At a Glance

Duration: 10 days
Group Size: Up to 16 persons
Tour Grading: Easy to Moderate
Activity: Cultural, Arts, and Heritage
Sights: Tiger’s Nest monastery, Punakha Dzong, Paro Dzong, Phobjikha Valley, Thimphu Centenary Market, Kuenselphordang (Buddha Dordenma), Painting School of Arts and Crafts, Textile Museum, National Museum, Madman Temple.
Best Season: January through December
Trip Route: Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Phobjikha-Bumthang-Punakha-Paro

The 10-day visit will cover six valleys of Bhutan, which will give you a mixture of immense experiences in between the unique tradition and the modern era. Swinging by a local farmhouse with a nice hot stone bath and up until heart-pumping moments by the longest suspension bridges in the country can be a few. Locals believe it to be auspicious and lucky if you are blessed by a phallus, a wooden effigy that you could find while taking a leisurely walk to the Divine Madman’s temple in Punakha. You may also find the roads very narrow and rocky once you cross Wangduephodrang, but with our professional drivers, that would be the least you would have to think about. Festivals in Bhutan can be colorful, something you wouldn’t have seen elsewhere. This is an annual event where locals dress up in their best attire and meet with friends and family over a traditional packed lunch in the green pastures.

Trip Highlights

• The only capital in the world without traffic lights
• Bhutan Postal Museum, Evolution of Communication Systems in Bhutan
• Phobjikha, the valley of the sacred Black-Necked Cranes
• Stunning views from the passes of Pele la and Yotong la
• The Vanguard of the Warriors, Trongsa Dzong (fortress), Ta (watchtower) Dzong
• Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility
• Tiger’s Nest: an exhilarating task of 2 hours of climbing and another 1.5 hours of retrieving steps

Day 1: Arrive Paro, drive to Thimphu (55 km, 1.5 hours)

On arrival, drive for 20 minutes to Paro town (2300 m). From here, walk to Paro Dzong, crossing the cantilever bridge. This 17th-century fortress will introduce us to the Bhutanese way of life.
Drive to Thimphu (2400 m), the nation’s capital. In Thimphu, check into the hotel and take a rest. Later, visit the Memorial Chorten (stupa), a monument built in memory of the Third King of Bhutan by the late Royal Grandmother Ashi Phuntsho Choden Wangchuk in 1974. It is also dedicated to world peace and prosperity. People from all walks of life circumambulate the chorten, but mostly we see those elderly people throughout the day hauling away at a room-sized giant prayer wheel right next to the entrance.
In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, which, in its present incarnation, was consecrated as late as 1969, and this building is a visual delight. Unlike other Dzongs, this ‘peacetime’ one has three entrances: one for the common folk, leading to the administrative establishment; another to the monastic section in whose courtyard Tsechu has performed annually; and the third only for royalty.

Day 2: Thimphu Sightseeing

Folk Heritage Museum: The restored three-story timber building replicates a traditional farmhouse and gives a pure glimpse into rural Bhutanese life and its households. To maintain our knowledge of indigenous natural resources, native trees and plants that had domestic uses in a rural Bhutanese household are grown, creating an oasis of greenery right in the heart of the capital city of Thimphu.
National Textile Museum: Under the royal patronage of the youngest Queen Mother, Ashi Sangay Choden Wangchuck, the museum preserves the national textile and helps women's empowerment. They help women from the central and eastern parts of Bhutan through weaving. The museum also focuses on royal ghosts, including the wedding clothes worn by the fourth king and his four wives.
Centenary Farmers’ Market: Every Saturday and Sunday, most of the Thimphu population congregates on the banks of the river where the weekend market is held. Here, villages from the valley and other nearby villages come to sell their agricultural products.
Afternoon: visit the Post Office Museum and make customized stamps. The museum was established in November 2015 to commemorate the 60th birthday of the fourth king. The museum tells a story about Bhutan’s development and progress over time. Methods such as anecdotes, artifacts, and the rich assortment of stamps the country has developed are used.
Jungzhi Paper Factory: The tree barks of Daphne and Dhekap are used to make this traditional paper. You could indulge in the whole process and try making souvenirs of your own. The paper was originally used by monasteries for manuscripts and prayer books.
In the evening, drive to Kuensel Phodrang, Buddha Point. This 169-foot bronze statue of Buddha Dordenma, Vajra throne Buddha, symbolizes indestructibility. The view of Thimphu Valley from this point is spectacular and beautiful, especially at night.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 3: Thimphu to Punakha | 75 km, 3 hours

