Bhutan Monastery Tour

Duration: 07 Nights & 08 Days
Places to see: Paro – Thimphu – Trongsa – Bumthang

Day 01 : Arrival Paro

We will fly into the breathtaking views of the great Himalayan peaks, taking the flight into the Dragon Kingdom on arrival transfer to the hotel on Paro.

Day 02 : Paro

On the 2nd day of the tour we will be taking the excursion trip to the Paro valley. We will encounter the glory of the pure and exotic land, ancient dzongs, monasteries and temples that dot the Paro town. We will glimpse the rich and unique cultural heritage and religious practices of the Bhutanese people. We will start our journey from the National Museum (Ta-Dzong). It was once the watchtower for the Rinpung Dzong, it was converted into the National Museum in 1968. From here we get the glimpse of the Paro valley. Than we will move towards the Paro Rinpung Dzong. Today, the Dzong is the seat of the district administration as well as the home for the monastic school. The central tower (Utse) of the Dzong, with its superb woodwork, is one of the most beautiful in the nation. After that hot lunch will be served to us. Afterward we will drive towards the Drugyal Dzong (a ruined fortress – 16 km away from Paro town). It was from this fortress that the Bhutanese repelled many Tibetan invasions. From here we can get the magnificent view of the Mount Chomolhari known as “Mountain of Goddess” (7329 m). After the whole day sightseeing we get back to the hotel for the overnight stay.

Day 03 : Paro – Thimphu

On the 3rd day of the tour our journey will start with the drive to Thimphu. We will start from the Memorial Chorten – dedicated to the king’s late father Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who died in 1972. Than we will visit Tashichho Dzong – a 350-year-old structure built by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal and remodelled in 1961 to house government departments and ministries. After that we will take lunch in the local restaurant. Afterward we will make a visit to the National Library, where thousand of manuscripts and text books are served. In the last we will visit the Painting school, where the small children learn the traditional techniques and paintings. In the evening we will explore the weekend bazaars and small shops that sell precious stones brought from Tibet and India, local weaving products, local vegetables and fruits, antique silverware, and old Tibetan coins. Than we will enjoy the mask dance performed by the local people and the music performances of the lamas.

Day 04 :Thimphu – Trongsa

On the 4th day of the tour after the breakfast we will leave for Trongsa. We will enjoy the magnificent views of the Black Mountains on the way. Along the way we will look for the red pandas that sleep in the trees during the day. We will visit Trongsa Dzong, built in 1648 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel at the place where his great-grandfather Lama Ngagi Wangchuk had erected the temple in 1543. After admiring the architectural beauty of the Trongsa Dzong we will take the picnic lunch around the Trongsa valley. After that we will have the sightseeing tour of the town. We can see the local people weaving the textiles with the hand. We will purchase the traditional machine woven carpets, sold at the cheaper rates in Trongsa. Dinner will be served in the hotel in Trongsa. Night stay in the hotel.

Day 05 : Trongsa – Bumthang

5th day of the tour is the another most exiting day of the tour. After the breakfast we will drive to Bumthang, which is a charming village located in a beautiful valley that is very sacred. First of all we will visit the historical Jakar Dzong built by Minjur Tenpa, the third druk Desi ( temporal ruler) in 1643. Than we will take a sightseeing tour of the important monasteries such as Jambey, Lhakhang, Kurjey Lakhang, Kuenchogsum Lhakhang, Tamshing and Pema Samba Lhakhangs. After lunch we will visit Bumthang Swiss Farm and the Meber Tso ‘The Flaming Lake’. In the evening we will enjoy the Brokpa folk dances, Yak Dance and the Achi Lhamo dance performed by the Bhutanese people. In the dinner we will have Ema Dartsi -red chillies cooked in the melted cheese. Onernight stay in the hotel in Bumthang.

Day 06 : Bumthang – Punakha

On the 6th day of the tour we will take a small walk around the hotel in the morning hours. After that we leave for Punakha. On the way to Punakha we will enjoy the fascinating forests of oak and pine forests. We will pass through the picturesque villages. On the way we will also enjoy the spectacular view of the mountains. We will witness the winter home of the yak herders. We will also spot the Blue sheep and snow leopards in the jungles. At Punakha we will make a visit t the Punakha Dzong. We will converse with the Sharchopas, the local people of the area. After the day long excursion we will spend overnight in the hotel in Punakha.

Day 07 : Punakha – Paro

In the morning of the 7th day of the tour we will take the local tea called Suja. Than after the reakfast we will again move towards the Paro. We will check in at the hotel. Afternoon we will spend time in luxury. In the evening we will enjoy the indigenous spots such as the traditional archery, dego and Khuru. After that we will stroll the streets of Paro. We will witness the white washed wooden facades of of shops decorated with the potted plants. We will spot the traditional dress of the Bhutanese people. There after we will enjoy the street food in paro. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 : Paro Departure

Our Bhutan Monastery Tour ends on the 8th day of the tour. On this day our executive will drop you to the Paro International Airport for your further journey.