Main Info
- Visiting Tashichoe Dzong (Thimphu Dzong) at Thimphu and Punakha Dzong
- Visiting centenary farmers market at Thimphu
- Self-explorations time at Thimphu city
- Moment at Dochu la pass with majestic view of Himalaya
- Interaction with nuns at Sangchen Dorji Lhendrup nunnery
- Hiking up to Rinchengang and time in village
- Gangtay nature trail
- Seeing black necked crane at Gangtay (winter)
- Nature hike down from Sangachoekhor
- Attending Buddhist purification ceremony
- Self-exploration time at old Paro street
- Witnessing locals playing archery (national game)
- Hike up to Tiger nest monastery
- Bhutanese night life experience at Paro (optional)
- Visiting traditional Bhutanese farm house at gangtay
| Departure | Paro International Airport |
| Departure Time | 2 Hours before departure |
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| Excluded |
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Itinerary
Download BrochureThe Druk Air flight to Paro is one of the most remarkable of all mountain flights. Whether flying along the majestic Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkata, each flight is a mesmerizing feat and offers an exciting descent into the Kingdom. On arrival at the airport, you will be received by our representative at the exit of terminal and transferred to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.
In the evening, if time permits, visit the Tashichhoe Dzong, the beautiful medieval fortress built in 1641 by the Founder of Bhutan Zhabdrung. It is the center of government and religion, His Majesty the King’s Throne Room and the seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot of the monastic body. After a fire, it was reconstructed in 1961 in the traditional Bhutanese manner without nails or architectural plans. The site offers 100s of monks with some kind of activity inside the Dzong.
Overnight stay in Thimphu.
Recommended free time activity:
- Take a walk in town.
- Visit ambient coffee (walking distance from hotel)
- Visit DSB book shop (walking distance from hotel)
Witness local folks playing archery (national sports)
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, get a feel of the culture and traditions of Bhutan through an all-encompassing sightseeing tour of Thimphu.
Visit the National Memorial Chorten. The building of this landmark was originally envisaged by Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who wished to erect a monument to promote world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace. This site is the perfect place for you to take the photo opportunity of elderly people and to intermingle with locals. It has now become a vibrant center of spiritual practice and religious events.
Visit Buddha point located atop a hill in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park overlooking the southern entrance to the Thimphu Valley. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. 125,000 smaller Buddha statues have been placed within the Buddha statue- 100,000 statues of 8 inches and 25,000 statues of 12 inches. Each of these figure have also been casted in bronze and gilded. The throne that the Buddha sits upon is a large meditation hall.
Visit the National Library that has enormous collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts.
Visit the Painting School, famous for its traditional thangkha paintings. Here you will also see students at work producing intricate designs on 13 arts and craft namely wood curving, sculpture, embroidery, painting and etc.
Later, visit the Royal Textile museum initiated and inaugurated by Queen Ashi Sangay Choden. The museum displays large amount of Bhutanese textile collected from different regions of Bhutan.
After lunch, Visit Changangkha monastery. A 12th century monastery active with few monks and beautiful Buddhist paintings inside. The main goal of visiting this sights is to see, feel and interact with local families coming with new born babies to do offering and occasionally you will witness monks performing ritual inside the shrine.
Visit Traditional handmade paper factory where you will be escorted inside the factory to see the traditional way of making paper followed by paper gallery where you will see how traditional paper are put in use in modern times.
Visit Centenary farmers market where you get to see local vegetable, rice, fruits and meat items being sold (expect the place to be crowded with local buyer and vendors. (The goal of going to this vegetable market is provide an opportunity to travelers to engage all six senses)
Evening at leisure
Recommended free time activity:
Take a walk in town.
Visit ambient coffee (walking distance from hotel)
Visit DSB book shop (walking distance from hotel)
- Witness local folks playing archery (national sports)
Dinner and Overnight in a hotel at Thimphu.
After breakfast drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochula pass (3,050m) and enjoy the most enchanting view of the 108 stupas against the setting of the majestic snowcapped Himalayans including the highest mountain of Bhutan.
Later visit the most impressive Dzong in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress which is beautifully erect between pho chu (male river) and Mo chu (female river).This Dzong is considered as winter residence of the central monastic body. Before 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan. This place will propose you a great opportunity to take pictures of monks and also to intermingle with monks.
Lunch at Punakha.
