The Magical Kingdom Of Bhutan

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Paro International Airport& Excursion / Transfer to Thimphu

Stop At: National Museum of Bhutan, Paro, Bhutan
You will be received by our guide and driver at the Paro International Airport and then transfer to Thimphu. Distance to Thimphu: 55km, Transport: Private SUV/Minivan/Coach, Time: 1.5-Hours, Thimphu Altitude: 2334m/7655ft, Paro Altitude: 2195m/7200ft

Visit National Museum of Bhutan:
The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of Paro district) was established in 1968. It is housed in an ancient watch tower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watch tower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Thimphu, Thimphu, Thimphu District
Transfer to Thimphu and visit Buddha Dordhenma Statue – Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang overlooking the Thimphu valley.

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and it is 55km away from the main Paro town. The drive should not take more than 2 hours including stop overs on the way. Thimphu is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. Arriving Thimphu, our guide will assist you to check into the hotel so that you can relax for a while and then have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine for lunch. In the afternoon, you will be taken on your first excursion in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

If time permits, visit Weaving Center to get insights into the art of weaving which is an integral part of Bhutanese culture & tradition. You will see women at work weaving simple plain textiles to one of the most intricate designs and patterns. Leisure time in Thimphu town.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 2: Hike to Tango Monastery & Full day sightseeing in Thimphu

Stop At: National Institute for Zorig Chusum, Thimphu Bhutan
Hike to Tango Monastery: Tango is located on the mountain side north of Thimphu. There is also monastery called Cheri located on a mountain in the neighbourhood. Hiking to Tango is much easier as most part of the footpath is paved and the uphill ascent is not as steep. It is roughly 14km from the main Thimphu town. Following the trail through the forests, the walk uphill takes about 1.5 hour in slow pace. Tango monastery was founded in 1222 by the Tibetan saint Phajo Drugom Zhigpo, who first established the Drukpa Kagyu School of Buddhism in Bhutan and subsequently became the state religion. The present form of monastery was built later in 1689 by the Tenzin Rabgye, the 4th Temporal ruler of Bhutan. After visiting the monastery and offering prayers, we retrace our steps back to the base and the drive to Thimphu town.

Traditional lunch will served at the Folk Heritage Musuem Restaurant or at one of the similar restaurants.

After lunch, visit the National Institute of Traditional Arts & Crafts and National Library of Bhutan.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Changlimithang Stadium & Archery Ground, Chang Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Pass by the Changlimithang Archery Range and see the game of archery if the match is in progress. You will see archers dancing and singing each time the target is hit from a whopping distance of 145m. Archery is the national sport of Bhutan.

Leisure time around Thimphu town.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 3: Thimphu / Transfer to Punakha valley

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
Today after early breakfast, you will be transferred to Punakha valley via beautiful Dochu La Pass (3,150m/10,335ft.

Distance: 74km, Time: 3-hours, Transport: SUV/Minivan/Bus depending on your group sise. Punakha Altitude: 1200m/3935ft.

Dochu La Pass – 3,150m/10,335ft above sea level: About 45 min drive from Thimphu towards Punakha is a sacred mountain pass at an altitude of 3,150 meters above sea level from where you can see, on a clear day, some of the highest peaks of Bhutan.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Chimi Lhakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
Just about 11km before arriving Punakha town, visit Chimi Lhakhang popularly known as "The Temple of Fertility" located on a gentle hilltop near the village of Sopsokha. To reach the temple, you have to walk 20 – 30 minutes through beautiful terraced paddy fields and traditional farm houses.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
After lunch, drive to Punakha town and visit the 17th century Punakha Dzong originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang, meaning the “Palace of Great Bliss”. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate wood works and the architectural structure of the dzong displays fine example of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence Bhutanese architecture even today.

From there walk to the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan that runs across Phochu river. Punakha Dzong is flanked by two glacial fed rivers - Phochu, the male river and Mochu, the female river.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 4: Sightseeing in Punakha / Transfer to Phobjikha Valley

Stop At: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Bhutan
After breakfast, drive to the nearest roadhead and then hike to the picturesque Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten, visit 15th century Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) and then after lunch transfer to Phobjikha valley in Gangtey.

