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This eight-day tour of Bhutan begins with arrival in Paro, where you’ll visit Rinpung Dzong, traditional farmhouses, and the Druk Home Museum. You’ll hike to the renowned Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) and then travel to Thimphu. Here, you’ll attend the Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival and enjoy scenic views from Dochula Pass. In Punakha, explore Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang and Punakha Dzong, followed by a visit to the fertility shrine, Chhimi Lhakhang, and Rinchengang village. The tour includes a trip to Phobjikha Valley, home to the endangered black-necked cranes, and a return to Thimphu for cultural sightseeing, including traditional arts, crafts, and a visit to the National Memorial Chorten. You’ll celebrate Bhutan’s National Day and visit the Takin Preserve before concluding the tour in Paro.
Fly into Paro by Drukair flight KB 401 at 14.25 . After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by the representative of Sky Travels and driven to your hotel.
After checking into your hotel and lunch visit the following:
Overnight at a hotel in Paro
After breakfast, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria.Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months. The principal Lhakhang (monastery) of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.After visiting the monastery, walk back down to the road on the way stop for lunch at the view point cafeteria and then walk further down to the road point. On the way, visit Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans.
Then drive back to Thimphu.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast drive for about 45 minutes to Dochula Pass (3140 m) to attend the Druk Wangyel Festival. In the clear winter sky you will get to enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountain ranges.
Dochula Druk Wangyel Festival program
After the festival drive to Punakha which about 2 hours drive from Dochula.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast, drive through upper Punakha valley and take a hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple) built by Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck (the Queen Mother of Bhutan) for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. This temple is situated on the hilltop overlooking the valley below. The leisurely walk up to the temple would take about an hour. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.
Then visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river). The dzong was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (the person who unified Bhutan) to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. It was here that the dual system of government was introduced in the 17th century and in 1907, enthroned the first King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck. Damaged over the centuries by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the dzong has been fully restored in the recent years by the 4th King Jigme Singye Wangchuck. At the dzong, you can see the highest standards in woodwork.
After lunch drive to Metsina Village and take a 20 minutes’ walk to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
In the evening you may visit Rinchengang village in Wangduephodrang where you will take a short hike through the village and have free interaction with the villagers. Round trip hike will take about 1 hr. At the same time you can view the ruins of Wangdue Dzong (the Dzong was razed to the ground by fire in 2012).
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Distance: 64 km,estimated driving time: 2 ½ hrs for one way
After breakfast drive to Phobjikha valley through the dense forests of the Phobjikha Valley you arrive at Gantey village where you see the Gangtey Monastery and visit the monastery. Phobjikha valley is part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park ( formerly known as Black Mountains National Park), one of Bhutan’s most important nature sanctuaries. Each winter it is home to a flock of 300 rare and endangered black-necked cranes. The surrounding hills and mountains are home to nomadic shepherds and yak-herders. This is one of the most remote and untouched regions in Bhutan and is only just opening its doors to the outside world.
The Black necked cranes start migration to this area from November each year. You will have refreshment and lunch at a resort/restaurant in this valley. Afternoon you can visit the Black Necked Crane Center and enjoy the fascinating sight of these birds in this beautiful scenic valley.
In the late afternoon drive back to Punakha and overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Distance: 71 km,estimated driving time: 2 ½ hrs
After breakfast drive to Thimphu and after lunch at Thimphu visit the following:
After breakfast , drive to Thimphu and after lunch visit the following:
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast attend the National Day Celebration which will be held at Changlimithang Stadium and after lunch visit the following:
In the late afternoon drive to Paro.
Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, drive to the Paro airport and your Bhutan tour guide from Sky Travels will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your flight to your onward destinations.
End of the tour
