Himalayan Tours

Thimphu, Punakha, 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 Kolkatta, 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. Or spend rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu

After breakfast, drive to take a short hike to Tango Goemba. The Tango Goemba monastery was initially built in the 12th century and expanded many times. The golden roof is a 19th century addition but perfected by the fourth Temporal Ruler in 1688 CE. Tango literally translates to ‘horse head’ in honour of the main idol, Hayagriva, consecrated in the monastery. The temple is a short 30-minute drive from Thimphu, followed by an hour long walk through a beautiful violet and crimson rhododendron cloaked woodland. Today, the monastery serves as a Buddhist University with nearly 300 monk scholars in residence.

Followed by a visit to Craft Bazar which is located in town. A series of traditional bamboo huts, aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, right opposite the Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre is the Authentic Bhutanese Crafts Bazaar which showcase a wide range of authentic Bhutanese Arts and Crafts. The total of about 80 stalls that stretches half a kilometer covers all aspect of traditional Art and Craft for both contemporary use and market needs. Some items have been improvised to match up with market demands, others tailored for modern touch, but most forms still remain unaltered.

Drive back to hotel.

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 Mothithang 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 visit 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.

Drive back to hotel for a restful evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu – Gangtey

After breakfast, drive to Gangtey 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.

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 and relax over lunch.

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. Celebrated in the courtyard of the Gangtey Goenpa in the Phobjikha valley, the annual Black-Necked Crane festival celebrates the return of the endangered and migratory birds to the region of Gangtey. The festival is organized to create awareness and understanding of conservation in Bhutan and is celebrated with cultural programs, masked dances and folk songs.

Then you will walk along the Gangtey Nature Trail, a popular excursion for those who enjoy hiking. Leaving the Goemba and crossing streams, past the Sumchubara village, you enter mixed forests, much of it covered in Spanish moss. Emerging from the trees, the path opens up to a fabulous view of the valley and the marshy conservation area below.

Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

Day 04: 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, and you will be back at your hotel by lunch time.

Later visit 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.

Return hotel for restful evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Gangtey.

Day 05: Gangtey – Punakha

After breakfast drive to Punakha.

Well before reaching Punakha, stop en route and hike to Chimi Lhakhang. Perched on a hillock in the centre of the valley, is also known as the temple of fertility. It is widely believed that couples who do not have children and wanting one, if they pray at this temple, they are usually blessed with a child very soon. A walk through the village near the temple will give you rare glimpses into the daily life and lifestyle of the villagers.

Afternoon, drive to visit Punakha Dzong or (Palace of Great Happiness), built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, at the junction of the Phochu and Mochu rivers. This majestic dzong served as both the religious and the administrative center of Bhutan in the past. It measures some 600 by 240 feet and has a six-story, gold-domed tower. Inside are courtyards and religious statuary that hint at the depth of history and spiritual tradition embodied here. Your guide will illuminate your understanding of this intricate culture that is exotic to us, though long established here.

Then drive to hotel check in and spend rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 06: Punakha

After breakfast, a beautiful hike (total about 2 hours’ round-trip walk) 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.

Return to hotel for lunch.

Afternoon visit to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang (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. The Avalokiteshvara statue, one of the biggest in the country, was the handiwork of entirely local Bhutanese artisans.

Later drive back to hotel for restful evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.

Day 07: Punakha – Paro

Enjoy a hearty breakfast & drive to Paro descending back down from Dochula, 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.

Afternoon, 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.

Then drive to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic Mandala.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 08: 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.

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 09: Departure

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.