Bhutan Extended Journey

Upon arrival at Paro International Airport, a tour representative will welcome you and escort you to your transfer to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. En route, we will pause at Chuzom, where the Thimphu and Paro rivers meet. Just before this junction, you will notice the Tschogang Lhakhang, known as the ‘temple of the excellent horse’. Upon reaching Thimphu, you will check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to explore Thimphu’s Main Street and market area. You may wish to visit the local Crafts Bazaar, where traditional Bhutanese arts and crafts such as hand-woven textiles, thangkha paintings, masks, ceramics, wood carvings and jewellery are on display. Overnight in Thimphu.

After breakfast, we begin a full day of sightseeing in the Thimphu valley. Our first stop is the National Library, home to an extensive collection of invaluable Buddhist manuscripts. Next, we visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum, also known as the Painting School, where students undertake a six-year course in Bhutan’s 13 traditional arts and crafts. We then explore the Textile Museum, offering insight into one of Bhutan’s most distinctive art forms, followed by a visit to Simply Bhutan, a living museum and studio that showcases the country’s cultural heritage. After lunch, we take a short 15-kilometre drive to Pangri Zampa, one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and a monastic school where monks study Lamaism and Buddhist astrology. Later, we visit Buddha Point (Kensal Phodrang) for panoramic views over Thimphu, then the Memorial Chorten, a prominent landmark dedicated to world peace where locals often gather to circumambulate, chant mantras and spin prayer wheels. Our final stop is Trashichhoedzong, one of Bhutan’s most important dzongs, before returning to the hotel. In the evening, you have free time to explore Thimphu city centre, browse shops and visit the local market. Overnight in Thimphu.

We depart Thimphu for Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, a journey of approximately 77 kilometres taking around three hours by road. En route, we pause at Dochula Pass for a coffee break and to admire the 108 chortens (stupas) that commemorate Bhutanese soldiers. On a clear day, the pass offers impressive views of the Himalayan range. Continuing, we visit Chimmi Lhakhang, a small monastery perched on a rounded hillock, known as a sacred site especially for women seeking blessings for fertility. Our main visit today is Punakha Dzong, a striking six-storey fortress located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers. This impressive dzong served as Bhutan’s administrative centre until 1955 and is renowned for its architecture and scenic mountain backdrop. Nearby, we cross Bhutan’s longest suspension bridge spanning the Mo Chu River. Upon arrival in Punakha, we check in to the hotel where dinner is served.

After breakfast, we drive to Bumthang. Upon arrival, you will check in to your hotel. In the evening, we take a leisurely stroll around the charming Gangtey Village, offering a glimpse into local life and culture. Overnight in Bumthang.

After breakfast, we explore Bumthang valley, beginning with a visit to the 7th-century Jambey Lhakhang temple. From there, we continue on foot to Kurje Lhakhang, where the revered saint Padmasambhava is said to have subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock. We also visit Tamshing Lhakhang, which houses some of Bhutan’s oldest wall paintings, and Jakar Dzong, the administrative centre of the region. In the afternoon, we take a short hike to Lhodrak Kharchhu Monastery, located about 3 kilometres from Chamkhar town. This monastery plays a key role in preserving Tibetan culture, with a curriculum that includes prayer recitation, ritual dances, mandala drawing, sacred music, and tantric studies. We return to the hotel in Bumthang for the night.

Tang is one of the four valleys of Bumthang and sits at a higher altitude than the Choekhor (Jakar) valley. We begin with a two-hour excursion to the Goempa, followed by a drive along the feeder road through Jamzhong village to Mesethang. Nearby is Tang Rimochen Lhakhang, where Guru Rimpoche is said to have meditated. The temple is notable for the body prints of Guru Rimpoche and his two consorts embedded on a large rock in front of the shrine. Its name derives from the tiger stripes visible on the cliff behind the building. Founded in the 14th century by Dorji Lingpa, the temple is a significant spiritual site. The road beyond Rimochen becomes rougher as we approach Kizum. From there, we cross the Tang Chu river and ascend to Ugyencholing manor, constructed in the 16th century by Tsokye Dorje, a descendant of Dorji Lingpa. The current buildings—including the temple, servants’ quarters and a substantial residential structure—were rebuilt after the 1897 earthquake. Today, the complex serves as a museum dedicated to religious studies, research and meditation. Overnight in Bumthang.