Later, drive for 30-45mins uphill to Talo village. En-route visit Sangchen Dorji Lhendup Nunnery, built on a pine-covered ridge above Punakha valley. The nunnery’s chapel houses a 4.5 meters (14ft) bronze statue of Chenrezing, the bodhisattva of compassion, along with statues of the Buddha, Guru Rinpoche and Zhabdrung in an intricately sculpted altar. It is home to a small and friendly community of nuns. A PRIVATE AUDENCE WITH A NUN WIILL BE ARRANGED BY BHUTAN TRAVELCATIONS (This feature is exclusive only for guest travelling through Bhutan Travelcations without any cost involve) The goal of this setting is to allow travelers understand real life of nuns in Bhutan) Continue driving uphill until you see a scattered village on hill top. The royal queen mothers (four sisters) hail from this small village. The highlight of this visit is a short walk (30mins) from top of village to bottom where you will see local farmers doing farm works. (Photo and interaction opportunities)
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast drive to Gangtay, the most beautiful and scenic drive of the trip. En-route visit Rinchengang village. A clustered village (20mins hike uphill from nearest road).This is one and only village in western Bhutan existing since 17th century (The oldest village.)The old traditional structure and basic facilities available in this village will take you hundreds of years back. This village also offers friendly people and kids (your opportunity to interact, photo, see and experience life of farmers in rural area. Continue your drive and stop over a road side village known as Nobding. The village offer you a small vegetable market with few local vendors. Phallic symbol as painting on every house will be one attraction in this village. From Nobding village take a walk by side of road for 15-20mins will take you to lunch restaurant.
After lunch continue driving towards Gangtay (2700m) with a short stop at Lawa la pass (3100m). Gangtay/Phobjikha valley is one of the most beautiful destination in Bhutan. It is also winter home to a globally endangered black necked crane migrating every winter from Tibetan plateau. Gantay is remarkably beautiful as the valley is formed by glacial lakes thousands years back.
Visit Gangtay monastery,the one and only Nyingmapa monastery located in western Bhutan founded back in 1500.Expect to see many young monks studying and living in monastery.
Check in to the hotel at Phobjikha
Evening at leisure.
Free times options: Take a relax walk through Phobjikha village where you have the possibilities to see farmers grazing cattle, farmers working in field and students coming back from school.
Dinner and overnight in a hotel.
After breakfast, depart for a beautiful and scenic hike, Gangtay Nature Trial (1 and half hour).A gentle walk through woods with breathtaking view of village on opposite side of valley. This gentle hike will give you the opportunity to see wild life of Phobjikha especially birds and occasionally wild boar.
Visit Crane information Centre to understand the inside stories of black necked crane with a short documentary at the Centre.
Today’s lunch will be arranged by your local escort in a Traditional Bhutanese farm house at Phobjikha. The goal of this setting is to allow you to taste the local cuisine and also dinning with the family gives you a better opportunity to come close to understand local culture and tradition.
After lunch one member of the family will be escorting you to explore his house.
Free time options:
Rest and enjoy view from hotel.
- Get a hot stone bath (reservation 1 day before through local guide and cost will be extra)
Recommended:
- Attend evening prayer with monks at Buddhist University (guide will escort)
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
After early breakfast drive back to Paro. Stopover at Dochula pass. 10mins hike up the hill will take you to a Meditation Centre located in middle of woods. After Dochula continue your drive towards Paro. (Take the photo opportunity at bird’s eye view of Paro international Airport.
Late lunch at Paro.
After lunch visit Rinpung Dzong (fortress on heap of jewels) which has a long and fascinating history from 1600s. The first National Assembly of Bhutan was held here. A short purification ceremony can be conducted on your request.(please pre inform the guide or local host). After Paro Dzong take a short walk down for 15-20mins till you reach a beautiful traditional cantilevered bridge (photo opportunity as you walk down the way)
Visit Sangachoekhor Buddhist institute located at outstanding view of entire Paro valley below. The institute offer a temple to visit however the high light of visiting this place is to talk and see hundreds of monks studying and leaving there. The goal of this visit to know and understand the life of monks in Bhutan. Your guide facilitate to interact with monks.
Leisure time in Paro town.
Recommended free activity:
Walk along old Paro Street.
Brioche café.
Visit stamp shop and Bhutanese traditional music CD shop.
- Witness local people playing archery (national sports)
Check in to the hotel (your guide will do a detail orientation and preparation for the hike to Tiger nest for next day, while having welcome time in hotel)
Dinner and overnight in hotel at Paro.
Early start is recommended (summer 7am, winter7:30)
After an early breakfast drive north of Paro valley and take a 5-6 hours excursion to Taktsang Monastery, the most famous of all Bhutanese monasteries. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan. He meditated in the cave and emerged in eight incarnated forms and thus, the site became holy. Subsequently, the place came to be known as the “Tiger’s Nest”. (Your guide will decide on lunch place depending on time)
Visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temple in the Kingdom.
Option: Hot stone bath at a Bhutanese farm house (excluded from package)
Dinner and Overnight in a hotel at Paro.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for final departure.
- Check in 3 hours before flight departure.
- Your guide will hand over E-tickets to you.
- Passport and E-tickets have to be handy.
- Baggage allowance (30 kg check in).
Any further quarries please feel to contact local agent or guide.
