Walk Into the Heart of Bhutan

During the flight, you may enjoy views of Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga and other Himalayan peaks, including Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. On arrival at Paro International Airport, you will be greeted by our guide and transferred to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. En route, you will visit Tachog Lhakhang, a 15th-century temple built by Thangthong Gyalpo, the great iron bridge builder and Buddhist master. On arrival in Thimphu, you will visit the Memorial Chorten, Traditional Paper Factory and Tashichho Dzong, an important government and religious centre. In the evening, you can stroll through Thimphu town and observe local life. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

This morning, you will visit Buddha Dordenma, the large bronze Buddha statue overlooking Thimphu Valley. From here, you will hike for about 2 hours through pine forests to Changangkha Monastery, an old fortress-like temple located on a ridge above Thimphu. Later, you will visit the Post Office, where you can personalize a Bhutanese stamp if you wish, followed by the weekend local market, School of Arts and Crafts and Folk Heritage Museum. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you will drive to Punakha with a stop at Dochula Pass (3,100m). On a clear day, you can enjoy views of the Eastern Himalayas. The road then descends through forests of rhododendron, fir and hemlock into the Punakha Valley. En route, you will stop at Metsina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple associated with Drukpa Kuenley, the Divine Madman. You will then visit Punakha Dzong, beautifully located between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. Later, you will drive to Nyizergang and hike for about 30 minutes to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, which stands on a ridge above the valley and offers beautiful views of Punakha. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.

After breakfast, you will drive to Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley, a well-known winter habitat of the Black-necked Crane. The road passes through Wangdue and climbs through forests of oak and rhododendron to Lawala Pass before descending into the valley. You will visit Gangtey Goenpa, an important Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan. You can then hike along the Gangtey Nature Trail for about 1 hour and 30 minutes through pine forests and dwarf bamboo, with views across Phobjikha Valley. You will also visit the Black-necked Crane Information Centre to learn more about these migratory birds and their habitat. Overnight at a homestay in Phobjikha.

After breakfast, you will drive back towards Thimphu with a stop at Dochula Pass. From the 108 chortens, you will begin a hike of about 2 hours to Lungchuzekha Monastery. The trail passes through rhododendron forests and follows high ridges decorated with prayer flags, offering views of the Himalayan mountains and valleys below. The trail then descends through mixed forest, passing Tashigang Gompa before reaching the road at Hongtsho, where your vehicle will be waiting. You will then continue to Thimphu. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

This morning, you will drive to Paro. On arrival, you will visit Kichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally believed to have been built in the 7th century by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. You will then visit the Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche Memorial House, which preserves the former residence of the renowned Buddhist teacher. You will continue to Drukgyal Dzong, a ruined fortress from where Mount Jomolhari can sometimes be seen on a clear day. Later, you will visit Paro Dzong and Ta Dzong, which houses the National Museum. From the museum, you will hike along the forested hillside to Zuri Dzong before descending towards Uma Paro, where your vehicle will meet you for the transfer to your hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

In the morning, you will hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, Bhutan’s most famous monastery, located at 3,180m. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche flew to this location on the back of a tigress and meditated in a cave where the monastery now stands. The monastery is perched on a steep cliff about 900m above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served at the cafeteria before you explore the monastery and hike back to the valley in the afternoon. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Paro International Airport for your departure. Our representative will bid you farewell.