Shangri-La Bhutan: Mysterious Kingdom

Bangkok-Paro flight included.

Arrive at the airport, meet with your guide and driver outside the terminal. After a brief introduction, drive to hotel for check in and relax.

Later visit Ta-Dzong (watch tower), followed by Kichu Lhakhang, and visit a local farmhouse meet with the family for a welcome Suja (butter tea) or Oja (milk tea without sugar).

Evening leisure walk down the traditional Paro town.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) monastery is one of the most revered sites for all Himalayan Buddhists as their pilgrimage destination. The trail leads up steadily, meandering along the ridge, and finally finishes at the view point above the monastery. The trail continues with steps all the way down to a water fall, and continues further up into the interior of the monastery.  The way back to the bottom is by the same trail.

On this hike one can ride horses up until the tea house, but not beyond. For those who have the energy and quest to explore more, there are many other sacred monasteries around the main Tiger’s Nest monastery.

Note: Tiger’s Nest Monastery closes down from 1:00 to 2:00 pm every day for lunch break.

On your return, your guide will arrange a vegetarian lunch at Taktsang Cafeteria, which is half-way back to the car park.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Morning drive to the airport for a 35 min flight to Jakar, Bumthang. Check and relax in hotel.

Later, sightseeing includes 7th century Jambey Lhakang, believed to be one of the 108 temples mysteriously built in a single night. Next head to Kurje Lhakhang and discover the cave where Padmasambhava left behind his body imprint after his meditation.Visit 14th century Tamshing Goenba, a monastic school of many young novices; Swiss farmhouse, founded by a Swiss man who later married a local girl and have settled in Bhutan ever since; Kharchu Dratshang, the largest nyingma monastery in Bumthang. Leisure time around the small town of Jakar.

Overnight at the hotel in Jakar

Drive up to Ura and take a leisurely stroll in the quaint small village. Ura has a beautiful Buddhist Monastery surrounded by typical Bhutanese farm houses. You will also see yaks grazing in the rich pasture land of the Ura Valley. Have lunch in Ura and return to Bumthang in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel in Jakar

Morning drive to Trongsa, the ancestral home of the Wangchuck Dynasty (68 km / 45 mi, 2-3 hr drive).

It is said that every crown prince, heir to the ‘golden throne’, must serve as a governor of Trongsa Dzong prior to becoming the next king of Bhutan.

En-route visit the Yathra Weaving Centre at Zhungney. It is a joint venture run by family as a source of income other than agriculture. They sell hand-woven carpets, textiles, wooden masks, etc. made from Yak hair and sheep wool.

On arrival visit, Ta-Dzong, Trongsa Dzong; Evening stroll around the town and interact with the locals, are some options kept open after completing the sights of the day.

Overnight at the hotel in Trongsa

Transfer from Trongsa to Phobjikha Valley (129 km / 86 mil, 5 – 6 hr drive) and its wet-land, which provides the natural habitat for the endangered Black-Necked Cranes (November – March). These birds fly all the way from the Tibetan Plateau looking for winter roosting grounds.

Visit the 15th century Gantey monastery, Gantey Shedra, and the Crane Information Centre. Afterwards, check in to the hotel and relax.

Overnight at the hotel in Gantey

Morning hike (approx. 1 hr) along nature trail that begins from Kingathang Village, where you can visit a temple built by the Queen Mother. From Kingathang, continue walking for an hour around the wet-lands, passing Semchubara Village through forests of blue pine trees covered with lichen (known as old man’s beard), until you reach the front of Gantey Monastery.

Next, drive to Punakha (68 km / 45 mi, 2 – 3 hr drive), the former capital of Bhutan but still the winter residence for the central monk body.

Rinchengang Stone Masons village is about a 15 min. walk, and is located on a small hill facing Wangdi Phodrang Dzong (under renovation). Meet with the families and children at the village. It is best recommended to buy some candies when you meet with the children, they will love it. Take a 30 min. hike to the most revered temple of fertility, 15th century Chimi Lhakhang.

Overnight at the hotel in Punakha

In the morning, visit Punakha Dzong, the most beautiful Dzong in the country, located in between the Pho (Male) and Mo (female) Chhu (river). Until 1955, Punakha used to be the capital of Bhutan, and is still the winter residence for the central monk body.

Later drive to Paro (75 km /50 mi, 3 – 4 hr drive), en-route visit the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi and the 108 stupas at Dochula pass (alititude 3,140 m/10,080 ft). Continue to drive further to the capital city. Thimphu is home to 90,000 residents making it the largest populated district in Bhutan. Memorial stupa was built in loving memory of the late third king in early 1970’s. It is a pious landmark to many residents of Thimphu and of the nearby villages.

Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu

Visit Giant Buddha statue at Kuensel Phodrang, Takin Preserve, the national animal of Bhutan; Drubthob nunnery, which consists about 50 nuns mostly of Tibetan orgins. Colourful Weekend Market (open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday), the biggest domestic market of the country; Jungshi Hand-Made Paper Factory, walk around the Craft Bazaar if you are looking for souvenirs; and visit the Changzamtog Weaving House.

Evening drive to Paro, en-route stop over at the Iron Bridge at Ta–chog Lhakhang. Its located 5 min. walk below the Thimphu-Paro highway.

Overnight at the hotel in Paro

Includes flight to Bangkok.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight to your next destination.