Bhutan Best Tour Ex-Paro

(Distance: 65 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Thimphu: 2,350 mts.)

Welcome to start your Bhutan Tour. After completion of immigration formalities at the Paro Airport exit door, you will be met by your Bhutanese guide and get transferred to Capital City of Bhutan, Thimphu. Enroute stop at Chuzom, the confluence of Thimphu (Wang Chhu) and Paro (Pa Chhu) rivers. Here you will see three Stupas, built-in Bhutanese, Tibetan and Nepalese style. On arrival in Thimphu, check-in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast, you would be taken for a tour of Thimphu City. You would be visiting

Kuensel Phodrang, the gigantic Buddha Dordenma Statue located atop a hill offering a magnificent view of Thimphu Town; National Memorial Chorten, a Stupa built-in 1974 to honor the third King, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck circumambulated by people offering prayers;

Folk Heritage Museum, traditional house giving an insight to the Bhutanese lifestyle and artifacts from the rural households; Simply Bhutan and Motithang Takin Reserve, a wildlife reserve center for Takin, the national animal of Bhutan. In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, Fortress of the Glorious Religion. This impressive fortress houses some ministries, His Majesty’s secretariat, and the central monk body. Overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

(Distance: 77 kms. / Driving Time: 2 hrs. / Altitude of Punakha: 1,310 mts.)

After breakfast, you will be driven to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. On the way, stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to get the permit stamped which is to be returned in your return journey. Later halt at Dochula Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,100 mts. From here on a clear sunny day, you get a magnificent view of the Himalayas. The landmarks around the pass include 108 Druk Wangyal Stupas built under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. Continue your drive to Punakha / Wangdue. On arrival in Punakha visit Punakha Dzong, one of the most beautiful dzongs of Bhutan located at the confluence of Mo Chhu and Po Chhu Rivers built-in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and Suspension Bridge. Later check-in at the hotel. The evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.

(Excursion to Gangtey - Distance: 78 kms. One way / Driving Time: 3 hrs / Altitude of Gangtey / Phobjikha: 2,900 mts.)

After breakfast, you would be taken for a full day excursion trip to Gangtey (9,840 ft.). Gangtey is the home of Black Necked Crane which migrates from the arid plains of Tibet in the north in winters. It is a beautiful glacial valley of Bhutan. Here you can also visit Gangtey Goemba, an important and one of the largest monastery of Nyingmapa school of Buddhism, the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition and Black Necked Crane Information Centre, a place for recreation with crane watching equipment (binoculars, spotting scopes) and reference books. In the evening return back to Punakha/Wangdue.

OR

Alternatively, you can also spend the day in Punakha Valley itself. After breakfast visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, a monastery standing on a ridge in Punakha Valley offering a magnificent view of the valley. It takes an hour's hike to reach the top of the hill. It was built by Queen Mother and dedicated to the King and for the wellbeing of Bhutanese; Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the longest suspension bridge in Bhutan built above the Po Chhu River and Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery, a temple plus nunnery perched on a ridge overlooking Toebesa, Punakha and Wangduephodrang valleys. Punakha is also one of the few places in Bhutan which offers white rafting facility, which can be done on a direct payment basis. (Please let the guide know a day in advance in case you want to do rafting the next day). The evening is free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Punakha / Wangdue.

(Distance: 140 kms. / Driving Time: 4 hrs. / Altitude of Paro: 2,280 mts.)

After breakfast, you would be driven to Paro. On the way, stop at Immigration Check Point in Hongtsho Village to return the permit which was stamped earlier. Enroute stop at Tamchog Lhakhang, situated between Thimphu and Paro built in the 13th century by Thangthong Gyalpo also known as the Iron bridge builder. Continue your drive to Paro. On arrival at Paro visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower overlooking Rimpung Dzong built-in 1951 now converted into national museum; Nemi Zam Bridge, also known as Nya Mey Zam Bridge is a traditional covered cantilever bridge connecting the Paro town to the Dzong and Kyichu Lakhang, one of the oldest and most sacred temples of Bhutan. Later check-in at the hotel. Evening free for leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Paro.

In the morning, take an excursion to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. “Tiger’s Nest” monastery, most famous of Bhutan’s monasteries, is spectacularly located on the side of a cliff 900m above the valley floor. It is said that in the 8th century Guru Rinpoche flew on the back of a tigress from eastern Bhutan to this place and meditated in a cave here for 3 months, hence its name, “Tiger’s Nest”. There have been shrines at this sacred place for many centuries. The principal Lhakhang of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. The main structure was severely damaged by fire in 1998, but after many years of painstaking restoration work, the complex has now been fully restored to its former glory. Taktsang is a place of pilgrimage which Bhutanese try to visit at least once in a lifetime. Later, take an excursion to DrukgyelDzong, a ruined fortress where Bhutanese warriors fought off Tibetan invaders centuries ago. The snowy dome of sacred Jhomolhari, “mountain goddess” can be seen in all her glory from the approach road to the Dzong. (Overnight at Paro)

OR

(Distance: 40 kms. One way / Driving Time: 2 hrs, Altitude of Chele La Pass - 3,810 mts)

After breakfast, you would be taken for an excursion to Chele La Pass, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan and separates Paro Valley and the Haa Valley. The ride passes through lush valleys, pine, and rhododendron forest. On a clear day, the pass provides a splendid view of mountains Jomolhari and Jichu Drake. Here you will see hundreds of colorful prayer flags fluttering in the winds. From here you can also see Paro Valley on the side and Haa Valley on the other. The pass is also rich in Bhutanese Flora and birdlife. It also offers some beautiful short treks. Later return back to the hotel. The evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.

Notes:

Chimi Lhakhang - Chimi Lhakhang also known as “The Temple of Fertility” built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley, "Devine Mad Man". It is a short hike of around 30 - 45 minutes from the highway. Please note that as the road to the temple is a farm road vehicles will not be able to go beyond the highway.

After breakfast, you would be dropped at the Paro Airport for your return journey. Tashi Delek!

Wonder World Travels hopes you enjoyed your Bhutan Tour and wish to see you again in the near future.