Bhutan Grand Tour 21D/20N
Day 1: Paro (Arrival)
Arrival at Paro and meeting with an assistant and transfer to Hotel.
Lunch, in the afternoon drive to Drugyel Dzong and visit the Dzong, drive back on the way visit Kichulhakhang, Paro Rimpung Dzong and Paro Bazaar.
Overnight at Dechen Hill Resort, Paro.
Day 2: Paro
After break fast drive to Rinpung Dzong to attend the full day festival.
Overnight at Dechen Hill Resort, Paro.
Day 3: Paro
Early in the morning drive to the festival site to view the giant Thangkha that is displayed from the roof of a four-story building. Casting our eyes upon the Thangkha is supposed to erase the sins of the whole year. After breakfast visit the National Museum on the way visit Dungtse Lhakhang. After lunch drive to Dzongdrakha, visit Dzongdrakha Temple.
Overnight at Dechen Hill Resort, Paro.
Day 4: Paro
After breakfast drive to Satsam Chorten followed by a 2 hours walk to Taktsang Monastery for a close-up view, (full day excursion to Taktsang) and return walk to Satsam Chorten.
Overnight at Dechen Hill Resort, Paro.
Day 5: Paro ~ Thimphu
After breakfast drive to Thimphu en-route visit Simtokha Dzong.
At the arrival, visit of Thimphu. Sightseeing includes: Memorial Chorten; Taschichho Dzong; National Library; Bazaar; National Institute of Traditional Medicine; Zangto Pelri Lhakhang; School of 13 arts and crafts; Changlimithang; Dupthop Lhakhang.
Overnight at Hotel Wangchuk, Thimphu.
Day 6: Thimphu ~ Punakha
After breakfast drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass. This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for the view, we will descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. View the Chimi Lhakhang “Temple of Fertility” temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, “The Divine Mad Man”.
Visit Punakha Dzong.
Overnight in Hotel Zangtopelri, Punakha.
Day 7: Punakha ~ Gangtey
After breakfast drive to Phobjikha via Wangdi Phodrang, en-route visit Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Puna Tsang chhu and Dang chhu rivers, and continue drive to Gangtey Gonpa, winter home of black necked crane (Phobjikha Valley).
Overnight at Phobjikha Guest House.
Day 8: Trek
Trek start: Gangtey to Gogona
15 km, 6-7 hours.
Overnight at Camp.
Day 9: Trek
Trek: Gogona to Khothangkha.
16 kms, 6-7 hours.
Overnight at Camp.
Day 10: Trek
Trek end: Khothangkha to Tikke Zampa.
12 km, 5 hours.
Overnight at Kichu Resort.
Day 11: Wangdi ~ Tongsa
After breakfast drive to Tongsa via Pelela Pass with and alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. Stop for a view of the Himalayan ranges, in particularly the peak of Jhomolhari to the west. En route cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon.
Overnight at Yangkhil Resort, Tongsa.
Day 12: Tongsa ~ Bumthang
After breakfast visit Tongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. Visit the Ta- Dzong, an ancient watchtower, above the main dzong, and then explore the quaint town of Tongsa. In the afternoon proceed to Bumthang valley across the Yotongla Pass at 3,400 m. Slowly the road passes through the bushes of rhododendron trees to the village of Chumey and Zungney where we could see women weaving traditional Yathra and Mathra (stop for visit).
Overnight at Swiss Guest House, Bumthang.
Day 13: Bumthang
After breakfast drive through the picturesque valley of Bumthang to visit the sacred sights, shrines and monuments. Sightseeing includes: Kurje Lhakhang; Jakar Dzong; Peling Sermon Chorten; Member Tsho; Wangdichholing Palace; Lamey Gompa; Jambey Lhakhang; Tamshing lhakhang and Koenchosum Lhakhangs; typical Bhutanese village houses.
Overnight at Swiss Guest House, Bumthang.
Day 14: Bumthang ~ Mongar
After breakfast drive to Mongar.
Bumthang to Mongar is 193 kms/6-7 hrs.
Overnight at Guest House.
Day 15: Mongar ~ Tashigang
After breakfast visit Mongar Dzong and then drive to Tashigang.
Mongar to Tashigang is 92 kms/3-4 hrs.
Overnight at Kelling Lodge.
Day 16: Tashigang
Full day explore Tashigang Valley. Sight seeing includes: Gom Kora, Sherubtse College, Kanglung, Khaling and Pelri Gonpa.
Overnight at Kelling Lodge.
Day 17: Tashigang ~ Mongar
Drive back to Mongar. (92 kms/3-4 hrs.)
Overnight at Guest House.
Day 18: Mongar ~ Bumthang
Drive to Bumthang. (193 kms/6-7 hrs.)
Overnight at Swiss Guest House.
Day 19: Bumthang ~ Thimphu
Drive to Thimphu. (198 kms/6-7 hrs.)
Overnight at Hotel Pedling.
Day 20: Thimphu ~ Paro
After breakfast shopping in the town (handicraft emporium) After lunch drive to Paro.
Overnight at Dechen Hill Resort.
Day 21: Paro (Departure)
Transfer to the Airport and farewell for the onward journey.