BEAUTY OF WESTERN AND CENTRAL BHUTAN

Day 01| Arrive at Paro Intl. airport and drive towards Thimphu valley

Altitude of Paro Valley – 2,250 m / 7,382 ft
Driving distance Paro to Thimphu – 2 hours (65 km)

When you first arrive at Paro International Airport, our delightful tour guides just outside the arrival hall will welcome you. At 2,235m above sea level, the first thing you will likely notice is the effect of the high altitudes, so we will give you time to acclimate as we take an hour and a half drive towards Thimphu valley.

We end the day with a visit to Dechen Phodrang monastery meaning “Palace of Great Bliss” located at the north end of Thimphu town. Built in the 12^th century, it is one of the original dzongs of Bhutan and currently serves as a Monastic school where over four hundred monks are enrolled.

Program of the day:

• Reception at Paro International Airport
• Drive towards Thimphu valley
• Visit Dechen Phodrang Monastery
• Hotel check in
• Dinner at a local restaurant

Day 02 | Drive towards Punakha valley 

Altitude of Punakha Valley – 1,310 m / 4,300 ft
Driving distance Thimphu to Punakha – 2 hours 30 minutes (72 km)

Today we travel to Punakha valley, the former capital of Bhutan until 1955, and will stop off at Dochula Pass along the way. This popular tourist spot provides stunning 360-degree views of the Himalayas. It is also home to the 108 Druk Wangyal stupas that were built on a small hill to memorialize the Bhutanese soldiers killed in a 2003 battle with Assamese insurgents from India.

 Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Stop en route at Dochula pass to view the stunning panoramic view of the Himalayan Mountains
• Lunch at Lobesa in a local restaurant
• Visit Sangchen Lhendup Nunnery and witness the gigantic stupa, which resembles the Boudhanath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. You will also get the opportunity to get a panoramic view of Punakha valley.
• Hotel check in
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 03 | Hike to Khamsum Yulley Chorten and visit Punakha Dzong

Hiking distance – 45 minutes

Enjoy the day exploring some of the many sites around Punakha, including Khansum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by the third Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon wangchuck this Chorten is a splendid example of the Bhutanese architecture and art and is the only one of its kind in the world. It has been built over eight and a half years and its details have been drawn from religious scripture.

We will tour what is considered one of the most beautiful site in Bhutan, Punakha Dzong. Sitting at the fork of two rivers, it is a stunning example of Bhutanese architecture. Built in 1637, it is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan. It was also the location of the royal wedding of Bhutan’s current king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck to Jetsun Pema in 2011.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Hike to Khamsum Yulley Namgyel Chorten, a 45-minute hike from the Punakha suspension bridge, amid viridian infused pastures and untouched jade-hued woodlands. Socialize with local farmers, glimpsing the simple and humble traditions of the Bhutanese people and their way of life.
• Picnic Lunch at Zamling Thang near river side
• Visit Punakha Dzong
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 04 | Drive towards Trongsa Valley and visit Trongsa Dzong (Fortress) 

Altitude of Trongsa valley – 2,200 m/ 7,200 ft
Driving distance Punakha to Trongsa  – 5 hours (142 km)

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive towards Trongsa valley
• Lunch at the hotel in Trongsa
• Visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong at a striking location, is an important administrative building, providing the headquarters of the government of Trongsa district.
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 05 | Drive towards Bumthang and visit Jambay and Kurje Lhakhang 

Altitude of Bumthang valley – 2,800 m/ 9,185 ft
Driving distance Trongsa to Bumthang  – 3 hours (85 km)

Bumthang Valley is known as the heartland of Buddhism in Bhutan. In 746 AD, it is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here to exorcise a demon from the king and then converted the people to Buddhism, restoring peace to the region. Guru Rinpoche stayed in the valley to build more than 40 temples.

Upon arriving Bumthang valley we will first visit the 7th century Jambay Lhakhang. It dates back to the origins of Buddhism in Bhutan and is one of the Kingdoms oldest temples, after lunch we will proceed to Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom where Bhutan’s patron saint Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body print on the cliff.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive towards Bumthang valley
• Visit Jambay Lhakahng
• Picnic Lunch near Kurje Lhakhang
• Visit Kurje Lhakhang
• Hotel check in
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 6 | Hike to Zhuk Dra and Zhabjae Thang

Drive towards the basement of Zhuk Dra, which takes around 2 hours of bumpy road drive from the hotel and hike up to Zhuk Dra that would take 30 minutes.

