Bhutan Sampler

Your flight to Paro includes the breathtaking views of the majestic peaks of the Himalaya as the plane navigates through Bhutanese sky!

On arrival at Paro, Bhutan, airport, meet your guide and driver after clearing immigration and customs. You’ll need to present your Bhutan eVisa document, which we will email to you about three to four weeks before the trip date. In Paro, you are required to produce the visa document again, and there you will get the visa sticker on your passport.

After introductions, your guide and driver will transfer you to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch, visit the National Museum of Paro which gives an excellent introduction to Bhutan's history, culture and religion. The museum exhibits a good collection of Bhutanese textiles, manuscripts, books, murals, armors, crafts, traditional utensils, philatelic collections, and more. Then we can either descend or visit the impressive Rinpung Dzong Fortress that houses the office of the district administration and religious body.

Now, we take scenic one-hour drive to Thimphu, the capital, with a stop for a short walk at the 13th-century temple of Tamchog Lhakhang- built by the famous Tibetan iron-bridge builder Thangthong Gyalpo – who was a multi-talent person: a saint,  physician, and teacher! Until today, his descendants own and maintain the temple.

In Thimphu, we’ll have time to settle in before a walking tour of the tiny city. Thimphu is probably the only capital in the world without any traffic lights! We will take a stroll and visit the memorial Chorten(shrine) of the 3rd King of Bhutan Jigme Dorje Wangchuk, and whatever else time and our interest allow.

After breakfast, with our guide and driver, the adventures begin as we get a feel for the city. On the weekend, it's worth visiting the weekend market. Archery is the Bhutanese national sport, and we’ll hope for matches while we’re there. We’ll visit a small handmade paper factory across the river to see the traditional Bhutanese paper making method that uses “Daphne” or mulberry plants.

We return to the town and visit the National Institute Zorig Chusum that offers a six-year course on Bhutan's traditional arts and crafts that include painting, wood carving, embroidery, and statue making. Then we head to the Folk Heritage Museum, a three-story mud and timber building that replicates a century-old traditional farmhouse that gives us a glimpse of not only the lives of ancient Bhutanese people, but also many rural people even today.

The afternoon will bring us to a grand panoramic view of the valley, followed by a short 10-minute hike through the forest to visit the Takin Sanctuary. Takin – a kind of sheep by way of antelope, are the National animals of Bhutan and believe to exist only in Bhutan Himalaya. On the way back to our hotel, we’ll stop at the Zilukha Nunnery in Drubthob Goemba, home to 40-60 Buddhist nuns.

Next stop – the National Institute of Traditional Medicine, dispensary of traditional Bhutanese herbal and other medicines; then finally the Trasichoe Dzong that houses the Royal Throne, National Assembly, and the seat of Chief Abbot of the central monastic body.

An option: hiking enthusiasts keen to experience a monastic lifestyle away from the crowds of town can take a half-day hike to Tango Goemba monastery. You’ll miss some sights listed above; and if anyone is not hiking, can stay behind with the driver. Tango Goema Monastery is Bhutan's highest learning center for Buddhist studies. All Je Khenpo, the religious head of Bhutan, must complete a nine-year program here and a three-year, three-month, three-day in mediation at the nearby Cheri Goemba Monastery! With luck, the monks will be in recess, and we can join them for tea. Cheri Goemba Monastery sits atop an adjacent hill, and if you wish, you can attempt this hike as well. Allow another two hours for this trip.

Are you interested in Buddhist astrology? On our way back, we can stop at Pangri Zampa Temple-an astrology school for the state clergy. More than a hundred monks study astrology in this center and public are welcome for astrology consultation with advance notice. There is no fixed structure of fee, but they expect some donation.

(77 km/ 48 miles, 3 hrs.)

Following breakfast, we begin a scenic drive to Punakha, the former winter capital of Bhutan. As we leave Thimphu behind, the road gradually winds up through villages and pine forests to Dochula Pass (3100m/10168 ft.), marked by 108 Buddhist shrines, flickering with sacred prayers flags offered by the Buddhist devotees. We’ll hang our prayer flags. On a clear day, the pass offers a superb panorama of the snow-capped mountains and the valleys.

The road drops slowly through the changing vegetation to the sub-tropical lowlands, and two hours later, we will be in Punakha. After -lunch at our resort, we start with a pleasant hike to the Chime Lhakhang. It's less than 25-minutes from the main road, and the trail goes through paddy fields and villages. It may look bizarre, but you will see the houses with the phallic symbol painted on their walls and doors! You might even see the door handles or knobs carved out in the shape of a phallus! Ask your guide why. The temple-also called 'Fertility Temple' is associated with the Lama Drukpa Kuenley who is famously by the nick-name "the Divine Madman"!

