12 Days West and Central Bhutan Photo Tour

Highlights: Visit landmarks in Paro including Ta Dzong Museum and Kyichu Lhakhang after arriving in this amazing city by flight.

Upon your arrival in Paro (2,250m) by Druk Air, Bhutan’s national carrier, you will be picked up by your tour guide at the airport and then escorted to the hotel. After a short rest, you will go to tour the Paro city.

This first landmark in Paro you will visit is the Ta Dzong Museum, the national museum located on the hill behind the Paro Dzong. It houses many fine arts, religious relics, handicrafts, as well as textiles, jewelry etc., offering a great orientation into Bhutan’s historical, cultural, and religious past. Then head to visit the Kyichu Lhakhang, which is one of 108 temples constructed by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. Built in a manner similar to the Jokhang in Lhasa, Tibet, the temple has the great golden image of Buddha Shakyamuni.

After that, you will go to explore the famous Paro Rinpung Dzong. It is a large Dzong, Buddhist monastery and fortress built in 17th Century to protect Paro valley. Rinpung Dzong houses the district Monastic Body and government administrative offices of Paro Dzongkhag.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Paro Rinpung Dzong

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

Today, you will fly from Paro to Bumthang of Central Bhutan. The internal flight from Paro to Jakar takes you over the foothills and mountains of the Himalayas. You will get spectacular views of the countryside when you drive back. After landing in Jakar and check in the hotel, you will spend time exploring the beautiful region of Bumthang around Jakar.

You will first visit Tamshing Lhakhang, which famous for its collections of printings exemplifying the region’s style. Then crossing the suspension bridge to the Kurjey Lhakhang. Not far from Kurjey Lhakhang sits the Jambay Lhakhang, a temple built by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet in the 7th century. Next, you will continue to visit Jakar Dzong, a wonderful architecture in Bhutan, with a circumference of more than 1500 meters.

Stay overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhang

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: Cross Yutong La Pass to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong and Tower of Trongsa Museum.

Today, you will transfer to the steep and heavily wooded valley of Trongsa via Yutong La Pass (3,425m). 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.

Witnessing the Trongsa Dzong

Highlights: Get to Phobjikha Valley and visit ancient Gangtey Monastery and the Black-Necked Crane Information Center.

After breakfast, you will drive to Phobjikha valley (3,000m). The distance between Trongsa and Phobjikha is about 78 kilometers and will take you about 2 hours to finish this driving journey. On the way to Phobjikha, you will get amazed by the beauty and serenity of the rich flora and fauna.

After arriving at Gangtey, you will head to visit 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. If you travel to Phobjikha in November to January, you can have a chance to view many black-necked cranes here.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

Visit Gangtey Monastery

Highlights: Trek Gangte Nature Trail, and then visit Gangtey Goempa and Black-Necked Crane Information Center.

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. If you travel to Phobjikha in November to January, you can have a chance to view many black-necked cranes from Tibetan Plateau here.

Stay overnight in Gangtey.

The Information Center for the black-necked cranes.

Highlights: Cross Pelela Pass to Punakha and visit Punakha Dzong and Chimi Lhakhang.  

Today’s tour will take you to Punakha (1,242m). The distance between Gangtey and Punakha is 78 kilometers, and it will take you 3 hours to get there. On the way, you will cross the Pelela Pass at an altitude of 3,400 meters.

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. More importantly, 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.

Witnessing the superb Punakha Dzong

Highlights: Cross Dochula Pass to Thimphu and visit the National Memorial Chorten and Tashichho Dzong.

Today, you will transfer from Punakha to Thimphu, with a distance of 71 kilometers. And it will take you 3 hours on the drive. On the way, you will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy a panoramic view of the solemn Bhutan Himalaya Ranges and even take photos at the impressive collection of 108 Chortens at Dochula Pass (3,140m).

Upon arrival at Thimphu, you will pay a visit to National Memorial Chorten, which was built in memorial of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third King of Bhutan in 1974.

After that, 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.

Paro including Ta Dzong Museum

Highlights: Visit National Folk Heritage Museum, Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory, Simtokha Dzong, and Motithang Takin Preserve in Thimphu.

Today’s tour will first bring you to the National Folk Heritage Museum. It dedicates itself to connecting people with the rich Bhutanese folk heritage and rural history through exhibits, demonstrations, educational programs and documentation of Bhutanese rural life. The museum will strive to disseminate the rich cultural heritage across generations by preserving it in different forms.

Next, you will head to visit Jungshi Handmade Paper Factory. The factor is located approximately 1 kilometer from Thimphu city, and uses the bark of two tree species (the Daphne tree, and Dhekap tree) in the manufacture of traditional paper. You can observe the entire process of producing handmade paper using ancient traditional methods that have been practiced for generations. Besides, you are able to try your hand at this ancient craft and make some paper of your own as a souvenir.

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.

You will end today’s sightseeing after visiting Simtokha Dzong. 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.

Stay overnight in Thimphu.

Simtokha Dzong

Highlights: Explore beautiful Haa Valley and take in stunning Bhutan Himalayas view along the way.

Today, we will first head to Haa valley, a steep north-south valley with a narrow floor in Haa District. Along the route, distinguished Bhutanese farmhouses can be sighted and you will be treated with local wines and butter teas with kinds of Bhutanese snacks. Then continue your journey to Haa valley and before heading either to Lhakhang Karpo (The white temple) or Lhakhang Nagpo (The black temple) or both depending on the time and your interests.

Then drive to Paro along the mountainside road winding up to the Chele La Pass (3822 m), and you can take in spectacular views of Bhutan Himalayas all the way. After passing a few of wild farmlands and scattered hamlets, we will finally reach Paro.

Stay overnight in Paro.

Visit Lhakhang Karpo

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.

Tiger’s Nest Monastery

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

The tour service end.