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Highlights of Bhutan (Ex Kathmandu) 10 days

Trip Code : DH/RT-18
Destination : THIMPU VALLEY | PUNAKHA VALLEY | GYANGTSE VALLEY | BUMTHANG VALLEY | PARO VALLEY
Grading : Hard
Duration : 10 days
Accomodation : 3 star
Meals : All meals at the hotel
Group Size : max. 6 pax
Transportation : Private Tourist Vehicle
Single Supplement : US$ 

Overview

The tour covers the cultural highlights of all the major tourists’ destinations in Bhutan. You will travel through picturesque and sub-tropical valleys of Punakha, Wangdue & Phobjikha valley in western Bhutan and through the wonderful valley of and Bumthang in central Bhutan crossing several high passes. You will encounter the magic of simple Bhutanese life that transform into happiness and contentment making the society truly peaceful and happy.

PROGRAM OUTLINE
DAY 01 | ARRIVALPARO – THIMPU (2,350 M) (65 KMS/ 2 HRS DRIVE) (-/L/D)
DAY 02 | THIMPU (2,350M) (B/L/D)
DAY 03 | THIMPU - PUNAKHA (1,300 M) (77 KMS/ 3 HRS DRIVE) (B/L/D)
DAY 04 | PUNAKHA -TRONGSA (2,300M) (146 KMS/ 6 HRS DRIVE) (B/L/D)
DAY 05 | TRONGSA - BUMTHANG (68 KMS/ 2 HRS DRIVE) (B/L/D) (B/L/D)
DAY 06 | BUMTHANG – URA – BUMTHANG (1.5 HRS DRIVE) (B/L/D)
DAY 07 | BUMTHANG – GANGTEY (188 KMS/6 HRS DRIVE) (B/L/D)
DAY 08 | GANGTEY – PARO (135 KMS/4 HRS DRIVE) (B/L/D)
DAY 09 | PARO - TAKTSANG (2950 M) - PARO (2250M) (B/L/D)
DAY 10 | PARO- DEPARTURE (B/-/-)

Trip Highlights

  • Dochula pass
  • Jakar Dzong
  • Ura valley
  • Pelela pass
  • Paro valley
  • Wangduephodrang Dzong
  • Punakha Dzong
  • Trongsa Dzong
  • Thimpu valley

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL PARO – THIMPU (2,350 M) (65 KMS/ 2 HRS DRIVE)


Fly to Paro (1 hr). Upon an arrival, drive to Thimpu valley, the capital of Bhutan. 

Afternoon, visit the National Memorial Chorten,  Changangkha Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the valley offering a nice view of the valley and Taschichho Dzong, the secretariat of the national monk body from outside.

Overnight at your hotel in Thimpu

Day 2: THIMPU (2,350M)


Visit the Painting school of Buddhist art, the National Library, which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts and the Indigenous Hospital, where century’s old healing arts are still practiced, National Textile Museum, Folk Heritage Museum and Motithang mini zoo to see the rare “Takin” national animal of Bhutan. 
Then, visit the handicraft emporium for a little souvenir shopping.

Overnight at your hotel in Thimpu

Day 3: THIMPU - PUNAKHA (1,300 M) (77 KMS/ 3 HRS DRIVE)


Drive to Punakha through Dochula pass 3,100m - site of one of Bhutan's most enchanting views. On a clear day the whole range of the Himalaya stretching from east to west can be viewed. 

Visit Punakha Dzong from outside. This Dzong (fort) is set on the junction of the two rivers Phochu (Male River) on the right & Mochu (Female River) on the left with their waters merging right in front. 

Overnight at your hotel in Punakha

Day 4: PUNAKHA -TRONGSA (2,300M) (146 KMS/ 6 HRS DRIVE)


Drive to Trongsa crossing Pelela pass (3390m). Enroute visit Wangduephodrang Dzong

Visit Trongsa Dzong, one of the largest Dzong in the country, Ta Dzong (Watch Tower) and the famous Chendebji Chorten patterned on Swoyambhunath Stupa in Kathmandu.

