7-Day Spiritual Bhutan Tour with Paro Tshechu and Tiger's Nest

7 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

This 7-day tour combines the best of Bhutan with a good mix of cultural and active pursuits, from Thimphu and Punakha to Phobjikha and Paro. Journey through cul...

Duration: 7 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Standard · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Phobjikha, Gangtey · Languages: Dzongkha, English, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Nepali, Spanish

Know before you go: 15 minutes ahead of Nepal time; 30 minutes ahead of Indian time; 1 hour ahead of Bangkok time; 2 hours ahead of Singapore & Hong Kong time; 6 hours ahead of GMT; A pony ride to Taktshang Monastery can be arranged at an additional cost.

About Thimphu

Bhutan

Thimphu

Living in isolated mystery on the edge of the Bhutanese Himalaya, Thimphu is crowned with the Tashichho Dzong and some great Buddhist heritage museums. Get a local local guide to show you around.

Explore Thimphu Bhutan All destinations

What's Included

All meals and sightseeing
All hotel and guesthouse accommodations
All ground transportation
Entrance fees
The services of knowledgeable, English-speaking local guides

Not Included

International airfare and en-route stopovers
Travel insurance
Luxury hotel accommodation option
Excess baggage charges
Personal items like laundry or toiletries
Beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks)
Optional gratuities to the trip leader, guide, and driver

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Fly to Paro and Explore Thimphu

Fly by the magnificent views of the snow-capped Himalayas on the way to Paro Valley. Drive 1.5 hours to Thimphu. Explore the capital's highlights - BBS Tower viewpoint for a stunning view of the valley, before visiting the Takin Preserve to see Bhutan's national animal along with the view of the majestic Tashichho Dzong, the seat of the government. Circumvent the Memorial Chorten before marvelling at the gigantic 169 ft Buddha statue, and visit the 12th-century Changangkha Lhakhang to see the cultural aspect of blessing and naming newly born children at the oldest temple of Wang Valley. Catch the bustling Centenary Farmers Market, the best opportunity to see colourful vegetables and dairy products and mix with the locals, then watch the Bhutanese archery game, the national sport, at Changlingmithang National Stadium. Later, visit the National Institute of Traditional Medicine and the Folk Heritage Museum. Take a walk along the streets of Thimphu and enjoy some free shopping. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
2

Day 02

Cross Dochu-La to Punakha

Drive about 3 hours to Punakha. Climb up the mountain road to Dochu-La at 3140 m. On a clear day, the pass commands a beautiful panorama of the eastern Himalayas. Descend through varied forests and finally emerge into the cultivated valley of Punakha. Hike through beautiful rice fields to Chimi Lhakhang, the no dog temple. Visit Punakha Dzong, located at the confluence of the Pho Chu and Mo Chu and arguably the most impressive Dzong in the country, before visiting the stunning hill-top nunnery Sangchen Dorji Lhundrup Chholing, dedicated to the bodhisattva of compassion. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
3

Day 03

Journey to Phobjikha Valley and Gangtey Gonpa

Drive about 3.5 hours to Phobjikha Valley. Visit Gangtey Gonpa, hidden in the beautiful Phobjikha Valley. Take an hour-long nature trail hike from the monastery through the conifers before emerging on the valley floor. Phobjikha Valley is also the last winter ground of the black-necked cranes that migrate from the Tibetan plateau from mid-October to March. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
4

Day 04

Return from Phobjikha to Paro

Drive about 8 hours to Paro. Take an hour-long nature trail hike from the valley floor through the conifers up to the monastery. Drive back to Paro Valley. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
5

Day 05

Experience the Paro Tshechu Festival

Participate in the festival, an outstanding colourful occasion with brilliant performances and locals dressed in their best. The festival is also an occasion for seeing people and for being seen. In the afternoon, take a leisurely hike off the beaten path to the 15th-century Zuri Dzong above Paro Dzong, overlooking the valley. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
6

Day 06

Thongdroel Ceremony and Hike to Taktshang Gonpa

Early in the morning, witness the elaborate process of unfolding a huge religious Thangkha, 'Thongdroel' meaning liberation on sight, before sunrise, even in the cold. This delicate artwork depicts Guru Rinpoche in his eight manifestations and two consorts. The giant Thangkha is let down to the ground and then ceremoniously rolled and folded away before the sun's rays reach it. Clinging to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 meters into the valley below, the Taktshang Monastery defies all engineering logic. Hike up for a dramatic view, or take a pony ride that can be arranged at an additional cost. Upon descent, enjoy a spectacular drive to the Drugyel Dzong before visiting the oldest Kichu Lhakhang, built by the first Buddhist King of Tibet. (Breakfast, lunch & dinner included)
7

Day 07

Departure from Paro

Transfer to Paro International Airport for your onward flight. Tashi Delek! (Breakfast included)