century built by the same saint. We will also be visiting the biggest Buddha statue in Kuensel Phodrang, 15 Century Chortens of the Bhutanese, Nepalese and Tibetans, the Memorial Chorten in honor of the third king of Bhutan, Changangkha Lhakhang, and Tashi Cho Dzong. Peek at the Folk Heritage Museum to glance through the traditional and authentic lifestyle of the Bhutanese people. And if you are planning to commence your journey between Friday to Sunday, we will be lucky to witness the local market and traditional textiles in Centerary Farmer's Market.
Overnight stay in ThimphuAfter a heartwarming Bhutanese breakfast, we will be heading for a day's trip of sightseeing in and around Thimphu. The tour will encompass the best of Thimphu's cultural landmarks, scenic viewpoints, and hidden traditions. We will be visiting Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple of Bhutan built in 12th Cent. and the unique Drubthob Gomba Nunnery. It would be a rare experience to visit Takin Preservation Center, where the national animal of Bhutan, Takin (a goat-antelope) is preserved. Visit the National Library and Traditional Medicine Center where the ancient manuscripts of the country are well archived and know more about the traditional healing techniques passed on over centuries in the form of medical-lore. After visiting the Arts and Craft Institute, we will be heading towards Sangaygang which provides a breath-taking view of the capital city. It would be a perfect ending of the day to visit the Tashi Cho Dzong which the office of the Royal house of Bhutan and built in the 16th Century.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.After breakfast, drive to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. Tango is the center for higher studies for monks. The hike up will take approximately 45 minutes. The view from Tango Monastery is breathtaking. Drive back to Thimphu and evening free to relax /stroll around Thimphu town.
Overnight stay in Thimpu.In the morning, travel to Punakha (2 1⁄2 hrs) via the Dochula pass. An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day with a powerful binocular telescope. Visit the beautiful 108 Chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the King of Bhutan.
Travel onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho-Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. Visit the Dho Jha Gha Lam Temple. After lunch, walk through the Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing. Drive to Wangdue and visit Wangdue Dzong, situated on a ridge overlooking a river junction. In the 17th century, Wangdue played a critical role in unifying the western, central and southern regions of the country. Overnight stay in Punakha.Drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Stop over at Trongsa to visit Trongsa Dzong, which is the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan, built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the Dzong is an architectural masterpiece.
Drive to Bumthang, this is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here the great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tetons, treasure finders, have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. Visit Yatha Weaving Center, a cooperative of the National Women Association of Bhutan where the women of the region sell their textiles and Yatha specialty. Overnight stay in Bumthang.There's hardly any better way to understand a place and appreciate its beauty than taking a stroll or hike down the off the beaten tracks. Quite early in the morning, we will leave for a 4 hours trek to Peseling Goemba. The monastery was built in 1769 which still stands on top of a steep mountain ridge overlooking Chamkhar town. Before starting the trek we will be visiting Jambay Lhakhang one of the oldest temples in the country built in 7th Cent. On the way, we will also visit Kurjey Lhakhang complex, Tamshing Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong. As we set off for the trek to Peseling Goemba, the hikers are presented with breathtaking views of the valley and large species of flora and fauna are found along the way which keeps the journey interesting. After crossing some beautiful meadows there will be a steep ascent to reach the remarkable monastery. The view from Peseling will take your breath away.
Overnight stay in Bumthang.The tour continues eastwards, winding through more rugged terrain. The drive, with spectacular views, will take about 6 hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motor road pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla Pass 12,465 ft. and gradually drops down to Sengor. Enjoy the serene view of the cascading waterfalls along the way. The descent stops at 2,130 ft on a bridge over the Kurichu. Climb again through pine forest, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. The Mongar Dzong, built not too long ago, yet maintains the architectural traditions of the old Dzongs.
Overnight stay in Mongar.After early breakfast, drive about 77 km to Lhuentse with a packed lunch as there are no good restaurants and hotels in Lhuentse district. Lhuentse is one of the most isolated districts in Bhutan. The landscape is spectacular with stark cliffs, gorges and dense coniferous forests. The region is notably famous for its special skills of weavers, and special textiles and fabrics. Textiles from Lhuentse are normally considered to be the best in the country. The Kurtoe region of Lhuentse is also the ancestral home of the Royal dynasty in Bhutan.
After lunch, walk to Khoma village which is famous for textile in Bhutan. Here you will see women folks weaving different types of textiles with intricate patterns. If you would like, you may also purchase textiles at a little cheaper rate than handicraft shops. If time permits, Lhuentse Dzong: The approach to this Dzong (fort) is through a flagstone-paved path over the vertical drops. The Dzong houses a body of 100 monks of the country. In the 16th century, Pema Lingapa’s son Kunga Wangpo set up this Dzong in the form of a small Gompa. In 1654 it was renovated by the Trongsa penlop Mingyur Tenpa. Overnight stay in Mongar.The road from Mongar to Trash gang, the easternmost regions, begins through lush forests and ferns passing over the Kori La at 8,000 ft. After driving about an hour, you reach the village of Ngatshang, the site of one of the fiefdoms before the unification of the nation. Descending rapidly through corn fields and banana groves, you reach Yadi village. Follow the Gamri River until the bifurcation to Drametsi. This temple, perched atop a steep hill, was founded by Nun Choden Zangmo in the 16th century. This is the place from where the famous Drametsi Nga Chham, mask dance with drums, originated. About 30 kilometers onwards lies Trashigang, at 3,775 ft. Trashigang is the center of the biggest and most populated district in the nation. View the Dzong, built strategically on a spur going out towards the Gamri Chu.
