Home

Bhutan :: Festivals :: Tourism :: Tariff :: Visa :: Flight :: Weather :: Travel Information

Bumthang & Gantey - 15 Days tour

Day 1

Arrival at Paro airport. Reception and escort to hotel. After lunch, visit the most ancient monastery in Bhutan built in the 7^th Century by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet. It was built  to hold down the left foot of an ogress to pin her down to the earth. Evening stroll to Paro town. Halt at Paro.

Day 2

Free in the morning. Afternoon visit to National Museum (Ta-Dzong). It was built as the watch Tower for Paro Rinpung Dzong. Now it stands as the National Museum since 1968. This massive fortress located in the valley houses the District Administration office and Monk Body. It was built in 1645 AD. Visit Drukgyal (Victorious) Dzong built in 1650 A.D by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan army. Leave Paro for Thimphu (capital city). Halt in Thimphu.

Day 3

Thimphu. Morning visit to Memorial Chorten, a huge Stupa built in memory of the third King of Bhutan. Visit National Library which stores ancient manuscripts. Visit Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through the art of painting Thangkas (Sacred Buddhist scroll). Visit Handicrafts Emporium for  Bhutanese textiles and  other arts that are displayed and can be purchased.  Visit Simtokha Dzong, one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan built in 1629 AD. Visit Tashichho Dzong housing some of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room. It also houses the State Monastic Body and the living quarters of the Chief Abbot. Tashichho Dzong is the main Secretariat building.

Day 4

Thimphu to Punakha The road is 60 km long by car. Halt at Dochula pass (26 km) for viewing spectacular Himalayan ranges. Visit Punakha dzong, the former Capital of Bhutan. Punakha Dzong lies between the two rivers; Phochu and Mochu. The Dzong is also used as the winter residence of the state monastic body and its chief abbot. It was built in 1637 A.D. Visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong.

Day 5

Wangdi to Trongsa. Night halt at Trongsa .

Day 6

Trongsa to Bumthang. Visit to Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. Visit Ta-Dzong, the watch tower where displays of Mongol armors can be seen. Afternoon drive to Bumthang (Jakar). This journey will provide one of the most scenically beautiful routes in Bhutan. Halt at Bumthang.

Day 7

Full day excursion of Bumthang valley. Visit historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tempa, the Third Druk Desi in 1646 AD. The central tower (Utse) is about 150 ft. high. Visit several ancient and sacred Buddhist monasteries, Bumthang sheep farm, diary farm, juice factory and Mebar Tsho.

Day 8

Bumthang to Trongsa. Morning sightseeing in Bumthang. Drive to Trongsa. Night stay at Trongsa.

Day 9

Trongsa to Gangtey Goenpa. Night halt in Gangtey. Gantey located at an altitude of 3000m forms  picturesque spot with black mountain ranges as well as the beautiful Phobjikha valley.

Day 10

Gangtey Goenpa  to Gogona. The three days trek begin. Ponies provided if required. The trail winds through meadows and fields, then climbs through a mixed forest of juniper, bamboo, magnolia, and rhododendron to the Tselela pass (3320m). Trial will take 5 to 6 hours. Night in camp. 

Day 11

Gogona to Khotokha. Climb to Shobjula pass (3390 m). Then descend to a wide valley, reminiscent of the big sky views of the mountains. Trial takes 6 to 7 hours. Overnight camping.

Day 12

Khotokha to Chuzomsa. Short ascend to Tashila pass (2780 m). Carry enough water since the descend is dry. Walk through spectacular landscape. Reach drainage of Dangchu river. Night camping by the Dangchu.

Day 13

Chuzomsa to Paro. Walk to motorable road for 45 minutes. Drive to Paro. Drop by Thimphu on way for lunch. Halt at Paro.

Day 14

Paro. Drive up to Satsam Chorten. Walk to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s Nest) which is perched on the rocky cliff. The spot overlooks the Paro river.  Evening for relaxation or stroll in the town.

Day 15

Departure from Paro airport.

Tourism
ABTO

Kuensel

DrukNet

Bhutan Weblog