Del Bhutan

Description

Del Bhutan tour is one 10 days trip that to visit Paro, Trongsa, Ura Valley, Thimphu, Tiger’s Nest, the cultural site of Bhutan. This trip will begin from the Paro airport by meeting your guide there, and then we will drive to Punakha/Wangdi Valley to explore the cultural sites, after this region, we will get to Trongsa sightseeing, then to Bumthang. We will then take one excursion of Ura Valley; Del Bhutan shall be ended after returning to Thimphu for exploring the well-known Tiger’s Nest Monastery

Itinerary

Important notice
Departure times can be determined based on your schedule.

In the following months of the year, please inform us of your travel plans in advance as indicated, in order to complete the booking process.

–For January, February, March, and December, please inform us 10 days prior to your arrival

–For April, May, October, and November, please inform us 15 days prior to your arrival

–For June, July, August, and September, please inform us 25 days prior to your arrival

D1 Arrival Paro

You will be received at the Paro airport by our company representative and drive to Thimphu ( 1hr. 30 minls drive): Thimphu sightseeing(depending on time availability): Visit the Memorial Stupa built in memory of the late third king of Bhutan, Buddha Point where one of the world`s largest ever statue of Lord Buddha is under construction and nearing completion. 15th century Changankha Monastery, Takins(national animal of Bhutan) zoo, Thimphu View Point and Zulukha Nunnery- a special monastery for female Buddhist monks. Later afternoon visit the Trashichho Dzong – the Bhutan Govt. quarters, Evening leisurely stroll Thimphu town. Afternoon program of specially organized Traditional Folk Music and Masked dances. Your Del Bhutan tour begins

D2 Visit to Punakha/Wangdi Valley

Morning after breakfast, drive to Trongsa via the Punakha/Wangdi Valley: Today`s total drive is about 7 hrs/199 kms). The drive will take you via the Dochula Pass (3150 mtrs. altitude) and the Pelela Pass (about 3500 mtrs. altitude). From the Dochula Pass, a wide range of the east Himalayas are visible from the Pass on a clear sky. Also on the pass are the 108 Druk Wangyel Stupas and the Druk Wangyel Monastery built by one of the queen mothers of Bhutan. From the Pelela Pass, ranges of the black mountains are visible on a clear sky. En-route visit the Wangdi Dzong(built in 1638). Also on the way make a short stop at Nikka Chhu Chazam to see/buy local bamboo-made products and also en-route you will see the Chendebji Stupa built in Nepali style.

D3 Trongsa sightseeing, then to Bumthang

Morning Trongsa sightseeing: visit the Trongsa Dzong built in 1648: Trongsa Dzong is the ancestral home of the Roya Family and both the first an second kings of Bhutan ruled Bhutan from this ancient seat. Even today by tradition, the crown prince held the position of Trongsa Penlop before ascending the throne. Later visit the Trongsa Tower Museum house in the ancient watch tower of Trongsa Dzong. The Museum structure was built in 1652 and served as the watch tower for centuries. The 300 yrs. old monument was renovated and converted as state of the art museum in 2008. The museum showcases the history of the monarchy and some of the priceless art facts of Bhutan. The museum has in display some of the must-see items like first Raven Crown of the first king of Bhutan, some sacred statues which is believed to have spoken in the past, Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyel(first king’s father)’s sword. Afternoon drive to Kingarabten(about 45 mins. drive south) to visit the winter palace of the late second king of Bhutan. The Palace was constructed in 1928. The locality en-route is rich in flora and fauna with beautiful landscapes of cliffs, greeneries and waterfall. Then drive to Bumthang (about 3 hrs. drive / 63 kms).

D4 Bumthang cultural sightseeing

Bumthang cultural sightseeing: Visit the 7th century Jambay Lhakhang Monastery. This monastery and the Kyichu Monastery in Paro are believed to have built in one day. Both the monasteries have the same design. Visit the Kurjey Monastery. The first temple on the right was built in 1652 which has the cave in which Guru Rimpochhe meditated in the 8th century. The second temple is built on the site a cave which has the body imprint of Guru Rimpochhe. The third temple has built by the Royal Grand Mother. The emples are surrounded by 108 stupas carved out of rocks. Later hike across the suspension bridge(about 30 mins. hike) on Chamkhar river and visit the Tamshing Monastery, built in 1501 by Terton Pema Lingpa, the great religious treasure discoverer. You can hike down the valley south from Tamshing another 45 mins. On the way you will come across the Bumthang airport under construction at Batpalathang and you will be picked by transport near the Cattle Farm. The airport MAYBE ready for operation next spring. Afternoon visit the ancient Jakar Dzong. Evening leisurely stroll Chamkhar town.

D5 Ura Valley excursion

Excursion drive to Ura Valley (about 2 hrs. drive / 48 km) via the Shelthang la Pass (about 3600 mtrs. altitude). In Ura visit the Ura Monastery and the Ura Middle Secondary School for an experience of education system in Bhutan.

D6 Visit to Gangtey/Phobjikha valley

Morning drive to Gangtey/Phobjikha Valley (about 5 hrs. drive / 130 kms): Gangtey/Phobjikha is the winter habitat of the rare and endangered black-necked cranes which migrate from Tibet in China. In Gangtey visit the Gangtey Monastery and Crane sighting.

D7 Drive to Thimphu

Morning drive to Thimphu (about 4 hr. 30 mins. drive / 130 kms): En-route visit the magnificent Punakha Dzong, built in 1637. Punakha is the old winter capital of Bhutan and still today the winter residence of the Central Monk Body. Also en-route take a hike to Chimi Lhakhang, a special monastery for women who cannot bear children. It is believed that a sterile women can do so after receiving blessings from the monastery. The hike trail will take you via village house and rice/wheat fields. Drive on to Thimphu and en-route if time permits, visit the Royal Botanical Park at Lamperi.

D8 Thimphu sightseeing

Visit the Handicraft Emporium which has a wide variety of hand-made products, Textile Museum which showcase Bhutan`s rich hand-made textiles, National Library which houses collection of religious books and manuscripts, Folk & Heritage Museum for an experience of Bhutan rural livelihood, Traditional Painting School where students are taught the traditional art of painting, carving, embroidery, sculpture etc. Evening drive to Paro( 1hr. 30 mins. drive / 63 kms). En-route visit the Simtokha Dzong, built in 1629 and is the oldest dzong in Bhutan.

D9 Explore Tiger`s Nest Monastery

Hike to the Tiger`s Nest Monastery perched on a cliff 800 mtrs. above Paro valley: Afternoon visit the 7th century Kyichu Monastery, the National Museum(closed on sun & mon) which houses collection of art and art facts from all over Bhutan and the massive and ancient Paro Dzong built in 1645. Evening visit to a traditional Farm House and enjoy traditional salt/butter tea and local liquor.

D10 Bhutan Departure

Your tours ends today, you will be driven to airport for your departure