Starting at $2800

AVAILABILITY: Yearround

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges

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Commonly known as Land of the Thunder Dragon, the Kingdom of Bhutan is also referred to as the crown jewel of the Himalayas and the last Shangri-La on earth. A small and peaceful country, Bhutan is cradled between China to the north and India to the south. Its lands include subtropical savannahs to forests to the Himalayas that guard the country’s eastern border.

 

The country’s isolation, domestic policies and decision to limit tourism have helped to protect its culture and its natural beauty. Bhutanese culture is regarded as one of the oldest and most well-preserved cultures in the world. 

 

ITINERARY:

• DAY 1: Paro –Thimphu; Transfer to the airport and fly to Paro. You’ll descend through mountainous valleys before arriving into the Kingdom of Dragons. After clearing customs and visa control you will be met by your driver and guide. You'll take a short drive along the valley, passing rural homes, monasteries and chortens, and you’ll arrive in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Settle into your hotel and after lunch at a local restaurant, you’ll start your sightseeing with a guided walking tour, visiting the Textile Museum and a traditional paper-making factory.

• In the evening you’ll have dinner at a local Bhutanese restaurant and stay overnight at your hotel.

• DAY 2: Thimphu valley sightseeing and hike to Tango Monastery; After breakfast you’ll drive to Sangaygang where you’ll see a field of Bhutanese prayer flags perched high above the city. Colored flags send prayers to the heavens and white flags honor the dead. Visit the Motithang Takin Preserve where you can see the takin, a goat-antelope type creature that is Bhutan's national animal. Walk to the Zilukha Nunnery, to visit the memorial Chorten and the National Library. Next you’ll take a 45-minute hike to the Tango Monastery for a picnic lunch. This monastery is a 13th-century structure and today is home to about 150 monks studying Buddhist philosophy and meditation. Thimphu sightseeing continues with the Folk Heritage Museum (a beautifully restored Bhutanese farmhouse from the last century) and the National Painting School. In the evening visit the National Memorial Chorten built in honor of our 3rd king Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and meet some of the local people. All the buildings in Bhutan conform to national building principals and are beautifully carved and decorated. In the evening you’ll have dinner at a Bhutanese restaurant and stay overnight at your hotel.

• DAY 3: Thimphu – Punakha; You’ll depart Thimpu and drive over the Docchu-La Pass to Punakha. This is a 3-hour drive with stops en route, including a teahouse at the pass that offers views of the Himalayan range in the distance. In the afternoon you’ll visit the magnificent dzong spanning the Mo Chu and Po Chu rivers. This is the winter residence of the monastic body and the Je Khenpo (chief Abbott). Dinner and overnight at hotel Zangto-Pelri.

• DAY 4: Punakha – Gangtey; This morning you will travel to the Probjikha Valley, stopping along the way at Wangdue, a typical rural town, where locals buy and sell all manner of produce. You will turn off the main road for the Probjhika Valley, often cited as the most beautiful area in Bhutan. The scenery changes dramatically and your will see dwarf bamboo and possibly grazing yaks. Continue to the bottom of the valley and see the Black Crane Institute and Research Center. The migratory crane arrives in the valley in late October each year. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

• DAY 5: Gangtey – Trongsa – Bumthang; Today you’ll start a spectacular drive, passing over many valleys. You’ll stop at the Chendebji Chorten at the top of a highest pass of the Black mountains and then continue into Central Bhutan. In the afternoon, visit the golden-roofed Trongsa Dzong, which spans the valley that divides east and west Bhutan, then drive to Bumthang via Yotong La pass. Enroute visit the joint Australian/Bhutanese wool project at Chumey valley. Watch the single loom weaving process and buy yak wool rugs or scarves if you wish. There is also a wonderful selection of textiles from all over Bhutan on display and for sale at this roadside stop. Look for yaks on the high passes on the way to Bumthang. Eventually the road winds down into the beautiful Bumthang valley, the cultural heart of Bhutan. Rice paddies give way to fields of barley and potatoes as the climate is too cold for rice. Dinner and overnight at Rinchenling Lodge.

• DAY 6: Bumthang; Bumthang is considered the heartland of Buddhism. Here many great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of numerous temples in the valley. In the morning you’ll hike to visit Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). You will also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration).

• In the afternoon hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century. Dinner and overnight at hotel Rinchenling lodge.

• DAY 7: Bumthang – Ura – Bumthang; After breakfast, you’ll drive to Ura valley. Once we get 26 miles from Bumthang, the road reaches the Ura Shelthangla, where you’ll get a magnificent view of Bhutan's highest peak, Gangkar Puensum (24,600 ft). The road then descends into the Ura Valley by long loops across fields and pastures. Ura's principle industry is raising sheep and yaks and potato farming. You will visit Ura Lhakhang before returning to Bumthang. Take an afternoon visit to the Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). You will also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in the 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (the seat of the district administration). Dinner and overnight at Rinchenling Lodge.

• DAY 8: Bumthang – Wangdue – Punakha; Depart the Bumthang valley and retrace our route back to Wangdue to see the festival. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

• DAY 9: Punakha – Thimphu – Paro; You’ll depart early from Wangdue to Paro via Thimphu for a break and a chance to buy any last-minute textiles or souvenirs. If we have time, you’ll take an afternoon drive or hike to Taktsang (Tiger's Nest Monastery), the most photographed structure in Bhutan. The monastery has been rebuilt after a disastrous fire destroyed it some years ago and can only be viewed from afar as it is not open to the public. Later, visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that now houses the National Museum. This dzong was converted into the National Museum in 1968. The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. You will also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The dzong is now used as an administration center and school for monks. Later in the evening you’ll take a walk around the main street of Paro’s main shopping district. Dinner and overnight at your hotel.

• Day 10: Paro – Departure (by Druk Air); In the morning our agent escort will transport you to Paro airport.

 

Program includes: Accommodations, sightseeing excursions mentioned in itinerary, transport, all meals in homestay, English-speaking guide.

 

Program excludes: Travel Insurance, Entry Visa Fee, personal expenses, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, tips, temple and monastery entrance fees.