Thimphu

The flight into Paro offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas—the perfect way to start your trip. Upon arrival and after completing the visa formalities, you will be greeted by our representative, who will accompany you throughout your tour. Visit the National Museum and Rimpong Dzong. After lunch, drive to Thimphu

Thimphu

After breakfast, drive to Changangkha Lhakhang for the blessing. This monastery is located on top of a ridge and is easily accessible.  We will also visit the Mini Zoo to see the country’s most endangered animal – the Takin.  It’s a goat antelope found only in this part of the Himalayas, and one of the planet’s most vulnerable creatures visit the National Institute for Traditional Medicine and the painting school.  After lunch, visit the Royal Textile Museum and walk along the Craft Bazaar. In the evening, visit Tashichho Dzong, a stunning medieval fortress that shows what life must have been like centuries ago.

Punakha and drive to Gangtey

After breakfast, drive to Punakha. This drive crosses the beautiful Dochula Pass, 3050m above sea level, and the 108 stupas. On a clear day, one can enjoy the most spectacular views of Bhutan’s Mountain ranges. We will visit Punakha Dzong, walk on the suspension bridge and Chimi Lhakhang, the temple of fertility. After lunch, drive to Gangtey/Phobjikha, a glacial valley that is also home to the endangered black-necked crane, which migrates during winter. The birds are seen during the 1st week of November until February.

Thimphu

After breakfast, visit Gangtey Gompa. Gompa means Monastery. It is the only monastery of the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism in central Bhutan.  Walk in the vast expanse of the valley. After lunch, proceed on the journey to Thimphu. Free evening

Drive to Paro

This morning, after breakfast, we will drive to Tango and hike to Tango Monastery. It is a steep climb, approximately 900 feet and takes an hour to climb. This monastery was built by Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 12th century and serves as a monastic school for the study of Buddhist Philosophy, metaphysics, mathematics, poetry and many other studies related to Buddhism.

After lunch, we will drive to Chele la. Chele La is the highest motorable pass in Bhutan. Chela provides a beautiful view of the Paro valley and some mountain ranges on a clear day. Evening in Paro 

Bumdra Hike (Paro)

Drive to Sangchokhor, where we will start our trek to Bumdra. Bumdra is the best camping spot in Paro, situated at an altitude of 3,900 meters. This is a 5–6-hour moderate-difficulty hike with the trail starting from Sangchokhor Monastery. This is a popular trekking trail in Paro that leads to Bumdra. On reaching the destination, sleeping in a tent with an expansive alpine view is an enriching experience.

Hike down to Taktsang Monastery

Bumdra means the “rock with one hundred thousand footprints”. It is believed that one hundred thousand Dakinis had visited this place and left their footprints. After breakfast, we will hike to the Sky burial, which is about a 40-minute hike. Sky burial is another form of funeral that was practised by the people of those days, where dead bodies are left in the open for vultures and other scavenging birds.  After the descent from the Sky Burial, we will proceed further towards Taktsang Monastery. This monastery is built on a very steep ledge, approximately 900 meters above Paro Valley, by Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Buddhism in Bhutan. He is believed to have flown on the back of a tigress. Taktsang is a key highlight of the tour and one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Bhutan.  Lunch will be served at the cafeteria. The cafeteria is a beautiful viewpoint from which the Taktsang Monastery is visible. 

Departure

Our guide will drop you off at the airport and bid you farewell as you head back home.