Samlha Tours & Travels

Magical Bhutan

5 Days

Destinations: Thimphu, Punakha, Paro, Wangdue Phodrang

Max Altitude: 3,120 m / 10,240 ft

Best Season: March to May and September to November

Meal: Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Accommodation: Government approved 3 stars hotels and above

Transportation: 4 wheel drive – suvs, tour vans & mini buses

Tour Overview

As implied by the trip’s name, The Essential Bhutan, it will help you understand Bhutan better. The itinerary includes excursions and walking tours in Paro, Thimphu (Bhutan’s capital), Punakha, and Wangdue’s Phobjikha Valley.

Tour Highlights

1. While flying into or out of Paro, witness the breathtaking Himalayas from above.
2. Trips to Wangdue, Paro, Thimphu, and Punakha
3.The farmers market and weekend nightlife in Thimphu. The Dochula Pass gives a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the Himalayas.
4.Explore Punakha Dzong, Bhutan’s most stunning fortification.
5. Hike to the Tiger’s Nest at Taktsang Monastery
6. Nature trails in Wangdue’s Phobjikha Valley
7.Go to festivals if your tour coincides with one.
8.Experience the customs, cuisine, and culture of Bhutan.

Detailed Itineraray

Day 1: Arrival Paro, drive to Thimphu

The Land of the Thunder Dragon, Bhutan, is a warm welcome. After landing at Paro International Airport, your guide will welcome you as you leave the arrivals area. We’ll take it easy today to let our bodies adjust to the higher altitude. Drive to Thimphu, check into the hotel, and then let’s enjoy your first taste of Bhutanese cuisine and, if time permits, do a little light sightseeing there. The Takin, the country of Bhutan’s national animal, is a strange-looking mammal that some have compared to a moose that has been stung by a bee on the way to the viewpoint above Thimphu.
Overnight stay in Thimphu

 

Day 2: Tour of Thimphu
The mission of the Heritage Museum is to introduce visitors to the rural history of Bhutan by displaying relics from rural homes. Witness the craft of traditional weaving at the textile museum. The Bhutanese King’s office is located in Thimphu Dzong, the country’s biggest Dzong. In memory of the late King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk, the National Memorial Chorten was constructed. Witness the craft of creating traditional Bhutanese paper at the paper factory. Simtokha Dzong is the oldest fortification in the Kingdom and is located on a mountainous ridge five kilometers from Thimphu. The majority of the people in Thimphu converge on the riverbanks every Saturday and Sunday when the Centenary Farmers’ Market is conducted. Villagers from the valley and other adjacent communities travel here to buy.
Overnight stay in Thimphu

 

Day 3: Thimphu – Punakha
The current Queen Mother of Bhutan, Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, erected the 108 chortens at Dochula Pass to mark Bhutan’s victory over Indian terrorists and to free the souls of the deceased. Punakha Dzong was constructed in 1637 and is still used as the winter residence for the clergy, which is led by the Chief Abbott, the Je Khenpo. Sitting at the confluence of two rivers, it is a magnificent example of Bhutanese architecture that, from a distance, gives the impression of a mediaeval metropolis. The dzong was repeatedly damaged by fire and glacial floods, but it has since undergone painstaking restoration to stand as a superb example of Bhutanese craftsmanship. The third Queen Mother, Ashi Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck, constructed the Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.
Overnight stay in Punakha

 

Day 4: Punakha – Gangtey
Chhimi Lhakhang is a modest temple atop a mound in the middle of the valley below Metshina, 20 minutes’ walk from the roadside past the settlement of Sopsokha and terraced farms. After the ‘divine Madman’ Drukpa Kuenlay constructed a small chorten there in the 15th century, Ngawang Chogyel built the temple. It is a place where barren ladies go to pray. One of the larger cities and the district capital in Western Bhutan is Wangdue. Wangdue is the penultimate settlement before central Bhutan and is situated south of Punakha. The area is renowned for its exquisite stone and slate carving as well as its bamboo work. We’ll stop so that you can see the Wangdue Phodrang Dzong. Wangdue Dzong, constructed in 1638, is picturesquely positioned atop a hill and views over
Overnight stay in Gangtey


Day 5: Gangtey Sightseeing
The Black-necked crane (Grus Nigricollis), which spends its winters in the Phobjikha Valley, is widely recognised for this. Around 600 black-necked cranes live in Bhutan, with Phobjikha being one of their favourite wintering grounds after leaving the Tibetan plateau. From early November through the end of March, one can witness the graceful and reserved birds. The Gangtey Goempa has a view of the Phobjikha valley. This is an ancient monastery from the 17th century.
Overnight stay in Gangtey


Day 6: Gangtey – Paro
The picturesque Paro Valley is the location of many of Bhutan’s historic monasteries and temples. Paro is home to the only airport in the nation. At the northern end of the valley, on Mount Chomolhari (7,300 metres), glacial water from the mountain creates the Pachu, which flows through the valley. The following are a some of the popular destinations in Paro. The Paro Dzong, sometimes referred to as Rinpung Dzong, is a sizable fortress/monastery that dates back to the fifteenth century and serves as the dzonkhag’s administrative hub. Ta Dzong: Originally constructed as a watchtower, the Ta Dzong became the National Museum in 1968. The museum houses a wealth of natural and historical artefacts, antique Thangka, textiles, armour, and weapons.
Overnight stay in Paro


Day 7: Paro
Have you prepared? Today, we’ll embark on a climb to one of Bhutan’s most notable landmarks. Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger’s Nest. Taktsang Monastery: The cafeteria is a vantage point from where you may take in the breathtaking view of the monastery after an hour-long journey there. The cliffs are decorated with prayer flags, and in the eighth century, Guru Padmasambhava came here while riding a tigress. After a delectable local lunch, we will retrace our travels to Kyichu Lhakhang, one of Bhutan’s oldest temples, where we will pay a visit.
Overnight stay in Paro
Day 8: Paro Depart
We will give this lovely Himalayan nation a warm farewell today and catch an early flight back home or to your next trip location. We hope that at this point you have made some friends and have many wonderful images and memories of Bhutan. And we hope to see you again in this lovely country of limitless enchantments! Delek Tashi

Cost Details

Package costs will be in addition to the SDF of USD 200 per person per night to include hotel accommodations, meals, admission fees, a guide, and a private tour vehicle. Email us a booking enquiry, and we’ll create a package just for you based on your preferences and price range.

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