Diverse Experiences
A place of ancient monasteries, fluttering prayer flags and staggering natural beauty. It is the only independent Buddhist country left in the Himalayas, which referred to in travel literature as the last Shangri-la. If anyone’s up for some adventurous ride than this is an ideal package for them. Bike, hike and raft with us in the mountain kingdom of Bhutan. Cycle in rich valleys, hike to Buddhist temples and white water rafting, Bhutan offers multiple options to adventure lovers.
Brief description of Cities covered in this tour:
Thimphu: Capital and the largest city of Bhutan - Only capital city in the world that does not have traffic lights - Main center of Commerce, Religion and Government in the country - Most modern city of Bhutan and has abundance of restaurants, internet cafes, nightclubs and shopping center. It is one of the few cities of Bhutan having ATM facilities.
Paro: Small town in the western part of Bhutan - Also home to Paro Airport, Bhutan’s only International Airport - The valley has many isolated small villages and is known for red rice - Also home to most of Bhutan’s oldest temples and monasteries.
Punakha and Wangdue: Punakha and Wangdue is located in the same valley. These two places are located within a distance of 13 km. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955 - The valley is fed by the Pho Chhu and the Mo Chhu rivers - It is one of very few places in Bhutan which offers Rafting facilities - It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the monk body at present.
- Visit old Monasteries and majestic fortresses
- Explore a capital city with no traffic lights.
- Feast on Ema Datsi and Red Rice, two of the most popular dishes of Bhutan
- First-hand experience of untouched Nature and unique Culture
- Experience the Sacred Spirituality.
- Prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
- Village houses and rural life
- Shop for Silks, Souvenirs and More
- Structures adorned with Phallus paintings.
- Hike through pine forests to visit “Tiger’s Nest”.
- Beautiful landscapes and spectacular Himalayan scenery.
- The must visit Dochula Pass and the Druk Wangyal Chhortens.
- Water Rafting in Punakha.
- Cycling in Thimphu.
Day 1. Paro - Thimphu:
Distance: 65 kms; Driving time: 1.50 hrs - 2 hrs; Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 m.
Your flight to Paro on a clear day, is marked with the panoramic views of the Himalayas including the Everest and other famous Peaks. The approach through the foothills and the landing (including few steep turns) at the tiny airstrip of Paro has been termed as adventurous by many travelers. After the completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be received by your Bhutanese guide with traditional “Tashi Khadar”. Afterwards drive to Thimphu following the Pa Chhu River. Check-In to the hotel and have your first experience with Bhutanese Cuisine.
Post lunch, you would be visiting the following key points in Thimphu
- Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill in Kuensel Phodrang Nature Park.
- National Memorial Chhorten, a Stupa built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Every morning till night old people and young people circumambulate the Chhorten. You may choose to light butter lamps and also circumambulate around the Chorten.
- Tashichhodzong, or ‘the fortress of the glorious religion’. Initially erected in 1641 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it was rebuilt in the 1960s during the reign of Bhutan’s third king in the traditional style, without plans or nails. It houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body and opens after 5 PM.
- Sangaygang View Point, also known as BBS Tower offering panoramic view of Thimphu Town situated at an elevation of 2,685 m.
Then you come back to your hotel. Enjoy a traditional cultural show arranged for you later in the evening. During the show you could also join in to get a feel of an important aspect of Bhutan.
Meals – Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2. Thimphu Sightseeing:
After breakfast, pedal towards Tango Cheri Road in upper Thimphu through several villages. Relax and walk around the villages when in Dodena. You then hike to
- Cheri Monastery, will take about 45 minutes to hike. Apart from being one of the most beautiful monasteries, here we also have an option of meeting with the students and the monks. You would also be see pretty phalluses that are believed to ward of the evil.
Cycling Distance: Total of 30 Kms
Cycling Time: Total of 3 hours - Initially Black top roads, later dirt roads.
Picnic Lunch shall be provided on the venue. Return back to town by evening. You shall have the opportunity to enjoy adventure, nature, culture and the way of life in Bhutan.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Thimphu.
Day 3. Thimphu - Punakha:
Driving Distance: 76 Km, Driving time: 2.50 hrs - 3 hrs, Altitude of Punakha: 1310 m.
