Day 1: Arrive at Paro International Airport – Transfer to Thimphu.
- Distance: 54 km
- Driving time: 1hr 20 mins drive.
- Altitude in Thimphu: 2,400 m / 7,874 ft above sea level.
Our pilgrimage begins with a journey towards the east into the booming metropolis of Thimphu. Situated at an altitude of 2,400 m it is home to 140,000 Bhutanese. Thimphu being the capital of Bhutan, offers unique opportunities to explore the Bhutanese culture, lifestyle and traditions in depth.
We invite you to see the sights of the Kingdom’s capital with us. Below we have listed some of the experiences that we enjoy the most!
Roughly 30-minute drive from the airport towards Thimphu we will stop to have a view of Tachogang Monastery. The temple of an excellent horse was built by Thangthong Gyalpo (Iron chain builder in Bhutan) in the 15th century. Down by the river we can see one of his Iron Bridge. You can take a walk and cross the suspension bridge built just next to the Iron bridge to have a closer look.
Once we arrive in Thimphu, we will spend our time circumambulating the sacred National Memorial Chorten. This is a Tibetan-style chorten built in 1974 in memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk who passed away in 1972. It is one of the most visible religious structures in town and for many people it is the focus of daily worship. Remember to walk around the Chorten at least once to gain merit and good luck.
Next, we will drive up a ridge to visit the Biggest Buddha Statue at Kunesel Phodrang in Thimphu. This statue of Buddha measures 52 meters. It is one of the largest statues in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold. There are many smaller Buddha statues placed inside.
Next, we will take in more of the kingdom’s rich culture at the Folk Heritage Museum. The museum is a restored three story traditional rammed mud and timber house inaugurated as a museum by Her Majesty the Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk in 2001. It showcases the traditional artifacts used now and, in the past, which helps connect people to the Bhutanese rural life.
Typical Bhutanese Lunch at the Museum restaurant.
We will drive to the National Post Office for stamps. Bhutan is famous for producing unique and innovative stamps. After selling peculiar ‘CD-stamps’ Bhutan’s Post office now offers personalized stamps; we invite you to surprise your family and friends with your custom-made stamp made with one of your favorite holiday photographs!
We will also browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile museum.
The Museum introduces you to the living national art of weaving. The exhibition displays the major weaving techniques and styles of local dress and textile made by the Bhutanese women and men.
In the evening you can stroll in the town, visit the Local Craft market just above the Textile museum and visit local handicraft shops.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 2: Thimphu sightseeing.
After Breakfast, a 40-minute drive from the town, takes you to the starting point for the walk to Cheri Monastery which is believed to have been visited by Guru Rinpoche in the 8th century. After crossing a bridge, the main trail to Cheri zigzags upwards to a chorten. Remember to pass this in clock-wise direction as a sign of respect. Shortly after passing a few buildings, you will see the temple on your left. Sometimes you might spot goral (wild goat) jand Grey langur (monkey) jumping around the cliffs nearby. Cheri monastery is considered very sacred as it contains the remains of Tempi Nima, the father of the first Zhabdrung of Bhutan, and beautiful frescoes of Buddhist saints. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal built it in 1620 in memory of his father. Parts were later converted to a nunnery and a few nuns still live here today.
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours. Difficulty level – Moderate.
After picnic lunch by the river side we will hike to the adjacent Tango monastery.
Tango Monastery is a 15th century temple unique in its architecture. When the monastery was presented to Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1617, a battle was going on between the Tibetans and Bhutanese. The Zhabdrung therefore meditated in a cave at Tango as a result of which the invading forces were defeated. Today you will see a large stone in the shape of a horse head by the cave which is supposed to frighten the enemies of Buddhism.
After the monastery we will drive to visit Tashichho Dzong and have a glimpse of King Jigme’s Palace. The Dzong is popularly known as Thimphu Dzong. It is the seat of the government and the center of all religious affairs of the Kingdom. It houses the office and the throne room of His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck.
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours. Difficulty level – Moderate.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: Transfer to Punakha.
- Distance: 71 km
- Driving time: 3 hrs drive.
- Altitude in Punakha 1,300 m / 4,264 ft above sea level.
