(11 Days and 10 Nights)
Day 1 Singapore to Paro, transfers to Thimphu.
- Enter Bhutan amidst its breath taking landscape from Bangkok or Singapore and take in sights of some of the world’s tallest peaks, Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotshe and Mt. Jomalhari. You will be warmly received, with the offering of a white welcome scarf.
- Drive to Thimphu(about one and half hour drive from airport). Arrival at hotel and relax with welcome tea followed by check-in at hotel. Rest till lunch Program after lunch visit ChangangkhaTemple (built in the 15th century by famous Lama Nyima). Inside the temple is “God of Compassion” made out of platinum. You may witness new borns babies being blessed in this temple.
- Visit the Mini Zoo, Bhutan’s only Zoo to see the national animal Takin.
- Drive to Buddha point, which offers a 360 degree panoramic view of Thimphu.
- Visit nunnery founded by the 16th Drubthob Thangthong Gyalpo in 1976. More than 40 nuns study Buddhism in this nunnery.
- Visit Zorigchusum (meaning 13 arts and crafts) which is popularly known as the painting school. Students in this school learn traditional arts and crafts like painting, sculpture, wood carving, weaving and embroidery.
- Visit the National Library which consists of 2 buildings. On the ground floor of the old building is the largest book in the world and religious books on the upper floor. English books are kept on the ground floor in the new building.
- Drive to Thimphu Tashicho Dzong, a fortress built in 1772 by the temporal ruler Zhidar and Younten Thaye the Chief Abbot.
- Visit week end market / Centenary Farmer Market.
- Over night at hotel in Thimphu.
Day 2: Thimphu to Punakha,
Drive to Punakha, old capital of Bhutan (about 3-hour drive).
Stopover at the enchanting Docula pass(3,040m above sea level). On a clear day one can see panoramic view of the Eastern Himalayas mountain ranges.
Visit Druk Wangyel Temple located near by the pass.
Arrive at Punakha Valley (1300m above sea level), a fertile valley were farmers grow two crops in a year.
Visit the Punakha Dzong, which played an important role in the olden days. It was Bhutan’s second monastic school after the Cheri Monastery. The first king was crowned inside this Dzong in 1907. It is winter residence of Je Khenpo (Chief Abbot) and the Central Monastc Body.
Hike to Rinchengang cluster village. It is 15 minutes’ walk to this beautiful village. According to legend these people came from Cooch Bihar (India) in the 17th centuries. It is said that before 60 year back their houses where connected from one house to another, with interior of a house going from one house to another. Even today, we can see some few houses still connected. It is interesting to walk along this village; peoples are busy doing their daily cores of work.
Overnight in the Hotel.
Day 3: Punakha
- After break feast in the camp, take a short drive to nearby suspension bridge and start hiking to nearby Monastery: Khemsum Yuelley Namgay Chorten
This unique Chorten is Bhutan’s examples of fine and intricate architecture and artistic tradition. - It was built to promote peace, stability and harmony, and for the long-life of the Monarchs. Her Majesty Queen Mother Tshering Yangdon Wangchuck was the patron to build this Chorten in 1999 which took 7½ years to complete. The ground floor contains the images of Phurpa Lhatsho (the Deity of Magic Dagger). The middle floor is dedicated to Throwo Khamsum Namgyel (deity of magic dragger), while the top floor houses images of Throwa Namper Gyalwa. The dome contains the old image of Buddha from Punakha Dzong.
- We will also visit the Punakha Dzong.
- Night halt at hotel.
Day 4: Punakha to Trongsa
- After breakfast drive to Trongsa and visit Trongsa Dzong, Bhutan’s largest Dzong. The site was founded in the 16th Century by Lama Ngagi Wangchuk but was enlarged in 1652 by the first Governor of Trongsa, Chogay Minjur Tempa.
Drive further to Bumthang. Over night at hotel in Bumthang.
