Bhutan Cultural Travel

First Day: Bangkok / Ktm / Delhi / Kolkatta – Paro

Travel by Druk Air / Bhutan Air Lines (Bhutan’s national airline) to Paro, the country’s only international airport. The flight is exhilarating to say the least, as the route runs parallel to the mighty Himalayas, enabling passengers to see the world’s highest peak, Mt Everest. The descent affords a panoramic view of Bhutan’s foothills, culminating into a thrilling landing at what is considered one of the world’s most challenging airports.

Meet your guide at the airport and head to the hotel for lunch. Devote the afternoon to sightseeing around the Paro valley, famed for its natural beauty, historical monuments, agricultural farms and quintessentially Bhutanese village communities. Visit the National Museum, formerly a watch tower, and then the “Castle on a Heap of Precious Jewels or Rinpung Dzong”. Wind up the day with a stroll around Paro town. Overnight at  hotel / resort no less than 3 stars in Paro. Read to explore Bhutan Cultural Travel next day.

Second Day: Paro – Paro :Discovering Paro Valley

Highlights: Hike to the Tiger’s Lair, the most famous Buddhist monastery in the Himalayas, built on a sheer rockface.

After breakfast, drive for half an hour and start hiking up to the temple that is famous in the Himalayan Buddhist world as one of the most popular sites of pilgrimage. The five-hour round trip follows an ancient but oft-trodden footpath flanked by water-driven prayer wheels.

The temple, precariously perched on a hair-raising ravine about 1,000 metres above the valley floor, is considered sacrosanct as it was in a cave within this temple that the eight century tantric saint, Padmasambhava, subdued the evils who obstructed the teachings of the Buddha. The saint came to Taktshang in a fiery wrathful form riding a tigress. Over the years, many Buddhist saints have meditated in and around the temple and discovered numerous hidden treasure teachings.

Visit the ruins of Drugyel Dzong enroute. The fortress known as the “Castle of the Victorious Drukpa”, is a symbol of Bhutan’s victory over the Tibetan invasions in the 17^th and 18^th centuries. We can also get a view of the sacred mountain, Jumolhari, along the way.Overnight at Paro in the same Hotel.

Third Day: Paro – Punakha (3hrs 45min. 126km)

After breakfast travel to Punakha and en-route, stop at Dochula, which offers a scenic view of the Eastern Himilayan mountains. Another spectacular sight in Dochula is the 108 stupas and meditation caves. We then drive down to Punakha, one of Bhutan’s most historic places.  En-route  can see the ruins of Wangduephodrang dzong that was tragically gutted by fire in 2012. The dzong was originally built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in 1637. We visit Chimi Lhakhang, which is 25 minutes hike from the road point. Also known as fertility monastery, this lhakhang built by Tibetan Lama Ngawang Chogyal, is today associated with his cousin Lama Drukpa Kinley, popularly known as Divine Madman. This temple is believed to bless childless couples with fertility.  Overnight at the   Pema Karpo Hotel or other same standard hotel/resort not lesser than 3 star.

Fourth Day: Punakha – Gangtey (2hrs 30mins. 75km)

In the morning after breakfast visit the Khamsum Namgyel Chorten, it is 2 hours hike for both the ways. visit Punakha dzong, built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It has played a prominent role in civil and religious life of the Kingdom. Destroyed four times by fire and an earthquake in 1897, and fully restored in its original splendour.  Lunch at Punakha and after lunch drive to Gangtey. Overnight in tourist farm house / homestay. Arrange hot stone bath.

Fifth Day: Gangtey – Thimphu (4hrs. 136km)

Sixth Day: A Sojourn in Thimphu

Highlights: The power centre and the capital city of the Happy Kingdom. Also the hub of commerce and culture.

In the morning after breakfast travel to Docchula and from there hike to Lungchutshe Lhakhang . Lunch at Dochula . In the evening,visit Buddha Point, the biggest Buddha Statue built by Lam Tshering Wangdi with financial support from his disciple from Singapore. which provides a spectacular 360 degree close-quarter view of entire Thimphu and the adjoining areas. This is the site of the world’s tallest statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Halt at Thimphu,Kisa Villa.

On our way back, we stopover at Centennial Farmers Market and Crafts Bazar. Halt at Kisa Villa.

Seventh Day: Drive to Paro Which Takes just an Hour

Our guide will drive you to the airport so that you will arrive on time to catch your flight back home. Kadrinche and thank you! Hope you enjoyed Bhutan cultural travel! Check all our Bhutan tours here.