Day 1: Fly to Paro and Drive to Thimphu (7,700 ft / 2,334 m)

 

The flight into the eastern Himalaya reveals breathtaking views of the roof of the earth, world’s highest mountains. The soothing inflight flute music and beautiful views of hills dotted with stupas, prayer flags and monasteries will make you feel well come into the Happiness land. On arriving at Paro international airport, Bhutan Visa will be stamped on your passport and at the exit point you will receive by our representative who will escort you where all the arrangements have been made.

Drive (55 km / 34 miles, ~1.5 hrs) to Thimphu, Bhutan’s charming capital. Sightseeing depending on time

National Memorial Chorten, one of the most visible religious structures in Thimphu.

Impressive Giant Buddha Dordemna Statue

Overnight at hotel

 

Day 2: Thimphu excursion to Cheri Goemba (9,350 ft/2,850 m)

 

Approximate Walking Time: 02 hours.

In the morning, we will drive approximately 40mins to reach the starting point of our hike to the Monastery. The trail ascends through oak and rhododendron forest, passing another white stupa with holy water and a resting canopy.

Cheri Goemba, where Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel meditated in the early 17th century and later established Bhutan’s first Buddhist order in 1620.

Drive back to Thimphu city, on the way visit Pangrizampa Buddhist collage of Astrology. You can also visit the beautifully built 21 Tara Temple adjacent to the collage.

In the evening visit Tashi Chhoedzong, known as the “Fortress of Glorious Religion”

Overnight at hotel

 

Day 3: Thimphu drive to Punakha (4,265 ft / 1,300 m)

 

After breakfast drive to Punakha, an ancient capital of the country, en-route Dochula pass. The Dochula pass (10,300 ft / 3,140 m) offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Himalayan range, especially on clear winter days. Dochula pass house’s the 108 Chorten also known as the Druk Wangyal Chorten.

If you desire, we will have prayer flag hoisting here in the premises for the blessings of sentient beings and one self.

The road from pass winds down into subtropical valley, once you reach Punakha valley, Hike through rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility).

In the evening, we will visit Punakha Dzong Bhutan’s most beautiful fortress.

Overnight at hotel

 

Day 4: Punakha drive to Phobjikha (9,800 ft / 2,990 m)

 

After breakfast drive (75 km / 47 miles, ~3.5 hrs) into the mystical Phobjikha Valley, winter home of the black-necked cranes, en-route Wangduephodrung, on the way visit Wangduephodrung Dzong, the historic Wangduephodrang Dzong has served as the seat of the District Monk Body and the District Administration of Wangduephodrang Dzongkhag.

Visit Gangtey Monastery, one of Bhutan’s most important Nyingma Buddhist centers.

Hike the Nature trail through pine forest known for forest bathing – feel rejuvenated

Join an evening prayer ceremony alongside monk at Gangtey Shedra

Overnight at hotel

 

Day 5: Phobjikha- longtey Hike (11811.02 ft/ 3600 meters)

 

Hiking Distance: 7 kilometers

Estimated hike Duration: 4 – 5 hours

Starting Elevation: 9185ft /2800 meters

Maximum Elevation: 11811.02 ft/ 3600 meters

End Elevation: 9185ft /2800 meters

After breakfast with packed picnic light lunch drive for about 25 minutes to Longtey village which is near Pelela pass (altitude: 11220.47 ft/3420 m) and then start your hike from Longtey Village up and over Kayche La (11811.02 ft /3600m) to Gangtey village. You will climb up gradually through the thickets of dwarf bamboos, birch, rhododendron, hemlock and fir to Kayche La, marked with some prayer flags. The other side of the pass is mostly meadows, and from here it is all downhill through the long and beautiful stretch of meadows and farms.

The walk takes around 4-5 hours in total. Walk back through village visit Farm house to experience and explore their living lifestyle.

Overnight in hotel

 

Day 6: Phobjikha drive to Bumthang (8,530 ft / 2,600 m)

 

Today is one of the most Scenic drives (188 km / 117 miles, ~5 hrs) across high passes and pristine landscapes.

Visit Trongsa Dzong, the masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture

En route, visit the Yathra (textile weaving) where the Yathra are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang.
Arrive in Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan.

Overnight at Hotel

 

Day 7: Bumthang

 

We will visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in the kingdom as Bhutan’s “patron saint”, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) meditated here.

visit Jakar Dzong built on a ridge overlooking the Chamkhar Valley.

After lunch visit Jambey Lhakhang. This temple, erected by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, is one of the two oldest in Bhutan

Visit Tamshing Lhakhang (built by saint Pema Lingpa) one of the oldest Nyingmapa monastery in the world

Overnight at Hotel

 

Day 8: Bumthang Drive to Mongar (5200ft/1600M)

 

After breakfast, we will begin our drive (4 to 5 hour (197 km) further east towards Mongar, the fast-developing hub of Eastern Bhutan. The drive will go through rugged terrain with spectacular views en route visit you will visit Mebar Tsho (Burning Lake), where some of Guru Rinpoche’s treasures were found in the 15^th century by the famous treasure discoverer Pema Lingpa.

