15 Nights 16 Days – Heavenly Bhutan Tour

Day 01: Arrive Paro, Travel toThimphu (2Hours – 55KM)

The fresh start of your exhilarating adventure begins with the flight to Paro. Amidst the journey, one can see the magnificent mountain scenery encompassing the splendid view of the great Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other pinnacles in Bhutan such as Mt. Chomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakay, and Mt. Tsherimgang. After your placid flight touch down at Paro Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by the representative of Advent Bhutan Tours who will be your Bhutan tour guide throughout your entire travel in Bhutan.

Check into the hotel. After a brief rest, start your mesmeric experience of Bhutan by first visiting the National Museum, housed in the Ta Dzong (watchtower). Ta Dzong– National Museum of Bhutan is a cultural museum in the town of Paro established in 1968. Built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war.

Here, an intriguing collection of finest samples of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues, paintings, suitable galleries are elegantly displayed on scientific lines, which collectively will lead to the wonderful introduction to the rich culture and heritage of the Kingdom.

Walk down to Paro Dzong, a Buddhist monastery and fortress which houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag, a fine example of Bhutanese historic architecture.  It was built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. From the Dzong, march further down to Nyamai Zampa, a traditional cantilever bridge which lies below the sheer walls of  Rinpung Dzong. Stroll through Rimpung Bridge ( The oldest bridge in Bhutan)

Voyage to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan, is an hourly drive journey.  The road runs down through the Paro valley, characterised by the narrow-gauged with high, rocky cliffs on the left. You can stop on the way to visit the magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of worship for Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Then passage through  Chuzom, is the entrance to the Thimphu valley,  the Confluence of Paro and Thimphu rivers. The road passes along  the Simtokha Dzong, (Dzong means ‘castle-monastery’) – It is the oldest Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal (who unified Bhutan). The Dzong functions as a monastic and as well as administrative centre. Today, it is one of the pre-eminent Dzongkha language (National Language) learning institutes.

Check into hotel.

Evening free after dinner. Halt in Thimphu.

Day 02: Thimphu Tour and Sightseeing

Sightseeing in Thimphu include visits to:

The National Library- The National Library of Bhutan (NLB), which houses an enormous collection of ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts, was established in 1967 under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ashi Phuntso Choden for the purpose of “preservation and promotion of the rich cultural and religious heritage” of Bhutan.

The folk heritage museum- The museum was launched on 28 July 2001 under the initiative of founder Queen Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo. The outdoor museum give an insight into rural life.The museum exhibit diverse materials associated with the Bhutanese culture and way of life.The exhibition comprises of rural households’ artifacts, equipment, objects and tools.

The School of Thangka Painting-The traditional arts is known as zorigchusum (zo = the ability to make; rig = science or craft; chusum = thirteen). These traditional crafts depict hundreds of years of knowledge and ability that has been passed down through generations.The students undergo a six-year course to consummate learning the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.

The Institute of traditional medicine- The Institute of traditional medicine sprawled on a hilltop with the Traditional Arts Center and National Library just below, was established in 1978. This institute collect medicinal plants from far-flung areas of the Bhutanese Himalaya, such as Lingzhi, Laya and Lunana, conducts research on Bhutan’s medicinal plants to identify the ingredients to help develop new health product and then dispense pills, tablets, ointments and medicinal teas to regional health-care units around the country.

The Memorial Chorten- Also known as the Thimphu Chorten, was built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), who is regarded as “The Father of Modern Bhutan”.   Buddhist call the monument “The mind of the Buddha”. It is an honoured landmark in the city with its golden spires and bells, widely known as “the most visible religious landmark in Bhutan”.

The Tashichho Dzong – It is a Buddhist monastery and fortress of the glorious religion on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu, built in 1641 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. It was rebuilt into the present structure by the late King, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck in the year 1962-1969. It houses the secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

Then, stroll down the  Handicrafts Emporium and local crafts shops, aligned neatly below Norzin Lam, opposite to Nehru Wangchuk Cultural Centre, to witness Bhutanese fine traditional arts. Here you can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewelry, and other eye-catching items made from local materials.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 03: Thimphu Short Trekking to Tango Monastery (45Minutes from the base)

After breakfast, drive to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. Tango is the highest center of Buddhist learning for monks in the country. It is believed that almost every Je Khenpo (religious head of Bhutan) accomplished the 9-year program there. After completing that program, monks traditionally spend years meditating at the nearby Cheri Goemba retreat, built in 1619 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal(unifier of Bhutan).

The climb aloft will take approximately about 45 minutes. The view from Tango Monastery is breathtaking, which shall rejuvenate your soul surrounded by the calm ambience.

Drive back to Thimphu. In evening, you can relax /stroll around Thimphu town.

Overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 04:Thimphu-Punakha-Wangdue (3Hours -76Km)

In the morning, travel to Punakha (2 ½ hrs Journey) via the Dochula pass. The Dochula Pass (3,088m/10,130ft) is a mountain pass, with the breathtaking view of 108 memorial stupas known as “Druk Wangyal Chortens”  built under the initiative of Royal Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk( the eldest Queen Mother), built in honour of the fourth Druk Gyalpo (head of the state of Bhutan), Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

Journey to Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. It is also known as Pungtang Dewa chhenbi Phodrang (meaning “the palace of great happiness or bliss). It is the second oldest and largest dzong built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal (Unifier of Bhutan) to serve as the religious and administrative seat of the region. Visit the Punakha Dzong, majestically sprawl between the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo chu (Female River).

