Bhutan has a rich and unique cultural heritage that has largely remained intact because of its isolation from the rest of the world until the early 1960s. One of the main attractions for tourists is the country's culture and traditions. Bhutanese tradition is deeply steeped in its Buddhist heritage. Hinduism is the second dominant religion in Bhutan, being most prevalent in the southern regions
Destination
- Paro – Thimphu
- Punakha –Tongsa
- Trongsa – Bumthang
- Gangtey/wangdue
Highlight
- Full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley
- rossing Dochu la pass, it is one of the most beautiful pass among all the passes in Bhutan
- Visit the oldest Temple Kychu Lhakhang built in 7th century before the Buddhism come to Bhutan
- Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful valley, during winter more then 400 endangered species of Black Necked Crane
Brief Itinerary:
Day 01. Delhi/Bangkok - Paro – Thimphu (1hour)
Day 02. Thimphu
Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha (3 hours)
Day 4. Punakha -Tongsa (6 hours)
Day 5. Trongsa – Bumthang (3hours)
Day 6. Bumthang Sightseeing
Day 7. Bumthang – Gangtey/wangdue. (5hours)
Day 8. Gangtey/wangdue – Paro (6 hours)
Day 9. Paro – excursion/ hike to Taktshang monastery
Day 10.Paro – Bangkok/Delhi
Day 01. Delhi/Bangkok - Paro – Thimphu (1hour)
Bhutan Dynasty Travel, who is going to be your guide throughout your trip in Bhutan, will be at the airport in Paro to receive you in traditional Bhutanese manner. Thereafter, drive to Paro town for hot tea and scroll in the main town. Transfer to Thimphu, 1 hour drive from Paro. Dinner and overnight at your hotel
Day 02. Thimphu
Today's full day of sightseeing in Thimphu valley includes:
National Library:
Which holds a vast collection of Buddhist texts and manuscripts, some dating back several hundred years, as well as modern academic books mainly on Himalayan culture and religion.
Zorig Chusum: Commonly known as the Painting School, the Institute offers a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan. On a visit one can see students learning the various skills taught at the school.
National Memorial Chorten: The building of this landmark was envisaged by the third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wang chuck, as a monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it is both a memorial to the Late King ("the father of modern Bhutan").
The National Library was established in the late 1960s primarily to conserve the literary treasures which form a significant part of Bhutan’s culture heritage. It now houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature mostly in block-printed format, with some works several hundred years old. This collection, known as the Choekey Collection, mainly comprises Buddhist literature written in Choekey, the religious script of Northern Buddhism, but also includes works written in Tibetan and in Dzongkha, Bhutan's national language. There is also a small Foreign Books Collection, stock of which mainly comprises works written in English, with subject interest on Buddhist studies, Bhutan, the Himalayan region and neighboring countries. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3. Thimphu – Punakha (3 hours)
After breakfast drive to Punakha, crossing Dochu la pass 3050m, it is one of the most beautiful pass among all the passes, on a clear day you will see all the Himalayan mountain peaks, descending to Punakha is the sub-tropical vegetation, where farmer grows all most all kind of fruits and cash crops. Visit Punakha Dzong located in between two rivers, mo Chu (Female River) from its left and pho Chu (Male River) from its right. It is one of the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Option, if you have time, hike to the temple of the fertility through the farm houses and rice field. Hike will take about 45 Mint.
Day 4. Punakha -Tongsa (6 hours)
Drive starts after early breakfast through the beautiful scenery; you will soon pass Wang due main down town, where many people from different villages come for the shopping. Soon after you will ascend to Pelela pass, 3100m. Crossing the Black Mountain National Park you will reach to chendeji chorten, a Nepali style stupa. After lunch continue to Trongsa. Soon after the beautiful drive, you will see Trongsa Dzong located in the trunk of the valley. It is largest Dzong in Bhutan. Check in hotel.
Day 5. Trongsa – Bumthang (3hours)
Trongsa Dzong:
Built in 1648, it was the seat of power over central and eastern Bhutan. Both the first and second Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (“governor”) prior to ascending the throne, and the present Crown Prince now holds the post. The dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built. Because of the dzong's highly strategic position, on the only connecting route between east and west, the Trongsa Penlope was able to control effectively the whole of the central and regions of the country from here.
Ta-Dzong:
This watchtower, which once guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion, stands on a steep slope above the town, coinciding with the centenary coronation in 2008; Ta Dzong is converted into Museum. Drive to Bumthang crossing Yotongla pass, 3,500m. You will reached to Chummey valley, stop for yak hair weaving centre. Half hour drive from Chummey will get to Bumthang valley. Check in the hotel.
Day 6. Bumthang Sightseeing
Jambay lhakhang:
This monastery was built in the 7th century by the Tibetain King, Songsten Gampo. It is one of 108 monasteries which he built to subdue evil spirits in the Himalayan region. Its present architectural appearance dates from the early 20th century.
Kurjey lhakhang:
Located further along the valley, Kurje Lhakhang comprises three temples. The one on the right was built in 1652 against the rock where Guru Padmasambhava medicated in the 8th century. The middle temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of Guru’s body, and is therefore considered to be the most holy. The temple on the left was built in the 1990s by H.M. Ashi Keasang, the Queen mother. These three temples are surrounded by a 108 chorten walls. Tamshing Goenpa: Located across the river from Kurje Lhakhang. This temple was founded in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, a re-incarnation of Guru Padmasambhava. There are very old religious paintings around the inner walls of the temple, which was restored at the end of the 19th century.
Day 7. Bumthang – Gangtey/wangdue. (5hours)
After early breakfast drive to Phobjikha valley via Trongsa, stop at chendeji for your lunch. Phobjikha is one of the most beautiful valley, during winter more then 400 endangered species of Black Necked Crane comes to these valley crossing the Tibetan plateau, we have a Black Necked Crane Festival on 11, 12 and 13th November every year Coinciding with the birth anniversary of 4th Druk Gyelpo(king). According to old folk, it was believed to be the glacier valley. People of the valley cultivate main cash crop as potatoes. There is no electricity in the valley instead they have solar power. Dinner at hotel.
Day 8. Gangtey/wangdue – Paro (6 hours)
Drive to Paro re crossing Dochu la pass, it is one of the most beautiful pass among all the passes in Bhutan, once again to see the Himalaya. Drive via Thimphu to Paro. If time permits visit National museum and Rimpung Dzong.
Day 9. Paro – excursion/ hike to Taktshang monastery
Taktshang monastery is the most famous monastery in Bhutan, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the floor of Paro valley, where the only sounds are murmurs of wind and water and the chanting of Monks. The name Taktshang means Tiger's Nest; the Guru is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on the back of tigress. He then mediated here in the cave for 3 months to flourished Buddhism all over the Bhutan. Here you will visit two main Temple where Guru mediated in the cave and the Guru's image miraculously un touched by the fire in 1998. Lunch will be serving in the café way back to car park. After visit Drugyel Dzong which was built in 17th century to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders. Visit the oldest Temple Kychu Lhakhang built in 7th century before the Buddhism come to Bhutan. Check in the hotel.
Day 10.Paro – Bangkok/Delhi
Thanks for visited Bhutan, hope you enjoyed the true Bhutan