Adventure Bhutan- Experience this Dragon country

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 01 Paro-Thimphu

Stop At: Paro River, Paro Bhutan
On the arrival at Paro International Airport, the representative from Druk Gi Gyem Tours and Trek will warmly welcome & greet you and we will drive to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. The drive will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes along a river valley, past small villages and traditional farmhouses, through the sound of peaceful river flowing of Paa-chu and Thim-chu. It’s a small & charming capital city located in the heart of the Himalayas.

On reaching at Thimphu, we can have a lunch in one of the restaurant. After lunch, visit Memorial Chorten, built in 1974 in the memory of third king Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the temple inside gives good examples of tantric Buddhist and its philosophy. Big Buddha Point is a gigantic Shakyamuni Buddha statue under construction in the mountains of Thimphu valley. The Buddha Dordenma is sited amidst the ruins of Kuensel Phodrang, the palace of Sherab Wangchuck, the thirteenth Druk Desi. Upon completion, it will be one of the largest Buddha in the world, at a height of 169 feet (51.5 meters). Evening, stroll around Thimphu city, visit to Tashichho Dzong, seat of the National Government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Dinner and overnight stay at Thimphu hotel.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Thimphu

Day 2: Day 02 Thimphu

Stop At: Thimphu Chorten (Memorial Chorten), Thimphu Bhutan
After having breakfast, visit to Paper Factory, the Bhutanese Desho paper factory in Bhutan, weaving center, the hand woven clothes. Then, visit to Changgangkha temple, founded in 12th century by great Lama Phajo

Drukgom Zhipo and visit to Drupthop nunnery, the place which was founded in 15th century and later built in the year 1976 by Reki Jigdrel. Lunch will be serving in one of the restaurants in Thimphu.

After having lunch, drive to Mothithang mini-zoo to see the National Animal of Bhutan (Takin). The Takin(Budorcas Taxicolor) as a National Animal of Bhutan is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa Kunley. Then hike to Sangyegang Cross hike, the hike will take around 1 hour and 30 minutes through the beautiful pine forest. Through this hike, we can see the beautiful valley Thimphu city. Evening at leisure, dinner and overnight stay.

Duration: 2 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Thimphu

Day 3: Day 03 Punakha

Stop At: Punakha Dzong, Punakha 13001 Bhutan
After having breakfast, we will drive to Wangdi/Punakha, over Dochula, 3150m above the sea level. While reaching at Dochula, if the weather is clear you can see the Himalayan Mountains of Bhutan including the highest mountain of Bhutan, the Gankar Puensum (7554m), which is the unclimbed mountain in Bhutan. The drive will take around 3hours and 30minutes and lunch will be serving on the way to Wangdi.

On reaching at Lobesa, hike to Chimme Lhakhang, which was founded in 15th century by Devin madman Drukpa Kuenley. The hike will take around 1hour and 30minutes for too and forth. Then, we will continue our journey to Punakha, on reaching at Punakha, visit to Punakha Dzong, the seat of the administrative system and the Central Monastic Body, including the winter residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). Evening at leisure, dinner and overnight stay.

Duration: 2 days

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Punakha

Day 4: Day 04 Phobjikha Valley

Stop At: Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
After having breakfast, drive to Phobjikha valley, over Lawala Pass, 3280m above the sea level. The Phobjika Valley is the winter roosting place for the Black-necked Cranes – visit central Bhutan to roost, circling the monastery three times on arrival and repeating this circling when returning to Tibet. Before reaching at Lawala pass, if we turn back when the weather is clear, we can see the second highest mountain of Bhutan, Jhomolhari (7454m). The drive will take around 3hours to reach at Phobjikha valley. In winter, we can see the yaks around these passes.

On reaching at Phobjikha, visit to Gangtey Monastery, is an important monastery of two main center Nyingmapa school of Buddhism in the country. The main seat of the religious tradition based on Pema Lingpa tradition. The Monastery’s history traces to the early 17th century and back to the prophecies made by the well-known Terton (treasure finder) Pema Lingpa in the late 15th century. Then, hike to Gantey Natural trail, the hike will take around 1 hour and 40 minutes through the blue pine trees. Lunch will be serving at Phobjikha. After having lunch, we will drive back to Wandi/Punakha.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Punakha

Day 5: Day 05 Paro

Stop At: Dochula Pass, Thimphu Bhutan
After having breakfast, we will drive back to Paro over Dochula passes, 3150m above the sea level. When the weather is clear, we can see the Himalayan Mountains of Bhutan and the highest mountain of Bhutan Gangkar Puensum (7554m), above the sea level. The unclimbed mountain in the world. The drive will take around 4hours to reach at Paro and lunch will be on the way to Paro.

On reaching at Paro, visit to Paro Rimpung Dzong, the center of civil and religious authority in this region. The original structure was built in the year 1646 by the great unifier of Bhutan Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. Evening stroll around Paro town. Dinner and overnight stay.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Day 06 Haa Valley

Stop At: Haa Valley, Ha Bhutan
After having breakfast, we will drive to Haa through the Chelela pass, 3880m above the sea level. From these pass also, if the weather is clear we can see the second highest mountain of Bhutan the Jhomolhari, 7454m above the sea level. The drive will take around 3hours and 30 minutes and lunch will be serving at Haa.

On reaching at Haa, visit to Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagkpo founded in 7th century by 33th king of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo. After this we will make round of Haa town and we will drive back to Paro. Dinner and overnight stay.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Paro

Stop At: Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest), Taktsang Trail, Paro 11001 Bhutan
Today after having breakfast, we will make a hike to Paro Taktshang Monastery, the most famous and sacred monastery in Bhutan. Taktshang means “TigerNest” named after Guru Rinpoche reportedly flew to this site riding on the back of a flying tigress in the 8th century. We have to walk about 2hours and 30minutes up steep from the road end. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. Lunch will be served at Taktshang cafeteria.

While coming back, visit Kyichu Lhakhang, it is one of the two most sacred and the oldest temples in Bhutan, built in 7th century by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo (the 33rd Tibetan king, who is also the manifestation of avoloketeshivara, commonly known to Bhutanese as Chenrize).
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight in Paro

Day 8: Day 08 Paro International Airport- Departure

Pass By: Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point, Paro Bhutan
After our breakfast, we will drive to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Our guide and driver will bid you farewell here at the airport.

We wish you a very safe and pleasant flight for your onward destinations.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.