The Odyssey Bhutan Tour - 09 Day(s)

Day 1: Paro to Thimphu

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 Sightseeing.

After breakfast, drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, passing through idyllic countryside, with villages and paddy fields on either side of the road. A route visits SemtokhaDzong, one of the oldest fortresses of the country, which now houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies. Afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu valley, visiting: Tashichhodzong, the seat of the government; the National Memorial Chorten, within which there are finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues which provide deep insight into Buddhist philosophy; and the Handicrafts Emporium, which displays a wide range of the traditional handicrafts for which Bhutan is renowned. You may also be able to catch a game of archery in progress at the Changlimethang sports ground, just below the town. Take an early evening stroll around the market area before dinner.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu to Trongsa.

Driving through the majesticDochula pass viewing 208 chorten and Himalayan sonw caped mountain peaks. Driveto Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830ft). This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. Further down the road, stop to visit ChendebjiChorten erected in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. It is built in the Nepalese style, with painted eyes at the four cardinal points. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular and its impressive dzong, stretched along a ridge above a ravine, first comes into view about an hour before the winding road suddenly leads you into the town. On arrival, check in at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.

Day 4: Trongsa to Bumthang.

Morning visit a TrongsaDzong. Built in 1647 by the Shabdrung, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Then visit Ta Dzong on the hillside above the town, built as a watchtower to guard Trongsa. After lunch proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the holy heartland of Buddhism. The 68 km. journey takes about 3 hours. The road winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155ft), then runs down through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley. From here it is about an hour to Bumthang, a most pleasant run in the soft, late afternoon light.

Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 5: Bumthang.

Bumthang is the general name given to a group of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000m/8,530 to 13,125ft. In the morning we will visit KurjeLhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to JambeyLhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan king SongtsenGampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being KyichuLhakhang in Paro). After lunch, we will visit TamshingLhakhang, founded in 1501 by PemaLingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later on we will visit JakarDzong, “the castle of the white bird”, then take a stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 6: Bumthang to Punakha.

Morning with early breakfast, we will drive to Punakah and overnight in hotel at   Punakha

Day 7: Punakha to Paro

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955, when the seat of government moved to Thimphu. Originally situated on the riverbank and dominated by the towering walls of PunakhaDzong, the township was relocated to a safer site a few kilometers down the valley, consequent upon extensive flooding in the early 1990s. At the same time, extensive renovation work was undertaken on PunakhaDzong itself, which is now a breathtaking and glorious sight as you first glimpse it from the road. Although four catastrophic fires and an earthquake in past times destroyed many historic documents, PunakhaDzong still houses many sacred and historic artifacts and also the embalmed body of ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal.Afternoon drive to Paro and halt at hotel in Paro.

Day 8: Paro

After breakfast we will visit historic places in Paro. Drukgyal Dzong – A morning drive, north of Paro Valley Brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the Great Zhabdrung Nagwang Namgyal, 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. Kyichu Lhakang – After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace out steps to visit kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan.

Day 9: 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.

Day 1: Paro to Thimphu

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 Sightseeing.

After breakfast, drive to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, passing through idyllic countryside, with villages and paddy fields on either side of the road. A route visits SemtokhaDzong, one of the oldest fortresses of the country, which now houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies. Afternoon sightseeing in Thimphu valley, visiting: Tashichhodzong, the seat of the government; the National Memorial Chorten, within which there are finely executed wall paintings and delicately fashioned statues which provide deep insight into Buddhist philosophy; and the Handicrafts Emporium, which displays a wide range of the traditional handicrafts for which Bhutan is renowned. You may also be able to catch a game of archery in progress at the Changlimethang sports ground, just below the town. Take an early evening stroll around the market area before dinner.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu to Trongsa.

Driving through the majesticDochula pass viewing 208 chorten and Himalayan sonw caped mountain peaks. Driveto Trongsa across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830ft). This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between western and central Bhutan. Further down the road, stop to visit ChendebjiChorten erected in the 18th century by a Tibetan lama to cover the remains of an evil spirit that was subdued at this spot. It is built in the Nepalese style, with painted eyes at the four cardinal points. The landscape around Trongsa is spectacular and its impressive dzong, stretched along a ridge above a ravine, first comes into view about an hour before the winding road suddenly leads you into the town. On arrival, check in at the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.

Day 4: Trongsa to Bumthang.

Morning visit a TrongsaDzong. Built in 1647 by the Shabdrung, it is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Then visit Ta Dzong on the hillside above the town, built as a watchtower to guard Trongsa. After lunch proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the holy heartland of Buddhism. The 68 km. journey takes about 3 hours. The road winds steeply up to Yutong-la pass (3,400m/11,155ft), then runs down through dense coniferous forest to enter a wide, open, cultivated valley, known as Chumey valley. From here it is about an hour to Bumthang, a most pleasant run in the soft, late afternoon light.

Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 5: Bumthang.

Bumthang is the general name given to a group of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura, with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000m/8,530 to 13,125ft. In the morning we will visit KurjeLhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to JambeyLhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan king SongtsenGampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being KyichuLhakhang in Paro). After lunch, we will visit TamshingLhakhang, founded in 1501 by PemaLingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later on we will visit JakarDzong, “the castle of the white bird”, then take a stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the lodge. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 6: Bumthang to Punakha.

Morning with early breakfast, we will drive to Punakah and overnight in hotel at   Punakha

Day 7: Punakha to Paro

Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955, when the seat of government moved to Thimphu. Originally situated on the riverbank and dominated by the towering walls of PunakhaDzong, the township was relocated to a safer site a few kilometers down the valley, consequent upon extensive flooding in the early 1990s. At the same time, extensive renovation work was undertaken on PunakhaDzong itself, which is now a breathtaking and glorious sight as you first glimpse it from the road. Although four catastrophic fires and an earthquake in past times destroyed many historic documents, PunakhaDzong still houses many sacred and historic artifacts and also the embalmed body of ShabdrungNgawangNamgyal.Afternoon drive to Paro and halt at hotel in Paro.

Day 8: Paro

After breakfast we will visit historic places in Paro. Drukgyal Dzong – A morning drive, north of Paro Valley Brings us to the ruins of Drukgyal Dzong. Built in 1647 by the Great Zhabdrung Nagwang Namgyal, 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. Kyichu Lhakang – After a sumptuous local lunch, we will retrace out steps to visit kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temple in Bhutan.

Day 9: 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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