Tour Overview

Trip Code
DE-B006
Starting Point
Paro
End Point
Paro
Max Altitude
2350m / 7710ft
Duration
5 Days
Country
Bhutan
Trip Grade
Beginner
Activities
Cultural Tour
Best Season
Spring and Autumn

Discover Bhutan, on a 5-day cultural and spiritual odyssey, delving into the heart of Mahayana Buddhism and Bhutanese traditions. This carefully curated journey unveils a land that has consciously preserved its unique identity and pristine ecology, shaped by centuries of Buddhist philosophy and a deliberate approach to modernization.

Your adventure commences with a breathtaking flight into Paro, offering vistas of the Himalayan range, followed by a transfer to Thimphu, a capital city like no other, where tradition meets progress. Explore the Motithang Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s unique national animal, the Takin. Visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) for panoramic views of the Thimphu valley and pay homage to the largest Buddha statue in the country. Reflect at the King’s Memorial Chorten, a monument to peace and prosperity, continuously circumambulated by locals. Later, explore the impressive Tashichho Dzong, housing the throne room of the King and various government offices.

Journey to Punakha, crossing the Dochula Pass, adorned with 108 memorial chortens and offering spectacular views of the Eastern Himalayas. Visit Punakha Dzong, the Palace of Great Happiness, strategically located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Take a short walk through rice paddies to Chimi Lhakhang, the Fertility Temple, dedicated to the Divine Madman, Drukpa Kunley.

Conclude your journey in Paro with a visit to Ta Dzong, now the National Museum, showcasing antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, and artifacts, followed by a walk to Rinpung Dzong, the fortress of the heap of jewels. This journey offers a rich immersion into Bhutan’s spiritual heritage, cultural traditions, and stunning landscapes.

Tour Highlights

  • Get the fresh air as soon as you’re out of plane.
  • See the most unique National Animal of Bhutan.
  • Enjoy the evening view of Tashichho Dzong with the lights covering the monument.
  • Pray at the most historic site of Punakha Valley, the Chimi Lhakhang also known as the Temple of Fertility.
  • Explore the National Museum, a treasure trove containing everything from prehistoric artifacts and 17th-century thangkas to an impressive collection of Bhutanese stamps.
  • Visit sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist site located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan.

Points of Attraction

Itinerary

Elevation:

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in the entire Himalayas. Flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu, the journey offers fascinating views and an exciting descent into the Kingdom. Bhutan’s first gift, as you disembark from the aircraft, will be cool, clean fresh mountain air. After immigration formalities and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative, and afterwards drive to Thimphu, the capital town of Bhutan, with an enroute stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu and Paro rivers. Three different styles of stupas — Tibetan, Nepalese and Bhutanese — adorn this confluence.

On arrival in Thimphu, check into the hotel. In the heart of Thimphu, a mere 5 km drive from the bustling core, lies the Motithang Takin Preserve, home to Bhutan’s national animal.

Afterwards, visit Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang) for a panoramic overview of the Thimphu valley. Pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country.

King’s Memorial Chorten is continuously circumambulated by people murmuring mantras and spinning prayer wheels. Completed in 1974, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.

Later visit Trashichhoedzong: this impressive fortress/monastery houses the Secretariat building, the throne room of His Majesty the King, and various government offices. It is also the summer residence of the Chief Abbot and central monk body.

Overnight: Hotel in Thimphu

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3080m (Dochula Pass)

After breakfast at hotel, drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass (3080m). In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flags. Dochula Pass offers the most spectacular view over the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas on a clear day.

After checking into hotel, proceed to visit Punakha Dzong, a massive structure built at the junction of two rivers. It was the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and still serves as the winter residence of the monk body.

Later in the day, excursion to Chimi Lhakhang (approximately 15 minutes’ drive from hotel, then a 1½-hour walk through paddy fields and villages). The Chimi Lhakhang, situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is also known as the Temple of Fertility. The trail leads across rice fields to the tiny settlement of Pana. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life of the villagers.

Evening can be spent exploring Punakha village on the bank of the river.

Overnight: Hotel in Punakha

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Paro along the scenic highway. Enroute, visit Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the country built in 1627, which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.

On arrival in Paro, check into the hotel. After lunch, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as a Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique Thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons and armour, household objects, and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Ta Dzong visit immediately followed by a short walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), meaning “fortress of the heap of jewels.” Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3120m (Tiger's Nest approach)

After breakfast, excursion to Taktshang Monastery or Tiger’s Nest (approximately 5 hours walk). It is one of the most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley floor. It is said that Guru Rinpoche arrived here on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery, hence it is called Tiger’s Nest. This site has been recognised as a most sacred place and was visited by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646.

Evening, visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the 108 temples built in the Himalayas by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. The building of this temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.

Overnight: Hotel in Paro

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation:

After early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight to the onward destination. Our representative will help you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.

Overnight:

Meals: Breakfast

Trek Route

What's included

  • Daily Government Royalties and Taxes ($100 per person per night)
  • Entrance fees and monuments fee
  • All transfers, vehicle, and sightseeing as per itinerary
  • English-speaking accompanying guide
  • Accommodation in 3-star hotels as per itinerary
  • Breakfast and dinner at the hotel; lunch at a local tourist restaurant
  • 1 bottle of water per day during the tour

What's excluded

  • Bhutan visa fee (US$50 fast track)
  • Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
  • Expenses of a personal nature (tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, camera/video fees, etc.)
  • Insurance of any kind and medical expenses
  • International air tickets

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Starting From:

US$1244

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