After lunch, drive to Metshina Village and take 15 minutes walk through the rice fields to the Devine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where it is believed, one can receive special fertility blessings.

Afterwards, a drive to Wangdue (25 Minutes journey from Punakha). Visit Wangdue Dzong. It was founded by the Zhabdrung in 1638. In the 17th century, Wangdue played a critical role in unifying Shar Chog Khorlo Tsebgay (the western, central and southern regions of the country). It is one of the largest dzongkhags (districts) in the country covering 4,308 sq km and ranges from 800-5800 m in altitude. In 24 June 2012, the dzong caught fire and was burnt down.The renovation is still ongoing and is expected to continue until 2021.

Overnight at hotel in Wangdue

Day 05: Wangdue – Trongsa –Bumthang (8hours-197Km)

Drive to Trongsa. The exotic journey will take you through freshly dense green forests of oak trees and rhododendrons, passing through the village of Nobding and Pele la pass (11,000ft). During the course of your journey, you will be accompanied by the beautiful sceneries of rural Bhutan, giving you a wonderful opportunity for photographing.

Stop over at Trongsa. A visit to Trongsa Dzong, the most spectacularly sited dzong in Bhutan, with a sheer drop to the south that often just disappear into cloud and mist. It was built by the Zhabdrung in 1644. The dzong is an architectural masterpiece.

Drive to Bumthang(Jakar). Bumthang valley is composed of four mountain valleys namely, Ura, Chumey, Tang and Choekhor. It is one of the most tourists visited place and a spectacular valley in Bhutan. It is popularly known as Switzerland of Bhutan- the heartland of Bhutan.

Bumthang, which means  “beautiful field” – thang means meadow or levelled place, and bum is an acronym of either bumpa (a vessel for holy water, characterised by its shape and nature of the valley), or purely bum (“girl,” indicating the valley of beautiful girls)

It is the most historic dzongkhag where this holy place is encompassed with several numbers of ancient temples and sacred sites.

Visit Yatha Weaving Center, a cooperative of the National Women Association of Bhutan. Women in central Bhutan are well known for their weaving talents, where the women of the region sell their beautifully produced textiles and Yatha. To explore more on this culture of weaving, you can visit Dorjibi Weaving Centre, which is based about 12 km north of Chamkhar town.

Weaving centre in Bumthang came into existence by the initiatives taken by a group of 33 enterprising women from three local villages. Due to the scarce agricultural fields, and limited income opportunities, this ambitious women, considerately came together and gave a start to weaving group with the financial support from Wangchuck Centennial Park (WCP), which helped generate income and gain self-sufficiency.

Day 06 :Bumthang Tour and Sightseeing

Sightseeing include visits to the following:

Jambay Lhakhang, is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century, in his effort to propagate Buddhism. It is told that 180 temples were built in a single day, to pin down evil spirits to earth forever.

Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, “Body imprint”), the sacred place is the final resting place of the cadaver of the first three kings of Bhutan. The temple to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built in the vicinity of the cave where Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body imprint. A large tree behind one of the temple buildings is believed to be a terma (hidden treasure) that was left there by Guru Rinpochoe.

Tamshing Lhakhang, a blessed land circled with numerous temples and monasteries. Tamshing Monastery in Bumthang is well known for its splendid and majestic beauty.It is one of the most historically, spiritually and culturally significant monasteries in Bhutan founded by Pema Lingpa (1450 – 1521), a great saint and spiritual master in both the Bhutanese and Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist traditions.

The wall painting of the temple is viewed as one of the oldest in Bhutan. The temple houses the iron net made by Pema Lingpa when he was 8 years old, and also a great centre of Bhutanese sacred masked dance introduced by Pema Lingpa himself which has remained as a Vital part of the monastic dance. The fortress is now used as an administrative center of the valley and summer residence of Trongsa monks.

In the evening stroll around the beautiful landscape of the Bumthang Jakar valley.

Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 07: Bumthang – Mongar (7hours -198Km)

This eastward journey from Bumthang to Mongar takes about seven hours drive covering 175 km. The journey will take you via road through Ura Village in Bumthang and slowly climbing aloft to the most spectacular highest motor road of Thrumshing La Pass (3,780 meters). The peaceful travel through the placid high mountain passes and rural villages accompanied by eye-catching cascading waterfalls along the way. Slowly descend through Sengor village, Namling ridge, Yonkola, Thridangbi villages till you reach the warm place Lingmithang.  After an hourly drive, you will reach to Kurichu bridge (2,130 ft). Climb again through the green coniferous forest to Mongar town.The journey from Bumthang to Mongar will make you notice the difference between Western and Eastern Region of Bhutan.

