Bhutan Tour – 9 days

Bhutanese guide welcomes you at Paro International Airport. Then, you are transported to the restaurant/cafe for lunch/coffee. Drive to the largest and capital city of Bhutan after lunch. Rest for a while after checking in to the hotel. Tour nearby places and enjoy the nightlife. Spend a night at a hotel.

Exciting sightseeing in Thimphu commences after breakfast. A visit to the National Memorial Chorten followed by a trip to Bhutan’s Changangkha Lakhang. The protective divinity of the temple is believed to give protection and blessings to a newly born child. Step into Simtokha Dzong and admire the cultural phenomena: the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the images of eight Bodhisattvas, and 300 slate carvings depicting Buddhist masters and saints inside the chapel. Stop at colorful craft shops for souvenirs.

Tour to the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion-Tashichho Dzong” which is a notable work of genius of Bhutanese architecture. Explore the huge Great Buddha Dordenma statue and relish the awesome panoramic view of Thimphu valley in Kuensel Phodrang. Return to the hotel and stay overnight.

A pleasant ride to Punakha from Thimphu admiring the beautiful sceneries. On the way, stop at Dochula Pass and visit the Druk Wangyal Lhakhang. Also, appreciate the 108 memorial Chortens in memory of the soldiers. The picturesque view of the Himalayas and terrace fields from Dochula Pass to reach Punakha. Upon reaching Chimi Lhakhang, a short walk through attractive villages and meadows to reach the sacred “The Fertility Temple of Bhutan” dedicated to the “Divine Madman”. A renowned temple worldwide to seek blessings by childless couples. Rest, relax and have your lunch.

After lunch, visit the second oldest and the second largest beautiful Punakha dzong in Bhutan. Punakha dzong means “The palace of bliss” which was built without using nails. The historical and culturally significant dzong can be reached by crossing Bazam Bridge over Chu Rivers. The main temple, a Bodhi tree, and a big white stupa inside the dzong are the main highlights. Participate in the Punakha festival glorifying Bhutanese culture, tradition, arts, and architecture if you are here around mid-Feb. Spend a night at a hotel.

Wangdue Phodrang is admired for its stone carvings and bamboo works. A short drive on this road and passing through the blossoming rhododendron and oak forest. Enjoy the lovely dwarf green bamboos on the way. Drive downhill to reach beautiful Phobjika valley which is the winter home to sacred black-necked cranes.

Visit the Gangtey Goempa monastery which best depicts the Bhutanese traditional architecture. The artistic facades, well-decorated balconies, and multi-layered roofs are perfect examples for art and photo lovers. One can meditate at a meditation hall or interact with monks and locals concerning why this valley is considered the happiest place in Bhutan. Later, tour nearby places in the valley. Stay overnight at a hotel.

Drive to Trongsa which means “new village” admiring the beautiful sceneries and enjoying the ride on the zigzag route. Trongsa is the lineage home of the Royal family of Bhutan. Visit Trongsa Dzong decorated with vibrant Mandalas and Buddhist statues. A perfect masterpiece and specimen of Bhutanese architecture. After a 2.5-hour drive, reach Bumthang meaning “beautiful field” or “the valley of beautiful girls”. Bumthang is comprised of four beautiful naturally beautiful valleys: Ura, Chumey, Tang, and Choekhor. Buddhism was first introduced to this valley in Bhutan. Thus, this place has great historic, religious and cultural importance. Rest and relax at a hotel after a long drive. Explore the surroundings in the evening. Spend a night there.

A whole day sightseeing in this mystical hub Bumthang. The interesting places in Bumthang are Jakar Dzong, Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang, and Tamshing Lhakhang in mesmerizing Choekhor valley. Jakar Dzong is simple in design but a beautiful protective dzong that was built for Bhutan’s safeguard. It is also called the “Castle of the white bird”. Jambay Lhakhang has many old and sacred temples. Many festivals are organized here. Kurjey Lhakhang is named after the guru’s body print (Kurjey) and has three temples. Tamshing Lhakhang includes antique religious 1000 Buddhas and 21 Taras paintings. Explore these artistic beautiful and spiritual places inside Choekhor valley. From there, visit a holy site Mebar Tsho to witness the “Burning Lake in Tang Valley. You can also travel to Ura, and Chumey if time permits. Explore the local markets of Bumthang and purchase some souvenirs after completing the sightseeing. Rest, relax and spend a quality night at a hotel.

Take a domestic flight from Bumthang to beautiful Paro valley. The natural beauty of Paro is mesmerizing and admire the traditionally designed houses. Upon arrival, visit the oldest temple in Bhutan-“Kyichu Lhakhang Temple”. This temple is religiously significant as it was built to control female giants’ power creating obstacles to spreading Buddhism across Tibet. The holy sculpture of Jowo Rinpoche is another highlight here. After this, visit the Archery ground to see Bhutan’s traditional and national sport Archery. Enjoy the locals skillfully playing archery matches. One can wish to play archery for fun and gain experience too. Stay overnight in a hotel.

Alternatively, one can wish to take a 6/7 hour drive from Bumthang to Thimphu. Rest, relax and spend a night at Thimphu. Early morning travel to Paro to hike to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery.

Hike to Taktsang Monastery is a non-missed destination in all itineraries of Bhutan. This shows the importance and popularity of this place. It is renowned as “Tiger’s Nest Monastery”. The Tiger’s Nest Monastery architecture is one of the finest and masterpiece works of Bhutan. It has a great history and also decodes Taktsang as a “Tigress lair” from its strong foundation. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche traveled back on a tigress and meditate in this cave to subdue evil spirits for over 3 years. This is a holy cave where one can witness artistic paintings.

To reach here, hike uphill admiring the beautiful scenery, and rest at a cafe halfway there. Anyone with good physical fitness and sound health can comfortably reach there. One can also ride on a pony to reach there. The monastery is considered to be pious, thus one needs to wear full sleeve clothes while visiting. One can meditate or interact with the monks. End your trip with spiritual blessings. Return to a hotel and spend a night there.

Bid farewell to this Land of Dragon nation with the good memories you make here. The Bhutanese guide see off you to the Paro International Airport for your final departure.