Bhutan In-depth Tour

Paro

Upon arrival you’ll be received by our friendly professional guide who will receive you outside for the airport and you can spot them with your names on a placard, and help you to the car.

30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge

Enroute stop to visit the Tachogang Lhakang monastery for a breath of fresh mountain air and marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain links from the 13th century bridge.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten)

On arrival you will be taken to your hotel for a check-in and short rest . In the evening, if time permits visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa which is a sacred shrine built in the memory of third king of Bhutan.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Thimphu

You will enjoy welcome dinner in a nice local restaurant where you can enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines. Overnight in the resort.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Buddha Dordenma

After breakfast, drive to Kuensel Phodrang where the gigantic 169ft statue of Buddha Dordenma sits overlooking the valley. Enjoy a panoramic view of Thimphu city from there.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

From here we’ll enjoy a lovely easy hike on one of the capital town’s favourite hiking trails to start flexing your leg muscles for a great start to your Bhutan holiday. The hike of 6 km easy paced brings you to the Changangkha temple.

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

National Folk Heritage Museum

A 19th century traditional Bhutanese farmhouse which provides glimpses of the Bhutanese heritage, history lifestyle

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Royal Textile Academy of Bhutan

Showcases Bhutan’s rich and famous textiles and see how local weavers are trained to make complex designs etc.

1 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Thimphu’s Weekend Market

Finish the day by strolling around the Crafts Bazaar, along the streets of Thimphu which sells and displays various handicrafts and textiles made entirely in Bhutan. Weekend is a time for shopping so we’ll drive to the Centenial market and Kaja Thorm markets to delve right into the Bhutanese way of life and walk past various venders selling local vegetables and fruits that make up the Bhutanese culinary. This is place where locals come and spend time

2 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Punakha

Drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3140). Situated atop the pass at the backdrop of fluttering prayer flags is the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that was built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King. From here you can enjoy the great views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Descend to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery. The visit involves a short nice hike through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Punakha

Drive to Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a short scenic hike through paddy fields for about 45 minutes till the hilltop where the temple is located. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. From here you can optionally take another great hike from the riverside crossing a suspension bridge to other side of the Mo Chu river for approximately 3 km with hours hiking. Continue to Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. Proceed to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery which is atop a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Phobjikha Valley

Drive to Phobjikha. The highway to Phobjikha (Gangtey) follows the scenic Dang Chuu ( River), climbing through forests of bamboo and oak, and just before crossing Pele La ( Pass) a small side road splinters off into the hidden Phobjikha valley. Visit the famous Gantey Gompa monastery. Development of industry and electrification in the valley has been installed in Phobjikha valley as it is home for the endangered Black-necked cranes who visit the valley in winter from the Tibetan plateau. The locals are unperturbed as the valley is gifted with extensive land area which makes it ideal for potato farming. Visit the Black-necked Crane Information Centre, the Kewang (Lhakhang) temple. Undertake hike on a nature trail through the beautiful valley making it an ideal for photography. The hike ends at the bowl shape glacial valley where your driver will pick you up. Overnight and dinner at the hotel .

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

After breakfast drive to the scenic Tangsibje village. Stay overnight in Tabgsibji heritage house, which he built in the 60’s. You will be welcomed by host and her husband who was recently won the “Strongest Man of Bhutan” contest. We are the only tour operator in Bhutan taking visitors to this beautiful village which is considered one of the most beautiful villages of Trongsa district, and therefore makes it a real off-the-beaten-track experience. The host family will prepare a splendid dinner for you using fresh organic vegetables and herbs from her garden. Note: This experience is consistently rated as a favourite amongst our guests.

4 Hours • Admission Ticket Included

Bumthang

After breakfast, drive to Bumthang Chumey valley through Trongsa town. Visit the Tower of Trongsa museum, an old watchtower now converted to a museum highlighting the establishment of our monarchy and the royal dynasty of Bhutan. Various artifacts, relics and historical items on display, the most important exhibit is the Raven Crown used by the first two kings of Bhutan, and the royal robes of the founding fathers of Bhutan. Continue visit to the Trongsa Dzong fortress on the tip of Conch is the Longest Dzong in the country.Overlooking the Mangdechhu river, the Trongsa Dzong testifies to the richness of Bhutan’s architectural hereitage.

4 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Bumthang

In the morning drive 12 km to Tharpaling Goenpa which was founded by the great Tibetan lama Longchenpa in the 1300s. After visiting the temple, return to the valley and visit the villages in Chumey including the Prakhar temple, old palaces of our Kings etc. The evening ends with a visit to a local handloom weaving house specialising in the famous Yak Wool textiles called Yatha textiles. You will see weavers at their craft and opportunity to interact with the weavers.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Bumthang

After breakfast, drive to Kurjey monastery and visit the temple. After that start the Luegi Rowa hike that starts on a forested road for about 3.5 km along the river past charming small farm houses until Thangbi Goemba. Continue to Kharsat Bridge. After crossing the river, the path continues just above the river side for about 1 - 2 hours until you reach Ngang Lhakhang. We’ll have lunch here at a farmhouse. Lunch will be typical local Bumthang culinary. Note: Ngang Lhakhang is accessible by vehicles; therefore you could shorten your hike and drive back to town. In the afternoon visit Tamshing Lhakhang – founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the temple was restored at the end of the 19th century. You could also visit the Cheese factory to see how local Gouda cheese is made. Take some rest here at this cozy outlet and snack on Bumthang Cheese and locally made white beer - the Red Panda beer. Dinner at town and head to your resort.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Paro District

After breakfast, continue to the airport and take a 30 minutes domestic flight to Paro. Many guests love the experience as it's a nice glide over the himalayan ranges. After reaching Paro, visit the 7th century Kyichu lhakhang monastery, the sister temple of Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang. These two are considered the oldest Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Visit the Paro Rinpung Dzong fortress overlooking the beautiful Paro river. Drive towards town and visit the Dungtse Lhakhang: The uniqueness of this temple lies in the fact that it is in the form of a chorten, one of the very few that exists in Bhutan.

3 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Paro

We’ve saved the best of Bhutan for the last. Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions, and perhaps one of the major highlights of your trip. An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery –translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery is also a good way to acclimatise before you start trekking. A two hours hike would reward you with a spectacular temple clinging on a 1000 feet cliff. On the way back stopover at Satsam Chorten which offers you nice views of mount Jomolhari. Proceed to your resort.

4 Hours • Admission Ticket Free

Paro

After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will take you to the airport. Your guide will help you with the formalities and fare you well on your onward journey.

30 Minutes • Admission Ticket Free