Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Paro. Meet & Greet:
- After lunch, visit to the Ta Dzong, the National Museum (built in1656 and renovated in 1968).
- Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the administrative centre of Paro district.
- Evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 02. Paro Sightseeing: (Altitude 2280 m):
After breakfast,
- hike to Taktsang Monastery:2 hour walk till the monastery. The primary monastery was built in the 1684 by the Penlop of Paro Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay. Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here on the back of a flying tiger, Dorji Drolo, his favourite consort.
After lunch, visit to:
- The ruins of the Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
- Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo, the Tibetan king who married a Chinese princess, Wenchen in 641.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 03. Paro – Bumthang (Domestic flight):
After breakfast,drive to the Airport and fly to Bumthang. Meet & Greet at the Badbalathang Airport and drive to the Hotel.
After lunch, visit to:
- Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the good message), established in 1501 by Pema Lingpa.
- Kurjey Lhakhang, where you can see the body print of Guru Rimpoche.
Kencho Sum Lhakhang.
- Jambay Lhakhang built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 04. Bumthang sightseeing (Excursion to Ogyen Choling Palace Museum – 45 minutes drive):
In the evening, witness the festival.
After breakfast, drive to the Tang valley.
- Visit Guru Rimpoche’s Nye (Sacred site) on the way.
- Visit the Ogyen Choling Palace Museum. The museum is about a 1 hour drive from the Jakar in the little valley town. This was the property of a major landlord who once had many surfs. The property has been in the same family for 21 generations and the artefacts relate directly to this place. The staircases are original and very steep.
After lunch, drive back to Jakar.
- On the way, visit to the Membarstho or “The Burning Lake” where Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rimpoche in the 14th
- Free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography. In the evening, witness the festival.
Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 05. Bumthang (Witness the festival):
After early breakfast,
- Drive to the Jambay Lhakhang and witness the festival (Full day).
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 06. Bumthang:
After breakfast, witness the festival (Full day).
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 07. Bumthang – Trongsa – Gangtey: (143 kms – 5 hours):
After breakfast, drive to Trongsa and visit to:
- Trongsa dzong built in 1648; it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second King ruled the country from these ancient seats.
- Ta Dzong museum.
After lunch visit to:
- Gangtey Gompa Monastery. 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 re-incarnation.
- Explore Phobjikha valley, the most beautiful glacial valley in the Himalayas and the roosting ground of the Rare Black- necked Cranes.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 08. Gangtey – Punakha: (75 kms – 3 hours):
After breakfast, visit to:
- Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (razed by fire in 2012), & under
- Chimi Lhakhangalso called the “Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley also popularly known as “Devine Mad man” in 15thLama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529).
After lunch, visit to:
- Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Punakha is the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the First National Assembly here in 1952.
- Beautiful Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery (short hike 45 minutes.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 09. Punakha – Thimphu: (76 kms – 2 hours):
After early breakfast, visit to:
- Longest suspension bridge in Bhutan across the Pho Chu River.
- 108 stupas at Dochula pass and view Higher Himalayas.
After lunch at Dochula, visit to:
- Craft Bazaar.
- Witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.
- In the evening, visit to Tashichho Dzong, the Royal Secretariat and the Summer residence of the Chief Abbot of Bhutan, the Je Khenpo.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 10. Thimphu Sightseeing – Paro (56 kms, 1 hour drive):
After breakfast, visit to:
- The National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our 3rdKing, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (The Father of Modern Bhutan).
- Tallest Statue of Buddha, Changangkha Lhakhang, Takin Preserve center, Sangaygang view point, and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan.
After lunch at Simply Bhutan Museum restaurant and visit to:
- School of 13 Arts and Crafts (Painting School).
Drive to Paro and visit:
- Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15thThang Thong Gyalpo (1385 – 1464) .
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 11. Paro – Departure:
After breakfast, drive to the airport and farewell.
