Bumthang Valley, The Heart Of Bhutan 10D/9N

Bumthang Valley, The Heart Of Bhutan 10D/9N

Bumthang, the heart of Bhutan host one of the most important temples and monasteries. Its history is connected to Guru Padmasambhava and is as old as the 7th Century. The Bumthang valley is the most beautiful valley of Bhutan.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro International Airport | Transfer to Thimphu

Stop At: Paro International Airport, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
Complete VISA and immigration formalities at Paro Airport. Just outside the arrival hall, meet with your guide.

And then transfer to Thimphu (1-2 hours drive)

Stop At: Town Enterprise, Thimphu, Bhutan
Welcome to Thimphu City. Evening leisure and wander around the Town.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at Hotel Jambayang Resort, Thimphu (3 Stars)

Day 2: Thimphu Tour

Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuensel Phodrang Viewing Point, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
It holds one of the largest Buddha’s statue in the country of 169 feet (51.5m), made of bronze and gilded in gold. Visitors can also get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from this point.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
The National Memorial Chorten, the stupa was built in 1974 to memorialize Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the third king of Bhutan (1928-1972).

Individual, be it young or old, come here to circumambulate the stupa and pray. It is believed that wishes made here are granted.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Changangkha Lhakhang, Thimphu Bhutan
This temple is located above central Thimphu, built in 12th century by Lama Phajo Drukgom Shigpo on a ridge overlooking the town. Local parents traditionally come here to get auspicious names for their newborns or blessing from the protector deity ‘Tamdrin’.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Motithang Takin Preserve, Thimphu Bhutan
Later drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Takin Preserve. The Takin is the national animal of Bhutan and looks like a cross between a cow and a goat.

Legend has it that the animal was created by the great Buddhist Yogi, Drukpa Kuenley, and it can be found only in Bhutan and nearby areas.

Taxonomists place the animal in a category of its own as it is not similar enough to any other animal to fit established categories.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: National Library and Archives of Bhutan, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
The National Library houses an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimphu Bhutan
Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: National Folk Heritage Museum, Pedzoe Lam, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
Folk Heritage Museum, dedicated to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese Folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Trashichhoedzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. The original Thimphu Dzong (the Do-Ngön Dzong, or Blue Stone Dzong) was built in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanapa. This is one of the most impressive buildings situated along the right flank of the Thimphu river.

The building was later enlarged in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel who unified Bhutan and was later reconstructed in 1962 by the third King His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. This impressive fortress/monastery houses Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, Central Monastic Body, and various government offices.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight Stay at Hotel Jambayang Resort, Thimphu (3 Stars)

Day 3: Transfer To Punakha | Punakha Tour

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
After Breakfast, transfer to Punakha. (2-3 hours drive).Take a short stop at Dochula Pass. This popular tourist spot provides stunning 360-degree panoramic views of the Himalayas. It is also home to the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens (stupas).
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Visit Punakha Dzong or ‘Palace of Great Happiness’, built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative centre of Bhutan in the past.

It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic, though long established here.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Behind the Punakha Dzong, stretches the Punakha Suspension Bridge. It is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Chimi L'hakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
Embark on a short walking excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, located on a ridge surrounded by beautiful paddy fields. From the road point, it takes about 10- 15 minutes’ walk through Sobsukha village to reach the temple.

The temple is known as Fertility temple, it is associated with Buddhist Yogi, Lama Drukpa Kuenley, popularly known as ‘Divine Madman’. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are blessed with a child very soon.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Kingaling Resort, Punakha (3 Star)

Day 4: Punakha Tour | Transfer to Phobjikha

Stop At: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Bhutan
The day begins with a beautiful hike to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Stupa (approximately 3 hours round trip walk), which was built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world.

The Chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Bhutan
Then rafting along the Mo Chhu River. You will be guided with our rafting specialist and he will be leading the amazing adventure in the Himalaya Kingdom.All the safety measures is planned and taken care. If you do not prefer rafting, your guide will arrange a sightseeing to nearby tourist spots.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Bhutan
After lunch transfer to Phobjikha, on arrival visit Gangtey Monastery and check-in into the hotel.
Duration: 3 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Today’s lunch will be a picnic at Zomlingthang. The particular spot is loved by most Bhutanese for a picnic.
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at hotel Dewachen Gangtey, Phobjikha (3 Stars)

Day 5: Transfer to Bumthang | Trongsa Tour

Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
The valley is protected for the endangered Black Necked Cranes migrating to Bhutan every winter (early Nov to End of February).