The sub-tropical valleys of Punakha and the surrounding mountain sides offer a large variety of attractive places to explore and discover monasteries and the most impressive Dzong in the country.
Before we drive on the national east – west highway we will briefly visit Simtokha Dzong. The oldest dzong in the country (built in 1629) stands on a soaring ridge 5 km away from Thimphu. Its strategic position is evident as it controls all the approaches to and from Thimphu. Notice the contrast of traditional and modern as you enter the dzong grounds; the white painted dzong with the growing city in the background and the newly constructed 52 m tall Buddha statue perched on the hill right behind.
After the visit we will continue our journey towards the east. Roughly 50 mins drive we will stop to stretch by hiking to Hongtso Goemba (1 hrs hike). The Goemba was built in 1525 by the older brother of Drukpa Kuenlay, the Divine madman. It is a two-story traditional Bhutanese building where the main altar room has an enormous statue of Guru Tshoki Dorji in a standing posture together with his spiritual consort. Inside we can view very old wall paintings.
10 mins drive after the end of the hike we will reach Dochula Pass (3000 meters). If weather permits, we will have great view of the extended eastern Himalayas in Bhutan.
We will stop at the cafeteria for hot lunch with far away mountain views. At the pass we will visit Druk Wangyel Monastery located just a few meters above the cafeteria.
After the visit we will make our way into the Punakha valley. In just 2 hrs drive we will descend 1700 meters.
There we will hike to the famous Chimi Lhakhang (Fertility temple). The 30-minute walk from the road to the lhakhang is through open farmland. It is believed that a demoness who had been terrorizing the valley transformed herself into a black dog to escape the wrath of Drukpa Kuenlay, the Divine Madman. However, he caught the dog and buried it under a pile of earth shaped like a woman’s breast. He then built a chorten on top of this mount and prophesied that a temple would one day be consecrated over it. True to the prophecy, his brother, Lam Ngawang Chogyal, built Chime Lhakhang in 1456. If you are wishing for a child, it is believed by the Bhutanese that a visit to Chime Lhakhang, might help increase your chances! Hundreds of couples visit the lhakhang to pray to become pregnant and receive a wang (blessing). Many parents also bring their newborn children to receive the baby’s name from the local lama.
Overnight in Punakha.
Day 4: Discover Punakha
After early breakfast we will travel up the valley north and cross the Mo Chhu to hike up and pay respect to the grand Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, The Chorten is 30 meters (100 feet) tall and can be seen in the distance when driving or walking up from the footbridge towards the lodge. The three-leveled chorten took eight and a half years to build and was consecrated in 1999. Dedicated to the Fifth King, it was built to remove negative forces and to provide peace, stability, and harmony in an ever- changing world. It is therefore filled with every form of colorful protector imaginable.
After Picnic lunch by the riverside we will drive down the valley to visit the stunning Punakha Dzong. The Dzong is considered one of the most important and also one of the most beautiful Dzongs in the Kingdom. It was built by Zhabdrung in 1637, and was the seat of the government every winter until Thimphu was established as the permanent capital in 1955. It is still the winter residence of the Central Monastic Body.
Next, we will drive to a hill top to visit a Sangchhen Dorji Lhendrup Lhakhang (Nunnery) built by the maternal grandfather of the king. The Nunnery also serves as a higher learning institute and meditation center for Nuns. It is perched on a ridge overlooking the Punakha and Wangdi vally.
Overnight in Punakha.
Day 5: Transfer to Phobjikha valley.
- Distance: 87 km
- Driving time: 3 hrs drive.
- Altitude in Phobjikha: 2,900 m / 9,514 ft above sea level.
Phobjikha Valley is one of the most stunning areas in the country. The wide flat valley without any trees after the hard climb through dense forest is an extremely rare experience in Bhutan. In contrast to some parts of Bhutan, where modern development is already very apparent, Phobjikha is a place with natural beauty.
Before driving through the fir, juniper and rhododendron into the glacier valley of Phobjikha, roughly after 30 minutes’ drive we will briefly visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong which was burnt down by fire in 2012. The original Dzong was built in the 17th century by Zhabdrung (the one who unified Bhutan).
After the visit we will continue the drive up until the neck of Pelela pass (3300 meters) where we will cut our way to take a diversion into the glacier valley filled with dwarf bamboos. The valley is one of the most important wildlife preserve in the country, because of the large flock of black necked cranes that migrates from Tibet in the winter.
