11D Central Bhutan Tour

Seat-in-coach tour (CB11):  Daily departure from Paro with English speaking guide

Private tour (CB11): Daily departure from Paro with a guide in the language of your choice (surcharges may apply)
 

ARRIVAL PARO (-/L/D)

DAY 1 The flight to Paro is one of the most spectacular of all mountain flights. One can see the Mt. Everest, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. Makalu and other peaks in Bhutan such as Mt. Chomolhari, Mt. Jichu Drakay, and Mt. Tsherimgang. The green wall of hills known as the doors, or gateways into Bhutan from the plains climbs continually higher as down the forested mountainsides, and to the north, the great snowcapped peaks of the inner Himalayas rise up to the sky.  You will be received by the representative of Diethelm Travel Bhutan  and escorted to the hotel. Welcome drinks will be served. 

Drive to Drukgyal Dzong (fortress) now in ruins, which were built in 1646 by Shabdrung to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders, led by Mongolian Warlord, Gushri Khan. Historically and strategically this dzong withstood all its glory and had captured western eyes in 1914 in National Geographic magazine. 

This evening your guide will give you a short introduction on the country, its culture, people and Buddhism. 
 

PARO SIGHTSEEING  (B/L/D)

DAY 2 Morning hike up to the Taktsang monastery (Tiger’s nest). The climb up to the view point will take around three hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambava landed on the back of a tiger in the 8th century, and mediated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. After tea in the cafe, walk back to the road point and drive to hotel for lunch. Afternoon visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watch tower for the Paro Dzong. This dzong was converted into the National musuem in 1967, and is filled with antique thankha paintings, textiles, weapons and armor. Drive to the Rinpung Dzong, built in 17th century, to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders, the dzong is now used as an administration centre and school for monks. Overnight at Paro.
 

PARO – THIMPHU (B/L/D) 

DAY 3 Drive to Thimphu (54 km) , the modern capital of Bhutan. The drive will take around 2 hours. Check in to the hotel. After lunch, visit the Memorial Chorten of the late king, built in 1974, the indigenous Hospital, where traditional medicine is still practiced, and the Painting School, where children still learn the ancient art of painting. Overnight Thimphu.
 

THIMPHU – PUNAKHA     (B/L/D)

DAY 4 Drive to Punakha via the Dochula pass. An hours drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass. From here one can have a superb view of the highest peaks of Bhutan, such as Mt. Gangkar Puensum, table mountain, Mt. Jeje Khang, Mt. Masakhang and Mt. Gangcheyta. Drive on to  Wangduepodrang for lunch. After lunch, visit Punakha Dzong (when the monk body  is away in Thimphu) and walk around the main street of Punakha. Overnight Punakha.
 

PUNAKHA – TRONGSA    (B/L/D)

DAY 5 Drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude  of 3,150 metres. Commanding the Mangde chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1647 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece. Overnight at Trongsa.          

TRONGSA – BUMTHANG  (B/L/D)

DAY 6 Drive to Bumthang. This is one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan and also the heartland of  Buddhism. Here the great teachers meditated and left in their wake many sacred  grounds. The Guru and his lineage of Tertons, treasure finders, have led to the  sprouting of many temples in the valley. Visit the famous Kurjey, Jambay and Tamshing Lhakhangs. Also the Jakar Dzong, seat of the district administration. After lunch visit the Jakar Dzong, built in the 17th century during the time of  Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, the first religious King of Bhutan. The dzong is now used as the administration centre for Bumthang valley. Visit the local handicraft  weaving centre and Honey & Cheese Farm. Overnight at Bumthang.
 

URA DAY EXCURSION   (B/L/D)

DAY 7 En route visit Member tso lake, where Terton Pemalingpa, the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambava, is  supposed to have  discovered  religious treasures in the 12th century. Drive on to Ura village at an altitude of 3,300 metres. Visit the village and the temple and drive back to Bumthang for overnight stay.
 

BUMTHANG – GANGTAY  (B/L/D) 

DAY 8 After early breakfast, drive to Gangtey Gompa with picnic lunch. Visit Gangtey Gompa which now houses one of the only Nyingmapa monastery in Bhutan. The valley is also the winter home to the rare black necked  cranes (Grus Nicorocolis) which migrate from remote parts of Tibet, China and Siberia to winter in this valley. Overnight Gangtay. 
 

GANGTAY – THIMPHU  (B/L/D) 

DAY 9 Proceed to Thimphu after breakfast. Lunch at the hotel and at leisure. Overnight in Thimphu. 
 

THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING - PARO (B/L/D)

DAY 10 More sightseeing around the Thimphu valley and drive to Paro after lunch. At leisure at Paro. A farewell cocktail party will be given to the clients. Overnight in Paro.
 

PARO – DEPARTURE (B/-/-) 

DAY 11 Morning your guide will escort you to the airport for your onwards flight.   
 

Our package tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours by air conditioned car/ van/ coach with English-speaking guide on seat-in-coach departures (for private tours other language guides are available on request), entrance fees, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), accommodation in twin shared rooms at indicated hotels, service charges and BST (Bhutan Sales Tax), airfare Bangkok - Paro - Bangkok incl. airport tax in Bhutan. 

Not included are visa fee (USD 20.00 payable upon arrival), international airport departure tax in Bangkok, other meals than mentioned in the program, surcharges during festival seasons, optional tours, and expenditures of a personal nature.

*Note: Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on road conditions and availability of rooms.

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