Pilgrimage Tour to Bhutan 11 Days/ 10 Nights

Bhutan, a country with beautiful valleys, you can visit the watch tower of Paro valley from 1616 A.D to 1907 and it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. You can wind down into a warm fertile valley and meander along a gently flowing aquamarine river that leads you to the Punakha valley..

Destination

•  Paro-Thimphu
• Punakha-Phobjikha valley
• Phobjikha-Bumthang
• Wangdue-Paro via Thimphu

Highlight

• Visit the watch tower of Paro valley from 1616 A.D to 1907 and it was converted into the National Museum in 1968
• Hike to Chimed lhakhang, the fertility temple of Saint Drukpa Kuenley known popularly as 'the divine madman'
• Bumthang Valley one of the most beautiful valleys in the kingdom

Brief Itinerary:

Day 01. Bangkok/Delhi -Paro 

Day 02. Paro-Thimphu (B)

Day 3. Thimphu-Punakha (B)

Day 4. Punakha-Phobjikha valley (B)

Day 5. Phobjikha-Bumthang (B)

Day 6. Bumthang Valley (B)

Day 7. Bumthang Valley (B)

Day 8. Bumthang-Wangdue  (B)

Day 9. Wangdue-Paro via Thimphu (B)

Day 10. Paro valley Spiritual day Excursion to Tiger Nest and Sightseeing around Thimphu (B). 

Day 01. Bangkok/Delhi -Paro
Depart Bangkok international airport by our druk-Air (Royal Bhutan Airline). On arrival at Paro international airport, you will be received by our representative and escorted you to hotel. After an early lunch, you'll visit the national museum (Ta-dzong). Once it was the watch tower of Paro valley from 1616 A.D to 1907 and it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum stands on a promontory overlooking the Paro valley. Also visit the Paro dzong which is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. Built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is called Rinpung Dzong the (Fortress of the heap of jewels) stands on a hill above Paro Township. The central tower (utse) of the dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the country. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02. Paro-Thimphu (B)
Paro to Thimphu. After breakfast transfer to Thimphu (about 2 hours drive). Check into hotel on arrival at Thimphu; go to Bhutan National Bank for currency exchange and then you can get an opportunity to purchase exquisite collector Bhutanese stamps. In the afternoon visit the National memorial chorten which was built in 1974 in Memory of the third king; the Folk Heritage museum, arts and crafts, and visit Chang Gangkha Monastery. In the evening you can walk in the town and then Dinner at Bhutan Kitchen. Over Night at the Hotel.

Day 3. Thimphu-Punakha (B)
Thimphu to Punakha. (The ancient capital of Bhutan) is 3 hours drive from Thimphu across Dochu-La Pass. (Alt. 11,400 ft) snow-capped eastern Himalayan ranges can be seen on a clear day. Prayer flags will flutter you over the pass deeper into the essence of Bhutan. Once you cross the pass, you wind down into a warm fertile valley and meander along a gently flowing aquamarine river that leads you to the Punakha valley. Check into your hotel Zangtoperi Hotel. After lunch visit the Punakha dzong, the winter residence of the Je khempo (chief abbot). Punakha dzong is the second dzong system built in Bhutan by Shebdrung Nawang Namgyel in the year 1637. The Dzong is said to be the most beautiful of Dzong in Bhutan; it is an outstanding structure with intense artwork. Then you can walk through the valley on the other shore of the river. Then over Night at the Hotel.

Day 4. Punakha-Phobjikha valley (B)
In the morning, Hike to Chimed lhakhang, the fertility temple of Saint Drukpa Kuenley known popularly as 'the divine madman'. Then visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong, which sit majestically on a steep ridge over looking the highway those forks to the east and south of the country. Then drive to Phobjikha valley, on the way visit one of the most beautiful oldest monasteries in Bhutan which is renovated by 9th Gangtey Tulku Rimpoche. Then over night at the Hotel.

