The trip covers all the key places in western and central Bhutan. Not only visit of cultural sites – both ancient and modern, this trip offers the opportunity to meet with local people and help you learn about their culture. Bumthang valley in central Bhutan is considered as the cultural heart land of Bhutan. This tour encompasses gentle drive through beautiful valleys, Scenic Mountain, lively community villages and towns and cities. There is no rush, you will be doing hikes here and there often stopping to visit local people’s home and even talk to them. As you tour further into Bhutan you will discover why Bhutan is so special and towards the end of your tour you will have fallen in love with Bhutan. There is a domestic flight from Paro - Bumthang - Paro which you can take to avoid long drive distance back to Paro.
Trip Facts
Insurance
Package does not include insurance of any kinds, and that you are required to obtain separate coverage from your home country before your trip begins.
Our guide and driver will warmly welcome you at the guest arrival loungeof Paro airport. You will be driven to nearby Paro town for lunch. Explore the town for while and then drive to Tadzong or watch tower which is now the National Museum of Bhutan. You will have wonderful view of Paro valley spread out and the Dzong down below appears in full control standing at a higher and strategic point.
Drive further down to the Dzong for a visit inside where you will find the 17th century fortress in great shape which now holds the administration and religious affair of Paro district. The massive stone wall, the great stone floor courtyard and the impressive wall paintings are the most amazing thing still existing intact.
Walk further down to the old traditional bridge over Paro Chu below the Dzong. From here drive to Thimphu.
You will have a full day sightseeing in Thimphu. After breakfast at the hotel, you will start your morning activities by first visiting the Memorial Chorten. It’s a stupa built by the mother of third king in 1974 in memory of her late son King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk who was popularly known as the father of modern Bhutan. It’s a three-story Tibetan style unique chorten with a statues and paintings of tantric Buddhism. You will see locals circumambulating the stupa and if you are lucky, you will see some rituals taking place. From here you will visit giant Buddha Statue at Kuenselphodrang – its 169 feet largest bronze Buddha statue in the world.
The beautiful hike around Buddha statute offers spectacular view of Thimphu valley. The trail is wide and gentle starting from the right side of the statute, goes around for about 1hour, finishing at the left side but can be continued further to Changangkha.
Then you will head towards north of the valley to visit the Takins, the national animal of Bhutan. You will walk around the compound to see the animals. Drive back to town for lunch at the local restaurant. After lunch, you will embark on a walking tour visiting the textile museum and the famous craft bazar where they sell all genuine Bhutanese art and craft products. You may scour for interesting souvenirs for your friends and relatives back home. You will walk along the street to visit post office where you can find vast collection of stamps and if you wish you can also send cards using your own personalized stamps. From here you will visit the weekend vegetable market where locals from different parts come here to sell their farm products. Continue further to Changlingmethang stadium where you will find Archery match going on. Later walk further down to Changyuel park, passing Lungten Zam along the express way. In the evening drive back to your hotel.
After breakfast in the morning, enjoy a scenic drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochu La pass at 3100m dotted with 108 chortens, where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayan ranges. After a brief photo stop, start your Hike to Lungchutse, a beautiful hike along the ancient trail through the woods of Rhododendron to the top of the ridge where you will have 360 degree mountain view. Hike back to Dochula pass along the same trail.
Drive downhill through the forests of rhododendron, fir, and daphne to Punakha valley, situated at 1220m, lower than Thimphu and Paro. Owing to this subtropical vegetation, fruits such as banana, mangoes, mandarin and guava are grown here. En route, you will stop at Lobesa to hike through rice paddies up to the Chimi Lhakhang Temple. This temple is dedicated to the great Yogi in the 14th century known as Drukpa Kuenley, or the “Divine Madman.
Check in to your hotel in Punakha.