We will ascend into the hills above the Tang valley and then through Serthang La Pass (3506m/11,502ft) before descending down to Ura village. Ura is a clustered settlement and you can walk through the village and visit the main community temple. After Ura, the road climbs sharply to the highest point on Bhutan’s motorable road network, Thrumsing La Pass (4,000m/13,125ft).

From here, the road then gradually descends to the alpine valley of Sengor, Namling with wonderful views of cascading waterfalls. As we drop down to the Lingmithang Valley floor(700m/2,300ft) vegetation changes from alpine to subtropical with bamboo and luxuriant ferns overhanging the road. To reach Mongar Town, we ascend again through pine forests and maize fields.

Overnight at Hotel

 

Day 9: Excurison Lhuentse (4724ft/1440m)

 

After breakfast, we will drive to Lhuentse district and visit Khoma Village famous for producing the best textiles in Bhutan. These silk hand-woven textiles are very beautiful and intricate in design. They are known as Kishu Thara which are worn as a kira, the national dress for women in Bhutan. There will be an opportunity to observe the weavers, for the most part women and girls, working on their back-strap looms and to visit a few of the traditional houses and interact with the villagers.

Lhuentse Dzong: This fortress, a few kilometres away from Khoma Village, sits at the end of a narrow valley on a spur over the Kiri Chu River. It is approached by a flagstone path over the cliffs. One of Pema Lingpa’ sons were looking for a ridge that resembled an elephant’s trunk and originally built a monastery here in the 16th century The Dzong itself was later built in the 17th century. Its historical importance lies in its being the ancestral home of the House of Wangchuck.

Overnight at Hotel

 

Day 10: Mongar to Trashigang (3510ft/1070 M)

 

Proceed to Trashigang passing through several villages. Then drive further up till the Kori La Pass (8038.058ft/2450m) and descend till you reach Gamri River through cornfields and banana grooves.

Then ascends gradually to Drametse. This temple, perched on top of a steep hill above the village, was founded in the 16th century by the great-grand daughter of Pema Lingpa, Ani Chorten Zangmo and is the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan. This is the place of origin of the famous Drametse Nga Chham, a masked dance with drums that features in many Tsechu festivals and which was proclaimed a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage by UNESCO in 2005.

After we will visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of a rocky outcrop far above the river gorge. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the dzong is occupied by the local monastic community.

Overnight at Hotel

 

Day 11: Excursion to Trashiyangtse(5577ft/1700 M)

 

After breakfast we will drive to Tashi Yangtse District for a day excursion through the valley.

Gom Kora is an extraordinarily picturesque temple. The lush green fields, the red robes of the monks and the yellow roof of the temple combine with the rushing river to create an idyllic scene. Gom Kora is a famous place, as Guru Rinpoche is said to have subdued a demon here, trapping it in a rock.

Down the road in Doksum village, you can see women busily weaving traditional BhutaDese fabric using back-strap looms. The road turns into the hills here, running up the side of a winding river valley to Trashiyangtse.

In former times, Trashiyangtse was an important center because it lies on one of the ancient caravan routes leading from western and central Bhutan. Trashiyangtse is now a rapidly growing town and the administrative center for this district. The area is famous for its wooden containers and bowls, which make inexpensive, attractive and useful souvenirs of a visit to this remote region.

Trashiyangtse Dzong: The Dzong overlooking the town was built in the late 1990s when the new District was created. If time permits, we will also visit the dazzling white stupa of Chorten Kora on the riverbank below the town, and the nearby Institute for Zorig Chusum, where students are trained in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts.

Overnight at Hotel

 

 

Day 12: Fly to Paro (2,200m / 7,218ft)

 

After breakfast drive to Yonphula airport for departure to Paro. A scenic flight with views of the Eastern Himalayan snow peaks including the Gangkar Puensum – the highest unclimbed peak in the world.

Sightseeing depending on time

Rinpung Dzong “fortress of the heap of jewels”

Kyichu Lhakhang

Overnight at hotel

 

Day 13: Iconic Taktsang (3,120m / 10,240ft)

 

After breakfast today, we will drive to the base of the Taktsang & prepare for the hike to the Taktsang monastery (tiger’s nest). This magical monastery clings to a vertical granite cliff 900m above the valley, where the only sounds are the murmurs of wind and water and the cracking of the prayer wheels. The legend of Taktsang dates back to 747AD when Guru Padmsambhawa is arrived at this site and manifested riding on the back of a tigress to subdue the evil spirits in the region. The Guru then meditated in the cave that is site of the Pelphug Lhakhang today. The whole pilgrimage is estimate to be a 4 to 5 hour round trip excursion.

In the evening visit a traditional farmhouse to experience the traditional Hot stone bath and typical Bhutanese dinner with “ara”, a local wine produced by a brewery of wheat.

Overnight at hotel

 

Day 14: Departure

 

Drive to Paro International Airport for Departure