This tour is a road trip around the best of Bhutan, it takes in a circuit beginning and ending in the city of Paro. One of the major highlights of this tour is a visit to the stunning Taktsang Monastery, better known as the tiger’s nest. This tour takes in all the best sights and culture of Bhutan, it visits some stunning valleys and small villages allowing you to get up close and personal with the friendly and welcoming Bhutanese people and the stunning natural beauty of this country. Along the way, you visit glaciers and get awesome views of the eastern Himalayan range. It’s a breathtaking discovery tour of this rich and vibrant land.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival Paro (2250m) – Thimphu (2350m)
Day 02: Thimphu – Punakha (1310m)
Day 03: Punakha (1310m) – Gangtey (Phobjikha Valley) (2320m)
Day 04: Gangtey (Phobjikha Valley) – Thimphu (2350m)
Day 05: Thimphu – Day excursion to Haa Valley (2740m) – Paro
Day 06: Paro – Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (3120m)
Day 07: Paro depart
Cost Includes:
- Private transportation.
- All necessary travel permits.
- English speaking local guide.
- Accommodation on a twin room basis.
- Sightseeing and monastery entrance fees as per the itinerary.
- Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Bhutan Visa fee.
- Government royalty and all the taxes.
- Bottled drinking water.
Cost Excludes:
- Flight fare.
- Travel / Medical Insurance.
- Additional cost due to natural calamity and unforeseen circumstance.
- Personal expenses such as drink, guide tips & etc.
- Luxury hotels/resorts available on supplement cost.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Paro and Drive to Thimphu – Sightseeing in Thimphu
Today, you will arrive at the International Airport at Paro flying aboard the National Carrier, Druk Air or Bhutan Airlines over some of the most scintillating views of the Himalayan Region to a warm welcome by the tour staff. You will then be taken for lunch in the town center of Paro. Then we begin with your sightseeing by driving to Thimphu
• On the drive to Thimphu, we stop at Tachogang Lhakhang Bridge for a photo session
• Visit the Buddha Dordenma in the afternoon, which is a gigantic statue of Shakyamuni Buddha overlooking the Thimphu Valley.
• Then, it is the Heritage Museum, which is housed in a large house built 300 years ago.
• The day finally ends with a visit to Tashichho Dzong, which is a Buddhist Monastery cum fortress built-in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanapa.
Day 2: Thimphu – Drive to Punakha for Sightseeing.
Completing breakfast, we go to the Memorial Chorten, a Chorten built-in memory of the late Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in 1974. Then we head to the Takin Zoo, to see the strange-looking Takin that is the national animal of Bhutan. Once this is completed, we drive to Punakha:
• The drive takes us over the Dochula Pass at 3,100 meters. Where we stop to get a panoramic view of the high snow-capped mountain peaks.
• Punakha dzong – In the afternoon, we pay a visit to the Punakha Dzong, a fortress constructed in 1637 by the first Rinpoche Ngawang Namgyal, which is the second oldest and largest in Bhutan
• Cantilever Bridge – We cross the cantilever bridge to the other side of Po Chhu River to the other side. This wood covered bridge gives us a lovely view of the immediate surroundings.
• Chimi Lhakhang – Is a temple five kilometers to the east of Punakha Dzong, which we pay a visit to. It is a temple dedicated to Drukpa Kunley, affectionately called the divine madman. This temple is visited by infertile couples.
Day 3: Drive from Punakha to Gangtey via Wangdue
Today, after an early Breakfast, we drive to Wangdue before going to Gangtey. At Wangdue, we stop for a while a pay a visit to the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong at the junction of two rivers. It gives a view of both sides of it with impressive views. Then we drive onto Gantey over the Tashi-la Pass. In Gangtey, we pay a visit to the Gangtey Gompa on the hill top. In Gangtey, we stay the night at the hotel.
Day 4: Drive from Gangtey to Thimphu
Today, we return to Thimphu in a long drive after taking in the sights there. The return drive takes us past some Dzongs and Monastery and the wonderful sights of rural Bhuta.
Day 5: Thimphu – Day excursion to Haa Valley (2740m) – Return to Paro
Today, after completing breakfast, we take a two-hour drive to Haa Valley, which is a pass to the remotes parts of Bhutan in the North West. Take a short walk will take you across the most scenic views of the valley and the alpine Kalli Pass. After enjoying our excursion in Haa Valley, we return to Paro.
Day 6: Paro – Visit to Taktsang Monastery
Today, we drive to the base of Taktsang Monastery and take a two and half hike up to the Taktsang Monastery, through some groves of pine and rhododendron trees with views of the surrounding land changing increase in elevation. The Taktsang Monastery which seems perched against the cliff is nearly 3000 meters above sea level. It is believed the Guru Rinpoche came flying here on the back of a tigress to meditate for three months. Later we return to Paro and can spend the remaining time around the streets of Paro.
Day 7: Depart Bhutan
Now, since your tour is complete, we shall take you to the International Airport and bid you farewell for your flight to your next destination.
Note: This itinerary is a sample itinerary intended to give you a general idea of a trip to Bhutan. We can tailor an itinerary to suit your requirements and interests. Please contact us to customized the exact itinerary you desire.
