Bhutan Explore Tour Package

Arrive Paro by the Bhutanese National Carrier flying over the world’s highest mountains including Mt. Everest. As you step down from the plane, a cool and clean fresh air greets the visitor, the first gift of Bhutan. After clearing customs and visa formalities, meet the representatives and the Bhutanese guide, head out to Paro town for lunch. Visit the Paro Rignpung Dzong in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first spiritual and temporal ruler of Bhutan. Overnight at Hotel in Paro (Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu (1 hour drive). sightseeing round Thimphu visiting many landmarks like Buddha Terrance, Takin Preserve to see Takin – Bhutan’s national animal, Tashichoe Dzong, Memorial Chorten – a monument erected in memory of Bhutan’s third king H.M. Jigme Dorji Wangchu, Centenary Farmers Market, the new authentic craft bazaar, National Institute of Traditional Medicine, Folk Heritage Museum – a 300 year old traditional house converted into a museum. Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, drive to Punakha from Thimphu for about 2-3 hours. After steeply climbing through the pine & cedar forests come Dochula pass (3,050 m). The pass commands panoramic Himalayan views of the eastern mountains in a clear day. After stopping here for tea and witnessing spectacular Himalayan panorama, the road descends along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. En-route Punakha, take a short hike to Chimi Lhakhang ‘the fertility temple’ built in 1499 dedicated to Drukpa Kunley. Today mostly visited by the women who couldn’t bear Children, thus also known as the temple of fertility. In Punakha, visit Punakha Dzong crossing the bridge. It’s the ancient capital of Bhutan connecting the Mo Chu & Pho Chu Rivers. It is also the winter capital for the monks and the Je Khenpo (chief abbot) Overnight at Hotel in Punakha (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Early in the morning, hike up to Khamsum Yueley Namgyel Chorten erected by Royal queen mother for the purpose of present king in 2002. It offers a great view of the lower valley. At the temple one could see three different sect of Mahayana Buddhism. Then drive to Gangtey via Wangdue. The drive is through winding mountain road passing along oak and rhododendron forests, over the high pass and down to the Phobijikha Valley considered one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Bhutan. Phobijikha Valley is also the chosen home for the black necked cranes that migrate from Tibetan plateau during winter. Overnight at Hotel in Gangtey (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, visit the Gangtey Monastery and just down below the monastery, go for the Gangtey nature trail hike for about 1 & half hour through the jungle before emerging to the valley floor. Overnight at Hotel in Gangtey (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Drive 5 hours to Bumthang valley first climbing rapidly through a series of hairpins out of Trongsa and there are great views back to the Dzong and out across the valley. Visit the incredible Trongsa Dzong fortress. After passing through cultivated fields for a while, the trail re-enters the forest and reach the Yotong La (3400m). Descending to a low point of 2650m at a village called Chumey; the scenery is once again totally different as the route enters the wide-open Bumthang valleys. It takes about an hour to get to the roadside at Chumey, the first of the four valleys in Bumthang. Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Sightseeing in Bhutan includes visit to 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). Hike to Tamshing Lhakhang after lunch, founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It contains interesting and ancient Buddhist wall paintings. Afterwards, visit Jakar Dzong, “the castle of the white bird”. PM: Stroll through Bumthang’s market area before returning to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Visit the Ura valley today which is 42 kilometers from Bumthang. The road reaches the Ura Shelthangla from where a magnificent view of Bhutan’s highest peak, Gangkhar Puensum (7,500 m) can be spotted. The road then descends into Ura valley by long loops across fields and pastures. Ura’s main occupation is raising sheeps, yaks and the introduction of potato farming has brought a certain degree of prosperity of people. Visit Ura Lhakhang built in the 1986 and two storey temple constructed in a traditional Bhutanese style and is dedicated to Guru Rimpoche. PM: drive back to Bumthang. Overnight at Hotel in Bumthang (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After breakfast, re-trace the same route back towards Gangtey and the road journey today is bit longer with 8 hours of drive. Upon arrival at Gangtey, check-in hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Gangtey (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

After early breakfast, drive towards Thimphu for about 4 hours. Cross over the Dochula pass and again another nice opportunity to witness the spectacular Himalayan ranges of the eastern mountains. Overnight at Hotel in Thimphu (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

From Thimphu drive towards Haa over the Chelela pass (3899m). One can witness spectacular Himalayan view including the valley beyond from the pass. Haa Valley was opened upon only from 2002 and consists of five counties. There is a military camp by the Indian Army. Visit Wangchucklo Dzong dating back to 1915 and Lhakhang Nakpo (Black temple) is said to have been built by pigeon emanation of King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century and Lhakhang Karpo (white temple). Afterwards, drive back to Paro. Overnight at Hotel in Paro (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

Early in the morning, drive to the base of Taktsang for the hike up to the monastery. Start the hike up until reaching the cafeteria which takes about 2 hours. From here enjoy spectacular view of the Taktsang Monastery. Further hike from the cafeteria (the half-way point) will reach the monastery where it’s believed that Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century.

After breakfast drive towards the base camp of Taktsang for the hike up to the Taktsang Monastery-Tiger’s Nest. It’s about two hours hike up the cafeteria. From this point, enjoy the spectacular view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in 8th century. Then visit the Taktsang Monastery and hike back to the road point then drive to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Afterwards, back to hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Paro (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner included)

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