BHUTAN PACKAGESClick to e-mail us
BTN # 03: CENTRAL BHUTAN TOUR
(10 Nights/11 Days - FLY IN /FLY OUT - MON OR THU)
Day 01(Mon):
Fly from Kathmandu to Paro by Druk Air flight. Arrival Paro. Meet, as and transfer to Hotel for overnight.
 
Day 02 (Tue): Paro.
Sightseeing of Paro visiting the Ta Dzong National Museum, the Drukgyel Dzong fortress from where one can have the majestic view of Jumolhari (Mountain of the Goddess), and the 2-3 hour hike to Taktsang or the famous "Tiger's Nest" is a memorable journey. Rest of the day can be spent shopping or simply strolling through town.
 
Day 03 (Wed): Paro - Thimphu (2 Hrs' drive, 68 kms).
Its 2 hours' drive to Thimpu from Paro. Afternoon sightseeing includes the Tashichhodzong, seat of Royal Government and central monastic body, the late King's Memorial Chorten and late afternoon stroll through town not, far from the market place is the Changlimithang ground where you will always find the game of archery (the national sport of Bhutan) being played. The will be time enough for shopping and looking around by yourself on the return journey from Bhumthang.
 
Day 04 (Thu): Thimphu - Gantey via Punakha & Wangdi.(6 Hrs' drive).
The drive to Punakha takes you through Dochula pass, 3100M, - site of one of Bhutan's most enchanting views. On a clear day the whole range of the Himalayas stretching from east to west can be viewed. The journey continues through. Varying secenes of greenery to Punakha. View the Punakha Dzong from outside. This Dzong (fort) is set on the junction of the two rifer Phochu (male river) on the right and Mochu (female river) with their waters merging right in front at present, this Dzong serves as the winter residence for the Jo Khenpo, the chief Abbot of the central monk Body. From Punakha, we rejoin the east-west highway at Lobeysa and continue eastwards at the Lodge.
 
Day 05 (Fri): Gantey - Bhumthang via Tongsa (6 Hrs drive).
For bird enthusiasts, an early morning excursion to view the cranes can be arranged. After breakfast, continue journey towards the Pela La Pass crossing the Black Mountains which divide western and central Bhutan, takes about 4-5 hours, magnolias and rhododendron among the grazing yaks are memorable sites along the pass; on clear days the Mt. Jumolhari (7288m) can be seen, toward the west. After passing through the domain of yak, sheep and short bamboo brush, past the Nikkarchu bridge is the Tongsa district; the great white washed stone chorten, built in Nepalese style in the 18th century lies on a bend below the road. The temple was founded by a lama called Shida who subdued a demon that was a menace to the valley.

Tongsa: As you approach Tongsa, you cannot miss viewing the "never reaching" Tongsa Dzong in the distance, visible yet elusive before you actually get near it. Stop for lunch at the Tongsa Lodge or one of the comfortable wayside inns run by Tibetan residents. Commanding the Mangde river valley at an altitude of 2,200m Tongsa Dzong is the most impressive Dzong of Bhutan.

 
Day 06 -07(Sat/Sun): Bhumthang.
Different from all other valleys in Bhutan is the spacious and open valley of Bhumthang: ranging in altitude from 2,600m to 4,000m, Bhumthang is a heaven for trekkers and hikers, not to mention the numerous beautiful Buddhist monasteries and pilgrimage sites, making it the cultural and historic center of Bhutan. One could spend months exploring this fascinating valley. Almost every little valley or hills has a background of interesting myths and legends about kings, Buddhist masters, and serpents. Bhumthang is especially dotted with the religious relics by the famous Guru Rinpoche, and his reincarnation the Treasure Finder, Terton Pemalingpa who is known to have found the sacred Ters or Buddhist Texts after diving into a lake (Mebartsho lake/pool) with a lighted lamp on his head among the many sightseeing places are Jakar Dzong, the Dzong founded by a white bird; the Jambe and Tamshing Lhakhangs, two of the oldest temples dating to the 7th century in Bhutan; the kurje Lhakhang where the kings of Bhutan are taken for their rites; besides the religious sites do not miss a trip to the famous Bhumthang Matha region (villages) where you can find rich woolen plaid textiles dyed with natural colors, and the Yatas, a thin woolen cloth with bright patterns often made into warm jackets and scarves.
 
Day 08(Mon):
Bhumthang - Wangdiphodrang (8 Hrs' drive).
Day 09(Tue):
Wangdiphodrang - Thimphu (3 Hrs' drive).
Day 10 (Wed): Thimphu.
These last 2 days of your journey can be spent relaxing in your hotel/lodges, or simply touring the vicinity of Thimpu, shopping, meeting your travel agents and friends; evening you have a choice to travel over for Paro or stay back in Thimphu.
 
Day 11 (Thu): Thimphu - Paro (2 Hrs' drive) - Kathmandu.
Drive to Paro Airport to board flight back to Kathmandu.
BHUTAN TOURS |   HOME