Best Of Bhutan

Welcome to Bhutan! After arriving and processing visa formalities, be sure to keep your copy of the visa clearance letter handy. After collecting your baggage, you will be welcomed by our tour representative and then you will head to Thimpu. On the way to Thimphu, you will cross the iron chain bridge.

After your arrival in Thimphu, you will check-in at your hotel. Relax and freshen up a bit, before visiting the National Memorial Chorten.

The National Memorial was built by Bhutan’s third king, HM Jigme Dorji Wangchuck who is also known as the “father of modern Bhutan.” He wanted to erect a monument carrying the message of world peace and prosperity. However, he was unable to give shape to his idea in his lifetime due to pressures of state and other regal responsibilities. After his untimely demise in 1972, the Royal Family and Cabinet resolved to fulfill his wishes and erect a memorial that would perpetuate his memory.

After breakfast we will visit the following places:

Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang), the world’s largest sitting Buddha statue at 167 feet high. It is about 15 minutes away from the city’s center.
Sangaygang, where you can see a bird’s eye view of Thimphu valley.
Takin Zoo
Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in Thimphu.
The weekend market, where you can experience the local Bhutanese way of life.

After an early breakfast, we will drive towards Punakha via Dochula Pass.

Stop at Dochula (3,100 m), where on a sunny day you can get stunning views of the Himalayan ranges. The Dochu La Pass is probably the best-known mountain pass in Bhutan. Located at an altitude of 3150 meters above sea level, the Dochu La Pass is about 30 kilometres away from the capital city Thimphu and the road to Punakha.

The Punakha Dzong is located at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and the Po Chhu River, which combine to form the Puna Tsang Chu, a tributary of the mighty Brahmaputra River. The Dzong was constructed by zhahbdrung Ngawang Namgyal Wangchuck in 1638 on the exact spot as prophesied by the Guru Rinpoche some 800 years ago.

After early morning breakfast, you will be taken for a morning hike up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

The Yulley Namgyal Chorten lies approximately 7 kilometres north of Punakha. The Chorten is situated along a hill up to the valley and can be reached after a leisurely hike through the woods and rice paddies. The temple is dedicated to the well-being of all beings that reside in the Kingdom.

Behind Punakha Dzong stretches the Punakha Suspension bridge, the longest of its kind in Bhutan. The bridge connects the Dzong with the villages on the other bank of the Po Chhu river. Being the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan it’s a masterpiece of beauty.

Post breakfast you will be driven towards Gantey, but before you arrive, visit Chimi Lhakhang, also known as the temple of fertility. The site is visited not only by the Bhutanese but women from countries as far as Japan and the United States to receive a special blessing that can help these women conceive children.

After reaching Gangtey visit Gangtey Goemba, an important monastery associated with the Nyingmapa school of Buddhism. The monastery was established in 1613 by Peling Gyalse Rinpoche, the grandson of Trenton Pema Lingpa the great treasurer discoverer.

After breakfast, drive to Paro with a stop to visit Phobjikha valley.

Phobjikha is a wide glacial valley located close to the Gangtey Monastery. The Phobjikha valley is the winter home of the rare black-necked cranes that migrate from Tibet to roost in the more comfortable climate of the Phobjikha Valley.

After arrival in Paro, you will visit a local market to shop and to buy souvenirs. You may shop for items like hand-woven textiles that is either in raw silk or silk, carved masks of various animals, woven baskets of cane and bamboo, wooden bowls known as Dapas, handmade paper products or finely crafted gods of silver.

Today, we will visit the following places:

Rimpung Dzong, probably Bhutan’s best known and most iconic Dzong. This is probably the first building you will notice when you land at Paro International Airport and will probably be your first memory of Bhutan. The imposing Dzong is perhaps the finest example of Dzong architecture existing the world today.

Ta Dzong (National Museum). The Ta Dzong was constructed in 1656 with the purpose of giving advance warning to the Paro Dzong in case of an approaching army. The Museum houses a priceless collection of textile, costumes, paintings, appliqué, wooden handicrafts, weapons, armour and jewellery.

Kyichu Lhakhang, the Jowo Temple of Kyichu and one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The temple was built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Farmhouses. The natural beauty of Paro valley is enhanced by picturesque farm houses dotted among the fields and on the hillsides. The two to three-storied Bhutanese farmhouses are authentic in appearance, with colourfully decorated outer walls and lintels, and are traditionally built without the use of nails. All houses follow the same architectural style. A visit to a farmhouse gives an interesting glimpse into the lifestyle of a farming family.

Post early morning breakfast, you will be going for a morning hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest’.

In the morning, after an early breakfast, we will see you off at the Paro Airport for your onward destinations.