10D9N Spiritual Tour to Bhutan

Paro – Thimphu – Punakha - Trongsa – Bumthang - Phobjikha - Paro

Day 1: Arrival in Paro to Thimphu

Distance: 54km Estimated Driving Time: 1 hr

Upon arrival in Paro airport our representative who will be your tour guide throughout your tour will receive you. Then travel to the capital city, Thimphu. Upon arriving in Thimphu, we will check-in to the hotel, let you settle in for some time and visit the following after lunch:

Kuensal Phodrang: Where the world’s largest 51m-tall sitting Buddha, massive three-story base houses a large chapel, while the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha.

Memorial Chorten: Chorten literally means ‘Seat of Faith’ and Buddhists often call such monuments, the ‘Mind of Buddha’. The Chorten is an extraordinary example of Buddhist architecture and artwork with its gorgeous paintings and intricate sculptures. This Chorten was built in 1974 to honor and in memory of the late 3rd King of Bhutan, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck.

Changangkha Lhakhang: It is a fortress like temple and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu, south of Motithang. The temple was established in 12th century on a site chosen by Lama Phajo Drugom Shigpo, who came from Tibet. The central statue here is Chenrezig in a manifestation with 11 heads. From temple courtyard, there is fascinating view of Thimphu valley.

Later in the evening explore the Town/Handicrafts stall/ Centenary Farmer Market.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu. Altitude 2400m.

Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha

Distance: 85 km Estimated Driving Time: 2hrs

Early morning, we will attend morning prayer session with nuns and offer butter lamps at Zhilukha nunnery. After breakfast at the hotel we will drive to Simtokha Dzong: The name Semtokha literally means “Atop a Demon” and the legend associated with the dzong’s construction tells us that it was built in order to subdue an evil spirit that was harassing travelers in the region. The dzong was modeled after the Gyal Gyad Tshel Institute of Ralung (Tibet) and is quite distinctive as its Utse or central tower has 12 sides. A large statue of Yeshay Gonpo (Mahakala), the chief protective deity of Bhutan, is housed inside the Utse. Another interesting aspect of the dzong is that it contains the bedchambers of both Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel and Jigme Namgyel, two of the most important figures in Bhutanese history. Zhabdrung was the leader that first united Bhutan as a nation and Jigme Namgyel was the father of the first King of Bhutan Ugyen Wangchuck.

We will also visit Pangri Zampa monastery. Founded in the early 16th century, this complex is a college for traditional astrology. Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal stayed here after he arrived in Bhutan in 1616 because the temple appeared in the vision that directed him from Tibet. It's a photogenic stop even if none of the chapels are open, and the whitewashed buildings have colorful curtains on their eaves that ripple like the dress of a flamenco dancer in the breeze.

After lunch we will drive to Punakha through Dochula Pass. We will stop off at Dochula Pass along the way for pictures and to visit the Druk Wangyel Lhakhang. This popular tourist spot provides stunning 360-degree views of the Himalayas. It is also home to the 108 Druk Wangyal Chortens that were built on a small hill to memorialize the Bhutanese soldiers killed in 2003 battle with Assamese insurgents from India.

Upon arriving in Punakha we will check-in to our hotel and relax.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Punakha. Altitude 1242m.

Day 3: Punakha

Today morning we will hike to the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The hike is only reachable on foot that will take about 30-35 minutes reach. The chorten was built at the /direction of Her Majesty Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wanghuck the third Queen mother of Bhutan with a splendid example of Bhutanese art and architecture.

We will have picnic lunch by the river and after the lunch we will visit the majestic Punakha Dzong (fort), which was constructed by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal the unifier of Bhutan as a nation-state in 1637. It is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. Few minutes’ walk from the Dzong is the Suspension Bridge. The bridge was built high on the river Po Chu (Male River), this arched wooden bridge connects the Punakha Dzong with Punakha town and the smaller villages scattered in the valley. A visit to this bridge is must if you are seeking a bit of thrill and a rush of adrenaline in your body while being in the midst of natural beauty.

Later in the evening we will also visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhendrup Nunnery, home of Bhutan’s tallest statue of Avalokitesvara, Chenrezig Chagtong Chentong, with the average height of 14ft.

Evening relax at the hotel.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Punakha

Day 4: Punakha - Trongsa to Bumthang

Punakha -Trongsa Distance: 137km Estimated Driving Time: 3 hrs 18mins

Trongsa to Bumthang Distance: 79 km Estimated Driving Time: 2hrs

After early breakfast we will drive towards trongsa. On the way we will stop by to visit Chimi Lhakhang (Temple). The lhakhang is 20 minutes walk from the Sopsokha village. It is well known as “The Fertility Temple”, built by the Divine Madman also known as Drukpa Kinley with whom the phallic symbol is associated and couples unable to bear children are said to be blessed with children after visiting the temple.

