Central Bhutan Tour

The flight into Paro on our national carrier, Druk Air, is a befitting introduction to the spectacular beauty of our country. In clear weather, magnificent views of the world’s highest peaks give way to the lush green Paro valley as you land. First gift from Bhutan will be the cool, clean fresh air as you step out of the plane. After clearing customs and visa control you will be brief by our guide and transferred to Paro town for lunch. After lunch, we will visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower that is now known as the National Museum (converted in 1968). The museum boasts antique thangka, textiles, weapons and armor, household objects and rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts. We will also visit the Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now used as and administration centre and school for monks. We then depart for Thimpu, the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 1.5hours. Thimpu has a population of about 65,000. The town is made up of just three lines of shops and is the only capital in the world without traffic lights. In the evening, we will visit the Handicrafts Emporium, where all types of Bhutanese handicrafts are made and sold, overnight at Hotel Jumolhari or similar.

In the morning, we will visit the Weekly Outdoor Market, where everyone goes to buy fruits and vegetables, rice, grains, chilies, and other fresh foods. The crowded stalls offer many colorful local items such as yak tail dusters, butter teacups, turquoise from Nepal and Tibet as well as musical instruments. We will also visit the folk Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to connecting people to the Bhutanese rural past though exhibition of items and artifacts used in rural households, Textile Museum, where the art of traditional weaving is still kept alive and preserved though exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in it colors and designs. Other highlight include visit to Bhutanese Handmade Paper Factory. After lunch, depart for Punakha, where the road climbs steeply though a forest of pine and cedar, festooned with hanging lichen high up near Dochola pass (3050m). This pass often offers panoramic views of the Himalayan mountain ranges. After stopping for a tea and view, we descend along a series of hairpin bends to the fertile valley of Punakha. Afternoon, visit Punakha Dzong, winter seat of the Je Khenpo and ancient capital of Bhutan, remarkably located between the rivers of the Mo (female) Chu and Pho (male) Chu. The Dzong is open to visitors only in summer when the Je Khenpo and the Monk Body are in Thuimpu, overnight at Hotel Meri Puensum or Similar.

Today we start early for the fabulous drive to the central valleys of Bhutan. The drive to Bumthang via Trongsa is about 7hours crossing over Pele La Pass (3300m) and Yotongla Pass (3400m). The Central Road, across the Black Mountains was completed 30years ago, and it bough about great changes to the people in central Bhutan. We pass Wangdue, one of the major towns and district headquarters of Western Bhutan where we make a short stop to view the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong dramatically located on the spur of a hill at the confluence of the Tsang Chu and Dang Chu rivers. We then climb steadily passing through semi-tropical vegetation and then to Pelela Pass (3300m) with an alpine environment of rhododendrons and dwarf bamboo. This pass is traditionally considered the boundary between west and east Bhutan. If the weather is clear, the Himalayan range can be seen, particularly the peak of Jhomulhari (7314m) to the west. En route we cross Chendebji Chorten built many centuries ago to suppress a demon. After lunch, we go out to view the impressive Trongsa Dzong, ancestral home of the ruling dynasty. In olden days the Dzong commanded the passage between East and West Bhutan. We then drive to Bumthang valley (described as one of the most beautiful spot in the Himalaya across the Yotongla Pass (3400m), overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or Similar.

This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of Buddhism. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons (treasure finders), have led to the sprouting of many temples in the valley. In the morning we hike to visit the Tamshing Monastery (one of the oldest monastic schools built by Terton Pema Lingpa) and Kurjey Lhakhang (where the Guru Rinpoche subdued a local demon and left his body imprint on a rock). We also visit Jambay Lhakhang (one of the oldest temple in Bhutan built in 7th century) and Jakar Dzong (seat of the district administration). In the afternoon, hike to Thangbi valley across the suspension bridge and visit the Thangbi Lhakhang built in the 14th century, overnight at Rinchenling Lodge or Similar.

The drive to Wangdue takes about 7hours via Gangtry. Gangtey lies towards the East of Punakha and Wangdue on the flanks of the Black Mountains. These is and old monastery of Gangtey Gompa dating back to the 17th century. A few kilometers past the Gompa on the valley floor are the fascinating valley of Phobjikha. The gentle sloping hillsides of Phojikha are described as the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas. This is the winter home of black0necked cranes that migrate from arid plains in the north to pass winter in milder and lower climate, overnight at Resort in Wangdue.

After breakfast, we drive to Thimpu over the Dochola Pass and visit National Memorial Chorten, built in honor of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk; Zilukha Nunnery and then depart to Paro, overnight at Hotel Olathang, (situated on a spur admits dense forest of pine trees) or Kyichu resort.

After breakfast, we drive to the winding road to the Drukgyal Dzong, the ruined fort, which was once defended this valley from Tibetan invasions, and also visit a Bhutanese farm house of a local family at Drukgyal for a close up view of everyday Bhutanese life. We then drive beyond Satsam Chorten to hike up (or horse ride) to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The horse ride up to the cafeteria will take around 1.5hrs. At the view point, you will enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava landed on the back of a tigress in the 8th century. We then walk back to the road point and visit Kyichu Lhahang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, overnight at Kyichu resort/Hotel Olathang or Similar.

In the morning, Bhutanese escort will bid farewell at Paro Airport, Goodbye and happy journey back home.