Highlights of Bhutan

Welcome to Bhutan! Upon arrival in Paro, you will be met by our representative and taken to the weekend market, where vendors from throughout the region will arrive on Friday afternoon and continue to sell their goods until Sunday evening. This is a fascinating place to visit, where residents will jostle for the highest quality and cheapest vegetables and foodstuff. This is the only time that fresh produce will be available, and the shopping will be enhanced by your opportunity to catch up with the weeks latest gossip. After lunch in a local restaurant, you may visit the Paro Dzong and historic fortress which now houses the government administration offices and the district Monastic Body. Your guide will take you on a short hike down to the cantilever bridge, which is featured in the film ‘Little Buddha. Your transport will pick you up from the other side of the river and take you back to Paro, where you may explore the town and then spend the evening at leisure. 




Overnight in Paro

After breakfast, you will be driven to Haa via the Chelela Pass (3900m – approximately 2 hours drive one way). If the weather is clear, you will uncover magnificent views of Mt. Jumolhari (7314 m) and Taktshang Goenpa (the Tigers Nest Monastery). The Haa Valley was only recently opened to visitors and continues to be one of the most pristine areas in Bhutan; the valley is dotted with fields of millet; barley, potatoes, wheat, and farmhouses are adorned with intricately painted cornices and frames. You will be able to see the Haa Dzong and stop for pictures before visiting a 100-year-old farmhouse owned by our local partners grandparents. This will give you a glimpse into the way of life of Bhutanese families living in the more remote areas. After a picnic lunch, you will explore the Haa Valley with a visit to Chundu Lhakhang at the Hatey Village and the Lhakhang (Temple), which will give you an insight into the history of the valley, before returning to Paro. 




Overnight in Paro

In the morning you will be transferred to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Upon arrival, you will visit the National Library — a tall stately building in the traditional Bhutanese style that boasts precious and religious manuscripts written in gold. After stopping at the Institute for Zorig Chosum – a painting school where the traditional style of Thangka painting is taught – you will visit the Folk Heritage Museum, where you will learn about rural Bhutanese life. After lunch, sightseeing will begin with a visit to the Memorial Chorten, a stupa built-in 1974 in honor of the 3rd King, His Late Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. The stupa is one of the most elegant masterpieces built in the 20th century, with religious wall paintings and sculptures shown in detail. Afterwards, you will visit the 14th-century Changangkha Lhakhang, which is also the focus of daily worship for many Thimphu residents. You will stop at Sangaygang – the viewpoint or “Lovers Point,” where young couples come to enjoy a birds eye view of the Thimphu valley — before visiting the Dupthob Lhakhang, a nunnery that has more than 70 practicing nuns. The last stop today will be the Handicrafts Emporium, where you will have the chance to shop for some local souvenirs.




Overnight in Thimphu

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Punakha – the ancient capital of Bhutan. The drive will take you across the Dochula Pass (3100 m), which is marked by a large Bhutanese style Chorten (a sacred structure), 108 small choetens, and prayer flags. If the weather is clear, you may enjoy breathtaking views of the high peaks of the Eastern Himalayas before passing down through magnificent pine and rhododendron forests and into Punakha. Upon arrival, you may check into your hotel and enjoy lunch. This afternoon, enjoy a hike to Chimi Lhakhang – a temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenlay. This is an easy hike (about 30 minutes each way) through the rice paddies and the Yuwakha Village. Spend the evening at leisure or pre-book the optional tour.




Overnight in Punakha

After an early breakfast, you will depart Punakha and begin your journey to Jakar. En-route you will visit the Wangduephodrang Dzong, built-in 1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, and enjoy breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. After stopping for lunch at Chendebji, you will continue your tour to Jakar via Trongsa, where the road will begin ascending to the Yutongla Pass (3400m). As you descend from the pass you will stop at the Chumey Village, where you will have time to admire the village weavers weaving woollen fabric popularly known as “Yathra”: Yathra is a specialty of the Bumthang Valley. The last stop of the day will be at Jakar — your base for the next few days. 




