Luxury Private Tours of Bhutan

Arrive Paro, flying past some of the world’s tallest mountains and into the lush green Paro Valley. A cool and fresh air immediately greets the visitor as you step down from the plane. After clearing customs and immigration formalities, meet your guide and representatives outside the airport. Drive to Paro for lunch and also visit Paro Rinpung Dzong. Then drive to Thimphu (1 hr drive) and being sightseeing visiting Buddha’s point, Takin Preserve. Then continue to Tashi Choe Dzong- the fortress of the glorious religion was initially constructed in 1641 and rebuilt by King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk in the 1960s, Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum, Centenary Farmers Market, the new authentic craft bazaar. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey from Thimphu which is about five hours drive. The first attraction encountered during this drive is Dochula pass (3050m) which provides superb views of the eastern mountains on a clear day. Getting closer to Punakha, take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang ‘the fertility temple’ dedicated to Drukpa Kunley. Upon reaching Wangdue, the road climbs up passing along oak and rhododendron forests and into the Phobjikha Valley. The valley is considered one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan and it’s also the winter home of black-necked cranes that flew from Tibet during the winter season. Upon reaching, Gangtey check-in hotel and also visit Gangtey Monastery located amid Gangtey village. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Early in the morning after breakfast, drive to Bumthang from Gangtey which is about five-six hours drive. En-route pass along the small highway town of Trongsa. Trongsa has this enormous dzong fortress ‘Trongsa Dzong’. Also, en-route Gangtey to Trongsa is ‘Chendebji Chorten’ which is located nearby road and the stupa resembles the one stupa in Nepal ‘Boudhanath’. After driving for some time from Trongsa soon Bumthang is reached. Bumthang is considered the cultural heartland of Bhutan with some of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and temples. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

In the morning visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here. From Kurje monastery, a tarmac road heads south along the right bank of the river to Jambey Lhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan (the other being Kyichu Lhakhang in Paro). After lunch, hike to Tamshing Lhakhang, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Later, visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”, and then take a stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the hotel. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Today, trace the same route back to Gangtey from Bumthang again passing along Trongsa. You can also visit this monastery which is big and the view from the top is superb. Upon arrival in Gangtey, check-in hotel or you can also explore around Gangtey Village and the beautiful Phobjikha Valley. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Drive to Punakha from Gangtey way past the same oak and rhododendron forest. Upon reaching Punakha, visit the Punakha Dzong. This monastery is considered one of the most beautiful monasteries in entire Bhutan. Then check-in hotel with all the luxuries of a luxury hotel in Punakha. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Drive to Paro again passing along Dochula pass and again a good chance of viewing the eastern Himalayas series on a clear day. You can also have tea at nearby restaurants at the pass with a great mountain view in the far distance. Soon Paro is reached and check-in the hotel. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

In the morning, drive to the base of the monastery and start the hike upwards. After two hours of walk will reach the cafeteria. From here, get an exclusive view of the monastery, have some tea. Continue to walk upwards to reach the monastery, explore around, get some pictures. It’s believed Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century here and meditated. Afterward, hike downwards to the road-head and drive to Paro. En-route, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest shrines in Bhutan. Overnight at Luxury Hotel (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch the onward flight. Bid farewell to the remote and legendary Dragon Kingdom disappearing again behind its guardian mountains. (Breakfast only included)