Day 5. Phobjikha-Bumthang (B)
Phobjikha to Bumthang valley (5 1/2 hour drive). After breakfast we depart towards Bumthang passing over Pele la (11,000 ft) And Yotungla pass. Here we get our first glimpse of the Black mountains. High Himalayan Mountains Such As Jumolhari are in view amidst hundreds of prayers flags; blessings abound. As we continue onwards we begin to get our first glimpse of the incredible massive dzong - Trongsa dzong; an architectural Wonder! Trongsa medieval watchtower and the great Mangde chu (river) enhance Trongsa dzong in its exceptional beauty and grandeur. We now stop to visit Trongsa dzong; ancestral home of the royal family. Built in 1648 ad it is presently the administrative seat of the district and the home of the monastic school. Built at split-levels on a narrow spur, the dzong offers magical wonder. The watchtower, located directly above the dzong, has on display many interesting armors and other weapons of war used by ancient warriors. Continue onwards to Jakar. Overnight at teh Hotel/Lodge.

Day 6. Bumthang Valley (B)
The valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the kingdom. It is also the religious heartland where many saints and masters meditated leaving their imprints as sacred places of worship and pilgrimage Tales of Pedmasambhava dominate these holy shrines. In the morning visit, Jampa Lhakhang which is built by Tibetain King Songtshen Gempo in 7th century and then drive to Kurji Lhakhang were body imprints of Guru Rimpoche remain s preserved upon a rock. Then short hike to Tamzhing Monastery. If the weather is clear, you will enjoy the view of green valley, dotted with hundreds tempals, thousand flags and beautiful chamkhar river flow through the valley. The valley is also called mini Switzerland of Bhutan. Then Drive to Swiss Guest House for pure westerner lunch which is cooked by the proprietor himself. Then visit Jakar Dzong and Old place of Wangdicholling. Over night at the same Lodge.

Day 7. Bumthang Valley (B)
Visit Tang Member Tsho (Burning Lake), Saint Pemalingpa had discovered several hidden treasure from the Lake. Then drive to Tang valley then hike to Ugyencholling Place. There you can see the dzong and museum and cluster village of ugyencholling. You can also see the view of whole valley valley from the ugyencholling. Then on the way back, visit the only Buddhist Institute who provides degree in Buddhist philosophy for women. It is founded by 9th Gangtey Tulku Rinpoche. Then back to Hotel.

Day 8. Bumthang-Wangdue  (B)
Depart Bumthang towards the west; 8 hour drive today to Wangdue; rest in your vehicle and photo stops and Lunch at Changibe. Today is a rest day in the van. Arrival Wangdue. Overnight at the Resort/Hotel.

Day 9. Wangdue-Paro via Thimphu (B)
Depart today to Thimphu for Bhutanese handicraft purchase and lunch. Continue onward to Paro and for overnight at Hotel.

Day 10. Paro valley Spiritual day Excursion to Tiger Nest and Sightseeing around Thimphu (B)
Right after the breakfast drive towards the road point to Taktshang. Taktshang Monastery, the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries is perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. Taktshang means "Tiger's Nest," so named because Guru Rimpoche reportedly flew to the site of the monastery on the back of a flying tiger in the late centuries of the first millennium. The monastery is perched on a cliff nearly 3,000 ft above the Paro valley floor. This day hike is not only historically and culturally interesting, but also incredibly scenic!
It takes about two hours to reach the cafeteria, which gives a breathtaking view of the Tiger’s Nest. From Cafeteria it takes 1 hours to reach the main temple. This day hike is not only historically and culturally interesting, but also incredibly scenic! After returning from the Tiger Nest then visit Kyichu Temple, which, according to Bhutanese tradition, was initially built by a Tibetan King, Songtsen Gonpo, in the seventh century. Then to Dungtshi Lhakhang founded by Drubthop Thongthong Gyelpo (Iron chain bridge builder) in the 12th century. Then walk in the market.

Day 11. Paro Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel, free at leisure until trasnfer to airport for flight departure.