Zhuk Dra is one of the most sacred temples in Bumthang valley. It is one of the four main scared cliffs founded by the Tibetan saint Guru Padmasambhava (lit. “Lotus-Born) also known as Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Bhutan in the 8^th century.

We will proceed to visit Zhab Jae Thang temple, another very old and sacred temple owned by a family.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive towards Zhuk Dra base
• Picnic Lunch near Zhab Jae Thang
• Visit Zhab Jae Thang Temple
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 7 | Hike upto Tharpaling Monastery 

Tharpaling Monastery is situated above Chumey valley at 3,600m.

Overlooking the breathtaking valley of Chumey, Tharpaling Monastery, or the place of liberation, is a beautiful complex attracting innumerable tourists and locals alike. It is believed to have been first established around 12th century by Lorepa, a Drukpa Kagyupa Master from Tibet. The main part of the monastery was founded by Longchenpa or Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363) during his self-exile from Tibet. This monastery was also used as a place of meditation by Jigme Lingpa, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. The monastery contains statues of Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa in meditation posture and frescoes of the lineage of Longchenpa and Jigme Lingpa. Above the Tharpaling Monastery (to the north) is the Chodrak Monastery, a place where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated and the first settlement here is attributed to the Drukpa Kagyupa master, Lorepa (1187-1250), who founded Chodrak. Above Chodrak Monastery is the meditation cave of Guru Rinpoche, Longchenpa and a rock throne, where Longchenpa wrote part of the Seven Treasures. Tharpaling is known for Longchen Rabjampa, who was a major teacher in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. His major work Seven Treasures encapsulates the previous 600 years of Buddhist thought in Tibet.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive towards Tharpling monastery base and hike up to the monastery
• Picnic lunch at Chodrak monastery
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 8 | Fly to Paro valley and visit Dumtse Lhakhang 

The beautiful valley of Paro is home to many of Bhutan’s old monasteries and temples. The country’s only airport is in Paro. The valley is also home to Mount Jomolhari (7, 300m) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pa Chhu flowing through the valley.

We will visit Dumtse Lhakhang, built in 1421 by Drupthob Thangtong Gyalpo, the great iron bridge builder. The three floor of Dumtse Lhakhang represents hell, earth and heaven. The current structure of the Lhakhang was built in 1841 by Sherab Gyeltshen the 25th Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive towards Jakar domestic airport
• Visit Dumtse Lhakhang upon arriving Paro valley
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 9 | Drive towards Haa valley/ brief stop en route to take in some breathtaking Himalayan vistas at Chelela

After breakfast at your hotel, we will be driven to Haa valley, with a brief stop en route to take in some breathtaking Himalayan vistas at Chelela which, at 3,810 metres (12,500 feet) above sea level is the highest paved road in Bhutan.

Upon arriving Haa valley we will visit to the Lhakhang Karpo or ‘White Chapel’ complex, just south of Haa’s Dzong (fortress). The Lhakhang has an atmospheric central chapel which houses statues of the Tse-la-nam Sum trinity.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Drive towards Haa valley, stop at Chelela pass
• Visit Lhakhang Karpo
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 10 | Hike to Juneydrak Hermitage and drive back to Paro valley after lunch

Juneydrak Hermitage is also known as Juneydrag. The Cliff side retreat contains a footprint of Machig Labdrom (1055-1132), the female Tibetan tantric practitioner who perfected the Chod (ritual). Where by one visualizes one’s own dismemberment in an act of ego annihilation. It’s also possible to hike to Juneydrak from Wangtsa village, joining the main trail near the Chorten Dangrim. Figure on 2½ hours from Wangtsa to Katsho village. From just below the hermitage, a rough trail scrambles up the hillside and curves round the exposed bluff. Don’t attempt this if you are afraid of heights or if it’s raining; simply return from Juneydrak the way you came.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Hike towards Juneydrak Hermitage
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Drive back to Paro
• Dinner at the Hotel in Paro

Day 11 | Hike to Chumphu Lhakhang 

Hiking distance – 6 hours walk

After breakfast we will set off early for a hike to Chumphu Monastery, where the floating statue of Dorji Phamo (Vajravarahi) is situated. It is believed that Goddess Dorji Phamo flew here from Tibet and stayed on in the form of a statue. It is a life-sized statue and it is believed that the statue is floating, some people test this belief by passing a money note below her feet and it passes through smoothly without a hitch. The serenity of this temple is just amazing.