Today, after breakfast, we will drive back to Punakha Valley (1220 m). Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan until 1955, and today it is the winter residence of the Central Monk Body.
On the way, we will stop at Dochula Pass (3150 m) to see 108 Chortens, and if we are lucky, we will see the spine of the Himalayas. Keep an eye on Gangkar Puensum, which is the world’s highest unclimbed mountain.
With a lunch stopover at Messina, we will then visit the Madman’s Temple (Chimi Lhakhang), built in 1499 and located on the hillock in the center of the valley. It is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529), who used humor, songs, and outrageous behavior to dramatize his teachings and hence was also known as "Divine Madman.”. It is widely believed that childless couples who pray at this temple are usually blessed with children.
In Punakha, we will drive along the Pho Chu River, then cross the suspension bridge, and after a short, pleasant walk, enter the historic 17th-century fortress ‘Of Punakha Dzong’. It was built in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is connected to Bhutan’s historical traditions.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 4: Punakha to Phobjikha | 85 km, 3.5 hours drive

Today, we walk up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The mother of our 5th king built this monastery, which took eight long years to complete. A bridge provides access to a sweaty 45-minute hike uphill to the chorten. To avoid the heat, an early morning start would be advisable. Beyond the chorten, the road leads up to Kabesa village and Uma Como to Tashithang, then continues to the Gasa dzong, the ending point of the Laya-Gasa trek. Today, we walk up to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The mother of our 5th king built this monastery, which took eight long years to complete. A bridge provides access to a sweaty 45-minute hike uphill to the chorten. To avoid the heat, an early morning start would be advisable. Beyond the chorten, the road leads up to Kabesa village and Uma Como to Tashithang, then continues to the Gasa dzong, the ending point of the Laya-Gasa trek.
After lunch, we then drive to Phobjikha (Gangtey) Valley (3000 m). Phobjikha (3000 m) is the country’s highest wetland and the winter home for over 400 black-necked cranes. These birds are endangered species, and every winter they come to roost here from Tibet.
In Phobjikha, after checking in to the hotel, we do the nature trail walk, which is the best and most popular short walk (1.5 hours) and leads downhill from the mani stone wall just north of the Gangtey goenpa to the Khewa lhakhang. The trail further descends to Semmchubara village, drops right at the chorten into the edge of the forest, and calls it a night.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 5: Phobjikha to Bumthang | 175 km 4.5 hours drive

Today in the morning, we will walk up to the newly renovated Drechagling monastery in Ngenglung. It is near Hotel Dewachen and was first established by one of the greatest Buddhist masters, Longchenpa (1308–1363). After this visit, we drive to Bumthang (2650 m).
En route, we stop at Trongsa for lunch and visit Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral home of Bhutan’s monarch, where novice monks recite mantras or practice on sacred horns, flutes, and drums. Bumthang is 68 km from here. The drive to Bumthang takes you over the picturesque Yotong La Pass and down into Chhume Valley, home to Bhutan’s famous Yatra weaving. See the weavers create their intricate handiwork and browse the finished textiles.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 6: Explore Bumthang

Begin the day by exploring the Palace of Wangdichhoeling, home to the second king. Note the auspicious prayer wheels, then head up the valley, taking in the grand Kurjey Lhakhang, considered one of Bhutan’s most auspicious monuments. Once the resting place of Guru Rimpoche and Jambay Lhakhang, Kurjey Lhakhang is where the early winter festivals are held, drawing thousands of Bhutanese to receive blessings. Head back into town and visit Tamshing Monastery. Visit Maebar Tsho—some of Pema Lingpa’s greatest finds—Maebartsho, or “Flaming Lake," which is one of the great pilgrim sites of Bhutan.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 7: Bumthang to Punakha

Today we drive back to Trongsa for lunch and visit Ta Dzong if we missed it earlier. Now being converted into a museum, it has an unusual tower section with wings extending in front of the main building. Entering this, you can visit the chapel dedicated to Jigme Namgyal and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Dzong stretched below you.
We then drive onward to Punakha. In the evening, check into the hotel and rest.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 8: Punakha to Paro | 125 km, 4 hours

Morning drive to Paro followed by an orientation tour of Paro Valley’s main sights, including the Rinpung Dzong with its cantilever bridge; Kyichu Lhakhang, a most revered temple boasting an orange tree that perpetually bears fruit; and the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong, the site of the fort of Drukpa victory from which the Bhutanese effectively repelled constant attacks from Tibet and from where, on clear days, the 24,000-foot snow-domed peak of awesome Mt. Jumolhari can be seen.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 9: Hike to the Tiger's Nest

By now, we may have acclimatized to preparing to walk up to the famous Tiger’s Nest. The monastery is the most famous in Bhutan and has recently been listed as one of the ten holiest places in the world. This is one of the highlights of the trip.
It’s perched on a high cliff, 900 meters above the floor of Paro Valley. It is named Tiger’s Nest because Guru Rimpoche is said to have flown to the site on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. This monastery is the holiest in Bhutan. The five-hour walk to the monastery, involving some intense but rewarding climbing over 900 meters, cleanses both the soul and the body.
Overnight in hotel.

Day 10: Departure Transfer

After an early morning breakfast, depending on the flight schedule, drive to Paro International Airport for departure to the onward destination and bid farewell.