Central Bhutan tours - 10 Day(s)

The Central Bhutan Tours that combines both of the western and central Bhutan which takes about ten days. The main precious thing that attract tourist is the rich cultural heritage and beautiful scenery found here. On this tour you will be driving though three high passes from west to Central Bhutan. This route drive through Wangduephodrang is the last part of western Bhutan which offer you splendid drive of the day until arrive at Trongsa and then to Bumthang. Trongsa is an ancester home of the Royal Family’s of that place. The Museum of  Monarch’s and the Trongsa Dzong are located at Trongsa. In the way of Bumthang tour you can enjoy the scene of several incredible, old and sacred monasteries of Bhutan. Bumthang is a beautiful place located at an elevation of 2650 meters and it’s also known as ‘the heartland of Buddhism” as it comprises of hundreds monasteries. And other amazing places can be visit during this tour.

The places are :

Bumthang / Jakar /  Trongsa /  Gelephu  / Sarpang /  Zhemgang /  The Burning Lake

Day 01: Arrive Paro

You will have a wonderful view of the mountains of Nepal and Bhutan while you fly into Bhutan. Upon arrival you will be received by the representative and then drive to Thimphu for an hour. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha

Drive to Punakha for 2 ½ hours with short stop at Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, you could have a superb view of the Bhutan’s Himalayas from the pass. Upon arrival in Punakha, check in at the hotel first. And have lunch in Punakha town and visit beautiful Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. The dzong is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River) two famous rivers of Bhutan. Punakha was the old capital of Bhutan, and winter capital for the central monk body at present.

After wards visit a farm house in one of a typical village in Punakha, to see how people live in rural Bhutan. You will be served some Bhutanese local wine, tea and snacks at the farm house. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 03: Punakha - Bumthang

The drive will take around 7 ½ hours. You will have lunch at Chendibji Restaurant or in Trongsa. Drive to Bumthang with short stop at Chummey Yathra shop, the place where they weave the woolen clothes. Overnight stay at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 04: Bumthang sightseeing

The valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the kingdom. It is also the religious heartland where many saints and masters meditated leaving their imprints as sacred places of worship and pilgrimage Tales of Padmasambhava dominate these holy shrines. In the morning visit, Jampa Lhakhang which was built by Tibetan King Songtshen Gempo in the 7th century to pin down the left Knee of the ogress. And then visit Kurji monastery were body imprints of Guru Rimpoche from the 8th century remains preserved upon a rock. Then short hike to Tamzhing Monastery. If the weather is clear, you will enjoy the view of green valley, dotted with hundreds temples, thousand flags and beautiful chamkhar river flow through the valley. The valley is also called mini Switzerland of Bhutan. After Lunch, drive to visit Tang Member Tsho (Burning Lake), Saint Pemalingpa had discovered several hidden treasure from the Lake. Night halt in Bumthang.

Day 05: Bumthang - Trongsa

The drive will take around 2 ½ hours to Trongsa. And check in at the hotel and have lunch. After lunch visit Trongsa Dzong, which was the seat of successive Trongsa Penlop and ancestral home of the kings. Over night at the hotel in Trongsa.

Day 06: Trongsa - Wangdi via Gangtey

After breakfast drive towards Wangdi, which will take around 5 ½ hours. On the way you will visit Gangtey monastery founded in the 15th century. This is one of the Nyingmapa monasteries in the country, and it was renovated by his holiness Gangtey Trulku Rimpoche, and was consecrated only in November 2008. From the monastery you can also have a view of beautiful Phobjikha valley just below the monastery, which is a roosting place for the rarest Black Necked Cranes in winter. If you are here in winter you could see the Cranes and continue drive to Wangdi for overnight stay.

Day 07: Wangdi – Thimphu

Drive to Thimphu for 3 hours and check in at the hotel. Have lunch and in the afternoon visit the mini zoo to see the Takins which is our national animal. This is also an animal which is a rarest species. And visit the handicraft emporium and shops for your souvenir shopping. In the evening take a stroll around the capital city to see the life of urban Bhutan.

Day 08: Thimphu sightseeing

Visit the school of Arts and Crafts which was established to preserve and promote our age old practice. The students here are taught 13 different traditional arts. You can You can also visit the Memorial stupa which was built in the memory of our beloved 3rd King in1974. Visit the Folk heritage museum to see the living house in olden days. Visit Zilukha nunnery, one of the temple where the nuns live and study.

You can also visit the paper factory to see how the Bhutanese traditional papers are made. If the group visit doesn’t co inside with a festival time, we will host a cultural show in the evening for the group travelers. Overnight halt in Thimphu.

Day 09: Thimphu – Paro sightseeing

After break fast drive to Paro and check in at the hotel. And visit the National museum, the museum which houses numerous collections of arts and artifacts. This museum is also been rated as one of the best museum in Asia. The building was originally built in the mid 17th Century as a watch tower for the dzong below. And then visit Kyichu monastery dating back to the 7th century, and it’s one of the oldest monastery in Bhutan. After that visit Drugyel dzong which is a ruin fortress at present and it was built in 1649 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyel. The dzong was actually built to commemorate the winning victory over the Tibetans in 1644. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 10: Paro Tiger’s nest hike

The hike will take about 5 hours for a round trip with lunch stop. It’s an up hill hike. Taktsang monastery is perched on the face of a cliff 800 Mts, above the Paro valley. It is a memorable spiritual journey. It was here that the great Tantric master, Guru Padmasambhava flew in from Tibet on the back of a flying tigress to propagate his teachings in Bhutan. Lunch at the cafeteria or you will be served catering lunch from a restaurant. Walk back down hill to your hotel. Take rest or drive to the town for your last minute shopping. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Paro –to your destination

Our guide and driver will drop you at the airport / Than flight to your destination.

 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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