13 Days In-Depth Nature Tour from West to Central Bhutan

Highlights: Visit Tachogang Lhakhang, and Tashichho Dzong and National Memorial Chorten in Thimphu.

Upon your arrival at Paro International Airport by Druk Air, your local guide and driver will meet you at the arriving hall of the airport. And they will have a brief introduction about themselves. Then, you will be transferred to Thimphu (2,350m), the capital city of Bhutan. Covering a total distance of nearly 54 kilometers, it will take you about 1 hour to get to Thimphu from Paro (2,250m).

On the way to Thimphu, you will pay a visit to Tachogang Lhakhang. It was founded by Thankthong Gyelpo after he experienced a vision of Guru Rimpochhe, Amitaba and Avalokiteshvara near site. The caretakers today are said to be descendants of Thangtong Gyelpo. Inside the temple one can see the master’s relics, including his walking stick.

After arriving at Thimphu, your guide will help you check in the hotel. And you can have a brief rest at your hotel if you need. Later, you will visit National Memorial Chorten, which was built in memorial of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who is also known as the "father of modern Bhutan."

Next, you can visit Tashichho Dzong, the eminent fortress where the national government and central monastic body are located. In addition, here sits the summer residence of Je Khenpo, the Chief Abbot of Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Thimphu National Memorial Chorten

Highlights: Visit Great Buddha Dordenma, National Textile Museum, National Library, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.

Today’s tour will first bring you to the Great Buddha Dordenma. This massive statue of Shakyamuni measures in at a height of 51.5 m, making it one of the largest statues of Buddha in the world. The statue is made of bronze and is gilded in gold.

Then you are going to National Textile Museum, which keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms. keeps the traditional art of waving preserved and exhibits a good collection of ancient colored textile in various forms.

Next, you will head to visit the National Library of Bhutan. Built in 1967, it houses about 6,100 Tibetan and Bhutanese books, manuscripts, and xylographs and about 9,000 printing boards and the wood printing blocks for religious books. If you are interested in the history of Bhutan, the National Library can be the best place for you to have a deeper understanding of this unique country.

Later, you will drive to upper Motithang in Thimphu to visit Motithang Takin Preserve, a wildlife reserve area for takin (Budorcas taxicolor), the national animal of Bhutan. It's worthwhile taking the time to see these oddball mammals here.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Buddha Dordenma statue

Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass and visit Punakha Dzong and Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

Today, you will drive from Thimphu to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Thimphu to Punakha is 71 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

After arriving at Punakha, you will head to visit the Punakha Dzong. Standing by the riverside of Pho Chu and Mo Chu, Punakha Dzong is one of the most impressive buildings and one of the top favorite attractions in Bhutan. Moreover, the rectangular shape fortress is also an honorable treasury where preserves numerous Buddhist relics and historical legacies.

After witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong, you will continue to visit Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. It sits majestically on a ridge above Punakha valley with an amazing view of the countryside and the hills below.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Visit Chimi Lhakhang, drive through Wangdue Phodrang and cross Lawala Pass to get to Phobjikha Valley.

You start today’s tour from Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Monastery, is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located in the Punakha District of Bhutan. It stands on a small round hillock close to the village of Lobesa and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel.

Then you will transfer to the Phobjikha valley (3,000m). The distance between Punakha and Phobjikha is about 80 kilometers and will take you nearly 3 hours to finish this driving journey. You will drive through Wangdue Phodrang. The first spot you will pay a visit is the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, which is built in 1638 and sits on the ridge of a hill and overlooks the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu river.

On the way to Phobjikha, you need to cross Lawala Pass (3,300m), and you will get amazed by the beauty and serenity of the rich flora and fauna. And you may see some yaks grazing in high altitude bamboo shrub along the road when you arrive at Lawala Pass. After arriving at the Phobjikha Valley, you have your free time to stroll around to witness Bhutan’s unspoiled natural landscapes.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Chimi Lhakhang

Accommodation

The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.

• 

  Gangtey Dewachen
• 

  Gangtey RKPO Green Resort
• 

  Amankora Gangtey

Highlights: Visit Chendebji Chorten Trongsa Dzong and the old tower of Trongsa.

After breakfast, you will have a short morning trek known as the “Gangte Nature Trail”, which takes only about 1.5 hours, starting from the mani stone wall to the north of the Gangtey Monastery and ending in Khewa Lhakhang. This is a good chance to enjoy the enchanting natural scenery and breathe the incredibly fresh air in Phobjikha Valley.

After the the short trek, you will pay a visit to an impressive monastery called Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goempa. It is a very important monastery of Nyingmapa school. Thereafter, you will pay a visit to the Black-Necked Crane Information Center. The center is situated on the edge of the forest and wetland along the main road of Phobjikha valley. It has an observation room equipped with high power telescope and spotting scopes for catching the best view of the cranes.

Then, you will transfer from Gangtey to Trongsa. En route to Trongsa, you will visit Chendebji Chorten, a large Buddhist Stupa. The Chendebji Chorten is a large white structure built in likeness to the famous Bodhunath Stupa located in Kathmandu in Nepal. Built by Lama Shinda from Tibet in the 19th century AD, the Stupa is believed to have been constructed at a spot where an evil spirit was subdued by the Lama. Another striking feature of the Temple is the eyes painted at the four cardinal points of the temple.

Stay overnight in Trongsa.

Accommodation

The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.

