10-Day Cultural Tour

After your unique experience aboard the flight to Paro, affording spectacular views of the world's highest summits, you land at Paro International Airport. Our representative will receive you and transfer you to Thimphu, the state capital at 2,280 m, an hour's drive along the banks of the Pa Chhu and Wang Chhu. You will check in to the hotel and be served your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine. In the evening you may go for a leisurely walk in Thimphu. Overnight in the hotel in Thimphu.

After breakfast we start the tour. Visit the takin enclosure to see the national animal of Bhutan, then proceed to Kuensel Phodrang for a sight of the Buddha Dordenma statue, the biggest of its kind in the world. After the Heritage Museum and the Textile Museum, follow on to Trashichhoedzong, the throne room and the seat of the Chief Abbot of the Central Monastic Body. Visit the National Memorial Chorten, built in memory of the Third King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, and make a short trip to the paper factory to see the art of Bhutanese traditional paper-making. Five miles from town is Simtokha Dzong, the oldest fortress in the kingdom, built in 1629. Do not miss the Centenary Farmers' Market, where crowds gather among displays of home-grown vegetables. Overnight in Thimphu.

A drive of two and a half hours brings you to Punakha, the former capital, at 1,300 m. On the way we stop at the Dochula pass, which affords a scenic view of the Himalaya alongside its 108 chortens, built by the Royal Mother Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck to commemorate the victory of 2003 and pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives. On reaching Punakha, visit the dzong built in 1637 at the confluence of the Mo Chhu and Pho Chhu — a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture — and the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten, built by Queen Mother Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck.

We start early, for the drive to Bumthang takes about seven hours. Make a short visit to Chimi Lhakhang, the fertility temple, a twenty-minute walk through the village of Sopsokha. On the way you will have a view of Wangdue Phodrang Dzong, now under reconstruction after the fire that razed the fort to the ground; the district is known for its bamboo work and slate and stone carving. After crossing the two major passes of Pele La and Yotong La, on either side of Trongsa, we reach Bumthang for the night.

Known as the cultural capital of the country, the district is home to important religious sites; the visits of Guru Rinpoche and, in succeeding years, of treasure-discoverers have led to the establishment of several religious seats and lhakhangs in the valley. Start with Jambay Lhakhang, one of the oldest in the country, built in the 7th century by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo. A short drive north takes you to Kurje Lhakhang, housing the body imprint of Guru Rinpoche. Follow on to Jakar Dzong on the hillock overlooking the town, and on the left flank of the Chamkhar Chhu visit Tamzhing Lhakhang, built by the great tertoen Pema Lingpa. Visit Thangbi Lhakhang in the heart of the Thangbi valley, built in the 16th century. Overnight in the hotel in Bumthang.

The five-hour journey from Bumthang to Gangtey passes via Trongsa, the ancestral home of the ruling Wangchuck dynasty. Trongsa Dzong is the seat of the Trongsa Poenlop, the post assumed by the crown prince before accession to the Golden Throne; built in the 17th century in the time of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, it played a significant role in bringing eastern Bhutan under the Drukpa regime while defending against external invasion. Ta Dzong, the watchtower, is now a heritage museum. After crossing the Pele La we head toward the Phobjikha valley, the winter home of the black-necked cranes, which can be found there from November to March. Some short hikes in the valley will be tailored to you.

The Phobjikha valley, in which Gangtey Goemba is located, is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Himalaya. Favourable weather and a suitable environment have made Phobjikha one of the few winter homes of the endangered black-necked crane, numbering around 600 birds annually; they can be seen from November until March. The sacred Gangtey Goemba is the seat of the venerable Gangtey Truelku, and people come from across the country to visit it. Some short hikes in the vicinity of the valley will be arranged for you.

The three-and-a-half-hour drive west from Gangtey brings us to Paro, one of the most beautiful places in the country; at 2,280 m the weather in the valley is soothing. Today we make short trips in and around the town, including Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong. Rinpung Dzong, built in the 17th century by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, served as a key strategic place to defend against external intrusion and is today the seat of the district administration. Ta Dzong, the watchtower, is now the National Museum, where you will see antiques, thangkas, textiles, armour and historical artefacts.

After breakfast, start early for the hike to Taktshang, the Tiger's Nest Monastery. Guru Rinpoche is said to have flown here on the back of a tigress to meditate and convert the valley to Buddhism; the monastery is miraculously built on vertical granite rock. After lunch at the Taktshang cafeteria we visit Drukgyel Dzong, the Fort of Victorious Bhutan, built after the Bhutanese victory over the Tibetans, then proceed to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in the country and contemporary with Jambay Lhakhang in Bumthang. In the evening you may stroll freely in the town. Overnight in the hotel in Paro.

We will drive you to Paro airport for your flight, and you bid goodbye to the Kingdom of Bhutan.