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten: You will begin the day by going for 2-hour return hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Choeten. Located on a ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (copper coloured mountains). It was built over a period of almost 10 years under the command of Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, one of the Queen Mothers of Bhutan and was consecrated in 1999.

It takes only about 20 minutes drive from the main town of Punakha to the nearest road point. From there you cross a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through paddy fields. Normally it takes just under one hour to reach the serene site of the marvelous choeten. The view below is stunning with glacial fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile Punakha valley.

After lunch, you will be transferred to Phobjikha valley.x
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Phobjikha Valley, Wangdue Phodrang District
Phobjikha is a vast U-shaped glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000m/9,840ft and it is a winter home for endangered Black Necked Crane from November to March and migrates back to Tibetan Plateau by the beginning of spring season. Every year on the 11th of November, Black Necked Crane Festival is held in this valley to celebrate the arrival of this endangered and majestic bird which becomes an inseparable part in the lives of the local people during winter months. As part of the conservation effort, Phobjikha valley has been declared as a protected area.

Gangtey Nature Trail: This is one of the most beautiful and easy nature hikes. The trail is about 5km and takes approximately 3-hours through the woods surrounded by splendid nature all around, wonderful meadows, beautiful traditional village houses, farm lands and crystalline streams. This short nature trail gives you a great feeling of the valley and understanding of the livelihood of the people living there. Lots of opportunities to take beautiful pictures!

Accommodation in Phobjikha: You have a choice to put up yourself in a 3-star standard hotel or stay at a farmhouse with local family and get insights into a typical village life in Bhutan. If you are interested for a home spa, you can soak up in a traditional hot stone bath for a fee of about US$15. Specially selected stones believed to contain minerals are heated in a wood fired fireplace and dropped into a chamber of wooden tub releasing minerals. You can lighten up with a warm cup of locally brewed liquor known as “Ara” and feast on homecooked authentic Bhutanese cuisine. You will have an unusual opportunity to participate in running the village household chores and learn how to prepare some of the most popular dishes in Bhutan.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner: Home-cooked local cuisine served for dinner. You mayparticipate and learn how to prepare popular Bhutanese dishes.
Accommodation included: Overnight at Yueloki Guest House or you can choose to stay at a family farmhouse.

Day 5: Phobjikha Valley / Transfer back to Paro

Stop At: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Bhutan
After breakfast, you will visit one of the largest monasteries in Bhutan - Gangtey Monastery and then drive back to Paro valley.

Gangtey Monastery or Gangtey Goempa:The famous landmark in this valley is one of the biggest monasteries in Bhutan, Gangtey Monastery popularly know as Gangtey Goenpa (goenpa literally means “high remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance) founded in 1613. The name Gangtey is derived from the fact that the Goenpa is built on a peak (Tey) of a hillock (Gang).
Duration: 1 minute

Stop At: Kyichu Lhakhang, Lamgong Gewog, Paro 12001 Bhutan
On arrival in Paro, visit one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang which is believed to have been built overnight by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo.
Duration: 6 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3-star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 6: Hike to the famed Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
After breakfast, drive to the base of the Taktsang monastery. Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a sheer 800-meter rock cliff in Paro. It normally takes about 2 hours to reach the monastery from the road head.

The trail takes you through the ancient path shaded by pine trees. After an hour of steep uphill hiking, you'll be served hot tea and snacks at the Taktsang viewpoint cafeteria. For those who are still energetic, can hike further up for 1 hour and visit the monastery, receive blessings from many sacred relics and artifacts and enjoy grand views of the Paro valley below. After lunch at the cafeteria, we retrace our steps back to the base where our driver will be waiting.

Towards the late afternoon, visit a beautiful farmhouse for home-cooked local cuisine. You can participate/learn how to cook some of the popular Bhutanese dishes. If interested, you can soak up in traditional hot stone bath believed to have therapeutic effect for an additional fee of about US$15.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner: Home-cooked local cuisine will be served at one of the beautiful farmhouses.
Accommodation included: Overnight at 3-star hotel certified by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

Day 7: Departure from Paro International Airport

Stop At: Paro International Airport, Airport Road Paro, Paro 12001, Bhutan
After breakfast, depending on your flight time you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey. Your guide will assist you to complete all exit formalities before you check-in.


Duration: 30 minutes

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