The Last Shangri-La (14 Nights/15 Days)
Day01. Arrive at Paro (Altitude 2280 m)
On arrival at Paro Airport, You will be received by our representative and then drive to Hotel
After lunch, visit to the Ta Dzong (built in 1656 and renovated in 1968),an ancient watchtower, it now houses National Museum of the kingdom and boasts antique thangkha painting, textiles and weapons & armours. Then walk down the trail to visit Rinpung Dzong, meaning “fortress heap of jewels”, Dinner and overnight in Hotel
Day02. Paro –Thimphu. (Excursion to Taktsang Monastery)
After Breakfast, a short drive to satsam chorten. From there your hikes start to Taktsang Monastery one of the most famous monastery of Bhutan floating on the high cliff. It is said that Guru Rinpoche who brought Buddhism to Bhutan arrived on the back of a tigress and meditated at this monastery for three months hence it is called “Tiger Nest”. Lunch at Taktsang Cafteria
After the hike, drive to Drukgyel Dzong, a ruined fortress, Built in 1647 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. Explore the ramparts and on a clear day experience an unforgettable view of Mt. Jhomolhari (7,314 m).On the way back visit Kichu Lhakhang built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. This temple marks the introduction of Buddhism in Bhutan.
Then in the evening drive to Thimphu, The Capital of Bhutan. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Thimphu
Day03. Thimphu Sightseeing
After Breakfast, visit the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk ( “Father of Modern Bhutan”) Then Visit to the Tallest Statue of Buddha in the World. After that visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum, commonly knew as the Painting School, Also visits the Folk & Textile Heritage Museums and the National Library which holds a vast collection of ancient Buddhist manuscripts.
After Lunch, visit to the weekend marked and witness archery match. In the evening visit to the Trashichho 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 in Hotel
Day04. Thimphu-Punakha (75km, 2 ½ Hours)
After Breakfast, Drive to Punakha across Dochula Pass (3050m), we will stop there for few minutes, if the weather is clear, you shall have a good view of Higher Himalayas.
After lunch, visit Chimi Lhakhang, also called the “Temple of Fertility” built in 1499 by Lam Drukpa Kuenley known as the “DIVINE MADMAN” then an excursion to Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery. On the way back visit to Punakha Dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and is situated between Pho Chu (Male River) and Mo Chu (Female River). Today the Dzong serve as a religious and administrative centre of the region. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Punakha
Day05.Punakha –Gangtey
After Breakfast, Drive to Gangety, on the way visit Wangdiphordang Dzong (from outside) built in 1638. Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong; four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. The Dzong is located on the hilltop above the confluence of the Punakha Chu and Tang Chu Rivers. Drive further to Gangtey, visit Gangtey Gompa, built in the year 1613 located at an altitude of 2900m. Today it serves as a meditation and home for the monks
Explore Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Gangety
Day06. Gangtey-Trongsa (120 km, 4 Hours Drive)
After Breakfast, Drive to Trongsa, later after lunch, visit Trongsa Dzong, the impregnable fortress, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan and enlarged at the end of the 17th century by Desi Tenzin Rabgay. The Dzong is built in a traditional style with many levels into the side of the hill and can be seen from every approach to Trongsa exhibiting its strength as a defensive stronghold. Then visit the Ta Dzong, a watchtower, for the Trongsa Dzong.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Trongsa
Day07. Trongsa-Bumthang (68 km, 3 Hours Drive)
After Breakfast, Drive to Bumthang, across the Yutong- La Pass (3400 m). Before reaching Bumthang we shall be passing through one of the beautiful valley called Chumey.
In the Afternoon, visit Jakar Dzong, meaning “The Castle of White Bird” It is the largest Dzong in Bhutan. Then visit Jambey Lhakhang, built by the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century to subdue the evil spirits in the Himalayan region.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Bumthang
Day08. Bumthang Sightseeing
After Breakfast, visit Kurjey Lhakhang, this comprises of three Temple. The one on the right was built in 1652 by Minjur Tempa, Trongsa Penlop. This temple is dedicated to Guru Rinpoche who brought Buddhism to Bhutan and had mediated there in 8th century. The middle temple is built on the site of a cave containing a rock with the imprint of the Guru’s body, and is therefore considered to be the most holy. The third temple was built in 1990s by her Majestry Queen mother Ashi Kesang Wangmo Wangchuk. Afterthat visit to the Tamshing Lhakhang (Temple of the Good Message)
In the afternoon, visit Membartsho literally meaning, “The Burning Lake” then a short distance led to the Tang Valley. The Terton Pema Lingpa discovered several of Guru Rinpoche’s hidden Terma and relics here and then visits to Mathra Factory & Cheese Factory. Dinner and overnight in Hotel
Day09. Bumthang –Mongar (198 km, 7 Hours Drive)
After Breakfast, Drive to Mongar, across the Thrumshingla pass (4000 m) then drop down to the senkhor, watching the beautiful waterfall. Further the journeys continue through the Pine Forest.
While Reaching at Mongar, visit Mongar Dzong, one of the Bhutan’s newest fortresses. This Dzong was built in the same traditional style without the use of nail like all the other Dzongs. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Mongar
Day10. Mongar-Trashigang (96 km, 3 hours Drive)
After Breakfast, Drive to Mongar via Kori La pass (2450 m) and then drop down you shall reach to a Yadi, a small district with few local shops and restaurant. Drive further around 1 Hours which will lead to Trashigang, which is the country largest district. Visit Trashigang Dzong, built in 1659, at Bengkhar by the Kudung Pekar Chhoephel. Today it serves as the administrative seat for the district and part of the Dzong is occupied by the Drukpa monastic community. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Trashigang
Day11. Trashigang (Excursion to Trashiyangtse)
After Breakfast, Drive to Trashiyangtse, on the way visit to Gom Kora, one of the famous places where Guru Rinpoche meditated in order to subdue a Demon which dwelt in a huge black rock. Then visit Trashiyangtse Dzong established in the late 1990s when the new district was created.
After lunch, visit to the Chorten Kora, situated on the side of the river below the town area. This temple was designed and built in the similar style of the Bodnath stupa in Nepal. In the evening return back to Trashigang.
Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Trasgigang
Day12. Trashigang-Bumthang (290 km, 10 Hours Drive)
After Breakfast, Drive back to Bumthang, Lunch will be served on the way. Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Bumthang
Day13. Bumthang-Wangdiphordang (200 km, 7 Hours Drive)
After Breakfast, Drive to Wangdiphordang, Lunch will be served on the way. In the evening visit to local shops at the town and mingle with people. Dinner and overnight in Hotel
Day14. Wangdiphordang-Paro (125 km, 4 ½ Hours Drive)
After Breakfast, Drive to Paro, Afternoon, free for shopping and photography in the town, Dinner and overnight at Hotel in Paro
Day15. Paro, Departure: Breakfast in Hotel, Drive to the Airport, Flight on Druk Air. TASHIDELEK