Bhutan: Land of the Thunder Dragon (6N 7D)

6 Nights 7 Days Bhutan Itinerary

Overview

Destinations Covered: Thimpu, Paro, Punakha and Haa Valley

Day-Wise Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Paro – Transfer to Thimpu

On a scenic flight to Paro Airport, in clear weather, you will be amazed to see the highest peak in the world, Mt. Everest. Just so you know, our representative will pick you up at the airport terminal. From there enjoying various sightseeing places, we drive to the capital city of Thimphu.

Overnight stay: Thimpu

Day 2: Thimpu City Tour

Sightseeing spot in Thimphu:

-Buddha Point

A giant golden Buddha Statue sits at one of the mountains in Thimphu known as Kunzangphodrang. Its presence reflects the dominant religion in Bhutan. Buddhism plays a strong part in the daily life of the Bhutanese. Construction began in 2006 and was planned to finish in October 2010, however, construction did not conclude until 25 September 2015. The completed work is one of the largest Buddha rupas in the world, at 169 feet (52 m), and contains 100,000 8-inch-tall and 25,000 12-inch-tall gilded bronze Buddhas.

-Memorial Chorten

This large chorten is one of the most visible landmarks in Thimphu, and for many Bhutanese, it is the focus of daily worship. The Tibetan-style stupa was built in 1974 as a memorial to the third king, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1928–72).

-Takin Zoo

Motithang Takin Preserve, located in the Motithang district of Thimphu, Bhutan is a wildlife reserve area for takin, the national animal of Bhutan. Originally a mini-zoo, it was converted into a preserve when it was discovered that the animals refrained from inhabiting the surrounding forest even when set free. The reason for declaring takin as a national animal of Bhutan on 25 November 2005 (Budorcas taxicolor) is attributed to a legend of the animal’s creation in Bhutan in the 15th century by Lama Drukpa.

-Simply Bhutan

Simply Bhutan is an interactive 'living' museum that gives a quick introduction to various aspects of traditional life in Bhutan. Visitors are greeted with a shot of local arra (rice spirit), before being guided through mocked-up village scenes. Along the way, you can dress up in traditional clothes, try out archery, and hear songs sung by Bhutanese women as they build houses out of rammed earth. It's touristy, but a good family experience.

-Tashichho Dzong

Tashichho Dzong is a Buddhist monastery and fortress on the northern edge of the city of Thimphu in Bhutan, on the western bank of the Wang Chu. The original Thimphu Dzong (the Do-Ngön Dzong, or Blue Stone Dzong) was built in 1216 by Lama Gyalwa Lhanapa (1164–1224), founder of the Lhapa branch of the Drikung Kagyu.

-Zorig Chusum

The Famous arts and crafts institute is located at Kawajangsa, a few minute's drive from Thimphu Town. The Zorig Chusum was established in 1971. Zorig Chusum is a classification of arts, crafts, and technological skills into thirteen different domains, which is well known in Bhutan. The thirteen categories include (1) calligraphy (2) painting (3) carving (4) clay sculpture (5) metal casting (6) silver and gold smithery (7) needlework (8) woodwork/ carpentry (9) textile production (10) paper making (11) bamboo craft (12) black smithery and (13) masonry. 

Overnight stay: Thimpu

Day 3: Thimpu to Punakha
 (Distance 73 km, 2 and half hours drive)

Punakha is the administrative center of Punakha dzongkhag, one of the 20 districts of Bhutan. Punakha was the capital of Bhutan and the seat of government until 1955 when the capital was moved to Thimphu. It is about 72 km away from Thimphu, and it takes about 2 and a half hours by car from the capital. Unlike Thimphu, it is quite warm in winter and hot in summer. It is located at an elevation of 1,200 meters above sea level, and rice is grown as the main crop along the river valleys of two main rivers of Bhutan, the Pho Chu and Mo Chu.

-Sightseeing spot in Punakha:

-Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens/Dochula Pass,

The Druk Wangyal Khang Zhang Chortens are red-band or khangzang chortens, 108 in numbers, built in a central hillock at the pass, under the patronage of Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuk. In the local language, they are called chortens of victory. These were built as a memorial in honor of the Bhutanese soldiers who were killed in the December 2003 battle against Assamese insurgents from India. 

-Punakha Dzong

The Punakha Dzong (the palace of great happiness or bliss), is the administrative center of Punakha District in Punakha, Bhutan. The dzong was constructed by Ngawang Namgyal, in 1637–38. It is the second oldest and second largest dzong in Bhutan and one of its most majestic structures. The Dzong is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers in the Punakha–Wangdue valley. 

