This package offers visitors the chance to trace the Black Mountain pass of Bhutan which is the harbinger of Bhutan’s rich cultural and natural wealth. The visitors can not only enjoy national monuments in spectacular natural settings, but they can also interact with the hospitable inhabitants of the region.
Day 01: Kathmandu – Paro
Day 02: Paro Sightseeing
Day 03: Paro – Thimphu, Drive = 1 hr
Day 04: Thimphu – Punakha, Drive = 3 hr
Day 05: Punakha – Wangduephodrang – Gangtey Drive – 3 hrs
Day 06: Gangtey – Trongsa Drive = 4 hr 30 mins
Day 07: Trongsa – Bumthang, Drive – 3 hrs
Day 08: Bumthang
Day 09: Bumthang – Thimphu, Drive – 8 hrs
Day 10: Thimphu – Paro, Drive – 1 hr
Day 11: Paro - Kathmandu
Druk Airways flight to Bhutan is one of the most spectacular in entire Himalayas. On arrival at Paro airport, you will be received by our guide and and transfer to the hotel.
Evening free time to relax. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast, visit to Ta Dzong (National Museum) and then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong which has a long and fascinating history.
Afternoon visit to Drukgyel Dzong, the ruined fortress from where Bhutanese repelled several invasion by Tibetan armies. Then visit a traditional farm house which offers good insight into lifestyle of local people.
In the evening, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines of the Kingdom.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast proceed to Thimphu, the modern capital town of Bhutan. Enroute stop at Chuzom (confluence) where Paro river joins Thimphu river. Nearby Thimphu, visit to Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress of the Kingdom which now houses the School for Buddhist studies.
Afternoon, in Thimphu, visit to King’s Memorial Chhorten and Trashichhodzong, beautiful medieval fortress/monastery.
Then, visit Handicrafts Emporium, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum followed by visit to local market.
Before sun set drive to Sangay gang view point (2685 meters) to have view of whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colorful prayer flags that dot the hill over looking the Thimphu valley.
Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Morning, in Thimphu, visit the National Library, Painting School and Traditional Medicine Institute.
After lunch, drive to Punakha, the old capital town of Bhutan. Stop enroute at Dochula pass (3,050m) that heralds the most enchanting views of Bhutan.
On arrival, check into the hotel.
Evening visit Punakha Dzong, the fortress of 17th century and later hike to the beautiful Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, dedicated to the Fifth King. It was built to remove negative forces and to provide peace, stability and harmony in an ever changing world. It took eight and half years to build the three leveled chorten. The hike to/from takes about one and half hour.
Overnight at the hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast drive to Gangtey via Wangduephodrang. Visit majestic Wangdue Dzong.
Drive further to Gangtay village. You can enjoy sightseeing in Gangtey. You take lunch at Gangtey valley. It is one of the most beautiful glacial valleys of the Himalayas. Visit Gangtey Gompa. Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. These cranes are very rare and endangered and highly protected by the Government. En route you will stop in different places for the photography and have the view of different valleys.
Overnight at Camp or Guest House.
Morning take a leisure hike around the valley for 2-3 hrs. Tenkhor Yuetshe Sum Trail
This is a very leisurely and enjoyable walk through small beautiful villages where you will get to see traditional old village life and charming village houses. Follow the Gangtey Nature Trail from the Goemba and into the forest after Semchubara village. Rather than following the path leading down the valley, this trail continues on dirt road upwards into the first left side valley. The dirt road will lead you into Jangchub Kemba Village and from there you can follow a path linking all the small villages until you reach Gopho. From here you decent through the marsh land near Khewa Lhakhang across the bridge to the school.
After lunch drive to Trongsa crossing 3,300m high Pele la pass. Evening visit to Trongsa market. Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.
Morning visit to Trongsa Dzong, the master piece of Bhutanese architecture and see Ta Dzong, the watch tower, built to defend this Dzong and surrounding region.
After lunch, proceed to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Drive to Bumthang. This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here the great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons, treasure finders, have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley.
Bumthang is the general name given to combination of four valleys – Chumey, Choekhor, Tang and Ura with altitude varying from 2,600m to 4,000m.
Visit to Tamshing Lhakhang, the treasure house of interesting religious Buddhist paintings. Then visit, Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the valley.
Afternoon visit Kurje Lhakhang, one of the most sacred places. Later visit Jambay Lhakhang, the ancient monastery dating from the introduction of Buddhism in the country.
Evening visit to local shops. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Morning after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Thimphu . Lunch would be served enroute.
Arrive Thimphu and check into the hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast drive to Paro.
Afternoon: Hike to Tiger’s Nest. Tiger’s Nest or Taktshang Goempa is one of Bhutan’s most revered monuments. It literally hangs off the face of a cliff 900 meters (2952 feet) above the valley floor. The legend states that Guru Rinpoche flew into Bhutan on a mythical tigress and meditated in a cave before bringing Buddhism to Bhutan. The Taktshang Goempa is built around the cave, which is opened to the public once a year at the end of August. The four-hour round trip hike offers spectacular views of the Goempa and the valley below. Horses or mules can be arranged on request to help lighten the journey.
Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
