10 Days
9 Nights
Cultural Tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1. (EVERY THURSDAYS) Arrive PARO, BHUTAN from SINGAPORE
The flight to Paro crosses the Himalaya Mountains, affording spectacular views of the awesome peaks, including the sacred Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peaks in Bhutan. Upon arrival in Paro, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon you can visit the Paro Dzong. It was built in 1646 and now houses government offices and religious institutions, as do all the Dzongs (fortress) currently. You can then tour the National Museum, formerly the watchtower for the Dzong. It now houses a collection of fine arts, paintings, thangkas, statues, and antiques. Afterward you will visit Kyichu Lhakhang, the oldest temple in the country, and the ruins of the Drukgyel Dzong, the fortress of the Victory. In the evening you can stroll through Paro town. Overnight in Paro.
Day 2. Paro – Thimphu (2-hour drive)
After breakfast hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest) Monastery, which is Bhutan’s most famous monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown on the back of a tigress from Singye Dzong in Lhuntse to meditate in a cave where Taktsang Monastery now stands. It is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, about 900 meters above Paro Valley. The hike to reach the viewpoint to the monastery makes for a nice half-day excursion.
After lunch, drive to Thimphu. In the evening you can explore Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and absorb the lifestyle of the people. You can also visit some interesting handicraft shops. Overnight in Thimphu
Day 3. 07/05/08. Thimphu sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the following places:
— King’s Memorial Chorten (built in memory of the third King of Bhutan)
— Chang Gangkha Monastery, the oldest Temple in the valley.
— Radio tower/Sangay Gang (for a great view of Thimphu Valley and the Thimphu Dzong)
— Takin Reserve (which contains the national animal of Bhutan)
— Zilukha Nunnery
— National Library (which houses ancient manuscripts)
— School of Arts and Crafts (also known as the painting school)
—Tashicho Dzong (summer residence for monks and chief abbot and also house the office of the King)
— Simtokha Dzong (the oldest fortress in the kingdom). Overnight in Thimphu
Day 4. Thimphu – Wangduephodrang (3-hour drive)
After breakfast you will drive to Wangduephodrang. The drive takes you across the Dochula Pass (10,230 ft) which is marked by a large Bhutanese chorten and 108 Stupas (Buddhist monument) and prayer flags. You will stop on the pass for tea, and if the weather is clear, you will take in beautiful views of the high peaks of the eastern Himalayas. The road to Wangdue winds down from the pass, meandering through magnificent pine and rhododendron forests, giving you a glimpse of some of the most picturesque countryside in Bhutan.
After lunch you will drive to Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan, and visit Punakha Dzong, which is noteworthy both for being one of the most beautiful Dzongs in Bhutan and also for having been built by the first Shabdrung in 1637. On the way back from Punakha, you will stop at Metshina Village and take a 20-minute walk through the rice fields to Chimi Lakhang, which is a fertility temple. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.
Day 5. Wangdue – Bumthang (6-7 hour drive)
Morning, drive to Bumthang, the religious heartland of the nation. Along the way you will stop at Trongsa for your lunch and if time permits the visit the Trongsa Dzong and then proceed to Bumthang. Stop at yethra (textile weaving) factory, where the yethras are designed with patterns unique to Bumthang, and you can even watch some of the weavers at their looms. In the evening you can explore Bumthang town. Overnight in Bumthang
Day 6. Bumthang sightseeing
After breakfast you will visit the following places:
— Jakar Dzong (fortress)
— Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest monasteries in Bhutan)
— Kurjey Lhakhang (temple of Guru Rinpoche’s body print)
— Tamshing Lhakhang (see old Buddhist paintings)
— Udee wood carving factory
— Mebar Tsho (flaming Lake)
— Short hike to Thangbi Monastery
You can spend the evening exploring Bumthang town.
Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 7. Bumthang – Bumthang
Today do the hike to Kunzangdrak Goemba. Picnic lunch will be served. This Goemba was built in 15th Century by a famous master pema Lingpa. Many of his important and sacred relics are kept here. One of the four buildings was his residence then. O/N in Bumthang.
Day 08. Bumthang – Wangduephodrang (6-7 hour drive)
You’ll begin the day at the Bumthang market, and then drive to Wangduephodrang. Along the way you will stop in Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong and Ta-Dzong (watch tower). From there you will continue your drive to Wangduphodrang, and you can stroll through the town and visit the shops in Wangdue if time permits. Overnight in Wangduephodrang.
Day 09. Wangduephodrang – Paro (4-5 hour drive)
After breakfast, drive towards to Punakhs and do the hike to Khamsum Yuley Monastery. After lunch, set out for Paro via Thimphu. Overnight in Paro.
Day 10. 14/05/08. Departure for Singapore