Day 1 Arrival in Paro
Welcome to the land of happiness, also known as Druk Yul (country of the Drukpa Lineage,
the Dragon People, or the Land of the Thunder Dragon.) Upon arrival at the Paro
International Airport, you will be greeted in our traditional style by our guide and driver,
who will be accompany you throughout the tour.
After that, you will drive towards your hotel and rest. Today there won’t be much
sightseeing. You can relax and enjoy the Paro Valley.
You can also visit the Paro town.
Day 2: Paro
Today you will first do the sightseeing at National museum / Ta Dzong / Watch tower.
(Ta Dzong actually means a watch tower to look after the province of Paro valley and
served as a regional administrator as well as a store house which would ensure supplies in
the event of warfare.)
Then Paro Dzong / Rinpung Dzong (It was built by Gyalchog (brother of Gyalzom) the
family of lama Pha Dung Dung in 15 centuries. He surrendered himself to the local deity
Jawang Nep and built a 5 storied building and named as Hungrel Gampo.)
Then you will walk from the Dzong towards the bridge and your vehicle will be waiting at
the parking to pick you all up.
After that, you will visit Druk Choeding Temple, Also known as Tshongdoe Naktshang, the
quiet and peaceful Druk Choeding is the town temple and an important historical site. It
was built in 1525 by Ngawang Chhogyel (1465–1540), one of the prince-abbots of Ralung
in Tibet and an ancestor of the Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Paro town.
After lunch you will visit the newly renovated Dungtse Lhakang, an unusual chorten-like
temple that was built in 1433 (some sources say 1421) by the iron-bridge builder
Thangtong Gyalpo to subdue a demoness. Look for a mural of Thangtong to the right by the
entrance. As you climb clockwise up through the atmospheric three-storeyed mandala-
shaped temple core you’ll pass some of the finest murals in Bhutan. It’s essential to bring a
good torch.
After that, you can visit the Farm House to experience the traditional life style of
Bhutanese people.
Later you can check in, rest for awhile and then stroll around the Paro town.
Day 3: Tiger’s Nest
Today is the last day so we are going to let you do the famous hike towards the Tiger’s
Nest (The cave on the rock was there before 750 million years ago during the formation of
the earth. It was only known after the arrival of Guru Padmasambhava in 746 A.D. Guru
Padmasambhava used the cave for meditation for 4 months. He came on a riding female
tigress (moenmo Tashi Khenden) from Singye dzong – Khoma-Drakarpo-Chumphuney and
finally on Taktshang (tiger’s nest).
Lunch will be at the tigers nest cafeteria (Serves only vegetable meals) or back to Paro town at the local
restaurant.
After that, you will visit, Kichu lhakhang (Kichu it actually means the peaceful palace. There are three
temples built by a very renowned person with different dates. The first temple was built by a 1 st
Dharma king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in 7 th century. He has built a 108 structure in a Himalayan
region to ogress the evil spirits and out of those two temples was now in Bhutan and they are Kichu
lhakhang in Paro and Jambay lhakhang in Bumthang.)
Later, it will be optional for you guys, you can dip in the hot stone bath to relax your body from hike or
skip that and just relax at the hotel or go to Paro town and buy souvenirs.
Day 4: Thimphu
After breakfast, you will drive towards Thimphu (capital city, 1hr drive). On the way, we will stop for a
short sightseeing at Tamchog lhakhang (Temple built by the famous saint from Tibet called Thangtong
Gyalpo in 13 th century.)
Then we will be moving directly towards the capital.
Then visit the iconic landmark Memorial Chorten (Built in the year 1974).
Then the famous 51.5m Buddha point (built in the year 2006).
Lunch will be at Simply Bhutan (to experiment the traditional life style of the Bhutanese).
After that, you will visit Changangkha Lhakhang (It was first built by Lama Phajo Drugom
Zhigpo(12-13 century) the founder of Drukpa Kagyu school in Bhutan.)
Takin Preservation Centre (located in the Mothitang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve
area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan.)
Centenary Farmers’ Market Is where most of the locals gather on the banks of the river every
weekend. Villagers from the nearby valley come here to sell agricultural products and handmade crafts
to the locals.