After breakfast you are driven to Punakha/Wangdue, for your second leg of the tour. On the way, after roughly an hour’s drive, you would stop at
- Dochula Pass, lies at an elevation of 3,150 m and is a great place to view the higher Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass includes 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk.
You would drive through curvy, mountainous road, patches of which are being repaired. Owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. The drive from Thimphu to Punakha over Dochula leads from cool heights of Thimphu to balmy, lush landscapes of Punakha. After arrival at Punakha, check in to the hotel. Post lunch, you would visit
- Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. For many years until the time of the second King, it served as the seat of the Government. It is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo (The Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body of Bhutan).
- Chhimi Lhakhang, a famous Temple, which is also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley.
Later you are driven back to the Hotel. Evening free for leisure activities.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 4. Punakha - Paro:
In the morning after breakfast, you drive through the upper Punakha Valley passing through traditional villages and farmlands you will take a short hike through farmhouses to the beautiful
- Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chhorten, a monastery that stands majestically on a strategic ridge above the Punakha valley. Built over a period of 9 years, Bhutanese craftsmen consulted Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals, to construct this 4-storey temple. It takes an hour to hike to the Temple passing through rice fields on the way. Visit the temple and also enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful view from there.
Post lunch, an exciting rafting tour awaits you. In the afternoon, raft the Mo Chhu down to the Punakha Dzong and reach the confluence with the Pho Chhu. This section of river has easy Class II and III rapids combined with beautiful scenery, making it the most rafted section of river in Bhutan.
Later in the day, walk over
- Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan. The bridge is high on Mountain River and is perfect for those who wish to get their heart pumping with excitement. It connects the town of Punakha and the Punakha Dzong with the smaller villages surrounding the Punakha town. The view from the bridge is very stunning and spectacular.
Finally return back to the hotel. Rest of the evening is for leisure.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Punakha/Wangdue.
Day 5. Punakha / Wangdue - Paro:
Distance: 135 km, Driving time: 4 hrs - 5 hrs, Altitude of Paro: 2,280 m.
After breakfast, start your drive to Paro for your final leg of the tour. Stop at
- Royal Botanical Park, Lamperi, also known as the Rhododendron Garden, is the first Botanical Garden of Bhutan. It is famous for 46 species of Rhododendrons. Here you can walk around the Baritsho Lake, a canteen, viewpoints and camping space for visitors. The Lamperi area was declared a botanical park because of its rich ecosystem diversity.
Till you reach Thimphu, you would drive through the same route which you took which driving to Punakha. Again owing to road widening work, you may find too many stalls along the road side selling snacks and water. It is preferable you buy it at the start of the tour. Stop for lunch at Dochula Pass in a local restaurant. Further on the way after crossing Thimphu, again stop at
- Tamchog Lhakhang, located along Paro-Thimphu highway on the base of a mountain across the Pa Chhu River built in the early 15th century by the great iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo.
In the evening explore the Paro valley and town. Evening is free for leisure activities such as Archery experience, National Dress wearing experience and shopping around the Paro Town.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 6. Paro Sightseeing:
After breakfast, start your day with a hike to
- Taktsang Monastery (Tiger's nest), the abode of gods and monks situated at an altitude of 3100m on the Upper Paro Valley, Bhutan. As per the legend, Guru Padmasambhana (Guru Rinpoche), the tantrum mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came in the form of Dorje Droloe riding a flying tigress to subdue the demon that was obstructing the spread of Buddhism in the Himalayas.
After the completion of the hike, you would be served picnic Lunch among the woods. After lunch, visit
- Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo.
- Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built in 1951 now converted into national museum.
Later in the day, you would then drive to village house to witness the traditional rural life in a Bhutanese village. Also you have an option of experiencing a Traditional Hot Stone bath in the village house. You can also choose to have your dinner in the house with the Family or also spend your overnight in the village house (needed to be confirmed at the time of confirmation of the Tour) or be driven back to your hotel.
Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner; Overnight at the Hotel in Paro.
Day 7. Departure:
Today we will bid farewell to this beautiful country and take an early flight back. We hope by now you must have made some good friends and also have taken photographs and beautiful memories of Bhutan. We certainly hope of serving you again on your next visit to this great country or the Last Shangri-La. Tashi Delek.