Bhutan Himalayan Tour

Day 1: Arrive Paro International Airport

You will be given a warm welcome by the representative of Charisma Yours and Treks.

  • After the refreshment you will be driven to Paro Rinpung Dzong (fortress) built in 1645. It was built with the purpose of defending against the Tibetan invading forces. You would have the opportunity to walk down to Rimpung Bridge (Traditional Cantilever Bridge) which is one of the oldest bridge in Bhutan.

  • You would be taken to the Ta Dzong which is a renown national museum housing traditional artefacts.

  • You would be driven to the Paro valley to visit the Ruins of Drugyel Dzong which is approximately 18km from the main Town. It was built by Tenzin Drukda to commemorate the victory of Zhabdrung over Tibetan Invaders.

  • You would then halt the night at Paro

Day 2: Paro-Punakha

After breakfast you would be driven to Punakha and Wangduephodrang through a confluence of river Pachu called Chuzom.

  • You will have the opportunity to visit Tachog Lhakhang (temple) on the way which is located at the base of a mountain across Pa Chu on the Paro Thimphu highway. This was built by Thangthong Gyalpo who upon meditation saw the vision of spiritual horse.

  • On the Thimphu Wangdue highway you would come across Dochula Pass which comprises of 108 Chortens (stupa) built for the security and wellbeing of His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo.

  • You can visit Druk Wangyal Lhakhang in Dochula which was built to honor His majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo.

  • As you descend down the Dochula Pass you can visit Chhimi Lhakhang renowned for its fertility shrine where you can get blessings for fertility.

  • You will be driven to Punakha Dzong after lunch which is the only Dzong in Bhutan which is in an island. It is situated between two rivers Pho-Chu (male river) and the Mo-chu (female river).

  • You would be halting the night at Punakha.

Day 3: Punakha-Trongsa-Bumthang

  • After breakfast, you would be driven to Bumthang through Trongsa. You would be driven through dense forest of oak and blue pine trees of subtropical vegetation. You will be served lunch and refreshment on the way.

  • Upon Arrival in Trongsa you will visit the magnificent Trongsa Dzong followed by the Ta Dzong (museum). It was originally a temple built by Nagi Wangchuk in 1543 but then was reconstructed as a Dzong by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1647. It is an epitome of Bhutanese architecture.
  • After the visit you will continue your journey to Bumthang through Yotong La Pass. You can visit Yatha weaving center, an initiative of national women association of Bhutan where women of the region sell textiles and Yatha specialty. Yathra is a hand woven woollen cloth usually woven from sheep wool in Bumthang. It is woven into jackets or bags.

  • You check into hotel on arrival to Bumthang and halt the night at Bumthang.

Day 4: Bumthang Sightseeing

After breakfast you would have the following trip:

  • Jambay Lhakhang: it is one of the 108 monastries built by Songtsen Goempo of Tibet so that Buddhism can flourish. It was mainly built to subdue the evil spirits of the Himalayan region.
  • Kujey Lhakhang: It was built Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in in which Guru Rinpoche meditated and left his body print.
  • Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the Good Message) – It was built by the first Terton (Treasure discoverer) Pema Lingpa in 1501. The temple consist of his portrait on the walls.
  • Jakar Dzong: Dzong was built on the spur of the hill where a big white settled. This was considered as a good omen. It was built in 1667. It is now used for administrative purposes and is the summer residence of Trongsa monks.
  • You would be driven to Mebar Tsho also known as the burning lake because the first Terton in Bhutan discovered hidden treasures from inside the lake while holding a burning lamp.
  • You may go for a leisure walk in the evening around the beautiful landscape of Bhutan.
  • You would be halting overnight in Bumthang.

Day 5: Bumthang- Phobjikha Valley

  • After breakfast you would be driven to Punakha via Phobjikha one of the most beautiful valleys in Bhutan. You would also have the opportunity to visit Gangtey Monstery in Gangtey Village.

