10 Days Photo Tour 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: 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 Chendebji Chorten, Trongsa Dzong and Tower of Trongsa Museum.

Today, you will be transferred to Trongsa (2,180m) via Wangdue Phodrang. Covering a total distance of nearly 130 kilometers, it will take you about 4 hours to get to Trongsa from Punakha.

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.

On arrival at Trongsa, 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.

Stay overnight in Trongsa.

Chendebji Chorten

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

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

Highlights: Explore Probjikha valley and visit Gangtey Monastery.

After breakfast, you will start your journey to Gangtey (2,890m). The distance between Bumthang and Gangtey is about 163 kilometers, which will take you 5 hours 30 minutes. Gangtey, also called Phobjikha, is one of the most beautiful destinations in Bhutan. It is also the winter home to a group of globally endangered black-necked cranes that arrive every year from the Tibetan Plateau.

Upon your arrival, you will first visit Gangtey Monastery, generally known as Gangtey Goenpa. Situated atop a hill at an altitude of 2800m, the monastery offers a stunning view of Phobjikha valley. Besides, it is the winter home to the rare Black Necked Cranes of Bhutan. 

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Gangtey Monastery

Highlights: Drive back to Paro, and visit Simtokha Dzong and Paro Rinpung Dzong.

Today, you will get up early and say farewell to the charming Gangtey valley. About a 5-hour drive will bring you back to Paro. You will encounter the Simtokha Dzong en route. Built in 1629 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, Simtokha Dzong is often said to be the first dzong in Bhutan.

In the afternoon, your guide will bring you 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.

Visit 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 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, or visit Lhakhang Karpo.

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.

Or you can drive to Haa and pay a visit to Lhakhang Karpo, also known as White Temple, which is one of the oldest temples around. As per the legend King Songtsen Gampo released a black and white pigeon in order to build temples. The white pigeon landed on the mountains of Chenrizi of towering Rigsum. On the other hand, a black pigeon landed on the north - that is Lhakhang Nagpo. Both of the temples are much revered. 

Stay overnight in Paro.

Chele La Pass

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.