Your exciting vacation in this land of happiness begins. After completing your immigration formalities, you will be received by Pinehill Bhutan Travels representative who will be your tour guide throughout your tour.
Today’s exciting visit includes the National Museum at Ta Dzong (watchtower) and Paro Dzong (foretress). Thereafter, you will visit some of the farm houses that dot the valley amongst fields and hillsides where you will have glimpses of rural lifestyle. In the evening you can stroll around Paro town and you may visit local Bhutanese handicraft stores. Overnight at a hotel in Paro. (Altitude 2,280 m).
DAY 2: Paro – Punakha/ Wangdue & Punakha sightseeing (125 km, 3 ½ hours)
We drive to Punakha & Wangdue today. This route will take you through Chunzom (river confluence). On the way, you may stop to visit Tachog Lhakhang (temple). Further proceed to Simtokha and reach the Dochula Pass (3,088 m). Located at a height of 3,088 m, Dochula is a scenic location with 108 stupa and prayer flags which decorate this highest point on the road. It should be possible to see the majestic mountain peaks if the sky is clear.
Then travel towards Punakha. On the way, visit the Divine Madman’s Monastery- Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility blessing. After lunch, you will visit the Punakha Dzong (fortress). In the evening, drive through upper Punakha valley passing through farm houses and take a short hike through farmhouses to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Lhakhang (temple). Halt at hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
DAY 3: Punakha – Bumthang (197 km, 7 hours)
Travel to Bumthang via Trongsa. The journey will take you through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons and through the tropical vegetation through the village of Nobding and Pele la pass (11,000ft). Pass via Chendebji Chorten (Stupa). Just before reaching Bumthang, you will come across Yathra (wool) weaving centre at Zugney. On arrival at Bumthang, check into your hotel and stroll Bumthang town. Call the day off at your hotel in Bumthang.
DAY 4: Bumthang sightseeing
Begin the day in the beautiful valley by visiting Jambay Lhakhang (built in the 7th century), Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, “Body imprint”) and Jakar Dzong, “castle of the white bird”.
Post lunch, you will travel to Dorjibi weaving center which is half an hour drive from Bumthang town. Towards late afternoon, begin our return journey towards Trongsa and stop over for the night.
DAY 5: Trongsa and Trongsa-Thimphu (199 km, 7 hours)
In the morning, you will visit the National Museum which is housed in the Taa Dzong (watch tower). Also visit Trongsa Dzong (fortress), which is the most impressive monuments in Bhutan built in 1644. Then drive to Thimphu via Wangduephodrang with lunch en route. Overnight in Thimphu.
DAY 6: Thimphu tours & sightseeing
Today’s visit includes National Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum, National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts, Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only), Tashichhoe Dzong (a fortress of the glorious religion), Takin Preserve (which houses the national animal) and finally Kuenselphodrang where the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley. Overnight in Thimphu.
DAY 7: Thimphu – Paro & a day hike to Taktsang Ghoempa (54 km, 1 hour drive)
An exciting excursion to Taktshang Monastery/ ‘Tiger’s Nest’ (approx 5 hours round trip walk) is scheduled for today. It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900 m above the Paro valley floor.
Thereafter, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang (temple) and in the evening an exploratory walk around main street and market area. Have a relaxed evening and overnight at Paro.
DAY 08: Paro- departure
Drive to the airport for flight to your onward destination. We hope to serve you again with our other exciting tour packages in the future.