Beyond The Clouds - 13 Days

Flight to Bhutan offers spectacular views of the world highest mountains including Mount Everest. On arrival in Paro international airport Bhutan Hallmark representative will receive you and transfer to Thimphu in a private vehicle, approximately an hour drive. Upon arrival we will check into the hotel, after lunch we will visit National Memorial Chorten, stupa built in the memory of late 3rd king. Further we will proceed to visit National Textile Museum, Zhorig Chusum, school where 13 different arts are practiced and learnt. We will also hop into nearby Folk Heritage Museum and perhaps time to stroll the main street for some interesting Himalayan artifacts or textiles. Overnight in Thimphu, altitude 2400m.

After our leisurely breakfast, we will head to the north end of the valley to view Tashichhoe Dzong and further north to hike to Cheri Goenpa. The hike takes about 45 minutes one way to reach the temple and trail passes through beautiful cantilever bridge and forest creating the chance to see birds and wild animals sometime. This is the monastery where the first monastic body was established in the Kingdom. Back in town to explore some of the remaining site like traditional paper making center, takin’s mini zoo and weaving centre. Overnight in Thimphu.

We will checkout from the hotel and drive to Punakha over Dochula pass at 3050m. If the weather permits we can enjoy a spectacular view of the highest mountains of Bhutan at a site that stretches almost 180 degrees. After our packaged lunch we will visit Punakha Dzong (fortress) which houses the most elaborated temple in the country. One can also visit Souvenir making center and evening hike to Khamsum Yulay Namgyal Chorten, which will take about 45 minutes to reach on the top, evening back to the nearby Amankora Lodge which belongs to royal once. Soak yourself with the warm hospitality of international standard of hotel in the tiny Himalayan kingdom. Overnight in Punakha, altitude 1350m.

After our leisurely breakfast, we will hike to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of fertility which is associated with religious arts of phallus and after descending back down from Dochula, we will follow our way back up the dramatic Wang Chu and Paro Chu river valleys, before crossing through Paro town towards the north end of the valley. Here, set in a pine forest, you will find the Amankora lodge and its spa. We take an opportunity for a quick stroll to the nearby ruins Dzong. Evenings enjoy the facility of Aman soaking you in to culture, spa or perhaps enjoy the Bhutanese movies that Aman provides. Overnight in Paro, altitude 2200m.

After our breakfast transfer to Paro airport for your flight to Trashigang, eastern most district of Bhutan. On arrival at Yanphula, you will be received by our representative and transfer to your hotel at Trashigang. The drive will bypass Sherabtse College, country’s first and oldest college when it started few decades ago. Evening we will relax at our hotel and explore the little Tashigang town, meeting nomadic people from Merak and Sakten. Overnight in Trashigang, altitude 1400m.

Trashigang sightseeing includes visit the Radi villages meeting locals and excursion to Khaling to see textile weaving center which is very famous for silk weaving. En-route we will stop to visit Trashigang Dzong. The Dzong was built by 3rd Druk Desi, Chogyal MinjurTempa in 1669 as per the wish made by Zhabdrung before he went into retreat in 1652. Chogyal Minjur Tempa ruled the country from 1667 to 1680 and died in 1691. The Dzong was built on commanding hill top overlooking Drangme Chhu to defend Tibetans invader in 17 century. Today it houses the office of the district administrative officer and district monk body. Overnight in Trashigang.

The excursion to Trashiyangtse offers to visit famous Gomphukora, duksum to see the iron bridge built by Thang Thong Gylpo in 16th century and beautiful chortenkora. The chorten is said to have built over a live prince buried under the chorten as an offering to the deity and to pin down and demon receding in the area which use to destruct human activities as far as to Arunachal Pradesh, India. Still today, many people from Arunachal Pradesh come to witness the annual ritual preformed at Chortenkora. Evening we will drive back to our hotel in Trashigang. Overnight in Trashigang.

Check out from the hotel and transfer to the Yanphula airport for our flight to Jakar. The flight is considered to offer best Mountain View flight in Bhutan before landing in most religious and sacred valley of Bumthang. On arrival you will be received by Bhutan Hallmark team and transfer to your hotel. Check into your hotel and relax. Evening we will explore Jakar town. Overnight in Jakar, altitude 2650m

After our leisurely breakfast we will take an excursion drive to Tang, valley where famous Terton Pema Lingpa, the Bhutanese saint who discovered many hidden treasures and influenced Buddhist teaching in the country. En-route visit Tang private museum and burning lake which is associated with Terton Pema Lingpa. Evening back to hotel. Overnight in Jakar.

Today we will explore our neighboring palaces, Wangduechhoeling, home to the 2nd King, and the auspicious prayer wheels next door. Heading up valley, we will take in the grand Kurjey Lhakhang, considered one of Bhutan’s most auspicious monuments, that was once the resting place of Guru Rimpoche, and Jambay Lhakhang, home to the early winter festivals that draw thousands of Bhutanese for their annual blessings. Heading back into town and across the Bumthang Chhu, we will enjoy a visit to the sin alleviating Tamshing monastery followed by quick visits to Swiss cheese and red panda

After our breakfast, we will transfer you to Batpalathang domestic airport for your departure flight to Paro. Again the flight offers spectacular views of the Bhutanese mountains in the north. On arrival in Paro international airport, you will be received by Bhutan Hallmark representative and transfer to hotel. Afternoon we will visit National Museum of Paro and 17th centry Paro dzong. Evening witnesses the ongoing archery match and explore tiny Paro town. Overnight in Paro.

Early morning after our delicious breakfast drive to north end of Paro valley and hike to Tiger Nest Temple. The hike to Tiger’s Nest will take most of our day. The temple is one of the most renowned temple in the Buddhist world one of the ten most visit site before we die. This is most revolted temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro Valley at 900m above the valley. En-route visit Kichu Lhakhang, one from the 2 oldest Buddhist temples in the country, historic Drukgyal Dzong (Fortress) and Evening at leisure. Overnight in Paro.

13 days tour will end today. After the breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. Carry smile on your face, eyes with tears and memories unlimited. Tour staffs will bid you farewell at the airport departure gate with the quick prayer of safe journey and to see you again in future.