Central Bhutan Tour

^{11 Days / 10 Nights}

Itinerary (Paro - Thimphu - Punakha - Trongsa - Bumthang - Gangtay - Thimphu - Paro)

Private tour (CB11) : Daily departure from Paro with a guide in the language of your choice (surcharges may apply)


Day 1 : ARRIVAL PARO (-/L/D)
The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see the Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan. The green wall of hills known as the doors, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continually higher as down the forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the sky. You will be received by our representative and escorted to the hotel. Welcome drinks will be served. Drive to Drukgyal Dzong now in ruins, which were built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders.

Day 2 : PARO SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D)
Morning hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The climb up to the view point will take around three hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and mediated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. After tea in the cafe, walk back to the road point and drive to hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watch tower for the Paro Dzong. This dzong was converted into the National musuem in 1967, and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor. Drive to the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century, to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders, the dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. Overnight at Paro.

Day 3 : PARO – THIMPHU (B/L/D)
Drive to Thimphu (54 km) , the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 2 hours. Check in to the hotel. After lunch, visit the Memorial Chorten of the late king, built in 1974, the indigenous Hospital, where traditional medicine is still practiced, and the Painting School, where children still learn the ancient art of painting. Overnight Thimphu.

Day 4 : THIMPHU – PUNAKHA (B/L/D)
Drive to Punakha via the Dochula pass. An hours drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass. From here one can have a superb view of the highest peaks of Bhutan, such as Mt. Gangkar Puensum, table mountain, Mt. Jeje Khang, Mt. Masakhang and Mt. Gangcheyta. Drive on to Wangduepodrang for lunch. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong (when the monk body is away in Thimphu) and walk around the main street of Punakha. Overnight Punakha.

Day 5 : PUNAKHA – TRONGSA (B/L/D)
Drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,150 metres. Commanding the Mangde chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1647 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece. Overnight at Trongsa.

Day 6 : TRONGSA – BUMTHANG (B/L/D)
Drive to Bumthang. This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. Here the 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 many temples in the valley. Visit the famous Kurjey, Jambay and Tamshing Lhakhangs. Also the Jakar Dzong, seat of the district administration. After lunch visit the Jakar Dzong, built in the 17th century during the time of Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first religious King of Bhutan. The dzong is now used as the administration centre for Bumthang valley. Visit the local handicraft weaving centre and Honey & Cheese Farm. Overnight at Bumthang.

Day 7 : URA DAY EXCURSION (B/L/D)
En route visit Member tso lake, where Terton Pemalingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambava, is supposed to have discovered religious treasures in the 12th century.

Drive on to Ura village at an altitude of 3,300 metres. Visit the village and the temple and drive back to Bumthang for overnight stay.

Day 8 : BUMTHANG – GANGTAY (B/L/D)
After early breakfast, drive to Gangtey Gompa with picnic lunch. Visit Gangtey Gompa which now houses one of the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The valley is also the winter home to the rare black necked cranes (Grus Nicorocolis) which migrate from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia to winter in this valley. Overnight Gangtay.

Day 9 : GANGTAY – THIMPHU (B/L/D)
Proceed to Thimphu after breakfast. Lunch at the hotel and at leisure. Overnight in Thimphu.

Day 10 : THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING - PARO (B/L/D)
More sightseeing around the Thimphu valley and drive to Paro after lunch. At leisure at Paro. A farewell cocktail party will be given to the clients. Overnight in Paro.

Day 11 : PARO – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
Morning your guide will escort you to the airport for your onwards flight.


*B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner