Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Paro: Upon your arrival at the Paro international airport our representative will receive you at the airport and transfer to the Hotel at Paro.Overnight stay at Tenzinling Resort or Similar.
Day 02: Sight Seeing in Paro: After Breakfast we take an excursion to historic Taktsang Monastery, which is also known as Tiger’s Nest. Guru Rinpoche, the father of the Bhutanese strain of Mahayana Buddhism was believed to arrive here at the back of the tigress and meditated at the Monastery. After the fire in year 1998 the monastery was extremely damaged but after the reconstruction the Monastery is now open for tourists and public with its original grandeur. After Lunch, we visit the famous Ta Dzong, the National Museum of Bhutan that holds wide information about the ancient Bhutanese art and artifacts, weapons and countries exquisite postage stamps. The visit to the museum will provide you more knowledge about the Bhutanese culture and their history. After witnessing the historic arts we now walk down the trail to visit the Rinpung Dzong which allows you to witness the beauty of Paro valley from a commanding height. After Dzong, we visit a traditional farmhouse to get an idea of the lifestyle of local people living around.Overnight stay at Tenzinling Resort or Similar.
Day 03: Paro - Thimphu (60 km, 2 hours): After breakfast we proceed to the Capital of Bhutan, Thimpu . We drive around 2 hours while witnessing the beauty of Bhutan. On our way to Thimpu we stop at Chuzom , the intersection of Paro river and Thimpu river. After the short break we continue our journey and head towards the Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom built in 1627 which is now a school for Buddhist studies. After Lunch we visit to the King's Memorial Chhorten also known as “Thimpu Chorten”. The stupa was built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji wangchuk. However, the monastery went under reconstruction in 2008. After knowing about the monastery we head towards the Handicraft Emporium and textile and Folk Heritage to know about the Bhutanese fabrics. Overnight stay at the Hotel Ariya or Similar.
Day 04: Thimphu - Punakha (75 km, 2.1/2 hours): After your breakfast in Hotel we go out to explore thimpu more. Firstly, we visit the National Library of Bhutan which was established in late 60’s with an aim of “ preservation and promotion of the rich culture and religious heritage” of Bhutan. Here you can find huge collection of religious books and manuscripts to embrace your knowledge . After spending some time at the Library we now move towards the painting school where the Bhutanese art is taught and performed. After spending time with colors we visit to the Traditional Medicine Institute where you can find various medicines made by the Bhutanese Medicine experts using the techniques acquired from the ancestors. After lunch we leave Thimpu and drive to Punakha, the old capital town of Bhutan. On the way to Punakha we stop at a mountain pass in the snow covered Himalayas at an elevation of 3100 metres , known as Dochula pass. This pass provides the most enchanting views of Bhutan. After a break we continue our ride and check in at Hotel in Punakha. After refreshment, we visit the Punakha Dzong, built in 17th century. This majestic structure was the administrative centre and the seat of the Government of Bhutan until 1955, Khamsm Yulley Namgyal Chhorten . Overnight stay at Hotel RKPO Green Resort or Similar.
Day 05: Punakha - Wangduephodrang - Gangtey (70 km, 3 hours): We leave to Gangtey after having breakfast at the hotel in Punakha. On our way to Gangtey we visit a town in Central Bhutan called Wangduephodrang where we roam around a local market and also visit Wandue Dzong. We now continue our drive to Gangtey through the dense forests and oak, rhododendron trees. Check-in at the Hotel on your arrival at Gangtey. At the evening take a walk around the local villages and the Gangtey Gompa , the only Nyingmapa monastery in this region .Overnight stay at Hotel Dewachen/ Similar.
Day 06: Gangtey - Trongsa (120 km, 4.1/2 hours): In the morning we explore the beautiful Phobjikha valley, a U-shaped valley where the graceful black-necked Cranes migrate from the Tibetan Plateu of Central Asia to roost. After having Lunch at Gangtey we will drive towards Trongsa located at central Bhutan. On our way to Trongsa we will be crossing Pele La Pass, high mountain pass at an elevation of 3423 m above the sea level, located in the WangduePhodrang district of Bhutan. Check-in your hotel in Trongsa and in the evening we will be visiting the local market of Trongsa. Overnight stay at Yangkhil Resort or Similar.
Day 07: Trongsa - Bumthang (68 km, 3 hours): On this day, we visit the Trongsa Dzong the largest dzong fortress in Trongsa district which is a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. This dzong was established in 1543 and holds different art pieces. After Trongsa Dzong we visit the Ta Dzong where we will see the watch tower built to defent this DZong and surrounding regions. We will have our Lunch at Trongsa and then proceed towards Bumthang , the religious heartland of the nation. Check in at the hotel and you’ll be having evening at leisure. Overnight stay at Jakar Village Lodge or Similar.
