The Best of Bhutan Tour

The Best of Bhutan Tour

This comprehensive itinerary includes many of Bhutan’s most unique attractions, covering diverse aspects of history and cultural in this magical country.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Paro and drive to Thimphu

Pass By: Thimphu District, Thimphu District
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalayan Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. On arrival you will be greeted by the guide and take you to a restaurant for lunch. After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong (National Museum), Rinpung Dzong and Kichu Lhakhang, the oldest and most sacred temple in the country. You will then drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The road leads through the Paro Valley to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom. A short way beyond, on the left is the Tamchog Lhakhang built in 15th century by Thangthong Gyelpo, a trader who first introduced Iron Bridges in Bhutan. Check into hotel on arrival. Later in the evening, you can stroll through Thimphu city and absorb the life style of the people. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3 star hotel.

Day 2: Hike to Tango Monastery

Pass By: Thimphu District, Thimphu District
After breakfast, you will drive 12Km north of Thimphu and then the hike to Tango Monastery. The trail up leads you through a time trodden nature trail and also nicely laid stone path. The scenery and fresh air is worth the climb and along the hike, you get insights by reading the signposts of enlightening Buddhist sayings around the corners. Once inside the monastery complex, you can pray for your long life and good fortune. You will then descend back to the parking lot where your car will be waiting to drive you back to Thimphu. Afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu includes, Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned from 1952-1972), Folk Heritage Museum, Buddha Dordenma Statue and Sangaygang (Motithang) BBS Tower for a bird’s eye view of Thimphu. You will also visit majestic Tashichhodzong, the seat of the national government. In the evening, you can visit Archery ground to see if people are playing traditional archery. Overnight hotel in Thimphu.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3 star hotel.

Day 3: Thimphu-Punakha, 76 Km/2-3 hours

Pass By: Punakha, Punakha, Punakha District
After breakfast, you will enjoy the scenic drive to Punakha with stop at Dochu La Pass (3,150 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas. From the pass, drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock. On arrival, visit the Punakha Dzong, which is stunningly situated in between the male and female rivers like an anchored ship. Behind Punakha Dzong stretches the Punakha Suspension Bridge, the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects

the Dzong with the villages on the other bank of the Pho Chhu River. After lunch, you will drive to
Yabesa village and hike through rice fields up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyal Chorten, built by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. Perched high on a hill on the bank of the river, the Chorten houses paintings belonging to Nyingmapa Traditions. The views of the valley and the surrounding snow-capped mountains are stunning. You can linger here for some times relaxing and simply appreciating the harmonious beauty of the location. Hike back to road point where your car will be waiting for you to drive to hotel. Overnight hotel in Punakha.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3 star hotel.

Day 4: Punakha-Gangtey/Phobjikha, 85 Km/2-3 hours| Homestay

Pass By: Gangtey, Gangtey, Wangdue Phodrang District
Following breakfast, you will head to remote Gangtey with short stopover in Wangdue to get a glimpse of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong that dramatically sits on the ridge. After Wangdue, the road winds up through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Lawala pass, which is blanketed with dwarf bamboos. The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for little while and you will be awestricken by the stunning views of Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. On arrival, you will visit Gangtey Monastery which is perched atop a small hill that rises from the valley floor. The Monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the 140 Gomchens (Lay Monks) who take care of the Monastery. The Gangtey Goempa is the only Nyingmapa Monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and is also the biggest Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. After lunch, you can visit the crane roosting areas. At this time of the year, you can see the cranes who migrate from Tibetan plateau to escape harsh winter conditions. You can also visit the Royal Society of Protection of Nature (RSPN) Education Center which has information displays about the cranes and the valley environment. Some great photographs are also available here. Today you will stay in local farmhouse to get first hand experience of Bhutanese farmers’ life.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3 star hotel.

Day 5: Gangtey-Paro, 192 Km/5-6 hours | Chimi Lhakhang Hike

Pass By: Paro, Paro, Paro District
Today you will return to Paro. En route, stop at Metshina Village, where you can take 20-minute walk through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the Divine Madman’s temple popularly considered to be a temple of fertility. You will then get on road and continue drive to Paro with lunch stop in Thimphu. On arrival in Paro, visit the Weekend Market where you can see the variety of food of the country, including basket upon basket of fiery chilies, fresh cheese, and fruits. This is perhaps a good opportunity for photography and to mingle with locals who come from the nearby villages to sell their farm products. Overnight hotel in Paro.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3 star hotel.

Day 6: Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Pass By: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
Today you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan's most famous monastery situated at 3180 meters. Guru Rinpoche (spiritual master) is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. The monastery is perched on the edge of a
steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. After having explored the monastery, you will hike down to Paro. Evening, you can visit one of the farmhouses to try out the traditional archery.

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in 3 star hotel.