  • During the winter you would have the wonderful opportunity to bird-watch an endangered species found in Bhutan called the blacked necked crane. It usually arrives in the flock of 300. The surrounding areas are inhabited by Nomadic shepherds and yak herders.

  • After Lunch you can explore the valley and visit the Black Necked Crane Center.

  • You would then be driven to Wangduephodrang where you would halt for the night.

Day 6: Punakha/Wangdue-Thimphu

After breakfast you will be driven to Thimphu and after lunch visit the following:

  • Centenary Farmers Market(open from Thu-Sun): Inaugurated as celebration of 100 years of monarchy Centenary farmers is covered with busy consumers and traders. It is located beside Wangchu River.

  • Takin Reserve in Thimphu is home to the national animal of Bhutan, Takin is found only in Himalayan region and has distinctive features comparable to a goat.

  • You may also spectate the National sport Archery matches beside Changlimithang ground in Thimphu.

  • The Tashichhoe Dzong: It is the largest Dzong (fortress) in Bhutan and is the central hub for all administrative operation. It is also a site for religious festivals like Thimphu Tshechu (mask dance). The Dzong houses the s secretariat building, the throne room and the office of the king, and the central monk body.

  • The Memorial Chorten: Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–1972), is known as the father of modern Bhutan. The memorial chorten was built in 1974 to honor him and thus comprises of the third Druk Gyalpo’s photo in ceremonial dress. The memorial chorten is one of the most visible religious structure in Thimphu.
  • Local crafts shops: The handicraft shops consist of various samples of fine Bhutanese traditional art. You can buy hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, slate and wood carvings, jewellery, and other interesting items made from local materials.

Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu. 

Day 7: Thimphu sightseeing & Short Hike to Tango Monastery

After breakfast visit the following:

  • Traditional Paper making factory: You may visit the traditional paper making factory which make traditional papers out of Daphne plant. The art of paper making goes back to the 8th century of Bhutanese history. It displays the national identity and so is preserved through all ages.

  • National Textile Museum: It exhibits very good collection of textiles which are rich in colour and design. You may aslo witness the procedure of weaving such textile in the museum.

  • The School of Arts and CraftsZorig Chusum or the school of 13 arts provides training and instruction for 13 forms of traditional Bhutanese arts. Some of which includes wood carving, embroidery, statue making and canvas painting (thangkas)

  • After lunch hike to the base camp of Tango Monastery and hike up to the Monastery. The walk up to the Monastery is through the forest filled with Rhododendron flower trees which will be in full bloom during April month.Tango is the center for higher studies for monks.
  • Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.

Day 8: Thimphu-Haa to Valley-Paro

After breakfast travel to Haa valley (the valley of Guardian Spirit) through the stretch of villages of Dogakha, Susuna and Jabana.

  • You may visit Bhutanese Farmhouses to be greeted with Bhutanese hospitality. You may be served Bhutanese Wine and Suja (Bhutanese Tea). You may also witness the traditional farming in the rural regions.

  • On the way to Haa you will get the opportunity to visit Lhakhang Nagpo (black temple) and Lhakhang Karpo (white temple. It’s one of the 108 monasteries built by Songtsen Gampo. Its name is derived from the two doves (one black and one white) which landed on the site of the temple

  • You will then be driven to Chelela Pass which is the highest pass in Bhutan 3822m between Paro and Haa. There will be beautiful view of the mountain ranges and rhododendron flowers in bloom.

You will halt the night in Paro

Day 9:  A Day Hike to Taktsang Goempa (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)

After breakfast drive to base, hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’.

  • After breakfast you will be driven to Satsam Chorten and then taken for a hike to Taktsang Monastery also known as the tiger’s nest. The monastery was built in 1692 around Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three weeks and three months.
  • You may visit Kyichu temple in the return journey which is also one of the 108 temples built by Songsten Gampo

  • In the evening you can relax in the Traditional Bhutanese Hot-stone bath.

You will halt overnight in Paro

Day 10: Paro Departure

In the morning after breakfast your tour guide and driver from Charisma Bhutan Tours & Treks will escort you to the Paro airport for your flight to your onward destinations.