11 nights 12 days program nov 2024 second program
- Day 1: 09 November, Saturday, Arrival Paro | Sightseeing and rest
- Day 2: 10th November, Sunday, Paro to Phobjikha /Gangtey (5 hours’ drive)
- Day 3: 11th November, Monday, Phobjikha /Gangtey (Black neck crane festival)
- Day 4: 12th November, Tuesday, Phobjikha to Punakha (2 hours’ drive)
- Day 5: 13th November, Wednesday, Punakha to Bumthang sightseeing (6 hours’ drive)
- Day 6: 14th November, Thursday, Bumthang sight seeing
- Day 7: 15th November, Friday, Bumthang Jambay Lhakang (fire festival) Punakha to Thimphu. (7 -8 hours’ drive)
- Day 8: 16th November, Saturday, Bumthang to Punakha to Thimphu.(8 hours’ drive )Thimphu Sightseeing.
- Day 9: 17th November, Sunday, Thimphu sightseeing.
- Day 10: 18th November, Monday, Thimphu -Paro
- Day 11: 19th November, Tuesday, Paro (Taktsang Tiger nest hike)
- Day 12: 20th November, Wednesday, Drop to airport
DAY 1, 09 NOV: Arrival Paro | Sightseeing | Thimphu (1 hour approximately)
Departure at 07:30 am from Bangkok to Paro on flight no. KB131 in Druk air National airlines of Bhutan arrival in Pro at 1100am. After you arrive at Paro Airport, our representatives would be there to welcome and escort you thereafter till the end of your tour in Bhutan. Paro is the only entry point for visitors flying into Bhutan on the national carrier, Druk Air, and the country’s only private carrier, Bhutan Airlines.
Check in hotel Drukchen at Paro and have lunch, after lunch,
Visit the Drive to the majestic Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong), which is perched on a gentle hill above the Nyimizampa traditional bridge. Take a stroll through the main entrance of the fortress, which is considered, as a finest example of Bhutanese architecture. The main attractions of the fortress are its massive wall paintings of four protective guardians, the wheel of life and others depicting the essence of Buddhism.
And after a couple of steps further, enjoy the broad view of the courtyard’s illustrious architecture and the sights of young Buddhist monks engaged in their religious endeavor. You could also ask to be escorted to a blissful inner sanctum to offer prayers or for a brief meditation on your own.
Visit the National Museum of Bhutan, the TA Dzong is a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan. Established in 1968, in the renovated ancient Ta-dzong building, above Rinpung Dzong under the command of His Majesty, the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings. Suitable galleries were constructed to house the extensive collections. Works of art were elegantly displayed on scientific lines.
Evening, Visit Drukgyel Dzong, this fortress was built in 1647 to commemorate victory over an invasion from Tibet.
Overnight at hotel Drukchen in Paro.
DAY 2, 10th Nov: Paro | Phobjikha (6 hours approximately)
After breakfast in the hotel, depart to Phobjikha, on the way stop at Tacho Lhakhang the iron bridge monastery, visit Tacho Lhakhang (iron bridge monastery), Tacho Lhakhang Bridge is made of wood and Iron, this is the first iron bridge to have ever been built in Bhutan. Tacho Lhakhang Bridge greets its guests with a fantastic view of the surroundings.
Phobjikha/Gangtey ,the valley famed for its breathtaking scenes of wide-open landscapes with well-preserved ancientness of Medieval Bhutan. Unlike other destinations in the country, Phobjikha has received special attention to refrain from introducing modern developmental activities because the entire valley is a winter roosting place of endangered migratory bird, the black neck cranes. These rare species fly all the way from Tibetan plateau at post harvest season to spend their entire winter months in this beautiful valley. They are well taken care by the government of Bhutan and at the onset of spring season; they fly back to Tibet to spend the rest of warmer season.
However, enjoy your daylong drive excursion through east west highway snaking through thick and mixed forest of sub-alpine zone of inner Himalaya. From Thimphu the road will gradually ascend over the hills of Yusipang and Hongtsho until you arrive the breathtaking mountain pass of Dochula measuring 3,150-meter.
Dochula is a fun weekend escape place for the locals and must visit destination for foreigners. The pass is festooned by impressive 108 chortens, small stupas. Add on the overpowering, distant Himalayan Mountain vistas will offer irresistible photography opportunity. Stroll around 20 minutes at Dochula.
Leaving Dochula, your drive will start descending through winding roads, scenic valleys and thick jungle of lamperi, menchuna, Thinleygang, until you arrive the warmer valley of Lobesa.
Lunch in a local restaurant, in Wangdue, you will continue with road trip to Phobjikha. Crossing Wangdue, you will enter the bumpy widening road of Eastern Bhutan sure to disappoint your journey. Along the way you will settle well with appetizing sceneries of rural settings and natural beauty. After two hours, you will enter the heavenly enclave of Phobjikha valley. After settling in the farmhouse or hotel, stroll across the valley soaking up stunning evening sceneries.
Overnight at hotel Dewachen in Phobjikha.
DAY 3 ,11th Nov: Phobjikha (FESTIVAL)
After breakfast, visit the Phobjikha festival.
