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This is an in-depth trip which brings you all the way to the central valley at Bumthang.
Begin in the capital city of Thimphu before exploring Punakha with its stunning cultivated valley scenery. Immerse yourself in the Mythical Trongsa Dzong and the bountifully blessed Bumthang valley with numerous ancient temples.
Feel the serenity valley of Phobjikha, one of the few glacial valleys and the chosen winter home of the rare black-necked cranes that arrive from the Tibetan plateau and stay in the swampy center of the valley.
And finally explore the beautiful Paro valley and end your visit with the remarkable Taktshang Monastery.
A best trip for those who wish to take easy hikes into quieter areas of Bhutan while soaking in it’s unique culture.
And we have timed this trip to catch the most important festival Jambay Lhakhang Drup. The mysterious “Naked Dance”, performs at mid-night in the courtyard.
Tentative Itinerary
Day
1: Fly to Paro / Drive to Thimphu (altitude: 7,700 feet)
Fly by the magnificent views of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to Paro valley.
Stop over at Tachogang iron chain bridge built
by Drubthop Thangthong Gyalpo over the crystal clear glacial pachu river before
driving to Thimphu.
Explore
the capital’s Highlights!!!
BBS Tower viewpoint for a stunning view of the valley before visiting the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan’s
national animal along with the view of the majestic Tashichoe Dzong, seat of the government. Overnight at Thimphu (Lunch
& dinner included)
Day
2: Thimphu
Circumvent the Memorial Chorten before mesmerising at the gigantic statue of Buddha (169ft). And visit 12th century Changangkha Lhakhang, see cultural
aspect of blessing and naming newly born child from the oldest temple of Wang
valley.
Catch the bustling Farmers Market, the best opportunity to see the colourful
vegetables, dairy products and to mix with the locals along with the Bhutanese
archery game (the national sport) at Changlingmithang
National Stadium. Later take a walk along the streets of Thimphu and enjoy
some free shopping. Overnight at Thimphu (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 3: Thimphu / Punakha (altitude: 4,500 feet)
Drive about 2 hours to Punakha.
Drive up the mountain road to Dochu-La at 3100m.
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On a clear day, the pass commands a wonderful panorama of the Eastern
Himalayas. Descend through varied forest and finally emerging into the cultivated valley of Punakha.
Visit Punakha Dzong located at
the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu, arguably the most impressive Dzong in the country.
Later hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, built to prevail peace and tranquillity. Overnight at Punakha (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 4: Punakha / Trongsa (altitude: 7,200 feet)
Drive about 4 hours to Trongsa.
Hike through beautiful rice fields with fresh morning breeze to Chimi Lhakhang (No Dog temple) the pilgrimage site for childless couples.
A stunning scenic drive brings you to Trongsa. This is the road where the Bhutanese box office movie “Travelers and Magicians” was filmed.
The road winds its way up and across high Pele-La pass (3390m). Visit Trongsa Dzong – the ancestral home
of the royal family.
Overnight at Trongsa (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 5: Trongsa / Bumthang (altitude: 8,500 feet)
Drive 2 hours to Bumthang.
An adventurous drive to Bumthang winds its way up across Yotong-La pass (3425m). En-route,
visit Dorjitse Lhakhang “the temple
of prophecy”, newly built as prophesied by the oracle of Damchen Dorji Lekpa,
protector of the Nyingmapa teaching.
Stopover Chumey village, famous for Yathra
weaving, colorful hand-woven woollen textiles.
Upon arrival in Chamkhar and after checking in the hotel, attend festival at the sacred Jambay Lhakhang.
Dances are performed by well-trained monks and lay-man, symbolizing something different - from morality plays to beliefs about life after death.
One of the important events is the fertility blessing ceremony for infertile women wishing to conceive.
The lama prays to the fertility gods and deities, and blesses the women with a symbolic wooden phallus to make them fruitful in the coming year. The ceremony is performed outdoors.
Later evening another unusual tradition
leading up to festival is the “Tercham”
performed around midnight, this famous naked dance known as the “Dance of
treasure”.
Overnight at
Bumthang (Breakfast, lunch & dinner
included)
Day 6: Bumthang Valley Tour Begin your hike from sacred 7th century Jambay Lhakhang to the impressive 8th century Kurjey Lhakhang on the western side of Chamkhar Chu then to well preserved Tamshing Monastery. 36 oldest untouched paintings line the vestibule where pilgrims can atone their sins by wearing a 25-kilo iron coat of chains around the sanctuary.
Day 7: Bumthang to Phobjikha valley (altitude: 9,800 feet)
Drive about 4 hours to Phobjikha valley.
Visit Gangtey Gonpa hidden in the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Take an hour nature trail hike from the monastery through the conifers before emerging on the valley floor.
Phobjikha valley is also the last winter grounds of the black necked cranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateau mid-October to March. Overnight at Phobjikha valley (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 8: Phobjikha to Paro (altitude: 7,400 feet)
Drive about 4 hours to Paro.
Morning visit Crane Information Center and Drive back to Paro valley.
Upon reaching at Dochula pass, hike about 3 hours to Lungchutse Gonpa which ends at Hongtsho village with some awe-inspiring views of the natural beauty.
Walk through rhododendron and hemlock forest until you see the fluttering flag of the Lungchutse gonpa. On a clear day you can have a spectacular view over the highest unclimbed Mount Gangkar Puensum (24,981ft) covered in snow.
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Later descend through the spruce, rhododendron, juniper and hemlock forest and slowly reach blue pine and oak vegetation as you near Tashigang Goenpa built in 18th century by 12th Je Khenpo. Drive to Paro. Overnight at Paro (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 9: Hike to Taktshang Gonpa
Clings to the edge of the sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below, the Taktshang Monastery defies all engineering logic.
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Hike up for a dramatic view or choose to take a pony ride that can be arranged at
an additional cost. Upon descent, enjoy a spectacular drive to the oldest Kichu Lhakhang built by first Buddhist
King of Tibet. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
Day 10: Departure
Transfer to
Paro International Airport for your onward flight. (Breakfast included)
Tashi Delek
Important Note: Most of our trips take place during the busy season and it is difficult
to secure reservations on Druk Air / Bhutan Air. The farther in advance that
you book, the more likely it is that we can confirm the reservation you choose.
The rule of thumb is: Book as far in advance as possible,
but don't hesitate to contact us at the last minute if free time suddenly comes
your way.
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