Bhutan Heritage Tour

You land in this beautiful and historic town of Paro with a scenic view of spectacular mountains on your flight. You are greeted by your Bhutanese guide at the Paro International Airport and drive to your hotel for rest and relaxation. After having your lunch, you visit Paro’s historical landmarks. Visit the ancient fortress Paro Dzong which is famous for its finest architecture. The mesmerizing architecture inside here is truly artistic and a delight to capture with your camera. From there, visit the National Museum of Bhutan. Explore the diverse local arts and culture of ancient Bhutan history. Next, tour the oldest Jowo temple in Bhutan “Kyichu Lhakhang”. It is believed that the temple has great importance in flourishing Buddhism worldwide. The original Jowo Jamba statue, a mural painting of King Gesar on the wall, prayer wheels, Guru Rinpoche statue, and regular magical fruit-bearing two orange trees are major highlights. This place is a treat for all historians, culture, and art lovers. After sightseeing, return to the hotel and spend a night there.

Have your breakfast and a short drive from Paro to reach Thimphu. On the way to the Paro-Thimphu highway, visit the 16^th-century old Tachogang Lhakhang temple. The temple means the hill of the excellent horse. You need to cross an old bridge to visit the temple. From the bridge, enjoy the scenic views of the villages.

Upon arriving at Thimphu, have lunch or snacks and rest for a while in a hotel. Commence your day by visiting the National Memorial Chorten built in remembrance of the third King of Bhutan followed by Thangton Dewachen Nunnery. Later, travel to Changangkha Lakhang, home to the unifier of Bhutan. This ancient Buddhist fortress is famous for its cultural significance of blessings for a newly born child. Also, visit Simtokha Dzong where one can get a great glimpse of Thimphu valley. The statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, the images of eight Bodhisattvas, and 300 slate carvings depicting Buddhist masters and saints inside the chapel are great cultural phenomena. The colorful crafts shop is a great stop for buying souvenirs.

This Heritage Tour is incomplete without a tour to the “Fortress of the Glorious Religion-Tashichho Dzong” in Thimphu. The most beautiful dzong consists of chapels, temples, shrines, and a central tower is the supreme specimen of Bhutanese architecture. End your day trip with a short drive to Kuensel Phodrang. The spectacular gigantic statue of Great Buddha Dordenma and panoramic view of Thimphu are special. Return to the hotel and take a much-deserved rest.

Today is your excursion to Phobjika valley. After breakfast, drive for 3 hours to reach there. The picturesque Dochu La Pass on the way provides a magnificent view of the Himalayas, terrain fields, and breezing fresh air makes our journey enjoyable. Pay respect to the 108 memorial Chorten en route to Dochu La Pass. A valley is a home to endanger and sacred black-necked cranes, especially during winter. Bhutanese regard this bird as a symbol of longevity. After reaching Gangtey, rest and relax for a while in the hotel. Explore the nearby village and beautiful greenery sceneries around, meet local people and interact with them and return to the hotel. Stay overnight and enjoy your dinner.

Have your breakfast and head to explore Gangtey Goempa. The monastery situated on a forested hill is the best example of Bhutanese traditional architecture. The multi-layered roof, beautifully decorated balconies, and artistic facades are truly the photographer’s delight. The valued shrine Gangtey Goempa has meditation rooms, monk’s quarters, and a central prayer hall. One can interact with monks and meditate here for a while too. Return to Punakha passing green forests, and pristine rivers past down the green hills.

On reaching Punakha, your next destination is Chhimi Lakhang. Hike through beautiful villages and fields to reach the sacred temple devoted to the “Divine Madman” widely worshipped as the “The Fertility Temple of Bhutan”. Many childless couples seek a blessing at this temple. Thus, this temple is very significant in Bhutan and is popular worldwide. Rest, relax and stay overnight at a hotel.

Today visit Punakha Dzong before departing for Paro. In Bhutanese history, Punakha Dzong has great importance. This is the second oldest and the second largest beautiful dzong in the country. Reach there through Bazam Bridge as it is situated between Po and Mo Chu rivers. The dzong built without using nails signifies its historic and cultural importance. Witness the main temple, a Bodhi tree, and a big white stupa inside the dzong. If you arrive here around mid-Feb, don’t miss an opportunity to witness the Punakha festival showcasing Bhutanese culture, tradition, arts, and architecture. Also, visit nearby Punakha Suspension Bridge which is one of the world's oldest bridge and witness some awesome views from the bridge.

After sightseeing Punakha, drive back to Paro. On reaching Paro, interact with local farmers of a local farm. Sightsee around a local farm and enjoy a local ‘home-stay’ there. Spend your night there at a traditional home with a local family. Get a true experience of Bhutanese food, lifestyle, and culture.

Take a trip to the sky burial ground at Haa valley. The corpse is fed to scavengers as a belief of the last act of merit as per Buddhist Vajrayana belief. On returning, enjoy the magnificent view of Mountain ranges: Mt. Jumolhari and Jichu Drake peak, stunning views of Paro and Haa valley, and the rock painting of Guru Rinpoche from the vantage point Chele-La-Pass. Hike down to an ancient nunnery Kila Goemba and interact with Buddhist nuns (Aani) before returning to Paro. Stay overnight at a hotel in Paro.

Accomplish your Bhutan’s Heritage tour by excursing to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery landmark. The monastery is perched on the edge of a rocky cliff overlooking the beautiful Paro valley. Guru Padmasambhava was believed to have flown on the back of a tigress to meditate in that cave and calm down evil spirits. The monastery is regarded as sacred and visitors are allowed to enter only wearing full sleeve clothes. You can ride on a pony to reach the monastery as the trail is followed by a steep incline. The 2-hour hike sightseeing verdant forests, valleys, and prayer flags, and rest at halfway point makes your trip interesting. Your mind and body are filled with calmness and positivity in a peaceful environment inside the monastery. One can meditate and interact with monks if one wishes to. Hike down to the highway and return to the hotel. You may opt for a relaxing traditional hot stone bath and end your incredible Bhutan Heritage tour journey.

Bid farewell to this cultural and artistic beautiful nation. Have your breakfast and your guide accompany you to the Paro International Airport for your final departure.