Classical Bhutan

This morning you will start the day by visiting the National Chorten Memorial - The National Chorten Memorial was built in memory of the Third DrukGyalpo and is dedicated to World Peace. The Chorten is a large white structure crowned with a golden spire. The paintings and statues inside the monument provide a profound insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Buddha Point (KuenselPhodrang) Located a short drive from the city center of Thimphu, the viewpoint of the Buddha where a huge bronze statue of Buddha is located. You get a good overview of the Thimphu Valley from Buddha's Point.

Folk Heritage Museum - It is housed in a traditional 19th-century three-story house. The museum is dedicated to connecting people with Bhutan's rich folk heritage and rural history through exhibitions, demonstrations, educational programs, and documentation of rural life in Bhutan.

Zorig Chusum Institute - The National Institute of Zorig Chusum or as it is commonly called "the school of painting" teaches students the 13 traditional arts of Bhutan. On a visit, students can be seen learning the various skills that are taught in the school.

National Library - The history of Bhutan is printed in archaic texts, which are kept in the National Library. The depository rooms of the archives house many important documents including old records, ancient letters, and about seven thousand important photographs. In addition to thousands of manuscripts and ancient texts, the library also has modern academic books and printing blocks for prayer flags.

Lunch followed by some more visits including following -
Textile Museum - Museum is worth a visit to learn about the living national art of weaving. The exhibitions present the main weaving techniques, local clothing styles, and textiles made by women and men.

Handicrafts Shops - A wide assortment of colorful, handwoven textiles and other craft products are available for purchase at the government-run Handicrafts Emporium and many smaller crafts shops around the town.

End the day's tour with a visit to Trashichhoedzong, "the fortress of the glorious religion". This is the center of government and religion, the site of the monarch's throne room and the seat of Je Khenpo or the main abbot. Built-in 1641 by Bhutan's political and religious unifier, ShabdrungNgawangNamgyel, it was rebuilt in the 1960s in the traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Gangtey through Do Chula Pass (3,080 m). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large prayer flag and Chorten of Bhutan. Do Chula Pass offers the most spectacular view of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

Gangtey and phobjika Valley is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places located near the center of Bhutan. It is a very attractive glacial valley a few kilometres beyond Gangtey Monastery.

On arrival in Gangtey, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit to Gangtey Gompa (monastery), Situated atop a hill at an altitude of 2800 m, Gangtey Monastery, is an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. From here one can have a stunning view of Phobjikha valley. The monastery is surrounded by small village with traditional houses that adds the beauty of the place.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel

After an early breakfast, drive to Bumthnag via Trongsa crossing the Pele-la pass (3300m/10830 ft). It is the corridor that leads to Central Bhutan. Pele is marked by a glorious chorten and a massive assortment of prayer flags fluttering across a hill.

On the way, stop at Chendbji Chorten, which has a similar design to the Swayambhunath stupa in Kathmandu, with eyes painted on four cardinal points.

Continue drive to drive Bumthang across the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft) finally brings you to wide open cultivated Bumthang valley.

Bumthang – Bumthang is the religious heartland of the nation and home to some of the oldest Buddhist temples and monasteries. Consists of four smaller valleys namely Tang, Ura, Choekhor, and Chumey. This dzongkhag is one of the most richly endowed districts in terms of historical and spiritual legacy. Some of Bhutan’s oldest and most venerated temples are found in Bumthang. The fertile valleys of Bumthang are covered in fields of buckwheat, rice, and potatoes. Apple orchards and dairy farms are also common sights here. This serene region is one of the most peaceful places in the kingdom.

On arrival in Bumthang, transfer to hotel.

Dinner & Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast, visit Kurje Lhakhang, which consists of three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 on the rock wall where Guru is said to have meditated in the 8th century. The second temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the footprint of Guru's body and is therefore considered the most sacred. The third temple was built in the 1990s by Ashi Kesang, the Queen Mother. These three temples are surrounded by a wall of 108 chorten.

Later visit Jambey Lhakhang- This monastery was built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo. It is one of the 108 monasteries he built to subdue the evil spirits in the Himalayan region.

Post-lunch visit to Jakar Dzong ("White Bird Castle"). Founded by the great-grandfather of the first Shabdrung, the Dzong was initially built as a monastery in 1549. It was improved after Shabdrung had firmly established his power in 1646.

Next, travel to Tamshing Lhakhang, the temple founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. The monastery has very old religious paintings such as 1,000 Buddhas and 21 Taras (female form of Buddhistava).

Later in the evening, visit Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery- Located above the main town, the monastery was founded by Namkhai Nyingpo Rinpoche in 1984, who was recognized at a very young age by H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama and H.H. the 16th Karmapa as the reincarnation of a Tibetan lama.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Punakha

Punakha is one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Until 1955, Punakha was the capital of Bhutan for over 300 years before the government moved it to Thimphu in 1955. Punakha valley has a pleasant climate with warm winters and hot summers. It is located at an average elevation of 1200 m above sea level. The green valley’s behind the town forms a perfect backdrop for nature lovers. Due to the favourable climatic conditions, rice is the main crop cultivated in the region.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy the sightseeing of Punakha.

Enjoy a beautiful hike (total about 2 hours walk) takes one to the regal KhamsumYuelleyNamgelChorten, which was built to protect Bhutan from evil forces and help bring peace to the world. The Chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu river and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond.

In the afternoon visit the PunakhaDzong is one of the most beautiful monasteries in the country. It is built at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers in 1637 by ZhabdrungNgawangNamgyel. This dzong was the second to be built in Bhutan and it served as the capital and seat of government until the mid-1950s. PunakhaDzong is 180 meters long and 72 meters wide, and the central tower is six stories high.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Paro. On the way enjoy an excursion to ChimiLhakhang, it is about 15 minutes drive to the passable road and then the walk begins through rice fields and villages. This is a total of approximately 1 ½ hour walk, including the return trip - The ChimiLhakhang is also known as Fertility Temple. It is referred to as a place of magic and miracles. The childless couples visit this temple for a blessing from Monk. The path leads through rice fields to the small settlement of Pana, which means "field". A walk through the village near the temple will give you a glimpse of the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.

After the visit, continue to drive to Paro

Paro - Paro rises to an altitude of 2200 m / 7218 ft above sea level. The beautiful valley of Paro holds within it a rich culture, scenic beauty, and hundreds of myths and legends. It is home to many of Bhutan's oldest temples and monasteries, the National Museum, and the country's only International airport.

On arrival in Paro, transfer to the hotel.

Visit the Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. It is located on the bank of River Mangde is a Conch shaped fortress. The extensive collection includes ancient thangka paintings, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects, and a rich variety of natural and historical artifacts.

Lunch, Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, enjoy an excursion to Taktshang Monastery (Tigers nest) (5 hours walk):

Tiger’s Nest Monastery is one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious sites. It is perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the ground in the Paro Valley and the main temple complex was built in 1692. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on a tigress’ back to subdue a local demon. Thereafter, he meditated here for three months in the 08th century. Therefore, it is called "Tiger's Nest. It is an uphill trail the entire way but not overly steep, it is very much doable for most people. This exhilarating journey offers breath-taking views along the way.

Lunch in a local restaurant.

On the way, visit 7th-century KyichuLhakhang, It is one of the ancient, quiet, and beautiful temples in Bhutan. The construction of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism to Bhutan. The temple is popularly believed to have been built in 659 by King Songtsen of Tibet.

In the evening, exploratory walk along the main street and market.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Paro (Flight) departure