Fascinating Bhutan Trip

Upon arrival you’ll be met by our representative and transfer to hotel. Phuntsholing is a small town at the Indo-Bhutan border. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast we’ll start our drive to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan which lies at an elevation of 2300m in a valley traversed by the Wang Chu (river). Overnight at Hote

Today we’ll go for morning sightseeing – visit the Indigenous hospital where traditional old art of healing is still practiced, Art & Craft school, National library, Royal goldsmith workshop and Handicraft centers. Afternoon visit the Memorial Chorten built, Changangkha monastery, Motithang mini zoo where you’ll find rare “Takin”, the national animal of Bhutan and then drive further down with good view of the Thimphu valley. Visit the new Drupthob nunnery temple and free time in the market. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast we’ll start our drive Wangduephodrang (70 KMS / 03 HRS / 1350Mts /4330Fts) via Punakha crossing the Dochu la pass 3100 meters. On fine weather you will see the eastern Himalayan ranges including the highest mountain in Bhutan Mt.Gangar Punsum 7520 meters. The drive from the pass is all the way downhill dropping to the lower and warmer valleys of Lobesa. Visit Punakha Dzong, built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17th Century. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Further proceed 20 minutes to Wangduephodrang and view the Dzong from outside and bhutstroll around the market area. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast we’ll drive to Bumthang (197 KMS / 08 HRS, 2600Mts /8125Fts) crossing 3 passes over 3000 meters. The drive offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine. After one and half hour we’ll arrive a small town known as Trongsa meaning new village. The town mainly consists of fresh Tibetan refugees but the most impressive of all is the Trongsa Dzong. The whole of eastern Bhutan was controlled from this fortress during the mid 17th century. Visitors are not allowed inside the building. Proceed another 2 HRS to Bumthang visiting the Chume weaving center. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast we’ll go for our sightseeing in Bumthang. Bumthang lies at the altitude of 2600m, has an individuality that charms its visitors and separates it from other regions. Comprised of four smaller valleys, the deeply spiritual region of Bumthang is shrouded in religious legend. Here tales of Guru Padmasambhava and his re-incarnation known as Tertons still linger in most nooks and corners. It is also known for its woolen material (yathra) which can be seen hung outside of houses for sale. Sightseeing – Visit the Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey monastery, Tamshing and Kunchosum monastery. This sightseeing is a round trip so it is more interesting done on foot. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast drive back from Bumthang to Wangdi (197 KMS / 08 HRS / 1350Mts /4430Fts). Overnight at Wangdi.

After breakfast we’ll drive for 20 minutes to Punakha to visit Punakha Dzong (The Punakha Dzong is closed in winter months when the monk body is in Punakha. All visit to Dzong and Monasteries limited till courtyard only) built at the confluence of the Po and Mo Chu Rivers in the 17th Century by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Every year during the month of February a procession known as the Punakha Serda takes place to commemorate the victory over the Tibetans. Drive 3 HRS to Thimphu for lunch (optional) and proceed 2 HRS to Paro (65 KMS / 02 HRS / 2134Mts /7000Fts) via visiting the oldest building in Bhutan, the Simtokha Dzong. It now serves as a Buddhist university. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast we’ll head to Drukyel Dzong, the historical fortress built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel to commemorate his victory over Tibetan invaders. After that we’ll visit Ta Dzong, which was built in 1651 as a watch tower. Since 1951 the Dzong has been re-established as the National museum and holds fascinating collections of art and religious Thankha paintings. We’ll also go for a short walk downhill to the Rinpung Dzong which serves as the administrative center and school for monks. Walk further down crossing the traditional bridge into Paro Town. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast go for a day hike to the view point of Taktsang monastery. The hike which is all the way uphill takes about 2 /3 hours through and pine forests. The monastery clings to a huge granite cliff 800 meters from the Paro valley. It is believed that the great saint Padmasambhava came in the 7th century on a flying tigress and meditated in a cave for 3 months. The demons were subdued who were trying to stop the spread of Buddhism and converted the Paro valley into Buddhism. During the end of the 17 century a monastery was built on the spot where the saint mediated and it is a pilgrimage site for every Bhutanese to visit once in their life time. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Phuntsholing (176 KMS / 06 HRS, 298Mts / 977Fts). Overnight Hotel.

Today our trip ends. After breakfast you can push off for your onward journey.