8 nights 9 days Bhutan Tour

Fly from Kathmandu international airport by Drukair or Bhutan Airlines. After immigration and customs formalities, you will be received by our Bhutan office representative. Then you will be driven to your hotel in Paro. After checking into your hotel and refreshment you will visit Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress), built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now being used as an administration center and school for monks. From the Dzong you will walk down to Rimpung Bridge (Traditonal Cantilever Bridge), oldest bridge in Bhutan.

Then you will visit one of the clusters of farm houses in Paro Valley and a visit to a farm house offers a good glimpse into the lifestyle of a farmer.

In the evening drive up the Paro valley to visit Drukgyel Dzong (in ruins), 18 km. from Paro town on the north side of the valley. The Dzong as a defiance fortress is said to have housed the finest armory in the country.

Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, you will travel to Punakha & Wangdue which will take you through Chunzom (confluence of Pachu- the river flowing through Paro valley & Wangchu –the river flowing through Thimphu valley). On the way, visit Tachog Lhakhang (temple) , this 14th century temple located on the base of a mountain across the Pa chu on the Paro-Thimphu highway, is a must visit temple in the Paro valley. After crossing Chunzom, the drive will take you along the Wangchu upto Simtokha where road diversion leads you to Punakha/Wangdue through Dochula Pass (3,088m). You will also visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang (temple).

You will stop at Lobesa Village to visit the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing. After lunch at Lobesa Village you will visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (Male River) and the Mochu (Female River)

Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, travel to Bumthang through Trongsa.The drive will take you through dense forests of oak and blue pine trees and through the subtropical vegetation. The journey will also take you through the village of Nobding and Pele la pass (3300m). Throughout your trip you will come across the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, with scattered settlements far from the road which makes for good photographing.

Lunch and refreshments will be served enroute. On arrival at Trongsa, you will visit National Museum which is housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower).

After that you will continue your journey to Bumthang passing through Yotong La Pass (3400 m). Just before reaching Bumthang you will come across “Yathra” Weaving Centre at Zugney Village where you will see local weavers weaving Yathra.

Then you will be driven further to Bumthang Valley. On arrival at Bumthang, check into your hotel in Bumthang.

Dinner and overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

Today you will visit these historical places:

Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet.

Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, “Body imprint”). The temple to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652.

Jakar Dzong, “castle of the white bird”.

Tamshing Lhakhang: This temple is also known as Tamshing Lhendrup Chholing (Temple of the Good Message).

In the evening you may wish to stroll around the beautiful landscaped gardens of Bumthang.

Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.

After breakfast, drive to Punakha via Phobjikha valley. Driving through the dense forests of the Phobjikha Valley you arrive at Gantey village where you see the Gangtey Monastery and visit the monastery. Phobjikha valley is part of the beautiful Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park ( formerly known as Black Mountains National Park), one of Bhutan’s most important nature sanctuaries. Each winter it is home to a flock of 300 rare and endangered black-necked cranes. The surrounding hills and mountains are home to nomadic shepherds and yak-herders. This is one of the most remote and untouched regions in Bhutan and is only just opening its doors to the outside world.

After lunch at Phobjikha valley and explore the valley and also visit the Black Necked Crane Center.

Then drive onto Punakha/Wangdue. Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.

After breakfast you will be driven to Thimphu and After lunch visit these the historical places: Centenary Farmers’ Market (open from Thu-Sun only): Most of the Thimphu’s population and many valley dwellers converge on the bustling weekend market, held by the side of Wangchu River , Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan and Watch Archery match ( Bhutan’s national game)

Tashichhoe Dzong, a fortress of the glorious religion, The National Memorial Chorten (stupa) which was constructed in 1974 as a memorial for the third King of Bhutan, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is widely regarded as the father of modern Bhutan and Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.

Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Today you will visit these places;

Traditional Bhutanese paper making factory. The handmade paper making in Bhutan stemmed from the age old tradition originated in 8th century of Bhutanese history, National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs, National Institute of Traditional Medicine , where medicinal herbs are compounded and dispensed, and traditional medical practitioners trained, School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

After lunch drive for about 30 minutes to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. The walk up to the Monastery is through the forest filled with Rhododendron flower trees which will be in full bloom during April month. After visiting the monastery, walk back to the road and then drive back to Thimphu

After breakfast, drive to Paro which takes about 1 hr and then hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The walk up to the viewpoint will take about 1 – 1 ½ hrs depending on your fitness and from View Point you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria. Then drive back to hotel. On the way visit Kyichu temple,one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demon lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. In the evening you can relax in the Traditional Bhutanese Hot stone bath.

Dinner & overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast your tour guide will drop you to the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations.