Bhutan In-depth Tour

breakfast and lunch and dinner

After breakfast, your Bhutanese cooking class will take place in the farmhouse where an abundance of local fresh and organic vegetables are grown. Here you can not only get acquainted with commonly used ingredients like red rice, buckwheat, chillies etc., but experience how to make the most popular Bhutanese dish, ‘Emma Datsi’, which is a chilli and cheese curry, the two ingredients that are used regularly in Bhutanese cuisine. The chef will show you how to prepare the meal, then you can sit down to enjoy your Bhutanese cuisine.

In the afternoon, we will drive to Thimphu. Then pay a visit to National Institute of Zorig Chusum. This institute, also known as 'the painting school', operates four- to six-year courses of Bhutan's 13 traditional arts. Students specialize in each skill, such as painting, sculpturing, wood carving, embroidery, weaving, etc. The showroom sells good-value pieces made by students.

Next, you will head to the Thimphu Takin Zoo, a sanctuary for Takins, to see the National Animal of Bhutan. Continue to visit the Zilukha Nunnery. It boasts tranquil and harmonious atmosphere like all temples in Bhutan, and offers a wonderful perspective overlooking the Thimphu fortress. You can stroll around the nunnery and meet the nuns.

In the late afternoon, proceed to the Tashichhoe Dzong, also known as "fortress of the glorious religion".  It is initially built in 1641 and now is the office of Majesty the king and the government. This magnificent architecture is adorned with many traditional delicate patterns. It is at its most splendid and elegant appearance from outside when the lights come on at dusk.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Bhutan Cooking Class

breakfast and lunch and dinner

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at your hotel. You will first visit the Memorial Chorten. This beautiful Tibetan style chorten was built in 1974 in memory of the Bhutan’s third King, His Late Majesty, King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. It is the center of daily worship for Bhutanese.

Next pay a visit to the Buddha Dordenma statue. It is the largest statue in the country with 51.5 meters high. Located at a short drive from Thimphu city centre, you can get a good overview of the Thimphu valley from the Buddha point (Kuensel Phodrang).

We then visit the Changangkha Temple built in the 12th century. It is a fortress and monastic school perched on a ridge above Thimphu. From the temple courtyard, you can catch the fascinating views of Thimphu valley. Have lunch in local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will visit Bhutan Post Office to personalize your own Bhutan stamps. Nowadays, Bhutan is still the world leader in stamp design, printing and material diversity. You can use your own images to customize your Bhutan stamps and send it with postcards and letters to your friends and family.

Afterwards, take a wander along Thimphu’s main street, which offers good shops, city bars and the Craft Bazaar.

Overnight in Thimphu.

Memorial Chorten

breakfast and lunch and dinner

Today we will drive to Punakha valley via Dochula Pass(2.5 hours). Dochula Pass(3150m) offers splendid views of the distant Himalayas in clear day. You can enjoy the magnificent view of the mountains while sipping your tea or coffee at the cafeteria where we will stop.

At the same time, you can also admire the 108 stupas located here. It is called the "Chukwangye Monument" and was established in 2005 by the Bhutanese government to honor the victory of the war. The stupas are surrounded by colorful prayer flags floating in the wind.

Upon arrival at Punakha, we will visit the Chimi Lhakhang situated on a hillock in the centre of the valley. It is dedicated to Lama Drukpa Kuenley, known as "Divine Madman", who lived in the late 15th century. He was the representative of strong fecundity. Chimi Lhakhang impresses tourists more with the phallus belief which can be easily seen in every corner of the temple and the surrounding villages. Now the Temple is known to be a sacred place to pray for having a baby.

After enjoying wonderful meal, we will continue to visit the Punakha Dzong. The most beautiful fortress in Bhutan was strategically built at the confluence of two rivers Pho Chu (Father River) and Mo Chu (Mother River) in 1637. The ancient Dzong, clear river and beautiful purple-blue flowers compose a peaceful and romantic picture.

In nearby, you can take a walk in the magnificent suspension bridge connecting local villages. You may meet the locals or the students heading home after school.

Overnight in Punakha.

Punakha Dzong

breakfast and lunch and dinner

In the morning, we will drive to Phobjikha Valley. Along the way you can visit the quaint Rinchengang Village. It consists of beautiful adobe houses, with little clusters all attached to each other.

Then we will get to beautiful Phobjikha Valley, a paradise of nature. It is a breathtaking valley and the home of the endangered black necked crane during the winter months. When you walk into the hinterland of the Phobjikha valley, you will surely immerse yourself in the beauty of transquility and harmony. Take a trek follow your guide through jungles, streams, hills, and swamps, and you will get the best views of Phobjikha valley.

You will also visit the Gangtey Monastery. Perched on a small hill that rises from the valley floor, the Gangtey monastery is the only Nyingmapa monastery on the western side of Bhutan. As a magnificent Buddhist architecture, Gangtey Monastery not only offers a stunning view of the surrounding sceneries, but collects a large number of wonderful thangkas, Buddhist statues and Buddhist scriptures, etc.

