Bhutan In-depth Culture & Nature Tour Package (9 Nights / 10 Days)

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Paro, Bhutan
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Duration

9 Nights / 10 Days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

8 people

Languages

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About this tour

  1. On Day 06 you will take a mountain flight from Bumthang to Paro which cuts the travelling time from 12 hours drive to just 30mins flight and presents you with stunning aerial views of the pristine mountainous topography of Bhutan. One of the main highlights of this trip will be in Bumthang valley where you will take short walk to the quaint rural village and visit a family homestead. You will be given a rare opportunity to mingle among the family, immerse yourself into their daily lives and get insights into the unique culture and traditions. A delicious homecooked authentic local cuisines will be served for lunch only if you are interested. Otherwise, we will have a packed lunch from the hotel. Below are some of the highlights you can expect on this trip:

    • Travel to 7 western & central districts of Bhutan: Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue Phodrang (Phobjikha valley), Trongsa, Bumthang & Haa, immerse yourself into the mindful Buddhist way of life, away from the materialistic world, and discover why Bhutan has earned its nickname the ‘Kingdom of Happiness’.
    • Enjoy spectacular mountain flight from Bumthang valley to Paro valley on Day 6
    • Visit ancient temples and magnificent Dzongs (fortresses) and marvel at the fine wall paintings, exquisite architecture and craftsmanship that still continues to influence the Bhutanese architecture today.
    • Hike to the 8th-century sacred site where Bhutan’s iconic landmark, 17th century Paro Taktsang or Tiger’s Nest is built on the face of a precarious 800m rock cliff. 
    • Visit Phobjikha, one of the pristine glacial valleys and venture out on a nature hike through farmlands and traditional houses and understand the life of people living in rural Bhutan.
    • Spend a night or two at family farmhouses and get insights into the life of a Bhutanese farmer and participate in preparing traditional cuisines
    • Come across isolated farms, quaint villages and picturesque scenery along the way.
    • Ramble through the untouched rural village in Bumthang valley and visit a family homestead to get a rare insight into their daily lives, culture and tradition

    There are only two airlines that operate in and out of Bhutan; Drukair & Bhutan Airlines. The flight tends to get fully booked months ahead especially during the peak season. We highly recommended you book flight tickets much ahead of your departure date. You can either book the Drukair / Bhutan Airlines flight online by yourself or leave it to us if you have any trouble booking the flight, will be happy to help you in any way we can. We try to take the hassle out of our visiting guests by handling all booking process – flight tickets to/from Bhutan, visa processing, hotel reservatons and all other ground handlings.

 

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Itinerary

Arrive Paro International airport by Drukair, the national flag carrier of Bhutan. On the way, if the weather is clear enough you will see Great Himalayan mountain ranges and as you enter Bhutanese airspace and soon approach Paro valley, you would already notice the green mountainous landscapes and Paro river meandering down the valley. After passing through the immigration and customs formalities, your guide and driver will receive you and then drive to Thimphu.

Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and it is 55km away from the main Paro town. The drive should not take more than 2 hours including stop overs on the way. Thimphu is home to approximately 115,000 residents. This bustling little city is the main centre of commerce, religion and government in the country. Arriving Thimphu, our guide will assist you to check into the hotel so that you can relax for a while and then have your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine for lunch. In the afternoon, you will be taken on your first excursion in the Land of the Thunder Dragon.

Note: The coverage of excursion on the first day depends on your flight arrival time. If you arrive in the morning, you should be able to visit few sites comfortably.

The National Memorial Chorten: The National Memorial Chorten is the most frequented religious site and obviously an important landmark in Thimphu. The National Memorial Chorten is a Buddhist Stupa built in 1974 in memory of the Late Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who passed away in 1972. People from all walks of life come here to pray and circumambulate offering you a good opportunity to observe how Bhutanese people devote themselves to daily prayers and take refuge in the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

Buddha Dordhenma Statue – Buddha Point at Kuensel Phodrang: The magnificent 169 feet tall bronze statue of Lord Buddha is located on a hilltop overlooking the Thimphu valley. From here you can see a nice view of Thimphu city. It was built to celebrate the 60th birth anniversary of the Fourth King His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck and also for the purpose of bringing peace in the world . The giant Buddha statue houses more than 100,000 8-inch tall Buddha statues of same type. The construction began in 2006 and was completed in 2015 after almost 10 years.

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin our half-day sightseeing in Thimphu and then after lunch, we set off to Punakha valley via Dochu La, a sacred mountain pass at 3,150m above sea level.