After lunch, visit Khaling, it is the weaving center under women association of Bhutan, Government of Bhutan. There you can see all the process and materials involved in weaving. Overnight stay in Trashigang.In the morning, visit Trashigang Dzong, which was built by Pekar Chopel in 1659, and the Dzong commands a remarkable view over the surrounding countryside. Then drive to Mongar, which is 3 hours journey and 90 kilometers.
Overnight stay in Mongar.After breakfast, visit Mongar Dzong, built not too long ago, yet maintains the architectural traditions of the old Dzongs. If you want to cherish the place and make more memories, you may stroll down the streets and the fields of the place until you are ready for a long 7 hours journey. Then drive back to Bumthang which will take about 7 hours, with stops for lunch and tea in nearby villages.
Overnight stay in Bumthang.After breakfast, you will hike to Tharpaling Monastery. You’ll begin the hike in the morning since this is a fairly lengthy hike–about three hours to the monastery. It’s a picturesque trail through the forest. The monastery itself is somewhat large, with several temples, and about 100 monks live in the nearby huts. From the monastery, you will have a beautiful view of Chumey Valley, and you can have a relaxing lunch while you take in the scenery. In the evening you can relax in the town.
Overnight stay in Bumthang.After breakfast, drive to Trongsa, check into hotel and after refreshment, visit Trongsa Dzong, which is the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the Dzong is an architectural masterpiece.
In the afternoon, drive to Kuenga Rabten which is about 23 km from Trongsa but takes about 1 hour due to rough road conditions. It was the Winter Palace for the 2nd King of Bhutan. Although, it is mostly empty with only one room occupied for the library. This palace is under Special Commission of Cultural Affairs and we do not require any permit to visit the interior. The trip from Trongsa to Kuenga Rabten will give you an intimate insight into the early days of Bhutan’s Monarchy. Besides, you will see the beautiful large expanse of rice terraces in the lower Mangdu-Chu valley and as well the big waterfall before the drive back to Trongsa. Overnight stay in Trongsa.After breakfast, drive to Phobjikha valley. The valley is also the winter home to the rare black-necked cranes (Grus Nicorocolis), which migrate, from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia during winter to this valley. Visit Gangtey Gompa (monastery) which now houses one of the only Nyingmapa monasteries in Bhutan. Lunch at Phobjikha and after lunch drive to Punakha.
Overnight stay in Punakha.After breakfast, walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (50 Mins) temple built by the Queen of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world.
Travel back to Thimphu, visiting Simtokha Dzong en route. This Dzong, built in 1627, is the oldest in Bhutan. It now houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. In the evening, drive to see the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. Drive further up to Sangaygang to get a bird’s eye view of the Thimphu valley in the evening. Overnight stay in Paro.It's going to be a grand and eventful day. We will be visiting the most ancient architectural marvels in Bhutan's history and the highest motorable pass in the country. Paro Rimpung Dzong, the fortress which is said to have been constructed on a heap of Jewels by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyel in 1646, will be our first stop today. Then we will be further heading towards Ta Dzong, the ancient watchtower built in 1651, now transformed to be the National Museum housing rich collection art, relics, and thangka. In the excursion, we will be also visiting Dumtseg Lhakhang, Dzongdra temple, Drukgyal Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang. On our final leg of the trip, we will be driving up to the Chelala Pass, the highest motorable road (3990 meters) in Bhutan. From the Chelala Pass, you will enjoy the magnificent view of the Mt. Jhomolhari (7300m). You will also be able to spot the Tiger’s Nest and the beautiful views of two districts Paro and Haa.
Overnight stay in Paro.One of the major attraction of Bhutan trip has been kept reserved for today. An early morning departure we will be going on a 5-6 hours of return hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest. A one-hour hike will bring you to the cafeteria, stop for a cup of tea and toilet break. The cafeteria offers you the stunning view of the monastery, prayer flags adorn the cliffs. Your lunch will be served in the cafeteria on your way back. It is usually a day’s hike but if you are still left with some time and energy after the hike you can visit Kichu Lhakhang, the 7th cent. Jowo temple of Kyichu. Tonight, you are invited to a cocktail dinner to witness a grand cultural show, which will show-case age-old folk dances & songs, religious mask dances, cultural dramas and many more. Enjoy your night with our representatives.
Overnight stay in Paro.After the breakfast, our representatives will bid a fond farewell to the magical kingdom in the sky and wish you a happy journey back home. Depart for Paro airport for your onward flight with full of Bhutanese nostalgia.
At zerodegreel
every moment will someday make you look back and want to experience it all over again.
