GENERAL INFORMATION
Tour Route: Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Phobjikha - Trongsa - Bumthang - Punakha - Tigers Nest Hike - Paro
Duration: 9 days/ 8 nights
Start/ End: Paro/ Paro
Tour customize: Absolutely! (Tell us your specific requirement in the inquiry form)
BRIEF ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Paro - Thimphu
Day 2: Thimphu - Punakha
Day 3: Punakha - Phobjikha
Day 4: Phobjikha - Trongsa
Day 5: Trongsa - Bumthang
Day 6: Bumthang - Punakha
Day 7: Punakha - Paro
Day 8: Tigers Nest Hike
Day 9: Paro Departure
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Paro - Thimphu
Welcome to Bhutan! As you arrive at the Paro International Airport, our guide will be waiting to warmly meet you and escort you to the Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority in this region. Afterward, we will have lunch in Paro town.
We will head to the National Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang which is the oldest temple in Bhutan. Then drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. If time permits, visit the Thimphu Tashichhoe Dzong. Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2: Thimphu - Punakha
Today we will do sightseeing Thimphu – visit National Memorial Chorten, Textile Museums, and Handicraft emporium. Then drive to Punakha crossing the Dochu-La pass (3150 m). The pass is adorned with different kinds of prayer flags and 108 small stupas. We can witness the eastern Himalaya mountains ranges so magnificently on clear days. Then continue to Punakha. Dinner and overnight at Punakha hotel.
Day 3: Punakha - Phobjikha
Morning you will drive to Phobjikha, the winter home to the endangered species of birds, Black Neck Crane. On reaching Gangtey, we will visit the Gangtey Goenpa Lhakhang, the temple is the most important temple in Nyingmapa sect. Dinner and overnight at Phobjikha.
Day 4: Phobjikha - Trongsa
Drive to Trongsa. At Trongsa, we will visit the "Trongsa Dzong and the Tower of Trongsa". Lunch at Tower of Trongsa’s Cafeteria. Overnight at a hotel in Trongsa.
Day 5: Trongsa - Bumthang
Today you will drive to Bumthang over Yontongla pass at 3450m, the cultural heartland of the nation, with lush valleys and hilly forests. At Chumey, we will stop to see the Yathra textile production. Yathra is a woolen textile.
Continue to Bumthang. In Bumthang visit Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, where Guru Rinpoche, the great 8th century spiritual master left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. Then tour the Tamshing Lhakhang and the Jambay Lhakhang. Dinner and overnight at Bumthang.
Day 6: Bumthang - Punakha
Today you will retrace your journey back to Punakha via Trongsa and the two spectacular high passes. Stop at Chendebji Chorten for your lunch. Check into the hotel on arrival. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day 7: Punakha - Paro
Today we will visit the most beautiful dzong in Bhutan (Punakha Dzong) and at Lobesa, we will hike to Chhimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility. The temple is located at a hilltop and we have to walk about 30minutes from the road end. Our lunch will be served at the Dochula cafeteria. Then we will continue our journey to Paro. Evening walk around the Paro town. Dinner and overnight in Paro.
Day 8: Tigers Nest Hike
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) Monastery, Bhutan's most famous monastery, which stands at 3180m. The 8th century Spiritual Master, Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. Lunch will be served in the Cafeteria Restaurant, located about halfway up on the mountain. Explore the Monastery hike back to Paro. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 9: Paro Departure
Time to say goodbye. Breakfast and unwind at leisure. Our guide will meet you at the hotel and escort you to the Paro International Airport for a flight coming home. The trip ends. Hope you enjoyed this unique tour and wish you would enjoy other Bhutan tour packages with us.
