Depth of Bhutan

14 Nights - 15 Days Tour
(Covering: - Paro, Thimphu, Punakha,
Wangduephodrang, Gangtey, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar,Trashigang & Trashiyangtse)

Day - 01 ARRIVAL AT PARO

You will be on board the Druk Air, Bhutan’s only national Airlines, and land at Paro Airport (the only Airport of the kingdom). On the air-journey to Paro, you can lavish the magnificent and breathtaking view of the towering Mount Everest and other famous Himalayan snow-capped peaks. And on your arrival at the aforementioned airport, (after customs and visa formalities), you will be accorded a very warm reception by a Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures and transfer to Hotel.

Day –02 EXCURSION TO TAKTSHANG

You will have an early breakfast and drive to Santsham Chorten 10 km upstream from Paro town. Driving further for sometime you will reach the foot of the Taktshang cliff from where you will have to climb uphill about 2 hours to appear you before Taktshang monastery perched giddily on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of 800m alongside a waterfall cascading as if from the blue.

Taktshang means ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Guru Padmasambhava, known as the Second Buddha, alighted from the flying tigress and meditated at the shrine in the second half of the 8 th century. As a result, it is the dream destination for Buddhist pilgrims from the world over.

You will have a ‘picnic lunch’ in the Taktshang Cafeteria on your return from the monastery. Theround trip takes about 4 hrs. If desired, pony ridings can be arranged.

Day –03 PARO Sightseeing

Drive to ruined Drukgyel Dzong, a victory fortress of the 17th century. Although in ruins, this Dzong is of great historical importance. It was here that the Bhutanese finally defeated the invading Tibetans and drove them back. On the way back you will visit a typical Bhutanese farmhouse to Experience the daily Bhutanese life. In the afternoon, you will visit the National Museum and Rinpung Dzong (built in 1645 A.D). After an evening tea, go to Thimphu along a winding road for about 2 hrs to spend a night there.

Day- 04 Thimphu Sightseeing

Morning, feast your eyes upon a cultural show at Royal Academy of Performing Arts, visit weekend market if it falls on weekend. Visit the National Library Where many rare and ancient manuscripts are preserved, and visit the School Arts & Crafts.

Day – 05 Thimphu Sightseeing

Visit the Memorial Chorten (a huge Stupa) built in memory of King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, (1952-1972). Visit Changangkha Lhakhang and Sangaygang for a bird’s eye view of the city. Enroute visit Zilukha nunnery. After lunch, call on Handicrafts Emporium where Traditional Bhutanese textiles and other Arts and Crafts are displayed. You can also purchase the items of your choice.

In the evening visit Tashichho Dzong, which is the central administration Head quarter. This massive structure houses part of the Government Ministries, the office of the King, the Throne Room, and the office and the living quarters of the Monk Body and its Chief Abbot.

Day – 06 Thimphu – Punakha/Wangdiphodrang (77Km. 3hrs)

(Fig1:Eria pannea , seen in : Chukha, Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa, Zhemgang , Altitude : 700 - 1400 m, Season : May-Jul)

After an early breakfast, drive to Punakha and Wangdiphodrang. On the way, stop at Dochula Pass (Alt. 3050m. Distance 26 Kms.) for tea/coffee and to enjoy the most spectacular view of the Eastern Himalayan ranges. Before arriving to Punakha v isit Chimi lhakhang, built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley. A famous pilgrimage centre for childless women. You will find the statue of great saint and his personal effects. Then, visit Punakha Dzong, which was the former capital of Bhutan. The Punakha Dzong lies between two rivers known as Phochu and Mochu, Symbolizing the masculine and the feminine co-existence their currents are of different colours and they unite at this spot. Overnight at Hotel in Wangdiphodrang.

Day – 07 Wangdiphodrang - Trongsa (129Km. 4.30Hrs)

(Fig1:Epigenium fusceseens, seen in : Thimphu, Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa, Mongar, Trashigang, Altitude : 1500 - 2800 m, Season : Oct-Nov)

After an early breakfast, drive to Trongsa which takes about 6 hrs. with picnic lunch at Chendebji . Check in at the hotel. Tibetans own most of the hotels in Trongsa, who had settled in Bhutan as refugees. Upon arrival check in to Hotel and e vening visit to Trongsa market. Overnight at the lodge in Trongsa.

Day – 08 Trongsa – Bumthang (68Km. 2.30Hrs)

After viewing Trongsa Dzong, which is one of the most impressive Dzongs in Bhutan, built in 17th century by Shabdrung, is a masterpiece in architecture and includes countless courtyards and corridors in addition to the 23 temples inside the Dzong and visit Ta-Dzong ancient watchtower. After a little early lunch, depart for Bumthang over Yongtong La pass (3340m) Enroute observe the Yathra weaving center at Zungey. Overnight Hotel.

