9 DAYS (Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Wangdue)
Day 1: PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – THIMPHU
Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be met by your guide/driver and transferred to your hotel in Thimphu, Bhutan’s beautifully located capital city which is about 1hour drive (53km) from the airport.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Day 2: THIMPHU – SIGHTSEEING
Visit the Tashichho Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress/monastery which houses most of the Government’s office and King’s Throne room. It is also the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot. Visit to Painting School, famous for traditional arts and crafts paintings. iii) Visit Kuensel Phodrang to see one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, 2 kilometer drive from capital city. Visit Takin preserve area; the national animal of Bhutan can be seen there. Visit Thimphu Memorial Stupa, built in 1974 to honor the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. Visit Sangaygang, a wonderful view of Thimphu Valley.
Overnight stay in Thimphu
Day 3: THIMPHU-PUNAKHA
Travel to Punakha with a stopover at the Dochula pass (altitude 3140m). If the weather is clear, you will have spectacular views across the Himalayas. On the way to Punakha, visit Chhimi Lhakhang located on a hillock in the centre of the valley below Metsina. Built in 1499 the temple is also known as “the Temple of Fertility”. A wooden effigy of the lama’s thunderbolt is preserved in the lhakhang, and childless women go to the temple to receive a blessing. followed by a visit to the amazing Punakha Dzong which was built in 1637. This impressive dzong is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). The Punakha Dzong was the second of Bhutan’s dzongs and until the mid-1950s, it served as the seat of the government. It is also the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and the Central Monastic Body.
Overnight stay in Wangdue.
Day 4: GANGTEY – PHOBJIKHA VALLEY (3000m)
Travel to Phobjikha Valley a vast U- shaped glacial valley, also known as Gangteng valley. This glaciated valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains is the winter home for a large flock of black-necked cranes. Then travel to Trongsa through pelela pass with high of 3390m.
Overnight stay in Trongsa
Day 5: TRONGSA- BUMTHANG
Morning visit to Ta-Dzong. Once it was watchtower which guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion. Today Ta Dzong has now been converted into a state of the Art Museum (National Museum). Then travel to Bumthang over Yotong la pass with high of 3450m
Overnight stay in Bumthang.
Day 6: BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING
Enjoy with the beauties nature in Bumthang and visit to Membar Tsho (burning Lake). It is a holy site, revered as the place where Pema Lingpa, Bhutan’s greatest terton, discovered several of Guru Rinpoche’s terma in the 15th century. Visit to Kurjey Lhakhang, named after the sacred power place where guru Rinpoche (8th century) left the imprint of his body (kurjey) on solid rock which can be seen from inside the shrine. Visit to Jambay Lhakhang, and it’s said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on signal day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever.
Overnight stay in Bumthang.
Day 7: TRAVEL TO PARO
Travel back to Paro by Road
Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 8: CHELE LA PASS
After breakfast, take ride to visit Chele La pass, located at 3810m, between the valley of Paro and Haa, the highest road passes in the country.
Day 9: PARO LOCAL SIGHTSEEINGD
After breakfast, visit Drugyel Dzong. It was a fortress and Buddhist Monestry, built in 1649 to commemorate victory over an invention from Tibet. Next visit to Kichu Lhakhang, it was built in 7th century by Songtsen Gempo, the first Buddhist king in Tibet to subdue demon. Then visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum). Housed in a 17th century watch tower, it has a unique character and beautiful panoramic views over Paro Valley. Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 10: TAKTSHANG MONASTRY OR TIGER’S NEST
After breakfast, take a short drive to the base of the famous Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest, which clings to a sheer rock face at a height of 2600m above sea level. The climb is quite steep, but ponies are available for those who feel they cannot make the climb themselves. The main temple was built around Guru Rimpoche’s meditation cave in 1684. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock face which plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorje Drolo.
Overnight stay in Paro.
Day 11: PARO – PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
After breakfast drive to Paro International Airport for your departure from Bhutan.
Contact Information :
Travel Agent Name: Bhutan Greenery Travels
Address: Olakha, Thimphu, Bhutan
Contact Number: +97517407644
email: bhutangreenerytravel@gmail.com