Overnight in Jakar

Today you may enjoy a moderate hike through forests of pine, oak, and juniper trees to the Tharpaling Monastery, a significant religious site. The main part of the monastery was built in 1352, but it has been restored several times, including by the First King (Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck) in the early 20th century. Today the monastery contains a stone throne that belonged to the monasterys founder, Longchen Ramjam. A throne is an object of devotion for many Buddhists. After a picnic lunch in Tharpaling, a shuttle will pick you up and take you back to your hotel for the night.




Overnight in Jakar

After breakfast, you will visit the Jambay Lhakhang. Legend has it this temple was one of the 108 built in a day across the Himalayas by King Songtsen Goenpo in the 7th Century. It is believed the temple was built to pin down the left knee of an ogress that prevented the spread of Buddhism across the Himalayas. Next, you will visit the three temples at Kurjey Lhakhang. The first temple is built on the site of a cave boasting a rock with the imprint of Guru Rinpoches body and is considered to be the holiest. The second temple was built by the first king of Bhutan, his Late Majesty Ugyen Wangchuck. The third temple is the youngest and was built by the present Royal Queen Mother, Her Majesty Azhi Kesang Choden Wangchuck. These temples are surrounded by 108 small choetens (Buddhist Stupas) forming a retaining wall, symbolic of each joint of the human body. After a visit to the Jakar Dzong (Fortress of the White Bird), you will be taken back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon you may explore the other side of the Chamkhar Valley on foot and visit the Tamzhing Monastery. This is an easy hike and offers breathtaking views of the Jakar Dzong, Wangduechoeling Palace (Summer Palace of the 2nd King), and Chamkhar Valley. Enjoy this evening at leisure.




Overnight in Jakar

In the morning you will depart Jakar and return to Punakha. En route, you will visit the Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) in Trongsa, which provides an insight into the historical significance of Trongsa in Bhutans history. The Tower has been renovated and converted into a museum to showcase Bhutans rich cultural heritage. After lunch at Chendebji, you will continue your journey to Punakha. Spend the evening at leisure.  




Overnight in Punakha

After breakfast, you may enjoy a guided hike to Khamsum Yuelay Namgyal Choeten, built-in 1994 by Her Majesty Azhi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck for the well-being of the people and the country. This is a moderate hike through rice paddies and pine forests that will take about 45 minutes one way. The view of the valley from the Choeten is magnificent. You will then visit the Punakha Dzong, one of the oldest dzongs in Bhutan, before enjoying lunch in Khuruthang town. This afternoon, you will visit a private temple built by Lama Serpo (96 years old now) and, time permitting, you will have a brief audience with this extraordinary Lama and experience a long-life blessing (depending on the schedule of the Lama). This will be a special treat as no other foreign visitors will have excess to this temple except for our guests! You will also have time to admire and take pictures of the intricate and detailed wall paintings inside the temple. In the evening you can try traditional Bhutanese Archery, Bhutans National Sport, with some help from your guide. 




Overnight in Punakha

Today you will be transferred to Paro, where you may check-in and enjoy lunch at the hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the National Museum of Bhutan, where you will have time to admire the museums collections of rare Bhutanese artifacts and art, traditional weaving, and other eclectic pieces.  Enjoy the evening at leisure.




Overnight in Paro

Get ready to head on a full-day excursion to the Taktshang Monastery, literally known as “Tiger's Nest”. This is one of Bhutan's most sacred places and a significant pilgrimage destination. The hike will take you on a trail that slowly rises above the valley, through fields, and past four large prayer wheels turned by a stream. Continuing across an open meadow, you will hike up a section of trail to a ridge where prayer flags rustle in the wind next to a massive prayer wheel. Just beyond here lies the Taktshang Cafeteria at 9,200 feet, where you may stop to enjoy a hot drink and see the breathtaking views of the Monastery across the valley. Depending on your energy levels, you may unwind in the pleasant atmosphere of the cafeteria until lunch or continue your journey of steep climbing for a mile to another dramatic viewpoint. You will return to the cafeteria for a delicious buffet of typical Bhutanese food. You may want to try Emadatsi (a chilli cheese dish), vegetables with cheese sauce, and other traditional dishes. In the afternoon you will return to the hotel. 




Overnight in Paro

After breakfast today you will be transferred to the airport. Our local representative will assist with check-in formalities and bid you farewell.