The tour passes through the famous cities of Bhutan such as Paro, Thimpu, Gantey, Punakha etc. the trip starts from Paro which will lead you to the famous Taktsang Monastery located in the Cliffside. The trip further continues to Thimpu the capital City. The program enables you to explore majestic architectural fortresses (dzongs), monuments and museum and enjoy pleasant walks along the fast growing streets. As the tour continues, you will be travelling to the Gyantse and further to Trongsa- a traditional town consisting of the whitewashed shops. The next destination would be Punakha, the Punakha Dzong is considered as the most beautiful dzong of the country built over a long period of time.
Outline Itinerary
Price Details.
For more information regarding the price, please email us at ehtours@explorehimalayatravel.com
Detail Itinerary.
The flight to Paro will give you a chance to view the beauty of the plains and the greater Himalayas. You will also be able to see the peak of the sacred Mt. Chomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drake in Bhutan along with the other Himalayan mountain peaks. Upon arrival at the airport, your tour guide will receive you. The guide will escort you to the hotel to check in and will brief you during the tea. The evening will be free so that you can stroll around the local Paro market.
After an early breakfast, drive to Paro. In Paro, take a short trek to Taktsang Monastery (10 Km) from Paro Town. The name Taktsang means “Tiger’s Nest”. The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of nearly 800m and overlooks the Paro Valley and the River. It is said that in the second half of the 8th century, Guru Padma Zambhava known as the second Buddha in Bhutan, meditated at the spot where the monastery is situated having alighted there on the back of a flying tigress. One can enjoy spectacular views of the Takstang monastery and the Paro valley from Takstang Cafeteria that lies as a resting point in the middle of the short trek. The round trip hike takes about 4 hrs. In the evening, take a stroll around Paro town.
After breakfast, drive to Thimphu, this would take you through the picturesque villages of Paro and Wang settlement with traditional houses and well-terraced fields that go in harmony with nature. On the way visit the Zimtokha Dzong, (5 kms before reaching Thimphu) built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal presently used as the Institute of Language and Cultural Ztudies. Zimtokha Dzong is also the oldest Dzong in Bhutan (Dzong means fortress). After check in at hotel and getting refreshed, visit the Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the Late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), in 1974.
After lunch, visit the National Library where ancient manuscripts are preserved. A little further is the Institute of Zorig Chosum (arts and craft). Drive to the Nunnery and visit the temple and also get a good view of the Thimphu Dzong. Drive to the radio tower to get a sunset view of Thimphu and also to see the Takins (national animal).
Drive to Gangtey would take about six hours but you can extend to 8/9 hours exploring the variety of Rhododendrons and Magnolias. On a clear day, you can see the whole range of Eastern Himalayas beautified with the colorful prayer flags from the Dochula pass, (3100 Mts, 10,230 ft). Keep your eyes open after you cross the pass, giant Rhododendrons and Magnolias are common on every turns of the road. Lunch in Wandgi and continue driving exploring the Wild flowers till the pass (above Gangtey) to see the dwarf bamboos. You can enjoy the simple and rustic village lodge at Gangtey.
After breakfast, walk ahead of the vehicle to enjoy the beauty of the valley which is the home for the rare Black Necked Cranes in winter and to get a taste of rural life. Visit the Gangtey Gompa (temple) and continue towards Trongsa (120 kms) exploring the beauty of nature. There are about twenty different kinds of Rhododendrons along with some other variety including Blue Poppy (the national Flower of Bhutan ) Try to catch the beautiful sunset view of the Dzong.
Drive to Punakha would take about six to seven hours. You will be driving back the same way and explore the leftover of the previous day and enjoy the temperate tropical weather of Punakha and rivers and paddy fields.
Drive to Thimpu (121 km) would take about three hours. After Breakfast, drive to the Punakha Dzong and witness the beauty of the Dzong with the rivers. The Dzong too, proves the art of Bhutan as a living culture. In the evening, drive back to Paro.
Early breakfast at the Hotel and then drive to the airport to board the flight. Your escort will assist you with departure formalities and bid you farewell.
