Central Bhutan Tour Itinerary

Upon arrival in Delhi you will be welcomed by our representative. Then transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport to board the flight to Paro. Arrival, welcome and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast,

Today you will be taken for the excursion/hike to Tiger’s Nest.
The Tiger’s Nest Monastery is built on the where guru Padmasambhava is reputed to have flown to on the back of a Tiger. The monastery is a revered site for the Bhutanese. The walk up to the viewpoint takes roughly two hours and is an uphill climb through alpine forests.

LUNCH on the trail or can be eaten at the cafeteria, which provides a good view of the monastery. The monastery was partially destroyed in a forest though restoration works are almost complete. The local people have provided the labor for restoration. Bhutanese believe that participating in the restoration of holy places helps in the accumulation of good merit.

In the afternoon your guide will also take you to the lesser known sites – Dumtse Lhakhang; this unusual building was built in 1433 by the iron bridge builder Thangtong Gyalpo. It has three floors representing hell, earth, heaven and the paintings inside are said to be some of the best in Bhutan.

Kyichu Lhakhang: It is one of the oldest monasteries in the country built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, road towards Punakha enroute visit Simtokha Dzong: Visit Simtokha Dzong. It is one of the oldest fortresses in Bhutan, 6 kilometers from Thimphu. It houses the largest monastic school in the country.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

After this disc through Punakha Dochu-la (3.088 m), from where there is a breath taking view of peaks. Untill 1955, Punakha served as the capital of Bhutan and is the seat of today’s Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot). Visit Punakha Dzong built in the 17th century at the junction of Phu Chu Chu Mo and rivers. Damaged by fires, floods and earthquakes over the centuries, the dzong has recently been completely restored to its glory.

In the evening visit the local market.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Jakar, en route visit Trongsa
We will visit Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture. You will also see Ta Dzong, a watchtower built to defend the fort.
After the road visit to Jakar and checking in to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, departure the visit of Bumthung Valley.
The Bumthang is considered the most sacred and most religious region of Bhutan, and the Tang valley is the most famous of Bumthang … you will discover the fortress of the white bird, bedchamber walk and discover ancient temples along with the famous Flaming lake and the lake of miracles, Pemalingpa, or the legend says that the key of the ” Shangri-La ” can be found here.
Visit of Kurjey Palace Lakhang Complex built in 1652, after visiting Wangdichholing Palace, Wangdichholing Palace was the residence of King Uygen Wangchuck.
Visit of Tamshing Lhakhang founded in 1501 by Pema Lingpa. It has interesting old Buddha paintings on its walls.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, Route for the beautiful Phobjikha valley where the monastery of Gantey recently restored to the purest traditional style. In this valley hundreds of black-collared cranes settle down at the beginning of December to spend the winter, fleeing the frost of the Tibetan plateaus. Later enjoy a nice walk from the monastery to your hotel through forests and pastures.
After the visit, drive back to Phobjikha and arrive at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, hiking in the valley of Gantey at 2830 M

The valley is dominated by the Gangtey monastery which has been restored to its former glory.
Gangtey Nature trail: Extending from Gangtey Gompa through the forest down into the valley. The trail then splits into three trails – one leading north, another across the Western side of the valley and the last extending down south on the Eastern side of the valley to the school.

Tselela Trail: This trail leads to the Tselela pass (altitude 3400m) and finally leads to Gogona.

A 30 minute walk beyond Gogona is a hamlet where you may visit some home and can taste the local drink. The women weave blankets and speak a different dialect called Bjop-kha (language of the nomads).

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Thimphu and on arrival check in at the hotel.

Thimphu: Lying at an elevation of 2320m above sea level the capital of Bhutan is a blend of the traditional and the modern. It is the only capital in the world without streetlights relying instead on the elegant gestures of the traffic policemen. The population of Thimphu stands at around 40,000. Geographically speaking the capital lies in a valley with the Thimphu River running through the valley.

Free afternoon for independent activities.
Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, visit the Tashichodzong, Dzongs are traditionally built without nails or written plans. The dzong houses the monk body in summer and is the seat of government, the king’s offices are in this dzong. There is a picturesque cantilever bridge below the dzong. You guide will take you to the National Library which houses ancient Dzongkha and Tibetan texts in a huge traditional building.

Each floor has an altar with statue of Bhutan’s most important historical/religious figures. People sometimes go around the building in prayer because the building houses many holy books.

Bhutan National Library houses an extensive collection of Buddhist literature, mostly in the printed block, with works of several hundred years. The country has its own brands of Himalayan medicines, aggravated and dispensed to the National Institute of Traditional Medicine (apart from visiting only), which also trains traditional medicine practitioners.

Visit King’s Memorial Chorten continuously circumambulated by people, murmuring mantras and spinning their prayer wheels. Construction of this landmark was the idea of Bhutan’s third king, His Majesty Jigme Dorji Wangchuk (“the father of modern Bhutan”) who has wished to erect monument to world peace and prosperity. Completed in 1974 after his untimely death, it serves both as a memorial to the Late King and as a monument to peace.
Return and Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Paro, arriving at the hotel.
Visit the Paro Dzong: The correct name of the Dzong is Rinchen Pung Dzong which means fortress on a heap of jewels. The Dzong was built in 1646 by Shabdung Ngawang Namgyel. The Dzong was formerly the meeting hall for the National Assembly. The Dzong is located on a vantage point on the hillside and has two Lhakhangs (monasteries) and a Central Utse (Central tower). As with all Dzongs the local administrative and monk body are housed on the premises.
Then visit Ta Dzong: This Dzong was built to be used as a watchtower and in the language of Bhutan “Ta” means “see”, so that the Dzong was called “Ta Dzong”. Since 1968, Ta Dzong has been transformed into a national museum that presents Bhutan’s exquisite captivating postage stamp collection of art, relics, religious thangkha paintings, coins and crafts, as well as a small collection of natural history.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi.
Welcome, transfer and installation at the hotel.
Hotel until departure.
Late at night transfer to international airport for return flight.