We will drive pass by the ruins of Wangdue Dzong (Fortress), unfortunately destroyed by fire in the year 2012 but now under construction. Continue to Trongsa over Pelela (Pass) at 3300m/10989ft, which forms the part of black mountain range that divides the country into east and west.

Upon reaching Trongsa we will visit the country’s largest and majestic fortress of the mid 1600’s built by the founder of Bhutan, which holds various historical significance in the history of the country.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Trongsa. Altitude 2300m.

Day 5: Bhumthang

After breakfast we will drive to Bumthang, situated at an elevation of 2600m / 8655ft) which falls in the central part of the country. It is comprised of four valleys namely Chummey, Chamkhar, Tang & Ura. It is also said to be the first valleys in the country to have received the influence of Buddhism.

In Bumthang we will visit the following sites:

Membartsho (The Burning Lake): Wide spot on the Tang Chhu (chhu - water / river) and is considered to be one of the greatest pilgrimage sites of Bhutan. Pema Linga found several of Guru Rinpoche's hidden treasures here. The importance of this site is indicated by the extensive array of prayer flags and the small clay offerings called 'Tse Tsa' in rock niches.

Jakar Dzong: Built in 1667. According to legend, when the lamas assembled in about 1549 to select a site for a monastery, a big white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of a hill. This was interpreted as an important omen, and the hill was chosen as the site for a monastery and for Jakar Dzong, which roughly translates as 'castle of the white bird'.

Jampay Lhakhang: One of the oldest temples built in the country. This is the home of the naked dance that is still performed annually.

Kurjey temple: The site where Guru Pedmasambhava left the body imprint on the rock behind the temple.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 6: Bumthang to Phobjikha

Distance: 163 km Estimated Driving Time: 5hrs, 35 mins

After breakfast we will drive towards Phobjikha valley. After almost 6 hours of drive lays the beautiful Phobjikha valley, on the slope of which is situated the great monastery of Gangtey established in the 17th century. We will visit the Gangtey Goemba Monastery, which is built on a ridge overlooking the valley before driving deep down towards the valley.

The remote valley is the winter home for black-necked cranes, which migrates from the arid plains of Tibet in the north to pass the winter months in milder climate. Upon arriving in Phobjikha Valley we will check-in to the hotel and settle.

In the evening you can 360 walk of the valley.

Dinner and overnight at hotel in Phobjikha. Altitude 3000m.

Day 7: Phobjikha to Paro

Distance: 176 km Estimated Driving Time: 4 hrs, 51mins

Today morning after breakfast, we will drive back to Paro.

Before reaching Paro we will stop on the Paro-Thimphu highway to visit the 15th century temple Tachog Lhakhang located on the base of the mountain across the Pa Chu.

Upon reaching Paro we will check-into our hotel and relax.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro.

Day 8: Paro

After breakfast we will visit the following:

Ringpung Dzong: Ringpung Dzong is probably Bhutan's best known and most iconic Dzong. The imposing Dzong is perhaps the finest example of Dzong architecture existing in the world today; the massive buttered walls of the fortress dominate over the valley. The Rinpung Dzong's name translates to the " Fortress on a heap of Jewels".

Ta Dzong (watchtower): The Ta Dzong is a medieval watchtower situated above the Rimpung Dzong. The Ta Dzong was constructed in 1656 with a purpose to give advance warning to the Paro Dzong in case of an approaching army, in fact the word ‘Ta’ means 'to see' in Dzongkha. In 1968 the Ta Dzong was converted into the National Museum of Bhutan. The Museum houses a priceless collection of textiles, costumes, paintings, appliqué, wooden handicrafts, weapons, armor and jewelry.

Dumtse Lhakhang: Built by the iron bridge builder Thangton Gyalpo in 1422 to subdue a demoness and the pilgrim path winds clockwise up through the temple core, passing some of the finest murals in Bhutan, representing hell, earth and heaven on three floors.

Kichu Lhakhang : One of the oldest temples in Bhutan. It is popularly believed to have built in 659 by king Songtsen Gampo of Tibet, to pin down left foot of of a giant ogress who was thwarting the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet.

Evening explore Paro town and visit local stores.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Paro. Altitude 2200m.

Day 9: Hike the Iconic Tiger’s Nest

Today after early breakfast we will hike to the iconic and one of the most famous tourist destinations of the country, the Taktsang Monastery, ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The hike will take around 1 hour 40 minutes to get to Taktshang.

If you are not much of a hiker, it can take more than that. You can choose to hike the trail or ride up on a horseback by paying US$10/- but riding the horse will cover up only up to 60% of the hike and we don’t recommend riding on horseback down the mountain.

We will stop for lunch in the cafeteria on our way back.