Essence of Bhutan - Overland Tour

A spectacular descent through mountainous valleys brings you into the Kingdom of Bhutan. The beautiful airport is your first glimpse of what's ahead. After clearing customs and visa control, you are met by your driver and guide. A short drive along the valley brings you to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. This very picturesque drive passes rural homes, hillside monasteries, and chortens.The drive will take around one hour.

Thimphu has a population of about 100,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold.

In the morning we'll visit: the National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck; the Folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past through exhibition of items and artifacts used households; and the Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is preserved through exhibition and a good collection of old textiles rich in its color and design.

Lunch served at a restaurant in Thimphu. After lunch depart to Punakha, the ancient capital of Bhutan. Leaving Thimphu, the road climbs steeply through a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochula pass (3,050 m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for a tea and the view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha and drive to your hotel and check-in. Visit Punakha Dzong winter seat of the Je Khenpo (chief abbot of Bhutan) and the Monk Body, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (Female) Chu and Pho (Male) Chu.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Today we start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Bumthang via Trongsa is approximately seven hours crossing over Pele La pass (3,300 m) and yotongla pass (3,400 m). The central road across the Black Mountains was completed 30 years ago, and it brought about great changes to the people in central Bhutan.

We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass (3,300 m) with alpine environments of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between West and East of Bhutan. If the weather is clear the Himalayan ranges can be seen, particularly the peak of Jhomulhari (7,314 m) to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon.

In Trongsa we visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the Dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. We then drive to Bumthang Valley, described as one of the most beautiful spots in the Himalayas, across the Yotongla pass (3,400 m).

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Bhuddhism. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure-finders) have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley.

In the morning we visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temples in Bhutan built in 7th century) and visit Kurjey Lhakhang (where Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock), hike to visit the Tamshing monastery, one of the oldest monastic schools built by Tertons Pema Lingpa.

After lunch hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century, on the way back visit Jakar Dzong, the seat of the district administration.

In the evening, stroll in Chamkhar Town. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Today after breakfast we drive back to Wangdue via Gangtey and over the Pelela Pass (3,300m). The drive is approximately six and a half hours, climbing steadily through semi-tropical vegetation with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. Gangtey lies towards the east of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. There is an old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century.

A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor is the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gently sloping hillsides of Phobjikha are described as the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas. This is the winter home of black-necked cranes that migrate from the arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climates.

After the visits to Gangtey Monastery continue your drive to Wangdue. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive over the Docula pass (3,050m) to Paro with a lunch stop and some shopping at Thimphu.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast drive the winding road to Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fortress, which once defended the valley from Tibetan invasions. We then drive to Ramthangkha, the terminating point of the motorable road and then hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The hike up to the cafeteria will take around two hours of average walking speed and is located 2,950 meters (9,678 feet) above sea level. At the view point, enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of Tigeress in the 8th century. If you desire then you can hike up to the monastery and visit the monastery which contains thirteen holy places.

After the visit to the temples walk back to the cafeteria for your lunch. After lunch we walk back to the road point and then visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan.

In the afternoon visit the National Museum, Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower which now houses the National Museum, and visit Paro Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as an administration center and school for monks.

Take an evening stroll through the main town of Paro. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

In the morning our company escort will bid you farewell at Paro airport. Good-bye and happy journey back home.