11 Days Bhutan Scenic Tour with Gasa Hot Spring Trekking

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 Chimi Lhakhang.

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 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.

Stay overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Start the trek at Tashithang and camp at Geon Damji.

After an early breakfast, you will drive through the valley of Punakha on the Mo-chu side to Tashithang which will be about 18 kilometers and it takes 1.5 hours to drive.

You will start the trek at Tashithang (1840m). First the trail gradually climbs up above the Mo-chu into the lush semi-tropical forest filled with banana trees, creepers and different kinds of orchids. If luck favours, “Takin” the national animal can be seen on the other bank of Mo-chu. Geon Damji is a large village with rice terraces along side.

Stay overnight at camp.

Camping at Geon Damji village

Highlights: Continue trekking to Gasa Hot Spring.

Today, you will pass through oak forests and also different varieties of orchids can be spotted along the way. Before reaching Gasa, a Dzong can be seen from the view point. The trail to Gasa Hot Spring is to descend through quite thick forest and mini bamboo.

Stay overnight at camp.

Gasa Hot Spring

Highlights: Have a rest at Gasa Hot Spring or trek to Gasa Dzong.

You have a leisure day today. You can try the hot spring located by the bank of a stream. There are cement pools to dip into. The day can also be spent going up to Gasa Dzong with packed lunch. The trek to Gasa Dzong will be quite a tough climb and takes about 2 hours up to an elevation of 2770m.

Stay overnight at camp.

Gasa Dzong

Highlights: Trek from Gasa Tsachu to Geon Damji.

You will trek back to Geon Damji. The trail winds through rolling hillsides with vistas of fields, villages and Oak and Pine forests. Gasa Dzong will be visible behind glued to the valley wall as the trek proceeds ahead. The route goes through small settlements and finally at camp of Geon Damji, the large village with rice terraces on the hillsides.

Stay overnight at camp.

Highlights: Trek to Tashithang and drive back to Punakha.

Today, you will start your trek from Geon Damji and end at the vehicle point at Tashithang. From here it is 18 km (1 hour drive) to Punakha but the initial 5-6 km is unpaved road. Upon arrival in Punakha, your guide will help you check in hotel.

Stay overnight at hotel.

Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Back to Paro to visit Drukgyel Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

After breakfast, you will drive back to Paro, the home to Mount Jomolhari (7, 300m) situated at the northern end of the valley whose glacier water forms the Pa Chhu flowing through the valley. It will take you about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 125 kilometers.

Upon your arrival, your guide will bring you to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong. It was built in 1647 by the great Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, father, and unifier of medieval Bhutan. Unfortunately, it was destroyed by an accidental fire and left in ruins as an evocative reminder of the great victories. Nowadays, Drukgyel Dzong becomes a popular attraction in Paro, Bhutan.

Then, you will move to visit the imposing Paro Rinpung Dzong (also named as Paro Dzong), a fortress once built to defend the valley from invasions. However, it now serves as an administration center and school for monks.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung 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 900 meters 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.

Trek to Taktshang Monastery

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.