General Information
Duration: 9 days/8 nights
Start/End: Thimphu/ Paro
Tour Route: Thimphu – Punakha – Gangtey – Bumthang – Paro
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Without 3 Days of Festival, you can tell us your interest about the 6 days (or less) remaining in the inquiry form)
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival – Thimphu (D)
Day 2: 1st Day Thimphu Festival (B, L, D) - 13th Sep
Day 3: 2ndDay Thimphu Festival (B, L, D) - 14th Sep
Day 4: 3rd Punakha Sightseeing (B, L, D) - 15th Sep
Day 5: Punakha – Gangtey (B, L, D) – Gangteay Festival 16th Sep
Day 6: Gangtey - Bumthang (B, L, D)
Day 7: Sightseeing in Bumthang
Day 8: Bumthang – Paro (B, L, D) via domestic flight
Day 9: Departure (B)
Day 1: Paro Arrival – Thimphu (D)
Meet your private guide as soon as arrival at Paro International Airport then move on to Thimphu to check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day will be free to let you enjoy the heart of Bhutan via bustling streets. Here you will witness the way police operate the transportation system by moving hands as if he was performing a dance. Take a break in the lively market of the city before returning to the hotel in the evening and enjoy a well-served dinner.
Day 2: 1st Day Thimphu Festival Tour (B, L, D) - 13th Sep
Today enjoy fabulous Bhutan within the Thimphu Tshechu Festival. Wake up early this morning and manage to wear the finest Bhutanese traditional dress then head off the important celebration at Thimphu Tashichho Dzong. Gaze out at the gorgeous Buddhist monastery before joining the festival. With the long-lasting origin, here you can witness the display of Bhutanese unique architecture with a beautiful rose garden outside. During the festival, watching the amazing mask dances of the monks with people gathering at the courtyard of Tashicho Dzong. It is believed that these dance helps people to remove all the bad karma and bless the good fortune for all the audience to witness them. Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: 2nd Day Thimphu Festival Tour (B, L, D) - 14th Sep
The morning of day 3 continues attending the festival to watch the important rituals. After that, enjoy the local cuisine in a charming restaurant and be ready for an afternoon sightseeing. A short visit to National Memorial Chorten introduces you to one the “most visible landmark in Bhutan” constructed in honor of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Then take the road to National Library to marvel at 6100 Bhutanese and Tibetan books, manuscripts and 9000 paintings to get an insight into Bhutanese’s history as well as the religion and culture.
Then drive to Punakha crossing Dochula Pass. If time permits stop at the Chimi Lhakhang temple for an extraordinary journey via gorgeous fields to one of the most reversed of Bhutan where is considered as the temple of fertility. Along the way, you will catch the images of penis pictures hanging on the local houses which are considered to ward off the demon. Upon the temple, your guide will explain to you the meaning of this famous temple as well as the legend surrounding the temple. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day 4: 3rd Punakha Sightseeing (B, L, D) – 15th Sep
A full day to explore Punakha, the beautiful valley which is used to be the former capital of Bhutan lies on the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Mother) and Pho Chhu (Father) River. This morning, drive through the fertile landscape to the Punakha Dzong, one of the most impressive dzongs in Punakha. Holding the marvelous ancient architecture featuring the uniqueness of Bhutan, the dzong displays many Buddhist paintings as well as portrait stories about the traditional culture of the locality. Here listen to your guide about the meaning of each religious painting to gain an insight into the spirituality of the Bhutanese people.
Then, if you wish to experience an adventurous trip that excites your senses, take a short trek to the country’s longest suspension bridge nearby to be captivated by the majestic bridge crossing the roaring blue stream overlooking at the lush green of spectacular mountains. This afternoon, why don’t you join amazing rafting (subject to time) along the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers to get an incredible experience in Punakha. A good dinner rounds off in the evening as soon as you return to the hotel. Overnight in Punakha.
Day 5: Punakha – Gangtey (B, L, D) – Gangteay Festival 16th Sep
Leave early this morning for a drive to Gangtey (or known as Phobjikha) – a wide and glacial valley in Wangdue Phodrang District. This morning’s first stopover is the Gangtey monastery oto witness the annual festival of Gangtey. Next, more scenic splendor as you head off the Black-Necked Crane Information Center. Here you have a chance to learn more about the black-necked cranes and the awareness of protecting this endangered bird. Overnight in Gangtey.
Day 6: Gangtey - Bumthang (B, L, D)
After breakfast in the morning, drive east to Bumthang, the spiritual heart of Bhutan. It is going be a long 6 -7 hours drive crossing Trongsa district and the two high passes - Pela La pass 3420 meters and Yotong La Pass at 3450 meters. At Chumey, we will stop to see the Yathra textile production. Yathra is a woolen textile. Continue to Bumthang. Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 7: Sightseeing in Bumthang
Today's sightseeing in Bumthang includes Jakar Dzong, the administrative center of the valley; Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan, dating from the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan; and Kurjey Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places, because Guru Rinpoche, a great 8th century spiritual master left his body imprint on the cave when he was meditating. You will also have a chance to tour Tamshing Lhakhang, a treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. In the evening you can visit local shops. Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 8: Bumthang – Paro (B, L, D) via domestic flight
After breakfast take a 45 minutes domestic flight to Paro. Then hike the magical Tiger Nest (or Paro Taktsang) in the afternoon. Perched on the sheer rock cliff at a 900-meter height overlooking at the drifting clouds embracing the top of the mountain ranges, this is the magnificent spot that will fulfill your remarkable vacation in Bhutan. In the evening, you will head to a farmhouse where you will get to try your hand at archery and even enjoy a delicious traditional home-cooked meal with the family. Overnight in Paro.
Day 9: Departure (B)
After breakfast, check-out at the hotel and wait for the driver to pick you up to transfer for a flight to your departure. The trip ends, hope we can serve you next time when it comes to Bhutan tour packages.