Overnight in Mongar

Day 08: Mongar- Trashigang (3Hours -91Km)

The road from Mongar to Trashigang takes about 3hours (91 Km).  The journey will lead you to the deep eastern region of Bhutan. To reach this thrilling destination, you have to cross through beautifully green covered forests passing over the Kori La at 8,000 ft. After driving about 29Km, you will come across  Ngatshang village (Ngatshang meaning, early residence). Descending rapidly leading to Yadi village and then to  Drametsi. “Drametsi temple” from which gave rise to the “Drametse Nga Chham (the dance of the drums)”. After forty-five minutes drive lies Trashigang. Trashigang is the largest and the most populated district in Bhutan. Trashigang Dzong was strategically built in 1659, on the hilltop overlooking Drangme Chhu to defend against the Tibetan invaders in the 17th  century. Today it houses the office of the district administrative officer and district monk body.

After lunch, visit Khaling. A very peaceful place, where weaving center under the initiative of women association of Bhutan, Government of Bhutan is based. One can see the process of extracting unique textiles and materials involved in weaving. Drive back to Trashigang.

Overnight in Trashigang.

Day 09: Expedition to Trashiyangtse(Trashigang-Trashiyangtse-2Hours- 52Km )

Expedition to Gom Kora Located in eastern Bhutan, the monastery is approximately 52km away from Trashigang Town and is undeniably one of the most revered monasteries in Bhutan.The other name of the temple is Gomphu Kora, which denotes a sacred meditation site of Guru Rinpoche- mediation cave (Gomphu) and Circumambulation (Kora).  The Guru meditated in this temple and left a body impression on a rock, similar to that in Kurjey Lhakhang in Bumthang.

Drive to Tashiyangtse Dzong, established  in 1992. It  is one of the twenty dzongkhags (districts) in Bhutan. Drive back to Trashigang

Overnight at hotel in Trashigang

Day 10: Trashigang – Mongar (3Hours-91Km)

It will be a returning journey, back to Mongar. In between, you can stop by to take photographs of the beautiful sceneries.

Night halt in a hotel in Mongar

Day 11: Mongar – Bumthang (7 Hours – 198Km)

Continuation of the second returning journey to Bumthang.

Overnight in Bumthang.

Day 12: Bumthang -Gangtey- Wangdue(11Hours-313Km)

After early breakfast, drive to Gangtey Gompa which is about eleven hours journey (313km). Visit Gangtey Gompa, an important monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, is one of the main seats of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa’s revelations. It is the most tourists visited place during the winter season to see the magnificent black-necked cranes that migrate from far-flung remote parts of Tibet. The spectacular ambience surrounded by hills and mountains are home to wandering shepherds and yak-herders. The view is just breathtaking.

Travel on to  Wangdue phodrang.

Night in Wangdue Phodrang.

Day 13: Wangdue-Thimphu(3Hours – 76Km)

Early morning, walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten(stupa),(also known as Nyizergang Chöten and Punakha Zangdopelri). It was built in 2004 by the Queen Mother Ashi Tsherin g Yangdon Wangchuck. The establishment of the stupa is to bring peace and firmness in the world.

Travel back to Thimphu, visit Simtokha Dzong en route. It is the oldest Dzong built in 1629 by Zhabdrug Ngawang Namgyal. The Dzong functions as a monastic and administrative centre. Today, it is one of the pre-eminent Dzongkha language (National Language) learning institutes.

In the evening, drive to the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal, Takin (The national animal of Bhutan). The reason for declaring Takin as the national animal is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation (goat’s head and cattle’s body) in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Drive further to Sangaygang to get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful Thimphu valley.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Thimphu.

Day 14 : Thimphu – Paro (2Hours – 55Km)

After breakfast, travel to Paro. Visit Kichu temple. It is one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. To overcome a giant demon who prevented the spread of Buddhism, laid on the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas, King Songtsen Gampo build 108 temples placed on all the points of her body.

After lunch, drive 18km up to the Drukgyel Dzong. The Dzong was built by Tenzin Drukdra in 1649 at the directive of  Zhabdrung Rinpoche, to honour victory over an invasion from Tibet.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 15: Paro Excursion to Taktsang (3hours 30 minutes Walk)

Drive to Satsam Chorten and then hike to the Taktshang, the Tiger’s Nest. Normally it takes about three and half hours to complete the hike but might take longer depending on your fitness.  Paro Taktsang, also known as the Tiger’s Nest, is an important  Buddhist sacred site which clings to the rock face, 900 metres above the valley floor. To the rear of the Taktsang lies Senge Samdup cave where Guru Rinpoche is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Today, Paro Taktsang is popularly known for the  thirteen taktsang or “tiger lair” caves in which he meditated. It is believed that Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) flew to Taktshang from Tibet on the back of a tigress from Khenpajong. This place was consecrated to tame the Tiger demon.

Refreshment will be served at View Point Cafeteria en route.After visiting the monastery, descend back to viewpoint cafeteria for lunch and then further descend downhill to the base. Then drive back to hotel.

Night in Paro.

Day 16: Paro – Departure

Advent Bhutan Tours & Travels (your local Bhutan travel agent) will see you off at the Paro International Airport for your onward destinations.

End of the Tour