Bhutan Cultural Tour
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Fly to Paro (2280m)
Fly from Kathmandu to Paro that takes about 1 hr 35 min. GAT staff will receive you at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax. Following lunch, Bhutanese tour guide will take you on a guide tour of 17th century Drukgyal Dzong and 7th century Kichu Lhakhang. Overnight in hotel.
Day 02: Sightseeing Paro. Afternoon drive to Thimphu (2320m)
After early morning breakfast, go on a half day sightseeing of Paro. You will explore Satsam Chorten and Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery. Taktsang Monastery is where Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, came on the back of a flying tiger. Next is the ancient watchtower of Ta Dzong and Paro Rimpung Dzong built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, 15th century Tamchog Monastery. Aftewards drive to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.
Day 03: Thimphu Sightseeing
The whole day today is reserved for Thimphu sightseeing. We begin by visiting National Memorial Chorten and Zilukha nunnery of Dupthop Lhakhang. Thereafter the National Library which is stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, Painting School and Traditional Medicine Institute. Lungtenzampa and Handicrafts Emporium offers you a history and artistic excellence of royal silver smiths and Bhutanese craftsmen. You will end your tour by calling on Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government. Overnight in hotel.
Day 04: Drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1310 m) via Dochula pass (3100m)
Take an early morning breakfast and drive to Punakha. En route you will go over Dochula pass (3100m) which allows beautiful views of Himalayan peaks including Jomolhari (7326m). You will also visit Chime Lhakhang, or ‘the Temple of Fertility’ and 17th century Punakha Dzong. The road further ahead passes through the popular Pho Chu (Male) and Mo Chu (Female) rivers. By late afternoon you will have reached Punakha, which is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo. Overnight in hotel.
Day 05: Sightseeing drive from Punakha to Gangtey and Trongsa (2800m)
Rise up early for warm breakfast and drive to Wangdiphodrang, situated at the confluence of Mo Chu and Tang Chu rivers. In Gangtey you will visit 17th century Gangtey Gompa whose present Abbot is the ninth re-incarnation of Pema Lingpa. Seeing black necked cranes in Phobjikha valley is one of the delights of the journey. After having packed lunch, you will head towards Trongsa. Trongsa hosts Trongsa Dzong, built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa and the ancestral home of the present Royal Family. Overnight in hotel.
Day 06: Drive from Trongsa to Bumthang (2800m)
Following breakfast drive to Bumthang where you will explore Jakar Dzong, 7th century Jambay Lhakhang built by Tibetan King Srongsen Gampo. Overnight in hotel.
Day 07: Bumthang Sightseeing
You will have a full day sightseeing in Bumthang. Places of interest include Kurjey Lhakhang, Tamshing Lhakhang, along with Cheese Factory and Bhutanese Farm House. Overnight in hotel.
Day 08: Drive back from Bumthang to Thimphu
Early morning drive to Thimphu. Overnight in hotel.
Day 09: Final Departure
You will be driven to the airport to catch a flight to back home.