After early breakfast, drive to a small suspension bridge where you will start your walk, through traditional farmland and paddy fields to Khamsum Chorten. Visit the shrine inside, climb up on the top of the Chorten for a rewarding view of Mochu valley down below. From here continue walking up to Giligang, where you will have a picnic lunch. Visit the old remote monastery and enjoy the phochu valley view spread out below. The trail from here is gentle through cheer pine woods finally finishing at Punakha Dzong. Visit the Dzong and take a cool breeze walk on the country’s longest suspension bridge across Phochu river.
Following breakfast, you will head to remote Gangtey with short stopover in Wangdue to get a glimpse of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong that dramatically sits on the ridge. After Wangdue, the road winds up through dense forests of oak and rhododendrons till Lawala pass, which is blanketed with dwarf bamboos. The pass offers panoramic views of the Himalayan Mountains. Drive downhill for little while and you will be awestricken by the stunning views of Gangtey Goenpa and Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Goenpa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. Later in the afternoon, do the Gangtey Nature hike in Phobjikha valley, the home to the rare Black Necked Cranes, which migrate from the Tibetan plateau to escape the harsh winter.
After an early breakfast, embark on the Longtey Hike. It is a 30minutes drive from Phobjikha to the starting point in Longtey village on the East-West highway. Start by walking downwards following the path to the right of the road. The path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully coloured rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area. Continue straight through the village upwards until you reach the start of mystifying old-growth rhododendron forest.
The last part through the forest is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass with impressive views of the GangteyGoemba, the Shedra, the lodge and the rest of the valley down below. Before you continue on the path as it slopes down the valley towards the idyllic Kumbu village. It is possible to get picked up from here, or you may continue down to the Shedra or all the way down to the valley.
Today you will head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s royal family and from where the first two kings ruled the kingdom. The route is along a spectacular winding road, where the popular Bhutanese film “Travellers and Magicians” was shot. Lunch will be served at Trongsa. After lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. You will then proceed to Bumthang, which is often described as the spiritual heartland of the kingdom. En route, visit the Yathra (textile weaving) factory, where the yathras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms.
In the morning Visit Jambaylhakang, 7th century Monastery and then hike through farm land to Kurjey Lhakhang. The story of how Guru Rinpoche visited Bhutan for the first time in 8th century will unfold from here. After Kurjey take another 20 minutes hike to Tamshing where you will discover a person known as Pema Lingpa from whom descended the ancestor of our royal family. After lunch visit burning lake and then a nunnery. If time permits you can do bush man hike back to Jakar valley.
For anyone interested in the history and culture of Bhutan, a visit to the Ogyen Choling Palace Museum in Bumthang District could offer a very pleasant day out. About a couple of hours drive outside of the town, the museum is located on a hilltop with a stunning view over the valley. It is originally the former residence of a ruling Bhutanese family descended from a 14th century Buddhist teacher and now parts of their ancestral home have been converted into a museum with a hope to preserve their historical and cultural heritages, promote the development of tourism in the village as well as support the social and economic well-being of the local community. With a lot of displays depicting local items dating back long time ago including farming implements, daily utensils & tools, traditional artworks and artifacts around the place as well as the stunning structures of the house is nearly remained as its originality, the Ogyen Choling Palace Museum delivers an excellent insight into the local lifestyles and living conditions of a typical Bhutanese noble family over the last century. The best viewing time with natural light when the museum becomes the most gorgeous is from 9A.M to 2P.M.
Today the flight from Bumthang to Paro will be amazing with wonderful view of the series of white Himalayan mountains in Bhutan. The flight will take 35 minutes.
Back in Paro you can either rest and let things settle or venture into another breathtaking hike of Kela Gomba Nunnery from Chelela pass at 3998 meters going up to Kila Gungkarpo at 4500m.On the hike along the ridge of Chelela range you will have wonderful view of Haa valley and Paro valley on either side. On clear days the view of Mount Jomolhari is stunning.
Today, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rimpoche, the 8th century Spiritual Master, flew to this location on the back of a tigress to meditate.
Lunch will be served at Cafeteria Restaurant halfway up on the mountain. Explore the monastery and hike back to Paro.
In the morning, you will drive to the Paro airport for your onward departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.