Day 5, Trongsa to Bumthang,
Drive one and half hour drive to south of Trongsa valley and visit famous Sharabling Nunnery. It was founded by great Lama Karmapa’s disciple in 1980s. Today this nunnery is Karmapa’s famous learning centre in Bhutan. There are around 80 Nuns studying Buddhist philosophy and meditation. 4-hour drive to Bumthang. You will pass through Bhutan’s highest pass Yotongla (3,345m) during your tour in Bhutan.Overnight hotel in Bumthang.
Day 6: Bumthang
- Start the day visiting Jamphel Lhakhang, one of the oldest temples in Bhutan founded by the 7th king of Tibet, Songtshen Gyampo in 659 AD. This temple was one of the 108 temples built by him throughout Tibet and Himalayas to overcome a giant demon. While Kichu Lhakhang in Paro was built on the left foot, Jampa Lhakhang was built on the left knee of the demon to subjugate the evils.
- We will then visit Kurji Lhakhang, the place where Guru Rimpoche meditated for 3 months to subdue the local deity who had taken the life force of the Sindu Raja. You can see the body imprint of Guru Rimpoche in this temple.
- Walk half an hour to the 3rd temple, Tamshing Lhakhang which means ‘temple of good message’. This temple was founded by Lama Pema Lingpa in 1501. The temple contains original wall paintings from 1501 which it was never repainted.
- Visit Wangdicholing Dzong built by Trongsa Penlop Jigme Namgyal in 1851. It is considered a masterpiece of architecture in the country.
- Visit Jakar Dzong, founded in 1649 by great grandfather of the Shabdrung. It was later enlarged in 1683 by the 4th Druk Desi Gaysay Tenzin Rabgay, who added a tower water reservoir.
Day 7: Bumthang to Phobjikha
Drive back to Wangduephodrang crossing two passes, Yotongla(3334m) and Pele la (3300m).
This is the opportunity to see the Black Mountain and Mt.Gangkar Puensum from Yotongla pass; and Mt.Jomolhari, Mt.Jichudraki and Mt.Drakigang from Pelela pass if you have missed it while travelling to Trongsa.
Phobjikha valley is the largest reserved wet land in Bhutan. This valley is winter home for rare species of birds call Black Necked Cranes, who come here in the end of October and migrate back to Tibet in March. This is the only species of Cranes found in Bhutan out-of the 700 species of birds. You can take a beautiful walk around the Crane feeding area.
If time permits, visit Gangtay Monastery, was built in 1692 AD by Lama Pema Thinley. Today it is main seat of the Pedling Tradition of Buddhism(off shoot of Nyingmapa religion), propagated Terton (Treasure Discoverer) Pema Lingpa in 16th centuries.
On the way to hotel visit Crain information Centre, where you will get more information of these rare birds.
Overnight at hotel in Gantey Monastery Guest House Hotel.
Day 8 Phobjikha to Paro
Drive back to Paro, crossing Dochula pass again. Start early from hotel to catch the great views of the Eastern Himalayan Mountain Ranges from pass, especially on a clear day.
Day 9: Paro
You will visit the Paro National Museum, which was once a watch tower and today houses some of the Kingdom’s historical treasures.
You will also visit Paro Dzong (Fortress), which is the head quarters of Paro District and Kyichu Lhakhang, built by the Tibetan Buddhist King Songsten Goempo in the 7th century.
Visit the Drugyel Dzong, which was built in 1649 by ZhabdrungRimpoche to show his victory over Tibetan invasion. This Dzong was also used as border check post in olden days. Unfortunately it was completely damage by fire in 1949. Today it is stand as ruin fortress.
Overnight at hotel in Paro.
Day 9 Paro
Hike to the “The Tiger’s Nest (Taktshang).” We follow an ancient path marked by river powered prayer wheels to the holiest Buddhist Shrine in Bhutan and the ultimate point of pilgrimage. A blend of the spiritual and architectural wonder, the monastery is perched on a 1000m cliff overlooking the valley. Legend has it that the great Indian saint, Guru Padma Sambhava, flew from Tibet to Taktsang on the back of a tigress to tame five demons, who were opposing the spread of Buddhism in Bhutan in 746 A.D.
Day 10 Paro to Singapore, After breakfast at hotel, drive to airport for departure.