Deeper into the Himalayas - 12 Days

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Day 1:    Arrival in Paro – Thimphu (1.2 hrs)
Day 2:    Thimphu Sightseeing
Day 3:    Thimphu – Punakha
Day 4:    Punakha – Bumthang (7 Hrs)
Day 5:    Bumthang Sightseeing
Day 6:    Bumthang Sightseeing
Day 7:    Bumthang – Phobjikha

Day 1
Arrival in Paro - Thimphu (1.2 hrs)

On arrival in Paro, you will be welcomed by Bhutan Hallmark representative in Bhutanese traditional way by offering welcome scarf and will escort you through rest of the journey for twelve days. We will transfer you to Paro town for refreshment or even for early lunch if you feel like. Later we will drive to see unique National Museum. National Museum in Paro is a cultural museum that has put on display antique items gathered from different parts of the country such as stamps, paintings, iron chains, statues etc. Little down from Museum we will visit Paro Dzong, a fortress-monastery that serves both as a civil administrative center and as a monastic home for a community of monks. Most dzongs were built in the mid-1600s to protect the inhabited valleys from invasion by Tibetan. Paro Dzong was started in 1644 on the order of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the unifier of modern day Bhutan. Unlike most of the Dzongs in Bhutan, it survived the massive 1897 earthquake mostly unscathed, though it was damaged by fire in 1907. Some of the scene in movie called “Little Buddha” was shot here. Further from here we will hike down crossing beautiful cantilever bridge Nyami Zampa from where we will be picked up by our car and transfer to capital city of Bhutan, Thimphu. This welcomes us into the tiny Himalayan kingdom. If you are not feeling well, we may escape the sightseeing in Paro today and drive to Thimphu from the airport. Overnight in the Hotel, altitude 2300m.

Day 2
Thimphu Sightseeing

After our delicious breakfast, we will visit interesting happening weekend market and further we will drive to Textile Museum, where we get to know the living national art of weaving. Exhibitions introduce the major weaving techniques, styles of local dress and textiles made by women and men. Further we will take quick drive to see National Library which houses an extensive collection of priceless Buddhist manuscripts, if interested we can also visit the Institute for Zorig Chusum (commonly known as the Painting School) where students undergo a 6-year training course in Bhutan 13 traditional arts and crafts. if time permits we may explore folk heritage museum. After lunch we will visit Dechenphodrang Monastic School and the only nunnery in Zilukha in Thimphu valley. Further we will drive to northern valley of Motithang and hike around to see very unique national animal of Bhutan, Takin. Overnight in the Hotel

Day 3
Thimphu - Punakha

We will checkout from the hotel and visit Memorial Chorten (temple) built in memory of the late 3rd King. Buddha point, the largest and the newly built statue of Buddha offering magnificent view of entire Thimphu valley. We will witness live archery match in Changlimithang and may visit TashiChhodzong before proceeding to Punakha. About an hour drive from Thimphu, we will come across dochula pass which is at 3150m high from the sea level. The pass is fully dotted with colourful prayer flags and magnificent chortens, during a clear day one can view 180 degree sight of entire Himalayan ranges from the pass. We will take more walks around the pass, have warm tea/coffee at the tea house little further from the pass. From here gradually we will drive down to warm valley of Punakha. Check into the hotel and relax. Overnight in Hotel Pema Karpo.

Day 4
Punakha - Bumthang (7 Hrs)

Morning we will start our drive to Jakar which will take about 7 hrs approximately and the drive will pass through Wangdue province. We will quickly visit the site of Wangdue ruined dzong, which was burn down to ground in summer of 2012. We will continue our drive to Trongsa over Pelela Pass at 3300m which forms the part of Black mountain range that divides the country into east and west. Enroute one could take a short break and go for a hike to the remote village of Rukubji. The drive is long but the landscape is picturesque and worth the drive. Further we will drive to a valley of white bird, Jakar. If time permits we will stop at Yotongla at 3400m, ChumeyYatra factory which is famous in the region. Check into the hotel and relax. Overnight in Hotel Ugyenling.

