from 0 review
7 Nights / 8 Days
Daily Tour
24 people
English
Join Bhutan Dragon Tours for an 8-day cultural adventure of a lifetime through Bhutan. Take in the excitement of taking off over the magnificent Himalayas and arriving in Paro. Discover the rich cultural legacy of Punakha, tour historic monasteries, and stroll through the energetic metropolis of Thimphu. For amazing views, go up to the well-known Tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro. Visit historical sites and museums to gain an understanding of Bhutanese spirituality and history. Say goodbye to this magical realm and take with you priceless memories of an experience of a lifetime.
Flights to Bhutan are an amazing experience, particularly if you are flying into the Himalayan kingdom for the first time. As the flights approach Bhutan, you will see the Himalayan foothills including Mt. Everest. Once you enter Bhutan, the flights snakes around the mountains to land at the Paro International Airport in western Bhutan.
Welcome to Bhutan.
You would then get through the immigration counter where you can produce the paper visa we have emailed you based on which you would be stamped your visa on your passport. At the arrival terminal, our guide would be waiting to welcome you. You would then drive for an hour to capital Thimphu. In the evening, you can walk about Thimphu city.
Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, you can visit the Changangkha Temple. Located atop a small hill, this temple is considered the guardian temple of all children born in Thimphu area.
This fortress temple is built in 14th century by a Tibetan saint who came to Bhutan. After lunch, a visit to the Mini Zoo to see the National Animal ‘Takin’. Highlight of the day will be a visit to Tashichho Dzong, known as the Fortress of the glorious religion in the evening. It houses the throne room of His Majesty the King, the main secretariat building and the central monk body. Its courtyard is open to visitors during the Thimphu Festival and when the monk body moves to its winter residence in Punakha.
Overnight in a hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast, we will checkout of the hotel. You will then proceed towards Tango monastery which is about 45-minute drive from the capital city. From the mountain base, you will hike for about 30-45 minutes to the Tango Monastery. It is located at a mountain top and today houses a monastic school. The word Tango literally means “Horse head”.
Tango Monastery is built in the Dzong (fortress) style and has semi-circular shape outside and prominent main tower with recesses. It covers the caves where originally meditation and miracles were performed by saints from the 12th century onwards. Behind the series of prayer wheels are engraved slates. Inside the courtyard is a gallery, illustrating the leaders of the Drukpa Kagyupa lineage.
The monastery was founded by Lama Gyalwa Lhanampa in the 13th century and built in its present form by Tenzin Rabgye, the 4th Temporal Ruler in 1688. In 1616, the Tibetan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, meditated in its cave. The Monastery belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu School of Buddhism in Bhutan. According to local legend of Bhutan the location of this monastery is the holy place where Avalokiteshvara revealed himself as “the self-emanated form of the Wrathful Hayagriva”.
Late afternoon, we will proceed towards Punakha. On the way, we’ll pass by Dochula pass from where a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayas can be seen on a clear day. There are 108 stupas built by the eldest queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to benefit all sentient beings.
Overnight in a hotel in Punakha.
Punakha is at an altitude of 4420 feet and it served as the capital of Bhutan till 1955. It is the winter seat of the Je Khenpo (Chief abbot) and the monk body. It has a temperate climate and its rich fertile valley is fed by the Phochu (male) and Mochu (female) rivers.
We will visit the Punakha Dzong built by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel in 1637 is also known as “The Palace of Great Happiness”. It stands majestically at the confluence of the two rivers.
After lunch, we will visit the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten which stands out on a beautiful ridge above the Punakha valley. Her Majesty built the Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck it. It took 9 years to build and Holy Scriptures rather than engineering manuals were consulted to construct this 4-storey temple. It is a fine example of Bhutanese architecture and artistic traditions. This temple has been dedicated for the wellbeing of the kingdom, its people and all sentient beings. It is a 15-20 mins hike from the suspension bridge. The Chorten would take a one-hour hike to approach. It offers a beautiful view of the Punakha Valley.
Overnight in a hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast, we will go around Bajo town and then proceed to Paro. Enroute to Paro will be a visit to Chimi Lhakhang, the famous Lama Drukpa Kuenley’s temple. This temple also known as the fertility temple is a popular place for getting fertility blessings by the locals. Lunch at Dochula or Thimphu. The rest of the day can be spent in Paro town with some sightseeing and shopping.
Overnight in a hotel in Paro.
We will visit the Paro Dzong. Then we will visit National Museum. We will also visit the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong and the Paro Kyichu Temple. One of the oldest and most sacred temple that dates back to the 7th century.
Overnight in a hotel in Paro.
Early breakfast followed by a hike up Paro Taktsang (Tiger’s Nest). It is a monastery that is perched on the side of a cliff at a height of 900m above the Paro valley. The hike usually takes about 3-4 hrs and offers views of amazing nature throughout. There is a lookout point at a cafeteria that offers a great view of this impressive monastery. It will truly be one of the main highlights of the whole tour. We will be back to Paro town by around 3:00 pm. In the evening, you can stroll around Paro town and check out some Bhutanese souvenir shops.
Overnight in a hotel in Paro.
After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to the nearby Paro airport and onboard to your onward destination.
Trashi Delek!
Member Since 2024
