10 Nights Itinerary Coverage: Paro - Thimpu - Punakha - Gangtey - Bumthang - Paro
A warm welcome on arrival at Paro Airport by our representative. Meet our driver & take a scenic drive to Thimphu, roughly 1.5 hrs drive. Check in at your hotel in Thimphu. This afternoon set out for visit to Changankha Lhakhang, this 12th-century historic temple perched on a ridge above central Thimphu, you can collect most beautiful stamps from here & take a stroll in the main streets to see the beautiful Himalayan artifacts.
This morning visit weekend market & collect the things you want, it’s a nice experience to see people selling & purchasing. Later start to Cheri Monastery, 12 km north of Thimphu with an hour hike from road head. This is the important site of pilgrimage & center of higher studies for graduate Buddhist monks.Return to the city for lunch at the hotel or at local restaurant & proceed for visit to Memorial Chorten, built in memory of Third King of Bhutan. Afterward, visit Tashicho Dzong, the structure dates back to 1216 AD located on the right bank of Thimphu Chu. It is the prime seat of Government.(From Monday – Friday, visitors are not permitted inside the Dzong before 5 PM, during weekends it opens for visitors from 9 AM – 5 PM)Spend the rest of the time exploring the National Textile Museum, followed by overnight stay at the hotel.
This morning set out for a scenic drive to Punakha through high mountains of Dochu La Pass in the Himalayas. This drive allows the splendid views of mighty Himalayas. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.After freshen up proceed for excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a small hill & a 30- minute hike takes you to this temple which is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley was famous for his outrageous sexual humor, songs to dramatize the teachings in an unusual way & became the ‘Divine Madman’. It is believed that the couple who do not have children if they pray here, they will be blessed by children, that’s why it is also called as ‘Temple of Fertility’.
Today take a short hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, stunningly located on a ridge above Punakha Valley built by Her Majesty Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wanghuk & a fine example of Bhutanese architecture.Drive towards Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal at the junction of Pho Chhu & Mo Chhu rivers. The present structure fully restored by present monarch which damaged over the centuries by catastrophic fires & earthquake.Have lunch in town & return to the hotel.
This morning drive to Gangtey en-route visiting Phobjika Valley, one of the most beautiful spots of Bhutan situated in Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. Phobjika is a wide glacial valley & winter home to a group of the endangered black-necked crane. Gangtey is the name of a hilltop village in Phobjika Valley.
Gangtey Valley’s stunning beauty & mesmerizing views attracts the visitors & its bounded by the Black Mountains. Today start your day with a visit to Phobjika Valley & explore Gangtey Monastery situated on the top of the hill at an altitude of 2800 m, offers a stunning view of Phobjika valley. Visit the nearby village & return to the hotel or various hikes & picnic on hills can be arranged on request.
Today take a bit longer drive to Bumthang or Jakar but passing through beautiful houses, picturesque scenery, deep river valley, truly a memorable drive. We reach to Trongsa & take a short course of the village to reach Ta Dzong, the ancestral home of the present monarch of Bhutan. Drive to Bumthang & check in at the hotel.
Bumthang consists of four main valleys, Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. Start your visit to Choekhor valley & head up to Kurje Lhakhang built in 1652 & considered as the most sacred place in the Kingdom of Bhutan as Guru Rinpoche meditated here. Then visit Jambey Lhakhang built in 7th century by Tibetan King Sonsgten Gampo. After lunch visit, Tamshing Lhakhan built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Rinpoche. It houses very ancient paintings. Afterward visit Jakar Dzong, founded by great grand-father of Shabdrung. Take a market tour of Bumthang before we return to the hotel.
Today fly to Paro from Bumthang Airport (approximately 35 minutes flight). Meet our driver & representative at airport & transfer to hotel.
Have lunch at proceed for sightseeing of Ta Dzong, built as a watchtower in 1649 & now houses National Museum. It has an impressive collection of thangkas, weapons, armour and much more. Take a short trail to Rinchen Pung Dzong (shortened to Ringpung Dzong, built on the steep hillside & famous for its architecture.
Along the way visit Kyichu Lakhang, the famous Buddhist temple built by King Songsten Gampo followed by dinner with local family to have a deeper insight into Bhutan’s culture & rich traditions.
Early morning embark on a hike to Taktshang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest, perched 900 mts above Paro valley & 3 – 4 hrs trek from ground takes you to the most significant monastery for Buddhists in the world. Its history takes you back to the 8th century when Guru Padmasambhava came from India & gained its spiritual significance in the world after Guru Rinpoche who flew here on Tigress to subdue a demon.
Have lunch at a local restaurant or cafeteria & proceed to visit Dungtse Lhakhang, was constructed in 1433 by great bridge builder Thangtong Gyelpo & repository of unique Kagyu lineage arts. It is said that it is built on demoness head was terrorizing the local inhabitants so he built this to overpower on demoness. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight in Paro.
Transfer to Paro International Airport for onward flight.
