Bhutan Culture and Nature Tour

An adventurous scenic flight to the only sole Paro International Airport in Bhutan. The Bhutanese guide welcomes you and takes you to a cafe/restaurant for coffee/ lunch as you prefer. Then, a 1.5-hour scenic drive to the capital Thimphu.

On the way to the Paro-Thimphu highway, visit the 16^th-century old Tachogang Lhakhang temple. You need to cross an old bridge to visit the temple. From the bridge, enjoy the scenic views of the villages.

A full day of sightseeing in this promising capital is abundant with distinct Buddhist sites, monasteries, dzongs, and museums. Some remarkable places are:

Tashichho Dzong is a notable huge structure, enclosed by well-maintained grasslands, and beautiful gardens next to the bank of the Wang Chhu River.

The National Library of Bhutan is apt for bibliophiles. One can witness a huge collection of several y ancient Buddhist texts and manuscripts. Modern academic books especially on Himalayan culture and religion are also available there.

Zorig Chusum Institute is preserving the 13 traditional arts and crafts of Bhutan by providing a six-year course to enthusiast learners. The skill of the students of these students can be seen in the renovation of other dzongs or monasteries in Bhutan.

The Folk Heritage Museum is a great place to learn about Bhutanese rural life. Educational programs, Documentation, and Demonstrations of Bhutanese rural life are exhibited.

Kuensel Phodrang is a place where one can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire Thimphu valley. The major highlight is the largest Buddha statue “Great Buddha Dordenma”.

National Memorial Chorten is artistically designed in Tibetan-style architecture. One can find attractive mandalas, murals, and large prayer wheels. The paintings and statues symbolize deep insight into Buddhist philosophy.

Dechen Phodrang is an original Thimphu dzong that is abundant with very old murals and paintings. It was destroyed by fire and now served as a state school.

Simply Bhutan is a living museum that many travelers love to visit. One can live a Bhutanese lifestyle by dressing up and carrying up the activities as the natives do.

National Post Office in Bhutan is an exciting place to explore the large collection of stamps. A great chance to see the varieties of the square, rectangular, and even 3D stamps. One can make customized stamps with own photo and get them as souvenirs.

National Handicrafts Emporium plays a great role in income-generating and one can witness premium quality hand-woven textiles and craft products.

Motithang Takin Preserve visit to observe the national animal Takin.

Changlimithang Archery Ground tour to witness the skillful archers practicing/playing archery. One can give it a try in archery and make a memory.

The weekend market is a happening place to visit in Thimphu. If one arrives at the weekend time, don’t miss an opportunity to visit there. Spend a night at a hotel.

Drive to Trongsa via Thimphu after breakfast. On the way, stop at Dochu-La-Pass to get a picturesque view of Bhutan’s highest peak Gangkar Puensum and surrounding peaks in a clear sky. A pleasant walk witnessing vegetation, chortens, mani walls, prayer flags, and beautiful landscapes walking downhill from Dochu-La-Pass. Pay respect to the 108 memorial Druk Wangyal Chortens built-in memory of 108 Bhutanese soldiers killed in the battle.

From there, continue driving and stop for lunch at Wangdue Phodrang. After lunch, cross Pele-La-Pass to reach Trongsa. One can feel a change in topography and high altitudes can be seen. Visit lovely Chendbji Chorten constructed similar to that of Nepal’s Boudhanath Stupa on the way. It is believed to be constructed to cover the evil spirits. A lovely mani stones and prayer wheels inside the complex. Reach Trongsa in the afternoon and relax in a hotel. Spend a night there.

Have your breakfast and visit the largest dzong “Trongsa dzong” in Bhutan. An essential administrative building that is also listed in UNESCO. The prominent printing house in Bhutan where many religious texts are printed. A 3-hour long drive to Bumthang from here. Relish the views of coniferous forest, and pass through the beautiful cultivated Chumey valley. One of the four prominent valleys in Bumthang. Rest for a while in a hotel.

Visit Jakar Dzong in Jakar which is also the district capital. Jakar Dzong is also popularly known as the “Castle of the white bird” and was a safeguard house of Bhutan during the war. A side tour to Jambay Lhakhang which is famous for organizing many festivals. Explore many old and sacred temples here. Return to a hotel and spend a night there.

Bumthang district is mainly combined with four valleys: Chumey, Choekhor, Tang, and Ura. An important heartland of Bhutan is famous for its religion and culture. The first place in Bhutan where Buddhism was introduced and home to significant Buddhist temples and monasteries. Many promising landmarks make this valley a must-visit place.

