Itinerary Highlights

• Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest)
• Temple of Fertility
• Royal Botanical Garden
• Historic monasteries & dzongs
• Takin Preserve center
• Great Buddha Dordenma statue
• Enjoy delicious Bhutanese food
• Exploration of Bhutan’s culture and arts

The Tour Cost Includes…

• All Meals [Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner], tea, and coffee
• Accommodation [twin/double share]
• Airport transfers
• All private transportation, with personal driver, within the country
• Royalty & Government taxes
• Entrance fees for Museums and Monuments
• English speaking Local guide
• Sightseeing

Day 1: Arrive at Paro*

Welcome to Paro! You will be received by the Representative at the airport and driven a short distance to your hotel.

After you freshen up, we’ll visit the Drukgyel Dzong, now in ruins. This dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in 1644; the dzong name’s means indeed “victorious Druk.” Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (24,000 ft/7,314 m).

Afterward, we’ll discover Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most sacred monasteries dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the 8th century. This monastery is said to hold the left knee of an Ogress down to the earth, pinned in by a total of 108 temples (6 of which are in Bhutan).

Dinner and overnight in Tashi Namgay Resort or similar. www.tnr.bt

Day 2: Paro

After an early breakfast, you’ll explore one of the most iconic sites in all of Bhutan: Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. A short drive from town takes us to the trail to Tiger’s Nest, which climbs through a beautiful pine forest. We’ll stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see, clearly and seemingly within reach, Taktsang monastery. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in 747 AD, flew here on the back of a flying tiger. Unfortunately, we don’t have any flying tigers for rent today!

After lunch, visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower and the national museum of Bhutan.

We’ll then explore Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong presently houses administrative offices.

Below the museum is the Paro Rimpung Dzong (literally meaning “Heap of Jewels”), built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Paro Dzong is the center of civil and religious authority in this valley. A short walk takes you to the base of the Dzong and across a traditional cantilevered, covered bridge.

We’ll head to Thimpu after this (~1 hour drive), but on the way, we’ll view Tamchog Monastery, built by Thangthong Gyalpo in the 15th century. Gyalpo built 108 bridges across Tibet and Bhutan, out of which 8 were built in Bhutan. His only surviving bridge is in Duksum (Tashi Yangtse in Eastern Bhutan).

Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar. www.hotelmigmar.com

Day 3: Thimpu (Altitude 7610 ft/2320 m)

The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 to  honor our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk. We’ll also visit Dupthop Lhakhang, one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.

Afterwards, we’ll explore the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts. Enjoy your visit to the painting school, where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls).

After lunch we’ll drive to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices. We’ll also visit Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work.

Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, as well as the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Finally, we’ll visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by optional shopping for souvenirs in the local shops of Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.

Day 4: Thimpu to Punakha (~3 hour drive)

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Dochula pass (~3 hour drive). If the weather is clear, we stop for a while at Dochula pass to view Higher Himalayas, and then drive further down and visit the Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi.

The Royal Botanical park, also known as the Rhododendron Garden at Lamperi is about half and hour drive towards Punakha/Wangdue. With your spirits still high from the visit to the awesome sites of Dochula Pass with its 108 stupas and the beautifully arranged Himalayan mountain ranges, you will descend down to Rhododendron Botanical Garden, a nature reserve rich in flora (46 species of plants!) and fauna. The recorded species are the monal pheasants, blood pheasants, musk deer, tiger, leopard, red panda and the leopard cat. Located 30 Kms from the capital, the park has numerous viewpoints, a lake, and a canteen.

On the way we’ll view the “Temple of Fertility,” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (also popularly known as “Divine Madman”) in 15th century. Lama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s favorite saints; he travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humor and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings of “salvation through sex.”

After lunch, you’ll explore Punakha Dzong. Built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). For many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, “…a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant.”

Dinner and overnight in RKPO Green Resort or similar.

Day 5: Punakha – Gangtey – Trongsa

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive to Trongsa via Gangtey. On the way we’ll enjoy the sites of the valley of Wangdiphodrang, including a visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong. Wangdiphodrang Dzong was built in 1638 but razed by fire in 2012. Legend has it that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered an auspicious sign, representing the spread of Buddhist religion to the four points of the compass.

Drive further to Gangtey and visit the Gangtey Gompa. Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa founded the Temple in 1613, and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second re-incarnation, built the temple. The present Abbot, Kunzang Pema Namgyal is the ninth reincarnation. It is a Nyingmapa monastery.

Explore gorgeous Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter, but breathtakingly beautiful year-round. A packed picnic lunch will be served at Gangtey.

After lunch, we’ll explore Trongsa Dzong, considered the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan. It was built in its present form in 1644 and enlarged at the end of the 17th century. Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family, and the first two hereditary kings ruled Bhutan from this Dzong. Afterward, we’ll visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower with a chapel inside. 

Dinner and overnight in Yangkhil Resort or similar.

Day 6: Trongsa to Bumthang

After breakfast, we’ll take a scenic drive to Bumthang (~2 hours). We’ll explore Jakar Dzong, which literally means “The Castle of White Bird.” The Jakar Dzong dominates the Chamkhar valley and overlooks the town. Constructed in 1549, by the Tibetan Lam Nagi Wangchuk, the Dzong played an important role as the fortress of defense of the whole eastern Dzongkhags. It also became the seat of the first king of Bhutan.

We’ll also visit Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the kingdom. It was founded by Songtsen Gampo, a Tibetan King in the 7th century AD.  The king was destined to build 108 temples known as Thadhul-Yangdhul (temples on and across the border) in one single day in order to subdue the demoness that was residing in the Himalayas. The temple is one of the two of the 108 built in Bhutan. A second is located in Paro, the Kichu lhakhang, was also built on the very same day.

Legend has it that Guru Rimpoche visited the site several times and deemed it exceptionally sacred. Chakhar Gyab, the king of the Iron Castle of Bumthang, renovated the temple in the 8th century AD.

Dinner and overnight in Swiss Guest House or similar. www.swissguesthouse.bt

Day 7: Bumthang

After breakfast, visit Kurjey Lhakhang, built in 1652; it houses the imprint of Guru Rimpoche who meditated in a cave where the monastery was built. Then we’ll explore Tamshing Lhakhang (“Temple of the Good Message”), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa; it is the most important Nyingmapa temple in the kingdom.

After lunch, visit Mebar Tsho (“The Burning Lake”) a short distance up the road leading to Tang valley. According to the legend, Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures that Guru Rimpoche had hidden within the lake centuries earlier. However the people of Tang and the local ruler were cynical of his claims. In order to prove his claims, Pema Lingpa held a butter lamp in his hand as he jumped into the lake. After remaining under water for a long time he re-emerged holding a chest and a scroll of paper with the butter lamp held in his hand still burning bright.

We’ll also visit mathra (woolen textile) factory & a local cheese factory. In the evening, we’ll visit a Bhutanese farm house.

Dinner and overnight in Swiss Guest House or similar.

Day 8: Bumthang to Thimphu

After an early breakfast, we’ll begin the drive to Thimphu.  This will be a long day of driving (~10 hours) but the scenery will be as breathtaking as usual. Packed lunch will be served on the way.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel Migmar or similar.

Day 9: Thimphu to Paro Airport

Bid farewell to Bhutan and start recounting your fond memories of this magical country! Today you’ll get an early start and take a 1 hour drive to the Paro Airport. We’ll see you next time!