Day 08: In Bumthang: Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys- Chumsey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitudes varying from 2600m to 4000m. Besides natural beauty the four valleys are blessed with some of the oldest Buddhist temples in the kingdom. On this day we explore what Bhumthang has to offer. After breakfast we visit to Tamshing Lhakhang. Tamshing consists of a deteriorating temple and a cramped vihara. It is the treasure house of intresting religious Buddhist paintings. After spending some time at Tamshing we will then visit Jakar Dzong above Jakar town in the Chamkar valley which is also the administrative centre of the valley. In the afternoon we will visit Kurje Lhakhang one of the sacred places in Bhutan. This is also the final resting place of the remains of the first three kings of Bhutan. Now we will head towards Jambay Lhakhang which is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 CE on a single day, to pin down an ogress to earth forever. Return to hotel after spending some time at Jambay. Visit to local market in the evening.Overnight stay at Jakar Village Lodge or Similar.
Day 09: Bumthang - Mongar (198 km, 7 hours): The trip continues eastwards winding through more rugged terrain. On this day we will drive around 7 hours while we pass through some of the monuments/sites on our way. We drive through the highest of the four valleys in Bhumthang district, Ura village before climbing the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass(4,000 m). This is also the second highest mountain pass in Bhutan which connects the central and eastern regions. Gradually drop down to Sengor while atching some of the mesmerizing waterfalls on the way. The decent stops at 700m, on a bridge over the Kurichu. Again we drive uphill through pine forests, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Then we will visit Mongar Dzong which was built to replace the original Shongar Dzong in 1930. Overnight stay at Wangchuk Hotel or Similar.
Day 10: Mongar - Trashigang (96 km, 3 hours): On this day, we leave Mongar and head towards Trashihang passing through Kori la Pass (2,450m) located in southeastern-central Bhutan. This place is marked by pretty chhorten and a stone wall. The first part of the drive is through leafy forest filled with ferns. Later, the road descends rapidly through corn fields and banana groves arriving at the famous Ziazags of Yadi, which is a recent settlement. After that we follow the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Dametsi, this temple perched on top of steep hill was founded by Choeden Zangmp and is the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan. This is the place from where famous Naga Chham, mask dance with drums originated. About 30 km onwards lies Trashigang at 1000m. This is the centre of the biggest and most populated district in the country, where we visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging the Gamri river. This dzong also serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the dzong is occupied by the Drukpa monastic community. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.
Day 11: In Trahigang (Excursion to Trashiyangtse): After your breakfast at the Hotel , we drive to visit the Gom Kora Temple which is 24 km from Trashigang. The temple is on the road to Yangtse, an extraordinarily picturesque temple, just beneath the road, surrounded by terraced rice fields, called Gom Kora or actually Gomphu Kora. It is also a famous place where Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon. Then we move further ahead to reach Doksum village where you can see women busy in weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric and a chain bridge dating of the 15th century. Now we visit the Trashiyangtse Dzong, situated at an altitude of 1850m. This dzong was established at 9th century which was previously known as Dongdi Dzong. In former times Trashiyangtse was important centre because it lies on one of the carven routes leading from western and centre Bhutan. At the evening return back to Trashigang. Overnight at tDruk Doedjung or Similar.
Day 12: Trashigang - Bumthang (289 km, 10 hours): After breakfast at the hotel we drive back to Bumthang with lunch enroute. Overnight at Jakar Village Lodge or Similar.
Day 13: Bumthang - Punakha (205 km, 6 hours): In the morning we will visit the Bumthang market . After having your breakfast we will drive to Punakha. Lunch would be served enroute at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town. A short tea/coffee breaks at Wangduephodrang and then proceed to Punakha hotel.Overnight stay at Hotel RKPO Green Resort or Similar.
Day 14: Punakha - Paro (125 km, 4.1/2 hours): Leisure time in Punakha in morning . After lunch we drive towards Paro hotel. Overnight stay at Tenzinling Resort or Similar.
Day 15: Paro - Departure:After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the International airport at Paro. Fly home with memories that last for lifetime.
Cost Per Person USD 6,730..
Cost Included:
- Arrival and Departure Transport.
- Accommodation in Bhutan BLD.
- Sightseeing tour with entrance fee.
- Bhutan Visa.
- Tourism Development Service charge in Bhutan
- English speaking Guide.
- All Government taxes.
- Office services charge.
Cost Excluded:
- International Airfare.
- Expenses of personal nature (like tipping, laundry, Telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees etc).
- Lunch and Dinners in Nepal .
- Your Travel Insurance.
- International airfare.
- Tips for Guide and Drivers.
For more information please email us at: adventuretreksnepal@gmail.com