Phobjikha valley is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Upon arrival, visit ancient Gangtey Gompa Monastery and take a short walk to visit local homes.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Chendebji Chorten, Trashigang-Semtokha Hwy, Bhutan
En route to Trongsa is Chendebji Chorten, patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at the four cardinal points.

It was built in the 18th century by Lama Zhida, to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. Legend says that the evil spirit manifested as a gigantic snake.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tongsa Dzong, Trongsa Bhutan
Built in 1648, it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (“governor”) prior to ascending to the throne.

The dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built. Due to the dzong’s highly strategic position, on the only connecting route between east and west, the Trongsa Penlop was able to control effectively the whole of the central and eastern regions of the country from here.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Dekyil Guest House, Bumthang (3 Stars)

Day 6: Bumthang Tour

Stop At: Jambey Lhakhang, Jakar, Bhutan
Jambay Lhakhang or Temple of Maitreya is located in Bumthang (Jakar) in Bhutan, and is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever.

It was divined that the supine demoness was causing obstruction to the spread of Buddhism, and temples were constructed on her body parts that spread across Tibet, Bhutan and the borderlands. The best known of these temples are Jokhang in Lhasa, Kichu in Paro, Bhutan and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang District, Bhutan.

Other, lesser-known temples in Bhutan have been destroyed, but it is believed that, among others, Kongchogsum in Bumthang, Khaine in Lhuntse and two temples in Haa District may have part of these 108 temples. Jambay Lhakhang was visited by Padmasambhava and restored by King Sindhu Raja after the former returned his life force.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Tamshing Lhakhang, Bhutan
Tamzhing Lhündrup Monastery (Wylie: gtam zhing lhun grub chos gling) in Bumthang District in central Bhutan is the most important Nyingma gompa in Bhutan. Its temple and monastery are remarkable for their direct connection to the Bhutanese tertön and saint, Pema Lingpa (1450-1521) and his tulkus. It is now the seat of Sungtrul Rinpoche, the current speech incarnation of Pema Lingpa.

Tamzhing consists of a deteriorating temple and a cramped vihara. It supports a body of over 95 Buddhist monks. In March 2012, the monastery was submitted for inscription on the list of World Heritage Sites; it currently resides on the tentative list.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Jakar Dzong, Chamkhar Valley, Jakar Bhutan
This is a bustling little one-street town in Bumthang with an abundance of restaurants and handicrafts stores. Jakar sells a good amount of chugo, a hard, chewy dried cheese snack popular among Bhutanese. Internet cafés and espresso bars have also started to make an appearance here.

The Jakar Dzong or the “Castle of the White Bird” dominates the Chamkhar valley and overlooks the town. Constructed in 1549, by the Tibetan Lam Nagi Wangchuk, the Dzong played an important role as the fortress of defence of the whole eastern Dzongkhags. It also became the seat of the first king of Bhutan.

A special feature of the Dzong is the approximately fifty meters high Utse or the Central tower, which is distinct from most other Dzongs in Bhutan. The other unique feature of the Dzong is a sheltered passage, with two parallel walls, interconnected by fortified towers, which gave the population of the fortress access to water in the case of a siege. The protected water supply is still intact to this day.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kurjey Lhakhang, Bhutan
During the 8th century, Sendhu Raja, who was the king of Bumthang fell ill, and he invited Guru Rinpoche who brought Buddhism to Bhutan to cure him. Guru Rinpoche found out that the King’s illness was caused by the local deities including the powerful Shelging Karpo.

Finding the cause of the illness, Guru chased the deities into a cave, and Guru meditated inside the cave for three months. Guru then subdued the deities including the powerful Shelging Karpo and left his body imprint inside the cave, thus giving the name Kurjey (Body Imprint). Beside the Monastery is a tall cypress tree that is believed to have sprouted from the walking stick of Guru Rinpoche.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Jakar, Jakar, Bumthang District
Explore Jakar Town and Valley.

This region that spans from 2,600-4,500 m is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of its oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Tales of Guru Padmasambhava and the tertons (“religious treasure-discoverers”) still linger in this sacred region.

