Culture Tour of Bhutan Explore Exotic Culture

Arrive at Paro International Airport from Delhi, Bangkok, Calcutta, Singapore, Kathmandu, or Dhaka. Paro is situated in a beautiful valley on the bank of the Pachu (Paro River). It is a fitting introduction to this charming kingdom. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel to rest and fresh up.

After lunch you can visit Ta Dzong (‘the watch tower’) now housing the National Museum. Built on top of the hill above Rinpung Dzong, it was originally used to defend Rinpung Dzong and the Paro valley during times of war. Its unusual circular construction resembles a conch shell and it now contains a magnificent collection of Bhutanese artifacts – costumes, religious paintings, arms, textiles and a fascinating collection of Bhutan stamps.

You can also visit impressive Paro Rinpung Dzong, one of the finest examples of Bhutanese architecture; walk down by the Dzong and over the old bridge. It is the finest example of traditional cantilever bridge build by our forefathers. You can also stroll around the Paro town with its busy shops and photogenic citizens.

Overnight in Paro

You will drive along the Paro and Thimphu river valleys towards Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital. You can stop on the way to see the view of magnificent Tamchhog Lhakhang, the hereditary place of Bhutan’s iron bridge builder. Nearby you can visit the Iron Chain Bridge build in 2005 by using the original iron chains made by Dupthop Thangtong Gyalpo in early 15th century.

You will start your sightseeing by visiting Memorial Chorten; this large Tibetan-style Chorten was built in 1974 to honor the memory of third king. Devotees flock throughout the day to circumambulate and turn the large prayer wheels. Later you will drive to Kuensel Phodrang (Buddha Dordenma) and visit the statue of Buddha, perched on the hilltop overlooking the Thimphu city. This 169ft tall Buddha is the 17th tallest Buddha in the world and tallest sitting Buddha.

Take a late afternoon walk around the town and soak in the atmosphere of this capital city with its busy shops and photogenic citizens in their national dress. This is the only city without traffic light.

Overnight in Thimphu

Today we will take more sights and cultural of the capital including weekly market, Institute of Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts, mini Zoo where the national animal Taken is preserved.

In the afternoon you can browse the striking collection of intricate textiles at the National Textile Museum. We will also go and see the traditional papermaking factory.

We will finally go and visit the impressive Tashi Chodzong. It houses the office if the King and various ministries and also the summer resident of central monk body headed by Je Kehenpo (chief abbot of Bhutan).

Overnight in Thimphu

We will start the morning drive to the old capital, Punakha, via Dochula pass at 3,100 meters. Array prayer flags and an impressive collection of 108 chortens mark it. We can also stop for a hot drink and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the Eastern Himalaya ranges.

In the afternoon visit the imposing Punakha Dzong, “Palace of Great Happiness”. Built in 1637, by Shabdrung, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rivers, the Po Chu and the Mo Chu.

Then take a pleasant walk for an hour or so across terraced fields to Chimi Lhakhang (Temple of Fertility) built in the 15th century by the ‘Divine Madman’ (Lama Drukpa Kuenley).

Overnight in Punakha

Drive to Trongsa, the gateway to central Bhutan. It was from here that the present Royal Family emerged as the powerful force. Because of its strategic position as the only connection between east and west, Trongsa Penlop was able to control the entire eastern region efficiently from Trongsa. Trongsa Dzong commands the eye from miles away. You can also take a stroll down the town’s main street.

Overnight in Trongsa

This morning before you drive to Bumthang, visit the Trongsa Dzong. The Dzong, considered as longest dzong in Bhutan, which was built by Chhogyel Mingyure Tenpa, an official who was sent to unify and bring under control the eastern Bhutan in 1648. You can also visit Ta Dzong, the newly opened museum in the watchtower dedicated to the Wangchuk dynasty, which tells the stories of the Dzong and the valley it has watched over for centuries and features personal belongings of the Kings and Queens of Bhutan.

In the afternoon we will drive through some of Bhutan’s most beautiful landscapes to Bumthang over the Yotongla Pass-3425m. Bumthang, the cultural heart land of Bhutan has many legendary monasteries, temples and palaces.

Overnight in Bumthang

Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of a variety of sacred sites including Jampa Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. After that you visit Kurjey Lhakhang, which is large with active temple complex, is named after the body (kur) Print (jey) left by Guru Rinpoche in 8th century. And followed by you can also visit to Pema Sambhava Lhakhang where you can do your meditation peacefully as it get fewer visitors. It is also an important site of Guru Rinpoche where he assumed his manifestation of Pema Sambhava. On the way back to your hotel you can also visit Tamshing Monastery, build by Pema Lingpa in 1501.

Overnight in Bumthang

Today you will drive from Punakha to Phobjikha, it is vast glacial valley at an elevation of about 3,000 metres. Enjoy the views of the immense and remote Phobjikha valley and the black mountain ranges. Visit Gangtey Gompa (one of Bhutan’s oldest monasteries and recently extensively renovated). And then hike the Gangteng Natural trail where your driver will be waiting for you at the floor of the valley. The villagers continue to live a traditional Bhutanese rural lifestyle. This is the site where black-necked cranes visit in hundreds in November each year after spending the summer in Tibet.

Over Night in Phobjikha

After breakfast we return to Paro via Wangdi, visit Wangdi Dzong, built by the Shabdrung in 1638 on an auspicious site where four ravens were seen flying in four different directions.

After lunch you continue your drive. You can once again stop at the Dochula pass, if you have missed the Himalayan ranges in the mist on the other day.

Later in the afternoon, you can stroll around Paro Town; it is only the modern town in Bhutan with traditional houses.

Overnight in Paro

Today we will take a day excursion to Haa. We will drive over the Chelela pass at 3800m from where you will have a view of Mount Jomolhari to the north as well as down to the Haa valley, and then continue down to Haa town. Haa has recently being opened for the tourists and the town is still very small – as yet there are only one or two basic restaurants and local lodges, so the area remains quite remote. You will have a good opportunity to view this beautiful rural scene in Haa. From Haa you can drive to Katso village and from there you can visit Lhakhang Karpo and Lhakhang Nagpo.After lunch drive back to Paro for the night stay.

Overnight in Paro

Take a day walk to the ‘Tiger’s Nest , the sacred Taktshang monastery which clings to the rock faces 900 metres above the valley floor. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown to the site riding on a tigress. He subsequently meditated here. It is one of Bhutan’s most holy sites and draws pilgrims not only from Bhutan but also from neighbouring Buddhist countries. You can have lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria from where you get a spectacular view of the monastery.

After Tiger nest hike, later you can go back to Paro town for some shopping. There are many handicraft shops through the valley that is opened on daily basis and which also accept credit cards. Nearby you can also visit the 7th century Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple of historical significance and one of the most sacred shrines in Bhutan.

Overnight in Paro

Early in the morning your guide will accompany you to the Paro International Airport to see you off onto your flight and wish you Tashi Delek (goodbye and good luck).