Central Bhutan Tour

DAY 01: ARRIVE PARO – THIMPHU

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2050m

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. This beautiful valley is home to many of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and temples, and the country’s only International airport. After being welcomed with “Khadar” (traditional scarf), our representative will provide you with the necessary assistance for completion of all immigration and 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 Rimpong Dzong to see the painting of the great saint Milarepa, considered as the master of meditation by the Bhutanese and believed to have attained enlightenment in a lifetime. Dzong’s are large monasteries and district administrative centres, which were once strategic forts.

Afterwards, drive to the capital, Thimphu (1 hours).

Overnight in Thimphu

DAY 02: THIMPHU

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2050m

After breakfast drive to Thimphu city and visit to the following:

Buddha Point /Kuenselphodrang: This massive Buddha statue is 51.5 meters in height and it is one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. The throne that the Buddha Dordenma sits upon is a large meditation hall.

The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan. The term ‘chorten’ literally means ‘ seat of faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments the ‘Mind of Buddha’.

Meet the elderly generation in circumambulation, especially in the evenings, at the National Memorial Chorten.

The School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

Tashichhodzong, “the fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of the monarch’s throne room and seat of the Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in the 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Yet another place for photographer’s delight.

Overnight in Thimphu

DAY 03: THIMPHU – PHOBJIKHA VALLEY

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2,900m

This morning you will be transferred by road eastwards to the Phobjikha Valley. En-route passing the Semtokha Dzong, built in 1629 & the oldest fortress of its kind that guarded the Thimphu valley, which today it is a monastery. Drive over the Dochu-La pass (3,100 meters) which on a clear day offers an incredible view of Himalayan peaks before descending into Punakha valley (about 3 hrs total driving time). The drive through the countryside affords a glimpse of everyday life in this most remote of Himalayan kingdom’s.

Continue on through the bustling market town of Wangduephodrang, and up winding mountain roads through mixed forests and over high passes before descending down into the wide and 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.

Overnight in Phobjekha valley

DAY 04: PHOBJIKHA VALLEY – TRONGSA

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2200m

Following breakfast visit the Phobjikha Sanctuary to view the majestic black necked cranes (Nov-Mar only) and Gangtey Gompa (Monastery), dating back to the 16th century. Afterwards drive to the Pele La pass (3,420m) on the Black Mountain range towards Trongsa (4.5 hrs).

Enroute visit the beautiful 18th century Chendebji Chorten. Trongsa is the ancestral home of Bhutan’s ruling dynasty. Visit Ta Dzong museum housing a collection of historical artifacts of the Royal Family and visit to Trongsa Dzong, the largest Dzong in Bhutan

Overnight in Trongsa

DAY 05: BUMTHANG

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2,800m

In the morning, Continue driving towards Bumthang (2.5 hrs), the spiritual of the kingdom. Bumthang is home to some of Bhutan’s oldest Palaces, Buddhist temples and monasteries.

Visit Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan’s patron saint Guru Rimpoche meditated and 7th century Jambay Lhakhang. It dates back to the origins of Buddhism in Bhutan and is one of the Kingdoms oldest temples.

Overnight in Bumthang

DAY 08: BUMTHANG

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2,800m

After breakfast, we will visit following places

Jakar Dzong – pitched on a high ground overlooking the town junction, it was built as monastery in 1549 by the great grandfather of the Zhabdrung. It is now used as the administrative center for Bumthang district.

Tamshing Goemba, built in 1501 by the Buddhist saint Pema Lingpa.

Konchogsum Lhakhang (called Tsilung or Choekhor in the texts) dates, according to the saint Pema Lingpa, as far back as the 8th century. The temple is supposed to have been built by the Tibetan king Trisong Detsen after receiving instructions fromGuru Rinpoche to do so.

Me-Bar Tsho (Burning Lake) – One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan, the holy lake is said to be one of the holiest lakes in Bhutan.

Overnight in Bumthang

DAY 07: BUMTHANG – PUNAKHA

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 1300m

After breakfast, depart for Punakha stopping along the way at Trongsa for lunch. Continue drive to Punakha, was the ancient capital of Bhutan.

In the evening you may wish to stroll around the Punakha/ Bajo Town.

Overnight in wangdue/ Punakha

DAY 08: PUNAKHA – THIMPHU

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2320m

In the morning you have a short excursion to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of Drukpa Kuenly. He inherited the Divine Madman title since he revolted against the orthodox Buddhism in his time.

Drive back to Thimphu, where you will have an opportunity to visit handicraft and souvenir stores, and enjoy lunch.

The remainder of the day is free to explore the Thimphu town.

Overnight in Thimphu

Day 10: HAA

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2320m

In the morning, drive from Thimphu to Haa via the Pa Chhu and Wang Chhu Confluence at Chuzom is around 3 – 4 hours. Haa Valley is situated in the north-west of Bhutan bordering Tibet. Extraordinarily beautiful Haa Valley is newly opened to Tourists. With its three prominent hills representing the three guardian deities, this valley is said to have been named by Guru Padma Sambava himself—HAA means “mystical”. Stroll around the small and beautiful township of Haa

After our arrival in Haa, we will visit Lhakhang Karpo which was established in the 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gempo in his mission to build 108 monasteries in one day. He built Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo in the Haa Valley. According to a legend, a black and white pigeon were released to select sites to build the temples.

Overnight in Paro

DAY 11: HAA – PARO

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2320m

After breakfast, drive to the Chelela pass at 3988m en route to Paro. Weather allowing, from the pass you will have panoramic views of the two valleys of Paro & Haa and of course, the beautiful Himalayan ranges of Bhutan. You will have the most scenic view of Mt. Jumolhari.

After lunch, make short stops at important sites, heritages and monuments.

Overnight in Paro

DAY 12: PARO

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and dinner

Elevation: 2320m

After breakfast, we drive for half an hour and start the hike, which is about 5 hours (round trip.) The trail is along an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels.

Mediating in Taktshang Monastery can be a very good experience of mediating in a most important and revered Buddhist Monastery in Bhutan.

As you reach Taktshang you will be struck by the architectural wonder of this most pious Buddhist shrine in Bhutan. Perched some 1000m, 3000ft on a cliff overlooking the valley, it would justifiably qualify as one of Bhutan’s wonders. Tragically wrecked in a fire early in 1998, it has been rebuilt to its original glory. It is said that the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D. Hence the name, Taktshang, or the “Tiger’s Lair.”

On the return drive to Paro, visit 7th Century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight in Paro

DAY 13: DEPART PARO

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Elevation: 2320m

After breakfast, you will be driven to Paro international Airport for onward destination.