Takin Preserve: Drive to the upper outskirt of the city and visit Takin (Budorcas taxicolor) is the national animal of Bhutan. This takin preserve is the only animal enclosure in the whole of Bhutan. It initially started as a mini zoo and later converted to a preserve and its enclosure expanded recently. These unique animals are usually found at an altitude ranging from 1,000 to 4,500 meters above sea level depending on the season and feeds primarily on grasses.

National Institute of Zorig Chusum: The National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Zorig Chusum means 13 Traditional Arts & Crafts) was established to promote and preserve the thirteen traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan and to facilitate increased access in learning Zorig skills by Bhutanese youths. Many of these traditional arts and crafts are declining with the advent of modern technologies and therefore, the government is putting in lot of effort to train youths to keep the traditions alive. The thirteen arts and crafts are categorized as Shing Zo (woodwork), Dho Zo (stonework), Par Zo (carving), Lha Zo (painting), Jim Zo (sculpting), Lug Zo (casting), Shag Zo (wood turning), Gar Zo (blacksmith), Troe Zo (ornament making), Tsa Zo (bamboo work), De Zo (paper making), Tsem Zo (tailoring, embroidery and applique) and Thag Zo (weaving). These thirteen arts and crafts are an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage that have been practiced from time immemorial. If the class is in session when you arrive, you will be allowed to enter the classroom and observe students as they get hands-on training.

Traditional lunch will be served at the Folk Heritage Museum Restaurant. This restaurant has a traditional setting and ambience where buffet lunch consisting of traditional dishes are served.

Visit Centenary Farmers Market: Visiting this market and seeing various agricultural produce on display, you will learn food preference and culture in Bhutanese society. Centenary Farmers Market or Thimphu’s weekend market is located below the main town, near the Thim Chu River, and it is the largest domestic market for the farmers in Bhutan. Farmers come from all over the

After breakfast, hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Chorten located on a mountain ridge, visit the historic and the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong. After lunch drive to Phobjikha valley and venture out on a very popular nature hike. En route to Phobjikha, briefly stop at Wangdue Phodrang town and marvel at the reconstruction of the 17th-century fortress which stood majestically on the ledge with a steep cliff on three sides until it was gutted down by unfortunate fire in 2012.

Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten: After breakfast, you will be going for 2.5-hour (max) return hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyel Choeten. Located on a ridge overlooking the picturesque Punakha valley, this wonderful Buddhist structure is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture used in building temples, monasteries and Zangdogpelri (copper coloured mountains). It was built over a period of almost 10 years under the command of Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, one of the Queen Mothers of Bhutan and was consecrated in 1999.

It takes only about 20 minutes drive from the main town of Punakha to the nearest road point. From there you cross a suspension bridge over the Punakha Mochu River (female river) and the trail takes you through paddy fields. Normally it takes just under one hour to reach the serene site of the marvelous choeten. The view below is stunning with glacial fed Mochu river snaking through the fertile Punakha valley.

Historic Punakha Dzong: The historic Punakha Dzong was originally known as Pungthang Dewa Chenpoi Phodrang, meaning the “Palace of Great Bliss”. It was built in 1637 AD by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel (Tibetan Buddhist master who came to Bhutan in 1616 and founded nation-state of Bhutan) on a small stretch of land where the rivers Phochu and Mochu converge. Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and second largest Dzong in Bhutan. The sacred wall paintings and main artifacts inside the dzong, the intricate wood works and the architectural structure of the dzong displays fine example of Bhutanese arts and craftsmanship which continues to influence Bhutanese architecture even today.

After lunch, we will drive towards Phobjikha and en route stop briefly at Wangdue Phodrang town.

The Wangdue Phodrang Dzong: The Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, built in 1638, was third oldest Dzong in Bhutan and stood majestically on the ledge with steep cliffs on three sides. The original Dzong which was one of the most important and historic heritage sites in Bhutan was burnt down by the tragic fire accident on 24 June 2012. Under the guidance of His Majesty the King and his father His Majesty Jigme Singye Wangchuck, all the precious sacred artifacts and objects inside

After early breakfast, we visit an important landmark of the vally – Gangtey Monastery before we drive to Bumthang valley via Trongsa. En route stop at Pele La Pass and an 18th-century stupa Chendebji Chorten.

