Home

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

ESSENCE OF BHUTAN WITH DAY HIKES

Time duration: 13nights and 14days.

Month & Date : Oct 16 till Oct 29 08

Land Cost : $ 2880 per pax in a group of 3 and above.

Day 1: Arrive at Paro by Druk Air:

During the flight, one will experience breath taking views of  Himalayan Ranges.  On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be received by representatives of Bhutan Norphel and escort you to the hotel. After lunch, visit the National museum "Ta-Dzong" used as the Watch Tower of the Paro Rinpung Dzong in the 17^th century. It was converted into the National Museum in 1968. It is located on the top of a hill above the Paro Dzong overlooking Paro valley and the river. Visit Rinpung Dzong built in 1645 AD. This massive fortress is located in the Paro valley and is approached by a gently sloping flagstone road and a beautiful wooden bridge roofed with shingles. Today, the Dzong houses the Administrative seat of the district of Paro and the monastic body.  The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong is one of the fine examples of Bhutanese architect. Night halt at Paro.
 

Day 2: Paro – Thimphu: Distance – 65km
The drive to Thimphu (Capital) through the winding road along the Paro and Thimphu river takes about 2 hrs.  Check in hotel Druk. 

Afternoon: Visit National Library where a vast collection of ancient manuscripts is preserved. Visit the Painting and woodcraft school where children are taught the traditional art of wood craft and painting.  Located in the same vicinity,  you will then visit Folk Heritage Museum and further down to Textile Museum.  Tashichho Dzong, the main secretariat building that houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King and the Throne Room and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot will be next before you go back to your hotel for the nights rest. Night halt at Druk Hotel, Thimphu.

Day 3: Thimphu Sightseeing:
Thimphu (hike to Tango Monastery)
In the morning, visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa) built in memory of the third King of Bhutan who reigned the Kingdom from 1952-1972 before you drive towards the  base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to Tango Monastery. Not only rich in its historical event today Tango is the centre of higher study for monks. It was built by the "Divine Madman" in the 15th century. The hike up will take approximately   45minutes.  The view from Tango Monastery is breathtaking.

In the Evening: Relax or  shop around  in the town.

Dinner at Bhutan Kitchen  to taste the typical Bhutanese cuisine. Overnight in Thimphu, Druk Hotel.

Day 4: Thimphu - Wangduephodrang, with afternoon excursion to Punakha
In the morning you will drive to Wangduephodrang across Dochu La (3,100 meters), where on a clear day you can get spectacular views of the Himalayas ranges. It is about 2 and half hours drive before you reach Wangdi where you will be checked in Dragon Nest Hotel at Wangdi. After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. Visit Drupthop Nagi Rinchen’s famous shrine.  A Picnic lunch will be served  by the river side. Evening, walk across the  Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery, famously known as a fertility shrine, where you may receive a special fertility blessing if you wish.  Night halt at Wangdi. Dragon Nest.

Day 5-  Wangduephodrang – Gantey –

In the morning, drive towards Gantey through dense forests of oak trees and rhododendrons where you will visit Gantey Gompa, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. From Gantey, you can see the picturesque Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. In the evening, you will  explore the beautiful Phojikha valley with one hour valley hike, known as the cultural hike of Phojikha.

Night halt at Phobjikha.

Day 6: Gantey to Trongsa –

After breakfast, view the Black necked cranes dancing in the first rays of sun light. From Gantey, you can see the enchanting Black Mountain range as well as Phobjika Valley, the winter habitat of the black-necked cranes. From there you'll head to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the royal family. The route is along a spectacular winding road, crossing 3,300-meter-high Pele La, and Sometimes you may also see  herds of yak along this way. After reaching Trongsa you can stroll through the town.

Day 7: - Trongsa - Bumthang –

In the morning visit Trongsa Dzong, the main administration center during the second kings’s reign and it is also known for its masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. You will then visit Ta Dzong, the watchtower built to defend this dzong. After lunch, you'll proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. Bumthang consists of four valleys--Chumey, Choekhar, Tang, and Ura--with altitudes varying from 2,600 to 4,000 meters. Your destination today is Jakar Valley. Night halt at Jakar, Bumthang.

Day8:  Bumthang (hike to Tharpaling Monastery)

After breakfast, hike to Tharpaling Monastery which is around three hours hike to the monastery. It's a scenic trail through the forest. The monastery is famously known as one of the most important Monastery built by Longchen Ramjamba, the famous saint of  Longchen Nyingthek’s tradition in Nyingmapa sect. The monastery has several temples; some of the monks there live on retreat. From the monastery, you will have a beautiful view of Chumey Valley. Picnic lunch will be served outside the Monastery. In the evening you can relax in the town. Overnight in Jakar, Bumthang.

Day9: Bumthang sightseeing

Morning explore picturesque sightseeing at Bumthang. Today’s sightseeing includes visit to Jambay Lakhang( one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan), Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, , Afternoon visit Jakar Dzong( the gaint Fortress), Karchu Dratsang and membartsho( Flaming Lake ). Evening explore and stroll around in  Bumthang town.

Over night: River Lodge.

Day 11: Bumthang – Wangduephodrang( Journey Back )

Morning, drive back to Wangduephodrang.

Lunch at Chendebji Chorten.

Evening shop and explore Wangdi town.  Overnight at Wangduephodrang.

Day 12:  Wangdi/ Paro

After breakfast, drive towards Paro via Thimphu. After Lunch, visit the one of the oldest Monastery , Kyichu Lhakhang. Evening stroll around in Paro Town.

Day13: THE HIGH LIGHT OF THE SHORT HIKE TOUR: HIKE TO TIGER’S NEST MOANSTERY:

After breakfast, hike up to the most famous Monastery in the entire kingdom of Bhutan perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley.  The hike to the view point is for one hour and to the monastery is for 2hours hike. If you wish, you can take short meditation section in the monastery. Lunch at the view point.

Night halt at Paro.

Tourism
ABTO

Kuensel

DrukNet

Bhutan Weblog