Dinner will be prepared for you at a farmhouse with the family.

Overnight in Phobjikha Valley.

Phobjikha Valley

breakfast and lunch and dinner

Wake up in the morning to embrace the gentle sunlight. Then we will leave for Bumthang Valley via Pelela Pass(3390m). It takes around 4-5 hours. Pelela Pass is the gateway to Central Bhutan. There is a chorten and fluttering prayer flags. On a clear day, snow-capped mount Jhomolhari (7314m) and Jichu Drakye (6989m) are visible. We will stop here for a short break and enjoy the Himalayas views.
 
Continue drive towards Bumthang Valley through Yutongla Pass(3425m). On the way, we will visit Trongsa Dzong and Chumey Weaving Center. Upon arrival, check in.

Overnight in Bumthang Valley.

Pelela Pass

breakfast and lunch and dinner

After breakfast, you will begin your day with visiting beautiful ancient temples. First pay a visit to Jambay Temple. It is said to be one of the 108 temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in 659 AD on a single day to eliminate an ogress on earth forever.

Then take a delightful walk through the paddy fields and visit magnificent Kurjey Monastery. It is a temple complex comprising three buildings which preserves the remains of the first three kings of Bhutan. It is also one of the most sacred sites in Bhutan as the second Buddha meditated here and left the imprint of his body on a rock in the 8th century.

Next walk across the river and visit the Tamshing Temple. This temple is remarkable for its direct connection to the Bhutanese tertön and saint, Pema Lingpa. The temple, built by Pema Lingpa in 1501, preserves the wall paintings including his portrait which are amongst the earliest in the country.

Enjoy a wonderful meal in a farmhouse. After lunch, pay a visit to Lhodrak Kharchu Dratshang. Afterwards,  we will leave for the Mebar Tsho(Burning Lake). Mebar Tsho is located thirty minutes’ driving from Chamkhar town. According to legend, Terton Pema Lingpa had a vision of the sacred treasures hidden here by Guru Padmasambhava. Pious Bhutanese always come here on auspicious days to light a butter lamp on the water and make a wish.

Overnight in Bumthang.

Kurjey Lhakhan

breakfast and lunch and dinner

In the morning, we will leave for Mongar. The driving from Bumthang to Mongar is a beautiful journey crossing 3,800m high Thrumshingla pass. Gushing waterfalls, steep cliffs and rich vegetation will make the journey more colorful.

Mongar marks the beginning of Eastern Bhutan. Different from other towns of Western Bhutan which was built on the valley, Mongar town is situated on the side of a hill. It takes about 7 hours to Mongar. Before reaching Mongar town, we will visit Mongar Dzong. Just above the Town of Mongar is the Mongar Dzong which houses the monastic school.

Overnight in Mongar.

Mongar Dzong

breakfast and lunch and dinner

After breakfast, we will drive to Lhuntse (2.5 hours). Lying in the northeastern corner of Bhutan, it is one of the most isolated districts in the country. The landscape here is spectacular with stark cliffs and gorges and dense coniferous forests. It's well-known for its weavers and special textiles. The Kurtoe region of Lhuntse is also the ancestral home of royal dynasty.

Upon arrival, we will visit Guru Nangsa Zelnen Statue, one of the tallest statues in the world, Dungkar Nagtshang, Lhuntse Dzong, Jangchubling Monastery and Khoma village, etc. In Khoma village, weaving handicraft and hand looms are common seen in almost every household.

Overnight in Lhuntse.

Lhuntse Dzong

breakfast and lunch and dinner

In the morning, we will drive to Trashigang (4.5 hours) via Korila pass. In the far east of Bhutan, on the bank of Gamri Chhu river lies Trashigang, the country’s largest district. It is once the centre of a busy trade route with Tibet, today is the junction of east-west highway. This town is also used as the market place for the semi nomadic people from Merak and Sakteng.

Upon arrival, we will pay a visit to Trashigang Dzong - one of the largest fortresses in Bhutan. It is an imposing fortress built in 1659 to protect the country from external invasions from Tibet. Strolling along the building's hallways, you will marvel at the gorgeous architecture.

Overnight in Trashigang.

Trashigang Dzong

breakfast and lunch and dinner

Today we will do an excursion to Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary. It has stunning landscapes of alpine meadows and gorgeous alpine lakes. It is also home to endangered species such as the snow leopard, Royal Bengal tiger and red panda. Besides, we will explore remote villages of Yangtse.

Overnight in Trashigang.

Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary

breakfast

In the morning, your guide will pick you up to the airport for flight to Paro. Upon arrival, your guide will pick you up to hotel. The rest of time is free to relax or explore Paro town.

Overnight in Paro.

breakfast

It’s time to say goodbye to beautiful Bhutan. About 3 hours before your scheduled flight, your guide will pick you up to airport for your departure flight.