Gangtey Monastery or Gangtey Goenpa: The famous landmark in this valley is one of the biggest monasteries in Bhutan, Gangtey Monastery popularly know as Gangtey Goenpa (goenpa literally means “high remote place” and is usually a place of religious significance) founded in 1613. The name Gangtey is derived from the fact that the Goenpa is built on a peak (Tey) of a hillock (Gang). The present abbot of this monastery is the ninth Gangtey Trulku His Holiness Kunzang Rigzin Pema Namgyal. The monastery also has a monastic college where hundreds of monks study Buddhist philosophy for 9 years. An annual religious festival, Gangtey Tshechu, is held at Gangtey Goenpa during autumn when the harvest season is just over. A series of dazzling sacred mask dances complemented by Bhutanese folk dances are performed during this festival.

After visiting the Gangtey Monastery, we set off to Bumthang valley via Trongsa where lunch will be served. Continue driving to Trongsa gradually gaining altitude. En route, stop at Pele La Pass (3,390 meters) to enjoy the views of stunning snow-clad Himalayan peaks (weather permitting) and take some moment appreciating pristine environment. Also stop at 18th century Chendebji Chorten, a stupa built following the same structural pattern as Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa to subdue the malevolent spirit that was said to inhabit the area in the form of giant snake.

Upon arrival in Trongsa town,lunch will be served at one of the restaurants. Trongsa Dzong is the largest Dzong in Bhutan and it was built in 1648. It holds a significant place in the history of Bhutan as it was from here that the ancestors of Royal family of Bhutan emerged as the most powerful rulers in the 19th and early 20th century. The first and second hereditary Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat of power. There is a tradition that crown prince must be invested as Trongsa Penlop (Governor of Trongsa) here at Trongsa Dzong before he ascends the throne of the King. After lunch, we walk up to the promontory where the Trongsa Ta Dzong (watch tower of Trongsa) is located. Built in 1652, this Ta Dzong guarded the Trongsa Dzong from internal

Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s most ancient and precious Buddhist sites. Today you will visit two of those monasteries and then visit a village where you will mingle with a family at their homestead to get insight into the daily lives of the people of Bumthang.

The district of Bumthang is divided into four blocks of Chhoekhor where the main town is located, Chhume, Tang and Ura all of which are broad and beautiful valleys.

7th-century Jampa Lhakhang: One of the oldest Lhakhang in the Kingdom, Jampa Lhakhang was founded by the King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in the 7th century AD. The King was destined to built 108 lhakhangs to subdue the spirit of the demoness that was residing in the Himalayas. Jampa Lhakhang is one of the two which were built in Bhutan. The other one is Kichu Lhakhang in Paro (Day 06), both believed to have been built on the same day.

Visit 17th century Kurjey Lhakhang (Kurje means ‘body imprint’ and Lhakhang means ‘temple’): There are three lhakhangs at Kurje. The oldest lhakhang was constructed by the Trongsa Governor Chogyel Minjur Tenpa in 1652 on the site where Guru Rinpoche (Guru Padmasambhava) meditated after subduing an evil spirit that was harming the local people and the King Chakhar Gyab popularly known as Sindu Raja. Inside the lhakhang are the statues of the Buddhas and the cave known as Dragmar Dorji Tsegpa, meaning a “red-coloured cave resembling pile of vajras”, in which Guru Rinpoche meditated. The second Lhakhang was constructed in 1900 by the 13th Trongsa Governor, Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck who later became the first hereditary King of Bhutan in 1907. The third Lhakhang was built in the 1980s under the patronage of Her Royal Grandmother Ashi Kezang Choden Wangchuck (mother of the fourth King) with guidance from her spiritual root teacher H.H. Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche.

Then ramble through one of the rural villages of Bumthang and visit a typical homestead, mingle with the family to understand the life of a Bhutanese farmer. If you want, an authentic homecooked local cuisine will be arranged for lunch. Otherwise, we will have packed lunch from the hotel.

NOTE: If your visit in Bumthang valley coincides with the Jakar Tshechu Festival, you'll have an opportunity to witness this annual dazzling festival which takes place either in September or October.

Overnight at Kaila Guest House or Mountain Lodge.

After early breakfast, take a domestic flight from Bathpalathang Domestic Airport to Paro. This domestic service has helped visitors to cut short travelling time from 12 hours drive to just 30mins flight and presents you with stunning aerial views of the pristine mountainous topography of Bhutan.

Upon arrival in Paro, visit the National Museum of Bhutan and 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang. After lunch, you can relax and take a leisure walk in Paro town OR drive to the highest motorable road in Bhutan, Chele La Pass at an elevation of 3,800m and absorb in the pristine natural environment and enjoy the views of great Himalayan mountains all around on a clear day.

