General Information
Duration: 9 days/8 nights
Start/End: Thimphu/ Paro
Tour Route: Thimphu – Punakha – Gangtey – Bumthang – Paro
Tour Customizable: Definitely! (Without 3 Days of Festival, you can tell us your interest about the 6 days (or less) remaining in the inquiry form)
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Paro Arrival – Thimphu (D)
Day 2: 1st Day Thimphu Festival | October, 7th 2019 (B, L, D)
Day 3: 2ndDay Thimphu Festival | October, 8th 2019 (B, L, D)
Day 4: 3rd Day Thimphu – Punakha | October, 9th 2019 (B, L, D)
Day 5: Punakha Sightseeing (B, L, D)
Day 6: Punakha – Gangtey (B, L, D)
Day 7: Gangtey – Bumthang (B, L, D)
Day 8: Bumthang – Paro (B, L, D)
Day 9: Departure (B)
Day 1: Paro Arrival – Thimphu (D)
Meet your private guide as soon as arrival at Paro International Airport then move on to Thimphu to check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day will be free to let you enjoy the heart of Bhutan via bustling streets. Here you will witness the way police operate the transportation system by moving hands as if he was performing a dance. Take a break in the lively market of the city before returning to the hotel in the evening and enjoy a well-served dinner.
Day 2: 1st Day Thimphu Festival Tour (B, L, D)
Today enjoy fabulous Bhutan within the Thimphu Tsechu Festival. Wake up early this morning and manage to wear the finest Bhutanese traditional dress then head off the important celebration at Thimphu Tashichho Dzong. Gaze out at the gorgeous Buddhist monastery before joining the festival. With the long-lasting origin, here you can witness the display of Bhutanese unique architecture with a beautiful rose garden outside. During the festival, watching the amazing mask dances of the monks with people gathering at the courtyard of Tashicho Dzong. It is believed that these dance helps people to remove all the bad karma and bless the good fortune for all the audience to witness them.
After the festival, a great opportunity to watch an archery match, it is the favorite game and the national sport of the country. An exciting activity for today’s evening: get your first-hand experience to prepare some of authentic Bhutan’s dishes with the main ingredients such as chilis, red rice, chicken and other seasonal spices and vegetables.
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 3: 2nd Day Thimphu Festival Tour (B, L, D)
The morning of day 3 continues attending the festival to watch the important rituals. After that, enjoy the local cuisine in a charming restaurant and be ready for an afternoon sightseeing. A short visit to National Memorial Chorten introduces you to one the “most visible landmark in Bhutan” constructed in honor of the third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck. Then take the road to National Library to marvel at 6100 Bhutanese and Tibetan books, manuscripts and 9000 paintings to get an insight into Bhutanese’s history as well as the religion and culture.
Next, stroll around Thimphu Handicraft Market and widen your eyes with the splendor of impressive Bhutanese bags, bowls, and other beautiful items. This evening why not take a chance to attend the Thimphu Tsechu Festival to admire the charm as well as the fancy of Tashicho Dzong at night?
Overnight in Thimphu.
Day 4: 3rd Day Thimphu Festival Tour (B, L, D)
Today join on the last day of Tsechu with an extra celebration of Thimphu Dromchoe. This event first began in 1970. So far, it has been an important celebration attracting many people around the country to come together to pray for a successful year. Before leaving Thimphu, head off the Folk Heritage Museum to learn more about Bhutan’s rural life and enjoy an amazing lunch with fantastic meals. Spend the rest of your day in Thimphu to visit the Jungshi Paper Factor to observe how people create the paper using traditional methods. Later, return to the hotel to check-out and transfer to Punakha.
Overnight in Punakha.
Day 5: Punakha Sightseeing (B, L, D)
A full day to explore Punakha, the beautiful valley which is used to be the former capital of Bhutan lies on the confluence of the Mo Chhu (Mother) and Pho Chhu (Father) River. This morning, drive through the fertile landscape to the Punakha Dzong, one of the most impressive dzongs in Punakha. Holding the marvelous ancient architecture featuring the uniqueness of Bhutan, the dzong displays many Buddhist paintings as well as portrait stories about the traditional culture of the locality. Here listen to your guide about the meaning of each religious painting to gain an insight into the spirituality of the Bhutanese people.
Then, if you wish to experience an adventurous trip that excites your senses, take a short trek to the country’s longest suspension bridge nearby to be captivated by the majestic bridge crossing the roaring blue stream overlooking at the lush green of spectacular mountains. Afterward, head for a 30 minutes hikes up to the Chimi Lhakhang temple for an extraordinary journey via gorgeous fields to one of the most reversed of Bhutan where is considered as the temple of fertility. Along the way, you will catch the images of penis pictures hanging on the local houses which are considered to ward off the demon. Upon the temple, your guide will explain to you the meaning of this famous temple as well as the legend surrounding the temple. This afternoon, why don’t you join amazing rafting along the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu rivers to get an incredible experience in Punakha. A good dinner rounds off in the evening as soon as you return to the hotel.
Overnight in Punakha.
Day 6: Punakha – Gangtey (B, L, D)
Leave early this morning for a drive to Gangtey (or known as Phobjikha) – a wide and glacial valley in Wangdue Phodrang District. This morning’s first stopover is the Gangtey monastery. Located on the top of the mountain, the monastery offers a panoramic view of the green expanse of the valley. Next, more scenic splendor as you head off the Black-Necked Crane Information Center. Here you have a chance to learn more about the black-necked cranes and the awareness of protecting this endangered bird.
Then a great suggestion for you this afternoon: take part in the yoga and meditation class to relax after day-long sightseeing.
Overnight in Gangtey.
Day 7: Gangtey – Bumthang (B, L, D)
After breakfast in the morning, drive east to Bumthang, the spiritual heart of Bhutan. Take a glimpse at the Jakar Dzong in this morning and marvel at one more outstanding dzong of Bhutan. The feeling of standing amongst lush trees and admiring colorful painting as well as ancient architecture is like the special meaningfulness you will experience in nowhere else. Next, join in a cycling tour riding to Ura valley, get the most breathtaking vista along the way then enjoy the beautiful landscape before going back to the hotel in downtown Bumthang.
Overnight in Bumthang.
Day 8: Bumthang – Paro (B, L, D)
After breakfast transfer for a long drive to Paro. Upon Paro, take leisure to enjoy a mouth-watering lunch before taking a hike to the magical Tiger Nest (or Paro Taktsang) in the afternoon. Perched on the sheer rock cliff at a 900-meter height overlooking at the drifting clouds embracing the top of the mountain ranges, this is the magnificent spot that will fulfill your remarkable vacation in Bhutan.
Overnight in Paro.
Day 9: Departure (B)
After breakfast, check-out at the hotel and wait for the driver to pick you up to transfer for a flight to your departure. The trip ends, hope we can serve you next time when it comes to Bhutan tour packages.