Phobjikha valley has lots to offer. The Annual Black-necked Crane Festival is a one-day event celebrated at Gangtey Gonpa, Gangteng-Phobji valley in Wangdurphodrang District in Central Bhutan each year on 11th November. Gangteng-Phobji valley is the largest winter habitat of Black-necked Cranes in Bhutan, with approximately 300 individuals each year. The Black-necked Crane Festival is organized by the Gangteng-Phobji Environment Management Committee (GPEMC) composed of several local stakeholders.
During the winter months, the Black-necked Cranes become part of the local people’s daily lives. The festival is an occasion for the locals to rejoice and celebrate the arrival of Black-necked Cranes, revered as the heavenly birds. The festival is organized to generate awareness, provide economic incentives for local communities and form an avenue for the locals to renew their commitment to conserve the cranes. It also offers communities an opportunity to showcase their cultural heritage and skills. The festival generally includes cultural programs such as folk songs, environment related songs and mask dances performed by the local people, school children and monks. The highlight of the festival is usually the locally choreographed crane dance performed by school children. The festival was initiated by Royal Society for Protection of Nature, a national NGO, as a part of Integrated Conservation and Development Program (ICDP). The first festival was held in November 1998 in the middle of the valley near the old school. RSPN received the guidance of International Crane Foundation, USA in the initial years.
Overnight at hotel Dewachen in Phobjikha.
DAY 4, 12th Nov: Phobjikha -Punakha (2 and a half hours’ drive)
Drive to Punakha after breakfast.
Check in the hotel and rest.
After lunch. Visit Punakha Dzong:
The Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungtang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang (meaning "the palace of great happiness or bliss") built in 1637-1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and the former capital of Bhutan. Located between the two rivers, Po Chhu (Male River) and Mo Chhu (Female River) is the one of the most beautiful Dzongs of Bhutan.
Chimi Lhakhang, also known as Chime Lhakhang or Monastery or temple, is a Buddhist monastery in Punakha District, Bhutan.Located near Lobesa, it stands on a round hillock and was built in 1499 by the 14th Drukpa hierarch, Ngawang Choegyel, after the site was blessed by the "Divine Madman" the maverick saint Drukpa Kunley (1455–1529) who built a chorten on the site.
Overnight at hotel Lobesa in Punakha.
DAY 5, 13th Nov: Punakha to Bumthang (6 hours’ drive)
It will be a long drive from Punakha to Bumthang. The drive will take you through a rich forest of rhododendrons and oak woods and cross over Pele la pass at 3351 meters and Yotongla Pass at 3425 metres
You'll stop at Trongsa district and attractions along the way. Attractions include Chendebji Chorten ,which resembles the Boudhanath temple ,in Kathmandu Nepal and the medieval watch tower and the Trongsa Dzong at Trongsa.
Arrival at hotel Wangdicholing in Bumthang, have dinner at the hotel.
DAY 6, 14th Nov: Bumthang sightseeing
Morning visit to Jakar Dzong, which is the main fortress of Bumthang valley.
After that, visit Kurje Lhakhang (Buddhist temple), a large tree behind one of the temple buildings is believed to be a terma that was left there by Guru Padmasambhava the great Saint in buddhism.
After lunch, visit red panda beer factory and there will be other beverages such as Brandy for tasting
After beer factory visit, drive to Mebar Tsho (Sacred site, burning lake).
Overnight at hotel Wangdicholing in Bumthang.
DAY 7, 15th Nov: Bumthang (Jambay Lhakhang festival) full moon day.
Jambay Lhakhang Drup or Jambay Lhakhang festival is a beautiful festival of Bhutan. The festival which is held at Jambay Lhakhang, is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan. The fire offering and the naked dance topping the list. Both of these programmes are held at night on full moon day. The locals believe that passing through the Fire offering in the form of an arch will burn away all the obstacles.The naked dance represents the primordial wisdom of awareness and emptiness which was initiated by Terton Dorji Lingpa. Simply watching the naked dance is supposed to empower one with an ability to overcome the obstacle of anxiety and fear. Jambay Lhakhang festival also consists of other dances like Dance of Four Groups of Garudas, Stick Dance, the drum dance of Dorji Lingpa, Dance of Lord of Death, Dance of Dramitse and many other colorful and unique dances.
Day 8, 16th Nov: Bumthang /Punakha /Thimphu (8 hours’ drive)
After breakfast, check out from the hotel, drive to Thimphu via Punakha,
On the way, visit the museum at Trongsa.
Overnight at hotel Willow in Thimphu, dinner at the hotel in Thimphu.
DAY 09, 17th Nov: Thimphu
Following breakfast, in the hotel, you will visit a small cottage paper factory on the opposite of Thimphu town. This small factory is famed for its handmade paper and associated products. At the factory you will observe the making of paper from locally available Daphne shrub. Essentially, more than 80% of it’s making involves manual processes. The finished products are supplied to both local and international vendors.
In the vicinity of factory, visit a showroom, which displays quite a good variety of paper products. The products are best to gift as souvenir to friends and family by virtue of its authenticity and local originality.
