Himalayan Splendor

^{8 Days / 7 Nights}

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

Private tour (HS8) : Daily departure from Paro with a guide in the language of your choice (surcharges may apply)


Day 1 : PARO – THIMPHU (-/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. Visit the Ta Dzong rated as one of the finest natural Museum in South Asia. Drive to see the Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Walk around the National Memorial Chorten and visit Changangkha temple, which is the temple of Chenrizig or Compassionate Buddha. Drive to see the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. Tour Tashichho Dzong, which houses His Majesty’s Throne Room and home to the Monk Body. Drive to BBS tower to get a view of the Thimphu valley by sunset/evening. See the Traditional Incense and Paper Factory.

Day 2 : THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING - WANGDUE (B/L/D)
Visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. Visit Changangkha temple, which is the temple of Chenrizig or Compassionate Buddha. See the Traditional Incense and Paper Factory. See the Traditional Painting School of Arts & Crafts where children are taught centuries old craft, and the National Folk Heritage Museum to get an insight into the typical Bhutanese way of life. Visit the Bhutan Post to see the different Stamps of the country. Drive to Punakha (70Km) via the Dochula pass (3,140 m). An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3,140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day. There is a powerful binocular telescope in the cafeteria. From west to east these are the different peaks with their elevation:
   Kang Bum                                   6,526 m
   Gangchhenta                              6,840 m
   Masang Gang                             7,165 m
   Tsenda Gang                              7,100 m
   Teri Gang                                     7,300 m
   Jejekangphu Gang                    7,100 m
   Zongophu Gang ( Table Mt )    7,100 m
   Gangkhar Puensum                  7,541 m (Highest mt that is completely inside Bhutan)
Drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. Visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. Visit the Dho Jha Gha Lam Temple.

Day 3 : WANGDUE – TRONGSA – BUMTHANG (B/L/D)
Today drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,150 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Commanding the Mangde Chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece. 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 Yatha Weaving Center a cooperative of the National Women Association of Bhutan where the women of the region sell their textiles and Yatha specialty. Check into Hotel.

Day 4 : BUMTHANG SIGHTSEEING (B/L/D)
Today, it’s a pilgrimage tour for you; your first stop is the Jambay Lhakhang. This monastery was built in the 7th century of Tibetan King Songtsen Gembo, believed to be the reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion. It is one of the 108 monasteries built by him to subdue evil spirits. Drive up the valley to Kurjey Lhakhang. The temple to the right is the oldest. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated and left his body imprint. A few minutes walk from Kurjey cross over to the other side of the river and visit Tamshing Lhakhang. Visit to Jakar Dzong, “castle of the white bird”. According to legend, when the lamas assembled in about 1549 to select a site for a monastery, a big white bird rose suddenly in the air and settled on a spur of a hill. This was interpreted as an important omen, and the hill was chosen as the site for a monastery and for Jakar Dzong.

Day 5 : BUMTHANG – GANGTAY - WANGDUE (B/L/D)
After an 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. Drive to Wangdue for overnight stay.

Day 6 : WANGDUE - PARO (B/L/D)
Morning: Walk to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten (50 Mins) – temple built by the Queen Of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. Drive back to Paro driving through the idyllic countryside, dotted with villages and paddy fields, crossing rivers and natural forests to Paro. In the evening, visit a farmhouse and try our traditional drinks and snacks.

Day 7 : PARO DAY EXCURSION (B/L/D)
Morning hike up to the Taktsang Monastery. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tiger and landed there in the 8th century, and meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. Drive to Drukgyal Dzong now in ruins, which were built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders. In the afternoon, visit Kyichu temple built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. Continue to visit the Dungte Lhakhang.

Day 8 : PARO – DEPARTURE (B/-/-)
In the morning, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight onwards.


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