Day 5
Bumthang Sightseeing

Morning after breakfast, drive to see Ngalakhang festival if available, otherwise later in the afternoon we will visit Jampay Lakhang, the one of the first two Buddhist temples built in the 7th century. Visit Kurjey lakhang Temple, the site where royals are cremated where one can either walk cross the suspension bridge or visit the village Tamshing. End our day with a walk passing by the Swiss farm. Evening stroll in Jakar town and try some local pancake and noodles. Overnight in Hotel Ugyenling.

Day 6
Bumthang Sightseeing

Make an excursion drive to the village of Ura with packed lunch visiting locals, kids and people around. The drive will pass over the highest road pass on your trip at Shertang La at 3573m. On clear weather Bhutan’s highest mountain Gangkar Puensum (7540m) can be seen dominating the northern valley. Later in the afternoon we will visit Maber Tsho the burning lake and evening back to the hotel. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 7
Bumthang - Phobjikha

After the breakfast, we will drive to Phobjikha. En-route we will visit the majestic Trongsa Dzong (Fortress), the home of the royals and the watchtower which houses a newly converted museum. Our drive to west from Trongsa through black mountain range will take us to a beautiful valley of Phobjikha. Phobjikha is winter home for endangered black necked cranes which migrates from great Tibetan plateau in every winter. The arrival of cranes in Phobjikha is blessed with joys and happiness in the valley and among local communities beside tourists who visits Phobjikha. On arrival, check into the hotel and may go for walk if you did not feel cold. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 8
Phobjikha - Punakha

Checkout from the hotel, visit farm houses meeting locals and kids. Further we will take Phobjikha natural trails, trying closest photo shoot of beautiful cranes. The hike and walk will take about 2 hours to reach our road head. We will visit Nyingmapa temple, the GangteyGompa. Further we will retrace our drive back to Punakha-Wangdue. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 9
Punakha halt

Morning drive to north end of Punakha valley, hike to beautiful Khamsum Yulay Chorten and take a walk down to Punakha dzong through old route via Amankora Resort Punakha. The entire hike will take about 3 hours, before reaching our picnic lunch spot. The trail will also pass old palace of 3rd King. After lunch visit the most beautiful Punakha dzong, this houses the most elaborated temple in the country. This is a fine example of Bhutanese rich Art and Architecture. Drive to Walakha hill top nunnery meeting nuns and people around before proceeding to our hotel. Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 10
Punakha to Paro

Checkout from the hotel, depending on your interest you may pick up anything that you like. Few things to name, Kichu Lhakhang, Simtokha Dzong, Chelela pass etc. On arrival in Paro check in the hotel and relax or we will venture to try local games like khuru (dart)/archery and try local dress. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 11
Paro sightseeing

Early morning drive to the base for the hike up to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, the most revered temple in the country that literally hangs on a granite cliff overlooking the Paro valley. It is said to be where the legendary Indian saint, Guru Padmasambhava, flew from eastern Bhutan on the back of a tiger to overcome the demons of Paro region who were opposing the spread of Buddhism. Lunch in the cafeteria. Most of the day will go on the hike as you ascend gradually taking in the breathtaking views along the way. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 12
Tour End

Transfer to airport for the onward departure flight.

The Trip Cost Includes

  • US$ 40 per person visa fees
  • Visa arrangement for your stay in Bhutan
  • Government SDF and all the taxes
  • Accommodations in best-rated hotels on twin sharing
  • All meals (break, lunch & dinner), you can choose your restaurant
  • English speaking Heavenly Bhutan's licensed guide
  • Private transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary, imported vehicles only
  • Entrance, museums and park fees indicated in the itinerary
  • Bottled drinking water throughout the journey
  • Wearing the traditional dress and playing archery in Paro
  • Farmhouse visit/meals with a local family can be organized

The Trip Cost Excludes

  • Flight fares – available flights from Singapore, Bangkok, Delhi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Dhaka
  • Personal expenses, phone calls, laundry, shopping, etc
  • Gratitude/Tipping
  • Single room supplement
  • Luxury hotels/resorts available on supplement cost
  • Language speaking guide available on the additional cost
  • Travel and medical insurance, Heavenly Bhutan can help you
  • Extra Cost Activities (cycling, motorbike, river rafting, horse ride, hot stone bath, etc)
  • Check out cancellation policy before booking the trip
  • Bank wire Incidental charges US$ 25

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Deeper into the Himalayas
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Trip Facts

  • 11 Nights 12 Days
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