Visit to Paro.
The small and charming town of Paro (2280m) is located in the center of the valley on the bank of the Pa Chhu River. Paro was created in 1985 with a main street lined with shops painted in bright colors. Paro District Headquarters is located near the Rinphung Dzong. Bhutan International Airport is located in Paro while the capital is just over an hour’s drive away. Paro is known as the most fertile valley and one of the most historic valleys of Bhutan. The Tibetan trade and invaders created Paro.

Taktshang – the Tiger’s Nest
The Tiger’s lair or the Tiger’s nest, as the Taktshang Pelphung monastery, is one of the most well-known and revered places. In a cliff of 900 m high overlooking the valley of Paro. This site is not to be missed but can only be reached on foot or by mule / pony. One can foresee the eve of asking a horse for his guide. From the end of the road (2600m), the walk to the Cafeteria is steep and lasts one hour (about 350m of difference in altitude).

From the Cafeteria (2940m) and around, you can see the famous Taktshang and you can enjoy this extraordinary look with a cup of tea and well-deserved biscuits.

For those who wish to go beyond, it is necessary to be in good condition. Usually, the ponies do not go further and do not make the descent either.

From the cafeteria, the path continues for another 45 minutes for a nice observation site (3140m) where there is a Chorten (stupa).

The view of the monastery is of course exceptional!! We are then on the other side of a precipice, but it takes another half an hour to reach, by steps in the rock on a narrow and vertiginous path, a waterfall and a hermitage, then by a volley From steep steps, we finally reach the monastery.

You can of course turn around when you want on the way! The monastery houses some shrines and temples and some monks reside there. After this visit, lunch is often taken at the Cafataria before starting the descent on foot. Good walking shoes are needed for this excursion. With time and courage, other temples, monasteries and isolated retreats exist around Taktshang, for example Zangdopelri and Ugyen Tsemo.

According to legend, Guru Padmasambhava or Guru Rinpoche, who disseminated Buddhism through the Himalayas, arrived in the eighth century on the back of a tigress to confront the negative spiritual forces hostile to Buddhism.

In 853, one of his students, Pelgyi Senge, meditated in a cave. A Stupa inside one of the temples contains its relics and the cave is named ‘Pelphung’ or ‘Pelgi’s cave’. Since then, many spiritual masters such as Milarepa, Thangthong Gyalpo, Phajo Dugom Zhigpo, Shadrung and many others are doing deep meditation here.

In 1692, Tenzin Rabgye built a two-storey temple, which has been refurbished and refurbished several times since.

Taktshang and some temples of the region were accidentally burnt in 1951 but most remained intact and the relics preserved. It was rebuilt by the entire population of the village of Tsento. A new fire destroyed the main building in April 1998. The rebuilding started in 2000 and was completed with great financial efforts from the government and private donors.

Paro Dzong Rinpung

Rinphung Dzong was built in 1645 by Shabdrung Nawang Namgyal on the site of the small fort. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, it served as a rampart against the invasion of the north. It is considered one of the fine examples of Bhutanese architecture – with complex woodworking, large beams inserted into each other and held together without studs.

This fortress is home to the giant Thangka (Thongdrol, 30 meters by 45 meters!!), commissioned in the mid-18th century, shown to the public every year on the last day of the Paro Tsechu festival. Rinphung Dzong is the place of the monks of the State.

National Museum of Bhutan

Founded in 1967, it houses a fascinating collection of arts and relics, religious thangka paintings, fabrics, weapons, handicrafts, a collection of stuffed animals and famous stamps from Bhutan etc. (Note : open from 10:00 to 16:00 and closed on Mondays).

In the morning, a panoramic 1hour drive will take us to the Chele. The pass is at an altitude of 3900m. On one side, the valley of Paro and on the other side the valley of Haa. The hike this morning begins after a short descent below the pass. A half hour climb and a short descent will take you to shelters under rocks, on steep cliffs, where some fifty monks live.

On the way back to Paro, we will stop in order to climb to a monastery called Dzondrakha that resembles the famous monastery of the Tiger’s nest, but in much more accessible. Half the walk is very easy in rural areas; the other half is uphill: in total it takes less than an hour to reach the summit where the monastery stands. Arriving on the site, you can enjoy the view over the fertile valley of Paro. Your guide will take you inside the main temple of the monastery.

Return and overnight at the hotel.

Transfer to airport and flight to Delhi.
Arrival, reception and transfer to the city for an orientation tour of the Indian capital

Visit of the Indian capital. Delhi, 16 million inhabitants, is divided distinctly between the old and the new city. NEW DELHI with its wide avenues, fresh and clean roads, OLD DELHI with its swarming little streets decorated with temples, monument and bazaar.

Afternoon, visit the NEW DELHI with Connaught Place; the business and tourism district, India Gate; the triumphal arch 42m high, Parliament: three poles designed by British architects as well as the Rashrapati Bhawan or the President’s Palace. Lord Mountbatten, the vice-kings of India, was the last viceroy.

Then visit the tomb of Humayun and the Qutub Minar, one of the first monuments of the Afghan era, with beautiful quotations of the Koran in Sanskrit on the walls.

The iron pillar high of 7m50 has resisted since todays to the rain and the sun, without ever a trace of rust!!

Late evening transfer to Delhi International Airport. Assistance with registration formalities

Flight to your destination