Day 1: Arrival in Paro
Welcome to Bhutan, the land of Thunder Dragon. After landing at Paro international Airport, you will be
greeted in our traditional style by our guide and driver when you exit the airport. Today, we will take it easy
to acclimatize to the altitude since most of the guests won’t feel comfortable with the climate in our country.
After that, you will slowly drive to Thimphu (Capital City) which will take around 1 hour approximately. On
the way, you will start with a short sightseeing at Tamchog Lhakhang (Temple built by the famous saint
from Tibet called Thangtong Gyalpo in 13 th century.) Then you will drive to Thimphu. Check in your hotel
and let’s have your first taste of our Bhutanese traditional cuisine and some light sightseeing in Thimphu.
Lunch will be at Folk Heritage (to experiment the traditional life style of the Bhutanese).
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.)
After that you will go visit Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan (is a national textiles museum)
Tashichho Dzong (Tashichho Dzong has been the seat of the government since 1952)
Day 2: Thimphu
After having breakfast, you will go for a hike at Dodeydrak Buddhist Institution (The place is called
Dodeydrak, literally meaning ‘the cave of sutra’ as the trace of the extraction of the sutra can be seen at the
entrance of the Tsuglakhang. The Tsuglakhang was established by H.H the 13th Je Khenpo Kyabje Yonten
Thaye in 1779 and was later extended by the 18th Druk Desi Jigme Singye.)
Lunch will be at Simply Bhutan (to experiment the traditional life style of the Bhutanese).
After that, you will be visiting the Memorial Chorten (Built in the year 1974).
Then the famous 51.5m Buddha point (built in the year 2006).
The Changangkha Lhakhang (built in 12 century).
Rest at the hotel or stroll around the city.
Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
Today have a good set of breakfast and start with your journey towards Punakha. On the way, you will be
crossing your first Himalayan pass called, “Dochu la Pass” Elevation 3,100m”. From there on a clear sky,
you will get a chance to see the beautiful mountain rangers with snowcaps. You will have a short tea break
with a sightseeing, there will be 108 stupas in that area, with an amazing history behind it. You will also visit
a temple which is solely dedicated to our beloved 4 th King and the armies who were with him, it was a
successful victory over the Assam separatist insurgents which took place back in 2003.
After that, you will be descending down towards Lobesa, at the elevation 1,300m. There will you first visit
Chimi Lhakhang (Madman’s Temple).
Chimi Lhakhang or temple, is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha District, Bhutan located near Lobesa, it
stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the
site was blessed by the “Divine Madman” the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455 –1529) who built
a chorten on the site. In founding the site it is said that Lama Kunley subdued a demon of Dochu La with
his “magic thunderbolt of wisdom” and trapped it in a rock at the location close to where the chorten now
stands.
After that, you will have your lunch at a local tourist restaurant.
Then you will drive towards Punakha and you will be visiting the famous Punakha fortress which holds
great history.
The Punakha Dzong (the palace of great happiness or bliss), is the administrative center of Punakha
District in Punakha, Bhutan. The dzong was constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, in 1637–38. It is the
second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. The dzong
houses the sacred relics of the southern Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism,
including the Rangjung Kasarpani and the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal and the tertoen Pema
Lingpa.
Then you will visit the famous longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. It’s located right behind the Punakha
Fortress.
Punakha Suspension Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan measuring 180 m in
length. This ancient suspension bridge dates back all the way to 1637 when Punakha was in its
glory as the capital city of Bhutan. The bridge is believed to be built by the great architect and
iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.
Day 4: Punakha to Gangtey/Phobjikha
Today, before going to Gangtey, you will first do a short hike at 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.)
Then will coming back down, you can experience the rafting on Female River (Mo Chhu) which ends right
next to the Punakha Fortress or you skip that and directly drive towards Gangtey.
Lunch will be either at Lobesa or Nobding depending on the time. Nobding is small community village which
is right below Gangtey.
