Itinerary Details
Bhutan is a peaceful wonderland for you to find calmness deep in soul. As the Kindom of happiness, Bhutan has typical Buddhist traditions, glorious fortresses and ancient temples, calming spiritual ambiance and idyllic beauty. With this fabulous 9-day Peaceful Bhutan trip, you will travel through Thimphu, Phobjikha Valley, Bumthang Valley and Paro Valley to discover the national heritages from architectures, temples, museums to culture and traditions. Besides, the breathtaking natural scenery and pious locals will impress you very much.
lunch and dinner
Welcome to Bhutan!
Upon arrival at Paro Airport, our guide will be waiting for you at the exit and welcome you with our traditional scarfs. Then we will drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, which takes about 1 hour. It’s a wonderful journey from Paro to Thimphu. En route, you can walk across the long standing Tachhogang Bridge. After reaching Thimphu, lunch will be planned for you at a traditional restaurant with authentic Bhutanese cuisine. After lunch, transfer to hotel and check in.
In the afternoon, you will start your happiness trip in beautiful Bhutan. You will first visit the Thimphu Takin Zoo, a sanctuary for Takins, to see the National Animal of Bhutan.
Then pay a visit to the Zilukha Nunnery. It owns 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, head for 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 spendid and elegant appearance from outside when the lights come on at dusk. In the evening, cultural performances and dinner will be prepared for you.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Osel
- (3 Ratings)
Tashichhoe Dzong
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 Lhakhang 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, Barehutan 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, walk into the local weekend market. Thimphu's weekend market is the main source of fresh products. It is an interesting place to visit where you can experience the local life. Later, you will explore Thimphu town with your guide and return to hotel.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Accommodation option:
- Hotel Osel
- (3 Ratings)
Giant Buddha Statue
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Today we will drive to Punakha valley via Dochula Pass. 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.
We will continue to visit the Punakha Dzong (The Palace of Great Happiness). 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. You will marvel at the majestic architecture and the wonderful murals, as well as its numerous precious relics. 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 at Punakha.
Accommodation option:
- Drubchhu Resort
- (3 Ratings)
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.
Overnight at Phobjikha Valley.
Accommodation option:
- Dewachen Hotel & Spa
- (3 Ratings)
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). Pelela Pass is the gateway to Central Bhutan. There is a chorten and prayer flags fluttering across the hills. On 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 to drive towards Bumthang Valley through Yutongla Pass(3425m). Upon arrival at Bumthang Valley, check into at your hotel. We will explore the main town area at your leisure.
Overnight at Bumthang Valley.
Accommodation option:
- Yugharling Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Pelela Pass
breakfast and lunch and dinner
Today we will take excursion to Tang Valley, one of the four valleys of Bumthang. We will visit the Tang Rimochen Lhakhang along the way. Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, located below an enormous rock, was founded in 14 century and marked as a sacred place where the Second Buddha meditated. The body print of Guru Rimpoche and his two consorts are embedded on the huge rock infront of the lhakhang. The name Tag Rimoche (an impression of tiger’s stripes) is derived from the tiger stripes that appear on a rock cliff behind the building.
Afterwards, continue to visit the Ogyen Choling Palace. For anyone interested in the history and culture of Bhutan, a visit to the Ogyen Choling Palace Museum will be pleasant. The museum is located on a hilltop with stunning views over the valley. It is originally the former residence of a ruling Bhutanese family. Traditional artworks and artifacts around the place as well as the structures of the house are nearly remained as their originality. So Ogyen Choling Palace Museum offers an excellent insight into the local lifestyles and living conditions of a typical Bhutanese noble family over the last century.
We will then enjoy a special lunch prepared at the outdoor garden of the palace. After lunch, take a relaxing walk in the valley through the elegant villages. Finally, drive back to Chamkhar valley. The rest of the time is free at leisure.
Overnight in Bumthang Valley.
Accommodation option:
- Yugharling Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Ogyen Choling Palace
Ogyen Choling Palace
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.
You then visit a lovely farm house and enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by the family. After lunch, you will take a flight from Bumthang to Paro Valley with approximately 45 mins. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel.
Overnight at Paro.
Accommodation option:
- Rema Resort
- (3 Ratings)
Kurjey Lhakhan
breakfast and lunch and dinner
After breakfast at hotel, we will spend the most of the day hiking to the Taktsang Lhakhan. Taktsang Lhakhang, known as Tiger’s Nest, is Bhutan’s most iconic landmark and religious site. It is also one of the most prestigious holy places of Guru Padmasambhava in Bhutan. Your trip in Bhutan would be incomplete without a visit to this remarkable heritage site.
It miraculously clings to a sheer cliff nearly 1,000 meters above the Paro Valley. You need to follow a steep trail to reach the temple for around 2 hours. It could make you exhausted but the spectacular view along the way definitely well-worth your try. You may come across many locals who are exhausted but full of strength and pious expression.
There is a viewpoint halfway to the Tigers Nest. On the way up, you can stop for a coffee break and on the way down have lunch at the same cafeteria. After the hike, it is the best choice to enjoy the unique local traditional hot water bath to wash away your tiredness.
Overnight in Paro.
Accommodation option:
- Rema Resort
- (3 Ratings)
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.