| # | Itinerary | Program |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, drive to Thimphu | Arrive by flight at Paro Airport and drive to Thimphu. If arriving by land, cross the border from India at Phuntsholing/Jaigaon and drive approximately 5 hours to Thimphu. ➜ Stop at Tachog lhakhang to see traditional bridge made using ancient iron chains. ➜ On working day, you might visit Postal Museum to learn about the colorful history of Bhutan's postal service. You can also have the stamps with your own face printed and send postcards to your friends and family back home! ➜ You might also like to see Khaja Throm market where residents make their grocery shopping and where you might try some snacks as well. ➜ Visit to Tashichho dzong castle, the seat of the king and government. ➜ Optionally celebrate arrival to Bhutan in popular Blackout Rooftop Bar or other popular venue. ➜ Day's program is subject to arrival time. |
| 2 | Thimphu | Morning drive to Buddha Dordenma, the gigantic statue of Buddha overlooking the valley and walk to striking city viewpoint. ➜ Continue to wild animal sanctuary, where you can see the takin, famous national animal of Bhutan and other dwellers of Bhutanese forests. ➜ Drop to central Clock Tower square and walk in Norzin lam street to see the traffic police signaling on main junction. Thimphu is only capital in the world without the traffic lights. ➜ Finish walk at handicraft market where many interesting Bhutanese souvenirs can be seen and bought for reasonable price. ➜ Continue with visit to Folk Heritage Museum with the exhibition on traditional village life in Bhutan (closed on Sunday, alternatively visit Simply Bhutan museum). ➜ Go to hand paper factory where you can see production process as well as buy original products. Nearby traditional thangkha painting gallery is also worth of peeking in. ➜ Evening visit of historical Dechen Phodrang monastery, overlooking the Thimphu valley. From here you can also see monumental Tashichho dzong and other landmarks. |
| 3 | Thimphu – Gangtey (Phobjikha) | Transfer to Wangdue Phrodang over Dochu-la pass (3010 m) with visit of royal temple Druk Wangyel lhakhang. In clear weather, you have good chances for panoramic views of mountains, including Gangkhar Phuensum (7570m), the highest mountain of Bhutan. ➜ Descend to tropical valley of Punatsang Chu river. ➜ Visit to Wangdue Phrodang dzong, the castle built stunningly above the river. It burned down to ash in 2014 but was immediately reconstructed in original style and since 2013 it again servers as centre of local administration and monastery. ➜ Start again driving up to the mountains, until you cross Lawa-la pass (3250 m) and finally reach to pristine Phobjika valley (2750 m). ➜ Optionally you can attend lesson on Buddhism led by accomplished master with translation to English in Gangtey monastery shedra (Buddhist college). ➜ Lesson is followed by evening prayer in the main temple of shedra. You can also attend prayer only, but please don't forget to give monks proper donation. |
| 4 | Gangtey (Phobjikha) – Wangdue / Punakha | Visit of historical Gangtey gompa which is both symbolic and geographic heart of the valley and belongs to Nyingma, the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism. ➜ From there take 2.5-hour walking tour through the valley. This gentle hike is one of the Bhutan's most beautiful.You will go through the buckwheat and potato fields to the mixed forest with trees decorated with “old men's” beard lichen, and finally you will get a view of marshland. Here, in late autumn and winter, rare black neck cranes can be seen. ➜ If you are interested, you can also visit Black Neck Crane center to learn more about this elusive bird. ➜ Finish hike with the lunch in local farmhouse to taste local kitchen and other delicacies like the salty suja tea and the ara spirit. ➜ Drive back to Wangdue. ➜ If you’re early, you can visit rustic Rinchengang village. |
| 5 | Wangdue / Punakha – Paro | Early morning short hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten with wonderful views of the valley and it’s terraced paddy fields. ➜ Optionally you can consider rafting on the Mo Chhu (easy) or Pho Chhu (thrilling) river. ➜ Continue with visit of Punakha dzong, dubbed as “Palace of the Great Happinnes” which counts as the most intricately decorated castle in the kingdom and used to be winter seat of the Bhutanese rulers. ➜ Short walk to Chhimmy lhakhang temple, devoted to the 15th century saint Drukpa Kunley, known as “Divine madman”, who allegedly taught Buddhism by singing, drinking and scandalous sexual exploits. Way to temple is perched by houses decorated with phallic symbols, as commemoration of the saint's antics. Temple is also known as fertility booster, attracting childless couples from all over the Bhutan and foreign countries as well. ➜ If time permits, also visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang nunnery with Bhutanese and Nepali style stupa, overlooking the valley from the high hill. ➜ Afternoon drive to Paro. |
| 6 | Paro | Take an early morning drive to the Drukgyel Dzong viewpoint. The recently reconstructed castle stands in dramatic mountain scenery, with the summit of holy Mt. Jomolhari visible in clear weather. ➜ Proceed with the hike to Taktsang Gomba (The Tiger’s Nest), the absolute highlight of the tour! While the climb is hard, it is very rewarding. If you don’t feel up to the full trek, you can stop at the cafeteria for a great view of the temple. If you have spare strength, you can hike up to Zangtopelri Lhakhang for a bird’s-eye view of the Tiger’s Nest! An afternoon hike can be considered depending on your strength and the weather. ➜ Witness a traditional Bhutanese archery match at the Nemjo archery ground if practice is underway. ➜ Drive to Paro Dzong, also known as Rinpung Dzong or “The castle on the heap of jewels.” The final scenes of the famous movie “Little Buddha” were filmed inside its walls. ➜ Walk down to the traditional roofed cantilever bridge over the Pa Chhu river. Here, you can try on Bhutanese dress and take photos with both the castle and bridge in the background! ➜ Enjoy the last evening in Bhutan! ➜ Optionally the mask dance performance along with traditional dinner in the local farmhouse can be arranged. |
| 7 | Departure | If time permits, visit the uniquely designed Dumtse Lhakhang, built by the 15th-century lama Thangton Gampo, also known as the "Iron Bridge Builder" or "Leonardo da Vinci of the Himalayas." ➜ Another option is the National Museum of Bhutan in the Ta Dzong watchtower, which features valley views and a Natural History gallery. You may skip the main building's religious artifacts if they are not of interest. ➜ Last-minute shopping in town is also an option. ➜ A stop at the Paro airport viewpoint offers a look at one of the world's most demanding international runways. ➜ Finally, depart from Paro by flight or take a 5-hour drive to the Phuntsholing border. |
Tour variants, extensions and combinations:
- Jomolhari Yaksa or Druk Path trek (+6 to 7 days): This tour can be quite nicely extended by moderate high altitude treks, making this tour even more exciting. See the detailed itinerary for Jomolhari combination.
- Haa valley (+1 nights): You can also include pristine Haa valley and stay in farmhouse there and cross through the Chele-la pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan, offering splendid mountain views. Check Gems of Western Bhutan I trip for this option.
- Tshechu festival (+1 night): With proper planning, we can arrange that you will experience annual tsechu festival in some castle or monastery There are many festivals in Bhutan, so we can definitely fix your travel dates to match. We just need to start planning well ahead (optimally more than 6 months before) in order to secure flight tickets and hotel reservations.
- Gasa Hot springs (+1 or 2 days): Gasa is highland region north of Punakha, just recently connected by road. Apart from beautiful dzong and vistas of nearby high peaks, you can enjoy the natural hot springs, so called "tsachu". There is number of pools with different temperatures. Water is sulfurous and it's believed it's beneficial for number of skin ailments. It's great relax in luxurious pools anyway. Additional experience can be spending overnight here in local farmhouse to try authentic Bhutanese hospitality.