Day 01 :
Fly to Paro / Drive to Thimphu (52 Km. / 1 Hr.)
Fly into Paro by Druk Air, Bhutan’s National Airline. The great snow-capped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise to the heavens can be seen during clear weather. As the plane approaches Bhutan, if you look down, farmhouses as dots on the hillsides can be seen. As the aircraft enters the Paro valley, you will see Paro Dzong on the hillside overlooking the Paro Chu (river), with Ta Dzong, formerly a watchtower and now the National Museum, above it.
Then drive to Thimphu (approx. 1 hr.), the capital town of Bhutan . The road leads through the Paro valley to the confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers at Chuzom (confluence). En-route visit Tamchog lhakhang is temple that is dedicated to the 13th century saint Thangthong Gyalpo, the bridge builder. This temple is located across the river from the Paro to Thimphu. In order to get to the temple one must cross an iron chain bridge, one of the few remaining of the many that Thangthong Gyalpo built.
Later visit the Memorial Chorten, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, is a large Tibetan-style Buddhist Monastery is a popular landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells. It was built in 1974 to honor the memory of the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The architecture of the chorten has been designed to present it as ‘one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu’. Overnight Stay at Hotel .
Day 02 :
In Thimphu
About an hour's drive north of Thimphu lie Tango and Cheri Monasteries, two of the premier Buddhist academic institutions in Bhutan. The hike to one or both beautiful monasteries begins from where the road ends. The trails to Tango & Cheri monasteries take about 1½ hour uphill walk through the forest.
Tango Lhakhang: Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa founded this monastic school in the 12th century and the present building was built in the 15th century by the 'divine madman', Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Tango is the residence of an important Trulku (reincarnate lama) who is recognized as the seventh reincarnation of the highly respected fourth Desi, Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, whose previous incarnation passed away in 1830. Observe monks do their daily prayers as they pay homage to the Buddha. As you offer butter lamps, you will also receive blessing from the monk.
Then visit the Tashichho Dzong. This impressive fortress/monastery houses the secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and the central body of monks. It was rebuilt in the early 1960's after a fire destroyed most of the building. The amazing thing about this building is that it was built without a single drawing or a single nail. Overnight Stay at Hotel .
Day 03 :
Drive Thimphu to Gangtey – 147 km / 91 miles – 6 hrs. drive
After breakfast, drive to Gangtey 147 km / 91 miles which takes approx. 6-hour drive. En-route visit Dochula pass, located 30 km / 18.6 miles away from the capital offers a 360-degree of beautiful panoramic view of Himalaya mountain range, especially on clear winter days. The 108 chortens that adorn the beauty of this place were built by Queen Mother to commemorate the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed when fighting the Indian rebels in 2003.
These curious visitors will discover the meditation caves tucked into the hills just above the pass. At first resembling Hobbit homes, these tiny, open-faced caverns are built from stone and painted in colorful detail with Buddhist symbolism. Mediate about half an hour.
Then continue your drive to Gangtey. Phobjika is a glacial valley on the western slopes of the Black Mountains and is one of the most beautiful open valleys in Bhutan. It is also one of the most important wildlife preserves in the country and the winter home (late October to early February) of the rare black necked crane, which annually flies in from Tibet. Overnight Stay at Hotel .
Day 04 :
In Gangtey
After breakfast, visit Gangtey Monastery, the largest Nyingma monastery in Bhutan. It was built in 1613 AD. Further we observe the cranes if they have migrated to the valley. It is very scenic and mind soothing hike that would provide you with rewarding surprises.
Then a day excursion of the Phobjika Valley, a vast U-shaped glacial valley, also known as Gangteng Valley named after the impressive Gangteng Monastery, which was established in the 17th century in central Bhutan. This Phobjika Valley, a quiet, remote valley is the chosen winter home of the rare and graceful black necked cranes that migrate here annually from the Tibetan plateau. Overnight Stay at Hotel .
Day 05 :
Drive Gangtey to Punakha – 78 km / 48 miles - 3 hrs. drive
After breakfast, depart to Punakha, an ancient capital of Bhutan. On the way, take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang, located near Lobesa, Punakha stands on a round hillock and is flanked by hundreds of prayer flags. Built in 1499, this monastery is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kinley or ‘the Divine Madman’. An accomplished master of Mahamudra Buddhist Tradition, he is also known as the ‘Mad Saint’ for his unorthodox ways of teaching Buddhism by singing, humor and outrageous behavior, which amounted to being bizarre and strong sexual overtones and inclinations.