Once you reach Gangtey, you will stop next to the temple and experience the wonderful walk down
between the natures towards the Phobjikha valley. It will approximately take 1 hour.
Then you will drive towards your hotel, check in and rest. You can enjoy the evening in the Phobjikha
valley.
Day 5: Gangtey – Trongsa
Today you will drive towards the central of Bhutan. Before that, you will visit the famous Black Necked
Crane center (The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN), established the conservation site in 2003
as RSPN felt the urgent need to protect and conserve the Black Necked Crane and its species. Upon
survey wide array of biodiversity has been discovered by RSPN, ranging from 121 species of Birds to 50
species of trees.), then you will visit the Gangtey Monastery (The Gangteng Monastery, also called
the Gangteng Sangngak Chöling་, was established in 1613 by the first Peling Gyalsé Rinpoche or
Gangteng Tulku, Rigdzin Pema Tinley (1564–1642), who was the grandson of the great Bhutanese
“treasure revealer” Terchen Pema Lingpa (1450–1521). The earliest historical background relevant to this
monastery is traced to establishment of the Vajrayana tradition of Buddhism, by Guru Rinpoche, who was
instrumental in making Bhutan a Buddhist nation.) And then you will start off your journey.
There will be another high pass Called, “Pele la Pass” elevation 3,420m. Then you will descend down and
you will stop for a short sightseeing at Chendebji Chorten (Stupa) also called the chorten charo Kasho,
enroute to Trongsa and is patterned after Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes painted at the
four cardinal points. It was built in the 18 th Century by Lama Shida from Tibet, to cover the remains of an
evil spirit that was subdued at this spot.
You will then visit Trongsa Dzong (Trongsa Dzong literally means ‘the fortress on the tip of a
Dungkhar (conch) of the never-changing country of Druk and the everlasting Dharma’. Trongsa
Dzong was built in 1647 during the time of Trongsa Penlop Chogyal Minjur Tenpa. It’s
strategically located overlooking the Mangde Chhu (river).
It was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. This massive dzong is the largest
fortress in Bhutan. You can see the sight of Trongsa Dzong long before you actually reach
Trongsa. The intricacy of its buildings is clearly visible from town. Trongsa Dzong is undoubtedly
one of the most impressive dzongs in Bhutan. It showcases the magnificence of
Bhutanese.)Craftsmanship and traditional Bhutanese architecture, narrow stone stairs, alleys
and corridors connect the buildings.
Then you will drive towards Bumthang (Jakar). You will need to cross another high pass called,
“Thrumshing La Pass”, its elevation is 3,752m. After that, you will descend down towards
Chumey. Then you will reach Jakar, where you will be staying at a Swiss Guest House.
Day 6: Bumthang Sightseeing
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.)
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.)
Day 7: Bumthang – Paro International Airport
Today you will be flying back to Paro. Your flight will be at 11am in the morning so get yourself ready for
40minutes flight to Paro.
Once you reach, you will check in your hotel and then start off with your sightseeing.
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.)
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.)
Kichu lhakhang (Kichu it actually means the peaceful palace. The first temple was built by a 1 st Dharma
king of Tibet Songtsen Gampo in 7 th century.)
You will visit one farmhouse to experience the traditional lifestyle of the Bhutanese. You will also be having
your lunch there.
Later you can stroll around the town, buy souvenirs and visit the farmer’s market.
Day 8: Tiger’s Nest
Today you will be visiting the most iconic structure in the valley of Paro, 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).
And if you wish to visit another temple which is really old and sacred, then please 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.) You will also
get to see the museum of Dilgo Khyentse Rimpoche’s home.
Later you will visit the hot stone bath to relax your muscle from all the hike and tours you had till now.
Then in the evening you will have a dinner outside and you can stroll around the town to buy the souvenirs.
Day 9: Departure from Bhutan
Today you will be dropped to the airport by our team and they will bid farewell to you and your son, 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!