There we will stretch by hiking the Gangtey Nature Trail, two hours of easy walking. This pleasurable walk will give you a nice feel of Phobjikha valley. From the small hilltop overlooking Gangtey Goemba, you head downhill through flower meadows to Semchubara village and from here through beautiful forests and into the open valley. The trail ends after the Khewa Lhakhang. The lone monastery in the valley. On our way, back to the hotel we will stop to visit the Crane observation and education center. There we can watch the short documentary on the magnificent black necked crane.
Overnight in Phobjikha valley.
Day 6: Phobjikha valley
Longtey Hike: Time: 4 hours walk back towards Gangtey Gompa.
Difficulty level -Moderate
If you are looking for a picturesque hike through some of the most beautiful parts of Gangtey, this is the one. It is a 40 minutes’ drive from Phobjikha valley to the starting point in Longtey village on the East-West highway. Start by walking downwards following the path to the right of the road. The path will lead through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are beautifully colored rhododendron forests on both sides of the valley, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area. Continue straight through the village upwards until you reach the start of mystifying old-growth rhododendron forest. For the next two hours or so, you might feel like you are in the setting of Lord of The Rings surrounded by tall old trees which appear to be living creatures around you. The last part through the forest is slightly steeper uphill until you reach the pass with impressive views of the Gangtey Goemba, the Shedra, the lodge and the rest of the valley. This is a nice place for picnic lunch before you continue on the path as it slopes down the valley towards the idyllic Kumbu village.
It is possible to get picked up from here, or you may continue down to Gangtey Gompa. In the valley we will visit the famous 16th century Gangtey Goemba that overlooks the large green expanse of the valley. The monastery is surrounded by a large village inhabited mainly by the families of the Gomchens (lay monks) who take care of the monastery.
Overnight at Phobjikha valley.
Day 7: Transfer to Paro
- Distance: 189 km
- Driving time: 7 hrs drive.
- Altitude in Paro: 2,300 m / 7,544 ft above sea level.
The journey west takes us back to Paro valley crossing Wangdiphodrang province and then climbing back to the Dochula Mountain Pass, side stepping Thimphu city and following Wang Chhu river and Pa Chhu rivers before arriving in Paro.
After arrival at Paro we will briefly visit the auspicious Kyichu Monastery. The seventh century monastery is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in the Kingdom. The Tibetan King, Songsten Gampo ordered the establishment of monasteries in the Himalayan region to subdue evil spirits and to spread Buddhism. Of the 108 monasteries two were built in Bhutan namely the Kyichu Lhakhang and the Jampa Lhakhang in Bumthang.
It is a must to take a stroll in the town for all visitors who come to this valley. The town dates back from 1985 and its lined up by souvenir shops and café. If you are in for a good cup of café, stop at Mountain Roastery. They serve the best coffee in Bhutan.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 8: Paro sightseeing
Today’s exploration of Paro valley begins with an early hike to Taktsang Goemba (Tiger’s Nest monastery) 4-5 hrs. hike.
The monastery is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 900 meters above the valley floor. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Paro valley on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave where Taktsang stands today. The Taktshang Goempa is built around the cave. The hike offers spectacular views of the Goempa and the valley below. Horses or mules can be arranged on request to help lighten the journey.
After lunch at the Town we will drive up to visit the National Museum housed in the Ta dzong (watch tower). The intriguing collection of artefacts serves as a great introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom. The National Museum boasts a rich variety of exhibits collected from all over the country and belonging to different eras, some as early as 2000 B.C. A visit through the galleries shows the country’s transition from the later Stone Age to a modern Mahayana Buddhist kingdom.
Next, from the museum we will drive down to visit the Paro Dzong and take in the amazing architecture of this 17th century monument, a premier example of Bhutan’s architecture. Paro Dzong was built in the 17th century to defend Paro from the Tibetan invasion. This fine example of Bhutanese architecture now serves as a central monastic and administrative seat of the Paro district.
The hike to the famous Taktsang Goemba and the visit to the National Museum is a great finish to this day of cultural immersion and your journey to this ancient kingdom of BHUTAN.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 9: International Departure.