Overnight at your hotel in Trongsa

Day 5: TRONGSA - BUMTHANG (68 KMS/ 2 HRS DRIVE) (B/L/D)


the route offers magnificent views of the Himalayas and beautiful landscape through scattered hamlets and forest of rhododendrons and pine.  

Visit Jakar Dzong or Jakar Yugyal Dzong en route in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang
It is built on the site of an earlier temple established by the Ralung hierarch Yongzin Ngagi Wangchuk (1517–1554) when he came to Bhutan. Jakar Dzong may be the largest Dzong in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1,500 meters (4,900 ft). 

Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang

Day 6: BUMTHANG – URA – BUMTHANG (1.5 HRS DRIVE)


Excursion tour of Ura
To reach here, the road climbs to amazingly open countryside, only occasionally running into the forest. Large sheep pastures line the road up to 20 km behind the southern tip of the Tang valley. The route crosses Ura la pass (3,600m) with stunning view of Mount Gangkhar Puensum. Villages in Ura have clustered houses, which is quite unusual in Bhutan. Above Ura village (3,100m) is a new temple dedicated to Guru Rinpoche. 

Overnight at your hotel in Bumthang

Day 7: BUMTHANG – GANGTEY (188 KMS/6 HRS DRIVE)


Start early for Gangtey, about 6 hrs from Bumthang. Farmhouses and temples dot the landscape and you will see local farmers wearing the traditional woven bamboo hats of central Bhutan. The wide and picturesque Phobjikha valley is one of Bhutan’s few glacial valleys, and chosen winter home of black-necked cranes (November – March) migrating from the Tibetan plateau. 

Visit Gangtey Monastery, the only Nyingmapa monastery in western Bhutan and explore Phobjikha Valley with time to view the Black-Necked Cranes. 

Overnight at your hotel in Gangtey

Day 8: GANGTEY – PARO (135 KMS/4 HRS DRIVE)


Drive back to Paro visiting Simthoka Dzong. 

Visit Paro Dzong / Rinpung Dzong (Fortress) on foot and continue walking through the oldest wooden bridge still in use. Continue further to stroll around the old Paro town and peep into some local handicrafts stores. You could get some opportunity to see the traditional game, Archery match going on. Also, visit Taa Dzong (‘the Watchtower’) now housing the National Museum. Built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

Day 9: PARO - TAKTSANG (2950 M) - PARO (2250M)


Morning, hike to Taktsang Monastery meaning “Tiger’s Nest”, a place of pilgrimage for local people. It is built around a cave in which Guru Rimpoche (Padmasambav) mediated, clings seemingly impossible to a cliff of rock at 3,000 feet above the valley floor. The legend has it that Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown to the site of the monastery on back of a tigress from Tibet and meditated in the cave there for three months. 

Later, visit Drukgyel Dzong. On a clear day, the 7,314m, white-domed peak of sacred Mt. Chomolhari (mountain goddess) looms overhead.

Overnight at your hotel in Paro

Day 10: PARO- DEPARTURE


After an early breakfast, drive to the airport to board the flight.

What's included

  • 2 nights twin share accommodation in Thimpu with all meals
  • 1 night twin share accommodation in Punakha with all meals
  • 1 night twin share accommodation in Trongsa with all meals
  • 2 nights twin share accommodation in Bumthang with all meals
  • 1 night twin share accommodation in Gyantse with all meals
  • 2 nights twin share accommodation in Paro with all meals
  • Sightseeing tours and transfers in Bhutan as per the program with an English speaking guide throughout
  • All applicable entrance fees
  • Bhutan visa fee and govt royalty

What's not included

  • Expenses of personal nature
  • Travel insurance
  • Airfare to/from Paro (shown separately)
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