Bhutan West View Lush Passes

Itinerary

Day 1: PARO VALLEY – Your first glimpse of Drukyul (Land of Thunder Dragon)

Stop At: Paro, Paro, Paro District
You will be welcomed by one of our dedicated tour guide at the Airport – he will be holding your name card at the Airport Gate.
You will stop for a Tea/coffee at Paro Town.
Then visit to Rinpung Dzong / Fortress of Heaped Jewels
National Museum
Drive to Thimphu – 1 hour
En route visit Iron suspension bridge & Tachogang Lhakhang/temple
Visit Changlimithang Archery stadium – witness a game of Archery tournament – Archery is the national sport of Bhutan
Check into your hotel – rest & relax
Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
Memorial stupa is dedicated to The Third King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.
Duration: 20 minutes

Meals included:
• Dinner: Dinner will be served in your respected hotel where room is booked.
Accommodation included: over night at Thimphu

Day 2: THIMPHU VALLEY EXCURSION – Combination of the Ancient and the Modern Architect

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
Congregation of devout Buddhists circumumbulating the Stupa from dawn till dusk.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Buddha Dordenma, Kuensel Phodrang Viewing Point, Thimphu 11001 Bhutan
The Buddha Dordenma is located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park and overlooks the Southern entrance to Thimphu Valley. The statue fulfils an ancient prophecy dating back to the 8th century A.D that was discovered by Terton Pema Lingpa (Religious Treasure Discoverer) and is said to emanate an aura of peace and happiness to the entire world.

This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha Dordenma statue; 100,000 statues of which are 8-inches-tall and 25,000 statues of which are 12 inches tall. Each of these thousands of Buddhas have also been cast in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.


Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Changangkha Lhakhang, Thimphu Bhutan
The famous Changangkha Lhakhang is an ancient fortress-like temple that is strategically located on a ridge above the city of Thimphu, south-east of Motithang. This famous temple hums with pilgrim activity. The temple was built in the 12th century on a holy location that was chosen by Lama Pharjo Drukgorn who lived in Ralung in Tibet. The temple has served several functions over the years, and it continues to be one of the oldest and amazing structures in Bhutan.

Traditionally, parents used to come here to get auspicious names for their newborn babies or blessing for their young kids from the protector known as Deity Tamdrin. The children were blessed by Phurba the ritual dagger and given a holy thread that would protect them all the time. The books found in this temple are larger than the usual Tibetan texts. The temple also offers an excellent view of Thimphu from the courtyard.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Simply Bhutan Museum, Genyen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Simply Bhutan is an interactive 'living' museum that gives a quick introduction to various aspects of traditional life in Bhutan. Visitors are greeted with a shot of local arra (rice spirit), before being guided through mocked-up village scenes. Along the way, you can dress up in traditional clothes, try out archery and hear songs sung by Bhutanese women as they build houses out of rammed earth. It's touristy, but a good family experience.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Bhutan Postal Museum, Thimphu Bhutan
The main objective of the museum is to tell the story of Bhutan’s progress and development through the lens of the evolution of communications and postal system in the country. The story is told through anecdotes, artifacts and the rich assortment of stamps the country has produced over the years.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Centenary Farmers Market, Main Town, Near the Wangchhu River, Thimphu Bhutan
Popularly known as Sunday market, the Centenary Farmer’s Market is located at a walking distance from the main town in the capital.
Get to see the most organic product found in Bhutan
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tashichho Dzong (Thimpu Dzong), Chhagchhen Lam, Thimphu Bhutan
Golden Throne of Bhutan
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Thimphu

Day 3: THIMPHU – PUNAKHA VALLEY– Enjoy the ride through the Himalayan Ranges

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
3,150 meters- On a clear day spectacular view of the snowcapped Himalayas
108 chortens/stupas
Stop for a coffee break with the great view of Himalayan ranges
Druk Wangyal Lhakhang/Temple of Victory
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Royal Botanical Park, Lampelri, Punakha-Wangdue Highway, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
trail walk – 45 minutes hike through the different species of Rhododendrons
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Chimi Lhakhang Temple, Punakha Bhutan
Also Known as Fertility Temple – 25 minute walk through the paddy fields and Sobsokha village
Overnight at your hotel in Punakha
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Punakha

Day 4: PUNAKHA VALLEY EXCURSION – GANGTEY & PHOBJIKHA VALLEYS – the sacred valleys of the endangered Black Necked Cranes

Stop At: Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup nunnery, Punakha Bhutan
View of Punakha and Wangdue valleys
Interact with the nuns- most of them speak English.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, Punakha Bhutan
Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten / Stupa – 2 hours leisurely walk through the paddy fields and pine trees – From the stupa you can enjoy the amazing view of the valley with Mo Chhu/female river
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
Fortress of Great Bliss
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Punakha Suspension Bridge, Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
longest suspension bridge in Bhutan(160 meters)
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Phobjikha Valley, Wangdue Phodrang District
Drive to Gangtey and Phobjikha valley – 2 hours
Visit a traditional farmhouse and a traditional dinner with the local family
Traditional Hot stone bath
Overnight at your hotel/farm house in Gangtey
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at phobjikha

Day 5: GANGTEY & PHOBJIKHA VALLEYS EXCURSION – TRONGSA – BUMTHANG VALLEY – Central Valley of Bhutan