It takes about 1 hour drive to the base and leaving your vehicle the walk is casual and not too tiring as the hike path goes through the forest with lot of shades and cool breeze.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the Hotel
• Set off early for Chumphu Hike
• Picnic lunch at Chumphu Lhakhang
• Dinner at the Hotel

Alternate program for those who cannot do the long hike to Chumphu Lhakhang

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Visit Drukgyel Dzong where you will get to enjoy the stunning view of the sacred Jomolhari mountain standing between the boarder of Tibet and Bhutan
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Visit Paro fortress, which is ranked as a high point of Bhutanese architecture. The massive buttressed walls that tower over the town are visible throughout the valley. It was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly and now, like most dzongs, houses both the monastic body and district government offices, including the local courts.
• Dinner at the Hotel

Day 12 |Teaching Session with a Buddhist Lama

Program of the day:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• Visit the local monastery where you will receive an audience with the Lama
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Relax for the day

Day 13 | Hike to Tigers Nest

On our final tour day, we take an exhilarating two-hour hike to Taktsang Monastery (or Tiger’s Nest), one of the most recognizable sites in Bhutan. Built precariously on a hillside cliff, it sits more than 10,000 feet above sea level. Accessible only by foot, we follow a trail decorated with colorful prayer flags along the way to protect travelers from evil spirits. Built over the caves that Guru Padmasambhava meditated in for three years, this eighth-century father of Bhutan Buddhism is said to have been brought there on the back of a tigress. One of the most sacred sites in Bhutan it offers breathtaking views to those energetic enough to make it to the top.

Thereafter, spend the rest of the day at leisure in Paro, take a stroll around Paro Town to pick up some souvenirs.

For people who cannot do the hike at all, site seeing around the Paro valley will be arranged.

Program of the day:

• Breakfast in the hotel
• Visit Dzongdrakha Goempa where you will see a group of monastery overlooking the Paro Valley. The temples are situated on the cliffs above the terraced fields of village called Bondhey. The local chief, Chogay Dragpa, built the temples in the 16th century. There are four temples, which are dedicated to Tara, Tsheringma, Guru and Jowo Jampa.
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Visit Dumtse Lhakhang, an unusual stupa-like temple that was built in 1433 by the iron-bridge builder Drubthob Thangtong Gyalpo. You will see his mural by the entrance. The atmospheric temple was built to subdue a demoness and the pilgrim path winds clockwise up through the temple core, passing some of the finest murals in Bhutan, representing hell, earth and heaven on three floors. It’s essential to bring a good torch to see centuries old paintings on the wall
• Dinner at the Hotel

Day 14 | International Departure 

Today we will bid fond farewell to this beautiful Himalayan country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you would have kept many photos and beautiful memories of Bhutan! And we look forward to seeing you again in this beautiful land of endless Enchantments. Tashi Delek!

Trip Highlights:

• Witness spectacular bird’s eye view of the Himalayas while flying in/out from Bhutan
• Explore Bhutan’s important spiritual & pilgrimage sites
• Visit Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful monastery in Bhutan
• Explore the spiritual heartland of Bhutan -Bumthang valley
• Explore some of the most important monasterie and temples in Bumthang valley
• Private audience with HH Kyapgoen Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche
• Hike to Taktsang Monastery ‘Tiger’s Nest’- one of the most famous monastery in Bhutan and the sacred Chumphu Lhakhang
• Explore hidden jewel of Bhutan – Haa valley

We provide a full package for the Bhutan tour which includes the followings:

• A minimum of 3 star accommodations
• All meals in Bhutan
• English speaking tour guides
• All internal ground transportation
• USD 100 Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) in Bhutan
• International Air fares Kathmandu – Paro – Kathmandu
• Domestic Airfare Bumthang – Paro
• Visa for Bhutan
• Mineral drinking water
• All entrance fees

The Bhutan tour package price do not include the followings:

• Travel and medical insurance, personal expenses, calls, laundries.
• Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry, etc
• Alcoholic Beverages
• tips for guides and drivers

 TASHI DELEK!