Bhutan Cultural Tours

Thimphu, Punakha, Bumthang, Gangtey & Paro

Day 01: Arrive Paro & transfer to Thimphu

The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. Whether flying along the Himalayan range from Kathmandu or over the foothills from Kolkata, 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 en-route 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. The capital town of Bhutan and the center of government, religion and commerce, Thimphu is a unique city with unusual mixture of modern development alongside ancient traditions. With the population of about 90,000 it is perhaps still the world’s only capital city without a traffic light.

On arrival, drive to hotel check in and short rest.

Post lunch, drive to Buddha Point (Kuensel Phodrang). Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, visitors can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang). You can pay your obeisance and offer prayers to the Buddha, the largest statue in the country and then walk around and take a glimpse of the valley.

Evening an exploratory walk around Thimphu Main Street and market area and Kaja Throm.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu

This morning post breakfast, take a half-day trek to Cheri Goemba - This half-day trek takes you up to the 17th century Chagri Dorjeden Monastery, founded in 1620 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the founder of the Bhutanese state. Your trek begins along the banks of the Thimphu Chhu, where you cross a traditional wooden bridge before starting the steep climb to the top. The hike up to the monastery covers some 4.5 kilometers and should take you around an hour, passing a collection of hermitages and temples along the way and providing you with some truly breathtaking views across the Thimphu Valley.

Return to hotel for lunch.

Post lunch, drive to visit Takin Preserve. The crown jewel of Thimphu, Motithang Takin Preserve is a protected area where the national animal of Bhutan, Takin, is preserved. A half an hour walk here would unveil many exotic birds and animals to you, who wander around the area freely and in the most natural of habitat. Overflowing with serenity, the wildlife here is exquisite and should be seen once.

Located in the Motithang district in Thimphu, the Royal Takin Preserve was originally a mini zoo but later turned into a wildlife preserve. The king found it unfair to bind its national animals within definite boundaries and hence declared the area as a wildlife preserve, where the animals can roam around freely.

Later drive past the Tashichhoe Dzong, “fortress of the glorious religion”. This is the center of government and religion, site of monarch’s throne room and seat of Je Khenpo or Chief Abbot. Built in 1641 by the political and religious unifier of Bhutan, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was reconstructed in 1960s in traditional Bhutanese manner, without nails or architectural plans.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha

After breakfast, drive to Punakha across Dochula. Located at a height of 3,088m/ 10,130 ft, Dochula is a scenic location with chorten, mani wall, and prayer flags which decorate this highest point on the road. If skies are clear, it may be possible to see the following peaks from this pass in the order left to right: Masagang (7,158m), Tsendagang (6,960m), Terigang (7,060m), Jejegangphugang (7,158 m), Kangphugang (7,170 m), Zongphugang (7, 060 m), a table mountain that dominates the isolated region of Lunana - finally Gangkar Puensum, the highest peak in Bhutan at 7,497m. You can make a pit stop here to gaze at the mountains and capture the perfect photo of the 108 mini chortens surrounding the spot.

Well before reaching Punakha, stop en route and hike to Chimi Lhakhang, perched on a hill in the centre of the valley, Chimi Lhakhang is a temple dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley. Also known as the 'Divine Madman', he used humour, song and dramatic reenactment to disperse his teachings back in the 15th century. Chimi Lhakhang is widely known as the temple of fertility; locals come here to receive blessings from the lama. They pray and ask to be blessed with a child. Locals also bring their newborns to be named here. The Lhakhang is about a 30-minute walk through fields from the main road.

Check in and lunch

Later, Punakha Dzong, built strategically at the junction of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers in 1637, by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to serve as the religious and administrative center of the region, Punakha Dzong has played an important role in Bhutan's history. Damaged by four catastrophic fires and an earthquake, the Dzong has been fully restored by the present King. The Dzong is open for visitors during Punakha festival and in summer months when the monk body moves to Thimphu.

Drive back to hotel for a restful evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 04: Punakha

After breakfast, a beautiful hike takes you to the regal Khamsum Yuelley Namgel Chorten, which was built by the Queen Mother of Bhutan to remove negative forces and promote peace, stability and harmony in the changing world. The Chorten dominates the upper Punakha Valley with commanding views across the Mo Chhu river and up towards the mountainous peaks of Gasa and beyond. Also, it features one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan.

After your visit to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, start on the fairly steep trail for Giligang. There are numerous places on the way with inspiring views of the surrounding temples, rice paddies, mountain tops and green forests. Giligang Temple is a 300-year-old privately owned monastery which has been taken care of by the same family for generations. Aum Kortem and Ap Sangay Wangchuk, two elderly caretakers, have lived at the monastery for more than 50 years. Growing and selling fiery chilies and organic vegetables, they enthusiastically welcome guests. From Giligang, the trail continues gently downhill until you reach Changyul Bridge, right before Punakha Dzong. This is where your car will pick you up.

Return to hotel for lunch.

Afternoon drive to visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery: Perched on a ridge. amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang, gleams the magnificent structures of Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (Temple). The temple houses a 14-foot main bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrigzig chagtong chentong). Other statues include those of Guru Padmasambawa, Gautama Buddha, Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, Tsela Namsum, the 21 Taras and Tsepamay (Buddha of longevity). The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 05: Punakha - Bumthang

Post breakfast, drive to Bumthang across Yotongla pass between Trongsa and Bumthang. In Bhutan, the passes are marked by a large Bhutanese Chorten and prayer flag. There will be some scenic photo stops along the drive. Bumthang is located in the east-central part of the country this small town is one of the most beautiful places in Bhutan. It has undulating landscapes with many fruit trees and temples. Bumthang is in the area where Buddhism first took hold in Bhutan and the town has several temples including Kurje Lhakhang, Jambey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

In Trongsa, visit the Trongsa Dzong and proceed onwards to Bumthang.