Then you will be driven to the landmark Kuenselphodrang, where 169 feet statue of lord Buddha stands tall overlooking Thimphu valley. Truly, the Buddha is the tallest of its kind in the world, crafted from pure bronze metal. Stroll around the spacious foreground of Buddha venue taking pictures and soaking up scenic views of Thimphu valley. Afterwards, take a short hike to Kuenselphodrang Park and engage in hanging of prayer flags on a prominent spot.
Visit Memorial Chorten.
The Memorial Stupa, Thimphu, also known as the Thimphu Chorten, built in 1974 to honor the third Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, where a lot of elderly and young people circumambulate the chorten in order to get merits and wash away their sins.
Visit the glorious Thimphu Dzong, perched on the left bank of Wangchu River surrounded by terraced rice field at the backdrop and nine-hole golf course on the right wing. This majestic structure houses the office of the king of Bhutan and summer residence of the central monastic body. Insides you will be permitted to visit the main Buddha shrine with impressive architectural decor. Spend circa 10 minutes exploring the ancient murals of thousand Buddha and sixteen major disciples of Lord Buddha. Then stroll in the spacious court- yard of the fort photographing impressive architecture and interacting with young Buddhist monks.
Lunch in the authentic Bhutanese restaurant, in Folk heritage.
After lunch, you will visit the historic Changangkha temple, in the lower Motithang. The temple way built in 13th century by the Buddhist saint His Eminence Phajo Drugom and it assumed an important seat in the Drukpa Kadgyu lieage. During auspicious ocassion this temple is the most visited temple in Thimphu to offer prayers by the local folks.
Visit the Takin Zoo, where our national animal of Bhutan and other animals are kept, take a short drive excursion to the prominent BBS tower at Sangaygang to enjoy the beautiful view of Thimphu city.
Visit the local vegetable market, where villagers get local organic produce from all parts of Bhutan to sell.
Overnight at hotel willow in Thimphu.
DAY 10 ,18th Nov: Thimphu /Paro (1 hour drive)
After breakfast, Visit the Zurig Chusom, National Institute of 13 traditional arts and craft. Here you will interact with young students who get trained to take up different art profession. Students get trained in 13 arts and craft disciplines, which is very intensive and practical. You will witness live and demonstrative classes happening in different blocks and you will visit each and every art classes.
Visit the National library.The National Library was established in 1967 for the purpose of "preservation and promotion of the rich cultural and religious heritage" of Bhutan
Drive to Paro.
Evening free time in town, visiting the handicraft shops.
Overnight at Hotel Drukchen in Paro.
DAY 11 ,19th Nov: (Taktsang Monastery) Tiger nest Hike, 5 hours hike.
Early morning after breakfast drive north of Paro. You can get a walking stick or a horse on paying some amount to take you up, if you like to avail the service
Taktsang Palphug Monastery more famous as Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple complex which clings to a cliff, 3120 meters above the sea level on the side of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan. A temple complex was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for three years, three months, three weeks, three days and three hours in the 8th century. Guru Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen Taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which he meditated.
When you hike down from Taktsang, stop in between for lunch in Cafeteria, where you can rest and have your lunch and carry on downhill to the base.
Visit Kichu Lhakhang (Temple):
The Jowo Temple of Kyichu is one of the oldest temples in Bhutan, originally built in the 7th century by the Tibetan Emperor Songtsen Gampo. It is considered to be one of the 108 border taming temples he built.
Evening you can visit the farm house in the village for a traditional hot stone bath, which is relaxing and is of great medicinal values, dinner in farmhouse.
The hot stone bath is optional and has to be paid to the farm house directly which about 15$ per person.
Overnight at hotel Drukchen in Paro.
DAY 12 ,20th November: Drop to airport
After breakfast, sightseeing in town.
Drop to Airport after lunch, for departure onwards destination at 1620 departure, arrival in Bangkok is at 2030.
The above rate is as below:
USD 3080 per person, (twin bedded room)
If its 4 guests, then 20% discount will be available on twin sharing room on the tour cost:
3080$ less 20% 616$ =2464$ plus 875.19$ airfare.
| Flight no. | Date | Sector | Departure | Arrival |
| KB131 | 09NOV | Bangkok -Paro | 0730 | 1100 |
| KB152 | 20NOV | Paro-Bangkok | 1620 | 2030 |
Cost inclusion SDF of 100$ per day, per person, plus 40$ visa fee once, per person (Sustainable development fee, visa fee, which goes totally to the government for free schools, hospitals, for development of projects and sustainability of the country.)
- Accommodation in 3-star hotels and 3 stars plus, hotels and resorts, all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Air fare for Bhutan sector from Delhi, entry Fees to Park, museum, monuments, monasteries etc.
- Full time guided service by English speaking licensed tour guide
- Transport by foreign Hi ace bus with mineral water at all times in bus, coffee, tea, refreshments etc.
- Sightseeing as mentioned in itinerary.
Not Included
- Personal expenses on nonalcoholic drinks
- Shopping and Entertainment.
- Donation