Bumthang Dzongkhag consists of four main valleys, Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. Choekhor is the largest of the four and is widely considered as ‘Bumthang Valley’. The valleys are broad and gentle carved by the ancient glaciers. The wide and scenic valleys draws a large number of tourists each year.

This dzongkhag is one of the most richly endowed districts in terms of historical and spiritual legacy. Some of Bhutan’s oldest and most venerated temples are found in Bumthang, including Jambey Lhakhang. According to legend this ancient temple was built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in 659 A.D. as part of a chain of 108 simultaneously constructed temples in order to subdue an evil demoness that lay over the Himalayan region. It is the oldest lhakhang in Bhutan. There are numerous other temples and shrines worth visiting in Bumthang and many of them are linked to Guru Rinpoche’s visit in 746 A.D.

The fertile valleys of Bumthang are covered in fields of buckwheat, rice and potatoes. Apple orchards and dairy farms are also common sights here. This serene region is one of the most peaceful places in the kingdom.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Dekyil Guest House, Bumthang (3 Stars)

Day 7: Tang & Ura Excursion

Stop At: Tang Valley, Bhutan
Tang is the most remote of Bumthang's valleys. It is higher than Chokhor so there's not as much agriculture here, although in places where the soil is fertile and deep the Arcadian scenes are picture-perfect.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tang Valley, Ogyen Choling Palace and Museum, Bhutan
This Bhutanese site is one of eight sacred locales established by a revered 14th-century Buddhist master.
The building, which has since been converted into a museum to promote its conservation and to drive tourism to the village, was largely destroyed following an earthquake in the late 1800s. The residential quarters, the main temple, and the tower were all rebuilt, and the site continues to beckon visitors and religious pilgrims alike.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Membartsho, Bhutan
A five-minute walk from a parking spot at a bend in the road leads to a picturesque pool in a shadowy ravine of the Tang Chhu that is known as Membartsho (Burning Lake). The 27-year-old Pema Lingpa found several of Guru Rinpoche's terma here. It's a lovely, if slightly unsettling, spot, where nature, religion and mythology blur into one.

A wooden bridge crosses the prayer-flag-strewn gorge and offers a good vantage point over the 'lake'. Only the enlightened will spot the temple that lurks in the inky depths. The sanctity of the site is made evident by the numerous small clay offerings called tsha-tsha piled up in various rock niches.

Under a rock shrine with a carving of Guru Rinpoche flanked by Sakyamuni and Pema Lingpa is a cave that virtuous people can crawl through, no matter how big they are. Beware: it's quite small, and very dusty. Also, don't venture too close to the edges of the ravine for that elusive photo angle. Vegetation hides where the rock ends and a treacherous drop into the river begins. Sadly, there have been several drownings in the swift waters here.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Dekyil Guest House, Bumthang (3 Stars)

Day 8: Transfer to Paro

Pass By: Paro, Paro, Paro District
Transfer to Paro
7-8 hours drive

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Rema Resort, Paro (3 Stars)

Day 9: Paro Tour

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
Taktsang Lhakhang is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. The name Taktsang translates to “The Tiger’s Nest”. This temple is one of the most holy sites in the kingdom and clings impossibly to a sheer cliff face 900 meters above the Paro Valley.

It was first built in 1692 at a cave where Guru Rimpoche meditated in the 7th century A.D. Legend states that Guru Rimpoche flew to the site atop the back of a tigress and meditated in the cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 days and 3 hours in order to subdue evil demons residing within it. The cave has been considered a sacred site ever since and many famous saints have travelled to meditate in it.

Taktsang Lhakhang is located approximately 10 km north of Paro town at an altitude of 3.120 m. In order to arrive at the temple visitors must trek for around 2-3 hours through beautiful, shady pine forests. No trip to Bhutan would be complete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Kyichu Lhakhang, Lamgong Gewog, Paro 12001 Bhutan
Kyichu Lhakhang is one of Bhutan's oldest and most beautiful temples. The main chapel has roots as far back as the 7th century, with additional buildings and a golden roof added in 1839 by the penlop (governor) of Paro and the 25th Je Khenpo. Elderly pilgrims constantly shuffle around the temple spinning its many prayer wheels, making this one of the most charming spots in the Paro valley.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Rema Resort, Paro (3 Stars)

Day 10: Departure

Stop At: Paro International Airport, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
After breakfast, drop to Paro airport to catch your flight for your onward destination.
Duration: 30 minutes

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