Next, visit Sangchhen Dorji Lhuendrup Nunnery-perched on a ridge overlooking the valley and the views from here are superb. The resident nuns here are friendly, study Buddhism and also learn some skills such as embroidery, tailoring, etc.

Depending on available time and your interests, your guide may suggest other sites or activities.

We spend one more day in Punakha, exploring its attractions. You can choose to visit the attractions by car or go on hiking.

You can visit Ritsha Village-made up of mud and stone foundations. It's a model rice-growing village in western Bhutan. Each house has its vegetable garden and also fruit bearing plants-oranges, lemon, squash, papaya, etc. As you stroll through the village, you will experience villagers are shifting from traditional farming method to use of modern equipment such as mechanized power-tillers, etc. We will stop to chat with friendly locals and check out their dwellings.

Short and moderate hiking takes you to Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten situated atop a beautiful hillock overlooking the valley. From the parking, it takes about 45-60 minutes up, but return trip down should take less than 30 minutes! We cross the Mo Chu river by a suspension bridge and then follow the trail amidst the paddy fields first, and then the path twirls up around the hill. Built by the Queen Mother, the temple is an example of Bhutan's most beautiful traditional architecture.

Are you looking for a longer hike? From the Khamsum Chorten, you can continue further up to Giligang Temple that can take two or three hours, depending on your pace. It's a 300-year-old, privately owned temple and taken care of by the same family for generations. There are numerous places along the way to stop and enjoy the inspiring views of the surrounding temples, rice paddies, rolling hills, and green forests. We enjoy our picnic lunch here and perhaps invite the owner couple of the temple to join the meal. From Giligang, the trail continues pleasurably downhill along the mountainside until you reach Changyul Bridge (1 hour) just before Punakha Dzong where we meet our driver and transfer back to the hotel. It's a strenuous hike but enjoyable!

Back down, visit the stunning Punakha Dzong, probably the most impressive of all the Dzong (fortress) architectures of Bhutan. It has served as the winter capital of Bhutan, and even today the chief abbot makes it his winter residence.

Optional: Mo Chu River also offer rafting experience! If you are interested, you can experience 30 minutes raft down the white waters of Mo Chu River. The put in point is just below the Samdingkha Bridge, and it's taken out at the confluence of Mo Chu and Pho Chu near the Punakha Dzong. It's a scenic ride with II to III+ rapids. Costs $150 for a private boat, guide, safety jacket and helmet (up to 6 people)

There are quite a few other shorter hikes, 1-2 hours, such as Mendegang, Nobgang, etc. Consult with your guide and choose the destination that fits your interest and pace. 

If you are not into hiking, you can visit the quaint villages of Rinchengang and Talo and spend time with the monks of Daly Gomba. If you are in Punakha during the weekend, the Saturday market of Kuruthang and Sunday Market in Wangdue Phodrang are worth visiting.

(142 km/89 miles, 5 hrs.)

After breakfast, we retrace our drive across Dhochula Pass to Paro. Shortly before the pass, we can stop at Lamperi Botanical Garden that preserves the rich fauna including Rhododendron flowers (Highly recommended during Spring-March, April and May). We will have another photo opportunity in Dhochula pass where we will stop for lunch. 

Check into your accommodations and balance of the day is for rest.

A special day, with an early start. After breakfast, we’ll hike to the famous Taktsang Monastery, also known as the Tiger's Nest, a highlight of any trip to Bhutan. The monastery dramatically sits on the edge of a 4000-foot cliff above the valley floor; it is an unbelievable sight. The hike up is less than three hours. With a prior arrangement, ponies can take us two-thirds of the way up, but no further. Legend has it that Guru Padmasambhava, known as Guru Rinpoche by Tibetans and Bhutanese, flew on a tigress from Tibet and landed at the monastery’s site. Guru meditated in a cave here, it is said, and subdued the local demons and established the supremacy of Buddhism in Bhutan.

On the way back to the town, we will the ancient Kyichu Lakhang Temple, notable as one 108 temples that King Songsten Gampo of Tibet built miraculously over a single night in the 7th century to subdue a demon!

This afternoon, visit a typical Bhutanese farm family and their colorful farmhouse, made up of wood without the use of a single nail! With prior arrangement, we can share a traditional meal with the family.

Experience Traditional Hot Stone Bath (Optional)
After such an active day, we recommend a traditional Bhutanese Hot stone bath, an ancient Bhutanese method of curing skin ailments, joint pains, hypertension, stomach disorders, arthritis, and many other diseases. Your guide needs one-day advance notice to arrange the hot stone bath for you. The estimated cost is approximately $ 30 per person.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to the airport in time for your flight to the next destination.