Bhutan Encounter

Bhutan Encounter

This tour gives you a good impression of the main highlights of Western Bhutan. Together with your private guide and driver, you have ample time to explore beautiful dzongs and temples, take some nature walks and experience the authentic Bhutanese way of life.

The tour can be fully customized to your wishes in terms of visits, hikes, hotels and extensions.

Itinerary

Day 1: Paro - Thimphu

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
After pickup at Paro airport we drive to Thimphu in about one and a half hour. Depending on time of arrival we will visit the Town Centre of Thimhpu with of course a visit to the Memorial Chorten
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Thimphu’s Weekend Market, Chhogyal Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
If you arrive in the weekend (Friday to Sunday) we will visit the colourfull weekend market before heading to our hotel
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Simply Bhutan Museum, Genyen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
A nice place to experiencie the folk art and culture of Bhutan
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight with dinner in Bhutan Suites *** or similar

Day 2: Thimphu

Stop At: Changangkha Lhakhang, Thimphu Bhutan
in the morning we visit the Changankha Lhakhang, close to our hotel, from where we make a walk of about 1,5 hours across the valley rim to the giant Buddha Dodenma Statue.
Duration: 25 minutes

Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuensel Phodrang Viewing Point, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
After a walk through the forest with great views on the Thimphu Valley, arrive at the giant Buddha, a gift of Singapore to Bhutan. The Buddha houses a temple, but is basically an impressive place to spent some time admiring the views and the setting.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
This important dzong is the seat of the King, of the Government and of the highest monastic bodies of Bhutan
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tango Buddhist Institute, Thimphu Bhutan
A walk of about 1 hour leads to Tango, a Buddhist University, in the hills around Thimphu
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Choki Traditional Art School, Kabesa, Thimphu Bhutan
After the visit to Tango we can walk along village roads to the Choki Art School. Students from all over Bhutan are taught the traditional arts of Bhutan
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Breakfast
• Dinner: All meals are included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Bhutan Suites or similar

Day 3: Walk up to Dochu La and Punakha

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
We drive for about 40 minutes from Thimphu to the small monastery of Tashiding, where a 2 hour walk starts to the Lunchotse Lhakhang. From this temple you have views on the Himalayas. We descend to the Dochu La, the famous pass with 118 chorten and thousands of prayer flags. It connects Thimphu and Punakha Valleys. Lunch will be taken in the cafetaria on the pass. With good weather you have excellent Himalayaviews
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Chimi L'hakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
We descend in about 1.5 hours to the lush valley of Punakha, a nice drive through green forests. Upon arrival checkin in your hotel and then a walk through the village of Lobesa to the tempel of the Divine Madman, a controversial saint who is still very popular in Bhutan. The phallic symbols you see everywhere in Bhutan refer to the cult of this saint.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Drubchu Resort*** or similar

Day 4: Punakha: full day visit with hike

Stop At: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Bhutan
In the morning we make a short hike for about 30 minutes through the terraced fields to this famous chorten, erected by the Queen Mother. From the chorten there are great views on the valley.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Punakha Dzong is no doubt one of the main attractions from Bhutan. This dzong is the most important of Bhutan as Shabdrung (the 'founder' of Bhutan) is buried here and the coronation of the kings take place in the dzong. The dzong houses several courtyards and temples. It is nice to stroll around and enjoy the coming-and-going of the Bhutanese people.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
About 10 minutes walk from the dzong you find the longest suspension bridge of Bhutan. For those who want we can make a nice 2 hour hike from the bridge with views on the terraced fields and the villages.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery, Punakha Bhutan
This small nunnery is located on a hilltop near Punakha. It boasts a great Nepalese stupa and a small temple. From the stupa you have wide views over the Wangdue Valley.
Duration: 45 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Drubchu Resort*** or similar

Day 5: Return to Paro

Stop At: Semtokha Dzong, Semtokha, Bhutan
After a leisure breakfast we drive back in the direction of Paro. On the way we visit the dzong of Simthoka, the oldest one of Bhutan, guarding the valley of Thimphu.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Rinpung Dzong, Paro, Bhutan
On our way to Paro we make a short stop in Chuzom at the Confluence of the Holy Rivers, before making our last drive to Paro. Upon arrival we make a visit to the famous Rinpung dzong, the scene of the yearly Paro Festival.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tashi Namgay Resort or similar

Day 6: Tigers Nest

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
The walk up to the famous Tigers Nest takes about 2.5 hours along a good trail through the forests. Once on top the view on this temple is amazing. This is one of the holiest place in Bhutan and it is a miracle how the Bhutanese managed to build it on this location. Legend says Guru Rinpoche gave them a helping hand...

After the hike you can explore Paro Town or make a visit to some other temples
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Tashi Namgay Resort *** or similar

Day 7: Transfer to airport and flight or extension of your tour

Pass By: Paro River, Paro Bhutan
Transfer to airport or extension of your trip

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.