Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. Paro: Arrive Paro. Meet & Greet:
- After lunch, visit to the Ta Dzong, the National Museum.
- 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 2. Paro – Bumthang:
After breakfast, DRIVE TO THE PARO AIRPORT FOR FLIGHT TO BUMTHANG. Meet & Greet at the Badbalathang Airport.
After lunch, visit to:
- Jakar Dzong built in 1667.
- Jambay Lhakhang built by King Srongsen Gampo of Tibet in the year 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro.
- 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.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 3. Bumthang – Ura valley & back to Bumthang: (Distance 51 km, Drive Time 1 hour drive):
After early breakfast,
- Drive to the beautiful valley of URA AND WITNESS THE FESTIVAL(Full day).
- Ura village which is a cluster of houses and Ura Temple.
- Membarstho or “The Burning Lake” where Pema Lingpa discovered the treasures hidden by Guru Rimpoche in the 14th
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 4. Bumthang – Trongsa – Gangtey: (143 kms – 5 hours):
After breakfast 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 5. Gangtey – Punakha: (74.7 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 the 15thLama Drukpa Kuenley (1455 – 1529) was one of the Bhutan’s Favourite Saints who was born in Tibet, trained at Ralung Monastery and was a contemporary and a disciple of Pema Lingpa. He Travelled throughout Bhutan and Tibet as a “Neljorpa” (Yogi) using songs, humour and outrageous behavior to dramatise his teachings of Salvation through sex.
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 6. Punakha – Thimphu: (76 kms – 3 hours):
After early breakfast, visit to:
- Longest suspension bridge in Bhutan across the Pho Chu River.
- Royal Botanical Garden at Lamperi.
- 108 stupas at Dochula pass and view Higher Himalayas.
After lunch at Dochula, visit to:
- The weekend vegetable market.
- Witness archery match at Changlimithang stadium.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 7. Thimphu Sightseeing:After breakfast, visit to:
- National Postal Museum.
- 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, visit to:
- Folk Heritage Museum.
- Painting School.
- In the evening, free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 8. Thimphu – Paro (Hike to the Tiger’s Nest) (56 kms – 1 hour):
After early breakfast, visit to:
- Tamchog Monastery built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Popularly known as Lama Chazampa, which literally means, the Iron Bridge builder) in the 15th
- Hike to the Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery).
After lunch, visit to:
- Drukgyal Dzong built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal.
- Kichu Lhakhang, built in 659 A.D by the Tibetan king Srongsen Gampo built 108 Temples in a single day to pin the Ogress to the earth forever.
- Free to stroll in the town for shopping and photography.
Dinner and overnight in Hotel.
Day 9. Paro: After breakfast, departure.
