Essential Bhutan Tour - 07 Day(s)

Day 1: Arrival in Paro

Touching down at Paro International Airport, our Guide will be waiting for you just outside the arrival hall. We will take it easy so that you will have some time to acclimatize to the altitude. We make an hour drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and check-in to the hotel.

After which, you will visit the National Memorial Chorten which is built in honor of the late king JigmeDorjiWanchuk. ThimphuDzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan, is also the seat of the office of the king of Bhutan. Every Saturday and Sunday most of the Thimphu population congregate on the bank of river where the weekend centenary Farmer’s market is held, here villagers from the valley and other nearby places come to sell their agricultural products. Thereafter, we will drive up to Buddha Point, in Kuenselphodrang Nature Park, where the 169 feet bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra Throne Buddha, is located. It is one of the largest statue of sitting Buddha in the world. You can enjoy the night walking around Thimphu Town after dinner.

Day 2: Thimphu

After breakfast, visit Heritage Museum, it is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of artifacts used in rural households. Visit Paper making Factory and witnesses the art of paper making, followed by Textile Museum to witness the art of traditional weaving. On the way to the viewpoint over Thimphu is the home of Bhutan’s national animal, the takin, a strange looking beast some say looks like a bee stung moose. Five miles from Thimphu, on a lofty ridge, stands SemtokhaDzong the oldest fortress in the kingdom.

Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha

Drive by Dochula Pass, the 108 chortens was built by the present Queen Mother of Bhutan Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate Bhutan’s victory over Indian militants and to liberate the souls of the soldiers lost.

Built in 1637, PunakhaDzong continues to be the winter home for the clergy, headed by the Chief Abbot, The Je Khenpo. It is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture, sitting at the fork of two rivers, portraying the image of medieval city from a distance. The Dzong was destroyed by fire and glacial floods over the years but has been carefully restored and is, today, a fine example of Bhutanese craftsmanship.

KhamsumYulleyNamgyalchorten which was built by the third Queen Mother AshiTsheringYongdonWangchuck this chorten is a splendid example of the Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in world. It has been built over eight and half years and its details have been drawn from religious scripture.

Day 4: Punakha to Gangtey.

ChimiChhimiLhakhang is 20 minutes’ walk across terraced fields through the village of sopsokha from the roadside to the small temple located on a hillock in the center of the valley below Metshina. NagwangChogyel built the temple in 15^th century after the ‘divine madman’ DrukpaKuenlagbuild a small chorten there. It is a pilgrim site for barren women.

Passing Wangdue, one of the major towns and district capital of western Bhutan, located south of Punakha,wangdue is the last town before central Bhutan. The district is famous for its fine bamboo work and its slate and stone curving. We will pause to view the WangdueProdrangDzong built in 1638,WangdueDzong is dramatically preached on the spur of a hill and overlooks the confluence of the Tsang chu and Drangchu rivers. Within the vicinity, we will aslo be viewing natural phenomenom whereby the image of Lord Buddha’s face formed out of natural rock.

Phobjikha Valley of Phobjikha is well known as the winter home of the Back necked crane (GrusNigricollis). Bhutan is home to around six hundred blacked-naked cranes with Phobjikha being one of the popular places that the birds migrate to in the winter months from the Tibetan plateau. The elegant and shy birds can be observed from early November to end of March. Overlooking the Phobjikha valley is the GangteyGoempa. This is an old monastery that dated back to 17^th century.

Day 5: Gangtey to Paro.

Paro valley, the beautiful valley is home to many Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only Airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to mount Chomolhari (7,300 meters) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pachu flowing through the valley. The following are the some of the prominent places to visit in Paro.

ParoDzong– Also known as RinpungDzong, this 15^th century massive fortress/monastery is also the administrative center of the Dzongkhag.

Ta Dzong – Built as a watch tower the Ta Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique Thangka, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Day 6: Paro.

Taktsang Monastery- A one hours 1 hour kike to cafeteria is also a vantage view point whereby you can enjoy the stunning view of the monastery. Prayer flags adorn the cliffs and this is also where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of tigress in the 8^th century.

DrukgyalDzong – A morning drive, north of Paro Valley Brings us to the ruins of DrukgyalDzong. Built in 1647 by the Great ZhabdrungNagwangNamgyal, father and unifier of medieval Bhutan, the Dzong was destroyed by an accidental fire and lift in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories it was built to commemorate. Explore the ramparts and relive the memories of a glorious past.

KyichuLhakang – After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace out steps to visit kyichuLhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan.

Day 7 – Depart Paro.

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the Paro airport for flight to your onward destination. Your Bhutan Jigme Pelden Tours and Travels’ escort will help you with exit formalities and then bid you farewell.

 High season: March, April, May and September, October, November:

Low season: December, January, February and June, July, August:

Offer: A GROUP SIZE DISCOUNT of 50% on tour package cost shall be given to one person in a group of 11 people. 100% discount shall be given to one member in a group exceeding 16 persons.

The package covers the following services.

• 3 star accommodation twin share basis
• All meals.
• Mineral water.
• A professional licensed Bhutanese English speaking tour guide for the extent of your stay.
• All internal transport in private car

It also includes:

• All internal taxes and charges, Monument entrance fee.
• A sustainable tourism Royalty of US$ 65 per person per night goes to Royal government of Bhutan. This Royalty goes towards free education, free healthcare, poverty alleviation, along with the building of infrastructure.

Exclusion:

• Bhutanese Tourist Visa fee of US$40/person (must be paid in advance with tour cost)
• Travel insurance.
• Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry, hard and soft beverage.

FIT Surcharge 1 person US$ 40 per night, 2 person US$ 30 per night, 3 person or more there is no surcharge.
 

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