Day 01: Paro
Welcome to Bhutan, the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Touching down at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted byyour guide upon exiting the arrival hall. Today, we will take it easy to acclimatise to the altitude. Paro Valley [0 hrs] – The beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The valley is also hometo Mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowingthrough the valley. Walk around the Paro Town [1.5 hrs] – Walking around the Paro town, exploring the Bhutanese traditional shops,handicrafts and cafe.
Day 02: Paro to Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu for the day and drive back to Paro after the sightseeings in Thimphu. Buddha Point [1 hrs] – Located at Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, the 51.5-metre-tall bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma,Vajra Throne Buddha is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The Buddha Dordenma symbolisesindestructibility, and is said to emanate peace and happiness to the world. National Memorial Chorten [1 hrs] – Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation at the National Memorial Chorten.Chorten means ‘Seat of Faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments, the ‘Mind of Buddha’. Treat yourself with thefantastic depiction of Buddhist teachings in the form of paintings and sculptures at this temple. As the name denotes thisNational Memorial Chorten was consecrated on July 28, 1974, in memory of the Third King. Simply Bhutan [1 hrs] – Simply Bhutan is an interactive living museum that gives an introduction to Bhutanese traditions.There’s also a café that dishes nosh that locals eat at home.[Opening hour Summer 09.00 AM – 17.00 PM, Winter 10.00 AM – 16.00 PM] Takin Enclosure [1 hrs] – On the way to the viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the Takin, astrange looking beast some say looks like a bee-stung moose. Tashichhodzong (Thimphu Dzong) [1 hrs] – The “fortress of the glorious religion” was first constructed in 1641 and restoredby the Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the 1960s. Tashichhodzong houses the offices of some ministries, HisMajesty’s secretariat, and the central monastic body. Opening hour:Weekday 05:00 PM – 06:00 PMWeekend 09:00 AM – 06:00 PMWinter 04:00 PM – 06:00 PM
Day 03: Paro to Gangtay
We will set off early from Paro after breakfast. Then proceed to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan, about 2 1/2 hoursdrive from Thimphu across Dochu-la pass. Once you cross the pass, you wind down into a warm fertile valley and meanderalong a gently flowing aquamarine river that leads you to the Punakha Dzong, the second dzong to be built in Bhutan. Dochula Pass [2 hrs] – At 3,100 metres, this beautiful pass located on the way to Punakha from Thimphu offers stunning360-degree panoramas of the Himalayas mountain range. Here you will also see 108 chortens built by Her Majesty TheQueen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck. The pass is a popular spiritual destination for both locals and tourists. Punakha Dzong [1 hrs] – Located strategically at the junction of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu rivers, the Dzong was built in 1637by the Great Unifer of Bhutan as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system ofgovernment in Bhutan was introduced in the 17th century. The first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck was crowned here in1907. Damaged by four fires and an earthquake over the centuries, the Dzong was fully restored in recent years by the 4thKing Jigme Singye Wangchuck. It is now the winter home of Je Khenpo, the head abbot of Bhutan, along with a retinue of1,000 monks. Marvel over intricate woodwork by the best craftsmen in Bhutan. Visiting Window:11:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M3:00 P.M to 5:00 P.M Pho Chhu Suspension Bridge [1 hrs] – At 160 metres, this is known as the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. From here,you will get spectacular views of Punakha Dzong and the Pho Chhu Valley. Rest At Gangtey [0 hrs] – After the long drive, we will rest for the night at Gangtey.
Day 04: Gangtay
Gangtey Goempa [1 hrs] – Situated on a forested hill overlooking the entire Phobijkha Valley is Gangtey Goemba, amonastery dating back to the 17th century. The largest Nyingma monastery in western Bhutan, it was founded in 1613 byGyalse Pema Thinlay, the grandson and reincarnate of Pema Thinley, a 15th century “treasure seeker” who had predictedthat a goemba named gang-teng (hilltop) would be built on this site and that his teachings would spread from here. Gangtey Nature Trail [1.5 hrs] – Located in the beautiful, broad and U shaped glacial valley of Phobjika. The Gangtey NatureTrail is the most popular hike and takes about 90 minutes to complete. It begins near the Gangtey Monastery and descendstowards Semchubara Village and ends near the primary school on the other side of a metal bridge Phobjikha Valley [0 hrs] – Well known as the winter home of the Black-necked Crane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home toaround six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in thewinter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to an end ofMarch. Overlooking the Phobjikha valley is the Gangtey Goempa. This is an old monastery that dates back to 17th century. Black-Necked Crane Information Centre [1 hrs] – The valley of Phobjikha is known as the winter home of the Black-neckedCrane (Grus Nigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred black-necked cranes with Phobjikha being one of thepopular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can beobserved from early November to an end of March. Black-Necked Crane Information Centre, which has informative displays about the cranes and the valley environment. Youcan use the centre’s powerful spotting scopes and check what you see against its pamphlet ‘Field Guide to CraneBehaviour’. If the weather’s iffy you can browse the library and handicraft shop, and watch videos at 10 am and 3 pm (Nu200). Remarks [0 hrs] – For Gangtey, our first choice of Hotels is Dewachen, but due to Dewachen having only 18 rooms and ahuge demand among tour operators sometimes we may not be able to host your stay at Dewachen. In that case, we shalleither go back to Wangdue to spend the night there, or we can arrange a home stay for you in Gangtey.
Day 05: Gangtay to Paro
The beautiful valley of Paro is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro.The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier waterforms the Pachu flowing through the valley Paro Dzong (aka Rinpung Dzong) [1 hrs] – Explore Rinpung Dzong, which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’.Built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the dzong stands on a hill above Paro Township. It is linked by a traditionalcantilever bridge called the Nemi Zam over the Po Chhu. Walk up the stone paved path running alongside imposing outerwalls. Once inside the Dzong, you will be welcomed by the monks, architecture and beautiful frescoes. This dzong is ahighlight for art and history lovers. National Museum (Ta Dzong) [1 hrs] – On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is Ta Dzong, originally built as awatchtower. In 1968, Ta Dzong was inaugurated as the first National Museum, and now holds a fascinating collection of art,relics, religious thangka paintings, Bhutan’s exquisite postage stamps, coins and handicrafts, together with a small naturalhistory collection. Start or end your trip with a visit to this marvellous museum. Kyichu Lhakhang [1 hrs] – At 1,300 years old, this is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. Like the Jambhay Lhakhang inBumthang, it is one of 108 temples built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to subdue and vanquish an ogress that wasobstructing the spread of Buddhism. Legend has it that all 108 temples were built in a single night.The Kyichhu temple’s name means “reservoir of peace”. Next to the temple is a museum dedicated to the late DilgoKhyentse Rinpoche. You will see photographs and other personal artefacts belonging to the Rinpoche. Paro Town [1 hrs] – Explore the main street of Paro town and check out if there’s anything you will like to pick up as asouvenir
Day 06: Depart Paro
The combination of the archaeology, the food and wine experiences, the swimming and the generally relaxed atmosphere made for a very enjoyable tour. There was a high attention to detail. Our main tour guide was very enthusiastic and highly qualified. Excellent.
Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys.
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