BHUTAN PATHWAY TOURS
TOUR 12 nights 13 days
Day 01: Arrive Paro by (Druk Air)
Fly to Paro by Bhutan’s national airline Druk Air. Our representative will meet you at Paro airport, and after completion of arrival formalities you will be transferred to Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, an exciting blend of tradition and modernity. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.
Day 02: Thimphu
Sightseeing of Thimphu valley includes, visit to National Library, Traditional Medicine Institute, Arts & Crafts School, Textile and Folk Heritage Museum, National Memorial Chorten, Zilukha Nunnery, Traditional paper factory, Zilukha Nunnery, Takin mini Zoo, Handicrafts Emporium, local shops. Finally visit to Tashichho dzong, houses most of the Government's office and King's Throne room.
Day 03: Thimphu – Punakha (3 hours drive)
After breakfast drive to Punakha (an ancient capital of Bhutan). Stop en route at Dochula pass (3050 m) for refreshments. On a clear day this pass often offers panoramic views of the eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong (the winter residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot and the central monastic body). Hike to Khamsum 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).
Day 04: Punakha
Hike to Chimi Lhakhang (fertility temple) or drive to Wangdue to visit Wangdiphodrang Dzong. Overnight at Punakha. Evening Leisure.
Day 05: Punakha - Trongsa (4 hours drive)
Start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Trongsa is via Wangdue and across Pele-la pass (3,300m/10,830 ft). The pass is marked by a large white chorten prayer flags. There is an abrupt change in vegetation at this point, with mountain forest replaced by high altitude dwarf bamboo. Then continue onwards, reaching Chendebji in time for lunch. View the Chendebji Chorten patterned on Kathmandu’s Swayambhunath Stupa, with eyes panted at four cardinal points. Arrive at Trongsa in afternoon and check into the hotel for the night.
Day 06:Trongsa – Bumthang (2 hours drive)
After breakfast, visit the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. Both the first and second Kings of Bhutan ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four Kings were invested as Trongsa Penlop (‘governer’) prior to ascending the throne, and the present Crown Prince now holds the post. The Dzong is a massive structure with many levels, sloping down the contours of the ridge on which it is built. Then drive to Bumthang, over the Yutong-la pass (3,400m/ 11,155 ft). The road winds up to the pass, 28 km from Trongsa, then runs down through coniferous forest into a wide, open cultivated valley of Bumthang. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.
Day 07: Bumthang
This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. In the morning visit Kurjey Lhakhang (where the saint Guru Pasmasambhava subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock) and Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (administrative center of the region). Stroll in the town and villages.
Day 08: Bumthang
Ura valley: Southeast of Jakar (2 hrs drive from town), Ura is the highest of Bumthang’s valleys and is believed by some to have been the home of the earliest inhabitants of Bhutan. It’s one of the most interesting villages in Bhutan. Evening Leisure.
Day 09: Bumthang - Wangdue (5 hours drive)
After breakfast drive to Wangdue via Trongsa. Picnic will be served at convenient spot. If time permits visit Gangtey / Phobjikha valley. Overnight at Chuzomsa, Wangdue.
Day 10: Wangdue - Paro (4 hours drive)
Morning drive to Paro across Dochula pass. Enroute visit Simtokha Dzong. Afternoon Paro visit National Museum and Rinpung Dzong. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.
Day 11: Paro
After breakfast drive to visit Drukgyal Dzong and also visit a typical Bhutanese farm house of a local family for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. Visit Ta Dzong & Rimpung Dzong, Ta Dzong is situated immediately above Rimpung Dzong. It was built as a watchtower to protect Rimpung Dzong. (“Ta” means “to see” in Dzongkha, so the watchtower of a dzong is always called a “Ta dzong”).
Day 12: Paro
After breakfast take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). The beautiful excursion to the monastery takes about 3 hours for round trip. While returning to hotel visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred shrines in Bhutan. Evening Leisure.
Day 13: Departure (by Druk Air)
After early breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination.
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