Tour type
Tour Level:
Tour Comfort:
Tour Period: 15 Days
Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang, Mongar, Lhuntsi, Trashigang, Gangtey
tour highlights
- Visit the one of the finest museums in South Asia
- Picnic amongst the Black Necked Cranes at Gangtey Conserve
- Explore the Bhutan Library’s treasure trove of Ancient Buddhist manuscripts
- Enjoy Himalayan vistas as you traverse the Dochula Pass (3050m)
tour details
This comprehensive tour of the vibrant Kingdom of Bhutan will give you the rare chance to see some fine examples of historic architecture. Drametsi Temple, Taktsang Monastery and the Rhinpung Dzong are just a few of the amazing places of historic and cultural significance you will visit as we drive you across eight provinces. From cultural insights at the museums of Bhutan to the stunning Himalayan vistas of the Dochula Pass and the majestic beauty of the Black Necked Cranes that migrate to Gangtey during the winter, you will fall in love with this spectacular kingdom. You will also have plenty of time to relax and take in the amazing sights that this wonderful country has to offer. Whatever your fancy, there is something for everyone on this spectacular tour.
You will be received by the representative of Diethelm Travel Bhutan and escorted to the hotel. Visit the Ta Dzong rated as one of the finest natural Museum in South Asia, and is filled with antique thanka paintings, textiles, weapons and Armour. Drive to see the Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center and school for monks. Drive to Drukgyal Dzong (fortress) now in ruins, which were built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian Warlord, Gushri Khan.
Hike to the famed Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's Nest) where Guru Rimpoche flew on a tigress in the 8th century and meditated there for three months. Visit Kyichu temple one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. Transfer to Thimphu, the modern capital of Bhutan. Check into hotel. Free time to relax.
Visit Changangkha temple, which is the temple of Chenrizig or Compassionate Buddha. Visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts.See the Traditional Painting School of Arts & Crafts where children are taught centuries old craft, and the National Folk Heritage Museum to get an insight into the typical Bhutanese way of life. Visit the Bhutan Post to see the different stamps of the country. See the Traditional Incense and Paper Factory. Drive to see the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. Drive further up to BBS tower to get a view of the Thimphu valley.
Drive to Punakha (70Km) via the Dochula pass. An hour's drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3050mts) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. Visit the Dho Jha Gha Lam Temple. Walk to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the divine Madman Lama Drukpa Kuenley where couples unable to have children come here to pray. Walk around the street of Wangdue.
Today drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,150 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Commanding the Mangde Chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece. Drive to Bumthang, this is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Check into Hotel.
Visit the Jakar Dzong, built in the 17th century during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal - 1st Religious and Political King of Bhutan. The fortress is now used as an administration center of Bumthang valley. Visit Jambay Lhakhang: This monastery was built in the 7th century of Tibetan King Songtsen Gembo, believed to be the reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion.Kurjey Lhakhang: This temple is located above Jambay Lhakhang and consists of three temples.Drive to see Tamshing temple, which was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. See Mebar tso (Fire burning lake) where Terton Pemalingpa an incarnation of Guru Rimpoche found religious treasures. In the evening, visit the local cheese and honey farm.
The drive, with spectacular views, will take about six hours. Watch cascading waterfalls along the way. The descent stops at 2,130 ft on a bridge over the Kurichu. The Mongar Dzong, albeit built not to long age, still maintains the architectural traditions of the old dzongs.
After running for a few kilometers through open countryside of the mountain, the road turns north and goes down into the gorge of the river, following its left bank at an altitude of 1100 m. The landscape is spectacular with cliffs and coniferous forest from which turpentine is extracted. Lemon grass also grows in abundance. Visit the Lhuntshi Dzong, which was built in the year 1962 but was restored several times. Overnight in Lhuntsi.
In the morning, visit the village of Gompa Karpo, which is four-hour, walk east of the Dzong that are especially renowned for the fine quality of the fabrics they produce. Drive back to Mongar for overnight stay. Overnight in Mongar.
After about an hours journey you reach the village of Ngatshang, the site of one of the fiefdoms before unification of the nation.Follow the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Drametsi. This temple, perched atop a steep hill, was founded by Nun Choden Zangmo in the 16th century. This is the place from where the famous Drametsi Nga Chham, mask dance with drums, originated. About 30 kilometres onwards lies Trashigang, at 3,775 ft. Trashigang is the center of the biggest and most populated district in the nation. View the dzong, built strategically on a spur going out towards the Gamri Chu.
Excursion to Gom Kora and Tashiyangtse and sightseeing around Trashigang.
Overnight in Trashi Yangtsi.
Overnight in Trashi Yangtsi.
Drive back to Bumthang. Check into hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight in Bumthang
After early breakfast, drive to Gangtey Gompa with picnic lunch. Visit Gangtey Gompa, which now houses one of the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The valley is also the winter home to the rare black-necked cranes (Grus Nicorocolis), which migrate, from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia to winter in this valley. Overnight.
In the morning, walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (50 Mins) - temple built by the Queen Of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. Drive back to Paro. Stop enroute at Dochula to enjoy the view of the Druk Wangyal Khangzang Chhortens, a unique cluster of 108 temples that spiral up a monument.Transfer to Paro, driving through the idyllic countryside, dotted with villages and paddy fields, crossing rivers and natural forests to Paro.
Morning your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight onwards.
includes
- Accommodation in shared-twin room
- All meals; breakfast at hotel, lunch and dinner at local restaurant
- Private transfer and tours with local English speaking guide for whole duration as mentioned in the itinerary
- Fees to temples and monuments as mentioned in the itinerary
- Government Royalty Fee
- FIT surcharge for 1 & 2 pax
- Bhutanese visa fee
excludes
- International airtickets to/ from Bhutan
- Bottled water and drinks
- Languages guide other than English speaking guide (it's subject to the supplement)
- Cultural show
- Horse ride to Taktsang
- Hot stone water bath
Tour code: PBHDBJE3
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