Day 5: Thimphu
Today we will do a short hike at Tango Monastery, which is towards the north of Thimphu
city. (The original site of Tango was founded in the 12th century but it was the ‘divine
madman’, Lama Drukpa Kinley, who built the present building in the 15th century. Today
Tango functions as a university of Buddhist studies and is the residence of Gyalse Rinpoche,
an important Trulku(reincarnated lama) who is recognized as the seventh reincarnation of
the fourth desi (secular ruler), Gyalse Tenzin Rabgay (the founder of Taktshang Goemba).
The goemba underwent a complete renovation in 2016.)
Lunch will be at Folk Heritage (experience the authentic traditional style Bhutanese
cuisine)
National Institute of Zorig Chusum; (Commonly known as ‘the painting school’, operates
four to six years courses that provide instruction in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts.)
Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory; You will witness the art of papermaking. Craftsmen
demonstrate how Deh-sho paper is made using the bark of two local tress species. Buddhist
monks use Deh-sho to write prayers and for woodblock printing.
Tashichho Dzong (Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952)
Day 6: Thimphu – Punakha
Today you will be driving to Punakha district (the old capital of Bhutan till 1985).
In the morning you will be driving pass the Dochula Pass (Elevation 3100m) there you will
stop for a short sightseeing for about 30minutes. Then you will drive down at the elevation
of 1300m and reach Punakha.
Before Punakha, you will first visit the Chimi lhakhang (Temple of the famous saint mad
man Drukpa Kinley)
Then have lunch at a local traditional restaurant.
Punakha Dzong (also known as Punthang Dechenphodrang, Legend says that
Zhabdrung made the carpenter trulpizow balep made to sleep in chamber and he had been
taken to paradise /zangtopelri of Guru Rinpoche and he got at the sketch and the model of
the dzong.)
Visit to the long suspension bridge in Punakha.
Day 7: Punakha – Gangtey/Phobjikha
Today you will drive to Gangtey. (It’s a beautiful vast U-shape valley which is a winter
residence of the famous endangered bird called “The Black Necked Crane”. They come
down from the Tibetan Plateau to Phobjikha valley during winter season and fly back
during summer season.)
Before that, you will first do a small hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (Built by
the third Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck. This beautifully designed
chorten took nine years to complete, using only religious scriptures to construct the four-
story temple. Have to hike for 40minutes through the paddy fields and vegetable fields, into
the chir pine forest.)
Lunch will be at Nobding village. (Right next to Gangtey)
After reaching Gangtey, you will directly go towards the Nature Trail, walk around the
Phobjikha valley. Later you can check in and enjoy the beautiful valley of Phobjikha.
Day 8: Gangtey
Today, you can explore the Phobjikha valley. There are a lot places to visit, make
sure you take your camers with you since it’s going to a beautiful place to take
pictures.
Before that, first visit the two places which is a must to do.
Gangtey Goenpo. (Generally known as Gangtey Monastery, is an important
monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism built in 17 th century.)
Then visit the Black Necked Crane center after that.
Then start off with your sightseeing to others places.
Day 9, 10 & 11: Gangtey – Bumthang
Today you will drive towards Bumthang from Gangtey.
Bumthang is the most historic dzongkhag if the number of ancient temples and sacred sites
is counted. Bumthang consists of the four mountain valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang
and Choekhor, although the entire district is referred to as Bumthang valley.
You will get to visit Tang and Ura after Chumey sightseeing. So the places below are all in
Chumey, you can first do sighting there and also withness the Jakar festival which will be
held in Chumey.
Jakar Dzong (Ngagi Wangchuk continued his journey towards Bumthang after completing
Trongsa dzong and as he wanted to built a suddenly he saw a white bird flying from this
place and later he knew it was a Pelden Lhamo and built a Dzong and named as Jakar Dzong
in 1549.
Jambay lhakhang (The 2nd oldest Jowo temple was built by Songtsen Gampo the first
dharma king of Tibet. He has built 108 temples in a day to subdue the evils/ ogress in the
Himalayan region for the free flourishing of Buddhism and this temple is one of them. It
was renovated by Sindhu Raja as he has promised guru to protect the Buddhism.)