Visit National Museum of Bhutan – Ta Dzong: The National Museum of Bhutan is located in Paro just above the Rinpung Dzong (administrative headquarter of Paro district) was established in 1968. It is housed in an ancient watch tower called Paro Ta Dzong (Ta Dzong means “watch tower fortress”) built in 1649. It displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artworks including traditional costumes, armour, weaponry and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collection at the National Museum preserves a snap-shot of the rich cultural traditions of the country. Then if you wish, visit Paro Rinpung Dzong where a popular movie “Little Buddha” directed by Bernardo Bertolucci was filmed.

Visit 7th century Buddhist monastery – Kichu Lhakhang: Paro Kichu Lhakhang is located just a few minutes drive from the main town of Paro and is one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan. It is believed to have been built in 659 A.D. by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in his effort to built 108 such temples across the Himalayan region to subdue the spirit of a demoness who was causing obstruction to the spread of Buddhism. Bhutan is blessed with two of these temples, one being Jampa Lhakhang in Bumthang, central Bhutan. Both Kichu Lhakhang and Jampa Lhakhang are believed to have been built on the same day.

Leisure time around Paro town.

Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort.

After early breakfast, drive to Haa valley home to the two most sacred temples - Lhakhang Karpo (white temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (black temple). En route, stop at Chelela Pass, the highest motorable road in Bhutan at 3,800 meters (12,500 ft) and enjoy the spectacular views of Paro and Haa valley including surrounding Himalayan mountains.

Chelela Pass at 12,500ft above sea level: Chelela is the highest motorable mountain pass at an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level. It is about 45 mins drive from the main town of Paro. We will spend some time hoisting prayer flags, if you wish, which you can buy from one of the shops in Paro town, enjoy the spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The air is thin and fresh at this altitude. On a clear day, you can view beautiful surrounding mountains like Mt. Jomolhari. After spending sometime exploring the pass, continue driving to Haa. The drive takes you on winding roads through the forests of blue pine, oak and fir trees.

On arrival at Haa valley, check into hotel and settle for lunch.

After lunch, do some sightseeing around the town and if you wish we can also visit the two oldest temples in Haa valley, the 7th century Lhakhang Karpo (white Temple) and Lhakhang Nagpo (Black Temple). Both of these temples are located just few minutes drive from the hotel.

Driving Time 2.5-hours

Overnight at Risum Resort or Soednam Zingkha Heritage Lodge.

After breakfast, drive to one of the picturesque villages in Haa valley and enjoy the walk through beautiful farmhouses and observe how people live in complete harmony with nature. People in Bhutan consider nature as the source of all lives.

Lunch at the hotel or at one of the farmhouses.

After lunch, drive back to Paro via Chele La, Pass. Driving Time 2.5-hours

Leisurely evening in Paro town.

Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort.

After breakfast, you will hike to the famed Paro Taktsang and towards the late afternoon visit a farmhouse.

Taktsang Monastery – The Tiger’s Nest: Taktsang monastery is located on the face of a sheer 800-meter rock cliff in Paro. It normally takes about 2 hours to reach the monastery from the road head. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Bhutan. Taktsang which literally translates to ‘Tiger’s Nest’, is regarded as one of the most important monasteries in Bhutan. Its history is associated with the visit of Guru Padmasambhava (known as Guru Rinpoche), the Indian saint who came to Bhutan and introduced Tantric Buddhism in the mid-eighth century AD. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava flew to Taktsang from Kurtoe Singye Dzong in eastern Bhutan, riding on a tigress. Taktsang monastery was originally built in 1692 on the sacred cave where Guru Padmasambhava meditated.

The trail takes you through the ancient path shaded by pine trees. After an hour of steep uphill hiking, you will reach a nice cafeteria from where you can see spectacular view of Taktsang monastery perched on the face of a steep rock cliff. It takes further 1 hour to reach the monastery.

Lunch will be served at the Taktsang cafeteria and then we retrace our steps back to the base where our driver will be waiting.

Towards the late afternoon, visit one of the beautiful farmhouses and experience the traditional Bhutanese way of life. If you are interested, you can soak in a traditional hot stone bath for an additional fee of about US$15 per person. Specially selected river stones believed to contain minerals are heated in a wood-fired fireplace and dropped into a chamber of wooden tub releasing minerals. If desired, you can lighten up with a warm cup of locally brewed liquor known as “Ara”. Delicious dinner of authentic homecooked local cuisine will be served. You may also participate and learn how to cook some of the popular Bhutanese dishes.

Overnight at Khangkhu Resort or Bhutan Mandala Resort.

After breakfast, depending on your flight time you will be transferred to Paro International Airport for your onward journey.

Tour's Location

Paro, Bhutan

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