14 Day Spectacular Sightseeing in Bhutan

The land of the Thunder Dragon is a land of mystery, myths and legends. This sightseeing tour gives you the opportunity to experience the culture of Bhutan and step back in history visiting palaces and monasteries built in the early 17th century.

Enchanting names with alluring meanings such as "palace of great happiness" or "temple of good message" will delight you as you travel through beautiful valleys and over passes which offer you spectacular views. Witness ancient craftsmanship such as "hand made paper" and "silver smithing" and visit local handicraft emporiums for truly unique souvenirs.

Itinerary    Trip Details    Trip Dates

Trip details:

Day 1. Arrive Paro
You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel o/n at hotel.

Day 2. Paro sightseeing
After breakfast, drive to the ruins of Drukgyel Dzong, 16km up the valley, this dzong was built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate the victory over the Tibetan invaders in1644; in fact the dzong's name means "victorious Druk". The Dzong was used as an administrative center until 1951 when a fire caused by a butter lamp destroyed it. After the dzong we visit Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan's oldest and most sacred monasteries, and Rimpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) built in 1646 and currently housing administrative offices. After lunch we visit the Ta Dzong, an ancient watchtower, which has been the national museum of Bhutan. since 1967. A short distance further is one of the innumerable archery grounds (archery is the national sport of Bhutan and if we are lucky, we may catch a match in action). The evening ends with a walk through Paro's main shopping district. o/n at hotel.

Day 3. Paro Excursion to Taktsang Monastery
A very special day, with an excursion to view one of the major highlights of Bhutan, the spectacular Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) monastery. After breakfast you will take a short drive to Satsam Chorten, from there a 2 hour horse ride to the viewpoint of the monastery. The trail climbs through beautiful pine forest, many of the trees festooned with Spanish moss, and an occasional grove of fluttering prayer flags. You stop for a rest and light refreshments at the Taktsang Jakhang (cafeteria) and then walk a short distance until we see Taktsang monastery. This incredible monastery clings to the edge of a sheer rock cliff that plunges 900 metres into the valley below. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, the tantric mystic who brought Buddhism to Bhutan, flew here in the form of Dorji Drolo, mounted on a flaming tigress in the 747A.D Lunch will be served at the cafeteria and after lunch you will return to your hotel, check out and drive to Thimphu. o/n at hotel.

Day 4. Thimphu Sightseeing
The day begins with a visit to the National Memorial Chorten (1974) built in honour of our late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and the Dupthop Lhakhang one of the few surviving nunneries in Bhutan. You then visit the National Library, stocked with ancient Buddhist manuscripts, and the Painting School where traditional art is still kept alive through instructions in the art of painting Thangkas (sacred Buddhist religious scrolls). After lunch you are driven to the Traditional Medicine Institute where medicines are prepared according to ancient practices, and to Lungtenzampa to observe the Royal silver smiths and Bhutanese paper factory at work. Other highlights include a visit to the Tashichho Dzong, seat of the national government and the Central Monastic Body, including the summer residence of the Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot of Bhutan). The Tashichho Dzong is open to visitors only in winter when the Je Khenpo and the monks move to Punakha the ancient winter capital of Bhutan. We drive to Simtokha Dzong; the oldest Dzong of Bhutan built by Shabdrung in 1627 and finally visit the Handicrafts Emporium followed by shopping for souvenirs in the shops of Thimphu o/n at hotel.

Day 5. Thimphu Sightseeing
Today's sightseeing tour in Thimphu commences with a visit to the Folk Heritage Museum, the morning also includes the Textile Museum, Changangkha Lhakhang and the Philatelic office. After lunch you visit a "hand made paper" factory and see silversmiths at work o/n at hotel.

Day 6. Thimphu - Punakha
After breakfast you commence your 3 hour drive to Punakha via Dochula pass. If the weather is clear, you can stop for a while at Dochula pass, at just over 3000m this pass offers one of Bhutan's most enchanting views. After lunch at Punakha you can visit Punakha Dzong built in 1637 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal for many years until the time of the second king, it served as the seat of the Government. The construction of the Dzong was foretold by
Guru Rimpoche, who predicted, "..a person named Namgyal will arrive at a hill that looks like an elephant". There was a smaller building here called Dzong Chu (Small Dzong) that housed a statue of Buddha. It is said that Shabdrung Namgyal ordered the architect, Zowe Palep, to sleep in front of the statue, and while Palep was sleeping, the Shabdrung took him in his dreams to Zangtopelri and showed him the palace of Guru Rimpoche. From his vision, the architect conceived the design for the new Dzong, which in keeping with the tradition, was never committed to paper. The Dzong was named Druk Pungthang Dechen Phodrang (Palace of Great Happiness). The war materials captured during the battle with Tibetans are preserved here. Punakha is still the winter residence of Je-Khenpo and King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk convened the new national Assembly here in 1952 o/n at hotel.

Day 7. Punakha - Gangtey
This morning enjoy a drive to the beautiful valley of Gangtey. On the way, stop a while to view Chime Lhakhang, which was built by Lama Drukpa Kuenley who subdued the demons with his "Magical Thunder bolt". The Temple is also known as "the Temple of Fertility". Enroute, sightseeing in the valley of Wangdiphodrang includes a visit to Wangdiphodrang Dzong built in 1638 (seen from outside). Legend relates that as the people were searching for the site of the Dzong, four ravens were seen flying away in four directions. This was considered auspicious sign, representing the spread of religion to the four points of the compass. A picnic lunch will be served enroute to Gangtey. On arrival check in to Gangtey Gompa House before visiting Gangtey Gompa Monastery founded in 1613 (seen from outside). It is a Nyingmapa monastery and is affiliated to other Nyingmapa monasteries including Tamshing in Bumthang. Explore the Phobjikha valley, famous for the Black Necked Cranes during winter o/n at guest house.

Day 8. Gangtey - Trongsa - Bumthang
Drive to Trongsa where you can visit Trongsa Dzong, the most impressive dzong in Bhutan, built in its present form in 1644 by Chogyal Minjur Tempa, the official who was sent by Shabdrung to unify eastern Bhutan. It was enlarged at the end of the 17th century and is the ancestral home of the present Royal Family. Then visit Ta Dzong, an ancient watch tower before traveling to Bumthang. o/n at hotel.