| Duration: | 15 Day(s) - 14 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Trekking Tours |
Day 1: Arrival Paro, Paro to Thimphu
Arrive Paro by Druk Air, the only national carrier. The flight offers you a view of mountains and landscapes. Upon arriving in the Paro Valley and after completing visa formalities, you will be met by a Gawaling Tours & Treks representative at the airport.
Visit Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century, as a watchtower to defend Paro Dzong and the Paro Valley. The fortress was later converted into the National Museum in 1968 by the Third King. It has a rich collection of antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons, and Bhutan’s renowned postage stamps. Below the Ta Dzong, is the fascinating Rinpung Dzong meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels, which is the seat of the Paro district built in 1645 by Shadrung Ngawang Namgyal. Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. The journey would take us one and a half hours. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha
Distance: 75 km
Time: 2 1/2 hours
Drive over the DochuLa pass in the morning. On clear weather, we can see around 200 miles of Himalayan summits bordering northern Bhutan. As we descend from the past, we will notice that the vegetation changes from sub-alpine to sub-tropical. At the lower elevation, we can see banana plants, cacti, and other semi-tropical plants, and the green terraced rice fields of Punakha.
We begin our explorations of Punakha Valley with a visit to Punakha Dzong, located between two rivers. It serves as the winter residence for the central monastic body.
Next, visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and then take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang, the monastery dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley ” Divine Madman” known for his outrageous behavior. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3: Punakha to Bumthang
After breakfast, we drive to Bumthang Crossing approx. 3,300m high Pele la pass; then we descend towards Chendebji Chorten, built in the 18th century and has a shape of that of Bodanath temple in Nepal.
Then, we start our journey to Bumthang, located two and a half hours towards the east. We cross over the Yotongla Pass(3400m) and then descend to Chumi Valley where we can see a weaving center- where professional weavers weave well-patterned fabrics out of wool known as “Yathra”. On the way Visit
# Prakar, or Pra, is a picturesque village in the Chhume valley, perched on a small plateau located at the curve of the river. The village is composed of seven large stone houses and has easy access on foot from the main road (10mn walk). A feeder road has also connected the village since 2006. Prakar Ngatshang is a complex of temples and a mansion (Ngatshang), which belongs to the lineage of religious lords, as a reminder of the time when the village of Prakar was the seat of the lords of Chhume Valley. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 4: Bumthang
Bumthang is the general name given to the combination of four valleys: Chumey, Choekhor, Tang, and Ura with altitudes varying from 2,600m to 4,000m. It is home to many prominent Buddhist temples and monasteries and was the seat of the government until the reign of the second king.
We will visit Jambay Lhakhang- one of the two oldest monasteries built in Bhutan in the 7th century. Then we move on to visit Kurji Lhakhang- where one can see the body imprint of GURU RIMPOCHE.
Next visit Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings, and visit Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley. Overnight stay in Hotel.
Day 5: Bumthang (Excursion to Ura Valley)
After breakfast drive to Ura Valley. Ura is a town in Ura Gewog in Bumthang District in northeastern Bhutan. Ura is considered one of the holiest valleys in Bhutan. We will explore the valley, which is still untouched by travelers. Visit Mebar Tsho – a burning lake. It is believed that Terton Pema Lingpa had taken out a hidden treasure from the lake. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 6: Bumthang to Phobjikha
Early morning breakfast and drive to Phobjikha, bypass we will visit the Trongsa Dzong- the biggest/longest fortresses in Bhutan and the watchtower located above the Trongsa market. And then proceed to Gangtey Gonpa, the seat of the Ngyingmapa Buddhism, one of the religious sects in Bhutan. The present reincarnate is the 9th descendant of Terton Pema Lingpa. We will visit the Gangtey Gonpa monastery and take a stroll around the Phobjikha Valley.
This place serves as the wintering place for endangered black-necked cranes migrating from Tibet from November to February to escape the harsh winter there. The road to Gangtey passes through dense forests oak, and rhododendron trees and is beautiful. Overnight at a Guest House.
Day 7: Phojikha to Punakha
After breakfast, drive towards Punakha. Hike to Khamsumyulley Namgyal- a monastery built for the longevity of the 5th king of Bhutan and also to bring peace and prosperity within the region.
Towards evening stroll around Wangdi/Punakha town. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 8: Punakha to Limukha
Drive to Punakha Dzong. The trek begins with a gradual climb through Chirpine forests. A stop to visit the village of Dompo-la can be organized depending on the group’s choice. Overnight at Campsite.
Day 9: Limukha to Chungsakha
The trail today takes you through rhododendron and oak forested areas. En route pass the famous Drukpa Kunley Lhakhang- The divine madman’s monastery. Overnight at Campsite.
Day 10: Chungsakha to Samtengang
The trail now takes you through the village of Sha Wangdue district. Overnight stay at Samtengang lakeside.
Day 11: Samtengang to chhuzomsa to Thimphu
The trail now drops down to the main road. Then drive towards Wangduephodrang for lunch.
Drive towards Thimphu. Visit
# Traditional handmade Paper Factory- Where you can see the tradition of papermaking in Bhutan is still preserved.
# Memorial Chorten- was built in 1974 by Ashi Phuntsho Choden in memory of the 3rd King of Bhutan.
# Mini Takin Zoo – where you can see the national animal of Bhutan, Takin.
# Kuensel Phodrang- Where you can see the 169-foot-tall statue of Buddha Dordema. Overnight stay in Hotel.
Day 12: Thimphu to Paro
Drive towards Paro, Visit, Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the two oldest monasteries built in Bhutan by the King of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, and the most sacred monasteries of Bhutan.
Then, we drive towards the north to see the Drukgyel Dzong, in ruins. It was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1649 to commemorate a victory over the Tibetan forces. Unfortunately, the fortress was destroyed by fire and was never rebuilt. In clear weather, we will be able to see Mt. Chomolhari from the Drukgyal Dzong. Overnight stay in Hotel.
Day 13: Paro (excursion to Haa Valley)
Haa Valley is one of the least explored districts in Bhutan. After breakfast, we will drive towards Haa Valley crossing over one of the highest passes in Bhutan – Chele la Pass (approx. 3999m). We will visit one of the oldest monasteries built in Bhutan, Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo. Towards evening drive to Paro for an overnight stay.
Day 14: Hike to Tiger's Nest
Paro is a valley of religion and myth. The most famous landmark, the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest), stands on a granite cliff about 800m above the valley. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, a famous Buddhist saint, flew to Paro on a tigress and meditated at Taktsang. The monastery is considered a national treasure of Bhutan.
The hike to Taktsang would take us around two and a half hours. To reach a cafeteria, a point from where one can enjoy a great view of the monastery is more than an hour's walk from the road-head uphill. Those interested can walk a further 45 minutes uphill to get a closer view of the monastery and return to the cafeteria for lunch. The journey downward to the road-head would take us less than one and a half hours.
Day 15: Departure
After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for departure.
