Journey Across Bhutan Tour - 15 Day(s)

Day 01: Arrive Paro
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular mountain flights in the world, with a constantly changing panorama of some of the highest mountains on earth. Our BJPTT representative will meet you at Paro airport exit doors following customs formalities. After lunch enjoy afternoon sightseeing around Paro, including a visit to the Ta Dzong Museum housing many religious relics, works of art and handicrafts offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Next, visit the RimpongDzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts. Before dinner at the hotel there will be an orientation on Bhutanese etiquette by your guide.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro.                                    

Day 02: Paro
After breakfast hike to Taktsang Monastery. The walk of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours uphill takes you almost a kilometre above the Paro valley floor (for those who cannot hike we will arrange a horse for transfer up to cafeteria). The view of Taktsang Monastery built on a sheer cliff face 900 metres above the valley floor is a spectacular sight. The Monastery is an important pilgrim site for Buddhists. The great Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress when he brought the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan in the 8th Century. Afterwards drive to the ruins of the 17th Century DrukgyelDzong, and 7th Century KyichuLhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king SongtsenGampo. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Day 03: Paro

Enjoy a day trip to the Haa Valley, one of the most picturesque districts in Bhutan. Reached via the beautiful Chelila Pass (3900m), Haa Valley is characterised by its surrounding rugged and mountainous terrain and unique architecture. Overnight at your hotel in Paro.

Day 04: Paro – Thimphu

Drive to the capital, Thimphu (1.5 hours). Once a rustic village sitting in a broad river valley, Thimphu is today the nation’s capital. Enjoy a full day of sightseeing, including a visit to the National Memorial Chorten, completed by the Royal Queen Mother as a memorial stupa for the Third King. Continue on to 12th century Changangkha Temple and the Zilukha Nunnery. If your visit coincides with the weekend, you can walk through the Thimphu Market.

Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Day 05: Thimphu

Continue sightseeing in Thimphu. Visit the School for Arts and Crafts, The National Library housing the collection of Bhutanese scriptures dating back to the 8th century, the Traditional Paper Factory and a fascinating replica of a medieval farmhouse at the Folk Heritage Museum. If there is time, you may visit the nursing pen for the Takin, the national animal of Bhutan, and Tashichhodzong, ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’ housing some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Other options for the day include a hike to Tango and Cheri Monasteries (45 mins), two of the most ancient monasteries in the Thimphu region. Overnight at your hotel in Thimphu.

Day 06: Thimphu – Punakha

Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters), which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into the Punakha valley (3 hrs). In the Dochu-La area there are vast Rhododendron forests that grow to tree size and bloom in late April/early May covering the mountains in a riot of glorious spring colour.

Punakha was the ancient capital of Bhutan. On arrival, visit PunakhaDzong, built in 1637 by the Shabdrung, the ‘Unifier of Bhutan’. The three story main temple of the PunakhaDzong is a breathtaking example of traditional architecture with four intricately embossed entrance pillars crafted from cypress and decorated in gold and silver. After lunch, enjoy a walk to ChimiLhakhang, temple of DrukpaKuenly. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time.

Overnight at your hotel in Punakha/ Wangdue.

Day 07: Punakha – Phobjikha Valley

Transfer to Phobjikha Valley (3 hrs) via the bustling market town of Wangduephodrang. Drive up a winding mountain road through oak and rhododendron forests, and over a high pass down into the picturesque Phobjikha Valley. Phobjikha is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black necked cranes (November – March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau. After lunch visit the Phobjikha Sanctuary to view the majestic black necked cranes (Nov-Mar only) and GangteyGompa (Monastery), dating back to the 16th century.

Overnight at your hotel in Phobjikha.

Day 08: Phobjika Valley – Trongsa

Depart over the Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range towards Trongsa. Enroute visit the beautiful 18th century ChendebjiChorten. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. Visit TrongsaDzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan and the Ta Dzong museum housing a collection of historical artefacts of the Royal Family.

Overnight at your hotel in Trongsa.

Day 09: Trongsa – Bumthang

After breakfast proceed towards Bumthang (2.5 hrs), the spiritual heart of the kingdom. Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Palaces, Buddhist temples and monasteries. On arrival, visit JakarDzong (Dzong of the White Bird) and 16th century TamshingLhakhang containing ancient Buddhist wall paintings. After lunch visit KurjeLhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom and 7th Century JambayLhakhang.

Overnight at your lodge in Jakar, Bumthang.

Day 10: Bumthang

Enjoy a day exploring some of the many sites around Bumthang, including the 16th century Tang UgyenChholing Palace museum containing an overview of traditional rural life in Bhutan and the pool of Mebartso (The Lake of Fire) where Pemalingpa (founder of the Nyingmapa sect) is said to have found treasure hidden by Guru Rinpoche. Overnight at your lodge in Jakar, Bumthang.

Day 11: Bumthang – Mongar
The journey to Mongar takes about 6 hours with spectacular views en route. Drive through Ura village before climbing sharply to the highest point on Bhutan’s road network, Thrumsing-La Pass (4,000m). From here, the road gradually passes through picturesque alpine valleys, pine forests, maize fields and hamlets to reach Mongar town. Visit MongarDzong, built in the 1930’s using the traditional process without either plans or the use of nails.

Overnight at your lodge in Mongar.

Day 12: Mongar – Trashigang

Drive to Trashigang (3 hrs) through leafy forests filled with ferns and over Kori-La Pass (2,450m) before descending through cornfields and banana groves to reach the famous road zigzag just below Yadi. Trashigang is the main township of the largest district in the country. After lunch visit TrashigangDzong. Overnight at your lodge in Trashigang.

Day 13: Trashigang to tashiyangtse

Visit the temple of GomKora and Doksum Village where you can see women busily weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric before reaching Tashiyangtse, the administrative centre for this district. The area is famous for its unique wooden crafts. Visit the TashiyangtseDzong, and the dazzling white stupa of ChortenKora and the nearby institute for ZorigChusum, where student are trained in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.

Overnight at your lodge in Trashigang.

Day 14: Trashigang – SamdrupJongkhar

After breakfast drive to SamdrupJongkhar, the gateway to eastern Bhutan and to Assam, India. It is about 9 hours drive from Trashigang with many beautiful villages and landscapes on the way. Overnight at your hotel in SamdrupJongkhar.

Day 15: SamdrupJongkhar – Guwahati

After breakfast, your guide will arrange an Indian vehicle your transfer to Guwahati, the capital town of the Indian north-eastern state of Assam, for your onward flight.

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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