Also, visit the Punakha Dzong, also known as ‘the palace of great happiness or bliss’ is the second largest Dzong in Bhutan. Constructed on the 8th day and 8th month of the Fire ox year in 1673, the Punakha Dzong was the administrative center and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955, when the capital was moved to Thimphu.
It is a six-storied structure with a scenic mountainous backdrop. The Dzong was constructed as ‘an embodiment of Buddhist values’. The first King of modern Bhutan was crowned in Punakha Dzong and in 2011, the wedding of the 5th King was held in this fortress. Overnight Stay at Hotel .
Day 06 :
In Punakha
Drive 12 km / 7.5 miles north of Punakha and hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. An hour hike to the Chorten, through a moderately inclined trail surrounded by pine trees, this site offers beautiful view of the Punakha Valley. The Chorten built to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.
A fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions, the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. This 4-storey temple was built by Her Majesty the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck as per the Holy Scriptures and took 9 years to complete it. This temple has been dedicated for the wellbeing of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings.
After lunch, you will have the afternoon at leisure or alternatively you might like to experience rafting at Pho Chhu (additional cost). Overnight Stay at Hotel .
Day 07 :
Drive Punakha to Paro – 122 km / 76 miles – 4 hrs. drive.
After an early breakfast drive back to Paro which takes approximately 4 hours’. Then, visit the Paro Dzong; one of the most impressive and well-known Dzong in Bhutan. One of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture, it is also known as the Ringpung Dzong, which means ‘fortress on a heap of jewels’. It is the administrative seat of the district of Paro. The Dzong was built in the 16th century on the foundation of a monastery built by Guru Rinpoche. It was used on numerous occasions to defend the Paro Valley from invasions by Tibet.
Also visit the National Museum of Bhutan, housed inside the revamped circular Ta-Dzong building, an ancient watchtower above the Paro Dzong. This unusual round building is said to be in the shape of a conch shell. The original building was constructed in 1656 but the building was converted into a museum in 1968. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings gathered from different parts of the country. Suitable galleries were constructed to house the extensive collections. Works of art were elegantly displayed on scientific lines.
Late afternoon enjoy a cup of tea at the colorful farm house that overlooks an amazing view. Soak in the unique ambience and indulge in a delightful interaction with the locals. Overnight Stay at Hotel.
Day 08 :
In Paro. Tiger’s Nest Hike.
Embark on a long hike to one of Bhutan’s most revered icons,Taktsang (“Tiger’s Nest”) Monastery that clings to a cliff 915 m / 3,000 feet above the valley floor. You hike on a wide trail and the round-trip journey covers a little over 6.4 km / 4 miles and reaches heights of 2,799 m / 9,184 feet above sea level. (You may choose to hike all the way to the monastery or stop after two hours at a cafeteria and make your way back.) Spend the day among the monks at this sacred pilgrimage site, where the great tantric mystic Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava) is believed to have flown on the back of the tiger to bring the teachings of the Buddhist Dharma to Bhutan.
Also visit the Kyichu Lhakhang; an important Himalayan Buddhist Temple. It is one of Bhutan’s oldest religious sites built in the seventh century. This temple is one of 108 built by Tibetan emperor Songtsen Gampo to subdue a demoness who prevented the spread of Buddhism. Temples were built across the Himalayas to pin her body down. Kyichu Lhakhang pins down her left foot and Jamba Lhakhang in Bumthang her left knee.
Here you have an opportunity to hang a prayer flags, a way to send Buddhist blessings through the winds.
We will arrange 1 set i.e. 108 butter lamps lighting at Kyichu Lhakhang. Lighting of 108 butter lamps in one of Bhutan’s oldest temples dating back to the 7th century is an experience of a lifetime. The Butter Lamp or Karme represents the dispelling of the darkness of ignorance. The lighting of butter lamps is an offering of light to the deities and is one of the most common means of increasing one’s merit. It also helps to focus the mind and aid meditation.
In the evening, participate in archery demonstration where you get first-hand experience in archery, Bhutan’s national sport and national obsession. Overnight Stay at Hotel.
Day 09 :
Final Departure.
After breakfast, transfer to the Paro airport to board your flight to onwards destination.