Duration: 11 Night /12 Days
This tour combines with the three day famous Bumthang cultures trek, which passes through the two different
valleys in Bumthang, crossing Fife la pass (3700m) above sea level on the second day.
Day 1
Enter Bhutan amidst its breathtaking landscape from Kathmandu, Kolkata or Bagdro and take in sights of some of the world’s tallest peaks, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotshe and Jomalhari. You will be warmly received by our friendly, traditionally dressed representative with the offering of a white welcome scarf.
- Drive to hotel in Paro (about 25-minute drive from airport). Upon arrival you will be given a welcome tea after which you check in
- Stroll around Paro town, which was developed after the airport was built in 1983.
- Visit Ta Dzong (watch tower) which was built in 1649 by Paro Governor Tenzin Drugda to protect the fortress below. The Ta Dzong was almost destroyed in 1965 but was restored by the third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck into the National Museum of Bhutan in 1968.
- Visit Paro Dzong which was built in 1646 by Zhabdrung Rimpoche. It was built to protect Paro Valley from frequent Tibetan invasions. Today this Dzong serves as the administrative office of Paro district and houses 110 monks.
- Visit Kyichu Lhakhang which was founded by Tibetan king Songtshen Gyambo in 659 AD. It was built to subjugate the demon occupied lands all over the Himalayas, which prevented the spread of Buddhism. The king built 108 temples in a day to overcome the demon.
- Over night at hotel in Paro.
Day 2
- Hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery (Taktshang), one of the holiest monasteries in the Buddhist World.
Day 3
- Drive to hotel in Thimphu (about 1.5-hour drive from airport), where you will be welcomed with tea and other drinks. Then check-in.
- Rest till lunch in hotel / nearby restaurant.
- After lunch, take a 10-min drive to Changangkha Temple (built in the 15th century by famous Lama Nima). Inside the temple is statue of the “God of Compassion” made out of platinum. You may witness newborn babies being blessed in this temple.
- Drive to Mini Zoo, Bhutan’s only Zoo to see the national animal Takin.
- Drive to Sangay Gang, the lookout point of Thimphu city.
- Visit nunnery founded by the 16th Drubthob Thangthong Gyalpo in 1976. More than 40 nuns study Buddhism in this nunnery.
- Visit Zorigchusum (meaning 13 arts and crafts) which is popularly known as the painting school. Students in this school learn traditional arts and crafts like painting, sculpture, wood carving, weaving and embroidery.
- Visit the National Library which consists of 2 buildings. On the ground floor of the old building is the largest book in the world and religious books on the upper floor. English books are kept on the ground floor in the new building.
- Drive to Thimphu Tashicho Dzong, a fortress built in 1772 by the temporal ruler Zhidar and Younten Thaye the Chief Abbot.
- Over night at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 4
- After breakfast at hotel, drive to Punakha, old capital of Bhutan (about 3-hour drive from Thimphu).
- Stop on the way at enchanting Docula pass (3040m above sea level). On a clear day one can see panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas Mountains ranges.
- Arrive at Punakha Valley (1300m above sea level), a fertile valley were farmers grow two crops in a year.
- Visit Punakha Dzong which played an important role in the olden days. It was Bhutan’s second monastic school after Cheri Monastery. The first king was crowned inside this Dzong in 1907. It is the winter residence of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the Central Monk Body.
- Hike to Chimi Lhakhang through rice fields and farm houses. The temple was built by Lama Ngawang Chogyel in 1499 and is today a popular temple where barren women come to pray for a child. The temple is popularly known as the Fertility Temple.
- Over night hotel in Punakha.
Day 5
- After breakfast drive to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s largest Dzong. The site was founded in the 16th Century by Lama Ngagi Wangchuk but was enlarged in 1652 by the first Governor of Trongsa, Chogay Minjur Tempa.
Drive further to Bumthang. Over night at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 6
- Start the day visiting Jamphel Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan founded by the 7th king of Tibet, Songtshen Gyampo in 659 AD. This temple was one of the 108 temples built by him throughout Tibet and Himalayas to overcome a giant demon. While Kichu Lhakhang in Paro was built on the left foot, Jampa Lhakhang was built on the left knee of the demon to subjugate the evils.
- We will then visit Kurji Lhakhang, the place where Guru Rimpoche meditated for 3 months to subdue the local deity who had taken the life force of the Sindu Raja. You can see the body imprint of Guru Rimpoche in this temple.
- Walk half an hour to the 3rd temple, Tamshing Lhakhang which means ‘temple of good message’. This temple was founded by Lama Pema Lingpa in 1501. The temple contains original wall paintings from 1501 which it was never repainted.
- Visit Wangdicholing Dzong built by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal in 1851. It is considered a masterpiece of architecture in the country.
- Visit Jakar Dzong, founded in 1649 by great grandfather of the Shabdrung. It was later enlarged in 1683 by the 4th Druk Desi Gaysay Tenzin Rabgay, who added a tower water reservoir.
Day 7 (Trekking)
- The trek starts from Thangbi Gompa, which is a twenty minutes drive from the hotel. The trail goes for 1 km walk along the farm road, till a small mani wall chorten, which takes the trail going right. After ten minutes, we reach the suspension bridge crossing Chamkhar Chu. Trail continues on the right side of Chamkhar Chu, through meadows and forest of Blue Pine and draft bamboo. After another half an hour, we reach a small village, from where one takes half an hour to reach to camp site.
Day 8 (Trek continues)
- Trail starts with an ascend from the camp site through dense forests. It may be muddy for the first thirty minutes. After three to four hours walk, we reach the top of Fhepe la pass(3450m).The pass is marked with prayer flags and a small stupa (chorten). Trail goes down on the other side of the ridge till we reach the camp site.
Day 9
- We walk for one hour to Ugyen Chholing Palace, across the suspension bridge over Tang Chu and reach the hilltop overlooking the surrounding valley. The palace was founded by the great Nyingmapa master, Longchen Rabjampa in the 14th century. Later his direct descendents took over his possessions and contributed to spreading his teachings. The Trongsa Penlop, Tshoki Dorji had built the palace, which is seen today. To preserve its legacy and provide a place for religious studies, research and solitude, the family who owns Ugyen Choling turned the complex into a museum in 2001.
- Over night at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 10
- Drive back to Wangduephodrang crossing two passes, Yotong la (3334m) and Pele la (3300m)
- It is an opportunity to see the Black Mountain and Mt. Gangkar Puensum from Yotongla pass and Mt. Jomolhari, Mt Jichudraki and Mt. Drakigang from Pelela pass, if you have missed while going towards Bumthang.
- Over night at hotel in Wangdi.
Day 11
- Drive back to Paro, crossing Dochula pass. Today we will leave early in the morning to get the great views of the Eastern Himalayas Mountains Ranges from pass.
- Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 12
- After breakfast at hotel, our guide and driver will take you in the Air port for departure.