We begin the day travelling west towards Gangtey, passing through the remote Phobjikha valley. En route, we visit Ta Dzong, a five-storey cylindrical stone watchtower built in 1652 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa. After lunch, we explore Trongsa Dzong, constructed in 1648 and historically the seat of power for central and eastern Bhutan. Continuing our journey, we arrive in Gangtey, renowned as the winter home to hundreds of black-necked cranes that migrate here each November from Tibet. Overnight accommodation is in Gangtey.

After breakfast, we spend the day exploring the stunning Phobjikha valley. We begin with a visit to Gangtey Monastery, an important centre for monks of the Nyingmapa sect. A few kilometres beyond the monastery lies the village of Phobjikha, a tranquil valley at 2,900 metres altitude and the winter home of the black-necked cranes that migrate here from Tibet. The valley, part of Wangduephodrang district and bordering Black Mountain National Park, is shaped by two rivers—Nakay Chhu (Black Water) and Gay Chhu (White Water)—which local legend says represent a snake and a boar. Although rice cultivation was once thought possible if the snake won a race against the boar, the snake’s winding course meant rice cannot be grown here even today. We take a short, scenic two-hour trek along the Gangtey Nature Trail, passing through Senchumbara village and continuing to Kewa Lhakhang. Later, we visit the Black-necked Crane Information Centre, located on the edge of the forest and wetlands. The centre features an observation room with high-powered telescopes and displays detailing the natural and cultural history of the area. We return to Gangtey for the night.

After breakfast, we depart for Paro, travelling via Dochula Pass at 3,150 metres. En route, we visit Semtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in Bhutan, built in 1627. This historic dzong now houses the Institute for Language and Cultural Studies. Upon arrival in Paro, you will check in to your hotel and have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight in Paro.

After breakfast, we depart for Haa Valley via Chelela Pass, driving through dense pine forests into this remote valley, which remained largely closed to outsiders until 2002. En route, we visit Lhakhang Nakpo, or the Black Temple, believed to have been established in the 7th century by a pigeon emanation of King Songtsen Gampo. After lunch, we return to Paro via Chelela Pass (3,810 metres), a two-hour drive covering 68 kilometres. From the pass, you will enjoy impressive views of Bhutan’s highest mountains and the Himalayan peaks. Time permitting, we visit Ta Dzong, originally a watchtower and now the National Museum, housing an extensive collection of antique thangka paintings, textiles, weapons, armour, household items and Bhutan’s renowned stamps. We then take a short walk to Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), meaning ‘fortress of the heap of jewels’, notable for its rich history and fine wall paintings depicting Buddhist lore, including the Four Friends, the Old Man of Long Life, and the Wheel of Life. Overnight in Paro.

After breakfast, we set out on a hike to Taktsang Monastery, famously known as the ‘Tiger’s Nest’. Perched 900 metres above the Paro valley on a cliffside, this is one of Bhutan’s most revered sites. It is believed that Guru Rinpoche arrived here riding a tigress and meditated, which gives the monastery its name. The site was also visited by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1646 and remains a place every Bhutanese aims to visit at least once. Although a fire in 1998 caused significant damage, the monastery has since been carefully restored to its original splendour. On the return journey, you may choose to stop at the base of Drukgyel Dzong, a historic fortress recently undergoing restoration. This was once a stronghold against Tibetan invasions and offers striking views of the sacred Chomolhari mountain, known as the ‘Mountain of the Goddess’. In the evening, we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, a 7th-century temple built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo. It is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan and marks the introduction of Buddhism to the region. Overnight in Paro.

After an early breakfast, we transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. Our representative will assist with departure formalities before bidding you farewell.