-Suspension Bridge

One of the oldest suspension bridges in the world, the Punakha Suspension Bridge in Bhutan was believed to have been built by the Buddhist Monk, Thangtong Gyalpo. Over the years it has undergone its share of refurbishment but it was once one of the eight bridges that served as the precursor to many of our modern suspension bridges. Punakha suspension bridge length is 160 meters! Gyalpo chain bridges did not include the suspended wooden deck and this makes walking across the bridge quite a thrilling experience.

-Chimi Lhakhang

It is a fertility Temple built in honor of Saint Drukpa Kunley. He was known as the Divine Madman whose remains can still be found in the Wangcha village across the other side of the Punakha Suspension Bridge. Visitors have to hike for 20 minutes across the paddy fields to reach the temple. The temple has a golden roof that can be noticed from quite a distance. A statue of Guru Padmasambhava is found inside the Temple where couples seek blessings.

-White River Rafting

Apart from hiking and trekking to the temples and monasteries, visitors can opt for another adventurous activity of white water rafting along the Po Chu River. Po Chu River or male river as it literally means is 16 km long and has 15 rapids of 2-4 classes. Experienced rafters are on board for the safety of the first-timers. Rafters drift along the backdrop of the Punakha Dzong and under the Punakha Suspension Bridge and often encounter birds like white-bellied herons and kingfishers

Overnight stay: Punakha

Day 4: Punakha to Paro 
(Distance 115km, 3 and half hours)

Paro is a town and seat of Paro District, in the Paro Valley of Bhutan. It is a historic town with many sacred sites and historical buildings scattered throughout the area. It is also home to Paro International Airport, Bhutan's sole international airport. Paro International Airport is served by Drukair.

- Sightseeing spot in Paro:

-Paro Museum

National Museum of Bhutan is a cultural museum in the town of Paro in western Bhutan. Established in 1968, renovated ancient Ta-dzong building, above Rinpung Dzong under the command of His Majesty, the King Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the third hereditary Monarch of Bhutan. The necessary infrastructure was created to house some of the finest specimens of Bhutanese art, including masterpieces of bronze statues and paintings. Suitable galleries were constructed to house the extensive collections. Works of art were elegantly displayed on scientific lines.

-Paro Dzong

Paro Dzong is the administrative seat of Paro district. Paro Dzong, officially known as Rinpung Dzong, ‘Fortress of Heap of Jewels" was built in 1644 under the order of Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. It got its name due to its large collection of treasured buildings.

Rinpung Dzong is an ancient fortress in traditional Bhutanese architecture with a complex of courtyards, temples, administration offices, and open space surrounded by towering walls. All the buildings are equipped with huge windows with elaborate wooden carvings of traditional Bhutanese motifs.

-Kyichu Lhakhang

Kyichu Lhakhang is in Paro, western Bhutan. Kyichu Lhakhang is considered one of the oldest temples in the Buddhist Himalayas. According to tradition, the first temple at Kyichu Lhakhang was built by the Tibetan Buddhist King Songtsen Gampo in the seventh century. A giant demoness lay across the whole of Tibet and the Himalayas. To subdue her, Songtsen Gampo built 108 temples among which was Kyichu Lhakhang, built on the demoness' left foot.

-Paro Airport Birds Eye View Point

Paro Airport Bird's Eye View Point offers an exquisite view of the entire city. With the Paro International Airport being in the top ten stunning airports in the world, you can imagine what's in store for you. Amidst the mountains, the sight is so colorful and vivid that one remains awe-struck by the grandeur of the city.

Overnight stay: Paro

Day 5: Paro Bhutan (Whole Day Taktsang Hike OR Chelela Pass and Market) 

-Sightseeing spot in Paro:

-Taktsang Hike

Paro Taktsang (also known as the Taktsang Palphug Monastery and the Tiger's Nest), is a sacred Vajrayana Himalayan Buddhist site located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. A later monastery complex was built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave, where Guru Padmasambhava meditated and practiced with students including Yeshe Tsogyal before departing the kingdom of Tibet in the early 9th century.

The climb to the monastery takes about 3 hours at a comfortable pace. Regular trekkers and gym enthusiasts can complete it in about 2 hours. The total walking distance is about 4 km one way with 700m in elevation gained. For those who are unable to climb, you can opt to rent a horse to ride up to the midway where a cafeteria is located. However, descending the mountain has to be done on foot, and renting a horse is not available. The cafeteria is the midpoint of the hike (from the starting point, it’s about 2km of steep climb), there is where you will be able to catch some rest, refresh yourself, fill up your tummy before continuing the hike. From the cafeteria, it takes approximately another 45 minutes to 1 hour to reach the Tiger’s Nest monastery. You will then proceed another 2 km on a gentler slope to reach the second viewpoint, after which there will be concrete descending steps and you will be passing by a waterfall over a bridge, followed by the final ascending of 120 steps bringing one to the main entrance of Tiger’s Nest.