Day - 09 Bumthang – sightseeing

After breakfast explore the valley which is different from other valleys in Bhutan. It is a spacious and open valley ranging in altitude from 8’500 ft to over 13’000 ft. It is a haven for trekkers and hikers. Today’s sightseeing includes the Jamphel Lhakhang, Kurgey Lakhang, and TamshingLhakhang. After lunch, visit Jakar Dzong and Membartsho flaming Lake. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 - Bumthang – Mongar (198Km. 7hrs)

The journey continues eastwards winding through more rugged terrain. The drive with spectacular views will take about 7 hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motorable pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla pass (4,000 m). Gradually drop down to Sengor, watching cascading waterfalls on the way.

The descent stops at 700m, on a bridge over the Kurichu. Ascent again through pine forest, maize fields and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. Visit Mongar Dzong, built albeit quite recently, the dzong still maintains the architectural traditions of old dzongs. Overnight at the lodge in Mongar.

Day 11 - Mongar – Trashigang (90Km. 4hrs)

(Fig2:Dendrobium chrysanthum , seen in : Chukha, Thimphu, Gasa, Punakha, Wangdue, Trongsa, Zhemgang, Mongar, Sarpang, Trashiyangtse, Trashigang, Altitude : 1000 - 2000 m, Season : Jul-Oct)

This trip of about 96 km takes 3 hours passing through Kori la pass (2,450m), the place marked by a pretty chorten and a stonewall. The first part of the journey is through leafy forest filled with ferns. Later road descends rapidly through cornfields and banana groves arriving the famous ziazags of Yadi, which is a recent settlement. After that follows the Gamri River until the bifurcation to Dametsi, this temple perched on top of steep hill was founded by Choeden Zangmp and is the most important monastery of eastern Bhutan. This is the place from where famous Naga Chham, mask dance with drums originated. About 30 km onwards lays Trashigang at 1000m. Trashigang is the centre of the biggest and most populated district in the country. Visit Trashigang Dzong, standing at the extreme end of the spur, overhanging the Gamri river. It serves as the administrative seat for the district and the Drukpa monastic community occupies part of the Dzong. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.

Day 12 -Trashigang (Excursion to Trashiyangtse) (52Km. 2.30hrs)

(Fig3:Bulbophyllum carinflorum , seen in : Wangdue and Trashiyangtse , Altitude : 1300 - 2000 m, Season : Jul-Aug)

24 km from Trashigang, visit the temple of Gom Kora, set on a small alluvial plateau, overlooking the river. Gom Kora is a famous place where Guru Rinpoche subdued a demon. Further ahead reach to Doksum village where you can see women busy in weaving traditional Bhutanese fabric and a chain bridge dating of the 15 th century. Visit to Trashiyangtse Dzong, situated at the altitude of 1,850m. In former times Trashiyangtse was important centre because it lies on one of the carven routes leading from western and centre Bhutan. The Dzong is new and near by are the Art School and the famous Chhorten Kora.

Evening return to Trashigang. Overnight at the lodge in Trashigang.

Day 13 Optional : Trashigang - Samdrup Jongkhar (180Km. 6hrs.)

This 6-7 hours drive to the small town in the south bordering Assam is about 180 kms. This route passes through Kanglung where Bhutan has the only university called Sherubtse College. You pass by Khaling where you will see the blind school and the weaving center close by the highway. Overnight at hotel

Day 14 Samdrup Jongkhar - Gauhati Airport (110Km.3hrs)

You can drive to Gauhati, which is 2-3 hours drive to connect your onward flight to Delhi/Kolkotta. Representative of Bhutan Explorers will bid you farewell.

OR

Day 13 - Trashigang – Bumthang (289 km, 10 hours)

After breakfast drive back to Bumthang with lunch enroute. Overnight at the lodge in Bumthang.

Day 14 - Bumthang – Punakha (205 km, 6 hours)

Morning after visiting Bumthang market, drive to Punakha . Lunch would be served enroute at one of the famous restaurant in Trongsa town.

Enroute at Wangduephodrang take a short break for tea / coffee and then proceed to Punakha hotel for overnight stay.

Arrive Thimphu and check into the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Thimphu.

Day 15 - Punakha  – Paro (125 km, 4.1/2 hours)

Morning free time in Punakha. After lunch drive to Paro for overnight stay.

Day 16 - Departure

After breakfast in the hotel, drive to the airport for flight to onward destination. Representative of Bhutan Orchid Adventures will bid you farewell. TASHI DELEK

Book This Tour :: Enquire :: Previous Tour :: Next Tour