Bhutan Highlights

Trip Description

Paro-Thimphu-Punakha-Wangdue-Paro

Whether it’s enjoying a gentle country stroll, or the breath-taking landscape and the monumental fortresses, the living culture of the people in their traditional costumes or the enchanting folklore and history – Bhutan Highlights will usher you to experience the main attractions of western Bhutan and will leave you with an indelible feeling of mysticism and contemplation. Starts with the capital city of Thimphu, hiking and exploration in the valleys of Thimphu; the scenic valleys of Punakha visiting the most beautiful fortress – the Punakha Dzong; and return to Paro to visit Bhutan’s ultimate highlight – the Tiger’s Nest temple. Our most valuable asset is our tour guides and field personnel who’ve been working with us for for a long time and understand our company’s core values. This trip has very less driving times, with maximum exploration time to make the most of your holiday.

Quick overview

price Price

High Season - USD

Regular Season - USD

duration Duration

5 Nights

Tour Type Trip Type

Cultural

difficulty Difficulty

Normal

Day 1-Welcome to Bhutan

Bhutan Suites or Hotel Pedling

The flight from Delhi into Bhutan takes you close to the great Himalayas; offering dazzling scenic views of world’s highest glacial peaks where you’ll be greeted by Mt. Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga, and our very own Mt. Jomolhari and Mt. Jichu Drakey. As you enter the Paro valley ,you will pass forested hills with the slivery Pa chu(paro river)meandering down the valley below the paro Dzong(fortress)and Ta Dzong(watch tower)on the hill above the town. Upon arrival you’ll be received by our friendly professional guide who will help you settle into your comfortable vehicle, and then proceed to the capital city Thimphu. Enroute stop to visit the Tamchog Lhakang and marvel at the iron bridge reconstructed using original chain link from the famous Tibetan bridge builder TangThong Gyalpo. In the evening visit the Memorial Chorten Stupa and the Tashichhodzong – the fortress that is now the government’s central administration headquarters, and also the offices of the King and the Prime Minister. Dinner at the Babesa village restaurant to enjoy authentic Bhutanese cuisines. Overnight in select hotel. Drive time 1 hour

Day 2-Thimphu Sightseeing

Bhutan Suites or Hotel Pedling

Visit some of the treasures of the capital - the National Folk Heritage Museum, the Zorig Chusum school of 13 traditional arts/crafts. Visit the Bhutan Post Office to see our famous stamps and you can also make your own stamps here and send postcards to your loved ones at home. In the afternoon, you can visit the Trashichhodzong Fortress, the office of His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister, followed by a visit to Changangkha temple. Visit the colourful vegetable market where proud villagers behind pyramids of their agricultural produce greet you with stone weights in their hands and smiles on their faces. It is interesting to see what may seem to you as ‘weird vegetables and forest products’ that actually enriches the Bhutanese palate. In the afternoon, we’ll take a very easy hike to Wangditse Goenpa. Drive to the entrance gate of the radio tower (BBS) area. Take the trail that traverses through beautiul bluepine forests with many prayer flags the trail. Continue along this trail until you reach Wangditse goenpa. Along the way there are good views of the Dzong and the underlying Thimphu valley and the trai is covered in prayer flags. The trail to Chhokhortse continues up, at times to the left, then again along the ridge. It leads through open grassy areas, oak undergrowth and blue pines. Descend down to the radio tower and visit the Taken Reserve Centre to see the national animal of Bhutan. End the day with a visit to Changankha temple. Enjoy another evening strolling around the street of Thimphu before we head to one of our favourite restaurants for dinner.

