21D Bhutan the last Shangri-La

Seat-in-coach tour (BS21): Daily departure from Paro with English speaking guide

Private tour (BS21): Daily departure from Paro with a guide in the language of your choice (surcharges may apply)
 

PARO ARRIVAL (-/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. Visit the Ta Dzong rated as one of the finest natural Museum in South Asia, and is filled with antique thanka paintings, textiles, weapons and armour. Drive to see the Rinpung Dzong, built in 1645 to defend the valley against Tibetan invaders. The Dzong is now use as an administration center and school for monks. Dinner and overnight in Paro.
 

PARO DAY EXCURSION (B/L/D)

DAY 2 Morning hike up to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). The climb up to the viewpoint will take approximately 3 hours. Enjoy the stunning view of the monastery, where Guru Padmasambhava flew on the back of a tiger and landed there in the 8th century, and meditated for three months. The monastery was later built in this holy place in 1684. After tea in the café, walk back to the road point and drive to hotel for lunch. 

Afternoon visit Kyichu temple, one of the 108 temples built in the 7th century by the Tibetan King Songsten Gampo. The story goes that a giant demoness lay across the whole area of Tibet and the Himalayas and was preventing the spread of Buddhism. To overcome her, King Songtsen Gampo decided to build 108 temples, which would be placed on all the points of her body. Of these 108 temples, 12 were built in accordance with precise plans. Thus, it happened that in about the year AD 638 the temple of Jokhang in Lhasa was built over the very heart of the demoness. Dinner and overnight in Paro.
 

PARO - THIMPHU  (B/L/D)        

DAY 3 Morning: On the way to Thimphu, visit Tachogang Temple or the “Temple of the Hill of Excellent Horse”which rises in austere surroundings on the left bank of the river, a few kilometers before Chhuzom at the confluence of the Paro and Thimphu rivers. A Tibetan Saint had a vision of the excellent Horse Balaha – an emanation of Avalokiteshwara while he was meditating there. He decided thereupon to build a temple at this spot in addition to one of his famous iron bridges (later carried away by floods in 1969). The exact date of the temple’s construction is not certain, but it was probably around the year 1433. Check into hotel. Free time to relax. Overnight in Thimphu.
 

THIMPHU  SIGHTSEEING   (B/L/D)        

DAY 4 Thimphu sightseeing includes a visit the National Library, a treasure trove of priceless Buddhist manuscripts. Visit Changangkha temple, which is the temple of Chenrizig or Compassionate Buddha. See the traditional Incense and Paper Factory. See the Traditional Painting School of Arts & Crafts where children are taught centuries old craft, and   the National Folk Heritage Museum to get an insight into the typical Bhutanese way of life. 

Visit Zilukha Nunnery where the nuns meditate and practice Buddhism. Walk around the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in honor of the late King. Visit Tashichho Dzong, its history is very old, dating back to the 13th century, which houses His Majesty’s Throne Room and home to the Monk Body. Overnight in Thimphu.
 

THIMPHU  - PUNAKHA    (B/L/D)

DAY 5  Drive to Punakha (70Km) via the Dochula pass. An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3050mts) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day. Drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. After lunch, visit the Punakha Dzong, located on the island of the Pho – Chu (male) river and the Mochu (female) river. Visit the Dho Jha Gha Lam Temple. Walk  to Chimi Lhakhang, temple of the divine Madman Lama Drukpa Kuenley where couples unable to have siblings come here to pray. Walk around the streets of Wangdue.
 

PUNAKHA  – TRONGSA   (B/L/D) 

DAY 6 Today drive to Trongsa via Pele la pass at an altitude of 3,150 metres, a wonderful opportunity for photographs. Commanding the Mangde Chu at an altitude of 2,200 metres, Trongsa Dzong is the most impressive dzong in Bhutan. Built in 1644 by the Shabdrung, the dzong is an architectural masterpiece. 

Visit the beautiful Trongsa Dzong built in 1648, the ancestral home of the Royal Family. Both the second and third King ruled the country from this ancient seat. All four Kings held the post of Trongsa Penlop (honorary governor) prior to being crowned as King. Tour Ta Dzong, the watchtower that once guarded Trongsa Dzong from internal rebellion, stands impressively and provides visitors an insight into historical significance of Trongsa in Bhutan's history. Overnight in Trongsa.
 

TRONGSA  - BUMTHANG  (B/L/D) 

DAY 7 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. Check into hotel.

After Lunch, tour the Jakar Dzong, seat of the district administration, 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 famous Kurjey, Jambay and Tamshing Lhakhangs.          
 

