Detailed Itineraries
Day 1: Arrive Paro
On arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will be received by your local Bhutanese tour guide of Spirit Bhutan Tour then Transfer to your hotel in Paro.
After refreshment or Lunch Visit:
National Museum: On a ridge immediately above Rinpung Dzong is the Ta Dzong (watchtower), built as a watchtower to protect the Dzong from intruders and warring factions.
Paro Dzong (Rinpung Dzong): Explore the Rinpung Dzong which the locals call the ‘fortress of a heap of jewels’
Overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 2: Paro- Punakha Sightseeings
After breakfast we will be heading towards Punakha. This route will take you through Chunzom (confluence of Pachu- the river flowing through Paro valley & Wangchu –the river flowing through Thimphu valley). On the way, you may stop to visit Tachog Lhakhang (temple) , this 14th century temple To get to the temple one may actually walk over the iron chains that spans over the Pa chu.
The route leads to Punakha/Wangdue through Dochula Pass (3,1050 m) In the clear sky; enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan mountain ranges. Then pass by the beautiful 108 chortens built on the hill by Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo (Queen Mother of Bhutan) for the security and well being of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan.
On the way visit the Divine Madman’s Monastery-Chhimi Lhakhang, famously known for its fertility shrine, where one can receive a special fertility blessing.
After lunch visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho - Chu (male river) and the Mochu (female river).
Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
Day 3: Punakha-Bumthang
Distance: 197 km, estimated travel time: 7 hrs
After breakfast,your Bhutan tour continues towards central Bhutan which leads you to Bumthang through Trongsa. On the way just before reaching Bumthang you will going to visit “Yathra” weaving centre.
Overnight at a hotel in Bumthang.
Day 4: Bumthang Tours & Sightseeings
After breakfast, visit the following:
Jambay Lhakhang, built in the 7th century by the King Songtsen Goempo of Tibet. In his effort to propagate Buddhism he had a plan to build a total of 108 temples in Tibet and neighboring kingdoms.
Kujey Lhakhang (Kujey means, "Body imprint"). The temple to the right is the oldest and was built by Minjur Tempa in 1652. It was built around the cave in which Guru Rimpoche meditated and left his body imprint.
After lunch drive to Dorjibi weaving center which is located in Dorjibi village, half an hour drive from Bumthang town, has 20 women engaged in making Bhutanese weaves using local dyes and improved looms.
In the late afternoon,drive to Trongsa- the ancestral home of the royal family.
Overnight at a hotel in Trongsa.
Day 5: Trongsa sightseeing -Thimphu
Distance: 199 km, estimated travel time: 7 hrs
After breakfast visit the National Museum which is housed in the Ta Dzong (watch tower).A museum in which aspects of Bhutanese culture and history are explained by beautifully objects and also visit Trongsa Dzong, which is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan.
Then drive to Thimphu through Wangduephodrang with lunch enroute.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
Day 6: Thimphu Sightseeings
After breakfast, full day sightseeing in Thimphu includes the visit to the following:
National Textile Museum which is a good place to see the art of traditional weaving being kept alive and preserved through exhibition and has a good collection of old textiles which are rich in colors and designs.
Folk Heritage Museum which provides visitors and tourists with fascinating insights into the Bhutanese material culture and way of life
National Institute of Traditional Medicine (outside only), where medicinal herbs are compounded and dispensed, and traditional medical practitioners trained.
School of Traditional Painting of Arts and Crafts where students undertake a six-year course on the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan.
Takin Preserve, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. This is an extremely rare member of the goat family. Found in herds in the very high altitudes (13,125ft and over). They live on a diet of grass and bamboo. It can weigh as much as 550 pounds.
Kuenselphodrang where the Bhutan’s largest Buddha statue is perched on the hillock overlooking the entire Thimphu valley below and the view from there is magnificent. Craft Bazaar where craftsmen and artisans from across the country display and sell their handicrafts.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu
Day 7: Thimphu-Hike to Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest Monastery)
Distance: 54 km, estimated travel time: 1 hr
After breakfast, drive to Paro which takes about an hour and hike up to Taktsang Monastery, also known as ‘Tiger’s Nest’. The climb up to the viewpoint will take around 1 ½ hours and from there you will enjoy a spectacular view of the monastery clinging to the side of the cliff. Stop for refreshment at the View Point Cafeteria.Then walk further up to the monastery which will take about 1 hour.
In the evening relax and overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Day 08: Paro - Departure
You will be bit farewell by the staff of Spirit of Bhutan tour.
The Tour of the daily tariff includes:
- All meals with Tourist standard hotels
- English speaking tour guide service
- All transfers and excursions by private vehicles
- All internal taxes and fees
- Mineral drinking water
The tour cost does not include the following:
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- 5 star accommodations and meals (optional)
- Other personal expenses like overseas calls, laundry,etc
- Guide and Driver Tipping’s