• 

  Bumthang Ugyenling
• 

  Bumthang Jakar Village
• 

  Amankora Bumthang

Highlights: Cross the Yotong La Pass and visit Yathra Weaving Center and Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang.

Today's tour continues to go eastward to Bumthang (2,700m). Covering a distance of 56 kilometers, it will take you 2 hours 40 minutes to get to Bumthang from Trongsa.

Firstly, the zigzag road will bring you to Yotong La Pass (3,425m). Here, you can view a Buddhist Stupa with Tibetan style and countless colorful prayer flags. Driving downhill, you will head to the Yathra Weaving Center at Zugney village where you can witness the locals waving Yathra.

After that, keep driving to Bumthang. On arrival at Bumthang, you are going to worship the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by the King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet in 659 AD. It is said that Guru Rinpoche was the one who brought Buddhism to Bhutan. It was renovated by Sindhu Raja after Guru Rinpoche restored his life with his magical powers. If you visit Bumthang in October or November, you may have a chance to join in the highly popular Jambay Tsechu Festival here.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Jambay Lhakhang

Accommodation

The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.

• 

  Bumthang Ugyenling
• 

  Bumthang Jakar Village
• 

  Amankora Bumthang

Highlights: Visit landmarks in Bumthang like Kurjey Lhakhang and Jakar Dzong.

After breakfast, you will first head to Kurjey Lhakhang. According to legend, Sendhu Raja, the King of Bumthang was very ill and invited Guru Rinpoche the founder of Buddhism in Bhutan to give him a cure for his ailment.

Later, you will go to the Jakar Dzong. Situated above the Jakar village in the Chamkhar valley of Bumthang, the Dzong was originally a site of a monastery that was being constructed at the time of Lama Ngagi Wanchuck’s visit to Bhutan. According to legend, during the construction of the Dzong, a white bird emerged from the structure and perched itself on the site. In Bhutanese culture, a white bird is considered to be auspicious.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

Accommodation

The following local hotels are for your referrence. Please feel free to tell us your preferred hotel standard while enquring for your trip to Bhutan.

• 

  Bumthang Ugyenling
• 

  Bumthang Jakar Village
• 

  Amankora Bumthang

Highlights: Go to Ura valley to visit Ura Lhakhang and Mebar Tsho.

Today you will travel to Sheltang La and walk down hill to Ura Lhakhang. Admire the diverse flora and fauna along the short trek. En route you’ll visit the Mebar Tsho , known as Flaming Lake, located on the way to Tang village, where the renowned treasure reveller, Terton Pema Lingpa, discovered treasures from the lake in the late 15th century.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Visit Ura Lhakhang

Highlights: Head to Wangdue Phodrang via Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong and Royal Heritage Museum en route.

This morning you head back to Trongsa at an altitude of 2,200m, the ancestral home of the present Royal Family of Bhutan. Your guide will lead you to visit Trongsa Dzong, the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan and built on a spur overlooking the gorge of the Mangde River. Then, you will head to visit the old tower of Trongsa (also called Royal Heritage Museum), a brilliant historical center of Bhutan. The five stories of showcases center around Buddhist workmanship and imperial memorabilia, including such fluctuated treasures as the 500-year-old coat of Ngagi Wangchuk and the football boots utilized by the teenaged fourth king.

Then you continue the journey for a distance of 129km for about 4 hours journey to Wangdue Phodrang at an altitude of 1,240m. The evening is at leisure to relax, enjoy and explore the delightful surroundings of Wangdue Phodrang.

Stay overnight in Wangdue Phodrang.

Visit Trongsa Dzong

Highlights: Transfer from Wangdue Phodrang to Paro via Thimphu and visit Simtokha Dzong.

Today, you have a day-long journey heading back to Paro via Thimphu. The journey passes through the awe-inspiring mountains and lush vegetation along the highway and will photo stops during the journey. You will pay a visit to the Simtokha Dzong in Thimphu. It was built by Zhabdrung to consolidate his domain and subdue the demon in 1629. Nowadays, it is often said to be the first dzong built in Bhutan.

After arriving at Paro, you can enjoy some leisure time in Paro town in the evening, one of the beautiful valleys in Bhutan.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Simtokha Dzong

Highlights: Hike to Tiger's Nest Monastery to enjoy spectacular views from it and visit Kyichu Lhakhang.

In the morning after breakfast, you will start your hike to Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest Monastery. You will spend 5 to 6 hours for the hike.

Perched on the side of a cliff 900m above the Paro valley, Taktsang Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries in Bhutan. The principal monastery of the present monastic complex dates from 1692. Taktsang was damaged severely by fire in 1998 but has now been fully restored to its former glory.

After exploring the monastery, you will begin your return tour to Paro. In the afternoon, you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest and most beautiful temples built by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo in the 7th century.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Enjoy the wonderful trekking to Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Highlights: Day trip to Haa valley and hike to Kila Goenpa.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will drive to Haa and hike to Kila Nunnery. Start early for the drive to Chele La Pass (3,988m), from which on a clear day the view sweeps away to Bhutan’s second highest peak, Mt Jhomolhari (7314m).

Striding out along the Edelweiss covered ridge, you pass a sky burial site. You then descend for the two-hour hike through dense rhododendron forest, possibly sighting shaggy yaks, to Kila Goenpa, an ancient nunnery nestled in a craggy patch on the mountainside below. Kila Goenpa is a serene retreat for 32 Anims (Buddhist nuns) who lead an undisturbed life of religious studies, prayer and meditation.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

After breakfast, your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to Paro International Airport for your next destination.

The tour services end.