En route stop at "Yathra" Weaving Center at Zugney and spend some time interacting with the local weavers. Yathra is the name for the colorful, hand-woven woollen cloth (often with geometric designs) that is produced in this region and wool used for this type of textile is sheep wool as the sheep is reared in this Bumthang district. Yatra is made into jackets or bags, etc.

On arrival, check in and rest.

Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 06: Bumthang

After breakfast, drive to Tang Valley and explore the Ogyencholing museum. The site was occupied in the middle of the 14th century by the Nyingmapa master, Longchen Rabjam, who built a little retreat there. At the end of the 14th century, the saint Dorje Lingpa decided to follow suit and settled there. The structure was very badly damaged in the earthquake of 1897 and Tshokye Dorje’s grandson, the Jakar Dzongpon Ugyen Dorje, had to rebuild a large part of it at the beginning of the 20th century. The central tower utse host as a Museum of the History and Life of Ogyen Choling. The whole visit gives the intimate feeling of stepping into a by gone way of life and touching the social, religious, and economic facets of a manor.

After lunch, visit Mebar Tsho (The Burning Lake). In the early 1475 the saint discovered holy relics hidden here by Guru Rinpoche and thus received his holy mission to propagate religion. To silence skeptical minds, he plunged into the river with a burning lamp and declared: “If I am a demon, I shall die! If I am not, and I am the true spiritual son of Guru Rinpoche, this lamp will continue to burn, and I will recover hidden treasures!” That happened, and the place took the name of the Burning Lake. Devout Bhutanese always send a little lamp floating on the water and make a wish. It is still believed today that people with less sins and spiritual minds are able to distinguish an extraordinary sight in the lake while looking down from a rock overlooking it. At the entrance to the lake is the image of Pema Lingpa along with his two sons carved out on to a rock.

Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 07: Bumthang

Post breakfast, drive to Bebzur village which is the starting point of your hike commonly known as the Bushman Trail. You will need to hike up for about 45 minutes, after which you can enjoy a pleasant and easy stroll through pine forests all the way until Kharchu Dratshang. You'll catch great views of the Pemacholling nunnery and Zangdopelri. Near the end of the hike, you'll eventually come across a large meadow, where cows are grazing on lush green pastures. These are the very cows from which Bumthang's famous cheese, chugo, comes from. You will be chauffeured from Kharchu Dratshang to your hotel. The entire hike will take about four hours.

After lunch, visit Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the country, on foot visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places in Bumthang.

Overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 08: Bumthang – Gangtey

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey.

The Phobjikha valley is a U-shaped glacial valley. It serves as a winter home to a group of globally endangered, black-necked cranes that migrate every winter from the Tibetan plateau. This crucible of beauty is on the western slopes of the Black Mountains, bordering the Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. Some people refer to the entire region as Gangtey, which is well known for its magnificent nature trails. Gangtey also has its own monastery, perched at the head of the valley.

On reaching Phobjikha, check in to the hotel. Soak in the beautiful views of the Gangtey valley.

Later in the evening head towards the Shedra which is a monastic school to attend the prayers where about 300 monks chant every evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

Day 09: Gangtey

After breakfast, you will go on the Longteng hike. The morning begins with a 30-minute drive from Gangtey to your hike’s starting point near Longteng village on the east-west highway. Start by walking downwards following the path to the right of the road. The path leads through bush bamboo towards a small cluster of village houses. There are vibrant rhododendron forests on both sides of the trail, and in the winter months, yaks graze in the area. The last part of the trail through the forest is steeper until you reach the pass at 3,586 metres (11,766 ft) with impressive views of the Gangtey Goemba, the Shedra, and the valley below. After the pass you continue downward towards the idyllic Kumbu village. It is possible to get collected from here, or you may continue down to the Shedra. The full hike will take about four hours.

After lunch, visit Gangtey Goempa, is the venue to celebrate the coming of Black Neck Cranes to its winter roosting at Phobjikha valley, a monastery perched on a small hill rising from the valley floor. The monastery is in fact the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of the Black Mountains and the village that surrounds it is mainly inhabited by the families of the 140 gomchens (priests) who look after it.

Followed by a visit to Black Necked Crane Center Situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley, the Centre has an observation room equipped with a high-power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes. The centre also displays information that outline the natural and cultural history of the area. There is a small gift shop that sells handicrafts produced by the local people.

Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

Day 10: Gangtey – Paro

Post breakfast, drive to Paro descending back down from Dochula, and follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and Paro Chhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley.

Drive to hotel check in and lunch.

Later in the day after checking into hotel, proceed to visit Ta Dzong, originally built as Watchtower, which now houses National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 11: Paro

After early breakfast excursion to Taktsang Monastery (approx. 5 hours’ round-trip 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 and hence it is called ‘Tiger’s Nest’. This site has been recognized as a most sacred place and visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and now visited by all Bhutanese at least once in their lifetime.

The Tiger’s Nest monastery is a highlight, and all would not think of leaving Bhutan without visiting the sacred temple, typically a very busy monastery with numerous visitors (local and tourists). Although the temple has adopted safety measures such as strict practicing of hygiene and social distancing, there is always an option to only drive till a viewpoint and see the monastery from the vehicle in a distance & drive further towards Chele La Pass. One of the highest motor able passes, it is a treat to the eye seeing the colorful mountain adorned by prayer flags fluttering away. On your way back down to base, you can participate in hosting a prayer flag in order to bring you good luck.

Along the way, 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.

Return to hotel.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 12: Depart Paro

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