The Land of the Thunder Dragon is the perfect place to plan your next holiday with mesmerizing mountains, beautiful valleys, and happy people. With our eleven-day cultural trip, travel to Bhutan to have a heaven-like experience that you will cherish for the rest of your life. This comprehensive, simple, and classic itinerary incorporate everything to live the Bhutanese ways and change your life forever.
Day 01 – Kuzu Zangpo la!
Welcome to the safest destination in the world! After a scintillating flight zigzagging through mountains, you land at the Paro International Airport. Your guide will welcome you with a tashi khadar (silk scarf of good fortune), a bright smile, and the warmest greeting. You will be for lunch as you get accustomed to the Paro valley’s beautiful views and clean air.
After lunch, you will head to Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. As you leave the beautiful valley of Paro, leaving behind all the pretty paddy fields, you will see Tachog Monastery. A sacred monastery was established by Thangthong Gyalpo (who is also known as the Iron Bridge Builder, who built 108 bridges from Tibet and Bhutan with 8 in Bhutan) in the 15th century.
In less than two hours, you’ll arrive in Thimphu. An evening visit to the nation’s executive and monastic seat, the Tashichho Dzong, will close the first day of your fascinating cultural trip to Bhutan.
Day 02 – The Captivating Capital
Your Bhutan holiday officially kicks off after breakfast with a visit to the National Memorial Chhorten nation’s 1974 in honor of the third King, late His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (The Father of Modern Bhutan). You will then proceed to the Takin Preserve Center at Motithang (housing the bizarre takin), the Dupthop Lhakhang at Zilukha (one of Bhutan’s few nunneries in existence), and meet the monks of the Dechenphodrang Monastic School before lunch.
After lunch, you will drive around Thimphu valley, first to Simtokha Dzong (Bhutan’s oldest Dzong), then to one of the largest Buddha Dordenma rupas in the world at Kuensel Phodrang, and finally to Chubachu at the Post Office (where you can get personalized stamps), the Textile on display).
End the day with a walk through Thimphu’s streets and be on the lookout for the world’s only human traffic sign.
Day 03 – From the New to the Old
You will head to Punakha, the old capital of the nation, after breakfast. You will stop at Dochula to enjoy the mesmerizing sights of the beautiful Himalayan Mountains. Dropping into the Rhododendron Garden in the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi that houses 46 species will make your Bhutan travel even more unique and intriguing.
On route, you will visit Chimi Lhakhang, known as the Temple of Fertility, built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley (a celebrated Yogi also called The Divine Madman) in 1499 on the hilltop where he subdued the demons with his magical thunderbolt. A visit to this eccentric temple and its’ locality will add will make the cultural trip exciting. You will enter Punakha and have a haul for lunch.
After lunch, your guide will take you to see the Punakha Dzong, a majestic fort sitting between the Pho Chu (Male River) and the Mo Chu (Female River) established in 1637 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. You will check out the Punakha Suspension Bridge, one of the country’s longest suspension bridges, in the evening.
Day 04 – The Gangtey Goenpa Getaway
In the morning, you will hike to the alluring Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Monastery built by her majesty the queen, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, through the rice fields. The Khamsung Yulley Namgyal Choling Chhorten holds paintings of Nyingmapa roots will make your Bhutan holiday a mesmerizing one.
Then you will head to Gangtey Goenpa; on the route, you will stop at Phobjikha (the lower part of the Gangtey valley) and visit the Crane Information center and take a close look around the beautiful Phobjikha valley. Your guide would have made all arrangements for a wholesome Bhutanese experience at a local homestay.
Day 05 – Enter the Center of the Nation
After an early breakfast, you will visit the Gantey Gyaltse Pema Thinley, the grandson and mind reincarnation of Pema Lingpa (who instituted the temple in 1613), and Tenzin Legpai Dhendup, the second reincarnation (who built the temple).
Then your ride to Bumthang begins; you will stop at Trongsa to look around the magnificent Trongsa Dzong. Built in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the Trongsa Dzong is the Royal Family’s ancestral home and the first two Kings ruled from here.
After lunch, you will check out the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower. A chapel dedicated to the Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal has been installed inside the Ta Dzong.
You will reach the destination in the evening.
Day 06 – Behold the Beautiful Bumthang Valley!
The heartland of Bhutan, Bumthang valley, is guaranteed to be the highlight of your cultural trip. You will begin with a visit to the Kurjey Lhakhang (where the body print of Guru Rinpoche on a rock can be seen) after breakfast. Then see the Jakar Dzong (The Castle of White Bird) that was built in 1667.
You will then proceed to Jamba Lhakhang, built by King Songtsen Geompo of Tibet in 659 on the same day as Kichu Lhakhang in Paro. The sacred temple was visited by Guru Rinpoche when he visited Bumthang on Sindhu Raja’s plea and renovated by Sindhu Raja. The purpose of Guru Rinpoche’s visit was to save Sindhu Raja’s life by restoring his life force. It is said that there is a lake under the temple in which Guru hid several Terma (treasures). The temple stages one of the most spectacular and auspicious festivals in the valley, “Jambay Lhakhang Drup,” in October.
After lunch, you will be escorted to Tamshing Lhakhang (The Temple of Good Message), established in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa.
In the evening, you will visit Membartsho (The Burning Lake), where Terton Pema Lingpa in the 14th Century discovered the hidden treasure of Guru Rinpoche.
Our representatives can arrange a hot stone bath to rest and unwind after a long tiring day. Hot stone bath is a traditional Bhutanese way to relax that comforts and treats various ailments.
Day 07 – Ura Valley Expedition
After breakfast, you will head to explore Ura’s unrivaled scenic valley and visit the Ura Lhakhang.
After lunch, you will return to Bumthang and go to the Kencho Sum Lhakhang and the Cheese Factory. Afterward, you can go for an evening walk around Bumthang town for shopping and photography.
Day 08 – The Ride Back to Thimphu.
After breakfast, you will return to where you started, Thimphu.
By nighttime, you will reach Thimpu.
Day 09 – The Peaceful Paro
After an early breakfast, your journey to Paro Taktsang will commence with a drive towards the monastery’s base. The hike to the Taktsang Monastery built around Guru Rinpoche’s meditation cave in 1684 by Gyaltse Tenzin Rabgay, will take about 2 hours. The moment you see the monastery perched on a 900m high rock cliff will give you an extreme sense of solace. You will hike down for lunch.
After lunch, you will visit the Kichu Lhakhang on your way back. Kichu Lhakang is among the six temples (along with Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang) built by Tibetan King Songtsen Goempo in 659 AD to pin a giant Ogress the earth. It is believed that Kichu Lhakhang holds the left foot of the Ogress, and Jambay Lhakhang pins the left knee.
Day 10 – The Chelela Escapade
After breakfast, you will take off for the highest motor-able road in Bhutan (at 3982 masl) towards Chelala. Chelala pass separates Paro and Haa valley, and you can see the beautiful Himalayan Mountains and Mount Jomolhari.
After lunch, you will visit the Kila Gompa Monastery.
In the evening, you will walk around the Paro town for shopping and photography.
Day 11: Farewell my Friend
On the eleventh day, your tourist visa to the safest destination in the world runs out, ending your wonderful cultural trip to Bhutan. We hope you had the time of your life on your Bhutan travel with everything Bhutan offered.
Click the link to read about What Bhutan is known for.
