7D Western Bhutan Tour

Seat-in-coach tour (WB7): Daily departure from Paro with English speaking guide

Private tour (WB7): Daily departure from Paro with a guide in the language of your choice (surcharges may apply)
 

PARO – THIMPHU (-/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. 

Visit Drukgyel Dzong with its delightful village nestling at its foot, was built in 1646 by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal to commemorate his victory over the Tibetan invaders led by Mongolian Warlord, Gushri Khan. Historically and strategically this dzong has withstood all its glory and had captured western eyes in 1914 in National Geographic magazine. The glory of Drukgyel Dzong remained even when it was destroyed by fire in 1951.

Drive to Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan. Check into hotel. 

Walk around the National Memorial Chorten built in 1974 in honor of the late King. Browse through local handicrafts and free time to mingle with the people. Drive to see the Takin Zoo, which houses the national animal the Takin that is only found in Bhutan. Drive to BBS tower to get a view of the Thimphu valley by sunset / evening.
 

THIMPHU SIGHTSEEING – WANGDUE   (B/L/D)

DAY 2 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 the Bhutan Post to see the different Stamps of the country.  

Drive to Punakha (70Km) via the Dochula pass (3140 m). An hour’s drive from Thimphu will take you to this pass (3140 m) where one can have a superb view of the Eastern Himalayas on a clear day. There is a powerful binocular telescope in the cafeteria. From west to eas t these are the different peaks with their elevation: 

Drive onto Punakha, the old capital of Bhutan and presently the winter residence of the central monk body. 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.
 

WANGDUE  - TRONGSA   (B/L/D) 

DAY 3 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 Ta- Dzong the Trongsa Dzong. Free time to relax.        
 

TRONGSA – WANGDUE (B/L/D)

DAY 4 Drive back to Wangdue. On the way stop to take photos and to enjoy the beautiful scene of the country. 
 

PUNAKHA – PARO  (B/L/D)

DAY 5 The day in Punakha valley begins with a drive through the town of Khuruthang and continues along the banks of the Mo Chu river, passing the Phuntsho Pelri Palace and several other winter homes of the Royal Family. At the upper end of the valley, a hike across a footbridge through terraces of rice, chillies and cabbage, takes guests to the Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chhorten built by Her Majesty for peace and stability in the world.  

Drive back to Paro. Check into hotel. Free time to relax. 
 

PARO DAY EXCURSION    (B/L/D)

DAY 6 Morning hike up to the Taktsang Monastery (Tiger’s nest). The climb up to the viewpoint will take approx. 3hours. 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. 

In the afternoon, visit the Ta Dzong, built in the 17th century as a watchtower 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. 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. Visit the Dungte Lhakhang. 
 

PARO – DEPARTURE (B/-/-) 

DAY 7 In the morning, your guide will escort you to the airport for your flight onwards.   
 

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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