Along the way, you will walk past many colorful prayer flags that Bhutanese had strung up for the wind to bring compassion and blessings to all sentient beings. These colorful prayer flags called Lung Dhar, surface in five colors representing the five elements of nature.

Overnight stay: Paro

Day 6: Haa Day Excursion 
(Distance 130 km, 4hr and 40min)

Haa District is one of the 20 dzongkhag districts comprising Bhutan. An alternative name for the district is "Hidden-Land Rice Valley.  It is the second least-populated dzongkhag in the country. Haa's major feature is the Haa Valley, a steep north-south valley with a narrow floor. The district is presided over by three mountains collectively referred to as "Three Brothers" -- Jampelyang, Chana-Dorji, and Chenrezig.

Sightseeing spot in Haa:

-Lhakhang Karpo

Lhakang Karpo is located in Uesu Gewog under Haa in between three famous mountains Rigsum Goempo. Today it stands as tall as the fortress in Haa Valley revered to Haa River. The temple is home to sacred images of Sangye Tshepamey and Ap Chhundu the main deity of Haa valley. 

-Lhakhang Nagpo

Lhakhang Nagpo is located 15 minutes further away from Lhakhang Karpo in Dumchoe village. It takes 15 mins to walk and a few minutes by car. Inside the temple, there is also a small lake. Lhakhang Nagpo serves as the seat for the guardian deity Da Do Chen. Although the name of the temple means black temple, in reality, the walls are grey in color. Therefore before you become age assuming Lhakhang Nagpo to be black in colour please visit the chapel and see it for yourself.

-Wangchuk lo Dzong

Haa Wangchuk Lo Dzong was built as an administrative center. It is one of the new Dzong in the country constructed in 1915 after the old Damcho Dzong burned to the ground. This Dzong is different compared to other Dzongs, usually most of the Dzongs in Bhutan were built on hillsides or ridgetops as a defense against foreign encroachment and invasion.

-Trout Farm

Most of the fish farm in Bhutan is warm water aquaculture, however with the introduction of Rainbow trout in 2008, the National Research Center for Riverine and Lake Fishes initiated the Trout Breeding Center to promote and develop fish culture based on cold water fish species.

Overnight stay: Paro

Day 7: Departure from Paro

The trip is over; our representatives will drop you off at the Airport for your flight to onward destinations depending upon flight timing.

Transfer to Paro International Airport.


Inclusions:

ü  Fooding and lodging: Depends upon the package
Meal Plan: MAP(Breakfast and Dinner with Rooms)

ü  Transportation: 8 hrs duty daily

ü  Airport Pick up and Drop 

ü  Guide: English/Hindi speaking guide (8hrs duty daily)

ü  All permit movement towards the district

ü  Government Taxes and service charges

ü  Sim card for Tour leader

ü  Mineral water daily 1 LTR

Exclusions:

ü  Air Fare/Train Fare

ü  Tips for guide and driver

ü  River Rafting

ü  Culture Program

ü  Lunch and Beverages

ü  All fees for sightseeing entries

Additional Information

All tours will be conducted with an experienced guide.

Ensure your travel documents, including visas and travel insurance, are arranged in advance.

Carry appropriate clothing for varying temperatures.

 Terms & Conditions

ü  Above rates are for Bangladesh nationals only.

ü  Meal Plan: CP (Breakfast), MAP (Breakfast & Dinner), AP (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) (If Lodging Applicable).

ü  There will be no refund if the guest will not avail of meals or any other services due to flight / Train timing or missed for any other reason.

ü  Transportation as per itinerary.

ü  Any additional cost due to Natural Disasters, Flight cancellations, etc… will be not bound by the company.

ü  Additional sightseeing or extra usage of vehicle, other than mentioned in the Itinerary will be charged extra.

ü Tourists are mandatory to carry a Passport for the permit.

ü  We request you to book the tour at the earliest possible time, as all the services offered are subject to availability at the time of confirmation.

ü  Some sightseeing might remain closed so we reserve the right to show the alternative sightseeing.

This itinerary offers a mix of cultural exploration, nature walks, and stunning vistas to ensure a memorable trip to Bhutan.