Day 3-Thimphu and Punakha

Hotel Lobesa or Meri Phuensum Resort

Visit the Kuensel Phodrang where the gigantic 169 ft statue of Buddha Dordenma. The interior of the statue’s temple is easily one of the most beautiful and unique with thousands of other statues inside. Enjoy a panoramic view of Thimphu city from there. We can do a short hike through the Nature Park here and hoist some prayer flags along the way to send out some prayers into the world. Drive to Punakha over the Dochula Pass (3140). Situated atop the pass at the backdrop of fluttering prayer flags is the Druk Wangyal Chortens, a collection of 108 chortens (stupas) that was built to exemplify the greatness of the Fourth King. If you would like to hike, we recommend the Lungtsezelkha hike – another lovely like that passes through Rhododendron forests and alpine vegetation. Here you might come across some Yaks as we often spot them. It starts from Dochula pass – and climbs upto the peak where the Lungtsezekha temple stands at 3800m. From here, you can see the great Himalayan peaks of northern Bhutan as well as valleys of southern Bhutan. Hike back to Dochula, and descend to the low-lying rice valley of Lobesa and pay your respects to one of Bhutan’s most charming and eccentric historic figures nicknamed ‘The Divine Madman’ at the Chhimi Lhakhang – also called the fertility monastery - our guide will explain the entire story about it. The visit involves a short nice hike through a beautiful village surrounded by paddy fields. Stay in a cozy resort overlooking the valley. Drive time 4 hours

Day 4-Punakha to Paro

Metta Resort or Gangtey Palace Resort

Drive to Punakha valley to visit Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal stupa, which involves a short scenic hike through paddy fields for about 45 minutes till the hilltop where the temple is located. From here you can also enjoy a majestic view of the underlying valley. The temple itself is a splendid example of Bhutan’s fine architectural and artistic traditions and the only one of its kind in the world. From here you can optionally take another great hike from the riverside crossing a suspension bridge to other side of the Mo Chu river for approximately 3 km with hours hiking. A picnic lunch is served on the banks of the Punakha river. After lunch, continue to Punakha Dzong – the most beautiful fortress in Bhutan situated at the confluence of two rivers. This ancient fortress is the winter residence of the monastic order’s leadership and still serves as the administrative headquarters for the Punakha region. The fortress is a fine example of Bhutan’s rich art and architecture, and our guide who is an expert in iconography will explain all aspects of art, architecture, history and its significance. Proceed to Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Lhakhang Nunnery which is atop a ridge amid pine trees and overlooking valleys of Punakha and Wangduephodrang. Interact with the nuns and they love to speak English with visitors and learn about the ways of the world. Drive to Paro in the afternoon. Drive time 4 hours

Day 5-Paro with Tiger's Nest Excursion

Metta Resort or Gangtey Palace Resort

Saved the best for the last. Today you’ll experience Bhutan’s most valued attractions, and perhaps the biggest highlight for your trip! An excursion to the famous Taktshang monastery –translated as- Tiger’s nest monastery. The temple was built in 1692 by a prominent historical figure named Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgye whose reincarnation is now a young teenager and already a prominent figure in the clergy. Your guide will complement the experience with its story. On the way back visit the ruins of Drugyal Dzong fortress, which is an important Bhutanese heritage as it served as a strategic watchtower and a fortress that helped repel numerous Tibetan invasions in the 1600s. Peak of Jumolhari ‘Mountain of the Goddess’ can be seen on a clear day from here (7,329 mts/24,029 ft.). Visit Kyichu Lhakhang – believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Bhutan built during the 08th century. Continue to visit the National Museum for some of the most treasured collections of arts, artefacts, textiles, stamps, statues, etc. Stroll around town and proceed for your farewell dinner.

Day 6-Departure

After breakfast at your hotel, your driver will drive you to the airport for your onward journey.

What's Included and Excluded in this package

What’s Included:

  • Daily Govt. tourism taxes ($65 per day per person)
  • Visa Fees ($40 per person)
  • All necessary permit fees
  • All transfers and sightseeing with entrance fees
  • All meals and evening tea
  • Drinking mineral water
  • All accommodations in accredited hotels
  • English-speaking tour leader and driver
  • Transfers in excellent Vans/SUV
  • Hot-stone bath (value-added with no extra cost)

What’s Excluded:

  • Airfare
  • All personal expenses like laundry, telephone, tips, shopping expenses
  • Spa Charges (except for the traditional hot-stone bath)
  • Travel and Medical insurance
Ready to book this trip? or need further information? Write to us and we'll send you a customised proposal as per your requirements.







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