Discover Bhutan Tour – 14 Days

Today sightseeing in Thimphu valley including visit to the following: the National Library, housing an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts; the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. Later visit Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, a fascinating testimony of the Bhutanese material culture and living traditions.

Afternoon visit King's Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and sspinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Later in the afternoon visit Trashichhoedzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Later visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Evening can be spent strolling through local bazaar, to browse through example of Bhutan's fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, interesting items made from local materials.

Morning transfer to Punakha (75 km – 2.5 hour drive) across Dochula pass (3,080m). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. Dochula pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

Upon arrival at Punakha transfer to Hotel.

Rest of the time relax at Hotel.

Today morning visit the famous and Biggest Dzong of Bhutan – Punakha Dzong or Palace of Great Happiness, built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan in the past. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here.

Then visit famous Suspension Bridge.

Also visit Chimi Lakhang which requires a short hike as well.

Return to Hotel in the evening.

Morning transfer to Bumthang (215 km – about 6 hour drive).

On arrival at Bumthang transfer to Hotel.

Home to four beautiful mountain valleys and an array of ancient monasteries and temples, Bumthang takes its place as the most historic of all districts in Bhutan. Considered to be the spiritual centre of the Himalayan Kingdom, Bumthang is a beautiful place to visit if one has a keen interest in religion, spirituality and history.

Directly translating to "Beautiful Field", the region gets its name from Jambay Lhakhang. Spanning over 4500m it is known to be the religious heartland of the kingdom with several old monasteries and Buddhist temples. Bumthang is comprising of four valleys of Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. Endowed with the most picturesque views of the Ura La Pass, rhododendron forests surround the valley at a slightly higher altitude.

Evening relax at Hotel.

Today visit the famous Jakar Dzong in Bumthang. It is located in Choekhor Valley and is also called – Castle of the White Bird. The dzong hosts the Jakar Festival, one of the most popular festivals among locals and tourists alike.

Also visit Bumthang Swiss Cheese making Centre.

Today visit beautiful Tang Valley (about an hour drive from Bumthang).

Also visit Jambay Lhakhang. It is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century in a single day to subdue demoness who was residing in the Himalayas.

This morning transfer from Bumthang to Gangtey (193 km – about 5 hour drive).

On arrival at Gangtey transfer to Hotel.

Today enjoy visiting this beautiful Valley – Gangtey which is also called Phobjikha Valley.

Also visit Gangtey Monastery.

This valley is designated as a conservation area, which is surrounded by the Black Mountains and plays a host to black-necked crane in winter. These migratory birds migrate to this place from neighboring Tibet. The black-necked cranes are so popular in the area that locals use to throw a festival every year on 11th November, which is marked as their arrival. Thousands of tourists & visitors are attracted to visit Phobjikha Valley for witnessing these cranes.

Return to Hotel in the evening.

Morning transfer to Paro (180 km – about 5 hour drive)

On arrival at Paro in the evening transfer to Hotel.

Rest of the time relax at Hotel.

Morning visit the beautiful Ta Dzong (National Museum) The unusual round structure of the Ta Dzong was built with just stone and wood without the aid of any nail. Although made with only stone and wood the structure of Ta Dzong is very strong. Unlike other dzongs in Bhutan, Ta Dzong survived the earthquake of 1714 which lasted for almost 15 days.

Ta Dzong even survived the earthquake of 1896. But strangely, there is no record about the builder who made Ta Dzong. There is an underground passage in Ta Dzong which is believed to connect the tower with Pa Chhu River and was used for supplying water in tower in times of war.

Afternoon also visit the famous Paro Dzong.

Evening visit the Paro Local market.

After breakfast excursion to Taktsang Monastery also called Tiger Nest (hike): It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

After return back to Hotel, take rest at hotel.

Today enjoy a full day excursion trip of Haa Valley.

Haa Valley is one of the most picturesque valleys in the country. The isolated valley lies behind the mountain ridge of Chele La Pass (the highest pass of Bhutan) and it borders with the northern boundaries of the Chumbi Valley of Tibet on one side. The verdant, quaint and the remote valley spread across an area of roughly 1706.8 sq. km, will undoubtedly leave you speechless with its splendid beauty and compel you to fall in love with it. Haa is one of the 20 dzongkhag or districts comprising Bhutan and apparently the smallest one in the country.

Return to Paro in the evening.

Morning transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination with sweet memories of Bhutan visit.