Kurjey lhakhang (Kurjey the name has been derived from the body print of Guru
Padmasambhava that has been left after the subjugation of the Shelzen Karpo.)
Tamzhing monastery (The foundation has been done by Terton Pema Lingpa from
(1501-03) and it is the second temple built by him.)
Kenchosum lhakhang (Kencho sum lhakhang means the temple of three times Buddha
(past, present and future)
Mebartsho/Burning lake (It was prophesied by a Terton Dorji Lingpa that one day the
boy will come from this village and discover a treasure from this river. So as prophesied a
Terton Pema Lingpa is born to a father Dondrup Zangpo and mother Pema Dolma and
he was born with many miraculous birth sign. Later he gathered all the people in the village
and discovered a treasure from the river. The legend says that he went into a lake with a
burning butter lamp and came out without putting off the light and came out with a text
and treasure so it was named as a burning lake.)
Or
You can also visit other places if you don’t like to visit the temples and monasteries.
You can visit beer factory as well as cheese and milk factory around the area.
Day 12: Bumthang – Trongsa – Wangdue
Today, have a good set of breakfast, it’s a long journey back to Wangdue.
On the way back to Wangdue, you will stop in Trongsa for a short sightseeing.
First visit the watch tower (museum of Trongsa district).
After that, visit the magnificent Trongsa Dzong (which is the biggest and longest Dzong in
Bhutan. The view from the Dzong is spectacular and one can see across the landscape for
many miles.)
Then have lunch in Trongsa. After that, start your jounrey.
After reaching Wangdue, you can check in your hotel and rest. Enjoy your evening well.
Day 13: Wangdue – Haa
Today’s going to be a long day. Have a good set of breakfast and then start off your journey
towards Haa. (It will take around 4 hours 40 minutes)
On the way, you can also stop for a photo session if you find wonderful places to take
photos.
Enjoy the journey back withou any rush, explore the beautiful valleys and take
photos.
Lunch will be at a local toursit restaurant.
Once you reach Haa, check in your hotel and rest for awhile. Later you can go for a walk
around the Haa valle
Day 14: Haa – Paro
After breakfast, go for sightseeing at
Chhundu Lhakhang: Eleven kilometers north of Haa is this local temple, one of several
shrines dedicated to the valley’s protective deity. At the time of research the chapel was
being completely rebuilt after suffering damage in an earth tremor. Blue-faced App
Chhundu and his red-faced cousin Jowya glower in glass cabinets on either side of the main
altar.
Wangchulo Dzong: Haa’s Wangchuck Lo Dzong is one of Bhutan’s newest, built in 1915 to
replace a smaller structure. It is inside the Indian army compound (an impressive chorten
marks the entrance) and so houses several Indian army offices and a rations shop. There’s
not a great deal to see.
Lhakhang Karpo: Haa’s 50-strong monk body is housed not in the dzong (fort-monastery)
but in the Lhakhang Kharpo (White Chapel) complex, just south of the dzong. The
atmospheric central chapel has statues of the Tselanam Sum trinity (Tsepame, Namgyelma
and Drolma) and has a statue of local protector App Chhundu.
Lhakhang Narpo: A 10-minute walk or short drive behind the Lhakhang Kharpo is the
Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Chapel), one of the oldest temples in the valley. It is said that when
searching out auspicious locations for two new temples the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo
released one black pigeon and one white pigeon; the black pigeon landed here, the white
one at Lhakhang Kharpo (White Chapel).
Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Haa.
Later drive back to Paro. This time we will take a different route which is shorter than the
other one. It will take around 2 hours to reach Paro.
On the way, you will stop at the highest pass of Paro which is called “Chele la Pass”
(Altitude 3796m)
After that, you will decend down towards Paro valley. Once you reach, check in your hotel
and rest for tomorrow’s departure back home.
Day 15: Departure from Paro
Our guide and driver will bid farewell to you all and have a pleasant flight back home. We
will be looking forward to seeing you again in future for another place to tour around.
Thank You & Tashi Delek!!!