BUMTHANG  DAY EXCURSION      (B/L/D)

DAY 8 Full day excursion to Ura Village. Ura Valley is one and a half hour drive from Bumthang. One drives through forests and large sheep pastures for about 20 kilometers. En-route cross Ura La (3600 m pass) with a magnificent view of Mount Gangkar Puensum. Closely cluttered houses are the characteristics of the villages in Ura, which is a unique feature in Bhutan. Above Ura village a new temple dedicated to Guru Rimpoche - founder of Buddhism in Bhutan can be visited which contains the paintings of the cycle of his teachings.  Explore the village and stroll around. Drive back to Bumthang.
 

BUMTHANG – MONGAR      (B/L/D)

DAY 9 The journey continues eastwards, winding through more rugged terrain. The drive, with spectacular views, will take about six hours. Pass through Ura village in Bumthang before climbing sharply to the highest motor road pass in the Kingdom, the Thrumshingla Pass – 12,465 ft. Gradually drop down to Sengor. Watch cascading waterfalls along the way. The descent stops at 2,130 ft on a bridge over the Kurichu. Climb again through pine forest, maize fileds and eastern hamlets to Mongar town. The Mongar Dzong, albeit built not to long age, still maintains the architectural traditions of the old dzongs. 
 

MONGAR – TRASHIGANG  (B/L/D)

DAY 10 The road from Mongar to Trashigang, the eastern most region, begins through lush forests and ferns passing over the Kori La at 8,000 ft. After about an hours journey you reach the village of Ngatshang, the site of one of the fiefdoms before unification of the nation. Descending rapidly through corn fields and banana groves, you reach Yadi village. Follow the Gamri river until the bifurcation to Drametsi. This temple, perched atop a steep hill, was founded by Nun Choden Zangmo in the 16th century. This is the place from where the famous Drametsi Nga Chham, mask dance with drums, originated. About 30 kilometres onwards lies Trashigang, at 3,775 ft. Trashigang is the center of the biggest and most populated district in the nation. View the dzong, built strategically on a spur going out towards the Gamri Chu. 
 

DAY EXCURSION TO TRASHIYANGTSE   (B/L/D)

DAY 11  Excursion to Gom Kora and Tashiyangtse and sightseeing around Trashigang.  
 

TRASHIGANG – RANJUNG – MONGAR     (B/L/D)

DAY 12 In the morning, drive to the Rangjung Monastery.  After lunch at Rangjung, drive back to Mongar.
 

MONGAR  - BUMTHANG    (B/L/D)

DAY 13 After breakfast, stroll around Mongar town area. Drive back to Bumthang for overnight. 
 

BUMTHANG – GANGTAY    (B/L/D)

DAY 14 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 at guesthouse, Phobjikha.
 

GANGTAY -  WANGDUE   (B/L/D)

DAY 15 Morning stroll around Gangtey to get a view of the black-necked cranes. Drive to Wangdue for overnight halt. Evening stroll around Wangdue town.
 

WANGDUE – THIMPHU    (B/L/D) 

DAY 16 After breakfast hike to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chhorten – temple built by the Queen Of Bhutan for peace and stability in this ever-changing world. Transfer to Thimphu.
 

THIMPHU DAY EXCURSION  (B/L/D) 

DAY 17 About 7 miles from Thimphu, the Tango Monastery is a lovely place for an afternoon excursion. The drive or walk to reach it offers beautiful views of the countryside and the Thimphu valley. The monastery dates back to the 13th century and was rebuilt in the 15th century by the “Divine Madman”, Lama Drukpa Kuenley. 

Drive to see the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan.  Drive to the BBS tower to get a glimpse of the Thimphu valley at night. 
 

THIMPHU - PARO (B/L/D)                 

DAY 18 Transfer to Paro, driving through the idyllic countryside, dotted with villages and paddy fields, crossing rivers and natural forests to Paro. 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 vide National Geographic magazine. And also visit the Drugyal Village. 
 

PARO SIGHTSEEING  (B/L/D) 

DAY 19 Drive to Pamesa village to visit the Pamesa Lhakhang built by Terton Sherab. While Terton Sherab was in Tibet he heard that there were religious treasurer places in Bhutan so he came to Bhutan and founded the Pamasa lhakhang. Meditate in the Lhakhang and stay the night there. OR You can come to your hotel for the overnight stay.
 

HAA DAY EXCURSION   (B/L/D) 

DAY 20 Day excursion to Haa valley. Take a packed lunch. Visit the Haa Dzong. Drive back to Par for overnight. In the evening, visit a farmhouse and try our traditional drinks and snacks. Try the stone bath. 
 

PARO – DEPARTURE (B/-/-) 

DAY 21 In the morning, your guide will escort you to the airport for your onward 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 shared twin rooms at hotels indicated, service charges and BST (Bhutan Sales Tax).

Not included are 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. 

|  Back to Land Tours | Contact Us |