Visit Kurjey Lhakhang in Choekhor valley. A historic place where one can witness an imprint of Guru Padmasambhava on a rock that calmed down an evil spirit. Also, visit the three temples. From there, a tour to Tamshing Lhakhang. An artistic place where get a glimpse of antique religious paintings of Buddhas and Taras. A visit to another beautiful sacred place Mebar Tsho in Tang valley. A mesmerizing “Burning Lake” which has a history linked with the Buddhist Guru Rinpoche. It is believed that he dived with a butter lamp and re-emerged with a burning light and a chest full of treasures. One can witness blossoming pink buckwheat flowers during October here.

Alternatively, hike to the lovely Ura valley. Walking through the forests of conifers and crossing the local villages and reaching over the Shelthang Pass. Get a view of Bhutan’s highest Gangkhar Puensum and walk downhill to the village. An entry to the beautiful small Shingkhar village and get impressed with the warm hospitality of locals. Visit the very famous Shingkhar Lhakhang. Witness the main statue of Guru Rinpoche and the paintings of Guru Rinpoche and his manifestations. The ceiling is well-decorated with the mandalas. There is also a residence temple situated on the hillock including the statues of the great Bhutanese philosophers and fascinating paintings. Participate in the Shingkar Rabney festival if one arrives here around the first week of September.

Visit the handicraft shops to purchase souvenirs. Return to a hotel. Rest, relax and spend a night.

Drive to Gangtey (Phobjika valley) after having breakfast. A scenic drive of dwarf green bamboos and oak and rhododendron forest on the way to Wangdue Phodrang. A descending drive to reach Phobjika valley. It is home to sacred black-necked cranes, especially in winter which is taken as a symbol of longevity. Explore the Gangtey Goempa rich in Bhutanese traditional architecture. Tour the Black Necked Crane Information Centre and other nearby places and interact with locals to learn more about this lovely valley. Spend a night at a hotel.

A 2.5-hour drive to Punakha after having breakfast. On the way, stop at Chimi Lhakhang. A short walk to the famous Fertility Temple of Bhutan. An important temple not only in Bhutan but also worldwide as many childless couples visit to seek the blessings of Divine Madman. Rest for a while at a hotel and have lunch. It’s time to visit Punakha dzong which is the second oldest and the second largest in Bhutan. Witness the main temple, a Bodhi tree, and a big white stupa inside the dzong. This dzong was built without using nails and is also called “the palace of bliss”. From there, head towards Punakha Suspension Bridge. It is near from the Punakha Dzong. Enjoy the awesome views from the bridge. If one arrives here around mid-Feb, enjoy the Punakha festival. A half-hour drive to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten. The Chorten was built to bring peace to the world where the images of the deities of mandalas Vajrakilaya are seen. Stay overnight at a hotel.

After having breakfast, get ready to drive to Paro. On the way, a visit to Simtokha Dzong in Thimphu. It is also named Sangak Zabdhon Phodrang where one can truly appreciate rich cultural wonders. The Shakyamuni Buddha statue, eight Bodhisattvas, and 300 slate carvings depicting Buddhist masters and saints inside the chapel are truly wonderful. Currently, it houses the Institute for Language and Culture Studies. After that, drive back to Paro and relax for a while at a hotel.

Have lunch and get ready to visit the Drukpa Lineage’s largest Buddhist monastery Rinpung Dzong. After crossing a cantilever bridge, one can see the Deyangkha Temple outside the main dzong. Explore the fourteen shrines and chapels inside the dzong. Ta Dzong houses the National Museum of Bhutan above the hill of Rinpung Dzong which was once used as a watchtower. Presently, it is established as the National Museum of Bhutan. A great place for art and culture lovers as hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artworks and crafts embracing traditional costumes, armors, and handicraft tools of daily life are displayed there. Spend a night at a hotel.

Let’s make the last day of sightseeing exciting and memorable. Have breakfast and drive to the upper part of Paro to reach Drukgyel Dzong. It holds great significance as it marks Bhutanese victory over Tibet’s invasion. It used to be a Buddhist monastery and a fortress that is now in ruins.

From here, an excursion to Bhutan’s renowned landmark Taktsang Monastery. Popularly known as “Tiger’s Nest Monastery” that is perched on the Cliffside above the Paro valley. Guru Rinpoche was believed to have meditated inside the cave to calm down the evil spirit. Thus, this place is considered sacred, and travelers are only allowed to enter covering their whole body. Have lunch on reaching the cafe halfway while returning from Taktsang Monastery. End your trip by visiting Kyichu Lhakhang. One can see the oldest Jowo temple which was built to stop female giants from preventing the spreading of Buddhism across Tibet. Return to a hotel and spend a night there.

Have breakfast and the Bhutanese guide see off you to the Paro International Airport. Bid Farewell to this happy and magical nation and return with sweet memories and spiritual happiness.