Stop At: Gangtey Monastery, Gangtey Bhutan
Gangtey Nature Trail hike – 1.30 hours leisurely walk through the blue pine trees with the landscape view of Phobjikha valley
Gangtey Goemba/Monastery
Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Trongsa, Bhutan
Drive to Trongsa – 4 hours (En route – Pelela Pass – 3,420 meters)
En route Chendebjee, Rukubjee & Tangsibjee Villages

Stop At: The Tower of Trongsa Museum, Trongsa Bhutan
Dedicated to the Wangchuck Dynasty; the Dragon Kings of Bhutan
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Bumthang, Bumthang, Bumthang District
Drive to Bumthang – 2 hours (En route Yotongla Pass – 3,400 meters)
En route Yathra Weaving Center – yak and sheep wool weaving /textile
Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: OVERNIGHT AT BUMTHANG

Day 6: BUMTHANG VALLEY EXCURSION – A Spiritual heartland of Bhutan

Stop At: Jakar Dzong, Chamkhar Valley, Jakar Bhutan
Jakar Dzong/fortress of white bird

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Jambay Lhakhang Temple, Near Bumthang River, Jakar Bhutan
The Jampa Temple or Temple of Maitreya is located in Bumthang in Bhutan, and is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kurjey, Bhutan
Located in the Bumthang valley in the Bumthang district of Bhutan. This is the final resting place of the remains of the first three Kings of Bhutan.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tamshing Lhakhang, Bhutan
amzhing Lhündrup Monastery in Bumthang District in central Bhutan is a Nyingma gompa in Bhutan. Its temple and monastery are remarkable for their direct connection to the Bhutanese tertön and saint, Pema Lingpa and his tulkus. It is now the seat of Sungtrul Rinpoche, the current speech incarnation of Pema Lingpa.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Könchogsum Lhakhang, Bhutan
The temple was founded, according to the saint Pema Lingpa as far back as the 8th century and in 1039, Bonpo Dragtshel, a tertön, discovered texts which had been buried by Padmasambhava in this location. According to legend, the king of the water deities was said to have risen out of the lake beneath the temple and offered Dragtshel a stone pillar and scroll.This concept of a lake beneath the monastery is also reiterated in another legend in which Pema Lingpa is said to have discovered the subterranean lake and concealed the entrance to it with a stone, which stands today in the courtyard of the monastery.

In February 2010 Könchogsum Lhakhang was severely damaged by fire and has since been rebuilt. The new temple and monastery was consecrated in November 2014.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at Bumthang

Day 7: BUMTHANG – TANG VALLEY EXCURSION – BUMTHANG VALLEY

Stop At: Membartsho, Bhutan
Drive to Tang valley – 2 hours
Visit Mebar Tsho/Burning Lake – 15 minutes hike
Tang Valley – remote, peaceful and beautiful village
Ugyen Choling Palace/Museum
Rinmochen Lhakhang/Temple
Picnic lunch
Excursion of Tang village – Walk through the villages, visit some traditional houses and interact with the farmer
In the evening drive back to Bumthang
Overnight stay at your hotel in Bumthang
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at Bumthang

Day 8: BUMTHANG TO PARO – Domestic fligh

Stop At: Paro, Paro, Paro District
Depart from Bumthang –
Arrive at Paro – it is a 45 minutes flight
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Haa Valley, Ha Bhutan
PARO – EXCURSION OF HAA VALLEY – PARO VALLEY
Drive to Haa Valley– 3 hours

Stop At: Chele La Pass, Paro Bhutan
Chelela Pass – 3,988m highest motor road pass in Bhutan( hike to the top of the pass and around the pass)
Haa valley – remote, peaceful and silent valley of western region
Visit the 2 temples – Lhakhang Karpo/White Temple & Lhakhang Napgo/ Black Temple
Drive back to Paro
Stroll through the market area in Paro
Overnight at your hotel in Paro
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Paro

Day 9: TAKTSANG MONASTERY – The Most Important Cultural Icon of Bhutan

Stop At: Paro Taktsang, Taktsang Trail BT, Paro Bhutan
Sitting more than 800 meters above the Paro Valley, perched on a ledge halfway up the cliff face of the mountain, sits the awesome Taktsang or “Tiger’s Nest” monastery. Renowned around the world for its unique and spectacular position, the Taktsang Monastery has become something of a legend in Bhutan, and across many parts of Asia and around the world where Buddhism resides. Believed to be the meditation place of the Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), who first brought Buddhism to Bhutan, legend has it that he landed on the mountain after flying on a giant tigress believed to be a consort known as Yeshe Tsogyal. After meditating in the 13 caves on the ledge for three years, three months, three weeks, three days, and three hours, he emerged in eight manifestations and the place became holy. The monastery was built around the caves in 1692, and has since become a cultural icon of the Bhutanese people.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Kyichu Lhakhang, Lamgong Gewog, Paro 12001 Bhutan
The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. It is considered to be one of the 108 border taming temples he built. In the 8th century the temple was visited by Padmasambhava and it is believed he concealed many spiritual treasures here.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Paro District, Paro District
Stroll through the main streets, market places and numerous small handicraft shops
Overnight at your hotel in Paro
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at Paro

Day 10: DEPARTURE - PARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Pass By: Paro, Paro, Paro District
Breakfast
Drive to the Airport – 20 minutes
Farewell

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